Bosch SDS-plus Bulldog Rotary Hammer Bits

Why I reached for this set

I’ve got a shelf full of rotary hammer bits collected over years of jobs, but I wanted a compact, no-nonsense kit to keep in the case with my SDS-plus hammer for service calls and quick anchor work. The Bosch Bulldog set checked the right boxes on paper—common anchor sizes, carbide tips, and a couple of chisels for light breakout—so I put it to work on a mix of brick, CMU, and cured concrete around a remodel and a few punch-list tasks. It’s not a premium, do-everything bundle, but it’s a smart starter set that covers most everyday holes with a few thoughtful touches that matter on site.

What’s in the box and where it fits

The kit includes four SDS-plus bits—5/32 in, 3/16 in, 1/4 in, and 3/8 in—each with a 4 in working length (6 in overall), plus a point chisel and a flat chisel, all in a slim case. Those sizes are the anchors-and-fasteners bread and butter for me: Tapcons, sleeve anchors, drop-ins and the like. If your work routinely includes 1/2 in wedge anchors or deeper embedments, you’ll still need to grab a longer or larger bit. As a compact “carry all the time” set for small to midsize anchors and fixtures, though, this loadout makes sense.

Compatibility is straightforward: SDS-plus shanks fit the majority of light-duty rotary hammers. I ran the set on two different SDS-plus machines without any slop or retention issues.

Drilling performance in concrete, CMU, and brick

The centric tip design pays off right away. On glazed brick and tight layout marks in CMU, the bits started cleanly without skating, which meant fewer center punches and faster moves between holes. In cured slab (3,000–4,000 psi range), they cut at a confident pace—certainly not the rocket-ship speed of a high-end multi-cutter bit, but consistently quick enough that I wasn’t thinking about the tool, just the layout.

Hole quality was very good. I’m particular about anchor fit, and these bits produced round, accurate holes that let sleeve and wedge anchors set properly without wallowing. That matters more than raw speed in my book. The wear indicator marks along the cutting edge are a small but meaningful touch: a quick visual cue that the bit has worn past ANSI hole tolerance. It’s an easy way to avoid oversized holes that compromise anchor holding power.

Heat, dust, and clearing

Bosch’s flute geometry clears fines efficiently. You can feel it in the way the bit continues to pull itself into the work instead of stalling on packed dust. I still back the bit out periodically or run a vacuum at the hole to keep things clean—especially on deep 3/8 in holes—but heat buildup was minimal across the set. Less heat equals longer carbide life and fewer micro-chips on the cutting edge, and that showed in the bit faces after multiple sessions.

If you’re drilling overhead or in crumbly mortar, the flutes do a nice job of keeping the hole open, which reduces the tendency to bind mid-depth. That, coupled with the centric tip, made overhead anchor holes feel less fussy than they usually are.

Durability and wear

These are two-cutter, carbide-tipped bits built for everyday masonry drilling. Within that scope, durability is solid. Across a mix of brick and poured concrete, the 3/16 in and 1/4 in bits retained their edge well enough that I didn’t see drift in hole diameter. The 3/8 in bit saw the most abuse; it still cut true after a run of anchoring a ledger into CMU and then several holes in cured slab. I avoid drilling through rebar with two-cutter bits, and I did the same here; if you hit steel, back out and relocate.

I appreciate having the ANSI wear marks. On service calls and installs where anchors have to meet spec, it’s reassuring to glance at the edge and know I’m not oversizing the hole by running a tired bit one job too many.

About those chisels

The included point and flat chisels are convenient, but they’re best treated as light-duty attachments. For knocking off high spots, scoring mortar joints, or opening a small chase in block, they’re fine. I used the flat chisel to clean up a rough area around a box knockout and the point chisel to pop out a few stubborn fragments when enlarging an opening in CMU; both did the job.

In harder, dense concrete, the limitations show. On a section of cured slab with tough aggregate, the flat chisel’s edge deformed faster than a dedicated demolition-grade chisel, and progress slowed. If your work routinely involves heavy breakout—like chipping around a toilet flange in old, high-strength concrete or carving channels in a slab—step up to a purpose-built SDS-plus chisel from a heavier line or bring an SDS-max hammer and the right steel. Think of the included chisels as “in a pinch” tools, not daily demolition consumables.

Usability: the little details that help

• Start control: The centric tip reduces walking, speeding up layout on precise anchor locations.
• Hole accuracy: Holes stayed within expected tolerance, which makes anchors set predictably.
• Heat management: The flute design sheds fines well; bits stayed cooler and cut longer between pauses.
• Case: The slim case keeps the essentials together. It’s not bombproof, but it prevents the classic “loose bits rattling in the bottom of the tool bag” scenario.

Where this set makes sense

If you’re outfitting a new SDS-plus rotary hammer, the Bulldog set is a smart baseline kit. Electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, and general remodelers will find the sizes align with daily anchor tasks. It’s also a handy leave-in-the-case set for enthusiasts who don’t want to buy a drawer of specialty bits before they know what they actually use.

Things to consider:
- Depth and diameter range: Working length is 4 in. For deeper embedments or 1/2 in and larger anchors, you’ll need additional bits.
- Chisel expectations: Good for cleanup and small openings; not a replacement for demolition-grade chisels.
- Not rebar cutters: As with most two-cutter masonry bits, avoid drilling through reinforcement.

Tips for best results

• Let the bit do the work. Keep steady pressure; don’t lean hard and overheat the carbide.
• Clear dust. Withdraw the bit periodically or use a vacuum to maintain speed and accuracy.
• Mind wear marks. When the indicator says you’re past spec, retire the bit for critical anchor holes.
• Mark depth. Tape or a depth stop ensures you don’t bottom out and pound the carbide.

Value and alternatives

For the price of a couple of individual bits, you’re getting four frequently used sizes, two chisels, and a case. The drilling performance holds up well for general work, and the visibility into wear is a confidence booster on anchor jobs. If you need maximum speed in high-strength concrete or frequent encounters with rebar, premium multi-cutter bits will be faster and more forgiving—but they’ll also cost more per size. Likewise, if you expect to do serious chiseling, plan to invest in heavier-duty steel.

The bottom line

The Bosch Bulldog bit set delivers reliable, accurate drilling across the common anchor sizes with thoughtful design touches that make day-to-day work smoother. The bits start cleanly, stay cooler than basic masonry bits, and hold their edge respectably. The chisels are fine for light cleanup but aren’t meant for sustained demolition in hard concrete. As a compact, go-to kit for SDS-plus users, it hits the right balance of performance and value.

Recommendation: I recommend this set as a starter or everyday carry for anyone running an SDS-plus rotary hammer and drilling small to midsize holes in concrete, block, and brick. It covers the essentials with dependable accuracy and durability, and the wear indicators help ensure your anchors hold as intended. If your workload leans heavily toward deep holes, large diameters, or aggressive chiseling in tough concrete, pair this kit with a few specialty bits and heavier chisels for best results.