Bosch SDS-max Rotary Hammer Core Bit (1-3/4 in × 7 in usable × 12 in overall) "The Wave"

Why I reached for this core bit

I needed a fast, repeatable way to punch clean 1-3/4-inch pass-throughs for venting and conduit in block walls and a couple of slabs-on-grade. Setting up a wet diamond rig for a handful of holes wasn’t practical, so I turned to a carbide option. The Bosch 1-3/4-in SDS-max core bit has become my go-to for these medium-diameter holes in concrete and masonry, pairing it with a stout SDS-max rotary hammer. It’s not a universal solution—and it’s not meant to be—but for the work it’s designed to do, it performs consistently and saves time.

Setup and compatibility

This bit uses an integral SDS-max shank, so there’s no adapter or secondary arbor to introduce slop. It locked directly into my SDS-max hammer with zero play, and runout was minimal. That matters with a core bit; a small wobble becomes a big problem at 1-3/4 inches.

Bosch intends this bit for core drilling in concrete, CMU, and brick with a rotary hammer in hammer-drill mode. It’s not a diamond coring rig, and it’s not compatible with SDS-plus tools. You’ll also need the pilot system—basically a centering bit and retaining pin—to start holes cleanly, especially on smooth or glazed surfaces. The pilot prevents skating and helps you keep the barrel perpendicular for the first half-inch. I treat the retaining pin as a consumable: keep spares in the case, because losing it mid-job will stall your day.

The published usable cutting length is 7 inches, but the practical maximum core depth per pass is about 4 inches. In practice, that’s fine for most wall penetrations. If I need deeper, I core to depth, break out the slug, vacuum the barrel, and continue, or I finish from the opposite side to avoid blowout.

Cutting performance in the field

I tested the bit across common materials:
- Fully cured, 4,000–4,500 psi concrete with 3/4-inch aggregate
- Standard CMU block (webs and face shell)
- Hard, older clay brick on an exterior wall

In CMU, the bit is quick. On a mid-size SDS-max hammer, I’m through a 4-inch core in roughly 60–90 seconds per hole once the pilot is set. In older brick, it runs just as fast, with very little tendency to chip the arris if you manage the exit. In poured concrete, speed naturally slows—call it 3–5 minutes per 4-inch pass depending on the hammer and aggregate—but the bit keeps chewing as long as you let the hammer, not your arms, do the work.

Bosch’s “Wave” flute on the barrel does help with debris evacuation, but you still need to work the bit. My method:
- Start at moderate RPM with consistent feed.
- Advance 1–2 inches, then back the bit out to clear dust and check temperature.
- Vacuum the hole if you’re in dense concrete; dust compaction is the enemy of speed and bit life.
- For deep passes, mark the barrel at 4 inches as a visual stop so you can manage slug ejection.

With that rhythm, the bit stays cool enough that I rarely see discoloration on the carbide segments.

Hole quality and accuracy

This core bit produces tidy, true-to-size holes. My measured diameters hovered right around the nominal 1-3/4 inches, with a touch of extra clearance ideal for sleeving Schedule 40 PVC or standard vent hoods. Starts are clean when the pilot is used, and the integral shank keeps the barrel tracking straight.

On exits, any core bit can spall masonry if you blast through. For visible finishes, I either:
- Drill to within 1/2 inch of breakthrough, then complete from the opposite side using the pilot mark, or
- Score the exit with a shallow pass from the far side after laying out center with a small pilot hole.

Taking that step gives a clean exit and avoids a ragged halo around the hole.

Durability and wear

The carbide-tipped cutters on this bit have held up well. After a dozen holes in block and roughly half a dozen passes through medium-strength concrete, the teeth still cut aggressively with no lost segments and only light shine on the leading edges. As with any carbide core bit, direct contact with rebar is a problem. If you hit steel, the bit can chatter and chip a tooth. I map rebar when possible and adjust location, or I stop and use a rebar cutter to push through before resuming. That’s a best practice with any percussion core bit, not a limitation unique to this one.

The barrel vents are sturdy, and I haven’t bent the tube despite some ugly binds when the slug seized. Keeping the cut free of compacted dust reduces that binding noticeably. After each session, I run compressed air through the barrel, knock out any remaining debris, and give the shank a quick wipe to keep insertion smooth.

Dust control and comfort

Running dry, this bit throws a surprising amount of dust. A shroud and a mid-size dust extractor make a big difference both for visibility and cleanup. With suction at the base, the “Wave” flutes carry fines up the barrel effectively, and you’ll spend less time backing out to clear the hole. Vibration is what you’d expect for the diameter—manageable on an anti-vibration hammer, tiring on a basic model. The integral shank does help with control; it’s easier to track square than multi-piece systems.

Noise is high, as with all hammer coring, so I wear double hearing protection in hard concrete. For brick and CMU, standard hearing protection and a dust shroud keep things comfortable for sustained work.

Practical limitations

A few constraints to keep in mind:
- Depth: You’re realistically limited to 4 inches per pass. For anything thicker, plan your workflow for slug removal or drill from both sides.
- Steel: This is not a rebar solution. Expect to back off and address steel separately or adjust placement.
- Pilot dependency: Starting without the pilot is doable on rough surfaces, but accuracy suffers and the barrel can skate on smooth block paint or glazed brick. Keep the pilot setup intact and carry a spare retaining pin.
- Tool requirement: You need a real SDS-max hammer. An SDS-plus tool won’t drive this bit effectively and is likely to bog, overheat, or both.

None of these are surprises to anyone who’s used percussion core bits, but they’re worth stating upfront if you’re deciding between this and a diamond core rig.

Value and use cases

For trades and facilities teams that frequently run 1-3/4-inch penetrations for exhausts, sleeve penetrations, and small services in masonry and unreinforced or lightly reinforced concrete, this Bosch core bit hits a sweet spot. It’s faster to deploy than a wet core setup, the holes are clean enough for finish work with minimal touch-up, and the carbides hold up over multiple jobs. If your work is mostly structural concrete with intertwined steel or deeper cores, step up to a diamond rig—different tool, different lane.

The integral shank, solid tracking, and effective debris movement make this a reliable choice for daily use, and it’s a simpler kit to carry than multi-piece arbors with adapters.

Tips from the job

• Mark your desired depth on the barrel with a paint pen for quick visual reference.
• Let the hammer do the work. Too much feed pressure increases heat and slows progress.
• Clear the hole often. A quick back-out every inch or two keeps cutting speed up and reduces binding.
• Use a dust shroud and a vac whenever you can. You’ll drill faster and cleaner.
• Protect the carbide edge when transporting; a short section of foam pipe insulation over the teeth works well.
• Keep a spare pilot bit and retaining pin in your case.

Recommendation

I recommend the Bosch 1-3/4-in SDS-max core bit for anyone who needs a dependable, dry coring solution in brick, block, and standard concrete up to about 4 inches per pass. It tracks straight, cuts at a respectable pace, evacuates debris well for a percussion bit, and the carbide holds an edge longer than most in its class. The main caveats—limited depth per pass, sensitivity to rebar, and reliance on the pilot assembly—are inherent to this style of tool, not failures of the design. If your work aligns with its strengths, this bit is a time-saving, durable addition to an SDS-max kit. If you regularly tackle deep or heavily reinforced cores, choose a diamond core system instead.