DeWalt Onboard Dust Extractor for 1 in. SDS Plus Hammers

Why I reached for this extractor

I spend a lot of time drilling anchors in occupied spaces—ceilings in finished offices, block walls in residential remodels, mechanical rooms where a shop vac hose is a snag hazard. On those jobs, controlling silica dust isn’t just a courtesy; it’s a requirement. I mounted this DeWalt extractor to my DCH273 SDS‑plus rotary hammer for a series of overhead wedge anchor holes and wall-mounted fixtures, and it immediately changed how tidy, compliant, and efficient those tasks felt.

Setup and compatibility

Installation is straightforward. The extractor replaces the standard side handle assembly and locks solidly to the DCH273 platform (including the DCH273B and DCH273P2 variants). The alignment is positive, the latch is confidence-inspiring, and the included side handle integrates cleanly. If you’re not on that hammer family, this is important: it’s a model-specific accessory, not a universal SDS‑plus dust shroud.

The clear dust box snaps in with a firm click, and the replaceable nozzle centers around the bit. I had no problem setting the depth gauge for common anchor depths. The unit supports bits up to 5/8 in. diameter with 4 in. of usable flute length (6 in. overall). That’ll cover the bulk of interior anchor work—Tapcons, drop-ins, sleeve and wedge anchors in the typical range.

Dust collection performance

The extractor has its own onboard motor, so suction doesn’t depend on the hammer’s action. With a 3/8 in. carbide bit in concrete, I watched for the telltale plume you get as the flutes exit the hole. There wasn’t one. Dust migration around the nozzle was minimal, and what little escaped at the start of a hole tended to be the initial surface scuff before the nozzle fully sealed. The 2-second power-off delay is more than a party trick; when I let off the trigger and kept the nozzle against the hole until the fan spun down, it captured the last of the fines that often dribble out of the hole.

Compared with a corded HEPA vac on a hose, absolute suction is lower—that’s expected. But for anchor and overhead drilling in the 5/32–5/8 in. range, the capture efficiency is excellent, and I left a series of ceiling holes without dust freckles on my glasses or debris on the floor. For indoor work, that’s a big win.

Ergonomics, balance, and noise

Add-on extractors can make a compact hammer feel ungainly. This one adds about three pounds, but DeWalt’s weight distribution is respectable. The setup is nose-heavy, as any onboard system will be, yet manageable for overhead work. I appreciated the slim profile; it nestles into ceiling grid openings and between joists without constantly bumping into things, and the nozzle reaches tight corners where a hose-mounted shroud would fight you.

Noise-wise, you’ll hear the extractor. The onboard motor adds a steady whine that’s noticeable but not obnoxious over the hammer’s impact noise. I prefer the predictable tone of this unit to the roar of a full-size vac in a confined space, especially when working with a second person on a lift.

Battery runtime on the hammer does drop with the extractor powered, as you’d expect. I budget an extra battery swap on hole-heavy days. It’s a tradeoff I’ll take for being untethered from a hose.

Capacity, filtration, and maintenance

The clear dust box is genuinely useful. You can see when you’re approaching full without stopping to pop the lid. On a day of 1/4–3/8 in. holes, I emptied it a few times; it’s a small box, and it should be—this is a compact, onboard system. The latch is glove-friendly, and the box empties without a big puff if you tap it out gently.

HEPA filtration is built-in and rated to 99.97% at 0.3 microns, which matters for OSHA’s crystalline silica rules and for keeping fine dust from reentering the workspace. The filter cleaning mechanism helps sustain suction as the day goes on. I still make a habit of knocking the filter gently and vacuuming it off at lunch with a separate HEPA vac to keep performance consistent. Treat the nozzle as a wear part; brush skirts eventually fray, and the fact that it’s replaceable is key to maintaining a good seal.

Practical tip: let the 2-second delay finish before pulling the nozzle off the hole when you release the trigger, and you’ll keep fines in the box instead of on the floor.

OSHA Table 1 considerations

This extractor is designed to meet OSHA 1926.1153 Table 1 when used properly for SDS‑plus drilling in its stated range. The onboard HEPA, the integrated dust box, and the tool-triggered operation align with the Table 1 control methods for drilling tasks. On sites with inspectors who ask for compliance details, having a purpose-built, Table 1–compliant assembly on the hammer makes the conversation easy. You still need to wear appropriate PPE and follow your exposure control plan, but this setup checks the key engineering control box without dragging a hose around the site.

Where it shines

• Overhead anchors: Minimal fallout, less cleanup on lifts, and no hose to snag.
• Confined or finished spaces: Apartments, offices, data rooms, and hospitals where containment and noise matter.
• Repetitive anchor patterns: The adjustable depth stop and consistent capture speed up layout work.

Limitations and tradeoffs

• Compatibility: It’s built for the DCH273 family. If your crew runs a mix of hammers, you may need multiple platform-specific extractors or stick with a universal shroud and vac.
• Bit length: With 4 in. usable flute length and 6 in. overall bit accommodation, deeper embedments or extended bits are out. Those will push you to a hose-based solution.
• Capacity: The box fills quickly on large-diameter holes. Not a problem for punch lists; a consideration for all-day anchor schedules.
• Runtime: The extractor’s motor pulls from the same battery as the hammer. Plan your batteries accordingly.
• Suction headroom: A full-size HEPA vac will out-pull any onboard system. For core drilling or rough demo, this is the wrong tool.

None of these surprised me, and none are deal-breakers for the work it’s built to do.

Durability and service

Build quality is in line with DeWalt’s pro accessories—rigid housing, secure latches, and a dust box that resists scuffing. The wear points are the nozzle skirt and the filter; both are straightforward to replace. The unit carries a 3-year limited warranty, which is appropriate for a jobsite accessory that sees real use and regular emptying.

Tips from the field

• Set the depth stop for each fastener type and leave it—repeatability saves time and keeps the nozzle properly positioned.
• Start each hole with the nozzle firmly seated; it improves capture from the first pass of the flutes.
• Empty the box before it’s packed. Overfilled boxes reduce airflow and increase tracking.
• Keep a spare HEPA filter and nozzle in the kit. Swapping takes minutes and restores performance when you need it most.

The bottom line

The extractor does exactly what a pro-grade onboard system should: it keeps silica dust out of the air, off the floor, and out of your lungs while staying out of your way. It’s tuned for the core SDS‑plus drilling range—5/32 to 5/8 in.—and excels at anchor and overhead work where mobility matters. You trade a bit of runtime and add some front-end weight, but you gain compliance, cleanliness, and a calmer workflow without a trailing hose.

Recommendation: I recommend this extractor to anyone running a DCH273 hammer who drills anchors in occupied or finished spaces. It’s an effective, Table 1–compliant solution with real-world capture performance, smart features like the 2-second spin-down and filter cleaning, and jobsite-ready durability. If you routinely drill beyond 4 in. usable bit length or want a single solution for a mixed fleet of hammers, a universal shroud and HEPA vac will be more flexible. For everything else in the SDS‑plus anchor wheelhouse, this is the cleaner, simpler way to work.