Henry's Tool Talk
BOSCH Bulldog Xtreme SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Drill Review
I first came across the BOSCH Bulldog Xtreme SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Drill (Model 11255VSR) at at my local tool rental store and thought, if they are renting it, it must stand up to some serious punishment. Instead of renting, I bought one and it was NOT expensive, only $220 CDN. Used it the same day and it worked like a charm! Two dozen 5/16″ holes in bottom plates, anchors in and done in less than 30 minutes.
With a 7.5-amp motor and an SDS-plus chuck, this drill will get the job done fast. If you’re regularly drilling 3/16-inch to 5/8-inch holes in concrete, it saves a lot of time, is easy on the wrists and will outperform an ordinary hammer drill 20 to 1!
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Quick verdict
The perfect drill for common anchor holes and light demo work
I’ve had the BOSCH Bulldog Xtreme rotary hammer for a few years now and it never fails to get the job done. I’ve run tools like this on jobs where you need a pile of 3/8-inch holes for anchors, and the difference from a regular hammer drill is without comparison – the bit actually cuts instead of sitting there polishing the concrete.I find it performs best in the 3/8″ range but will easily drill 5/8-inch holes without issue.
Bosch says it’ll take a carbide bit up to 1 inch, but I wouldn’t plan on drilling 1-inch holes all afternoon with this machine – I personally think that would drastically shorten its life span (In my opinion, it is not the tool for that size of holes). That’s where a larger drills should be used. But, that said, I use 5/8″ and under bits on a regular basis and this drill just keeps going!
Review details
- Tool
- BOSCH Bulldog Xtreme SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Drill
- Brand
- BOSCH
- Size
- 3/16" to 1" Drill Bits (max 5/8" recommended) – 7.5 amp motor
- Best feature
- It drills repeated anchor holes fast without beating up your wrists.
Henry’s Notes
Why I bought & like the Bulldog Xtreme SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Drill
I’d put this Bosch up against an ordinary hammer drill any day on concrete anchor work. A standard hammer drill like an older Bosch 1191VSR can get through a few holes. Sure. But when you’re setting a row of anchors, it gets slow, loud, and hard on your arms. The Bulldog’s SDS-plus hammering action is 20x faster and 10 times less wear and tear on your body. For the price of this drill, don’t even bother with the cheaper combo drill/hammer units.
For a basement wall plate job, 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch holes are what I use most of the time. It handles that range without effortlessly. You can set the depth rod before you start a run of anchors, especially if you’re concerned about drilling through a slab. Helps ensure you don’t drill a hole deeper than you meant to. Everybody does it once and a depth gauge is good feature to have.
The three modes are useful, although I wouldn’t pretend they turn this into three separate tools. Rotary-hammer mode is where it works best. Hammer-only mode with a chisel will pop ceramic tile, clean up a little mortar, or knock off a stubborn patch of thinset. It has 36 chisel positions, which helps get a tile chisel angled where you need it. But for tearing out anything bigger, it is not a demolition hammer.
Bosch states it is also for occasional wood or steel work with a compatible SDS-plus three-jaw chuck. But seriously, why? I’d rather use a regular drill for that work. This tool is too bulky as a wood or metal drill, and SDS-plus bits for those uses aren’t the bits you’ve already got sitting in your drill case or other tool box.
I know it’s not cordless, but you’ve got steady power and no battery pack fading halfway through a row of holes. But this is reflected in the price, as a corded tool, it is affordable, durable and won’t let you down when you need it most.
If you want to see the exact model, here's the BOSCH Bulldog Xtreme SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Drill.
Pro's & Con's
Here’s a quick rundown of what I liked and didn’t like after using it long enough to see how durable it is, and how it continued to perform.
Pro's
- Makes repeated 3/16-inch to 5/8-inch concrete holes quickly
- SDS-plus bits lock in fast and don’t slip in the chuck
- SDS-plus bits are reasonably priced and easy to find
- Hammer-only mode works well for tile and small mortar cleanup
- 36 chisel positions help keep a flat chisel pointed right
- Depth rod is handy for a run of matching anchor holes
Con's
- A 1-inch concrete hole is possible, but more intended for under 5/8″ for regular use
- Light chipping only, not serious demolition
See its Features
A Closer Look at the Bosch Bulldog Xtreme
This is a very good overview from Northern Tools detailing the features of the BOSCH Bulldog Xtreme SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Drill
The bit set I’d throw in with this Bosch Drill
Henry’s recommendation
Who should buy the Bosch Bulldog Xtreme?
Buy the BOSCH Bulldog Xtreme if concrete anchors are a normal part of your work. It’s a good fit for a renovator fastening bottom plates, a carpenter installing brackets into masonry, or a DIYer doing more than the occasional hole in a foundation wall. Skip it if most of your drilling is wood, steel, and drywall. A regular drill with a hammer feature might suffice.
And if you’re constantly drilling 1-inch holes or breaking out large heavy tiles, invest in a larger hammer. For routine anchor holes this drill is a bargain and in my opinion, just as good as any Hilti or Milwaukee hammer drill I have used!
Tool FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What bits fit the BOSCH Bulldog Xtreme SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer Drill?
It takes SDS-plus-shank masonry bits, core bits, and chisels. Standard round-shank drill bits won’t fit directly in the SDS-plus chuck. For those, you need a compatible SDS-plus three-jaw chuck such as Bosch’s HA3JAW.
What concrete hole size is the Bosch 11255VSR best at?
The useful everyday range is 3/16 inch through 5/8 inch. That covers a lot of Tapcon, wedge-anchor, sleeve-anchor, and general fastening work. It can take a carbide masonry bit up to 1 inch, but I wouldn’t choose it for drilling that size over and over.
Can the Bosch Bulldog Xtreme drill wood and steel?
Yes, in rotation-only mode with the right accessory and bit. Bosch lists capacities up to 1-1/4 inches in wood and 1/2 inch in steel. But WHY? A regular drill is still the better tool for those jobs.
Can this rotary hammer remove ceramic tile?
Yes. Put it in hammer-only mode with an SDS-plus tile or scaling chisel. The 36-position chisel adjustment is useful because you can turn the chisel to suit the wall or floor. It’s fine for tile and small cleanup work, not for tearing out heavy tile or chipping away at concrete or bricks all day.
Does the Bosch 11255VSR use SDS-max bits?
No. This is an SDS-plus rotary hammer, and SDS-max bits are larger with a different shank.
Can I use a dust collector with the Bosch Bulldog Xtreme?
Bosch lists the HDC100, HDC200, and GDE18V-26D as compatible dust-control accessories. Check the instructions for your bit diameter and drilling depth before ordering. Dust attachments have their own limits.
Does the Bosch Bulldog Xtreme need regular maintenance?
Yes. It isn’t a throw-it-in-the-corner-and-forget-it tool. Bosch calls for carbon-brush inspection every two to six months, with gear lubrication addressed when the brushes are changed.
