If you anchor pipe straps and hangers with a cordless hammer drill, the DeWalt DW5207 set covers the common 3/16 to 1/2-inch holes. If you carry an SDS-plus rotary hammer, use an SDS-plus set like the Bosch HCK001 instead. Always drill the hole size printed on the anchor box, not just the anchor diameter.
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This guide covers masonry bits for fastening plumbing supports to block and concrete.
Masonry bit sets compared
| Set | Shank / drill | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|
| DeWalt DW5207 | Round shank with 3 flats, for hammer drills | You anchor straps and hangers with a cordless hammer drill |
| Bosch HCK001 | SDS-plus, for rotary hammers | You drill a lot of concrete or bigger anchor holes |
| Bosch HCBG500 | BlueGranite carbide, hammer drill bits | A small starter set of hammer drill bits |
Plumbers mostly drill masonry to fasten pipe straps, clamps, hangers and strut to block or concrete. The bit set you need depends on whether you carry a hammer drill (chuck) or an SDS-plus rotary hammer.
Match the bit to the anchor
Every anchor has a required hole size, and it is not always the anchor’s own diameter. Concrete screws usually call for a smaller bit than the screw; wedge anchors usually call for a bit the same size as the anchor. Use the size printed on the anchor box.
Our concrete anchors guide lists the drill size for each anchor we recommend, such as the 3/16-inch hole for a 1/4-inch Tapcon. Drill to the depth the anchor maker asks for plus a little extra for dust, and blow or vacuum the hole clean before setting the anchor.
A worn bit drills undersized holes that make anchors hard to drive or seat. Replace bits when the carbide tip is rounded.
Mark the bit for depth with a piece of tape or use the drill’s depth rod, so every hole for a run of straps ends up the same. Consistent depth means each anchor sits the same and the strap line stays straight along the wall.
DeWalt DW5207: hammer-drill set for strapping
Choose the DeWalt DW5207 if you use a cordless hammer drill. DeWalt describes (dewalt.com) the 7-piece premium percussion set with rock carbide tips, a four-flute design that clears debris, and three flats on the shank to stop slipping in the chuck. Its package graphic lists 3/16, 1/4 (two), 5/16, 3/8 and 1/2-inch bits.
Those sizes cover the 3/16-inch hole for 1/4-inch concrete screws and the 3/8 and 1/2-inch holes for common wedge anchors on strut and hangers.
On October 15, 2026, the standard new offer sold by Amazon.com showed stock with model DW5207.
Check DeWalt DW5207 masonry drill bit set on Amazon →
Bosch HCK001: SDS-plus set for rotary hammers
Choose the Bosch HCK001 if you own an SDS-plus rotary hammer. The listing describes a 7-piece SDS-Plus Bulldog rotary hammer bit set. SDS-plus bits lock into the rotary hammer’s chuck and take the hammer blow better than round-shank bits, which makes repeated holes in hard concrete faster.
Check the sizes on the case against your anchors before you rely on it for one specific hole. Our rotary hammer guide explains SDS-plus versus SDS-max.
On October 15, 2026, the standard new offer sold by Amazon.com was listed as available to ship in one to two days, with model HCK001.
Check Bosch HCK001 SDS-plus bit set on Amazon →
Bosch HCBG500: a small starter set
Choose the Bosch HCBG500 for a light kit in the truck. The listing describes a 5-piece BlueGranite carbide hammer drill bit starter set. It suits occasional anchors; a busy service plumber will wear through the common sizes and replace them individually.
On October 15, 2026, the standard new offer from a third-party seller showed stock with model and part HCBG500.
Check Bosch HCBG500 hammer drill bit starter set on Amazon →
Hammer drill or rotary hammer?
A hammer drill uses a regular chuck and a light, fast hammering action. It is fine for small anchor holes in block and occasional concrete, and most plumbers already carry one in a combo kit.
A rotary hammer delivers a heavier blow through an SDS chuck and drills larger and deeper holes much faster. It is the better tool for core holes, strut anchors in hard concrete, and a lot of holes in a day.
Do not drill concrete with the hammer action off; the bit will just burn. And do not put SDS bits in a regular chuck.
If you only drill a few anchor holes a month, a good hammer drill and the DW5207 set are enough. If you strap whole basements or set strut on concrete ceilings, a rotary hammer is worth it for the time it saves.
Block, poured concrete and brick drill differently
Poured concrete is the hardest and most predictable: holes come out round and anchors hold well if the hole is clean and the right size. Expect to hit rebar now and then; if the bit stops dead and sparks or squeals, move the hole rather than forcing through steel.
Concrete block has hollow cores. A hole that breaks into a void will not hold a wedge anchor; use an anchor rated for hollow block, or plan the strap so the fastener lands in the solid web or a grouted cell. Use lighter pressure so you do not blow out the back of the face shell.
Brick and old soft masonry crack if you hammer hard close to an edge. Start the hole with the hammer off for a few turns to seat the tip, then switch hammer on. Some installers fasten into the mortar joint for light loads because it is easier to repair later; for anything heavy, follow the anchor maker’s guidance for brick.
Long holes and through-wall penetrations
A standard 6-inch bit reaches through a typical block face shell, not through a whole wall. For a supply line or sleeve through a foundation, you need a longer bit or a core bit sized for the sleeve, usually on a rotary hammer. Our rotary hammer guide covers core holes for pipe.
Drill from both sides toward the middle when you can, so the exit side does not spall. Seal around any pipe that passes through a foundation wall as the local code requires.
Keep bits sorted by size in a marked case; a single missing 3/16-inch bit can stop a strapping job.
Drilling concrete safely
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Wear eye protection and hearing protection, and control dust. Drilling concrete makes fine silica dust; a vacuum attachment or wet method keeps it down. Our shop vac guide covers vacuums for jobsite dust.
Check for buried pipe, conduit and post-tension cables in slabs before drilling. In a slab marked post-tensioned, do not drill without the engineer’s or owner’s approval.
Let the bit cool between deep holes, and do not force it; hammering pressure, not body weight, does the work.
Frequently asked questions
What size masonry bit for a 1/4-inch Tapcon?
A 3/16-inch bit is the usual size; use the size printed on the anchor package.
What is in the DeWalt DW5207 set?
DeWalt’s package graphic lists 3/16, 1/4 (two), 5/16, 3/8 and 1/2-inch bits.
Can I use SDS-plus bits in a hammer drill?
Not in a regular chuck. SDS-plus bits need an SDS-plus rotary hammer.
Hammer drill or rotary hammer for plumbing?
A hammer drill handles small anchor holes. A rotary hammer is faster for hard concrete, larger holes and many holes.
Why does my masonry bit just spin and burn?
The hammer action may be off, the bit may be dull, or you may have hit rebar. Stop and check before forcing it.
How we chose
This document-based guide makes no hands-on testing claim. We read DeWalt’s DW5207 product page; the Bosch sets are described from their listings. On October 15, 2026, all three linked standard new offers were available. Read our selection method and about Plumbing Picks.
Primary sources
- DeWalt DW5207 premium percussion masonry bit set (dewalt.com): rock carbide tips, 4 flutes, 3-flat shank, 7 pieces, package sizes.