Milwaukee’s new M18 FUEL 1-3/4″ SDS Max Rotary Hammer is now shipping — and it’s the hardest-hitting rotary hammer the M18 platform has ever produced. Available now at The Home Depot and authorized Milwaukee dealers, the bare tool (model 2918-20) lists for $849, while the kit (2918-22HD) with two REDLITHIUM FORGE HD 12.0Ah batteries and charger runs $1,199.
We first covered this hammer back in February when Milwaukee teased its spring 2026 rotary hammer lineup. It’s now confirmed available at multiple authorized dealers, marking one of the biggest M18 FUEL heavy-drill launches of the year.
What Sets the 1-3/4″ Apart
Milwaukee already sells the M18 FUEL 1-9/16″ SDS Max (2917-20) — a solid workhorse that handles typical MEP anchors, rebar drilling, and medium-duty chiseling. The new 1-3/4″ 2918-20 steps above that with significantly more impact energy for the work where the smaller hammer slows you down.
Key specs, confirmed:
- Chuck: 1-3/4″ SDS Max — takes all standard SDS Max bits and chisels (what is SDS Max?)
- Impact energy: 11 ft-lbs — Milwaukee’s claim for hardest-hitting M18 FUEL SDS Max in class
- Runtime: 18+ holes per charge drilling 1″ x 6″ into concrete with an M18 FORGE HD 12.0Ah battery
- Control: AUTOSTOP Enhanced Kickback Control
- Vibration: AVS Anti-Vibration System
- Dust management: VACLINK wireless dust control compatible
- Tracking: ONE-KEY tool management and tracking
- Platform: M18 REDLITHIUM — compatible with all M18 batteries
Who Actually Needs the 1-3/4″ Model
Be honest with yourself before spending $849 on a bare tool. If you’re running 3/4″ anchor bolts, standard MEP sleeves, or typical concrete fasteners, the 1-9/16″ 2917-20 gets that work done for less money. The 1-3/4″ 2918-20 is for:
- Core drilling with large-diameter bits (1-1/4″+ cores)
- Heavy anchor layouts in hard concrete where the smaller hammer wears you down
- Extended chiseling or demolition where impact energy matters more than drill speed
- Contractors who need corded rotary hammer performance without the cord, and can justify the premium
If that’s your work, 11 ft-lbs on an M18 battery — without a power cord crossing the floor — is genuinely useful.
Part of Milwaukee’s Aggressive 2026 Push
This launch is part of Milwaukee’s broader 2026 expansion, first announced at World of Concrete in January. The company teased 59 new tools and accessories for the year, and the SDS Max lineup expansion was one of the marquee commercial categories. The new 1-3/4″ model sits at the top of the cordless rotary hammer stack — Milwaukee’s answer to contractors who want heavy corded-hammer capability on a battery platform.
Where to Buy
The 2918-20 (bare tool, $849) and 2918-22HD (kit, $1,199) are available now at The Home Depot and authorized Milwaukee dealers including Toolup, Tool Nut, and MaxTool. Milwaukee tools are not available on Amazon — see our battery platform comparison for the full Milwaukee ecosystem picture.
Prices noted at time of writing. Check retailer sites for current availability and pricing. Sources: milwaukeetool.com, ToolGuyd, Ohio Power Tool News
