Milwaukee Tool is adding a new model to its M18 FUEL SDS Max rotary hammer lineup — the 2917-20 — launching in April 2026. The 1-9/16″ chuck fills a gap between SDS Plus tools and Milwaukee’s larger 1-3/4″ SDS Max (2718-20), giving concrete pros a mid-size option that hits harder than a standard rotary hammer without the bulk of a full demolition class tool.
Milwaukee 2917-20 Specs
- Chuck: 1-9/16″ SDS Max
- Impact energy: 6 ft-lbs (8.1 joules)
- Speed: 488 RPM / 3,300 BPM
- Anti-kickback: AUTOSTOP (detects binding, cuts power instantly)
- Connectivity: ONE-KEY tool tracking
- Vibration: AVS anti-vibration system
- Dust management: VACLINK wireless dust extractor connectivity
- Bare tool (2917-20): $599
- Kit (2917-22HD, 2x 12.0Ah FORGE batteries): $949
- Launch: April 2026
- Where to buy: Home Depot (Milwaukee exclusive)
What the 1-9/16″ Size Means in Practice
SDS Max chuck sizes matter because they determine which bits you can run and how much torque the bit-to-chuck connection can handle. The 1-9/16″ SDS Max is large enough to run 1-1/4″ anchor hole bits, 2″ core bits, and full-size chisels — tasks where SDS Plus tools run out of capability. But at 6 ft-lbs, the 2917-20 is considerably lighter and more maneuverable than the 2718-20’s 8.1 ft-lbs.
For commercial concrete work — anchor drilling, mechanical room penetrations, HVAC sleeve installation — this size hits the sweet spot. If you want to understand why the chuck type matters this much, our Chuck Types Explained guide breaks down SDS Plus vs. SDS Max vs. SDS-Top in detail.
AUTOSTOP and VACLINK: The Features That Matter
AUTOSTOP deserves more than a bullet point. When an SDS Max bit catches — in rebar, a hidden void, or a tough aggregate — the rotational energy transfers to your wrist. On a 6 ft-lb hammer, that’s a serious event. AUTOSTOP detects the bind before it happens and cuts motor power. It’s a meaningful safety and fatigue feature, not a marketing checkbox.
VACLINK lets the hammer trigger a compatible Milwaukee dust extractor wirelessly — no cord tether between the tools. For anyone drilling silica-generating holes in occupied buildings, that’s relevant to both OSHA compliance and cleanup time.
How It Fits the Milwaukee Lineup
Milwaukee’s SDS Max lineup now spans three sizes: the existing 2713-20 (1-1/8″ SDS Max, ~$379), the new 2917-20 (1-9/16″ SDS Max, $599), and the top-end 2718-20 (1-3/4″ SDS Max, $849). That’s a logical progression for trades contractors who own different hammer sizes for different applications — no need to run a full-size demolition hammer when a mid-size will do.
This follows Milwaukee’s strong 2026 product push, which included several new cordless tools for concrete and construction trades announced earlier this year. See our full World of Concrete 2026 coverage for the broader announcement context.
If you want to understand how impact energy and BPM ratings translate to real-world drilling performance, our Power Tool Specs Decoded guide covers exactly that.
Where to Buy
The 2917-20 launches at Home Depot in April 2026 as part of Milwaukee’s Home Depot exclusive distribution. Buy Now at Home Depot.
Sources: ToolGuyd, Tool Craze
