Milwaukee’s M18 FUEL 1-9/16″ SDS Max Rotary Hammer — model 2917-20 — is now arriving at Home Depot, and it brings something most cordless rotary hammers skip: wireless dust extraction control.
The tool includes VACLINK, Milwaukee’s integrated wireless dust technology. Start drilling and it automatically activates any VACLINK-compatible Milwaukee vacuum or dust extractor — no cord, no fumbling for a separate switch. For overhead concrete or tight-space anchor work, that’s a meaningful quality-of-life upgrade over anything with a corded trigger.
Specs at a Glance
- Impact energy: 6 ft-lbs
- BPM: Up to 3,300
- RPM: Up to 488
- Weight: 14.1 lbs (bare tool)
- Chuck type: SDS Max
- Modes: Rotary hammer, hammer-only
- Safety: AUTOSTOP Enhanced Kickback Control
- System: M18 REDLITHIUM batteries (compatible with existing M18 tools)
Pricing and What You Get
The bare tool (2917-20) is priced at $599. The kit (2917-22HD) runs $949 and includes two M18 FUEL REDLITHIUM FORGE HD12.0 batteries — heavy-capacity packs that make sense for sustained concrete drilling. Both are available through Home Depot.
How It Fits the Lineup
The 2917-20 sits between a typical SDS Plus drill and Milwaukee’s larger M18 FUEL 1-3/4″ SDS Max (model 2718-20, $849 bare, 8.1 ft-lbs impact energy). The 1-9/16″ is the right call for anchor setting, core drilling in block, and light demolition chipping where you want cordless freedom without the extra weight of the bigger hammer.
The AUTOSTOP kickback control is worth paying attention to for overhead or confined drilling — it detects bind-up and shuts down rotation before the tool torques your wrist. On a 14-lb tool, that matters.
The 2917-20 was first shown at World of Concrete 2026 as part of Milwaukee’s push to replace corded SDS Max tools on jobsites. If you’re weighing whether to commit to the M18 platform before making a purchase at this price point, our battery platform comparison covers how M18 stacks up against DeWalt FLEXVOLT and Makita XGT. For a primer on SDS Max vs. SDS Plus bit standards, see our chuck types guide.
