Here is a ready-to-paste HTML article that walks readers through drilling a 1½-inch hole in concrete—covering tool selection, step-by-step technique, and common mistakes.
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A 1 1/2 inch hole in concrete takes a rotary hammer with a core bit or a hole saw run level at low speed — hammer off for hole saws.
A cratered, oversized hole usually starts with one bad decision made before the bit ever spins: running hammer mode on a cutter that was never built for it. Concrete rewards patience and punishes force.
The order below covers how to drill a 1 1/2 inch hole in concrete — which tooling fits this diameter, the sequence that keeps a hole saw or core bit cutting, and the mistakes that chip the slab edge.
What Tool Drills A 1 1/2 Inch Hole In Concrete?
A rotary hammer or hammer drill fitted with a 1 1/2 inch core bit will make this hole, and a carbide hole saw on a small-thread arbor will too — as long as the hammer function stays off. Standard core bits are rated for concrete up to 1-1/2 inch diameter, which is what puts this size within reach of hand-held gear.
It sits at the top of that range, though. Published optimum hammer-drilling ranges on common rotary hammers fall below this diameter — one model lists 13/32 to 1-3/32 inch, another 5/32 to 7/8 inch. Outside the ideal range, low speed, light pressure, and cooling stop being optional.
Hammer mode isn’t wrong by default here — the cutter’s instructions decide. Core bits built for hammer drilling want it on; hole saws want it off.
Bit choice decides how much of a fight you get. Our 1 1/2 inch concrete drill bit roundup covers the shanks and cutter styles that hold up at this diameter.
| Tool Setup | Hammer Mode | Where It Fits |
|---|---|---|
| 1 1/2 in. core bit in a rotary hammer | Per the bit maker’s instructions | Standard core bits handle concrete up to 1-1/2 in. diameter |
| Carbide hole saw on a small-thread arbor | Off | Rated for saws up to 1-1/2 in.; hammer action can damage the cutter |
| Rotary hammer, hammer mode, masonry bit | On | Optimum ranges on common models sit below this diameter |
| 12 mm masonry pilot bit | On | Cuts the pilot hole a hole saw arbor needs |
| Stand-mounted core drill | Off, water cooled | Deep or repeat work; water lifts cuttings out |
Drilling A 1 1/2 Inch Hole In Concrete: Steps That Keep The Bit Cutting
Work in this order: mark the hole, pre-drill a 12 mm pilot hole for a hole saw, assemble the arbor, drill level at low speed with hammer off, clear dust at one-third depth, and cool the cutter every 1.5 to 2 minutes.
- Mark and center the hole. Draw a cross and check it against whatever the hole is for — an off-center mark is the one error no technique fixes later.
- Pre-drill a 12 mm pilot hole with a masonry bit when a hole saw is going in. The arbor’s pilot bit rides it and keeps the saw from walking.
- Assemble the arbor and cutter, then tighten everything down. A wobbly saw cuts oversize and dulls fast.
- Turn the hammer function off — Milwaukee’s hole saw instructions warn that hammer action can damage the cutter and blow out the material.
- Start level, in low gear, with light pressure. Leaning on the drill heats the cutter and slows you down.
- At roughly one-third depth, make small circular motions so dust escapes and the saw doesn’t jam.
- Cool the cutter every 1.5 to
