Drill Bit Sets for Wood, Metal and Every Job Between
DEWALT’s DWA1240 40-piece set is the best all-round pick, covering wood, metal and light masonry with coated bits and an organized case. Bosch’s CO2135 cobalt kit handles hardened steel, and BLACK+DECKER’s 109-piece set gives new toolboxes a cheap start.
DEWALT’s DWA1240 40-piece set is the sensible default for most home shops, covering wood, plastic and metal with coated bits stored in a labeled case. Bosch’s CO2135 cobalt set steps in for hardened steel, and BLACK+DECKER’s 109-piece kit is the budget starter.
Bit performance shifts wildly with the material being drilled, and a coating that shrugs off softwood can dull in seconds against stainless steel. We compared bit material, tip geometry, coatings and how owners report the cases holding up over years of use to separate durable kits from throwaways.
The shortlist, ranked
DEWALT DWA1240
Titanium coated bits pair with a hinged, labeled case that makes grabbing the right size fast. The 40 pieces cover common household drilling in wood, plastic and general metal. Owners keep it as their everyday kit for exactly that reason.
Pros
- Wide size coverage for a 40 piece set
- Pilot point tips reduce walking on start
- Labeled case stays organized over time
Cons
- Coating wears down on heavy metal work
- Not built for hardened steel
Bosch CO2135
Solid cobalt construction, rather than a surface coating, is what lets this set cut stainless and hardened steel. Split point tips start cleanly without a punch mark. Owners report the edge holds through repeated metal drilling that would dull a coated set fast.
Pros
- Cuts hardened and stainless steel
- Split points start cleanly on contact
- Edge retention beats coated alternatives
Cons
- Costs more than titanium coated sets
- Overkill for basic wood work
BLACK+DECKER BDA91109
109 accessories spread drilling and driving bits across one affordable case. New homeowners building a first toolbox get a bit for nearly any small job. Based on specifications, quality trails premium sets, but coverage at this price is hard to match.
Pros
- Huge accessory count for the price
- Driver bits included alongside drill bits
- Compact clamshell case travels easily
Cons
- Bits wear faster than premium sets
- Small pieces are easy to lose
Milwaukee 48-89-4631
Reinforced webbing resists snapping under impact driver torque, which is the point of Milwaukee’s Shockwave titanium line. A RED HELIX flute design clears chips faster than a standard flute. Tradespeople favor it on job sites where broken bits cost real time.
Pros
- Rated for impact driver use
- Reinforced against snapping under torque
- Fast chip clearing on the job
Cons
- Fewer pieces than home focused kits
- Priced for professional use
IRWIN 3018002
Cobalt construction handles dense hardwood and metal with clean, controlled starts. A 135 degree split point resists wandering off the mark in a hand drill. Owners note the screw machine style shank stays steady without a drill press.
Pros
- Strong performance in hardwood and metal
- Split tips resist walking on start
- Metal index case protects the set
Cons
- Fewer small fractional sizes included
- Index latch feels basic
Makita B-65399
Drilling and driving bits for wood, metal and masonry share one latching case in this combination set. Jobs that jump between materials do not require swapping kits mid task. It is a practical grab and go option for general contracting work.
Pros
- Covers wood, metal and masonry in one case
- Driving accessories included alongside drill bits
- Latching organizer keeps sizes sorted
Cons
- Masonry bits are entry level only
- Case takes up notable bench space
CRAFTSMAN CMAF1229
A clean range of common sizes in titanium coated steel gives first time drillers an approachable starting point. Light wood and metal tasks around the house are exactly what it is built for. Based on specifications, it trades depth for a friendly price.
Pros
- Affordable entry point for new toolboxes
- Common everyday sizes are well covered
- Snap shut case simplifies storage
Cons
- Coating wears with heavy repeated use
- Not suited to hardened metals
Side by side
| # | Model | Pieces | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DEWALT DWA1240 | 40 | Best overall | 9.3 | Check price |
| 2 | Bosch CO2135 | 35 | Best for metal | 9.1 | Check price |
| 3 | BLACK+DECKER BDA91109 | 109 | Best budget | 8.5 | Check price |
| 4 | Milwaukee 48-89-4631 | 23 | Best for pros | 9.0 | Check price |
| 5 | IRWIN 3018002 | 29 | Best for hardwood | 8.8 | Check price |
| 6 | Makita B-65399 | 70 | Best mixed material kit | 8.7 | Check price |
| 7 | CRAFTSMAN CMAF1229 | 29 | Best for beginners | 8.4 | Check price |
What matters most
Bit material decides how long the edge lasts High speed steel handles wood and light metal at a low cost. Titanium coatings add wear resistance for general household use without changing the base steel. Solid cobalt goes further, alloying the hardness through the whole bit for stainless and hardened steel. Matching material to the job keeps bits sharp longer and cuts down on snapped tips.
Tip geometry affects how accurately a bit starts Pilot point and split point tips bite immediately and resist wandering across a smooth surface. That matters most on metal, where a standard tip skates before it catches. Wood is more forgiving, though a punched starter mark still helps a standard tip stay on target.
Piece count matters less than actual size coverage A 109 piece kit sounds generous, but many of those pieces are driver bits or duplicate sizes rather than new drilling diameters. Check the range of sizes you will actually use rather than the number printed on the box. A focused 20 to 40 piece drilling set often serves better than a padded 100 piece one.
A labeled case protects the investment Loose bits knock against each other in a drawer and dull faster than bits kept in an index. A latching, labeled case also makes a missing size obvious at a glance. That organization extends the useful life of the whole set more than any single bit spec.
Good to know
What is the difference between titanium and cobalt bits?
Titanium is a coating over steel that adds surface hardness for general use. Cobalt is an alloy running through the entire bit, so it stays sharp in hard metals. Cobalt costs more but drills stainless where coated bits give up.
How many pieces does a drill bit set actually need?
Most home projects use a modest range of common sizes. A focused 20 to 40 piece drilling set often covers more real work than a large kit padded with driver bits.
Can a standard drill bit set cut masonry?
Only if it includes carbide tipped masonry bits specifically. Standard high speed steel bits dull almost instantly against brick or concrete.
Why do drill bits keep snapping mid job?
Too much pressure, the wrong bit for the material, or overheating from low speed control are the usual causes. Matching bit type to the job and easing off pressure solves most breakage.
Are impact rated bits worth buying?
Yes, if the job uses an impact driver, since reinforced shanks resist the extra torque snapping a standard bit. A regular drill does not need that reinforcement.
Should a drill bit set include driver bits too?
Combination kits are convenient for general home use, covering drilling and driving from one case. A dedicated drilling set gives better bit quality per dollar if boring holes is the only task.
How do I stop a bit from wandering off the mark?
Split point or pilot point tips bite on contact, and a punched starter mark helps on smooth metal. Starting at a slower speed with steady pressure also keeps the bit where it is aimed.
Do pricier drill bit sets actually last longer?
Generally yes, since premium sets use better steel and coatings that hold an edge through more holes. Occasional light use rarely justifies the jump, and a mid-range set balances cost and durability better.
Which drill bit set is best for hardwood?
Cobalt sets with a split point start cleanly in dense hardwood without wandering, and hold up better than titanium coated bits under repeated use in tough grain.
Our pick
DEWALT’s DWA1240 remains the strongest pick for most home workshops, pairing durable coated bits with a genuinely organized case. Anyone drilling hardened metal regularly should step up to the Bosch CO2135 cobalt set, while BLACK+DECKER’s 109-piece kit gives a first toolbox a cheap, broad start.
