DEWALT Drill Bit Set, Titanium Nitride Coated, 14-Piece (DW1354) , Yellow

First, this isn’t my first driver set/kit. It is just the first kit that is very well thought out.

It really starts with the case. The case is as much a part of the tool as any driver. There are so many features it is hard to describe them. The tools fit. The tools are easy to extract. There is extra room. But further, the box for the bits is color coded black while the matching case for the drill bits is color coded yellow. This saves me time when I am taking the tools from the bag–or picking them up off a bench. Another bonus is that the cases snap together and can be held easily in you hand–a very pleasant surprise. And I have unintentionally proven that the cases survive drops without breaking or scrambling or dropping their contents. Even the hinges exceed any I’ve seen on plastic boxes opening the halves flat and the latches work with your thumb and aren’t in the way when open. And the cases can be reconfigured with their dovetail joints!

The drivers are also excellent with a good selection. But keep in mind that DeWalt has also thoughtfully configured different tool selections to be ideal for specific crafts. The idea is that drywall guys, plumbers, carpenters, HVAC and others each need a different selection. Finding the correct configuration for yourself may be challenging, since I didn’t see any labels that specified trade when I was looking.

The kit that I am reviewing has
Philips: 7 short #2, 1 short #1, 1 short #3, 6 “long” #2, 1 extra-long #2 with magnetic screw collar.
Straight: 2 short 0.280 wide, 2 short 0.247 wide both mic at .047 thick.
Robertson (square): 4 short #2, 1 short #3.
Torx: 1 short T15, 2 short T20, 3 short T25, 1 short T27, 1 long T20, 1 long T25
Magnetic Hex socket: 1/4 and 5/16
Magnetic hex bit holder to hold the short drivers in a power driver.
3/8 inch socket drive adapter.

So this set is ideal for a wide variety of tasks from hanging curtains and blinds (hex socket drivers); building decks (Torx drivers, Phillips drivers); hanging drywall (#2 Philips driver with magnetic screw collar); working on parts of a car or truck, or woodworking.

Now there are other features, like a composite shaft on the long drivers and the magnetic collar screw holder that I either don’t fully understand or don’t yet know how to use every feature. The composite shafts work well, as far as I can test. These bits are lighter than steel shafts, and they supposedly flex a bit, though I don’t have a way to measure this. I suspect that they are brilliant improvements for simplifying the machining when they make billions of these drivers. If so, my concern is that they might fall apart with time–sort of like the expensive plastic handles on chisels made in the 1950’s didn’t make it through the 1980s. I suspect that these bits won’t last forever even with care–but then, my battery-powered drill driver won’t last forever either.

I am already on version 5 or 6 of battery-powered drills and drivers. Now, with brushless motors, LED lights, and powerful, low-weight batteries they seem to be perfected. Couple them with these sets of drivers and drills, and we are so far ahead of the electric drill my Dad had in 1954–we have no idea how good we’ve got it!

However, I still have that drill and it still works!

Update: Now I have had this set for some time I can relate two things. First is the “Flat” screw driver bits for straight slot screws didn’t last through one screw. The tip was sheared off in the head of the screw! I’ve never seen anything like it. The other bits have lasted well, though the Torx and Philips patterns look worn after the first screw. The flex shaft bits work but the shaft does not take abrasion well. However, I like the set so much that I am buying a second set.

It gets 4 out of 5 stars because I thought I was missing 3 pieces because of the horrible case design. Why have 3 empty slots? For the last 3 months, I’ve looking all over the house for 3 bits I never had. Didn’t realize it till today. Other than that, it’s a durable bit set. For those thinking they got cheated out of 1 piece, the countersink piece is actually 2 separate pieces, that should have been included in the description.