Bosch has recently come out with new carry-along drilling and driving bit sets. So far there are 4 different sets, and the general idea is the same. Drill bit, screwdriving bit, and combination bit sets are nothing new. But these sets are different in how they include lots of other types of accessories.
To start, some of these new sets come with accessories I don’t recall ever seeing as part of drill and driver bit sets before. For example, one set has a countersink bit. Another has a right angle L-style bit driver. Another has a tape measure. And one comes with a ratcheting screwdriver handle.
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My “what the heck is this” meter is off the charts. These are either ingeniously configured drill bit and screwdriver bit accessory sets, or they’re designed to offer DIYers a little bit of everything. I haven’t made up my mind yet.
Bosch makes some of the best drill bit and screwdriver bit accessory cases I’ve seen. These sets look to be packaged in ordinary blow molded cases, but the latches look like the might be good. It’s hard to tell without first seeing them in person. I do like the idea of the see-through windows, and the larger sets have comfortable-looking gripped handles.
There’s another plus about these cases – the individual organizer bits are removable, meaning you can take just the bits you need to where you’re working.
I use a wide range of Bosch power tool accessories, including drill bits, screwdriver bits, impact-rated screwdriver bits, and I’ve even got a nice Bosch 6-fluted countersink. Bosch makes some top-quality drilling and driving accessories. But I don’t know if I’d touch these assortments. Their configurations are just a little too all over the place for my needs and preferences, and I’m a little hesitant about the quality.
Some of the sets come with masonry drill bits, but these are rotary masonry drill bits. When I sought out such a bit style years ago, all I could find at Home Depot, Lowes, and Sears was a lone Black & Decker Firestorm set. All of the professional brands I checked only offered hammer drill masonry bits and SDS rotary hammer bits.
Is it just me, or do these look a lot more like Skil drill and driver bit sets than Bosch? I’ve got to say, the more I think about these sets, the more hesitant I become.
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And then there’s this comment as part of the description of the 41pc set: The bits are manufactured to exacting Bosch standards for quality within reach. Quality within reach? That’s how a bargain brand might advertise their entry-level bit sets.
Maybe I’ve over-thinking things. In any case, here’s a look at the 4 new drill and driver bit sets.
Bosch 34pc Set (MS4034)
The smallest set comes with 34pc, including a countersink, brad point drill bits for use in wood materials, general purpose metal plastic drilling bits, and masonry drill bits. You also get a couple of sockets, a socket adapter, a bit holder, and an assortment of screwdriver bits.
Price: $15
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Bosch 41pc Set (MS4041)
In addition to many of the same bits that come with the 34bit set, this set also comes with more general purpose drill bits, 2 spade drill bits, and an L-style double-ended ratcheting screwdriver. There are a couple of added sockets too, but fewer screwdriver bits.
Out of all these sets, I like this one the best. That L-handle ratcheting screwdriver looks interesting.
Price: $20
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Bosch 65pc Set (MS4065)
Despite the higher bit count, the 65pc bit set is completely different from the two smaller sets. This one comes with hex-shank drill bits, in both general purpose and brad point styles, a row of sockets and an adapter, a bunch of screwdriver bits with a bit holder, and some power bits too. Oh, and a teeny tape measure.
This case is also a bit different – it’s got a gripped handle.
Price: $30
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Bosch 91pc Set (MS4091)
The largest set, with 91 pieces and a nicely handled organizer case, comes with drill bits, screwdriver bits, an extendable magnetic pick-up tool, nutdrivers, and a ratcheting screwdriver handle.
In this set, you get titanium-coated drill bits, brad point drill bits, and a wider selection of rotary masonry drill bits.
Price: $40
Buy Now(via Amazon)
RocketTech
No Thanks. I have all Bosch tools, but I’ll take a pass on these. The spade bits look nothing like their old style, much less their DareDevil bits, and the twist bits are not set with blue in the flute. The other thing which annoys me with Bosch sets in general is their lack of clic-change bits, instead relying on stubby magnetic bits.
I recently bought a bunch of Bosch impact rated clic-change bits, and I cannot tell them from my non-impact rated bits. I’m liking the look of Milwaukee’s marked impact line, just not liking the prices.
Benjamin Stephens
These are packaged green in Europe, i.e. DIY and not professional.
Bob B
and every one of them “unavailable” on Amazon. What’s that about?
Bob B
Correction: “Temporarily Out of Stock”
Jimmy D
They are trying to delay everyone’s disappointment! 🙂
Donnie Johnson
I hear you, its sad but true
Stuart
Amazon and other online retailers tend to list tools before they’re immediately available to ship.
With tools like this, you can order even if they’re not immediately available. That puts you in the line for order fulfillment. Sometimes prices drop once tools start shipping out, but these look to be realistic prices.
Stuart
I think someone from Amazon must have read your comment. All of the products are now available for preorder and say “this item will be released on October 23, 2015.”
Bob B
Thanks for update!
jkrl
These seem very similar to Bosch Europe’s green (DIY) X-line. As Stuart said, the green line is sold in the US as Bosch.
I was very disappointed by the Bosch green accessories -far from the quality of the pro accessories.
Stuart
You mean Skil. Bosch Green in Europe usually translates to Skil in the USA. There’s typically a long delay between releases as well, and not all Bosch Green products are picked up by Skil.
Rami
I bought that 34-piece kit as a green bosch few years ago (in Finland). A basic set, quality is mediocre. It would be nice know if Skil tools in USA are really Skil or rebranded green Bosch, since in Finland we have green Bosch tools and Skil tools, Skil being even crappier. Green Bosch costs almost the same as a similar Makita tool, but quality is worse.
John S
This is exactly what came to my mind when I saw them as well. I am glad to see Bosch is finally bringing things over here from Europe, but it is strange that they are selling these sets under Bosch and not Skil
Nathan
looks like good beginner, Diy’r sets for first home owners and the like – maybe even college kids and apartment dwellers.
to compete with the versions on sale from M and D. here’s some drills, here’s some common screw bits in a box. OH and because we know you’ll smurf em up – here’s 6 more philips #2 bits.
not the worst thing in the world.
William
These do appear to include several Pozi drive bits. That’s uncommon for most bit sets I think (or at least the ones I’ve seen).
Hilton
This really depends on where you live. Here in South Africa, you can’t do without a POZIDRIV #3 and Square #2 bit.
If you look at the Wera and Wiha sets available on Amazon USA vs UK/DE you’ll see the difference. They normally reduce the number of those irritating slot bits and replace them with these.
Horses for courses I suppose.
glenn
These look to be the same as what is marketed here in Aus as Bosch X-line under Bosch Green banner, so for the dyi-er in my mind.
brian
I was already thinking cheap bits with fluffy driver bits to inflate the pc. count until you mentioned a tape measure being included…
got it, so this is one of those novelty tool sets with a pink hammer that a new apartment dweller shoves under the sink to say they are prepared to replace a light switch cover.
And thats fine… but thats not me, I dont think thats anyone reading this blog.
Stuart
You never know. I wouldn’t have posted about these if I thought they were completely unsuitable for everyone. If the price gets low enough, I’ll buy a set, harvest the right angle screwdriver, countersink, and maybe brad point bits, and keep the rest as a loaner set.
Somewhere, I still have a Black & Decker drill bit set from years ago, and also garbage Irwin bits I bought as part of a holiday special bundle pack. They come in handy from time to time.
Robert
I like the selection in these kits, but too would be concerned with the the quality.
Brian
There are only two Bosch accessory I really like; their phillips ribbed for her pleasure bits and the Bosch quick change. the “Clic-Change” is the best of any I’ve tried by far.
These sets might be good quality-wise(I don’t know) but they aren’t going to be very useful to anyone reading this site. The mixed sets never have enough range to equate to a full set of anything, then you end up buying another set to get the size you need.
Noah
These remind me most of the Ryobi bit kits. Which aren’t the greatest but are pretty good deals considering price paid.
Nathan
Yup, this is either convergent evolution or directly inspired by the ryobi bit sets. I bought the 90 piece set (which may have been discontinued) last year because it had less driver bits (most sets like this are heavy on driver bits, which are obviously cheaper) but an almost comprehensive assortment of almost every bit i could need in one convenient case, and a few additional accessories one doesn’t see in other bit assortments like a countersink and depth stops. It also included some hole saws.
After using the set on a few jobs i actually don’t have any complaints. They seemed to be reasonable quality, especially for the price ($30). The main problem is that less conscientious users on the job site didn’t put back bits they used and now there are missing bits, but that’s hardly new.
Sean
I bought a ryobi drill bit set like that as well and I love it. It comes in one of the smaller cases, so it can be thrown in the drill bag. The other great thing is the shanks are the quick type that will fit in an impact driver in a pinch.
A cheap Bosch set will probably accomplish the same thing, but at least here in the U.S., it is kind of “cheapening” their brand name. I think Bosch bits and I think high-quality SDS, not the all-in-one pack, but maybe I can think both at the same time. 😉
Pete
I REALLY like the $30 one for one reason- it has a socket adapter AND sockets! Awesome! If the whole kit was 1/4″ shanked and impact rated i would buy it in a second. I dont know why more companies dont include all 3 socket adapters-1/4+3/8+1/2.
Stuart
I don’t think I’ve seen 1/4″ hex to 1/2″ square drive adapters. That’s a big jump. Do they even make 1/4″ square to 1/2″ square adapters?
The reduced diameter 1/4″ shaft might be a weak point and source of failure. Actually, it would very likely be the weak point.
Thickness-wise, a 1/2″ round diameter has 4 times the cross sectional area as a 1/4″ round diameter.
You could probably get away with a drill, 1/4″ screwdriver, 1/4″ impact driver, or 1/4″ impact wrench and 3/8″ square drive adapter and sockets. Or a 3/8″ impact wrench with 1/2″ adapter and sockets. But 1/4″ to 1/2″? That’s a pretty big jump.
Benjamen
Are you sure? You even photographed them at the Milwaukee event.
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Milwaukee-Current-Shockwave-Sockets-and-Nutdrivers.jpg%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Just about everybody makes them here’s Milwaukee at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-Electric-Tools-495-48-32-5032-Shockwave/dp/B002U0EPX6
I’m not sure about your analysis either. I thing the biggest factor is the chuck size to the nut size. Does it really matter if you are driving a 3/4″ socket with a 1/2″ drive or a 3/8″ drive via a 1/4″ hex adapter?
Stuart
I guess I didn’t look closely enough!
I’m sure I saw 1/4″ to 1/2″ adapters before, but still don’t consider it to be a very good idea.
I’m sure there are users who take an impact driver, attach a 1/4″ hex to 1/2″ square adapter, and try to loosen lug nuts.
If a motor is powerful enough, and a fastener tight enough, that 1/4″ shank might yield and fail. Something’s got to. If using a 1/2″ impact wrench with the same power, either the fastener will yield and loosen, or the motor will yield and stall or reach an overcurrent state.
Toolfreak
The socket sizes for lug nuts are also available in 3/8″, so the lack of a 1/2″ hex adapter wouldn’t be stopping anybody.
There are plenty of people who have used adapters on drills to try and take off lug nuts. I’ve seen at least a few posts on internet forums from people complaining about their drill/driver not cutting it when it comes to removing lug nuts.
That said, drills/drivers with adapters and sockets ARE pretty good for spinning lug nuts off and on when loose, which saves some time on vehicles with longer lugs for aluminum wheels.
glenn
They sure do, common as. Milwaukee do them in this set which I have 2 of,
http://www.gettoolsdirect.com.au/Milwaukee-35Pce-shockwave-Screwdriver-Drilling-Driving-Bit-Set-48324402.html
Ebay,
http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2057872.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.X1%2F4+hex+to+socket.TRS0&_nkw=1%2F4+hex+to+socket&_sacat=0
Pete
Honestly i use a couple sets from harbor freight(1/4, 3/8, 1/2) and i have yet to break one. I use the 1/2″ pretty heavily with my makita impact driver mainly for 13/16 and 7/8 impact sockets for lug nuts and also 1-1/4″ impact socket for our large equipment and beat on them day in and out and yet have never broke one. I know exaclty what you mean and i would expect it to break especially the harbor freight adapters but i have been extremely suprised. My main adapters are milwaukee(my favorites because of the shorter length) but the 6-10 sets i have of the HF still work great
Nathan
because most drill/driver and impactor drivers have no business turning 1/2 drive sockets. granted that’s my opinion.
but 1/4 and 3/8 I will agree with. But I don’t want a bit kit to include sockets.
I also liked that l driver – would have liked to see it in the bigger kit minus the tape measure.
Sean
I’m confused about that ratcheting bit driver in the last picture (not the L-shape one.) That looks EXACTLY like the dollar-store special from the shape to the switch for the ratcheting mechanism. I doubt there is a more common ratcheting bit driver.
Did Bosch really just throw their logo on own of those?
Also, Stuart, I’m kind of missing the point on why you’re emphasizing “rotary masonry drill bits.” I’m not sure what you’re distinguishing that term from. There are really two categories of masonry bits. Those that will go in a regular drill (either with smooth shank or possibly hex “quick change”) or those that will go in a rotary drill that can slide (SDS, spline, etc.) I know you know this, so I’m just missing what you’re getting at…
Stuart
There are 3 types of masonry drill bits, 2 of which are more common, at least when we’re talking about 1/8″ thru 1/2″ or so in diameter.
1) Hammer drill bits, designed for vibratory impacting and rotary drilling action.
2) SDS-style and similar bits designed for use in rotary hammers.
3) Rotary masonry bits, which are designed for use in non-hammer drills.
Hammer drill bits look kind of like rotary hammer drill bits, but with a smooth or maybe lobed shaft.
Rotary masonry bits are NOT rotary hammer masonry bits. Hammer drill bits will work in a regular drill, but not very good. Rotary masonry drill bits will work in a regular drill and aren’t designed for use in a hammer drill.
Rotary masonry bits kind of look the part, but are a lot slower and sloppier to use.
The only hex-shank masonry bits I’ve seen are these new impact-rated ones: https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/dewalt-irwin-impact-rated-masonry-drill-bits/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
My guess is that Bosch [rightfully] describes these as rotary masonry bits because it could potentially be misleading to just call them masonry bits, as that would imply they could be used in a hammer drill.
I suppose they could be used in a hammer drill, but only in rotary-only mode.
What I’m getting at is that the inclusion of “rotary masonry bits” is an indication that these are not going to be up to typical Bosch quality standards. Bosch doesn’t make any rotary masonry bits that I’ve seen, only hammer drill bits and SDS rotary hammer drill bits.
Sean
Thanks so much for clarifying! I guess I had never noticed a difference between hammer drill bits and rotary masonry bits. I don’t do a lot of masonry drilling. I do have an SDS drill around if I need to do more than a hole or two, which has come up maybe once since I bought it…
Speaking of which, I’ll trade a basically brand-new Makita SDS-Plus for a working hole hawg/super hawg/different brand right-angle! I can see myself using that much more often…
Peter
I would be also concerned about the quality of the contents a bit.
But I work in construction and I would rather have a bigger box like the Makita B-45375 which also works better for me because of the systainer.
https://www.toolnut.com/Makita_B_45375_Contractor_Bit_Systainer_Set_100_Pc_p/b-45375.htm
Stuart
Those look to be Makita FakeTainers – https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/makita-makpac/%3C/a%3E . Still probably nice standalone, but not the real thing. There are too many visual differences, strongly suggesting that Makita isn’t getting those containers from Tanos/Festool.
Peter
Thank you, I remember reading that article now but honestly I would still rather have the fake Makita box then smaller ones since I would use the extra storage place and smaller boxes would go into a bigger box which for me are L-Boxxes, which I mainly use.
But you are right, Makita offering this style of a box puts them behind the competition.
Toolfreak
These do look like lower quality offerings compared to what we’re used to from Bosch, which makes me wonder what the future plans are – if they plan to offer lower priced Bosch-branded drills and drivers, or if something is happening to the Skil brand.
These ARE pretty good sets for the price if they are at least better than the B&D stuff. I have cheapo drill accessories to use for nasty jobs and they work ok for what they are.
If nothing else, I will probably get these when on sale/clearance for the angle driver, ratcheting screwdriver, tape measure, and maybe even keep the cases to hold higher quality bits.
Hilton
Here in South Africa, they are sold under the Green Bosch label (DIY not Pro).
Here is a pic from an online retailer that sells the 2nd set (41pc) for an equivalent $21.
LINK
I think these sets are perfect for the average home owner but the more experienced DIYer will no doubt want better quality bits.
Johnny4
OK. It’s the container that have me the most curious. Are the boxes L-boxx compatible. I don’t care if the bits are terrible. I wand a the container to fit in my L-boxx 3D. I can’t believe they still have not created and I-boxx 52 with bit compartments or a L-boxx mini.
John S
I am still surprised that Bosch is slow to do something nice with their i-boxxes and the current bosch brute bit cases. They don’t typically fit in the molds of the tools in their l-boxxes. I can fit the brute bit cases vertically in an lsd92 drawer, but they fit laying down in an i-boxx52…. Bosch could come up with something pretty sweet if they just spent a little bit of time on it to compete with the makita/festool offerings.
Stuart
It comes down to cost, and what enough users are willing to pay.