It looks like Kobalt has come out with a new 100-piece screwdriver bit set. I hadn’t seen this set before, and so I’m presuming it’s new.
There are a couple of standouts in the set, such as the v-shaped hook and eyelet screw installation bit, the tamper-proof Torx bits, what look to be hollow ground slotted bits, and every type of 1/4″ hex adapter you might need. There are a bunch of other useful screwdriver bit and sizes as well, such as Phillips, hex, Torx, and other specialty sizes.
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The Kobalt screwdriver bit set officially includes 15 different styles of bits, including 4-wing, 3-wing, spline, square, slotted, Phillips, Pozidriv, hex, star (Torx), tamperproof star, and spanner.
There are 57 standard bits, 17 specialty bits, 21 tamperproof bits, and 5 adapters. The bit holder is magnetic, and the bits should work with any other standard 1/4″ hex insert screwdriver bit holder as well.
All the bits fit inside a blow molded case that Kobalt says features a Zerust vapor corrosion inhibitor to prevent rusting.
Related: Wiha Security Bit Set, Cheap Bits Discussion, Titan 61pc Set
Price: $30
Buy Now(via Lowes)
This seems like a reasonably large assortment of screwdriver bits at a decent price. It comes down to about 30 cents per bit or adapter. (See update below.)
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It’s sometimes (usually) good to have a bit assortment like this around, for those rare times you come across a specialty fastener. You’ll probably never use most of these bits, but it just takes a couple of one-time uses for a set like this to earn a place in your toolbox.
Update: You can find similar assortments from Amazon ($10.20 for this “Pit Bull” bit set) and elsewhere for $10-$15. The quality of this Kobalt set might be different, but is probably the same given the similar if not identical bit selection.
Even if the Kobalt set was of better quality, unless (until?) it dropped in price to $15, the lower priced no-name sets are going to be better buys.
Hilton
I find these sets quite odd to say the least. I would like to see a set comprised of JUST the security bits minus the tamper TORX as these are easily obtainable by themselves as a full set of better quality.
I’m never going to use the Phillips or Slot bits in this set as I have Wiha or Wera bits for that so I’d only be interested in the non tamper TORX bits.
James C
There are plenty of no-name security bit sets out there that are quite compact. Harbor Freight has (or had 10 years ago) a good set. Certainly under $10 . Probably junk quality, but priceless when you really need it for a few screws.
Yadda
The HF set can often be purchased for way under $10.
Stuart
Maybe, but that requires stepping into an HF. I’ve been to my local HF once, left after a few minutes because the smell was so bad.
John
iFixit has a few 1/4 sized security bit sets which are not too bad like this 97 piece set for $30:
https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/Macro-Bit-Set/IF145-220
In a nice storage case. They used to sell this one too:
https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/96-Piece-Security-Bit-Set/IF145-044
But I have no idea why it’s currently not available now.
jesse
You can order through their website.
SteveR
You can order online, however, and avoid the barnyard odor (or whatever foul smell it was you detected). The smell might be connected with a shipment they got in that day. Sometimes the employees get used to it, assuming it’s a normal part of working there. It could be hazardous to their health.
As you know, there are warnings about products that “contain materials that are known to the State of California to cause cancer”. There may be more than a few products in the store that contain such chemicals in their production which linger, causing the odor. Or it may be that the store manager has been lax in keeping the facility sanitary. In any event , it may produce an unsafe environment, both for the employees and the public.
If you go back and note the same strong odor, you might complain to the store manager. If that person shows no interest, you can lodge a complaint with OSHA. The Agency could inspect the store and it’s environs to determine if it represents a safety hazard. The inspector(s) could then make a determination that it is unsafe and shut the facility down until the matter is resolved to their satisfaction. In addition to a possible shutdown, OSHA may also levy fines until the situation is corrected.
Our tax dollars at work.
Paul B
http://www.harborfreight.com/100-pc-security-bit-set-with-case-68457.html
Darrin
It looks like a rebranded set similar to these:
http://www.stanleysupplyservices.com/jensen-tools-24380-100-bits-in-a-box/p/424-904
http://www.harborfreight.com/100-pc-security-bit-set-with-case-68457.html
Jacob
That’s what I thought as well
Hilton
Lowes blocks South Africa so I couldn’t see the image but now I see that it’s the same as the other millions on Amazon. Waste of space and I stand by my smaller set comment.
Stuart
Good point!
I’ve seen these bit sets before but for some reason thought the Kobalt set was different.
Darrin
The hook and eyelet driver gave it away.
Sean
and the 100 pieces…
My brain immediately checked for the hook driver as well. Hah.
I bought this set (for $10) at some auto-parts store if I remember correctly. I’ve also seen it many times since at Harbor Freight. There is also a pretty decent set sold at various auto-parts stores called “Titan – 61 piece set” Some of you may be interested in this if you haven’t seen it. The bits are slightly higher quality, the selection is pretty comprehensive, and the case is much more compact and convenient. See Amazon Link
The 100 piece set is a great buy if you’re trying to create a “complete” bit set. There are very few bits that aren’t included in it, but there are some that you’ll have to find elsewhere (JIS, pentalobe, and other odd-ball sizes that turn up on electronics.) Yyou can actually use the extra slots (taken up by extra P2 and slotted bits) to store extras you may find. That is what I’ve done. I actually found several Kobalt brand 1/4″ hex bits that are precision sizes (slotted and P0 and down) and placed those in my kit. I haven’t seen those anywhere else. You could also remove the torx bits because most of the sizes also have the tamper-proof counterpart, and you don’t really need both. I’d invest in a better torx set because those are used somewhat frequently (or at least buy a folding key set like the hex keys).
The bit quality is pretty bad, but if you use it as a central location for your odd bits, it’s pretty useful. Remember you’ll be using this like twice a year. Replace them one by one when you find a higher quality bit.
Blythe M
Looks exactly like my harbor freight set, which actually got me out of a few jambs but rusted fast
Yadda
I agree, I paid less than $7 for my HF set. Worth every penny for the few times I’ve used it.
Nathan
since I’m in the market for a set of bits – namely hex in metric and SAE, I’m mildly interested.
I’d like to think this would be better than a HF set – since anything I’ve ever bought from HF that was supposed to be a specific size – seems to always be off. Namely sets of. IE set of metric wrenches, the 15 wasn’t. etc.
Thus I’d be a bit leary of a HF set of hex bits since I’d be equally likely to get a 5mm that probably wasn’t.
I don’t have need of the security ones – but meh I’ll take them. I like the hook bit though. I don’t need the philips or the slots or the squares either.
Mike
The VCI included with the case is interesting. I don’t see any pictures of the case on the Lowe’s website so I can’t tell how well the case seals or how the VCI is implemented. It would be nice if other manufacturers would include something like that if it works. I tire of opening things like this that I use infrequently and finding rust spots.
I see the evil triple square drive is becoming popular enough that these bit assortments include them. I don’t like that.
Drew M
I got the following set from Harbor Fright a few weeks ago and did so for the longer torx and security torx bits. I kept running into tools that had torx screws buried in holes small enough to prevent a short 1/4″ hex shank tool from reaching them. So far it’s done well enough and none of the bits have exploded or caught fire. Certainly not high quality but for $9, it’s done the job.
http://www.harborfreight.com/36-piece-3-screwdriver-bit-set.html
Max
I bought the standard red boxed set from an ACE I worked at over 10 years ago. I have since purchased the smaller set from HF. I have seen this same set in a multitude of stores with different colored molded cases for anywhere from $10-$50.
They definitely are not impact-grade bits, but for that time you need the unusual stuff it works great.
sam
That bit set looks like a good one to me. i would like to get one for me self. it is always good to have a good set of Screwdriver bits. they are good for lots of things. like working on a car or fixing electronics. i do not know much about the tamper proof bits.
Paul B
These are half the price and the same quality as the Kobalt Master Screwdriver Bit Set
ABN 100 Piece Tamper Security Bit Set Metric and SAE Standard
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YHZPD4C
Drill Master 100 Piece Security Bit Set
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008DFJ9ME
Peter
Where can I get individual micro insert bits without buying a complete set?
I have severalmsets but there are some critical ones i use 99% of the time and if lost or damaged the set is no use to me.
peter
Does anyone know where it is possible to buy individual microscrewdriver bits (not sets).
We handle printers for which we include a micro screwdriver and selected micro bits that are always getting lost…
Kenneth Parmer
I would like information on the new Klein combination screwdriver, I found it one time, now I can’t find it again I would like to purchase one of these specialty screwdriver any help you could give me I would appreciate it.
Stuart
Did we post about it here? https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/brand/klein/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E