Step Bits & Bit Accessory Set Sale @ Amazon

Dewalt 65 pc accessory set $40
Dewalt 80 pc accessory set $28.18

(I think that the 65 pc set has the more expensive pilot point bits, and "gold ferrous oxide" seems to cost more than titanium coatings.)

1/8" to 1/2" Unibit $7.16
1/4" to 3/4" titanium coated Unibit $20.63

There are a LOT of other decent prices, and the Lenox step bit extension is much cheaper than elsewhere as well, but I'm sure you guys can find them on your own.

Stuey said:

Dewalt 65 pc accessory set $40
Dewalt 80 pc accessory set $28.18

(I think that the 65 pc set has the more expensive pilot point bits, and "gold ferrous oxide" seems to cost more than titanium coatings.)

1/8" to 1/2" Unibit $7.16
1/4" to 3/4" titanium coated Unibit $20.63

There are a LOT of other decent prices, and the Lenox step bit extension is much cheaper than elsewhere as well, but I'm sure you guys can find them on your own.

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That unibit is a great deal, but in my experience, the DeWalt bits and accessories are all cheap Chinese Black and Decker stuff with a Yellow and Black logo... I have never been impressed with any DeWalt bits - EXCEPT a cobalt drill bit that I bought at Lowes to replace a Craftsman one I broke - made in Germany of all places!

eschoendorff said:

That unibit is a great deal, but in my experience, the DeWalt bits and accessories are all cheap Chinese Black and Decker stuff with a Yellow and Black logo... I have never been impressed with any DeWalt bits - EXCEPT a cobalt drill bit that I bought at Lowes to replace a Craftsman one I broke - made in Germany of all places!

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Really? I've had decent experience with Dewalt titanium pilot points, but then again the set is >3 years old, so maybe the quality has changed.

Which mainstream manufacturer would you recommend instead?

Stuey said:

Really? I've had decent experience with Dewalt titanium pilot points, but then again the set is >3 years old, so maybe the quality has changed.

Which mainstream manufacturer would you recommend instead?

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For bits? Honestly, for screwdriver bits I have been using either Snap on Apex or some Hilti stuff that I got at my local Home Depot. All made in Germany or Lichtenstein. I think that the bits are sourced from Wiha...



For drill bits, i am using some old-school stuff... Craftsman (USA) and my current favorites are the Irwin (old school again - USA)

I have used Dewalt stuff and aside from that one Cobalt drill, I have never been impressed with any of their stuff. I put it on par with the stuff at HF. For blades, Milwaukee or Lenox. Drill bits... they run the whole gamut, but i would chance the bits by Bosch (made in China like the others, but to seemingly higher specs). Screwdriver bits - these I don't cheap out on because they tend to piss me off the most, so it's either Snap On Apex or Hilti from HD.. .but I have also had decent luck with Irwin (old school).

My philosophy on bits is a little different though... I would rather pay more up front and have them last a little longer, rather than get the cheapies and switch them out more often. Others will disagree... they are consumable at any rate and tend to get abused or lost or broken. That is just what I have found works fo me though...

I think I have enough bits for the forseeable future, but am always likely to buy more when a good deal comes around. But for the most part, I share your "quality now" mentality.

Back during the winter holidays, I bought an Irwin multipack set. The driving bits are junk, and the drill bits are a bit dull. Others have told me that Irwin bits from similar sets snapping like twigs. Even the cases are low quality junk.

I don't think I've ever seen Apex at my local HDs, but will keep an eye out for them in the future. I picked up a few great blue-coated Irwin driving bits a while back on clearance, but the ones available now are no better than HF either. I just hope that the Unibits I ordered are still made in the USA.

I think that from now on, I'll stick to industry or pro brands like Hilti or Apex, and buy as I need from industrial suppliers. It's getting difficult to trust the big brands these days.

Stuey said:

I think I have enough bits for the forseeable future, but am always likely to buy more when a good deal comes around. But for the most part, I share your "quality now" mentality.

Back during the winter holidays, I bought an Irwin multipack set. The driving bits are junk, and the drill bits are a bit dull. Others have told me that Irwin bits from similar sets snapping like twigs. Even the cases are low quality junk.

I don't think I've ever seen Apex at my local HDs, but will keep an eye out for them in the future. I picked up a few great blue-coated Irwin driving bits a while back on clearance, but the ones available now are no better than HF either. I just hope that the Unibits I ordered are still made in the USA.

I think that from now on, I'll stick to industry or pro brands like Hilti or Apex, and buy as I need from industrial suppliers. It's getting difficult to trust the big brands these days.

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Just to clarify, I got my Apex bits through Snap On (branded Snap On), but I believe that you can get the actualy Apex branded bits (nice if you want Philips ACR style) through Rutland Tool.

I got the Hilti/Wiha stuff at HD.... but apparently not every HD is stocking Hilti.

Stuey, you don't happen to live in MI do you?

Other people have mentioned seeing Alex at HD as well, which is why I got confused. I've never seen much Hilti there either for that matter.

And nope, I'm in NJ, NY on most weekends.

Stuey said:

Other people have mentioned seeing Alex at HD as well, which is why I got confused. I've never seen much Hilti there either for that matter.

And nope, I'm in NJ, NY on most weekends.

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Really? I gotta go check teh HD this week....

*Apex* not Alex, and Lowes, not HD, sorry. source