Drill index sets matter when you want the right bit size without hunting through a messy drawer. You feel the difference in a busy garage, a home repair kit, or a metalworking bench where repeat work needs a clean, organized range of sizes. The sets below lean toward common shop use, from everyday high-speed steel options to cobalt and coated bits that suit harder materials. Some focus on broad coverage, while others lean into durability or layout convenience.
Quick Look at the Shortlist
IRWIN Drill Bit Set (3018005)
IRWIN Black Oxide Metal Index Drill Bit Set (3018004)
IRWIN M35 Cobalt Drill Bit Set (3018002)
Chicago-Latrobe HT18 Jobber Drill and Plug Hand Tap Set (52580)
Norseman Ultra Dex Type 240-UB Jobber Drill Set 44170
CaRoller 29-Piece Drill Bit Set, Black and Gold
CaRoller Cobalt Drill Bit Set 115 PCS
DEWALT Titanium Nitride Coated Drill Bit Set DW1369
More Details On Our Top Picks
IRWIN’s 29-piece steel set fits the kind of drilling that shows up in most home shops, from wall anchors to light metal work. High-speed steel gives you a familiar all-purpose bit material, so you get a sensible middle ground without chasing specialty features.
The honest read is that this set looks built for steady, ordinary use rather than niche jobs. Compared with the cobalt-focused IRWIN set below, this one makes more sense for softer materials and general upkeep, especially when you want a straightforward indexed tray.
What We Like
- 29-piece spread covers common sizes for daily repairs.
- High-speed steel works well for general-purpose drilling in wood and lighter metal.
- Jobber length suits a wide range of household and shop tasks.
- Index layout helps you spot missing bits quickly.
Small Caveats
- Plain HSS is not the hard-material specialist in this lineup.
- The set leans practical, so it lacks the premium edge of the Norseman and DEWALT picks.
- Indexed cases need a little care to stay tidy in a packed toolbox.
Feature Snapshot
Who It Suits Best
You get the most from this set when you want a dependable general-use kit for garage fixes, shelving jobs, and everyday toolboxes.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
IRWIN Drill Bit Set, M35 Cobalt Alloy Steel Steel, 29-Piece (3018002) suits you better when harder metal is part of the routine and you want more material-specific bite.
This IRWIN set keeps the same broad 29-piece format as the previous pick, but the black oxide finish changes the wear story a bit. Black oxide is a surface treatment that can add some corrosion resistance, so it suits toolboxes, garages, and places where bits may sit between projects.
You may find it a tidy step up in storage-minded utility without going as far as the cobalt set’s harder-material emphasis. The included case matters here, because organized bit storage tends to save time when you are working from a bench instead of a full cabinet.
Highlights
- Black oxide finish adds a more workshop-friendly surface treatment.
- 29 pieces give you the same broad range as the plain HSS IRWIN set.
- Included case supports cleaner storage and faster grab-and-go use.
- Good fit for home mechanics who want an orderly tray.
Honest Caveats
- It stays in the general-purpose lane rather than the heavy-material lane.
- The set is practical, not especially specialized.
- Cases like this work best when bits are returned to their slots after use.
Details At A Glance
Built With In Mind
This set suits you well when the main goal is tidy storage and dependable everyday drilling in a home or garage setup.
Where A Sibling Pick Shines
DEWALT Titanium Nitride Coated Drill Bit Set with Pilot Point, 29-Piece (DW1369) is a better fit when coated bits and a more upgrade-oriented feel matter more than a simple indexed case.
The cobalt alloy steel here changes the feel of the lineup in a meaningful way. Cobalt, in drill-bit terms, usually points toward tougher use on harder metals, so this set makes more sense in a shop that sees regular work on dense material than the plain HSS IRWIN option.
The source also calls out 1/16-inch to 1/2-inch sizing in 1/64-inch steps, plus a 135-degree split point, which is a sharp point geometry designed to help the bit start without wandering as easily. That split point detail matters most on slicker surfaces, where bit drift can turn a simple task into a crooked one.
Reasons To Buy
- M35 cobalt alloy steel suits harder-material drilling.
- 1/64-inch size steps give you finer control over hole sizing.
- 135-degree split point helps the bit start cleaner on workpieces.
- 29-piece range still keeps the set compact enough for a normal toolbox.
- Good upgrade path for regular metalworking use.
Points To Note
- The harder-material focus can be more than you need for basic wood tasks.
- Fine increments are useful, but they ask you to keep the case organized.
- For very casual use, the premium material may feel like extra headroom you do not tap often.
Core Details
Right Fit
You fit this set best when hardened steel, repetitive drilling, or a more exact size spread sits near the top of your project list.
Another Choice May Suit
IRWIN Drill Bit Set (3018005) is a calmer match for general household drilling, especially when you do not need the cobalt material step-up.
This Chicago-Latrobe set stands apart because it mixes drilling and tapping in one fractional 18-piece kit. A tap is a threaded cutting tool used to form internal threads, so the set matters most in repair work, bracket installs, and small fabrication jobs where threads belong in the same workflow as drilling.
Compared with the simpler IRWIN and CaRoller drill-only sets, this one asks more of the user but also saves a step. In most bench setups, that trade-off makes sense for someone who already knows which hole needs to become a threaded opening.
Best Bits
- Combines jobber drills and plug hand taps in one fractional set.
- Helps keep drilling and thread-cutting tools together.
- Useful for repair work that needs both a pilot hole and threads.
- Fractional sizing suits common shop and hardware tasks.
Worth Noting
- It is more specialized than the plain drill-only sets here.
- Threading work usually asks for a steadier hand and more attention.
- The 18-piece count is narrower than the 29-piece choices in this roundup.
Technical Sheet
Whose Shelf It Belongs On
This suits you best in a repair bench, small fabrication corner, or any workspace that regularly needs threads after drilling.
Swap It Out When
Norseman Drill Bits 44170 Ultra Dex Type 240-UB 135 Degree Split Point Magnum Super Premium Jobber Drill Set (29 Piece) is the cleaner match when your work stays focused on drilling rather than tapping.
Norseman brings a more shop-grade tone than the budget-minded CaRoller sets, and that usually shows up in how serious the kit feels for regular use. The 135-degree split point should help the bit start with less skating, which matters on metal surfaces that do not welcome sloppy starts.
You may find this especially sensible in a workbench environment where the drill set gets used often and stored with the rest of a rotating tool kit. It is less about gimmicks and more about a confident, hard-use style that suits frequent drilling.
Upsides
- 135-degree split point helps with cleaner starts.
- Jobber format works well for standard shop drilling.
- 29-piece layout gives you enough range for routine work.
- Feels better aligned with frequent use than basic entry kits.
- Good fit for an organized metalworking bench.
Areas To Watch
- The set leans into serious shop use, so casual DIY tasks may not need this level.
- Like most indexed kits, it rewards careful storage after each job.
- The focus is drilling, not multi-tool versatility.
Feature Card
Made For
You suit this set best when your bench sees regular metal drilling and you want a more serious-feeling indexed kit.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
CaRoller 29-Piece Drill Bit Set, Black and Gold is the more approachable choice for general household use and lighter mixed-material jobs.
CaRoller leans into the same 29-piece, indexed style as the IRWIN options, but the black and gold finish gives it a more dressed-up look on the shelf. The source also notes a 135-degree tip and compatibility with stainless steel, plastic, and wood, so the set sits in the mixed-use lane rather than a narrow specialty lane.
That makes it a sensible fit for someone who wants one box for household drilling without moving into cobalt pricing or tap-set complexity. The finish may look polished, but the real value is still the size spread and the familiar storage case.
Bright Spots
- 29-piece range handles many common home and shop tasks.
- 135-degree tip helps the bit start with better control.
- Works across stainless steel, plastic, and wood per the source data.
- Metal indexed case keeps the kit easier to sort.
Softer Spots
- The finish adds style, but it does not make the set a hard-material specialist.
- It still asks you to keep the case in order for fast use.
- Mixed-material versatility is useful, though not as focused as the cobalt picks.
At A Glance
The Right Fit
This suits you well for everyday home repair work, light shop use, and anyone who likes a neat metal case on the shelf.
Reach For A Different Pick When
CaRoller Cobalt Drill Bit Set 115 PCS fits better when you want a much larger spread and expect to work across more drill sizes.
This is the biggest set in the roundup, and the 115-piece count matters more than any styling detail. The product page names M35 drill bits and a round shank, which points to a tougher-use setup that works well when you want many size options in one indexed box.
For a garage that handles wood, plastic, sheet metal, and harder steel jobs, that breadth can save time and drawer space. The trade-off is simple: more pieces mean more organization, so a tidy storage habit pays off here more than with the smaller 29-piece kits.
Standout Traits
- 115 pieces give you the widest spread in this roundup.
- M35 cobalt-style build suits harder materials better than standard HSS.
- Round shank design works with common drill setups.
- Good for mixed-material projects across a home or shop.
- Metal index box helps keep the larger count manageable.
Minor Gripes
- The larger count needs more case discipline.
- More size choices can slow quick grab-and-go use a little.
- It may be more kit than a casual household repair setup needs.
Feature Rundown
Who Should Grab It
You fit this set best when you want one large indexed kit for a wide range of home, shop, and metalwork tasks.
Look Elsewhere When
IRWIN Drill Bit Set (3018005) is the easier choice for lighter-duty needs and a smaller, simpler 29-piece layout.
DEWALT’s titanium nitride coating is the feature that pushes this set toward a more upgraded feel than the plain HSS options. Titanium nitride is a hard surface coating often chosen to help bits stay smoother through repeated use, and the pilot point design should help the bit start with less wandering on cleaner surfaces.
That mix makes sense for someone who drills often and wants a set that feels ready for regular bench use. Compared with the IRWIN Black Oxide set, this one leans more toward bit performance than case-first convenience, which is the right trade for a more active shop.
Plus Points
- Titanium nitride coating adds a more durable-sounding surface treatment.
- Pilot point design helps with cleaner starts.
- 29-piece count keeps the set practical rather than oversized.
- Good fit for frequent drilling in wood and mixed materials.
Room For Improvement
- The feature set is strongest for regular use, not broad specialty coverage.
- Like the other 29-piece kits, it still benefits from tidy storage habits.
- The upgrade focus may be more than a casual toolbox needs.
Quick Facts
Built With In Mind
You suit this set best when you drill often enough to value coating and starting accuracy over a bare-bones kit.
Where A Sibling Pick Shines
IRWIN Black Oxide Metal Index Drill Bit Set with Case, 29-Piece (3018004) makes more sense when you want a more storage-centered option instead of a coating-led upgrade.
How To Choose The Right Drill Index Sets
Match The Bit Material To Your Work
High-speed steel is the broad, familiar starting point for routine drilling in wood and lighter metal. Cobalt moves the conversation toward harder material, while coated bits like titanium nitride sit in the middle with a stronger surface treatment.
The practical question is simple: what do you drill most often in your own space? A garage that sees brackets and sheet metal calls for a different set than a weekend shelf project station.
Pay Attention To The Layout, Not Just The Count
An indexed case sounds minor until you are looking for one exact size with a drill in hand. A tidy tray saves time, helps missing bits stand out, and keeps the set from wandering around a toolbox.
More pieces help, but only when the storage stays readable. The 115-piece CaRoller kit offers breadth, while the 29-piece sets stay quicker to scan.
Think About Point Geometry And Starting Control
Split point and pilot point shapes matter because they affect how the bit starts. A 135-degree split point helps reduce walking, which is the sideways drift that can happen before the bit bites.
That matters most on slick surfaces and when you care about a clean start. For rougher work or very casual drilling, the benefit is still useful, just less dramatic.
Choose The Size Range That Matches Your Routine
Fractional ranges and fine increments both have a place. Narrow size steps help when the hole needs to be exact, while broader sets are better for grab-and-drill convenience.
For most home toolkits, a 29-piece spread covers a lot without turning the case into clutter. Larger assortments suit shops that see more varied jobs and more frequent setup changes.
Things Worth Knowing First
Common Shopping Slip Ups
A common mistake is choosing by piece count alone. A large set only helps when the bit sizes, material, and storage layout actually fit the jobs you do.
Another easy miss is overlooking the case style. A metal index box or molded tray makes daily use smoother, especially in a crowded garage.
What The Higher Tier Buys
Higher-tier sets usually spend the extra material cost on coatings, cobalt content, or tighter size variety. That is why premium sets often feel more suited to frequent work and harder materials.
That upgrade makes sense for a shop that sees regular drilling. A casual weekend box often gets more value from a simpler, well-organized 29-piece kit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a drill index set?
It is a drill bit assortment stored in a labeled case or tray. The index helps you keep sizes organized and easy to find.
Do cobalt bits matter for home use?
They matter most when your work includes harder metal or frequent drilling. For light household tasks, high-speed steel often covers the basics well.
Why choose a split point?
A split point helps the bit start with less wandering. That can make a cleaner mark on metal and other slick surfaces.
Is a larger set always better?
No, larger sets only help when you actually use the extra sizes. Smaller kits can be easier to store and faster to sort through.
What makes an indexed case useful?
An indexed case keeps sizes in order so you can spot gaps fast. It also helps with cleanup after a job, which matters more than it sounds.
Closing Thoughts
You do not need the biggest drill index set to get real value, you need the one that matches the material, size range, and storage style you use most. The IRWIN sets cover straightforward everyday drilling well, the cobalt options lean harder, and the Chicago-Latrobe kit earns its place when threading enters the job. CaRoller’s larger assortment fits broad project mixes, while DEWALT brings a more refined upgrade feel. Pick the set that matches your bench, and the case will feel like a tool, not clutter.
