Drill & Screwdriver Bit Sets
Drill and screwdriver bit sets keep your drilling and fixing kit in one place for site jobs, van work, snagging, first fix, and general trade use.
When you're bouncing between timber, steel, masonry fixings and a box of mixed screws, loose bits soon go missing and cheap sets soon round off. Decent drill and screwdriver bit sets UK trades actually use give you the common sizes in one case, with bits that fit properly, holders that lock in well, and a quick grab-and-go option for cordless drills, impact drivers, install work and daily site repairs.
What Are Drill and Screwdriver Bit Sets Used For?
- Drilling pilot holes in timber, sheet material and light metal before driving fixings, so you are not splitting finished work or burning through the wrong bit halfway through a fit out.
- Driving common screw types on first fix and second fix jobs, whether you are running wood screws into stud, fitting hardware, or fixing back boxes, trunking and brackets.
- Handling snagging and maintenance work where you do not know what fixing or material is coming next, so a mixed set saves repeated walks back to the van.
- Keeping cordless drill and impact driver users covered with everyday drilling bits for cordless drills, insert bits, nutsetters and bit holders in one case that is easy to store.
- Sorting general site work, kitchen fitting, joinery, electrical and plumbing installs where one compact box of drill accessories and screwdriving accessories earns its keep every day.
Choosing the Right Drill and Screwdriver Bit Sets
Match the set to the jobs you actually do all week, not the biggest box on the shelf.
1. Mixed Site Set or Trade Specific Set
If you bounce between first fix, second fix and maintenance, go for a mixed set with metal, wood and masonry coverage plus screw bits. If you mostly drill one material, buy a focused set and get better depth in the sizes you will actually wear out.
2. Impact Rated or Standard Bits
If the set is going in an impact driver all day, do not skimp. Impact rated screwdriving accessories cope better with repeated hammering and are less likely to twist or shatter. Standard bits are fine for lighter drill driver work and bench jobs.
3. Check the Bit Types You Actually Use
There is no point buying a huge kit full of sizes you never touch. Make sure it has the PZ, PH, TX, hex and nut driving options you use most, plus sensible pilot sizes rather than filler.
4. Case Layout Matters More Than You Think
If you are on site every day, pick a case that keeps bits secure and easy to identify. A poor case spills in the van, loses small parts and wastes time when you need one bit quickly up a ladder or in a ceiling void.
Who Uses These Bit Sets?
- Chippies keep drill and screwdriver bit sets in the van for pilot drilling, countersinking and driving screws through carcassing, sheet timber and second fix hardware without hunting for loose bits.
- Sparkies use them for trunking, clips, back boxes and board work, usually with a cordless combi and impact driver, because the common screw heads and drilling sizes are all in one case.
- Kitchen fitters and joiners swear by them for hinge plates, cabinet adjustments, worktop jigs and site tweaks where a missing PZ2 or pilot bit can hold the whole job up.
- Plumbers and maintenance teams reach for them on mixed call-out work, from battens and brackets to access panels and light drilling into metal or timber.
- General builders and snagging teams rely on them for odd jobs across site, especially when they need professional drill bits and impact driver accessories ready without carrying three separate boxes.
Useful Extras to Get More from Bit Sets
A good set gets you started, but a few extras stop the usual site frustrations and keep the job moving.
1. Bit Holders
A proper magnetic or quick-change holder saves constant bit swapping and gives you better reach into recessed fixings. It is a small extra, but it stops dropped screws and awkward starts when you are working one-handed.
2. Spare Common Size Insert Bits
PZ2, PH2 and common TX bits take the most punishment on site. Keep spares in the box so a rounded bit does not start chewing screw heads halfway through a run of fixings.
3. Nutsetters
If you fix roofing screws, cladding screws or coach screw heads, nutsetters save a lot of grief. They give a cleaner fit and are quicker than trying to make the wrong bit do the job.
4. Material Specific Drill Bits
Most mixed sets cover everyday work, but regular drilling into steel, block or brick soon calls for proper dedicated bits. It is worth backing up your set with the right specialist options rather than burning out combination bits.
Choose the Right Drill and Screwdriver Bit Sets for the Job
Use this quick guide to sort the right set for the work in front of you.
| Your Job | Category or Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| General van stock and mixed snagging work | Compact mixed bit set | Common drilling sizes, PZ and PH bits, magnetic holder, tough case |
| Daily screwdriving with an impact driver | Impact rated screwdriver bit set | Shock resistant bits, repeated fastening strength, common trade sizes |
| Joinery, kitchen fitting and second fix | Wood and fixing focused set | Clean pilot sizes, countersink options, reliable fit on common screws |
| Electrical and plumbing install work | Mixed install set | Small pilot bits, driver bits, nutsetters, easy carry case for call-outs |
| Heavier drilling across several materials | Larger trade combination set | Wider size spread, dedicated material bits, better backup for site use |
Common Buying and Usage Mistakes
- Buying the biggest set instead of the right set often leaves you with loads of filler sizes and not enough of the bits you actually wear out. Check the common drill and drive sizes first, then buy for your trade.
- Using standard screwdriver bits in an impact driver all day soon twists tips and rounds screws. If you drive fixings hard and often, move to impact rated bits and save yourself stripped heads.
- Trying to use one drill bit across timber, metal and masonry usually ends with slow drilling, heat build-up and blunt edges. Match the bit to the material or keep dedicated sets alongside the mixed kit.
- Ignoring the case quality sounds minor until bits spill through the van or go missing on site. A secure case with labelled positions saves time and keeps the set useful for longer.
- Running worn bits too long chews fixings and makes drills work harder than they need to. Swap tired favourites early, especially PZ2 and pilot bits that see constant use.
Mixed Bit Sets vs Impact Sets vs Material Specific Sets
Mixed Bit Sets
Best for general site work, maintenance and van stock where you need a bit of everything in one box. They are the sensible choice for mixed jobs, but they are not always the deepest range in one material or one screw type.
Impact Sets
These are built around repeated screwdriving and fastening with impact drivers. If most of your day is running fixings, they last better. They are less useful if you also need a broad spread of dedicated drilling bits.
Material Specific Sets
These suit trades who mainly drill one material such as steel, timber or masonry. You get the right geometry and proper coverage in working sizes, but you will still need separate screwdriving accessories for fixing work.
Which One Should You Buy?
For most tradesmen, start with a good mixed drill and screwdriver bit set, then add specialist sets where the work demands it. That way your everyday fixing kit is covered and your harder drilling jobs are not compromised.
Maintenance and Care
Clean Bits Before They Go Back
Brush off dust, metal swarf and plaster before packing the set away. Grit in the case wears coatings, traps moisture and makes it harder to spot damaged tips next time.
Keep the Common Sizes Tidy
Put bits back in the right slots after use. It sounds obvious, but mixed sets become useless fast when the PZ2s, pilot bits and holders get scattered through the van.
Replace Worn Driver Bits Early
Once the tip starts rounding, change it. A tired bit slips, damages screw heads and wastes time, especially on long fixing runs or awkward positions.
Store Them Dry
Leave the set rattling round in a damp van and rust soon creeps in, particularly on untreated steel parts. Keep the case shut and dry so the bits are ready when you need them.
Use the Right Bit for the Material
A lot of wear comes from misuse rather than poor quality. Using the correct bit type and speed for timber, metal or masonry gives cleaner work and keeps the set going longer.
Why Shop for Drill and Screwdriver Bit Sets at ITS?
Whether you need a compact case for snagging or larger drill and screwdriver bit sets for tradesmen covering drilling and fixing all week, we have the range ready. You will find everyday Drill Bits, full Power Tool Accessories ranges, plus dedicated HSS Drill Bits, Masonry Drill Bits and Holesaws & Accessories all in our own warehouse, in stock and ready for next day delivery.
Drill and Screwdriver Bit Sets FAQs
What are drill and screwdriver bit sets used for?
They cover the everyday drilling and fixing jobs that crop up on site, in the workshop and out of the van. A decent set gives you the common drill sizes and driver bits in one case, so you can pilot, drill and drive without carrying separate loose bits for every job.
How do I choose the right drill and screwdriver bit sets?
Start with the materials and fixings you deal with most. If your week is mixed site work, buy a set with the common drilling sizes and the screw heads you actually use. If you are mostly driving screws with an impact driver, go impact rated rather than paying for a bigger mixed box full of bits you will never touch.
Which drill and screwdriver bit sets are best for trade drilling?
The best trade sets are the ones with proper working sizes, solid holders and bits that stand up to repeat use, not just a high piece count. For trade drilling, look for sensible coverage across timber, metal and light masonry jobs, plus driver bits that fit screws cleanly and do not cam out straight away.
Can drill and screwdriver bit sets be used with cordless drills?
Yes, that is exactly where most of them earn their keep. They are commonly used with cordless drill drivers, combi drills and impact drivers, but you still need to check the shank type and whether the screwdriving bits are impact rated if they are going into a high torque machine every day.
Can I buy drill and screwdriver bit sets online from ITS?
Yes. You can buy drill and screwdriver bit sets online from ITS with the range held in stock in our own warehouse. That means less waiting about and next day delivery available when you need replacement bits or a fresh site set quickly.
Are mixed bit sets enough for masonry and steel every day?
For light, occasional drilling they are often fine, but if you are regularly into block, brick or thicker metal, a mixed set should not be your only answer. Back it up with dedicated material specific bits or you will blunt the general bits too quickly and slow the job down.
