Skil 148 Piece Drilling and Driving Bit Kit

Why I reached for this kit

I keep a few curated bit sleeves in my drill bag, but there are plenty of days when I just want one box that covers nearly every fastener I’ll run into. The Skil 148-piece bit kit has been riding in my truck for a few weeks now, and I’ve used it on punch-list work, light carpentry, appliance installs, and a couple of quick repairs in the shop. It’s a broad, driver-focused assortment aimed at general use, wrapped in a compact case that actually fits in a tool tote.

What’s inside and how it’s laid out

This set skews heavily toward driving bits rather than drilling. In practical terms, that means you’re getting a large mix of 1-inch insert bits (73 of them) for everyday fastening, backed up by 2-inch power bits (38) that play nicely with an impact driver. There are four 3.5-inch power bits for extra reach, plus six slim long bits (two at 4 inches and four at 2 inches) for tight spots. A dozen security bits handle tamper-resistant fasteners. Rounding things out are 10 nut drivers, two socket adapters, a magnetic insert bit holder, a slim bit-grip, and a universal magnetic bit collar.

The case measures about 11 x 10 x 1.6 inches, and it opens flat so you can see everything at once. The layout is sensible, with families of bits grouped together and the longer pieces anchored along the edges. It’s easy to toss into a backpack or bucket without eating up space.

Magnetic screw-holding collar: gimmick or go-to?

The standout accessory in this kit is the universal magnetic bit collar designed to hold screws for one-handed starts. I used it overhead for drywall repairs and horizontally for installing cabinet hardware. The magnet is strong enough to hold common fasteners without drama, and it really shines when paired with a 2-inch impact bit; the extra length nests properly in the collar and noticeably increases magnetic force. With 1-5/8-inch drywall screws and 3-inch deck screws, the collar reduced fumbles and let me start fasteners cleanly with one hand while steadying work with the other.

Like most magnetic collars, it’s not a cure-all. Tiny brass screws still want to tilt, and coarse-thread construction screws with heavy coatings can wobble if you don’t square up. But as a practical helper for solo tasks, it’s worth keeping in the case rather than leaving at the bottom of a bucket.

On-the-job performance

• Bit fit and cam-out: The Phillips tips grabbed cleanly in cabinet hardware and electrical cover plates, with predictable engagement. Torx bits felt snug in deck screws and structural screws. I didn’t see excessive burrs or sloppy machining on the tips, and cam-out didn’t show up unless I got lazy with alignment.

• Impact use: The 2-inch power bits handled impact-driver duty for light-to-medium tasks just fine. I ran several ledger screws and a handful of construction screws into SPF and LVL; the bits didn’t round off or chatter. I wouldn’t call this a heavy-duty steel-deck crew set, but for everyday jobs it held up well.

• Extended reach: The 3.5-inch power bits and the slim long bits came in handy behind sink basins and inside cabinet frames. The slim bits aren’t as torsion-friendly as some premium flexible extensions, but the reduced diameter helps in tight recesses where a standard bit plus sleeve won’t fit.

• Security fasteners: The dozen tamper-resistant bits covered what I encountered on an appliance panel and a gate latch. If you work maintenance or facility service, having these on hand keeps you from making a second trip.

• Nut drivers and adapters: The nut drivers fit cleanly on common hex-head screws I see (1/4 and 5/16). The socket adapters locked into my impact driver without wobble and saved me a walk when I needed a deep socket once or twice.

Case and organization

The case is compact and keeps pieces visible and accessible. The latch is positive, and the hinge opens flat without fighting you. My one gripe is bit retention: some of the rails grip insert bits a little too tightly. Pulling a 1-inch bit with gloved hands while balancing on a ladder isn’t ideal. It loosened slightly with use, but it’s something to note if you routinely swap bits mid-task.

Durability-wise, the case is fine for shop and truck use. The plastic isn’t jobsite-armored, so I wouldn’t expect it to survive a fall off scaffolding without scuffs. Within a tote or drawer, it’s perfectly serviceable and keeps the chaos under control.

What this kit is—and isn’t

This is a driver-centric assortment. If you’re expecting a full spread of twist drill bits, you’ll need to supplement. There’s no countersink or specialized drilling accessories; the emphasis is on outfitting your drill/driver or impact driver for fastening.

The breadth of driver options is the real value here. The mix of 1-inch inserts for use in the magnetic holder, 2-inch impact-ready bits for common screws, longer bits for reach, and security profiles means I rarely had to reach for another case. For most home improvement and light trade tasks, it covers the bases.

Where it lags behind more expensive pro kits is in two places: ultra-rugged storage and extreme-duty bit life. I didn’t burn through any tips during testing, but in high-torque, all-day applications, premium torsion-zone bits generally hold edges longer. This Skil kit hits a practical middle ground: good enough for daily mixed use without pretending to be bulletproof.

The accessories that matter

• Magnetic insert bit holder: A straightforward, reliable holder with adequate magnet strength. I kept it in the drill for general-purpose driving and only switched to the screw-holding collar when starting screws one-handed.

• Slim bit-grip: Handy for starting screws by hand in delicate material or for threading a fastener without stripping. It’s a small addition that saved me from overdriving more than once.

• Socket adapters: Useful to keep in the case; I used one with a 3/8-inch drive socket for lag shields. No deforming or spring failure during my time with them.

Everyday scenarios where it earns its keep

• Installing cabinet hardware: The longer bits and collar simplified one-handed starts while holding doors square.
• Deck repairs: Torx bits seated well in outdoor fasteners; 2-inch bits held up under impact torque.
• Fixture swaps: Security bits saved a trip on a tamper-resistant sconce, and the nut drivers made quick work of hex-head screws on brackets.
• Punch-list work: With the case in my backpack, I had the oddball bit I needed without multiple cases rattling around.

Value

For the breadth of coverage and the included accessories, this kit feels like strong value. The piece count isn’t padding; the distribution of lengths and profiles is thoughtfully biased toward what real jobs require. You can spend more for bombproof torsion bits and a ruggedized case, and there’s a place for that. But for most users—DIYers stepping up their kit, handypeople, and pros who want a leave-in-the-truck catch-all—this strikes a smart balance of cost, coverage, and performance.

Final thoughts and recommendation

The Skil 148-piece bit kit leans into practicality: a genuinely useful assortment, a compact case, and a screw-holding collar that actually helps with one-handed starts. The bits fit well and stand up to impact driver use in everyday tasks. The case could release bits a touch easier, and this isn’t the last word in jobsite-tough storage or extreme-duty bit life. But those are reasonable trade-offs given the coverage and convenience.

I recommend this kit. It’s a versatile, well-rounded driver set that fits real work, minimizes trips back to the toolbox, and includes a couple of accessories—the magnetic collar and slim long bits—that make common tasks faster and cleaner. If you pair it with a dedicated drill index, you’ll have most of what you need for general fastening and light installation work in one tidy package.