Bosch 14pc Black Oxide Drill Bit Set

A good general-purpose bit set is the kind of thing you reach for without thinking. That’s exactly how this Bosch black oxide set earned a spot in my drill bag: it’s reliable, predictable, and covers the sizes I need most for day-to-day drilling in wood, plastics, and light-gauge metals.

What’s in the box and who it’s for

This is a 14-piece black oxide twist bit set ranging from small pilot sizes up to a 1/2-inch bit. It’s aimed squarely at general-purpose work—home projects, light carpentry, maintenance tasks, and metal drilling in thinner stock. If your work leans toward stainless, thick steel, or production drilling, a cobalt or carbide set is a better fit. But for the bulk of common jobs, this set slots in nicely.

Build and design

• Black oxide coating: The finish isn’t just for looks. It reduces friction, sheds chips a bit better than bare HSS, and offers mild corrosion resistance. It also helps the bits run cooler in wood and plastic, which extends edge life.
• Split “no-skate” tip: The split-point geometry reduces walking on flat stock and painted surfaces. I was able to start holes on sheet metal and cabinet hardware without resorting to an aggressive punch every time.
• Three-flat shanks (3/16 in. and up): On the larger sizes, the shank flats noticeably reduce spin-out in keyless chucks. With the 3/8- and 1/2-inch bits, I didn’t experience the telltale squeal-and-polish of a round shank slipping under load.

The overall grind quality is consistent. Lands and flutes are symmetrical, and the cutting lips arrive properly honed. These aren’t mirror-polished flutes, but chip evacuation is adequate for the intended materials.

Performance in wood

In softwoods and typical framing lumber, the bits cut quickly with minimal fuzzing on the entry side. In plywood and hardwoods, the holes stay true, though like any standard twist bit you’ll see some breakout on the exit if you don’t back up the work. I ran the 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch sizes through oak and maple; with the right speed and steady pressure, heat stayed in check and edges stayed sharp. For cabinetry or tearout-sensitive work, a brad-point bit is still the better choice, but for general fastening and clearance holes, these get it done cleanly.

Performance in plastics

A lot of folks overlook plastics, but it’s where the black oxide coating quietly helps. On acrylic and PVC, I kept the speed moderate and let the bit do the work; the bit tracked cleanly with no chatter and minimal melting. If you feather the trigger and clear chips frequently, the finish is surprisingly good for a standard twist profile. A quick tip: give the bit a moment between pecks to cool and let chips fall out, especially on deeper holes.

Performance in light-gauge metal

Bosch rates the set for light-gauge metal, and that’s exactly where it shines. In 20–16 gauge sheet steel and typical galvanized brackets, the split tip reduces skating and the bits bite predictably. I used cutting fluid on anything thicker than sheet, kept the RPMs down, and the chips came off in tight curls. Once you move into thicker mild steel or structural shapes, you’ll feel the limits of black oxide HSS—feed pressure goes up, heat builds, and edge life drops faster. For stainless, this set is not the right choice. But for HVAC duct, electrical boxes, angle brackets, and automotive trim, it’s very serviceable.

Accuracy and hole quality

The “no-skate” tip is the standout. On door hardware and face frames where hole placement matters, I could start accurately without walking, even on painted surfaces. On metal, I still prefer a light center punch for repeatability, but I could get away without one in many cases. Hole roundness is good; I didn’t see egging unless I rushed, and the bits track straight in a well-tuned drill.

Bit retention and user experience

The three-flat shank on larger sizes does its job. With a compact drill/driver and a mid-torque drill, I had no shank slip even when the 1/2-inch bit grabbed near breakthrough in softwood. Note that these are round shanks with flats, not hex shanks—use a drill/driver, not an impact driver. The smaller sizes spin true and are as durable as you can reasonably expect; the 1/16 and 5/64 are still consumables in my shop, but they didn’t feel brittle.

Durability and sharpening

Black oxide isn’t a magic coating; it won’t suddenly make HSS behave like cobalt in abrasive metals. What it does do is help with heat management and wear. After a few afternoons of mixed use—stud drilling, hardware installs, and some sheet-metal work—the cutting edges on the frequently used sizes were still crisp. When they eventually dull, these bits are straightforward to touch up on a bench grinder or a sharpening jig. That’s an advantage over some coated bits where regrinding removes the benefit of the coating.

Practical tips for best results

• Use the right speed: Slower for metal, moderate for hardwoods and plastics, faster for softwood. If you see smoke or melting, slow down.
• Clear chips: Back the bit out periodically, especially in deep holes or plastics.
• Lubricate metal: A dab of cutting fluid keeps temperatures down and edges sharp.
• Step up on larger holes: Pilot with a smaller bit before jumping to 3/8 or 1/2 inch in metal or hardwood.
• Back up the exit side: Prevents blowout in plywood and laminates.

Where it fits in the lineup

This set sits comfortably as a step above off-brand generics and below premium cobalt sets in both durability and cost. If you occasionally need to tackle stainless or spend your days drilling thicker steel, upgrade to cobalt. For everything else—the bulk of home maintenance, carpentry, plastics work, and light metal—the black oxide sweet spot makes sense. The inclusion of a 1/2-inch bit is handy for larger clearance holes and pass-throughs without having to buy a separate single bit.

Limitations

• Not intended for stainless or thick, hardened metals.
• Standard twist geometry means you’ll still get exit tearout in wood if you rush.
• Round shank (even with flats) isn’t impact-rated; stick to drill/drivers.
• The smallest sizes are easy to snap if you side-load—use a light touch.

None of these are surprises; they’re inherent to the category. The key is using the right technique and material pairings.

Value

Given the coverage of common sizes and the overall grind quality, the set offers good value for general-purpose drilling. You’re paying for a dependable, no-fuss set that handles most of what a homeowner, DIYer, or maintenance tech encounters without jumping to specialty bits.

The bottom line

After using this Bosch black oxide set across wood, plastics, and light-gauge metal, I trust it as my everyday go-to. The split-point tips start cleanly, the larger shanks stay put in a keyless chuck, and the black oxide finish helps the bits run cooler and last longer than bare HSS. It’s not a metal-fabrication workhorse, and it’s not meant to be. But for the broad middle of drilling tasks, it delivers consistent, predictable performance.

Recommendation: I recommend this set for anyone who needs a reliable general-purpose bit assortment—DIYers, property managers, and trades who routinely drill wood, plastic, and thin metals. It offers accurate starts, solid grip in the chuck, and a sensible spread of sizes. If your work involves frequent stainless or thick steel, pair this with a cobalt set for heavy-duty metal. For everything else, this Bosch set is an easy, cost-effective choice.