DeWalt 3/8 in. Drive MM Hex Bit Socket Set (6 pc.)

What it is

I’ve been carrying a lot of hex bit sockets lately for general repair work—bikes, small engines, and the occasional stubborn machine screw. This six-piece 3/8-inch metric hex bit set from DeWalt caught my eye because of its RBRT geometry, which promises better grip on worn fasteners and less cam-out than traditional straight-cut hex bits. After several weeks of use on real-world tasks, I have a clear sense of where this set fits and where it doesn’t.

Build and design

• Drive and form factor: Each piece is a 3/8-inch drive hex bit socket. The overall length is compact enough to get into tight bays but not so short that you can’t get a hand on the ratchet. The bit is integrated, not a replaceable insert, which keeps wobble to a minimum under torque.
• Finish: The polished chrome finish is clean and easy to wipe down. After rides in a damp field kit and a couple of solvent baths, mine still look new. Chrome also makes it easy to spot in a dark drawer.
• Geometry: The RBRT profile is the headliner here. Instead of a pure flat-to-flat hex, the flutes are profiled to bite off-corner. It’s meant to grip worn or slightly rounded internal hex recesses and reduce the tendency to cam out under torque.
• Country of origin: Made in Taiwan—typically a good sign for mid-tier hand tools, and that shows in the machining and consistent fit I’ve seen.
• Storage: The set comes on a basic plastic rail. It keeps everything together, but it’s not shop-grade. Mine flexed noticeably and one clip loosened after a week in a drawer. I moved the sockets to a metal rail and haven’t looked back.

It’s a compact, straightforward six-piece lineup. If you expect a sprawling size range, this isn’t that. It’s a core set covering common metric sizes, which will handle most general maintenance tasks but won’t replace a full cabinet of hex bits if you work on unusual equipment.

In use

I gave the set three types of work: fresh hardware, borderline hardware, and truly ugly hardware.

• Fresh hardware: On new fasteners (think brake caliper brackets, furniture assembly, machine guards), the fit is snug and the torque transfer is predictable. The off-corner engagement doesn’t feel mushy or vague; if anything, it seats with a satisfying stop. I didn’t see any undue marking of fastener recesses when the bit was fully seated.
• Borderline hardware: This is where the RBRT profile earns its keep. I had a partially rounded M6 cap screw on a mower housing that a straight hex bit started to ride out of. The DeWalt bit seated slightly deeper and bit into the remaining flats, breaking the screw loose without drama. Same story with a brake rotor screw on a bike that had seen one winter too many—the profile found purchase where standard bits skated.
• Truly ugly hardware: If the recess is severely ballooned or packed with corrosion to the point that the bit can’t fully seat, you’ll still struggle. That’s not unique to this set; it’s the reality of internal hex fasteners. But I was able to salvage a few fasteners I would normally have drilled by taking time to clean the recess and lightly tapping the bit in before applying torque.

A detail worth calling out: because the RBRT geometry isn’t a one-way spiral extractor, you can confidently tighten with these, too. I used them to reinstall hardware and torque to spec without any sense that I was chewing up fresh fasteners. For me, that’s the key advantage over dedicated extractor-style tools—you don’t have to switch to a “normal” bit for reassembly.

I used these with a compact 3/8-inch ratchet and a small breaker bar. I didn’t put an impact gun on them and wouldn’t recommend it. They’re hand-tool sockets, and the steel and geometry feel tuned for controlled torque rather than impact blows.

Strengths

• Real grip on compromised fasteners: The off-corner engagement works as advertised. It reduces cam-out and adds confidence when you hear that first creak of movement on a stuck bolt.
• Consistent machining: Every socket in my set seated cleanly; no burrs or inconsistent fit. That matters when you’re working blind in a recessed fastener and relying on feel.
• Chrome finish: Easy cleanup and decent corrosion resistance. After a soaking rain in the service truck, a quick wipe prevented spotting.
• Bidirectional use: Tighten and loosen with the same bit profile. No awkward tool swap between removal and reassembly.
• Compact set: Six pieces keeps the kit light and covers the sizes I encounter most in general maintenance.

Limitations

• The rail: The included plastic holder is functional for shipping and light drawer use, but it’s not something I’d trust in a mobile kit. Consider moving these to a metal rail or a foam drawer insert if you want longevity.
• Not a full range: A six-piece set inevitably leaves gaps. If you routinely work on European bikes or specialty machinery, you may still reach for additional sizes not in this core selection.
• Requires full engagement: Like any internal hex tool, the RBRT profile still needs depth to bite. On very shallow recesses, you’ll want to clear debris carefully and make sure you’re fully seated before applying torque.
• Not impact-rated: These are hand sockets. If you’re removing heavily corroded fasteners and want to use an impact driver, look for dedicated impact-rated hex sockets.

Durability and warranty

Structurally, the bits have held up well. I leaned on the larger sizes with a breaker bar and saw no twisting or chipping. The chrome hasn’t flaked, and the broaching remains crisp after repeated use in stainless fasteners, which can be unforgiving.

There’s a full lifetime warranty on paper, which aligns with DeWalt’s broader hand tool policy. As always, I treat warranties as a safety net rather than part of the value proposition—proper seating, controlled torque, and not abusing the tool will do more for longevity than any return policy.

Ergonomics and visibility

The sockets are easy to handle even with gloves, thanks to the polished surfaces and manageable length. Markings are clear enough to read at a glance in good light. I’d love high-contrast size markings for better visibility in dim spaces, but that’s a nitpick, not a deal-breaker.

Where it fits in a kit

If you already have a drawer of straight-cut hex bit sockets, this set is a smart complement. I’ve started reaching for it first on anything that looks even slightly suspect—older bikes, shop fixtures, outdoor equipment—because it gives me a margin of safety. For pristine assembly work only, a standard hex bit set will do fine, but the added capability here has become hard to give up.

For mobile techs and DIYers alike, the balance of size, drive compatibility, and the RBRT geometry makes this a practical everyday choice. Just plan on upgrading the storage solution.

The bottom line

I recommend this DeWalt metric hex bit set. The RBRT profile provides a genuine advantage on worn fasteners without penalizing you during reassembly, and the overall build quality is solid. It won’t replace a large, comprehensive hex assortment, and the included rail is a weak link, but as a six-piece core set for 3/8-inch drive work, it’s a dependable, corrosion-resistant option that earns space in the toolbox. If you value better grip and fewer cam-outs on internal hex hardware, this set does exactly what it claims with minimal fuss.