Bosch 5-Piece Multipurpose Drill Bit Set

Why I reached for this set

I keep a handful of “do‑everything” bits in my jobsite box for the inevitable mixed‑material days—brick to wood to sheet metal in one run. This Bosch five‑piece set has been my go‑to for that kind of hopscotch. It doesn’t replace dedicated masonry, brad‑point, or cobalt bits for specialized work, but it punches above its weight when you need to move fast with one chuck and minimal trips back to the truck.

Build and design

Each bit uses a tungsten carbide tip on a multi‑grind head and a steep, ribbed flute. The geometry is more aggressive than older multi‑material bits I’ve used; it bites quickly and pulls debris out well, especially in masonry. The hex shanks are impact‑rated and seat solidly in quick‑change chucks—no spinning or polishing the shank under load—and they clamp fine in a standard three‑jaw chuck on a drill/driver or hammer drill.

Total length is 6 inches with a 4‑inch working length across the five sizes: 5/32, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, and 3/8. That range covers common anchor holes and utility work. The compact plastic case is simple and holds the bits securely. It’s not fancy, but it’s slim and tosses into a pouch easily.

Performance in masonry and concrete

This is where the set justifies its space. In cured concrete and brick, the 3/16 and 1/4 bits cut far quicker than the multipurpose sets I’ve relied on in the past. On a recent retrofit for cable runs, I was jumping between mortar joints and brick faces. With the hammer mode on a compact drill/driver, the bits tracked straight, didn’t chatter, and cleared dust nicely. The “no‑skate” point helped me start holes precisely without drifting across rough brick faces.

Speed is noticeably improved, but what mattered more to me was consistency. I could maintain feed pressure without the bit glazing or loading up. In concrete with tougher aggregate, backing out to clear dust still helped, but I wasn’t constantly nursing the bit to keep it cutting. For small to mid‑size anchors, I was drilling and setting hardware faster than expected.

A note on impact drivers: the hex shank allows you to use these in an impact driver for light masonry tasks. I’ve done it for smaller holes when a hammer drill wasn’t handy. It works, but a proper hammer drill still wins for harder concrete or larger diameters. If you plan to spend a day in concrete, grab the hammer drill. For quick hits and small anchors, the impact driver plus these bits can get you through.

Tile, brick, and brittle surfaces

On ceramic tile and glazed brick, the point geometry helps prevent walking. I started at low RPM with light pressure—no hammer action—and had clean entries with minimal chipping. Using a piece of painter’s tape and a water spritz kept the temperature down and the glaze tidy. These bits can handle the task, but they’re not a replacement for specialty glass/tile bits if you’re doing premium finishes or very hard porcelain all day. For one‑offs in a bath remodel, they performed well.

Metal: sheet, aluminum, and angle iron

Bosch touts faster metal drilling, and I did see an uptick. In sheet steel and aluminum, the bits cut cleanly at moderate speed. The multi‑grind head doesn’t grab as harshly as a standard twist bit when breaking through thin material, but clamp your work anyway—hex‑shank multipurpose bits can still catch on exit. A drop of oil keeps the edges happy.

In thicker stock like angle iron, go slow and steady, use oil, and peck to clear chips. I was able to open holes up to 3/8 in mild angle iron without burning the tip, but you need proper RPM control and patience. For sustained metal work or stainless, a dedicated cobalt set is still the smarter choice. This set handles occasional metal holes well; it’s not my primary metal kit.

Wood and plastics

In wood, the “no‑skate” point helps with starts, but this isn’t a brad‑point; it won’t give you furniture‑grade exit holes. For framing or utility work, it’s perfectly acceptable and reasonably quick. In plywood and MDF, tear‑out was minimal on entry and average on exit—use a backer board if you care about the backside. In PVC and other plastics, the bits run smoothly at lower speeds; keep the RPM down to prevent melting and you get clean, round holes.

Accuracy, chip evacuation, and feel

The ribbed, steep flutes are a highlight in dusty materials. I rarely felt the need to “pump” the bit to clear debris in brick or block; the spirals do their job. The trade‑off is that in some softer woods at high RPM, the aggressive flute can pull a bit faster than ideal—moderate speed and feed keeps the hole under control. Overall, the bits have a planted, predictable feel. Starts are controlled, and once established the tip tracks true.

Durability and heat management

Carbide edges hold up across mixed materials better than HSS multipurpose bits. After a day of drilling a mix of mortar and light gauge steel, the cutting edges still felt crisp, and the brazed tips were intact. Abuse will still chip carbide—don’t hammer into rebar, and don’t red‑line the RPM in steel. The best way to make these last:
- Use hammer mode only for masonry and concrete, never on tile.
- Keep RPM conservative in metals; use cutting oil.
- Peck to clear chips in metal; let the flutes work in masonry.
- Back the bit out before it binds to protect the tip.

Follow those and you’ll get solid life from the set.

Ergonomics and compatibility

The hex shank is a quiet upgrade. Quick swaps in an impact or drill/driver are faster, and the anti‑slip interface is confidence‑inspiring when pushing hard in masonry. If you run SDS‑Plus tools, note that these are conventional hex shank bits; use them in a keyed or keyless chuck adapter on SDS drills, or stick with the hammer drill/driver class. For most cordless drill users, they integrate seamlessly.

Assortment and case

The five sizes are pragmatic: they cover many common plastic and wedge anchors, pilot holes for Tapcons, and utility penetrations. I do occasionally want a 7/32 or 1/2, but given the 6‑inch total length and the “carry everywhere” intent, the curation makes sense. The plastic case is compact and secure. It’s not waterproof or crushproof, but it’s easy to toss into a pouch without scattering bits.

What it won’t replace

• Precision woodworking bits: if you need splinter‑free entry/exit and flat‑bottom holes, use brad‑point or Forstner bits.
• Heavy metal drilling: for frequent holes in thick steel or stainless, cobalt or carbide‑tipped metal bits are better suited.
• SDS masonry systems: for large‑diameter or deep concrete holes all day, SDS‑Plus/Max is still king.

Practical tips for best results

• Mark with a center punch on metal and smooth tile; start at low RPM to engage the tip.
• Use tape over tile/glaze to reduce skating and chipping; no hammer on brittle surfaces.
• In masonry, let the hammer action and the flute do the work; don’t lean excessively.
• Keep a shop vac nearby; clearing dust improves speed and reduces heat.
• In wood, back the bit out just before breakthrough to minimize blowout.

Verdict and recommendation

I recommend this Bosch multipurpose set for anyone who needs reliable, quick performance across mixed materials without swapping between specialty bits all day. The strengths are clear: fast, controlled starts; genuinely improved masonry speed; solid chip evacuation; and a hex shank that plays nicely with modern cordless tools. Durability is good if you respect heat and match speed to material.

It’s not a specialist’s kit, and it won’t replace your cobalt or SDS sets for heavy metal or deep concrete work. But as an everyday, grab‑and‑go five‑piece that handles brick, block, tile, wood, plastics, and common metals with confidence, it earns its spot in the pouch. If your work has you bouncing between substrates, this set saves time, reduces trips back to the truck, and delivers clean, predictable holes. That combination is easy to recommend.