DeWalt TOUGHSERIES Screwdriver Set (17 pc.)

Why this set earned a spot on my bench

I didn’t expect a straightforward screwdriver set to change my day-to-day flow much, but this 17-piece DeWalt set did. It covers the common fasteners I see in remodel work and maintenance, the tips bite well, and the finish holds up better than most budget drivers I’ve used. It’s not a boutique set and it isn’t insulated for electrical work, but as a general-purpose kit for the shop, truck, or tool bag, it hits the right notes.

What you actually get

The set combines a core group of fixed drivers with an 11‑in‑1 multi‑bit screwdriver. The fixed drivers include:
- Phillips: PH1 (3 in. shaft) and PH2 (4 in. shaft, two of them)
- Slotted: 3/16 in. (4 in. shaft) and 1/4 in. (4 in. shaft, two of them)

Those six fixed drivers cover the majority of household and jobsite fasteners. The multi‑bit adds the “everything else” bucket—your typical mix of Phillips, slotted, square, Torx, and small nut drivers. Count the bits inside the multi‑bit handle and you arrive at the full 17 pieces.

The mix is practical: two PH2s and two 1/4-in. slotted drivers mean you can keep one clean for delicate surfaces and beat on the other when paint, corrosion, or an old hinge fights back.

Build quality and finish

The shafts are S2 steel, which is the right call for screwdrivers that see real torque. S2 offers a bit of springiness that helps resist snapping under load while staying hard enough to avoid rounding over. DeWalt coats the shafts in a black chrome plating and nickel-coats the tips. The black chrome resists rust better than the bare or bright-chrome drivers I keep in my van. The manufacturer claims 10× improved corrosion resistance compared to a baseline. I can’t quantify that, but after regular use—including a damp basement utility room and a few rainy days—the black finish still looks clean, with only light polishing where my hand rides the shaft.

The tips are machined to DeWalt’s MAX FIT geometry. That’s not marketing fluff; the #2 Phillips and the 1/4-in. slotted, in particular, seat more positively than many generic drivers. Less wiggle, less cam‑out, and fewer chewed screw heads. The nickel on the tips shows wear before the steel does (as it should), but that hasn’t changed how they bite.

In-hand feel and control

The handles are a soft bi‑material. They’re not sticky, but there’s enough texture to keep a grip even with dusty gloves. The diameter hits a sweet spot: big enough to generate torque without feeling like a club in tight quarters. The shape gives you good indexing so you know how the blade is oriented by feel.

If you like spinning drivers rapidly for removal, the handles don’t have a dedicated “spinner” cap, but the taper near the top lets the tool roll nicely between your fingers. For stubborn fasteners, the handle geometry lets you drive your palm into it effectively without a hot spot.

One small gripe: I’d like clearer end-cap markings for quick identification in a crowded bag. I mark mine with a paint pen.

Magnetic tips and bit life

All the drivers are magnetized. The magnets are strong enough to hold common screws overhead; a 1‑1/4 in. deck screw hangs without drama from the PH2. On tiny hardware, the magnet isn’t so overbearing that it drags the screw off the hole when you’re trying to start it. The multi‑bit’s bit retention is positive without being a wrestling match—bits click into place cleanly and pull free without pliers.

Over several weeks of mixed use (cabinet hardware, door strikes, outlet covers, an HVAC service panel, and a couple of appliance repairs), the bits in the multi‑bit driver are holding their edges. S2 steel plus decent heat treat shows up over time—no twisted tips or rolled edges so far.

Real-world performance

• Driving power: The PH2 fixed drivers handled structural screws and hinge sets without cam‑out, even when I leaned on them harder than I should have. The square and Torx bits in the multi‑bit driver grabbed pocket-hole screws and decking screws reliably.
• Access: The 4‑in. shafts reach past trim and into boxes easily. The multi‑bit driver’s overall length is compact enough for most cabinet work. If you need a stubby driver for tight spaces, that’s not included; I paired this set with a separate stubby.
• Precision: The PH1 is crisp enough for electronics housings and smaller finish screws. It’s not a precision electronics driver, but it won’t maul delicate fasteners if you’re careful.

Durability and corrosion resistance

I put one of the 1/4‑in. slotted drivers through a mild abuse test: light prying under a paint-glued strike plate and using it as a chisel to pop a stubborn plastic anchor (don’t do this, but we all do sometimes). The blade didn’t mushroom or twist. That said, there’s no hex bolster under the handle on these fixed drivers, so you can’t throw a wrench on them for extra leverage—good for avoiding over-torque, less good if you’re used to that trick.

As for finish durability, the black chrome hides scuffs and resists early rust bloom better than bright chrome. Wipe them down after a wet day and they’ll stay pretty. Expect the nickel on the tips to polish and gray with use; that’s normal.

The 11‑in‑1 driver: convenience vs. commitment

Multi‑bit drivers are a love-it-or-leave-it category. I like having one in the pouch for oddball fasteners and nut-driver sizes. This one slots right in with the trade-standard pattern: compact, straightforward, and secure bit storage. The handle is slightly slimmer than the fixed drivers, which helps in tight cabinets and junction boxes.

Two notes:
- If you abuse multi‑bit drivers as pry bars, you’ll eventually loosen the bit holder on any brand. Use the fixed drivers for prying.
- If you’re frequently swapping between two bit types, keep a second multi‑bit or duplicate bit handy to avoid constant flipping.

Where it shines

• Remodel and maintenance work where PH2 and 1/4‑in. slotted dominate
• Overhead and one‑hand starts thanks to the magnetized tips
• Humid or messy environments where rust resistance matters
• Users who want one set to live in a go‑bag without babying it

Where it could be better

• No insulation or live‑work rating; electricians should use proper VDE/insulated drivers
• No hex bolster on the fixed drivers for wrench assist
• End-cap icons/markings could be more prominent
• No true stubby or precision micro drivers in the assortment

None of these are dealbreakers for general use, but they’re worth noting depending on your trade.

Value and warranty

You’re getting S2 steel shafts, machined tips, a corrosion‑resistant finish, magnetic tips, and a practical assortment under a limited lifetime warranty. For a primary kit or a dependable backup set, the value proposition is strong. If you compare to premium European sets focused on precision assembly, those will have finer tip geometry and sometimes nicer ergonomics—but at a much higher price and usually without a multi‑bit in the box.

Bottom line

This DeWalt screwdriver set is exactly what I want for general carpentry, punch lists, and household maintenance: durable, comfortable drivers with tips that actually fit, plus a compact multi‑bit that covers the odd sizes. The black chrome finish handles the elements better than typical chrome, the magnets are dialed in, and the handles strike a good balance between torque and control.

Recommendation: I recommend this set for homeowners, remodelers, and general trades who need a reliable, corrosion‑resistant kit with an emphasis on the most-used sizes and a versatile multi‑bit driver. Skip it only if you need insulated drivers for electrical work, a hex bolster for wrenching, or a dedicated precision set for electronics. For everyone else, this is a well-made, well‑rounded set that earns its space in the bag.