DeWalt 1/32 in., 2/32 in., 3/32 in. Bi-Material Nail Set (3-Piece)

I reach for a nail set far more often than I expect. From tacking in delicate trim to cleaning up a stray proud brad, the right punch saves time and protects the work. This three-piece DeWalt nail set has been rolling around in my pouch for weeks, and it’s earned a steady place in the kit.

Build and design

Each punch is built around a solid steel core with a bi-material grip molded over it. At roughly 120 mm long and about 15 mm across, they’re stouter than bare-steel nail sets, but the proportions feel right in the hand. The flared grip near the striking end forms a subtle guard; it doesn’t turn the tool into a finger saver, but it does meaningfully reduce the chance of a glancing hammer blow catching your knuckles. The tops expose steel for clean strikes, and the tips are color coded—blue for 1/32 in (0.8 mm), yellow for 2/32 in (1/16 in, 1.6 mm), and red for 3/32 in (2.4 mm).

Fit and finish are what you’d expect from a trusted pro brand. The grips are cleanly molded with no flash, the tips are concentric and true, and the paint on the color bands has held up better than I anticipated. There’s no gimmickry here—just a straightforward, robust design.

In use

I put these through a mix of real work: baseboards in painted poplar, crown returns in primed MDF, and door casing in red oak. I also used the small tip to touch up a few 23-gauge pinholes before filling. Across hardwoods and composites, the tips transferred energy cleanly. On typical 15–18 gauge finish nails, the 1/16 in punch was my default; it seats on the nail head reliably and gives enough meat to feel stable without pretending to be a drift. For smaller brads, the 1/32 in tip is precise and reduces the halo you can get around a hole in softer species. The 3/32 in punch came out for larger finish nails and the occasional stubborn nail that needed a little more persuasion.

Blow for blow, the solid core does what it’s supposed to do: you don’t need to whale on these to set a head a millimeter or two below the surface. I noticed fewer double taps compared to slimmer, all-steel sets, and the bi-material sleeve takes the sting out of repeated strikes, especially with a steel-faced hammer.

Ergonomics and safety

The grips are the story here. A lot of nail sets are slippery little batons; these have enough diameter and texture to keep them planted between your fingers, even with dusty gloves. The flared collar is genuinely useful. I still recommend a careful, controlled swing—this isn’t a force field—but the flare has spared my hand a couple of times when the hammer glanced off a fastener head.

One ergonomic trade-off is girth. That 15 mm grip feels great in open runs of trim, but it can be bulky around tight inside corners, ornate profiles, or cramped reveals. In those situations, a slimmer all-steel set can sneak in where this one won’t. Still, for the vast majority of trim and cabinetry tasks, I preferred the security and comfort of the thicker handle.

Tip sizing and applications

• 1/32 in (0.8 mm): Best for brads and pin nails, minimizing surface bruising in softwoods and painted MDF where filler visibility matters.
• 2/32 in (1/16 in, 1.6 mm): The sweet spot for most 15–18 gauge finish nails in casing, base, and crown.
• 3/32 in (2.4 mm): Useful for larger finish nails or when you want a little more stability on a stubborn head.

The color coding seems like a small touch until you’re fishing for the right size mid-task. I found myself grabbing the right one without breaking rhythm—a small but real productivity gain.

Accuracy and surface protection

A nail set’s job is to disappear, both figuratively and literally. These tips are machined cleanly and track well on the crown of a finish nail. On painted MDF, I could set heads 1–2 mm below the surface with a single, controlled blow and leave a compact divot that filled cleanly. In oak and maple, the smaller tip helped avoid fiber crushing around the hole. The trick, as always, is to stop as soon as the head is just shy of flush and let the final tap bring it home below the surface. These tools give you the control to do that.

Practical tip: use a bit of painter’s tape around the target area on softer woods or pre-finished trim to further reduce the risk of marring. The tape also makes it easier to find and fill the hole afterward.

Durability

After several days of intermittent use, including some less-than-delicate whacks while working overhead, the striking ends show only light cosmetic marks, and the tips haven’t mushroomed. The grip material hasn’t loosened or twisted on the steel core, even with sweaty hands and temperature swings between a warm shop and a cold jobsite. These feel like tools you’ll have for years if you don’t lose them.

One note: the colored bands on the tips will show wear eventually, especially if they knock around in a pouch with metal fasteners. On mine, the colors are still bright, but I wouldn’t expect them to look new forever. Even as they fade, the sizes are easy to keep straight by eye and by feel.

Limitations

• Bulk in tight spaces: The flared grip that protects your hand is the same feature that can get in the way in tight corners or around detailed profiles.
• No magnetic or spring-assist features: Some specialty nail sets include springs or magnets; this set sticks to the classic approach—arguably a plus for simplicity, but worth noting if you were hoping for a press-to-set mechanism.
• Not a punch for heavy metalwork: While you can nudge small pins or tackle light tasks beyond trim, these are purpose-built for wood finish nails. If you routinely drive out roll pins or work in metal, get a dedicated punch set.

Value and warranty

Price-wise, this sits in the middle of the pro market—more than a bare-bones steel set, less than some boutique options. For the comfort, control, and safety you gain from the grip and flared collar, I think the value is there. The one-year limited warranty is standard for a hand tool like this and, frankly, likely to go unused unless there’s a manufacturing flaw.

Practical advice for best results

• Choose the smallest tip that fully covers the nail head without slipping off.
• Hold the punch as close to the tip as comfortable for better stability.
• Aim for one firm, square strike rather than multiple light taps; the steel core helps with clean energy transfer.
• Set the head just below flush and stop—let filler do its job rather than crushing fibers deeper.

Who it’s for

• Finish carpenters and remodelers who spend time on casing, base, crown, and cabinetry.
• DIYers upgrading from a slippery, all-steel nail set and looking for more control and comfort.
• Anyone who appreciates quick size identification in a busy pouch or toolbox.

If you’re doing delicate restoration work in ornate moldings or constantly working in tight corners, keep a skinny all-steel set around as a companion. Otherwise, this three-piece set covers the bases with fewer compromises than most.

Recommendation

I recommend this DeWalt nail set. It combines a comfortable, grippy handle with a practical safety flare, precise tips, and useful color coding, all built on a solid steel core that hits above its weight. The bulkier handle can be a limitation in cramped spots, but for everyday trim and finish work, the control and hand protection outweigh that trade-off. It’s a well-thought-out upgrade over basic steel nail sets and a reliable, no-drama addition to a carpentry kit.