Skil 130 Piece Drilling and Screwdriving Bit Set

Why I picked up this kit

I’ve got plenty of single-purpose bit sets that live in different boxes, bags, and pockets—great when I’m on a dedicated task, not so great when I’m trying to tackle a little of everything in one afternoon. That’s why I grabbed the Skil bit set. I wanted a single case I could throw in the truck that would cover common drilling and screwdriving across wood, light metal, plastic, and the occasional masonry anchor without a lot of hunting around.

What’s in the box

You get a genuinely broad assortment: a pile of 1-inch and 2-inch driver bits (plus a couple of longer ones), wood drill bits, high-speed-steel twist bits for metal, a pair of spade bits, a handful of masonry bits, and nut drivers. Skil also includes two magnetic helpers—a standard magnetic insert bit holder and a magnetic “collar” that holds screws so you can start them with one hand. Everything lives in a clamshell case about 11 by 10 inches and roughly an inch and a half thick, weighing a little over 3.5 pounds. It’s compact enough to slip into a tool bag but big enough to stay put on a bench.

Build quality and design

This is a classic “everything you need in one case” kit, and Skil organizes it sensibly: drivers clustered by head type, drills by material, accessories in the corners. The plastic retainers hold bits firmly—almost too firmly at first. The latches are decent and the hinge is a basic plastic strip; nothing fancy, but it stays closed if you seat everything back in its slot.

Bit quality is what I expect at this price: not boutique metallurgy, but consistent machining and clean tip profiles. The Phillips and Torx bits seat well with minimal wobble. The hex shanks are straight, and I didn’t notice runout beyond what you get in most mid-tier kits. The spade bits are basic, with flat cutting edges and a center point; the HSS twist bits are standard jobbers; the masonry bits have carbide tips that are fine for light-duty holes in brick or block.

The magnetic accessories

The magnetic insert holder is the unsung hero here. It grips the 1-inch bits securely and gives you a nice extra reach without introducing noticeable play. Magnet strength is solid enough to keep fasteners on the bit when you’re working above your head.

The magnetic collar is the more interesting accessory. Slide it over a driver bit, load a screw, and the collar’s sleeve holds the screw upright while you start it. It’s genuinely helpful when you’re balancing a cabinet door or working with one hand on a ladder. It shines with pan-head and bugle-head screws into wood; smaller countersunk screws and oddball heads can be fiddly. The collar is a little bulky, so it won’t fit into tight corners, but when you have the space, it reduces the screw-juggling act.

Tip: with the collar, set your clutch a bit lighter than usual—once the screw grabs, the magnet plus sleeve can make it easy to overdrive if you’re not paying attention.

Screwdriving performance

I ran this kit through a kitchen cabinet install, deck repairs, and a small shop project. Across Phillips, square, and Torx, bit fit was positive with very little cam-out, provided I kept the driver aligned. After driving a couple dozen 3-inch deck screws into pressure-treated lumber, I could see minor edge polishing on a Phillips bit—about what I expect from a general-purpose set. The 2-inch bits are handy for reaching past hardware and bracketry without resorting to an extension, and the two longer bits make quick work of deep recesses.

As with any kit, duplicates are your friend. You get many 1-inch bits, so when one rounds off slightly, grab a fresh one. If you plan on pounding structural screws all day with an impact driver, invest in a pack of impact-rated bits; this kit will do it, but it’s not made for daily abuse.

Drilling: wood, metal, and plastic

• Wood: The brad-point wood bits start accurately and clear chips well. For clean holes in softwood, they’re perfectly fine. The two spade bits are basic but cut predictably if you keep the RPM in check. They aren’t the self-feeding style, so expect to lean on them a bit in hardwood and back up your workpiece to reduce tear-out.

• Metal: The HSS twist bits handled mild steel angle and aluminum plate without drama. Use cutting oil, slow your speed, and don’t force it. I limited myself to typical pilot and clearance sizes for hardware—exactly what most users will need. These are not cobalt bits for hardened steel, but for brackets and sheet metal, they do the job.

• Plastic: In acrylic and PVC, the HSS bits did fine so long as I used light pressure and let the flutes clear. Chamfering the hole by hand after drilling kept edges clean.

Light-duty masonry

The masonry bits are for anchor work in brick and block, and they’re respectable at that. In old clay brick, with my drill set to hammer and conservative RPM, I sank several 3/16 and 1/4-inch holes without burning up the tips. In poured concrete, especially aggregate-heavy slabs, they slow down; you’ll want a dedicated SDS-plus setup for anything beyond occasional holes. That said, for hanging a ledger board in mortar joints or setting tapcons in block, they’re exactly what a homeowner needs.

Case and organization

The case opens flat and keeps everything visible, which I appreciate on a job where I’m bouncing between tasks. The bit retainers are tight out of the box; they loosen slightly with use. My advice: take a minute before a project to pre-stage the bits you’ll need into the center wells or a magnetic tray so you’re not prying them out mid-task with gloves on. Also, don’t toss the case around half-closed. Like most compact organizers, it relies on bits being fully seated to latch securely.

Everyday usability and small gripes

• The sheer number of 1-inch bits is great, but I would have liked an extra long Torx bit in the mix; the two included long bits cover common needs, but more variety there would be helpful.

• The nut drivers are handy for light hardware and appliance work. They’re not thin-walled mechanics’ drivers, so don’t expect them to slip over deeply recessed studs.

• The printed size markings on some drill bits are small. I marked the most-used with a paint pen for quick ID.

• If you store the case vertically, check that the longer bits and holders are snapped in—those are the first to work loose.

Value and who it’s for

This is a “grab-and-go” solution that favors breadth over specialty. You’re trading boutique durability for a complete spread that will handle 90% of household and light renovation tasks. For a homeowner, landlord, or DIYer who wants drilling and driving covered in one purchase, it’s hard to argue with the convenience. For a pro, it’s an excellent backup/van kit and a solid leave-behind on smaller jobs where you don’t want to unpack multiple organizers.

If your work leans heavily toward one material—daily metal fabrication, for example—you’ll outgrow the included HSS assortment and want a dedicated cobalt or step-bit set. Likewise, if you’re drilling lots of concrete, you’ll want SDS-plus bits and a rotary hammer. But as a first-line kit for mixed materials, the Skil set makes sense.

Tips to get the most from it

• Use the magnetic collar to start screws one-handed, then slide it back and finish with a bare bit for better visibility.

• Match speed to material: slow for metal and masonry, medium for hardwood, faster for softwood and plastics.

• Let the drill do the work. If a bit is smoking, it’s telling you to back off.

• Keep a bit holder in your drill and rotate the 1-inch driver bits; you’ll spread wear and extend the life of the set.

Final recommendation

I recommend the Skil kit to homeowners, DIYers, and pros who need a versatile, compact backup. It earns its keep by bundling a wide assortment of drivers and common drill sizes with two genuinely useful magnetic accessories in a case that’s easy to toss in a bag. The bits hold up well for general-duty work, the organization is sensible, and the value is strong. Its limitations—average longevity under heavy impact use, only a pair of spade bits, and a case that grips bits a bit too tightly—are reasonable tradeoffs for the convenience and breadth you get. If you need a single kit that covers most tasks without overthinking it, this one is a smart buy.