Bosch 5 Piece Impact Tough Black Oxide Drill Bit Set

Why I reached for this set

My impact driver is the tool I grab first for most day-to-day drilling, so I’ve been on the lookout for bits that can handle that hammering action without chattering, skating, or burning up. The Bosch 5‑piece impact set fit neatly into that sweet spot: a small, focused range of sizes with impact-rated shanks, a black oxide finish to keep heat under control, and a tip designed to start where you put it. After a few weeks of running these through typical job-site and shop tasks, I have a clear sense of where they shine—and where they don’t.

Build and design

• Shank: The 1/4" hex shanks lock into an impact collet with a positive click and don’t wobble. That alone reduces frustration and makes bit changes fast.
• Finish: The black oxide coating is even and consistent. It’s not a miracle shield, but it does cut down on friction compared with uncoated HSS, especially noticeable in wood and plastics.
• Flutes: The flutes are long and well-ground, which helps with chip evacuation in softwoods and plastics.
• Tip: The “no skate” tip does what it says—it starts cleanly with light pressure on flat stock. In metal, a light center punch still helps, but the walking is minimal compared with standard jobber bits.
• Markings: The laser-etched sizes are readable at a glance and don’t rub off with the first afternoon of use.

The five included sizes—3/32", 1/8", 5/32", 3/16", and 1/4"—cover a lot of everyday drilling and pilot-hole work. I generally live in the 1/8" to 1/4" range, so this selection makes sense. If you need larger or specialty sizes, this isn’t a full kit replacement; it’s a streamlined set for common tasks.

Performance in wood

I gave the 1/4" and 3/16" bits a workout on SPF studs, pine shelving, and a piece of red oak. With a mid-torque impact driver, starts were confident and straight. The flutes clear chips quickly, so holes don’t load up and squeal. In pine, hole edges are clean if you back out occasionally; in oak, the bits stay on line and track true as long as you don’t let the tool idle in the hole. Tear-out on exit is typical of standard point bits—backing with scrap prevents that.

For pilot holes in framing lumber (lag screws and structural screws), the 3/16" bit stayed cool to the touch after a half-dozen holes. The black oxide isn’t just cosmetic here; I noticed fewer burn marks than with plain HSS, especially when I got lazy and didn’t feather the trigger.

Plastics and composites

Drilling PVC trim and ABS pipe is often where bits chatter and grab. These cut smoothly with minimal chip welding. I ran the 1/8" and 5/32" bits at a moderate speed, easing off as chips got long. The surface finish inside the hole is surprisingly good—no reaming required for push-fit holes in printed brackets and jigs. Again, the long flutes help keep melting at bay by clearing material quickly.

Light-gauge metal

The set is explicitly aimed at “light-gauge” metals, so I limited my metal tests to aluminum sheet, a steel electrical box, and some 1/16" angle. On aluminum, the 1/8" and 3/16" bits cut cleanly and threw tight, spiral chips without galling. On thin steel, starts were competent, and the bits didn’t skate if I took a second to brace and keep the driver square. I used a drop of cutting fluid and slower trigger pulls to keep heat down.

On thicker steel (over 1/8"), these will do the job in a pinch, but they’re outside their happy zone. Progress slows, heat ramps up, and you’ll shorten the bit’s life. This is where cobalt or a TiN-coated bit with a traditional drill/driver is a better move. For what Bosch promises—light-gauge metal—the set is right on target.

Impact driver behavior

Some bits “sing” or chatter under impact pulses, especially at small diameters. The 3/32" bit behaved nicely—no wandering and no cymbal-like vibration. The impact-rated shanks feel sturdy under load; I never felt like I was one trigger pull away from twisting a shank. For more delicate work, you can turn off the impact function or use a standard drill/driver; these bits play well either way.

Accuracy and control

The no-skate tip is particularly helpful for quick, one-handed drilling where a punch or pilot isn’t convenient—think hanging clips on sheet metal or brackets on aluminum. In wood, it isn’t a brad-point, so you won’t get the absolute cleanest entry on veneered material, but it’s accurate enough for cabinet hardware layouts when paired with a simple jig. If you need pristine edges in hardwoods, you’ll still prefer brad-point bits.

Durability and heat management

After a mix of materials across a few days, the cutting edges still look crisp. The black oxide is intact on the shanks and mostly present on the flutes, with predictable polishing near the cutting lips. I didn’t experience any blueing when I kept speeds reasonable and used fluid on steel. As with all black oxide bits, the coating isn’t a wear surface; it reduces friction and helps with corrosion, but it doesn’t replace proper cutting technique.

I did one abuse test: rapid drilling through five stacked aluminum license plates with the 1/4" bit at high speed. The bit powered through without snagging, and while it warmed up, it didn’t dull prematurely. That gives me confidence these can survive real-world impatience.

Size coverage and limitations

The five sizes cover a lot of daily work—pilot holes, clearance holes for small fasteners, and general utility drilling. Obvious omissions are anything above 1/4", so if you routinely drill 5/16" or 3/8", you’ll want a companion set. There’s also no specialty geometry here (no step bit, no brad-point), so this won’t be your only kit if you do cabinetry or sheet-metal layouts all day.

One thing to note: the no-skate tip is excellent on flat stock but won’t magically prevent walking on round or uneven surfaces. A quick center punch or a v-block and clamp are still best practice.

Comparisons and alternatives

• Versus titanium-coated general-purpose bits: TiN often holds an edge longer in metal, but many TiN sets aren’t impact-rated and can chatter in a driver. The Bosch set is the safer choice for an impact workflow.
• Versus cobalt bits: Cobalt excels in tougher steels and thicker stock. If your work leans heavy on steel, cobalt is worth it—but it’s slower and more brittle, and typically not impact-rated.
• Versus brad-point wood bits: Brad-point wins on clean entry and tear-out control. For mixed materials and impact use, the Bosch set is more versatile.

Tips for best results

• Keep speeds moderate in metal and use a drop of cutting oil.
• Back up the workpiece in wood to avoid exit tear-out.
• Let the flutes do their job—peck drill to clear chips on deeper holes.
• Even with the no-skate tip, a quick center punch makes life easier on steel.
• If your impact driver has speed modes, start in a lower mode to keep the bit cool.

Who it’s for

• Tradespeople and DIYers who primarily drill with an impact driver.
• General-purpose drilling in wood, plastics, and light-gauge metal.
• Anyone who needs a compact, go-to set of common sizes with reliable starts and fast chip evacuation.

Who it’s not for: those drilling thick or hardened steel regularly, or those who need cabinetmaker-level hole quality in fine hardwoods.

The bottom line

The Bosch 5‑piece impact set hits a practical balance: sturdy impact-rated shanks, a coating that meaningfully reduces friction, long flutes that keep chips moving, and a tip that starts where you want it. In wood and plastics, they’re fast and predictable; in thin metal, they’re confident as long as you respect speed and lubrication. The limited size range is the main constraint, but that’s by design—this is a focused, everyday set, not a comprehensive index.

Recommendation: I recommend this set as a reliable, compact option for anyone who drills with an impact driver and works across wood, plastic, and light-gauge metal. It’s a smart “front row” set on the truck or bench: the sizes you grab most often, in a geometry that starts well and stays cool. If your work demands frequent holes in thick or hard metals—or pristine joinery in hardwood—pair it with cobalt or brad-point options. For everything else, this Bosch impact set earns its spot.