DeWalt PILOT POINT Sets With ToughCase+ System

Why this set earned a place in my drill bag

I’ve used plenty of “general-purpose” bit assortments that promise to do a little of everything and end up doing nothing particularly well. This DeWalt pilot point set is one of the few that actually pulls its weight across metal and wood while staying organized in a compact, jobsite-friendly case. It’s not a cobalt set and it’s not a specialized brad-point kit for cabinetry—but for everyday drilling in sheet metal, mild steel, aluminum, and dimensional lumber, it has become a dependable grab-and-go option.

The bits: fast starts, clean holes, fewer headaches

The larger sizes have DeWalt’s pilot point geometry, and that matters more than the marketing might suggest. On flat stock and lumber, the tip engages immediately, so the bit doesn’t skate around before it bites. I can skip a separate starter hole in most cases, which speeds up repetitive work. In mild steel plate, the pilot point also reduces the urge to overfeed—the bit tracks straight without a lot of pressure, and the resulting holes are round with minimal burr.

The smaller sizes in the set use split points, which is the right call. They’re less fragile than tiny pilot points and still start well. Across the board, the flutes eject chips cleanly, and the tapered web design gives the smaller diameters more backbone than typical bargain-bin HSS bits. I’ve snapped fewer of the 1/16 and 5/64 than I expected when clearing rivets and drilling pilot holes in tight corners.

The titanium coating holds up as advertised. It’s not magic, but it noticeably reduces friction and extends life if you keep your speed in check and use cutting fluid on steel. After several project cycles—including drilling several dozen holes in mild steel brackets and light stainless—edges still feel sharp and the gold coating is intact on the working areas. In aluminum and wood, the bits stay sharp longer than bare HSS.

A few practical notes for technique:
- Steel: run slower than you think. Small bits around 1,000–1,500 RPM, mid sizes more like 500–1,000, and the largest bits even slower. Add a drop of cutting fluid and let the tool do the work.
- Aluminum: use moderate speed and clear chips often to avoid galling.
- Wood: high speed is fine. Back up the exit side to reduce tear-out on larger sizes.
- Stainless: it’s drillable with patience, low RPM, and lubrication. If you’re doing heavy stainless all day, cobalt bits are still the better choice.

Control and accuracy

Pilot points are inherently more “positive” in their cut. In thicker stock, that translates to accuracy and fewer walking incidents. In very thin sheet and plastics, that aggressiveness can make the bit grab if you feed too hard. I’ve had the best results on thin acrylic and polycarbonate by dropping the speed, applying very light pressure, and stepping up in small increments. Backing the material and starting with a small split-point size before moving to a pilot-point size also helps. If you do a lot of plastics, a step bit or brad-point bit will be more forgiving. For metal and wood, though, the pilot point is a win.

Shank and chuck interface

The “no-spin” shanks on the larger diameters give the chuck something to bite into, and I didn’t have any slipping even under heavier loads in steel. Smaller sizes are round shank as expected, but the combination works: no marred shanks, no chuck polishing, and no sudden freewheeling when you hit resistance.

Durability and sharpening

The tapered web really does add resilience to the small bits, and the set has survived jobsite abuse without chips at the cutting edges or catastrophic snaps. That said, pilot point bits are not the easiest to sharpen in the field. If you have a proper jig and the patience to restore the pilot and secondary cutting edges, you can extend their life. Most folks will simply replace the most-used sizes when they dull. Because the set covers everything from 1/16 up to 1/2 inch with sensible increments, you’ll likely lean on a handful of diameters more than the rest; I’d love to see a couple of duplicates of the high-traffic sizes, but that’s a minor gripe.

The ToughCase+ is better than average—and actually useful

The case matters more than it should, because a good bit that’s hard to access becomes a bad bit fast. The ToughCase+ is compact, connects to other DeWalt cases, and the clear lid makes inventory quick. The bit-bar is the standout: it holds bits securely, yet you can remove and reposition the entire bar or individual bits without a wrestling match. The latch has a positive snap and hasn’t popped open in a tool bag. Size markings are easy to read and placed low enough on the shank area that chuck jaws don’t grind them off after a few uses. I’ve tossed the case into a crate with drivers and fasteners, and it still closes cleanly and keeps bits where they belong.

Where it shines

• Metalworking basics: brackets, angle, sheet, and light stainless. Starts cleanly, tracks straight, and stays sharp with proper speed and lube.
• Carpentry and finish work: clean entry holes and predictable sizing in studs, plywood, and hardwoods. The pilot point keeps you on layout marks.
• Mixed-material jobs: when you bounce between wood and metal during a project, this set saves time because you don’t have to swap to specialty bits for routine holes.

Where it struggles

• Thin plastics and very thin sheet metal can grab if you’re heavy-handed. Use a backer, slow speed, and light pressure; consider a step bit if that’s your daily work.
• Field sharpening is not beginner-friendly due to the pilot geometry. If you rely on frequent resharpening, a conventional split-point set may suit you better.
• Heavy stainless or hardened steels will wear these faster. A cobalt set is the right tool for sustained drilling in those materials.

What I’d change

• Include duplicates of the most common sizes (1/8, 3/16, 1/4) or offer refill packs that match the case layout.
• A small card or lid graphic with speed and material guidance would help newer users get the most life out of the bits.

Who it’s for

• General contractors, maintenance techs, and DIYers who need a reliable, organized set that handles most metal and wood tasks without fuss.
• Pros who want a compact, durable kit for service calls or small fab jobs where accuracy and quick starts matter.
• Not ideal for: plastic fabricators, machinists working hardened stock, or anyone who insists on resharpening pilot-point bits on the tailgate.

The bottom line

This DeWalt pilot point set pairs genuinely useful bit geometry with a thoughtfully designed case. In the materials it’s meant for—metal and wood—it starts accurately, cuts cleanly, and holds an edge longer than plain HSS. The no-spin shanks and tapered web reduce common frustrations like chuck slip and snapped small bits. You do need to mind your speed and feed, especially in thin plastics, and plan on replacing rather than reshaping the larger pilot-point sizes when they eventually dull.

Recommendation: I recommend this set as a dependable, everyday drilling kit for mixed wood-and-metal work. It’s durable, organized, and precise enough to skip a center punch in many situations, which speeds up real-world tasks. If your work skews heavily toward plastics or hardened steels—or you’re committed to resharpening pilot geometry in the field—look elsewhere. For everyone else, this is a sensible, well-executed set that earns its spot in the toolbox.