Black & Decker 129-Pc. Complete Home Essentials Set

Why I reached for this kit

I keep a few go-to organizers near my bench for everyday tasks, and lately this Black & Decker set has been the one I grab first. It’s a single case that covers most of the drilling and screwdriving I run into around the house—hanging shelves, assembling furniture, running cable pass-throughs, fixing door hardware, and the occasional light-duty masonry job. You’ll need your own drill/driver (there’s no power tool inside), but as an accessory kit, it’s surprisingly complete without being unwieldy.

What’s inside and how it’s organized

The kit is built around variety and convenience:

• General-purpose drill bits for wood, metal, and plastic
• Brad-point wood bits for cleaner entry and better tracking
• A small set of spade bits for larger holes in wood
• Masonry bits rated for rotary use (non-hammer)
• A healthy spread of screwdriving bits in 1-inch and 2-inch lengths (Phillips, slotted, square, star/torx, and hex)
• Hex keys, nut drivers, a magnetic bit holder, and a drill bit gauge

The case is compact enough to tuck on a shelf (roughly a foot wide) and weighs in at about 5 pounds. Inside, the compartments are laid out logically—drivers on one side, drill bits on the other—which makes it easy to scan and grab the right piece. The magnetic bit holder lives up front where I can get it without hunting. After months of use, most pieces stay clipped in place; I’ve had a couple of the 1-inch bits work loose after travel, but nothing catastrophic. If you’re tossing the case into a truck, a quick glance before closing the lid will save you from a “bit salad” later.

Wood drilling: better than the typical starter set

Brad-point bits are the unsung heroes here. They center quickly and reduce walking on pine and hardwoods alike. I used them for cabinet hinge pilot holes and shelf pin holes; entry is crisp, and tear-out on exit is manageable if you back the workpiece. The spade bits cover a few common large diameters for cable and conduit. They’re not specialty-grade cutters, but paired with the right drill speed and a steady hand, they chew through studs cleanly. If you’re after ultra-clean holes in furniture-grade plywood, plan to back the cut and consider a light chamfer afterward.

Metal and plastic: competent with the right technique

The general-purpose twist bits are exactly that—general purpose. On thin steel brackets, aluminum angle, and PVC, they do the job. The key is using the correct speed and a dab of cutting fluid (or even a drop of oil) on metal. I drilled a series of 1/8-inch holes in a galvanized strap and the bit edges held fine with controlled feed pressure. Expect to sharpen or replace the smallest sizes over time; that’s normal for any non-cobalt set used on metal. For plastic, slow the speed, clear chips, and you’ll avoid melting.

Masonry: strictly light-duty and rotary

The masonry bits are clearly labeled for rotary use only, and that matches my experience. I drilled anchors into brick mortar and a soft brick face with a standard drill/driver set to drill mode—no hammer. It works, but slowly. You’ll want to apply consistent pressure, keep the speed moderate, and vacuum dust as you go. For poured concrete or aggregate-heavy block, use a hammer drill and dedicated SDS bits; this kit isn’t meant for that. For anchoring a hose reel into brick or setting a few wall plugs, it gets you there.

Screwdriving: broad coverage, easy reach

This is where the kit earns its keep. Between the 1-inch bits for compact spaces and 2-inch bits for better reach and visibility, I can hit nearly every fastener that shows up in DIY and assembly tasks. The star/torx and square options are essential for modern hardware and furniture; it’s nice not to chase down oddball sizes. The magnetic bit holder has strong enough pull to keep a fastener on the tip when you’re starting one-handed overhead. I’ve used the 2-inch Phillips and square bits most, and they haven’t cammed out any more than I’d expect for consumer-grade bits—good technique (firm in-line pressure, right speed) matters as much as bit metallurgy.

The included nut drivers are convenient for small hardware, appliance brackets, and hose clamps. They save time swapping to a socket set for light-duty tasks. The hex keys round out the package for flat-pack furniture and fixtures; it’s nice having them in the same case as the driver bits you’ll inevitably need.

The small accessories that improve workflow

Two inexpensive add-ons in the kit punch above their weight:

• The magnetic bit holder: It shortens changeovers and holds onto short bits well. It’s not a wobble extension, but the magnet strength is predictable, which is what matters.
• The drill bit gauge: If you’ve ever fished for a pilot size by eye, this little plate cuts the guesswork. I use it to match holes to wall anchors and to verify bit sizes when a stamp has worn thin.

These aren’t flashy, but they reduce friction during a project.

Durability and real-world use

Nothing here is premium contractor-grade, but that’s not the point. Over several months, I’ve:

• Driven hundreds of screws into studs, plywood, and particleboard
• Drilled pilot holes in hardwood face frames and softwood studs
• Bored a handful of larger openings with the spade bits
• Set a few anchors in brick mortar

The wear pattern is what I’d expect: small twist bits and the most-used Phillips drivers show the first signs of rounding; the brad-point edges still cut cleanly in pine; spade bits benefit from occasional touch-ups if you have a file. The case hinge and latch have held up fine, and the internal trays haven’t cracked despite cold garage storage.

What I wish were different

A few limitations stood out:

• The masonry set is minimal and rotary-only; that’s fine for light tasks, but if your projects involve concrete, plan on a dedicated masonry kit and a hammer drill.
• The spade bit assortment is small. It covers common sizes, but if you routinely run wire or pipe through studs, you’ll want more diameters.
• There’s no dedicated countersink or deburring tool. I keep a separate countersink on hand for clean screw seating in furniture work.
• Bit labeling in the case is minimal. The drill gauge helps, but size markings on small bits can wear off; labels on the tray would reduce guesswork.

None of these are deal-breakers for home and apartment projects, but they’re worth noting if you have specific demands.

Tips for getting the most from the kit

• Match speed to material: slower for metal and large spade bits, moderate for hardwoods, faster for softwoods and plastics (but keep heat in check).
• Pre-drill smart: use the brad-point bits for wood to avoid walking and reduce tear-out.
• Use the 2-inch bits when you need better sightlines or clearance around a chuck.
• Keep a drop of oil handy for metal drilling; it extends bit life.
• Periodically check that short bits are fully seated in their clips before closing the case.

Who this serves best

This kit suits new homeowners, renters, and anyone who wants a one-case solution for the majority of household projects. It’s also a useful backup set for pros who keep a compact drill/driver in the truck for punch-list work, though heavy daily use will justify upgrading key bits over time. If you prefer to build a custom collection piece by piece, you’ll still appreciate this as a ready-to-go fallback that covers the odd fastener and drill size you didn’t plan for.

Recommendation

I recommend this Black & Decker set as a practical, well-rounded companion for general home maintenance and light projects. It covers the core drilling materials (wood, metal, plastic, light masonry), includes a genuinely useful range of screwdriving bits in two lengths, and keeps essentials like nut drivers, hex keys, a magnetic holder, and a drill gauge in one tidy case. It’s not a substitute for a hammer-drill masonry kit or pro-grade specialty bits, and the spade and masonry assortments are on the lean side. But for the price and convenience of a single grab-and-go organizer, it hits the sweet spot for everyday tasks. If you want a dependable kit to pair with your cordless drill/driver and reduce mid-project runs to the store, this one earns a spot on the shelf.