Bosch 47-Piece High-Carbon Steel Hex Shank Screwdriver Bit Set

A week with Bosch’s 47-piece bit set

A good bit set earns its keep in the first week. I tossed this Bosch 47-piece bit set into my bag for a mix of cabinet installs, electrical rough-in, and a couple of outdoor fix-it jobs. By the end of those tasks, a few things were clear: the selection is sensible, the tips are cut cleanly, and the set holds up to high-torque fastening better than most general-purpose kits in this price bracket.

What you actually get

Bosch leans into the sizes you’ll reach for constantly, rather than padding the count with obscure pieces. The set breaks down like this:

• 1-inch insert bits: Phillips (P1, P3, and a stack of P2s), Torx (T15, T20, T25), slotted (three sizes), and square/Robertson (R1, a large quantity of R2s, and R3)
• 2-inch power bits: P2s, R2s, and two slotted
• Magnetic nutsetters: 1/4-inch and 5/16-inch
• A magnetic bit holder (Bosch’s finder/driver style)

Those heavy duplications in P2 and R2 aren’t a mistake—they’re an acknowledgement that these are the sizes you’ll burn through or misplace fastest. There are no drill bits in the case, and it doesn’t try to cover everything under the sun. If you need hex/Allen bits or tiny Torx, you’ll want a supplemental set.

Build and fit

These are high-carbon tool steel bits that are fully hardened and tempered. In the hand, the machining looks sharp: the landings on the Phillips and square tips are crisp, and the Torx splines bite without that rounded, chalky look you sometimes see on cheaper sets. Bosch calls out “precision-formed tips,” and the practical outcome for me was straightforward—less cam-out on P2 and T25 screws and cleaner removal of older fasteners that were already a little chewed up.

The hex shanks seat positively in a three-jaw chuck and in hex driver chucks. I ran them in a compact 12V drill/driver and a 18V drill with a clutch; both held the bits securely. The magnetic bit holder has a snug socket with enough pull to hold 1-inch inserts for overhead work without constantly dropping them, and the sleeve helps me start fasteners one-handed in awkward spots.

As for the nutsetters, both the 1/4-inch and 5/16-inch cups are properly magnetized. They’ll hold a hex washer-head screw in place for straight-on starts, though if I’m working at weird angles with heavier roofing screws, I still pinch the fastener to prevent an early drop.

On-the-job performance

• Cabinet install and hardware: The 2-inch P2 power bits are the right length for clearing hinges and offset brackets. I liked that I could keep the chuck away from finished surfaces and avoid scuffs. The tips kept a solid seat in Phillips screws, and I didn’t see the blackening or twist that hints at early failure.

• Deck repair and structure: Square R2s are my go-to for structural screws when the head offers the option, and having a deep bench of R2 bits meant I could rotate out a bit as soon as it showed slight rounding. Even with high-torque driving into treated lumber, the bits didn’t shear or mushroom at the tip.

• Electrical and light-gauge metal: The 1/4-inch nutsetter got a workout on hex-head lath screws and self-tappers into metal studs. Engagement felt positive and the magnets were strong enough to keep screws ready while I maneuvered conduit straps into place.

• Concrete anchors: I drove a handful of T25-head concrete screws into pre-drilled holes. The T25 bit seated well and didn’t flake. I kept the driver speed moderate to reduce heat; the bit held up fine and extracted cleanly.

In all of these, the theme was predictable performance with fewer slips. The tips appear to be cut just a hair tighter than budget bits, and that makes an outsized difference when you’re working overhead or with one hand on the workpiece.

One note on tools: I primarily used a drill/driver rather than an impact driver. While the bits tolerated occasional impact use, I wouldn’t classify the set as “impact-rated” and wouldn’t make it my daily driver in an impact for structural work. For that, a dedicated impact-rated bit set is a better long-term play.

Ergonomics and storage

The case is compact enough to sit flat in a tool bag pocket and light at around 1.2 pounds. Bit retention is firm without being a fingernail destroyer, and the layout makes it quick to grab common sizes. Nothing popped loose after a week of bouncing around in the van. I appreciate that the frequently used P2s and R2s are clustered for quick access, and the two nutsetters aren’t buried under other pieces. It’s not a gimmicky case—just straightforward and durable.

Where it falls short

• No hex/Allen bits: Cabinet pulls, set screws, and some furniture fasteners are increasingly hex-based. You won’t find those here.

• Limited Torx range: T15, T20, and T25 cover a lot of ground, but if you work on automotive or appliances, T10 and T30 show up often enough that you’ll miss them.

• No Pozidriv: If you’re dealing with Euro fasteners or certain decking screws, the lack of PZ2 is noticeable. Using a P2 on Pozidriv heads will work in a pinch, but it’s not ideal.

• Not impact-rated: These bits handle torque well in a drill/driver, but if your daily routine is an impact driver and construction screws all day, a dedicated impact set will last longer.

None of these are deal-breakers for general carpentry, light mechanical, or maintenance work. But if your tasks skew toward specialty fasteners, you’ll want to pair this with a small add-on kit that fills those gaps.

Durability and value

After a solid run of real tasks, I’m not seeing tip rounding on the P2s or R2s I used most, and the Torx bits still seat crisply. The slotted bits haven’t twisted or flared at the edges—a common failure point on cheaper slotted profiles. The combination of hardened high-carbon steel and clean tip geometry seems to be doing its job.

From a value standpoint, the cost-per-piece works out well when you consider the duplicates of the most-used sizes and the inclusion of the two magnetic nutsetters. The lack of drill bits is fine by me—I’d rather have better driver bits than a padded piece count with mediocre drills I won’t use.

If you want these to last, a few habits help:
- Use the clutch on a drill/driver rather than hammering everything home in high gear.
- Let the bit cool between long runs in dense material.
- Keep a couple of the duplicate sizes in rotation; retire a bit at the first sign of rounding.

Recommendation

I recommend this Bosch 47-piece bit set for anyone who does general carpentry, cabinetry, maintenance, or light electrical and HVAC tasks and needs a reliable, compact assortment that covers the most common screw heads. The tips fit cleanly, cam-out is reduced compared to bargain bits, and the set prioritizes the sizes you actually use—especially P2 and R2—so you’re less likely to get stuck mid-project when a bit finally wears out. Pair it with a small hex/Allen add-on and, if you’re an impact-only user, an impact-rated set for heavy framing days. For everyone else, this becomes the bit kit that lives in your bag and gets used every day without fuss.