Dewalt’s 14pc drill bit set, DWA1184, is once again on sale for $9.98 at Amazon.
This 14pc drill bit set includes 135° split point drill bits ranging in size from 1/16″ to 1/2″.
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It looks like Amazon is the only retailer to offer this promo for the 2021 holiday shopping season so far. Home Depot has a different promo set for this year, and I have not seen any equivalent deal at Lowe’s yet.
Home Depot’s special buy deal is for a 10pc set that’s priced at $8, and I’ll be posting about it separately. In my opinion, this 14pc set is the superior value for just $2 more.
Price: $9.98
Buy Now via Amazon
Compare via Lowe’s
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Quick Summary
This is a very good value for decent drill bits, and the set also includes larger sizes that are typically left out of promo assortments. I have taken advantage of this promo in the past, and would eagerly buy it again at this price.
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Deal History
We first became aware of this “special buy” in November 2020, and it returned for the Father’s Day 2021 shopping season.
As of this posting, the deal returned to Amazon for the 2021 early Black Friday/holiday shopping season.
Discussion
Despite having more than enough drill bits, I couldn’t pass on this deal.
Sometimes I can never find the one size I need, especially with smaller sizes, because I either broke, dulled, or misplaced the last one I had in that size and dragged my feet on replacing it.
Or, I’ll want something a little more “general purpose” to drill into a tough material, such as MDF, than my shiny USA-made HSS drill bits that I buy for use on aluminum and plastic materials.
I have had great experiences with Dewalt drill bits in the past, and this set is no different. These have a split point 135° tip (for reduced wandering when starting a hole), and 3-flat shank on the larger sizes for more secure gripping.
After using them for a couple of projects over the past year, I’d say this set is a solid recommendation and a fantastic buy at $10!
Are these the best drill bits? No way. But for $10?! This is the best 14pc set of drill bits from 1/16″ to 1/2″ for the money.
If you’ve used this set or style of Dewalt drill bits before, what have your experiences been like?
Steve
As late as 2018, when I picked it up, Lowes used to do the 21 Piece Dewalt Titanium drill bit set for $15. You just won’t see that anymore. This is petty good for $10 though.
Scott F
Bought a set last year for Black Friday – good buy for sure. I haven’t used them enough to dull any out, but I’ve actually screwed myself twice with the half inch bit when it cut so well that the flutes got trapped in the hole on the end of the cut, if that makes sense. Not much pressure needed for a good cut!
Albert
For those who drill with an impact driver, HD has a 15 pc Milwaukee set with hex shanks for $15. Also 135 degree split point. I don’t know if the coating does much except to change the color.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/red/205879023
James C
That looks like a good price. Note it lacks a 1/2″ bit, which may matter to some people.
skfarmer
huh????
the 1/2 bit can clearly be seen in the picture and stuart mentions it in the article.
Stuart
I believe he’s referring to the deal Albert brought up.
Jake
You can also get that Milwaukee 15pc set with a 45pc driver bit set for $35. I think that is a great deal. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-SHOCKWAVE-IMPACT-DUTY-Titanium-Drill-Bit-Set-and-Driver-Bit-Set-60-Piece-48-89-4630-48-32-4023/314334979
MoogleMan3
In for a couple more. Thanks for posting this. $10/set is just too good to pass up for a decent set of bits.
Hilton
I’ve started buying these for birthday presents. For the seasoned guy it’s a great backup set and for the newly wed weekend warrior it’s awesome.
Jon
I have used these on mild steel pretty extensively. Even heavily used smaller bits still cut well. I have found these to be far more impressive that anything else within a few multiples of the price.
I keep seeing these on sale and pick up a couple more, thinking replacements will be nice the next time I do a large steel project. I have at least 10 sets waiting for this purpose, and still struggle to resist adding a few more.
Shawn Y
Is this a titanium nitride and black oxide combo? Googling yields no answers to what black and gold drill bits mean.
MM
Yes, it is both black oxide and TiN. Bits like this have been an industrial or machinist’s standard for a long time though I don’t see this finish too often at the average home store, you normally get either plain black oxide aka “steam oxide” or you get the bright “gold” TiN.
Cobalt steel with this style of coating is my go-to for general purpose bits in the machine shop, it has great all-around performance without breaking the bank like some of the exotic coatings.
Stuart
I’ve been trying to dig deeper.
One marketing image says that the bits are “cut from durable black oxide,” and there are no references to the gold coating. The same SKU was previously used black oxide drill bits.
Some of Dewalt’s drill bits are described as having a “gold ferrous oxide” coating. The coating here could be similar.
The only other brand I know that offers black & gold is Triumph, and they say their bits have a “black and bronze oxide.”
Oxides are usually a surface treatment/finish, whereas TiN is more of a coating.
Based on this, I would be led to believe that there’s no TiN here, only two different oxide treatments. I’m not sure how it would be done, but it seems like it would be a lot harder to have an interrupted TiN coating.
Doresoom
LOL, marketing claiming they’re cut from durable black oxide! 🤣
MM
https://distalsteel.com/blogs/distal-steel/tool-coatings
it’s_jake
I don’t care what the actual purpose and utility is, i just love the black and gold bits. they just look so cool
i’ve had great results with whatever tri-grind black and gold stuff that i used to get for my shop from mcmaster.
not a particularly useful comment but i just think they’re neat.
Aaron s
Posted this on another thread but it’s a better fit here: https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-MAXFIT-Steel-Screwdriving-Bit-Set-with-Right-Angle-Adapter-36-Piece-DWAMF36RASET/316524565
That is almost with it for the right angle adapter alone with the bus as a bonus!
Joe A
I bought these. Worth the price for $10.
The coating on these bits help make smooth cuts. Problem is they also reduce friction between bit and chuck
Stuart
Are you seeing slipping with these bits or in general? The larger sizes have 3-flat shanks that should help with grip in a drill chuck.
Joe A
Smaller bits specifically. Had trouble drilling pilot holes in hard wood without bit slipping
Luke H
I am in for a few sets as gifts and as backups.
Now my real question is, which brand of shiny HSS USA-made drill bits do you use? Norse or some other brand? Genuinely curious. I bought Drill-Hog step drill bits and they are pretty nice but appear to be manufactured overseas. Also not impact rated that I can tell but I also don’t use them ever in that way so not a biggie.
I am not too hung up on COO but would support US made for my purchase if it makes sense. I would really like to know which brand you are using and if you would buy them again.
I am buying a drill press this spring and would like a nice set to reside in the drill cabinet next to the machine.
MM
I buy from specialist industrial suppliers which cater to the machining industry, specifically Tool-Tech Industrial Machine & Supply based out of San Antonio and Bass Tool and Supply in Houston TX.
I ask for USA-made Cobalt split point drills. I never know the name of the maker, the drills come unmarked in brown paper envelopes or cardboard tubes but they never fail to please in terms of performance or value for money. They’re far better than any Bosch, Dewalt, Milwaukee, whatever branded drill, and often times cheaper.
Luke H
Thank you for the information, based on their website looks like I would need to set up an account just to browse though.
Stuart
I get whatever MSC has on sale.
Triumph is usually a safe bet, as is Norseman as you mentioned. I also use Precision Twist and other brands.
As it seems relevant, I should point out that some brands manufacture in the USA but are now owned or headquartered here. https://toolguyd.com/usa-brands-companies-owned-by-foreign-entities/
Cleveland and Chicago-Latrobe are excellent brands nonetheless.
Steven B
I have this set. It’s great. If you’re not familiar with the dewalt case, they’re a nice thick, soft plastic, survive drops well, and lock together. If they were weather sealed, they’d be perfect. I’ve kept some in humid environments and not seen rust, so while they are not air tight, they are pretty close, probably due to the plastic being firm enough to hold shape, but soft enough it probably fills most gaps when closed.
Vards Uzvards
Another similar set, with more drill bits, but for $15.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EYU5N8/
Big Richard
HD has the impact version on special as well, $15.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-Black-and-Gold-Impact-Ready-Metal-Drill-Bit-Set-12-Piece-DWAH1182/316526852
Not as good of a deal as the Milwaukee Shockwave deal mentioned above.
Big Richard
They finally are starting to put these out on display. In HD’s third stock photo, there is also an 18pc set, but I have yet to see that for sale anywhere.
Stuart
One of my stores also got these in (12pc).
Albert
While you don’t get as many bits, you get a much larger case!
https://www.homedepot.com/p/316525381
Also not as many pieces as last year, but arguable more useful.
Vards Uzvards
Lowe’s also has a similar set, in Craftsman colors.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-14-Piece-Gold-Ferrous-Coated-HSS-Twist-Drill-Bit-Set/1000604847
Stuart
But why spend 50% more for Craftsman over the Dewalt deal?
Vards Uzvards
$9.98 is (equals) $9.98, no matter how you approach it, no?
Stuart
I see $14.98.
Plus I have free shipping at Amazon. Lowe’s requires $45+.
Vards Uzvards
$9.98 in the local Lowe’s store today. On the web site it says “51 available at your store”, and I would believe that estimate.
Stuart
My stores doesn’t have this – I went to 3 Lowe’s stores in the past week and didn’t see any Craftsman drill bit display. So, all I can go by is the $14.98 price with “free on shipping on $45+” clause that I see.
Dave P
Bought that set for $9.48 at Lowes on Oct 30. ($9.98-5% using my Lowes Contractor card).