Customer Reviews

KR Tools 11970 64-Piece X-TREME Drill and Bit Set Combo

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(15)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Out of the box the KR Tools Xtreme Drill and Driver bit set looks quite impressive. Just on price alone, its a given that these are not going to go the distance in a heavy duty environment.

After completing a couple of small jobs at home I came up with a few thoughts. I found the ceramic drill bits to be just as capable as the pricier ones I have in my toolboxes. The jury is out on the hex shanks in the 20pc set. They weren't as stable as I would've liked. The 29pc driver set is somewhat tight but workable.

The company tags this product with a lifetime warranty. I found the KR Tools website quite limited on product information. A toll free customer care number is posted. This set comes packaged in three individual snap lock cases. It does take some work to get these in and out of their cases. The kit includes;

* 20 piece (titanium/vanadium) coated steel drill/driver bit set
7 Hex shanks sizes 1/16" - 1/4"
1 Change connector
9 Screwdriver bits
3 Square nut drivers

* 29 piece (titanium/vanadium) coated steel driver set
4 Slotted flathead bits
8 Square bits
12 Phillips bits
2 Magnetic drivers
2 Power driver bits
1 Magnetic screw guide

* 15 piece ceramic coated (zirconium nitride) bits
Sizes include 1/16" -1/4"

Overall, this kit is economically priced and packaged as a nice add on for gifting or accessorizing a starter tool box for someone other then yourself. One could do a whole lot worse. Its a given that I wouldn't buy it for myself.

KR Tools 11970 64-Piece X-TREME Drill and Bit Set Combo

The tools are packaged in the dreaded heavy plastic clamshell. Once I got the clamshell open without cutting myself there are three tool boxes.

The tools come in three heavy-duty X-Treme cases. These are easy to open and close. One problem is the markings for the sizes are printed in red on a black background. Not very easy to see especially in low light. I had some difficulty with getting the tools back into the slots. Especially the drill bits. The plastic tabs are somewhat un-flexable. I can see them breaking after a time.

The sets include several duplicates of bits. Ten #2 Phillips bits are a bit much. I would have rather had Torx bits (which are not in the set).

The Magnetic Screw Guide jammed the first time I tried to use it. Now the sleeve will not slide, so it does not work as it was intended to. Poor quality.

The inventory of the sets are as follows.
15 piece zirconium nitride coated drill bit set includes:
Two 1/16" bits
Two 5/64" bits
Two 3/32" bits
One 7/64" bit
One 1/8" bit
One 9/64" bit
One 5/32" bit
One 3/16" bit
One 7/32" bit
One ¼" bit
One 5/16" bit
One 3/8" bit

20 Piece drill and driver bit set includes:
*9 piece 2" power screwdriver bits
One #1 Phillips bit
One #2 Phillips bit
One #3 Phillips bit
One #1 Square bit
One #2 Square bit
One #3 Square bit
One 3/16" Straight bit
One ¼" Straight bit
One 9/32" Straight bit

*7 piece hex shank drill bits
One 1/16" bit
One 3/32" bit
One 1/8" bit
One 5/32" bit
One 3/16" bit
One 7/32" bit
One ¼" bit

*3 piece square nut driver
One ¼" driver
One 5/16" driver
One 3/8" driver

*One Rapid Change chuck

29 Piece Driver Bit Set includes:
*1" Bits
One #1 Square bit
Six #2 Square bits
One #3 Square bit
Ten #2 Phillips bits
One #1 Phillips bit
One #3 Phillips bit
One 3/16" Straight bit
Two ¼" Straight bits
One 9/32" Straight bit

*2" Bits
One #2 Square bit
One #2 Phillips bit
One ¼" Magnetic Square Nut Driver
One 5/16" Magnetic Square Nut Driver

*One Magnetic Screw Driver Guide

All the bits fit in my Dewalt drill and my Hitachi DB3DL power screwdriver. This is a average assortment with duplicates, only time will tell how well they perform.

Two stars for the assortment and the cases. Two stars for the tool quality.

Pros: You get 64 bits/accessories. (I haven't bothered to check of three of those items are the three cases.) The bit/accessory sizes are clearly marked.

Cons: The cases. It can be a big deal if it is difficult to remove/replace the bits. With the smaller bits in the drill bit case I'm sure they'll snap real soon when I'm trying to pry them out or push them back. The hex shank drill bits are a problem to replace because you have to push them back and they're real sharp. Also, the cases seem a bit flimsy and I'll expect them to break soon as well.

Sure, there are 64 pieces but 10 of them are #2 short Phillips bits. Sure this is the most common size and perhaps KR Tools is expecting shrinkage due to either loss or breakage. Whatever the reason, a few extra is good but 15% of the total seems a bit much. I would have preferred exchanging some of these repeats for some hex bits. Also, the rapid change connector looks like it won't last long. It was "nice" that it and the bits next to it in its case were covered with a generous helping of machine oil.

The magnetic screw guide is barely strong enough to keep a screw against the bit that it's holding.

All in all, for a bit more than $20 you can do a bit better than these bits. For example, (and given these represent a different assortment than what is offered here) the set I carry in my tool bag (Custom LeatherCraft 1526 23 Pocket Electrical and Maintenance Tool Pouch), Makita T-01389 62-Piece Impact Drill-Driver Bit Set, or the one I'll consider next time, Milwaukee 48-32-1500 Quik-Lok 38-Piece Hex Shank Drilling and Driving Bit Set.

BTW, I feel that honest, effective reviews take the place of first-hand experiences that are lacking in online shopping. I've always appreciated the help I've gotten from other reviewers and continue to return the favor as best as I can. If you thought this review was helpful please let me know by clicking on "Yes" button where it asks. If there was anything you thought was lacking or unclear leave a comment and I'll do what I can to fix it.

This is a nice comprehensive set of drill bits and drivers but it is not as durable as it should be. The cases are constructed well for their purpose and look nice but their closing mechanism is a bit loose so you need to make sure they are not going to be disturbed much in the toolbox. My issue with this set is the durability of the bits. The smaller drill bits snapped during the first use even though I was only drilling in drywall and soft wood. Compare that with similar Bosch bits that I have been using for two years in hard woods with no damage whatsoever. The driving bits did not do any better. The Philips bits strip after driving just a few screws (about a dozen or so). Compare that with DeWalt bits that I use for months before they reach that level of wear. The set is ok for occasional use as along as your uses are not demanding.

Hummmm..., I didn't expect that many duplicate bits in this set. Why are there TEN #2 Philips bits and SIX #2 square bits? Yes, these are the most common sizes and might wear out sooner, but TEN of the same size bit is too much.

All the bits are metal wrapped in a nice hard coating. The hard coating won't stop the bits from cracking under heat. But this is to be expected from bits at such a low cost.

The rapid change connector looks like it won't last long, and the magnetic screw guide is barely strong enough to keep a screw against the bit that it's holding.

I like that it comes in the carrying case so that I don't lose any piece, but it was a little difficult getting the bits back in the the holders, and the case should be re-designed to have a clear strip or something I could see through so I didn't have to open each case to get what I'm looking for. Also, the markings for the sizes are printed in red on a black background. Not very easy to see in low light.

Overall, this is not a contractor or professional quality set. But if you're just a homeowner who wants to have the tools you need when you need them, then these are probably for you. It's an very economical kit.

I was very disappointed with this drill and bit set. The price is great, no doubt and it seems like you are getting a lot of items in here. However, do not be fooled by the "64-piece" set. It is really mostly screwdriver heads and very few drill bits.

The case itself is made cheaply. It broke right in my hands in half. We did not even pull it apart hard or anything. Furthermore, the drill bits are also very fragile. They break extremely easily after trying to drill a hole in our wall to mount a TV. None of the items in the set last very long and it's almost like this is a disposable set. These are the equivalent of Tool Shop brand tools.

Overall, this was a disappointment set and if you want something high quality, I would suggest looking elsewhere.

Having used this set for a number of months now for simple home repairs, I feel like this set will not hold out for many years and I will have to replace it soon. For example, when using one of the square nut drivers for the first time to open up the back of my dryer, I didn't feel like I got a good grip - required more care than usual with what amount of pressure/angle I used the tool to get it to work. It gets the job done eventually, but I would not count on this set to last or want it as my go-to tool set. This set is okay if you don't plan on using it a whole lot and just need something as back-up to make sure you can get a job done, but I would prefer to look for something a little better quality and spend the extra money.

Make no mistake; this is not a contractor or professional quality set. It is, however, decent quality suitable for most homeowners. The large assortment means you will most likely find the correct bit provided you search through all three cases. The overall assortment is OK, but I would prefer Torx bits instead of the square bits. And I definitely do not need six #2 square bits.

Compared to my Dewalt and Skil bit sets, these are about the same grade. The bits are made in China and of average to average-plus quality. Since even the Dewalt bits are made in China, I can't fault KR Tools for going this route, too. The rapid-change connector is a little less well finished than the Dewalt but it is all metal whereas the Dewalt has a plastic insert in the base.

The Dewalt bits are loose while the Skil bits are in a canvas roll-up case. For ease of use and quick selection, the Skil packaging is superior although likely to retain wood and metal shavings. These KR Tools cases are OK but I wonder why they opted for three smaller cases than one larger case. If KR Tools wanted to provide an easy to carry set, they should have packaged the bits so that the user could put all his/her most used bits in the same case and then put the less used bits in separate cases. I also have a large bit set that doesn't get much usage because the case is so large and unwieldy. The bits are also difficult to remove and replace. It would also have been better to make the holders rotate.

The most surprising thing about this set of bits is the quality of them when they came from China. They are fairly good for being made in China and a lot better than the usual tools made there. Mainly the drill bits surprise me the most for actually being sharp and usable. This also explains the mixed quality of the cases. I like the rubber covers over the corners and ends that will help keep them from sliding around in the box behind the cab of a truck or other places. But the way the bits and especially the quick change drill bits are held in the cases is a pain in the, fingers. Those bits are just about impossible to get back under the clips that hold them. Also the sliding locks to hold the case closed don't work very well and are pretty loose and sloppy and need redesigned.

The other bits seem to be made from fairly good quality steel and should hold up pretty good under normal use. While it has more than enough Phillips head driver bits I would rather have some Allen head or hex head drivers than that many square drivers, 8 of them. And a couple more slot head drivers, there's only 4, would be better too than so many Phillips, 12 of them. While the magnetic driver for the bits seems to be a fairly strong magnet, after putting a Phillips bit in it it will barely pick up a small screw.

While I don't think they would be worth the original price of $44.98 they are a fair buy for the $20.96. Overall this is a "about average" set of drivers and really pretty good for where they came from.

I have owned several drill bit sets, and this one falls neatly into the average to good range.

To be frank, I own a 1950s fixer-upper house, and my drill bits take such abuse, it's hardly worth it to me to buy a big, fantastic set of super high-quality bits, because in my experience, the smaller bits all end up snapping off mid-job anyway. And then some (ok, a lot) just go missing altogether in the drywall dust, construction debris, the lawn, my friend's tool bag, etc. So my view is that you might as well save a few bucks, since you're not likely to be buried with a complete set of ANY bits that you've actually used.

The highest quality aspect of this particular set is probably the cases, to tell you the truth. These cases will last you a lifetime (so you can look at the places where your broken bits used to go, I guess).

Seriously, though, not a bad set if you can get a fair price for it. They do the job for me. If I need an exceptionally high quality bit for a specific job, I'd buy that individually anyway. I find that a FEW sizes get used a LOT, but most of the bits get used little or not at all. Might as well stick with the average, affordable bits like these to have on hand, and buy a nice one when it really counts.

One small suggestion, in case the manufacturer is reading these reviews: make the cases out of CLEAR plastic! Then you don't have to open all 3 to find the ones you're looking for.