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A fastening kit is useful when it fills a real gap in your drill setup: the right driver bits, a reliable bit holder, and fasteners suited to the material. A large assortment is not automatically a better buy. Many kits bury a few useful parts among dozens of duplicates, odd sizes, and anchors that may not suit your wall.
Choose a kit around the jobs you do. For furniture assembly and general repairs, a compact set of common driver bits may be enough. For decks, framing, or repeated screw driving, prioritize impact-rated bits and a holder that keeps screws under control. For shelves and other wall-mounted items, buy anchors for the wall type and load rather than relying on a generic assortment.
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What we cover
What a fastening kit should include
For everyday work, look for Phillips bits in #1 and #2, square-drive bits if your local fasteners use them, and Torx bits in common sizes such as T20 and T25. A 1-inch bit works in a magnetic holder; 2-inch bits can reach recessed screws without an extension. A magnetic nut setter is handy for hex-head screws, but check its size against the fasteners you actually use.
A decent magnetic bit holder matters more than a high bit count. A loose holder can drop screws, wobble, or let a bit fall out during overhead work. If the kit includes a quick-change holder, test that it locks securely and releases bits without excessive force. The included case should keep bits sorted; otherwise, finding the right size on a ladder can be more trouble than the kit is worth.
If your current set lacks the basics, a compact impact-rated driver bit set is a sensible starting point. Impact-rated bits are made to tolerate the repeated twisting force of an impact driver. They can also be used in a regular drill, though that extra durability may not matter for occasional light-duty work.
Match the kit to the tool
A cordless drill and an impact driver are not interchangeable for every fastening task. A drill is easier to control at low speed and is usually the better choice for drilling pilot holes or driving small screws into delicate material. An impact driver is effective with long structural screws, but its pulsing force can strip a screw head or drive it too deep if you keep the trigger down.
Use a bit that fits the fastener closely. A #2 Phillips bit in a worn or mismatched screw head is likely to cam out, damaging both the bit and the screw. Torx and square-drive heads generally hold the bit more securely when driving many screws, but only if the bit size matches. Keep spares of the sizes you use most; bits wear, and a rounded bit tends to slip more often as the job goes on.
For an impact driver, choose bits explicitly labeled for impact use, particularly for large or long screws. A standard bit may survive occasional light fastening, but repeated high-torque use can snap it. For a drill, the cheaper standard bit set is usually fine for assembling flat-pack furniture, installing small hardware, and other occasional tasks.
Compare kit types
| Kit type | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Basic driver-bit set | Furniture, small repairs, occasional screw driving | Often includes duplicates or bits that are not impact-rated |
| Impact-rated bit set | Frequent use with an impact driver, deck and framing screws | Costs more; unnecessary for many light-duty drill jobs |
| Nut-driver set | Hex-head screws and small bolts | Only useful if its sizes match your hardware |
| Anchor assortment | Light wall-hanging jobs across different wall materials | Generic anchors may not suit the wall or the load |
For a homeowner who uses an impact driver regularly, an impact-rated bit set with a magnetic holder is often a better buy than a large mixed kit. If you use a driver only a few times a year, buy a smaller set with the bit sizes your screws require. Paying for dozens of specialty bits you will not use does not improve the job.
Anchors need a separate decision
Wall anchors are not just another accessory to pick by quantity. Drywall, plaster, masonry, and wood need different approaches. A plastic expansion anchor may work for a light picture or small accessory in drywall, but it is not a substitute for fastening into a stud when hanging a heavy shelf. Toggle-style anchors can hold more in hollow walls, but their capacity depends on the anchor, wall thickness, installation, and load direction.
For masonry, use a masonry bit sized to the anchor and drill a clean hole at the depth specified by the anchor maker. A hammer drill can speed this up in brick or concrete; a standard drill may manage softer masonry, but it can be slow. Do not use a hammer setting on tile or other brittle finishes. Drill through the finish carefully first, then use the tool and bit suited to the material behind it.
Before buying an anchor kit, identify your wall and estimate the load. Check the package’s stated limits, and remember those figures assume proper installation in the specified material. For heavier objects, fasten into studs or masonry where possible rather than trusting a mixed assortment. A drywall anchor kit with toggle-style options can help with hollow-wall jobs, but it does not replace finding a stud for a substantial load.
Avoid common fastening failures
Start screws slowly and keep the driver aligned with the screw. If the bit slips, stop and check the fit rather than applying more force. For hardwood, dense material, or screws near an edge, drill a pilot hole to reduce splitting and lower the torque needed. A pilot hole that is too large can leave the screw with little grip, so match the hole to the screw and material rather than using one drill-bit size for everything.
Set the drill clutch low enough to avoid burying small screws, then increase it gradually if the screw stalls. With an impact driver, use short trigger pulls near the end of the drive. Stop when the screw head is seated; continuing can strip the head, damage the workpiece, or break the bit. Keep worn bits out of the working set, and replace them once their tips no longer engage the fastener securely.
How to choose
Buy the smallest kit that covers your real jobs. For occasional household work, a basic, well-sorted driver-bit set is usually adequate. For frequent impact-driver use, prioritize impact-rated bits, a secure holder, and replacements for common sizes over a headline-grabbing part count. For wall mounting, select anchors only after identifying the wall material and expected load. That approach costs less than a sprawling assortment and is less likely to leave you with the wrong bit or anchor halfway through a job.