Why you should trust this review
I do remodels with regular light metal work on bracket and conduit fabrication. The DW1361 has been my primary drill bit set on the truck for five years across two purchases. For this review I purchased a fresh DW1361 at retail and ran it as my primary set for the past five months alongside a budget Forster set as a comparison. No sample was provided.
The Pilot Point geometry is the single best small-diameter twist drill innovation of the past 25 years. It eliminates the center-punch step on steel and reduces walk-off to nearly nothing.
How we tested the DW1361
- Drilled 250+ holes in 1/8 inch and 1/4 inch mild steel angle.
- Drilled 100+ holes in aluminum sheet for sign-bracket work.
- Measured tip wear on the 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch bits at week 0 and month 5.
- Compared self-centering against a 135-degree split point on smooth steel (no punch).
- Inspected case latches after 60 days of truck commute. See methodology.
Who should buy the DW1361?
Buy it if you do regular pilot drilling, metal fabrication, or hobby machining. Buy it if you have ever broken a tip walking off on smooth steel. Skip it if you only drill wood or if your work is exclusively stainless (use cobalt instead).
Self-centering: zero walk-off in 25 punch-free starts
The Pilot Point’s pilot tip catches on smooth steel without a center punch. We started 25 holes on polished steel without punching first. Zero walked off. With a 135-split point the same test produced visible walk-off on roughly 8 of 25.
Edge retention: 250 holes before noticeable wear
The 1/4 inch tip held its cutting lips through 250 holes in mild steel before any noticeable speed loss. The Forster budget set dropped at 150. The Pilot Point geometry includes a thicker web behind the tip, which retains heat and edge longer.
Cut speed: 5 seconds per hole on 1/8 inch steel
A 1/4 inch hole through 1/8 inch mild steel took 5 seconds with the DW1361 at 800 RPM under cutting fluid. The Forster took 6 seconds for the same hole. The DW1361 is roughly 17 percent faster, which adds up on a fabrication job.
Build quality and the case
The bits are M2 HSS with a black oxide finish. The case is the tough plastic typical of DeWalt’s hand-tool line and the latches hold. Made in USA per the printed spec on the case.
Value vs the alternatives
At $50 the DW1361 is the right call for daily metal use. The Forster at $27 is fine for occasional. The Irwin Cobalt at $79 is the next step up if your work is mostly stainless.
DeWalt DW1361 Pilot Point Drill Bit Set 21-piece vs. the competition
| Product | Our rating | Pieces | Point | Origin | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeWalt DW1361 21-pc | ★★★★★ 4.5 | 21 | Pilot Point | USA | $50 | Top Pick |
| Forster Tools 29-pc | ★★★★☆ 4.0 | 29 | 135 split | Imported | $27 | Best Budget |
| Irwin 29-pc Cobalt | ★★★★☆ 4.4 | 29 | 135 split | Imported | $79 | Recommended |
| Generic 21-pc HSS | ★★★☆☆ 2.7 | 21 | 118 standard | Imported | $19 | Skip |
Full specifications
| Set size | 21 pieces |
| Range | 1/16 to 1/2 inch (selected sizes) |
| Material | High-speed steel |
| Point | Pilot Point split point |
| Coating | Black oxide |
| Shank | Round, reduced over 3/8 inch |
| Use | Wood, mild steel, aluminum, plastic |
| Not for | Stainless, masonry |
| Case | Tough plastic with size labels |
| Origin | USA |
Should you buy the DeWalt DW1361 Pilot Point Drill Bit Set 21-piece?
If you drill metal more than occasionally, the DW1361 is the set worth the upgrade. The Pilot Point geometry self-centers on smooth steel without a punch and the bits last roughly 60 percent longer than budget HSS in our matched test. The 21-piece selection covers the sizes you actually use, with the 1/64 inch step gaps where you do not need them. The plastic case is sturdier than I expected at the price. Made in USA per DeWalt's published spec.
Frequently asked questions
Is the DW1361 worth $50 in 2026?+
Yes for daily metal work, regular pilot drilling, or anyone who has snapped budget bits. The Pilot Point geometry pays for itself.
DW1361 vs Forster: which is better?+
DW1361 lasts longer and self-centers more reliably. Forster is half the price for occasional use. For daily users the DeWalt wins on total cost of ownership.
Will these drill stainless steel?+
Light stainless work is acceptable but the bits will dull faster. For regular stainless, step up to a cobalt set.
Should I add cobalt bits separately?+
If you drill stainless or hardened steel often, yes. Add three or four cobalt bits in the sizes you use most rather than buying a full cobalt kit.
📅 Update log
- May 9, 2026Added 250-hole edge retention outcome.
- Dec 12, 2025Initial review published.
