Review on Protorq 61-Piece High Quality S2 Steel Security Bit Set, Temper Proof Bits For Home Electronics, Vehicles, Military & Aerospace Applications by Troy Early

Given a recent question about impact use and warranty, which was answered by the manufacturer, I decided to edit this review and make an important point ahead of my review proper. I have the 61 piece security bit set made of S2 steel. S2 steel is used to make striking and struck tools. It can get very strong, handling torque well, and very hard, standing up to repeated use. These bits, however, are not chisels or punches. They are not impact rated and probably are not meant to be used with cordless electric impact drivers. Though these are very good bits, a guy like myself writes a review stating that the bits held up to his incorrect use, does not mean that one should follow suit and use S2 insert bits where they should be using impact rated bits. Its a little like using non impact rated sockets in an air hammer, un-wise. Like many tradesmen who are not supervised by a safety person, I break this rule sometimes because I do not always have the impact bit in the size I need and because I have found that I often get more life out of the S2 bits than I do the impact bits. Ultimately, however, the impact driver destroys them. The bit will shatter and one could be injured or a project could be damaged. Pin-in security bits, the ones with the holes, usually do not hold upwell to impact use. Used properly, these S2 bits can be expected to out perform the more cheaply produced CRV steel bits. Properly means that bits such these in this 61 piece set can be used safely with non impact, low speed, battery powered screwdrivers and with hand operated drive handles as they handle torque very well.I liked the pictures and the advertising but I was worried about the lack of history. At the time of purchase, there were only two reviews, both 5 star, but not informative and there was very little on-line presence. For $25, I took a chance. They arrived promptly. The case was packaged in a very nice cardboard box that I repurposed. The case itself is very nice. I can see the bits clearly through the transparent lid, which means I do not have to try to remember the nature of the contents. The plastic case is compact and well made. There is even a place where one can lock the lid after snapping it shut with a twist-tie for rough transport. The layout of the bits is organized and efficient. They did not waste room with labels, which means that I can reorganize the set, adding and subtracting tools to suit my needs as years and projects pass. The set is way more compact than my old Blue Point set and the insert bits are surprisingly close in quality. They are well finished and precisely machined. I actually measured and tested them against the Blue Point, Irwin, Dewalt, Wiha, Vega, Klein, and numerous value brands, including Drill Hog, Hiltex and Black and Decker. They are made in China and cost $24.00 but they compare far more closely to the professional tools than the value brands. They have a similar look and polish to the Taiwan made Klein insert bits; maybe a little better machined. In use, I found that the Philips, 1, 2 and 3, the Roberts 1, 2, and 3, and the Torx, 20, 25, and 27 matched or excelled the performance of the others excluding the Apex Made in USA #2 Philips bits, which still look new. The work has mostly been electric impact driving of wood screws into Douglas fer or hemlock, but I also drove #12 x 2" trailer deck screws through laminated wood into 1/4 inch steel with the Phillips # 3 bits.(pre-drilled). One reason I was interested in this overall set, was the inclusion of a set of T-tap Torx bits. I have never seen these bits assembled in a set before. Usually, a handful of the needed size T-tap bits just (often T-tap 25, T-tap 27, or T-tap 30) shows up with an order of materials from the deck and fence supplier. The set does not include a T-tap 27 but that's okay I just think the set is interesting. While handy, T-taps are not required to drive T-tap deck screws and I have never seen them used for anything else.One worry I have is that the untested (by me) security Torx and hex bits will be somewhat weaker than the leading brands. They have very large security pin holes compared to the Blue point, Dewalt, or Wiha and they are even a few thousandths larger than the Vega or Klein. I mostly use hex or Torx security bits with a hand driver, so I may never have a complaint. While I use the aircraft and electronics trade related bits much less often than the automotive and commercial trade favorites, we do sometimes see the tiny pin spanners show up along with the tri-wing and torqset screws in electronic control systems or other equipment that we have to repair. Using a hand driver, the pin spanner, tri-wing, Xzn spline, and Torqset seemed to work just fine when compared with Felo, Vega, and Klein.Quality wise, I would place them right in between Klein (made in Taiwan) and Vega (Made in Taiwan) which is to say that Protorq is a decent tool, and an especially good tool for the money. I could not find a better set of this type for the money. I will probably order a few more sets and try to keep one in each truck for when we have need. I do not know if Protorq sells individual bits in other sizes or if they will offer sets of insert bits such as the five point security Torx or the Phillips Mortorq, but if they do, I will buy them. I will recommend these tools to anyone who needs them.