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After having shattered the tips of several Phillips driver bits in my impact driver, I'm hesitant to buy more without some advice. Apparently, the standard bits available at my local hardware store aren't that tough. Does anyone have any experience with brands of bits that can stand up to the abuse from an impact driver? Or are bits just considered a consumable with this tool? Admittedly, I've driven thousands of screws with this, and have broken about a half dozen bits, so it's not like I'm only getting three screws from each bit, but still, it's irritating to have to stop in the middle of a job and go look for another bit.
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that's probably why they sell those cards with about a dozen double-ended phillips bits in the package.
Loring in Katy, TX USA
If your only tool is a hammer, you tend to treat all problems as if they were nails.
BT3 FAQ - https://www.sawdustzone.org/forum/di...sked-questions -
Yeah, before I got this thing (I'll never drive a screw with a plain ol' drill again!), I always saw those "contractor packs" and wondered who was going through so many screwdriver bits that they had to buy in bulk! Looks like I'm that guy now...Comment
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McFeely's sells impact driver bits._________________________
"Have a Great Day, unless you've made other plans"Comment
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I'll have to look at the Mcfeely's.
However, they have always been considered a consumable. Having used a bunch from Snap~On, to Craftsman, to the box that HF sells, I understand why they sell them as such.She couldn't tell the difference between the escape pod, and the bathroom. We had to go back for her.........................Twice.Comment
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The best thing I have done is order an assortment of square drive screws from McFeelys. Never had a problem with those. When I drive Phillips, I don't push the trigger all the way down. This both slows down the drive and makes the impact a little less forceful. This helped with reducing strip out of the Phillips bits and might help with breakage.Joe SacherComment
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I have found the Bosch bits to be a bit better than the rest.spellling champion Lexington region 1982Comment
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I find that as soon as the bit starts to get worn, you are set for it to break. My guess is that once it wears a little, it gives the bit just enough room to twist in the screw head. When it does that, I guess that it puts different stress forces on the bit that are normally transferred directly to the screw and the material the screw goes into. Or maybe not.
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I have broken several. So I just buy them in multiple packs.John HunterComment
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You're going to go through bits with an impact driver. Harder bits are more likely to break, softer ones will wear out. Apex brand bits are pretty good, but you'll probably have to get them from an industrial supplier. McMaster-Carr lists some torque-absorbing Phillips bits (p/n 5980A13) that are supposed to resist breaking.-- SteveComment
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http://http://www.amazon.com/exec/ob...etsreviews4-20
$11 for 50 is a good price.
The reduced bit actually grips deeper into the screw. These are good and the Bosch or the VA "ICE"tempered (bosch ownes VA now)bits are good b/c they also add teeth. I like to use a HD steel extension, not the sliding sleeve AL. ones, on my impact.AndrewComment
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I've busted a slew of Ryobis, never again!
My old B&D bits keep on going.
Square drive screws should be federally-mandated for all power-driven applications, but good luck finding them at your local BORG or M&P hardware.
I think the Phillips-head screw was a corporate conspiracy intended to sell more screws since their mangled heads could never be re-used. Better drive heads in the form of socket (Allen), star (Torx), or square (Roberts) have been with us 40+ years, yet the pathetic phillips still dominates hardware store shelves.Last edited by BrazosJake; 03-26-2007, 06:16 PM.Comment
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I think the square head screws had more to due with Henry Ford, verses Robertson, since the square head was out prior to the phillips.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robertson_screw
It's hard, finding correct color coded screwdrivers in the USA. The only ones I have found for sure, are some Bondhaus.She couldn't tell the difference between the escape pod, and the bathroom. We had to go back for her.........................Twice.Comment
LCHIEN
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