Selecting Zephyr bits based on hardness

[65k10]

I am getting ready to order some Zephyr slotted insert bits and I am trying to decide between the two hardness options they offer. The "X" grade is harder and is meant for hard sheet metal screws and self tapping screws. The "A" grade is not as hard and they recommend it for regular machine screws. I was planning on going with the "A" grade bits since I planned on mostly using them for regular screws, but I got to wondering if there would be any downside to selecting the harder "X" grade bits. The harder bits would hopefully resist wear better, but I suppose they would be more brittle. Does anyone have some better insight as to what would be the disadvantage to the harder bits?

 

[woody 73]

Grasshopper this is the GJ, you buy a handful of each and go to town...enough said.

 

[rlitman]

What do you plan to use them on? With slotted bits, fit matters even more than hardness. They may look like they fit right, but they REALLY need to fit right. For repairs on antique slotted screws, I use a Brownells set of slotted drivers. My master set uses Zephyr bits, but I believe they're made to Brownell's spec, and I haven't found anything else close. I happen to have a second smaller set that uses Apex bits that are their equivalent (also to Brownell's spec).

If you're working with modern slotted screws, you very likely want metric sized drivers, and that's a totally different game.

 

[65k10]

What do you plan to use them on? With slotted bits, fit matters even more than hardness. They may look like they fit right, but they REALLY need to fit right. For repairs on antique slotted screws, I use a Brownells set of slotted drivers. My master set uses Zephyr bits, but I believe they're made to Brownell's spec, and I haven't found anything else close. I happen to have a second smaller set that uses Apex bits that are their equivalent (also to Brownell's spec).

If you're working with modern slotted screws, you very likely want metric sized drivers, and that's a totally different game.

More than likely I'll be using them on old stuff around the farm. That includes whatever got put together with wood screws, electrical covers and panels, and the odd screw used on a tractor or truck for whatever reason. I also sometimes run into places where flat head sheet metal or machine screws were used because that's all someone had instead of a more suitable fastener. Usually this is all stuff older than me so it should be to inch specs hence me looking at Zephyr bits over a Euro brand.

 

[Ohio Andy]

What do you plan to use them on? With slotted bits, fit matters even more than hardness. They may look like they fit right, but they REALLY need to fit right. For repairs on antique slotted screws, I use a Brownells set of slotted drivers. My master set uses Zephyr bits, but I believe they're made to Brownell's spec, and I haven't found anything else close. I happen to have a second smaller set that uses Apex bits that are their equivalent (also to Brownell's and Anthonyspec).

If you're working with modern slotted screws, you very likely want metric sized drivers, and that's a totally different game.

I love hate you right now...

And I think I just learned why I tried about 8 different screwdrivers on an old slotted screen and they were all too thick or too thin. And anything that fit in the slot needed to be wider.

Pb swiss, vessel, Tekton, old craftsman, and Wera for brands.

And that screw is in there. I can't get it to budge and it is in a wood piece that I can't really hammer on so did not get out my impact that you hit with a hammer.

So that sweet might have a but that will fit?

Might just file down a crappy no name driver to fit.

Thanks for that response I quoted

 

[Wamsutta]

Get the Zephyr P2R. Also known as Snap-on SDM222CZ.

They are the reduced diameter #2 Phillips.

I like them because they sink down further into the Phillips slot.

I use them on my ratcheting magnetic screwdriver all the time.