Teach me about Power Drive Hex Bits

[ChevyEFI]

I've always chucked 1/4" hex bits into a screwdriver or a drill.

But I think I've seen the ones with a groove in between 2 hex sections referred to as power-drive or something like that.

Is this a functional groove for quick-insert / quick-release? Or another specific use? What is the right chuck or tool to use with them?

Just a question I've had for a while; expecting to see the answer on here, but haven't yet.

 

[CWP1616L]

Hold on a second......Which fastener are you driving and what are you driving the fastener into?

 

[Ign]

Any 1/4" hex impact driver with a QC (quick change) hex chuck will use that groove. There's just a sleeve that slides like an air line connection to release (and sometimes insert) the bit.

It's surprisingly non-universal how the manufacturers handle this; some you slide the sleeve forward, some you pull the sleeve back, some you can do both, and some stay locked back or forward until you pop a bit in and then they snap "shut."

You can also get adapters from square drive to 1/4" QC hex (Milwaukee makes one).

 

[Ign]

And to follow up, what you're talking about is a ball detent hex bit. The other style is wire detent; these are the short hex bits that pop into hex drivers, often comes in the rotary plastic cases, ie align the hole with the bit and it falls out of the plastic case. Generally cheaper/lower quality, but not always.

McFeely's had a good write-up in one of their print catalogs about wire detent vs ball detent, but I can't find it online.

In other cases the short hex bits are just retained with a magnet, eg magnetic screwdrivers. The hex bits may or may not have the tiny slice in them for a wire, too.

 

[DeliveryGuy]

Those ball detent bits, like the one in your picture, are for a drill like this.

Look up Cordless Impact Driver. You see videos of the chuck in action.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Hold on a second......Which fastener are you driving and what are you driving the fastener into?

The one pictured. Or Phillips #2. Or


Ign,
I like how you describe things. And the Milwaukee mention of the 48-03-4405, 48-03-3630 AND 48-03-4410 adapters.

I'm familiar with wire retention for 1/4" and 5/16" insert bits I use.

Thanks too, D.G.

 

[CWP1616L]

The one pictured. Or Phillips #2. Or

OK, I'll ask the question a different way:

1. What kind of screws are you driving?

2. What kind of material are you driving the screws into?

 

[ChevyEFI]

I haven't used a QR hex bit in a QR holder nor an impact drive of any sort.

I'm sure I have some QR that are Phillips #2 and a couple that are QR 1/4" to square 1/4".

The #2 phillips covers a lot. :shrug: Regular lumber 2x4s and drywall screws mostly thus far.

 

[ChevyEFI]

P.S. keep posting, as I like your avatar.

 

[CWP1616L]

I'm just trying to help you dude. Your thread title asks about power drive bits, but it's hard to make a recommendation for a power drive bit if I don't know the type of screws you're driving or the material you're driving the screws into.

 

[fivespdcat]

I'm just trying to help you dude. Your thread title asks about power drive bits, but it's hard to make a recommendation for a power drive bit if I don't know the type of screws you're driving or the material you're driving the screws into.

I think he's talking about the end that goes into the drill not the bit side...

If you get one of these it all makes sense

Or one of these

 

[Ign]

I haven't used a QR hex bit in a QR holder nor an impact drive of any sort.

I'm sure I have some QR that are Phillips #2 and a couple that are QR 1/4" to square 1/4".

The #2 phillips covers a lot. :shrug: Regular lumber 2x4s and drywall screws mostly thus far.

Keep a #3 around just in case you ever encounter Fastenmaster's "spider drive."

 

[theknurl]

ChevyEFI;
they're called Apex bits, been around forever

http://www.apexpowertools.com/brands/fastening/

 

[ChevyEFI]

I'm just trying to help you dude. Your thread title asks about power drive bits, but it's hard to make a recommendation for a power drive bit if I don't know the type of screws you're driving or the material you're driving the screws into.

I'm not sure what there is to recommend. 1/4" or 5/16" for the drive and the business end has to match the fastener. And then digging a bit deeper, Apex seems to offer different metallurgy on some of their line of bits.

In all honesty, I just wasn't familiar with the QR system and the use of the groove, mid-hex-shaft and was asking about that.

If you get one of these it all makes sense
Or one of these
http://www.toolsnob.com/pictures/bosch_12v_impact_inhand.jpg

Keep a #3 around just in case you ever encounter Fastenmaster's "spider drive."

So a Robertson #3 (3/16")? Good tip.

ChevyEFI;
they're called Apex bits, been around forever

http://www.apexpowertools.com/brands/fastening/

I read something about them being called Apex bits the other day on here and that's part of what triggered me to post this. Thank you.

 

[Ign]

So a Robertson #3 (3/16")? Good tip.

No, a Phillips #3 is a cheater away around the spider drive for Fastenmaster who felt they had to re-invent the wheel and require everyone to carry yet another bit in their box. Mostly a carpenter thing tho as these are wood fasteners. With a standard drill you could probably expect a P3 to cam out but with an impact driver and a bit of care it works well enough for short runs or to get you out of a jam.

 

[CWP1616L]

Some screws come with their own patented drive bits is the reason why I was asking which type of material you're working with. SPAX screws have their own special drive system called T-STAR PLUS. It's similar to a Torx drive but with an added recess in the screw head to keep the bit locked into the screw and totally eliminates any wobble. They fit the screws very very well. So if you're working with wood, SPAX is the way to go.

 

[Super Sport]

Some screws come with their own patented drive bits is the reason why I was asking which type of material you're working with. SPAX screws have their own special drive system called T-STAR PLUS. It's similar to a Torx drive but with an added recess in the screw head to keep the bit locked into the screw and totally eliminates any wobble. They fit the screws very very well. So if you're working with wood, SPAX is the way to go.

He's not talking about the bit end, he's talking about the hex end.

 

[CWP1616L]

He's not talking about the bit end, he's talking about the hex end.

What's he want to know about the hex end?

 

[Super Sport]

What's he want to know about the hex end?

I've always chucked 1/4" hex bits into a screwdriver or a drill.

But I think I've seen the ones with a groove in between 2 hex sections referred to as power-drive or something like that.

Is this a functional groove for quick-insert / quick-release? Or another specific use? What is the right chuck or tool to use with them?

Just a question I've had for a while; expecting to see the answer on here, but haven't yet.

Reading is good.

 

[CWP1616L]

Reading is good.

What is the purpose of the groove between the two hexes? I've often wondered about that myself.

 

[jeffmoss26]

What is the purpose of the groove between the two hexes? I've often wondered about that myself.

Any 1/4" hex impact driver with a QC (quick change) hex chuck will use that groove. There's just a sleeve that slides like an air line connection to release (and sometimes insert) the bit.

There you go.

 

[CWP1616L]

There you go.

OK cool, thank you sir. I don't know why I missed that the first time. I had my mind made up the OP wanted to know about the drive end.

 

[Ign]

FWIW I contacted McFeely's about their article I saw in their print catalog about wire detents vs ball detents. While it seems a bit mundane I actually found it an interesting read while on the porcelain throne. I like McFeely's 'cause they like square drive and so do I; I pretty much swore off phillips over a decade ago. Readily-available impact drivers these days makes phillips more tolerable but I still consider it an inferior system.

Anyway, McFeely's responded that they don't have it on their website but will put it up soon under their tech and tips section.

And all this is pretty much regarding wood fasteners, and I'm NO carpenter. I use wood as little as possible 'cause I also consider it an inferior building material, but that's a whole different thread, er rant.

 

[CWP1616L]

FWIW I contacted McFeely's about their article I saw in their print catalog about wire detents vs ball detents.

OK......when you're talking about the ball detents compared to wire detents, are you referring to the quick release bit holders?