impact driver bits and drill bits

[NoMoreGreen]

Just picked up a Milwaukee drill and driver combo. need drill bits and impact driver bits.

What does garagejournal recommend?


Thanks
NMG

 

[DeliveryGuy]

I use mostly Dewalt driver bits. They last quite well. For drills bits, I use Norseman bits that we get from Fastenal, but I drill steel mostly, and I don't pay for them.

I don't like those multi-piece driver bit cases that come with a little bit of everything. There's a local Dewalt service center here, so I just go get impact bits in bulk as I need them.

 

[Roobaix]

I use mostly the Milwaukee bits. They're nothing special but they're not bad either.
I have a small set of Wiha coming my way.
I want to try Mikita and possibly PB Swiss eventually.

 

[oldldh]

Stay in house...

I did...

Very happy with both the drill bits and the "Shockwave Bit Sets"...

I got mine, last year, from Home Depot on their "Father's Day Sale"...

For the money --- They'll do...

 

[gdocktor3]

I have basically atleast one of every Milwaukee set made in the past 5 years. They're really well made and durable. I like the drill bits a lot. They work on almost all material really well. But when the big guns come out, nothing compares to a quality USA made HSS bit set. I have Matco and Snap On sets, but if I knew then what I know now, I'd just buy Irwin/Hansen or other oem brands.

Here's some good info http://toolguyd.com/best-usa-general-purpose-drill-bits-on-budget/

 

[Jmonnty]

Apex driver bits, they are worth the money.
Champion, Norseman, or Triumph drill bits.
Driver bits and drill bits are consumables, replace often.

 

[southalabama]

I buy whatever the big boxes are promoting. Dewalt or Milwaukee.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Went thru Milwaukee Shockwave bits (#2) quickly during the beginning of my remodel... switched to Makita gold bits with the impact adapter and haven't used more than two bits. Worth price of admission. I bought their $20 set which includes the bit adapter and a bunch of bits (philips, torx, square, hex). http://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-Impact-Gold-Steel-Driver-Bit-Set-26-Piece-B-46919/206284602

Apex or Zephyr bits are awesome as well and I use them in my Snap-On ratcheting screwdriver... but they can be harder to come by and more expensive. They also aren't coated, so they'll likely rust somewhat on the jobsite.

As far as drill bits, impact or regular? Standard round shank bits will only worth in a chuck (drill/driver), but they also have ones with a hex base (will work in both). Impact are more expensive and overall are shorter (how deep they can drill).

I use a cheap $10 drill index from Craftsman for around the house stuff (mostly drilling wood and metal occasionally)... since the bits usually get abused and broken. Then I replace the broken/dull bits with HF ones (usually 1/8" since its used a lot for #8 screws and countersinking bits). I do keep a quality Snap-On drill index in the garage for more "critical" work.

I did pick up a small set of impact/hex drills (1/16 thru 1/8") for some cabinet work recently... needed, No. But they came in handy.

 

[Monte]

Wiha, Witte and Wera for impact bits.

 

[HCNDM]

Wiha, Witte and Wera for impact bits.

Second monte here. All my bits are wiha and wera.


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[Krokodil]

There is another w out there - Wekador!

 

[jd_1138]

I use DeWalt and Milwaukee bits (drilling, driving). I seem to have more DeWalt now than Milwaukee. I bought a couple of Ryobi kits 4 or 5 years ago. I can't remember if they're decent or not. The DeWalt/Milwaukee kits seem to be just as inexpensive, so I haven't bothered with Ryobi kits.

Bosch and Makita kits are probably good too.

 

[pauls_workshop]

There are some great NOS ebay deals going right now on Zephyr bits. See the hot deals section. - Paul

 

[justme-]

I have old us made drills, Cleveland, Greenfield, Chicago twist, old hansen...I have some cheaper craftsman's, but my experiences with cheap drill bits from various brands leads me to stay away. Norseman are my choice for replacements to the us made I have when they break.

As to bits..I primarily use 6" torx, and my bits are either Bosch or Irwin industrial (bought from cripe), Philips are 6" Irwin from the store I work at, and my socket adaptor set is HF...holding up just as well as my chrome China craftsman sockets are to being used on an impact tool...at least in 1/4 and 3/8. All of the above bits get used regularly and hold up great. Couldn't say about shorter bits or bits to use as a screw gun... I always used Bosch drywall #2 bits in bulk packs or square drive for decking screws with my drills...have yet to use my impact in that task as its a mechanics tool for me rather than construction.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

the yellow Dewalt #2s frag and stab way too much.

 

[exmaxima1]

As to bits..I primarily use 6" torx, and my bits are either Bosch or Irwin industrial (bought from cripe).....

I use T15 Torx bits at work and they break very quickly, roughly 150-200 screws, with a Milwaukee M12 impact tool. I've tried cheaper brands like Dewalt and Menards' Masterforce, but the best longest lasting have been from McMaster Carr. I don't know who makes them, but they last 2-3 times longer than the rest I've tried.

 

[softailgarage]

I'm constantly using impact bits, I've had Milwaukee, DeWalt, Matco and finally discovered 2 sets that are perfect. Irwin 34pc performance series and Cornwell's 122pc ratcheting bit set. The Irwin runs about $60.00 from Amazon, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009PJPKUM/?tag=atomicindus08-20 and Cornwell's is a bit pricey, about $150.00, but has everything you can think of and more http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat...22-Piece-Ratcheting-Screwdriver-Bit-Set.html#

 

[davethorik]

I've had good luck with the Milwaukee branded bits, contrary to what everyone says here. Dewalt are ok as well. I also have Wiha impact rated torx and they are awesome.

As far as drills, Kobalt sells a line of hex shank impacted rated drill bits that are US made, but only individually...if you buy the set, coo is China. These work very well.

I also found Montana Brand drill bits from Menards are US made, drill awesome, and are relatively inexpensive. I bought a 1/2" drill with hex shank for something like $9. Oh, impact rated as well.

 

[G-ManBart]

I use DeWalt and Milwaukee bits (drilling, driving). I seem to have more DeWalt now than Milwaukee. I bought a couple of Ryobi kits 4 or 5 years ago. I can't remember if they're decent or not. The DeWalt/Milwaukee kits seem to be just as inexpensive, so I haven't bothered with Ryobi kits.

Bosch and Makita kits are probably good too.

I was given a Ryobi 68pc driving set a few years ago that I've used extensively, and haven't had any problems. I think I've broken one of the smaller torx bits, but that's all I can recall.

Yesterday I saw a friend who works for the local power company, and stopped to say hi. He was just putting away his Ryboi driver and a similar set of driver bits. I know he uses the heck out of them, and has nothing but praise.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-Speed-Load-Plus-Driving-Kit-68-Piece-AR20791/202518720

 

[pauls_workshop]

I use T15 Torx bits at work and they break very quickly, roughly 150-200 screws, with a Milwaukee M12 impact tool. I've tried cheaper brands like Dewalt and Menards' Masterforce, but the best longest lasting have been from McMaster Carr. I don't know who makes them, but they last 2-3 times longer than the rest I've tried.

Many of the McMaster Carr are made by Zephyr. - Paul