Are you a cheap -fastener bits- or premium

[mobiledynamics]

Are you a cheap -fastener bits- or premium....

On my impact drivers, I have a wera rapidator and go through apex and Wiha bits. Apex bits are non impacts...

Or it's *real Canuck* robby head 2" bits


Just bought some cheap overseas Milwaukee Torx bits. Just because the spot I was working in, the Wera holder was just too fat and I just needed a overall slim bit.....

I do lost bits from time to time......


Anyhow, what camp are you guys when it comes to your fastening bits. Lost enough that sometimes I wonder why not just the cheap bits....

 

[woody 73]

I have gone through what seems like buckets of cheap bits, lesson learned buy the better bits...

 

[lardy1]

What Woody said. Less damaged heads and they last longer.

 

[PCustoms]

Usually I just use the one that comes in the box of screws.

But the time it wears out I'm into a new box of screws.

 

[mv213]

I have gone through what seems like buckets of cheap bits, lesson learned buy the better bits...

THIS! I learned my lesson driving Torx framing screws with HF bulk bits. Each bit would last about 6-10 screws. Switched to the good DeWalt ones and a bit would last for hundreds of screws. Now what to do with my leftover HF bits.....

 

[RoundedNut]

Buying decent bits in bulk to get the best price is the best route. Replace bits often, especially with Philips.

Skip the cheap and the really expensive bits.

 

[fsae0607]

I'm a Test Engineer for an Aerospace company. Part of my company's product line is structural panel fasteners. When I've qualified these parts, one of the tests is wrench torque for the tool bit recess.

I learned real quick to use only Apex, Wiha or Amco tool bits for these tests. The cheap bits failed right away.

I use Wiha bits at home.

 

[anavrinIV]

THIS! I learned my lesson driving Torx framing screws with HF bulk bits. Each bit would last about 6-10 screws. Switched to the good DeWalt ones and a bit would last for hundreds of screws. Now what to do with my leftover HF bits.....

When I built my deck I bought a 3-pack of Makita T25 bits to drive decking screws. Ran 1400-1500 screws....with 1 of them. Still use it when it's the first one I find in the box.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Since I almost only use Robertson head screws, I buy Robertson brand bits. Other bits don't have insert tips, and as such, very much second rate garbage. But with a impact driver they seem to last forever. If however I'm using a drill driver, I buy the cheap ones by the box of 50. One slip and toss.

 

[Nineeightyone]

I went Makita Gold, and so far so good. The price isn't awful for good bits, and it's far less frustrating than using the cheap ones. I've generally been pleased with Dewalt bits as well.

 

[65ranchero]

Usually I just use the one that comes in the box of screws.

But the time it wears out I'm into a new box of screws.

Same here, If the used bits are some what good they go in a bit case for future use the bit tips break with repeated impact use

 

[KnurledNut]

For me, this is simple:
Cheap where appropriate.
Premium when necessary.
Different tasks, different tools.

 

[mobiledynamics]

For most tasks, I prefer the bit holder/bulk -good bits-

The 2"-4" extended lengths I have in a majority if SQ and Torx that I use them. I like these for the added lenth/tight tolerance and smaller profile than the -bit holder-.

I just lose bits like .......so it's like dropping money here and there

As I get older, kinda leaning to try the froooooogal route.

 

[Ralf11]

I'm a Test Engineer for an Aerospace company. Part of my company's product line is structural panel fasteners. When I've qualified these parts, one of the tests is wrench torque for the tool bit recess.

I learned real quick to use only Apex, Wiha or Amco tool bits for these tests. The cheap bits failed right away.

I use Wiha bits at home.

did you test Felo or Zephyr (SnapOn)?

 

[SweetD]

I have been using a set of the Milwaukee "Shock Wave" impact bits for the past year or so and I have to say for my fairly limited use, they have held up great and work really well.

 

[jd_1138]

I just get ones with at least some sort of brand name to them -- Ridgid, Milwaukee, DeWalt, Makita, Festools, Bosch, even Ryobi. I've tried no name trash, and they destroy fasteners, wear out quickly, etc.. Cheap is pricey.

I figure I am saving hundreds to thousands on the job by doing it myself -- may as well spend a few bucks to make the job easier. And the bits last longer for other jobs.

 

[mobiledynamics]

So this is what is in my packout Bit bin as of today

A boatload of eon's ago Apex T10-30 bits .
Wera PH2 bit - ACR
These sit on the can lose it and won't care much

On the preferred bit bins,
Various -real- Roberston bits
Wiha Terminator Torx10-30
Vessel PH2 and PH3 Ball Impact Bits

Lastly, I have a small stash of the Wera Diamond Impact Bits Gold as well the the black Impact bits....have yet to use them to see how they perform or last.
Got them pretty cheap as a bit set, as I wanted more rapidaptors and due to the pricing error , it paid for itself for the with the rapidators

 

[2ndGearRubber]

What's the application? I'm not sure any bits do well running garbage drywall screws, the fasteners are just junk. Running 3" screws into pressure treated? Well you aught to at least upgrade to what I'll call "contractor" bits, so bulk packs for Milwaukee/Dewalt. Most of the time I'm just labor for friends in these situations, and I don't do enough renovations to justify bringing bulk bits home from my work stash.

At work, auto mechanic, I use mostly Zypher. I dropped $50 with them 5+ years ago and still have healthy supplies. I sell their ACR phillips to coworkers for $1/each, netting me almost $0.20 of profit. Sadly the bits last a year+ for their level of use. I've probably pocketed close to $1.50 selling them so far.

I got them through Omega technologies. Looking at their website, I need to raise my prices. Those bits run $1.60/each now.

 

[tarbellb]

Should be noted:


when Zephyr says "not rated for impact" they aint lying

snapped most all my nice Zephyr non impact bits.... impacting. I know they are one of the better bit brands, USA made and all. Lesson learned.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I use mine exclusively in a hand impact driver. The ACR phillips anyways. They spend their days battling rotor screws.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Went down the construction impact bit rabbit hole for a while there today...

Seems like Makita XPS (the silver ones) are the leaders currently. I ordered an assortment for $15 to test out.

 

[Blind1]

I have cheap ones and nice ones. Use when appropriate.

 

[cherrybomb]

I've had good luck with Makita Gold.

 

[APEowner]

I use whatever brand McMaster-Carr sends me.

 

[larry_g]

I have said for years, " I can't afford cheap tools "

lg
no neat sig line

 

[CJM8515]

I bought a bunch of milwaukee branded phillips bits awhile back. Was using them for the last few years and realized-they keep on camming out. Then I looked at them and compared them to some old dewalt bits (the kind you used to use in an actual drill before impact drivers) and noticed that the profile was way to narrow to really use well with a #2 phillips screw. next time i was at home depot I looked and found some dewalt ones where the bit profile was larger. they didnt cam out till i beat the snot out of them.

 

[gearhead1]

I bought a bunch of milwaukee branded phillips bits awhile back. Was using them for the last few years and realized-they keep on camming out. Then I looked at them and compared them to some old dewalt bits (the kind you used to use in an actual drill before impact drivers) and noticed that the profile was way to narrow to really use well with a #2 phillips screw. next time i was at home depot I looked and found some dewalt ones where the bit profile was larger. they didnt cam out till i beat the snot out of them.

Exactly what I found. The DeWalt bits don’t cam out as much as Milwaukee. DeWalt is my preferred brand for Phillips especially.

Generally speaking I’ve found the more expensive ones are better.

 

[merkyworks]

Surprised no one has mentioned PB Swiss bits.

 

[Mallen]

Are you a cheap -fastener bits- or premium....

On my impact drivers, I have a wera rapidator and go through apex and Wiha bits. Apex bits are non impacts...

Or it's *real Canuck* robby head 2" bits


Just bought some cheap overseas Milwaukee Torx bits. Just because the spot I was working in, the Wera holder was just too fat and I just needed a overall slim bit.....

I do lost bits from time to time......


Anyhow, what camp are you guys when it comes to your fastening bits. Lost enough that sometimes I wonder why not just the cheap bits....

Cheap bits break or strip constantly, and take the screws with them.

 

[Mallen]

Exactly what I found. The DeWalt bits don’t cam out as much as Milwaukee. DeWalt is my preferred brand for Phillips especially.

Generally speaking I’ve found the more expensive ones are better.

I've had good luck with DeWalt Phillips as well. Vessel and Wiha have been good as well.