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1/4 square drive to 1/4 hex impact bit adapter

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cheechi

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I can find plenty of adapters to do the opposite, but what i want is to use my 1/4" M12 impact driver (or M12 ratchet) to drive 1/4" hex bits. I have an M12 Surge also but this would be used in a different location. Apparently there aren't many of these made.

I was hoping i could find something the size of a 1/4" socket, as the chrome ones are all basically that size. but what I have been able to find are quite a bit larger;





So does anyone know of an adapter that I can put on a 1/4" impact wrench and turn 1/4" hex bits, but not be 2" long or more? The length isn't an issue i am just surprised there isn't like a $5 adapter that's shorter available. I can use extensions if/when I need them. I was really expecting some kind of chromoly black oxide coated from Sunex or the other usual suspects (genuinely surprised Sunex doesn't have one).

I like this guy but it doesn't say anywhere on the product page or datasheet that it's impact rated, and KC Tools replied to questions that it's not impact rated, yet it says (only found this on amazon so could still be inaccurate) 'hand & machine' .


If nobody has a better suggestion i will probably get that Wera 784 A pictured first. Thanks in advance for any help you got.
 
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measuredtwice

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What about this Proto USA J6925 for $3.57 ?

https://www.zoro.com/proto-14-drive-power-bit-holder-j6925/i/G0828161/

The photo is wrong. It shows the 3/8 drive. The 1/4 is thinner and straight walled.

Edit: Oops. I checked the Proto website and it says not for use on impact.

https://www.protoindustrial.com/en/..._Proto®-1|4"-Drive-1|4"-Hex-Power-Bit-Holder/

You might also take a look at Zephyr:
https://www.zoro.com/zephyr-bit-holder-14-drive-size-78-l-znm23/i/G1565958/

Or maybe Apex:
https://www.hisco.com/Product/825-4292

https://www.zoro.com/apex-bit-holder-14-14-1-825-1pk/i/G7458306/
 
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bonneyman

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I'd normally say just make your own adaptor, but needing impact strength and keeping it fairly short puts a chink in that fan.
I've got some APEX bits and bobs in a shelf bin. I'll mess around today and see if I've got something I can put together.
 
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n8n

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bonneyman

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OP, I have this pair of adaptors - 1/4" square drive to 1/4" hex. An APEX and a Vermont America.
You'd have to get a 1/4" allen stub the length you want to go in the one end, and both have circular spring retainers. Should get you where you want to go inexpensively.
 

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cheechi

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measuredtwice said:
What about this Proto USA
Click to expand...
I saw that too at amazon and assumed it was black oxide coated but was disappointed the first bullet says not for impact.

n8n said:
Looks like Wiha makes a full line of what you're looking for, that's what I ended up buying as there really wasn't anything else that I found that was specifically labeled for impact use.

https://www.wihatools.com/bits/bit-holders/impact-bit-holding-socket-with-retaining-ring-1-4-bit
Click to expand...
This is actually perfect thanks. don't know how I couldn't find it

measuredtwice said:
Here's one from Koken Japan

https://palmac.net/koken-12139-1-4-1-4-sq-drive-impact-bit-holder/
Click to expand...
definitely been wanting an excuse to buy a ko-ken product.

NUTTSGT said:
You want one that locks on the bit and not just lets a bit slip in ?
Click to expand...
I'd be interested in one with a set screw also perhaps, if that's what you mean but generally just want to 'turn my impact gun into a driver sometimes' type of adapter for now so either like a quick collar or magnet was the main goal here.

I will probably pick up the wera I linked and the wiha n8n linked, in 1/4 and 3/8 each, and I have bookmarked the ko-ken in case i need a filler item in a future purchase. Thanks all.
 
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NUTTSGT

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cheechi said:
I'd be interested in one with a set screw also perhaps, if that's what you mean but generally just want to 'turn my impact gun into a driver sometimes' type of adapter for now so either like a quick collar or magnet was the main goal here.
Click to expand...

Well, the misc tool sets have the huge tool piece counts and get than from including "hex" screw driver bits. Wasn't sure if that is what you were looking for or the slip collar type.

Just wanted some clarification.
 
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n8n

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cheechi said:
This (Wiha) is actually perfect thanks. don't know how I couldn't find it
Click to expand...

It took some OCD web searching for me to find it too, I can't be the only guy who wanted to be able to use his Snap-On (or other) hand impact to loosen JIS screws with a Vessel impact bit? Well maybe I am. But I'm all kitted out now.
 
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claymont

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Both on Ebay
10pc 1/4" Drive Square Socket to 1/4" Hex Bit Adapter Female to Female 1/4"-1/4"

Irwin Industrial 93811 Hex Bit Holder, 1/4" Square Drive, For 1/4" Hex Shank

Felo 0715730851 1/4" Drive Square Socket to 1/4" Hex Bit Adapter Female to Female Germany



Chinese will sell you 10 for $13 Also on Ebay

10pc 1/4" Drive Square Socket to 1/4" Hex Bit Adapter Female to Female 1/4"-1/4"






 
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ChevyEFI

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cheechi said:
I can find plenty of adapters to do the opposite, but what i want is to use my 1/4" M12 impact driver (or M12 ratchet) to drive 1/4" hex bits. I have an M12 Surge also but this would be used in a different location. Apparently there aren't many of these made.

I was hoping i could find something the size of a 1/4" socket, as the chrome ones are all basically that size. but what I have been able to find are quite a bit larger;

So does anyone know of an adapter that I can put on a 1/4" impact wrench and turn 1/4" hex bits, but not be 2" long or more? The length isn't an issue i am just surprised there isn't like a $5 adapter that's shorter available. I can use extensions if/when I need them. I was really expecting some kind of chromoly black oxide coated from Sunex or the other usual suspects (genuinely surprised Sunex doesn't have one).

I like this guy but it doesn't say anywhere on the product page or datasheet that it's impact rated, and KC Tools replied to questions that it's not impact rated, yet it says (only found this on amazon so could still be inaccurate) 'hand & machine' .


If nobody has a better suggestion i will probably get that Wera 784 A pictured first. Thanks in advance for any help you got.
Click to expand...

Buy a cheap set of insert bits. Chrome, impact, whatever the hell you find. Gut them and insert what you want. A 1/4" impact isn't going to hurt anything, nor blow up a chrome socket, nor wallow it out any time soon. Also, they will serve exactly what you're looking for, you'll have extras. There just won't be the warm feeling of a brand name, a marketed "impact" label, or wasted time searching what "can't be found" when "in a budget" was the actual hang up in the first place.
 
OP
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cheechi

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KnurledNut said:
Bear in mind this style is designed for insert bits, not power bits.
Click to expand...
which is perfect for me i generally get kits that have both 1" & 2" and i buy longer ones individually as needed, i'm up to my eyeballs in unused 1" impact bits.
 
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tarbellb

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Personal experience:

Avoid the Zephyr and Irwin.

Irwin is just poor quality. Non-impact rated Zephyr WILL snap if used in impacts.
 
OP
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cheechi

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I'm just going to use this thread to catch any others that I come across.

$9.99 at Northern 3/8 anvil to 1/4 hex, made in Taiwan.

 
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username2

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Wera makes all the various square to hex adapters in both quick release and simple insertion.
(looking at the catalog 780 A and 784 A). You know, it would be cool if they made a kit that had one of all their adaptors at some sort of discount.

Dunno if this is an area where the quality manufacturers buys you anything although there's always the pride-of-ownership argument.

I've got an Apex 1/2" to 1/4" hex somewhere in my hoard of Apex stuff but I've been waiting to re-find my 3/4" square to 1/2" square adapter to stick on it so I can really lay into those bits.
 
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n8n

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n8n said:
I had a similar question a while back, but looking to adapt 5/16" hex bits to my 3/8" Snap-On hand impact (and possibly a 1/2" air or electric impact if needed)

Looks like Wiha makes a full line of what you're looking for, that's what I ended up buying as there really wasn't anything else that I found that was specifically labeled for impact use.

https://www.wihatools.com/bits/bit-holders/impact-bit-holding-socket-with-retaining-ring-1-4-bit
Click to expand...

Was looking this post up to recommend these to someone, and they appear to be discontinued.

Is there a similar product on the market today? I remember a couple years ago when I bought these they were the only ones I could easily find that were impact rated.
 
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ChevyEFI

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n8n,
Wiha tools' site changed but they still list impact bit adapter sockets.

just copy the following and put it in google.

bits/bit-holders/impact-bit-holding-socket-with-retaining-ring-1-4-bit wihatools.com
 
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n8n

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ChevyEFI said:
n8n,
Wiha tools' site changed but they still list impact bit adapter sockets.

just copy the following and put it in google.

bits/bit-holders/impact-bit-holding-socket-with-retaining-ring-1-4-bit wihatools.com
Click to expand...

Strange. When the old link 404'd I just started trying to find them by looking in the obvious categories with no luck. But when I search for "impact bit holding socket" I get exactly what I was looking for.

www.wihatools.com

Search: 6 results found for "impact bit holding socket"

Selling Wiha made screwdrivers, bits, pliers, and hex keys in the USA since 1985. Wiha tools are built to last and loved by professionals around the world. Tools That work for you.
www.wihatools.com www.wihatools.com

So it's not the end of the world that I can't find mine, which I can't at the moment...
 
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