bcradio
Well-known member
I'm looking for good quality hex bit sets (both SAE and metric) which have the 1/4" hex shank (ironic?) to fit in my multi-bit screwdrivers. Anyone know any good brands?
Apex? etc?
Thanks
Apex? etc?
Thanks
Any good hex bit sets?
- Thread starter bcradio
- Start date
Anybody know of any bad sets?
I've got the fairly expensive Wera bits with diamonds on the driving surface for grip, and I have three sets of Harbor Freight $8 100 bit security sets, magically they all seem to turn the same screws.
I think I've broken one from a Black & Decker set, and worn out a few phillips, but best one is going to depend on what your doing. Its real handy to have the HF 100 bit set since its got just about everything, and they are cheap so I use them when I have a painted over fastener and need to tap the bit in with a hammer.
I've got the fairly expensive Wera bits with diamonds on the driving surface for grip, and I have three sets of Harbor Freight $8 100 bit security sets, magically they all seem to turn the same screws.
I think I've broken one from a Black & Decker set, and worn out a few phillips, but best one is going to depend on what your doing. Its real handy to have the HF 100 bit set since its got just about everything, and they are cheap so I use them when I have a painted over fastener and need to tap the bit in with a hammer.
Funny you should mention this because this is the reason for this post. I have this exact set and have rounded off so many of the bits that its not even funny. My favorite bits are the Bosch gold titanium bits. I have only seen the metric hex versions of these and they ship from Europe.
shoturtle
Well-known member
I have wiha, they are very good. A bit more then most other bits out there.
Dewalt makes a killer set of impact ready bit set. They have several types of 1/4 hex drive available. I bought several sets off eBay saving over 100$. Home depot and lowes carry them and probably any hardware store that sells dewalt items has them. I have used other cheaper brands but the dewalt hold up best for me. I have the 59 pc and 29 pc sets along with several sizes of the ones I use most #2 phil bits.
I personally like GearWrench bit sockets. I just got their mm and inch hex sets, felt real good although they weren't used in real stressing jobs (yet).
I've had good experiences with their torx sockets though, like wailing on a t55 bolt (soaked in pb blaster) with a 17in ratchet with me and a friend pulling on it.
I've had good experiences with their torx sockets though, like wailing on a t55 bolt (soaked in pb blaster) with a 17in ratchet with me and a friend pulling on it.
woody 73
Well-known member
I am surprised see that; I bought several boxes of the CV tool steel from HF and they are going full guns for me
jjjrmx5
Well-known member
I think using an impact driver on any 1/4" bit that is not "impact" rated will certainly lead to a quick failure.
For daily hand use and drill/driver use, I;ve seen and use Wiha bits on a light to medium duty mfgr. floor tearing down and re-assembling 2 vehicles a day as part of a big team.
Never had a problem in half a decade with the Wiha bits. Flat, phillips and hex and torx. Price is all relative. For they level they perform at, they are a very reasonably priced solution. Sure, they wear out, but usually a a slower rate than most screw drivers. Hence why the bits.
You want to use a std China made bit day in a day out on an impact? No way.
Buy impact bits, fork out the money and get the job done correctly. No shortcuts there sadly.
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Got any recommendations for the good impact bits? I don't mind forking out the cash.
I don't, however, want the hex bits for an impact wrench, but rather an impact driver with a 1/4" shank. I also want to use these bits in my multi-bit hand screwdrivers when needed. Only ones of these I have seen that are for impacts are the dewalt bits which have been decent but not great.
Thanks
shoturtle
Well-known member
If you do not mind using torx head on hex. Milwaukee shockwave torx are very strong. I uses to used them till I moved to the wera impaktor
jjjrmx5
Well-known member
I was aware you are talking the 1/4" hex bits, and NOT the bits that are mounted to a socket, and I also understood that you meant impact driver with a battery and "drill type action", not the impact wrench type.
For PH2 impact bits, I use Milwaukee Shockwaves. But I;m not the person to give the best advise professionally for impact bit advise, as I seldom if ever use battery impact drivers for prototyping and custom work these days as it often does more damage than good. I use tools that are a bit more gentle in that area.
For std. bits tho., Wiha's are what I use and have sworn by for years. My toolbox is full of 'em.
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I was aware you are talking the 1/4" hex bits, and NOT the bits that are mounted to a socket, and I also understood that you meant impact driver with a battery and "drill type action", not the impact wrench type.
For PH2 impact bits, I use Milwaukee Shockwaves. But I;m not the person to give the best advise professionally for impact bit advise, as I seldom if ever use battery impact drivers for prototyping and custom work these days as it often does more damage than good. I use tools that are a bit more gentle in that area.
For std. bits tho., Wiha's are what I use and have sworn by for years. My toolbox is full of 'em.
Awesome, thanks for the input. The Wiha's do look nice.
shoturtle
Well-known member
wera impaktor? Tell me more
Are these rated for impact use? Granted 95% of the time I will use these with a hand driver, but occasionally they will see the gun
They are impact rated,
http://chadstoolbox.com/impaktor.aspx
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4YUzf7P4b_0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
shoturtle
Well-known member
Just remember you will not find to many impact rated torx or hex sizes. Smaller hex size screws will not be able to take the punishment of the impact drive.
shoturtle
Well-known member
They have hex plus, but they are metric, they are very pricey. The milwaukee shockwave may have sae sizes.
You can use torx on hex.
You can use torx on hex.
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Are you sure that VIM is the OEM for Snap-on? Several posters here on GJ have indicated that Zephyr was the OEM for Snap-on bits. I have some SO bits that have the Zephyr marking on them. I also have some Brownells bits with the Zephyr marking and they appear the same as SO bits.
Just the hex bits. Snap on has a blue-point set of hex bits.
For a lot of applications bits are a wear item and need to be tossed as soon as they show any tendency to cam out. Thats why they sell PH2 by the 100.
Maybe look at some Apex bits from an industrial supplier?
Apex or Zephyr look like they'll fit the bill nicely. Where is a good source to get them online? Most local industrial suppliers are only open during the week when I'm at work
el tanque prohibido
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Go with Apex or Zephyr.
richfinn
Well-known member
Wiha bits are the best I have used, I like the colour ID band on them too.
I changed to these after I broke and stripped a few of my cheap generic ones.
I,m not sure if you can get SAE sizes though, we only use metric over here now.
I changed to these after I broke and stripped a few of my cheap generic ones.
I,m not sure if you can get SAE sizes though, we only use metric over here now.
Another vote for Wiha. I use Wiha on electronics & since my RC days.
At work we use Wiha now too. We use #0 & #00 philips power bits at work daily. We've tried a few different manufacturers. Apex bits were too brittle, the tips often cracked under normal use. Haven't broke a Wiha yet.
I've heard lots of good things about Wera, never tried them though.
At work we use Wiha now too. We use #0 & #00 philips power bits at work daily. We've tried a few different manufacturers. Apex bits were too brittle, the tips often cracked under normal use. Haven't broke a Wiha yet.
I've heard lots of good things about Wera, never tried them though.
lwlobo
Well-known member
You mean the balldriver sets for $16.** each? Anyone used these?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000E7VG5M/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000E7XGUU/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I'm looking for a set of impact sockets for with 1/4 hex drive. Like this except high quality and proper latch features: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NPXHUM/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I have that set and they're not terrible for the price, but they don't latch in properly as they just have a straight 1/4 hex shank.
wacomme
Well-known member
Dave.R
Well-known member
We did just bring in a line that has the detent slot on them, and they will be on Amazon in the next couple weeks. The original set was meant to be used with a magnetic driver, but then we soon realized that people would want them for this use. They do hold up pretty well, but they are not Impact rated. They should hold up good on anything that doesn't require too much rattling.
http://www.tektontools.com/products...c_Power_Nut_Driver_Bit_Set_(SAE___Metric).htm
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