Best #2 Phillips Bits from Big Box Stores?

[Gore]

As the title suggests...what are the best #2 phillips bits that I can pick up from a local box store?

Both impact, and non-impact.

disclaimer...I hate using #2's, and prefer torx or square heads, but sometimes it's not an option.

 

[jallyn]

DeWalt is a reliable brand I trust. Milwaukee also comes to mind.

 

[LXCam]

Milwaukee.

 

[Zeke]

I've had good experience with just about all the name brands. The no name ones are terrible. I fell for a deal on a box of **** #2 bits at a commercial contractor supply called HD Supply. They didn't even last one driven screw. IIRC, they were about 9 bucks for a couple dozen. Might as well lit the money on fire.

 

[Roobaix]

I've had good luck with the Milwaukee bits. They don't fit as well as Wiha or the like, but they're not bad by any means.

 

[gdocktor3]

I've had good luck with Dewalt and Milwaukee. Though, in my experiences the #1 Milwaukee bits **** and have since purchased Dewalt only in that size.

 

[M6erfan]

I've only used Dewalt from the BB stores, the seem very durable...

 

[Gautama]

I saw a big shootout a while ago (can't remember where) and the winner by a pretty large margin were the Bosch bits with the ribbed tips. I believe Lowes carries them.

Edit: Found it: http://www.protoolreviews.com/tools...e-are-impact-rated-bits-worth-the-money/6447/ Actually, for the cost they said the Kobalt SpeedFit bits were the winner.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Makita Gold impact... went thru plenty of shockwaves till I got the Makitas.

For non-impact, I still have a stash of ACR bits (Zephyr and Apex).

 

[d.mcfarland]

The Dewalt are ok, but Phillips are not the place to cheap out. I have Snap On and other 1/4 bits are you can tell the difference between the good ones and the bad. The HF bit assortment isn't bad, but it's not going to win any awards.

The Snap On one is like $3 with free shipping to your house. Don't assume it's not affordable.

 

[Todd.Brock]

I had decent luck with DeWalt. I used the Makita bits from a bit driver set and they were soft. Milwaukee Torx work very well so I can only assume the #2 phillips are good too. - Although I destroyed a DeWalt Torx bit in short order with an 18cv Impact driver and 3" deck mates.

For me- Apex is the bidniss. I just need to find where to order them my FIL bought a 20 pack 4or5 years ago and split them with me.

 

[WhiskeyRanger]

I've had good luck with DeWalt, Milwaukee, Bosch, and even Ryobi. The Ryobi set was from quite a few years ago and may have changed. Apex is good too, but I only get them at work.

 

[skidozer670]

I bought a box of Bosch at Lowes with the ridges they work well even in my impact driver.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

My fuel impact seems to shatter the Dewalt bits way too much the Milwaukee ones slowly get dull which IMO is a lot better.

 

[Gore]

i just killed a Milwaukee bit...that's what got me to thinking. To be fair, it just went dull...perhaps I need to get comfortable with treating them as disposable.

 

[davethorik]

I've had good luck with Milwaukee bits. Had my Milwaukee non-fuel 18v drill and impact since April, been using them every day. I've broken 1 short philips #2, and the 1/4 hex to 3/8 sq adaptor.

I replaced the adaptor with a Makita impact rated 3/8 wobble drive. That thing is chewed up but still works, and the wobble allows access to places I couldn't get with the straight adaptor.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

i just killed a Milwaukee bit...that's what got me to thinking. To be fair, it just went dull...perhaps I need to get comfortable with treating them as disposable.

They absolutely are disposable. There is a very fine line between too soft (deforms) and too hard (breaks). There is no perfect bit.

 

[gdocktor3]

They absolutely are disposable. There is a very fine line between too soft (deforms) and too hard (breaks). There is no perfect bit.

If they weren't disposable they wouldn't come in boxes of 20 or whatever the number is.

 

[Gore]

Just to clarify. It was a 5 or 6 inch long bit...not a shorty from a big pack. At 5-8 bucks a pop I kinda want it to last a bit.

 

[mv213]

Just to clarify. It was a 5 or 6 inch long bit...not a shorty from a big pack. At 5-8 bucks a pop I kinda want it to last a bit.

If you can, use an extension bit holder. They come in a number of lengths. 4" and 6" are common and longer are available. Then you can still use the shorty bulk bits which are a lot cheaper.

 

[Sine Swept]

My local fastener store sells a house brand of driver bits (2" long too) that I purchased a while back. I use them in my impact and am still grabbing for those particular ones after quite some time. They do sell in longer and shorter lengths as well.

 

[MDK22]

Get the impact ones ie Milwaukee Shockwave or DeWalt FlexTorq. I prefer Milwaukee myself if you are not willing to go buying something online.

 

[skan]

I saw a big shootout a while ago (can't remember where) and the winner by a pretty large margin were the Bosch bits with the ribbed tips. I believe Lowes carries them.

Edit: Found it: http://www.protoolreviews.com/tools...e-are-impact-rated-bits-worth-the-money/6447/ Actually, for the cost they said the Kobalt SpeedFit bits were the winner.

I saw that review a few days ago.
Unfortunatelly they don't test other well-known brands such as PB Swiss Tools, Hilti, Makita, Wiha, Apex, Vermont or Zephyr.
Has anyone compared the Bosch Ribbed or the Kobalt Speedfit to them?

 

[KnurledNut]

I cant believe Dewalt Flextorq is being recommended so highly.
They are the worst "quality bits" i have ever used.
The phillips tips on mine were soft, had poor fitment, and ended up in the trash.
The Milwaukee faired better, but still werent much.
Maybe ive been spoiled by my Apex bits.

For Torx, the color coated GRK bits at Lowes are hard to beat. Ive hammered the snot out of them and the only ones i remember breaking were the T-30s on some nasty fasteners.

Edit: I might add, at Lowes they keep Hillman plain jane bits over in the fastener aisle and they have worked as well as the "marketed" bits.

Just my .02.

 

[RAS61]

Funny, I was just wondering the other day if anyone made a great bit, and if they did make one with the quality of SO, Vessel, or Witte screwdriver tips they'd corner the market. It would be great if they were fantastic quality and would last for years like a good screwdriver - I've never broken a tip on even a cheap screwdriver, but have broken plenty of bits.

 

[maico]

Funny, I was just wondering the other day if anyone made a great bit, and if they did make one with the quality of SO, Vessel, or Witte screwdriver tips they'd corner the market. It would be great if they were fantastic quality and would last for years like a good screwdriver - I've never broken a tip on even a cheap screwdriver, but have broken plenty of bits.

Vessel and Witte make all sorts of good bits

http://witte-werkzeuge.de/1/bits/