Best value P#2 impact bits?

[AceofSpad3s]

I either lost or broke all the dewalt Philips #2 impacts I bought a while ago. Been using some of the Zephyr bits I found on amazon for $2.50/10 shipped, good quality bits but they break fairly often in an impact role, sheer off near the tip. Probably too hard for the job, plus they are serrated, so I imagine that is a fracture point when going at it with the impact.
Either 1" or 2" bits are fine with me, what's the best bang for the buck in impact bits?
Odd are I lose most before I break them, so I don't want any that are so expensive that I'll get frustrated for losing them. Also, if anyone knows of some stubby 1/4 hex bit holders, something short enough where you could use 1" bits and still be around the same length as a regular 2" bit would be handy.

 

[M6erfan]

VIM, Vessel, Wiha...

Only you can assign "best value"

 

[Wamsutta]

Also, if anyone knows of some stubby 1/4 hex bit holders, something short enough where you could use 1" bits and still be around the same length as a regular 2" bit would be handy.

They make a 1.25 inch holder for 1/4'' male square drive impacts and a 1.50'' holder for 3/8'' and 1/2'' drive impacts, but I'm assuming your impact is 1/4 inch female hex drive. So therefore 2.00'' is the shortest holder I can find for a 1/4'' female hex drive impact.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Roughly dollar or less per, anything much more is a waste because it's just for wood screws and odds are I'll lose them first. I'm talking out of stuff from milwaukee, dewalt, bosch,makita etcetera. If an extra $.25 per gets me something drastically better I don't mind spending more, but I just want to buy something from home depot or amazon, don't want to go through the trouble of hunting down some expensive exotic brand for a consumable item.

They make a 1.25 inch holder for 1/4'' male square drive impacts and a 1.50'' holder for 3/8'' and 1/2'' drive impacts, but I'm assuming your impact is 1/4 inch female hex drive. So therefore 2.00'' is the shortest holder I can find for a 1/4'' female hex drive impact.

Thanks for checking

 

[ChrisLS8]

I've had the best luck with the DeWalt Max fit non impact bits and that is driving hundreds of self tappers a day

 

[alexb2000]

Bosch is what I am using:

Good and less than $1 per

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XYFZMVR/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[gearhead1]

I’ve tried Bosch, Mikita, Milwaukee, DeWalt and generics. I prefer the DeWalt the best, then Milwaukee. Some generics are good but I always forgot where I got them.

 

[TwoInch]

I have used most all of them..

The only bits I really buy anymore are "Montana" brand. Made in the US, not expensive, generally inline with other quality bits. From big box stores/national tool brands.

Sold at menards. And sometimes sears. The CM quick flip pilot/driver and self centering hinge pilot/driver, and the high end drywall limiter bit holder are/were made by Montana, and contain the bits I'm talking about.

Menards sells 25pcks of #2 phillips, square, and t25 bits. I haven't actually counted screws driven per bit, but I estimate a wide margin.. Something like 3x or 5x before I wear one out with #2 phillips. Torx last so long I couldn't even guess.

I never see them mentioned on here.

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[TwoInch]

First driver is the Montana driver, also sold under craftsman. Second is the drywall driver without the guard. That specific torx bit has driven many many pounds of 3 inch+ deck and construction screws.

The other pic is a quick change drill set. Also highly recommend.

Everything I have from them is top notch. Been using them for 8 years or so. I think they even warrantied a couple drill bits that something happened to... I barely remember the circumstances tho, so can't say exactly.

Give them a try.

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[Hytekrednek]

I have some Montana brad point drill bits, and they are awesome, especially for the price. Much cheaper than Fisch brad point bit, but 95% as good in my opinion. I will have to look at their other stuff

 

[TwoInch]

This is the flip hinge centering bit/driver... Very handy.. and the flip countersink/drivers. And a deck screw driver.

Includes the Allen key built into the quick change end so you can change out bits or drill bit size if needed. Very slick all in one deal. These are all very well worn out after years of service

I've had these 25 packs for a few years. Ill have them for a number of years still.. There are still about 15 or so left in each!

If you can find them in the length you want/need, I don't think you will be disappointed

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[Wamsutta]

http://www.apex-tools.com/sites/www.apex-tools.com/files/Apex-Fastening-Tools_TC-100-EN.pdf

What are "Power Drive" bits? Are they not impact rated?

 

[TwoInch]

USA

No frills. Beautiful machining. You can tell they are quality when you handle the stuff.

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[Hytekrednek]

do you know if Montana makes the insert bits, or do they contract them out to someone else like Apex or Zephyr?

 

[Magnum440d100]

I use the DeWalt bits at Home Depot. The one in my drill now put up ~1200 paper towel dispensers x 3 screws each. And now it is being used to install NEC monitors in a theater. Yes, the same bit.....

I buy the bits in the yellow flip top plastic container. The container I have, I’ve had it for quite a few years already. I’ve probably used maybe 5 of the bits. I’m not sure how many come in the container.

 

[seber]

do you know if Montana makes the insert bits, or do they contract them out to someone else like Apex or Zephyr?

From the Montana website:
"Montana Brand Tools are manufactured by Rocky Mountain Twist, located in Ronan, Montana. Montana Brand's heritage comes from a long line of innovative power tool accessories. Rocky Mountain Twist has made tools for such brand names as Craftsman, Black & Decker, Stanley, Ryobi, Makita, Hitachi, Ridgid, and Kobalt."

 

[fsae0607]

Home Depot DeWalt packs for me.

 

[tonyciambrone]

God Awful Tier
Ryobi
Ridgid
Milwaukee 'shockwave'
Porter Cable
Bosch

Mid tier
Masterforce
Irwin
Makita
Dewalt

Uber tier
Wiha
Felo
Haven't used Wera but I bet they end up here.

I use Irwin sets and replace my most used (PH2, T25, T20, all 2") with Felo or Wiha

 

[Wamsutta]

^
What Tier is Apex Power Drive ?

 

[AceofSpad3s]

God Awful Tier
Ryobi
Ridgid
Milwaukee 'shockwave'
Porter Cable
Bosch

Mid tier
Masterforce
Irwin
Makita
Dewalt

Uber tier
Wiha
Felo
Haven't used Wera but I bet they end up here.

I use Irwin sets and replace my most used (PH2, T25, T20, all 2") with Felo or Wiha

From that list, it sounds like Über would be more appropriate

 

[MaineGuide]

I really like the Makita Impact Gold.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-...llips-Power-Bit-15-Per-Pack-B-60523/303951018

 

[Hytekrednek]

I just do not like the impact drivers for driving screws, but, I mostly do finer work like building cabinets and furniture. I may feel different if I built decks or docks. My hilti 22 volt cordless 4 speed drill will handle the work if I build anything like a deck for myself.
That said, my favorite bits vary according to what the tip is. I LOVE the Wera hex and torx with hold function bits. I like brownells Magnabit flat head "standard" bits "made by Zephyr". I like Zephyr Phillips bits for most things, wera's Phillips for electronic and JIS stuff, and I love the Wiha 4mm Micro bits for precision work. I have tons of big box bits like dewalt and milwaukee I may use for projects that are very hard on bits, these are also the bits I let someone borrow if needed. No big loss if they get stolen or forgotten. I never loan my good bits as most that do not do this type work everyday will tear up bits quicker than I can buy them, making that dreaded grinding that sounds like an impact gun when the bits are slipping and being ruined, also stripping the screw head. That sound haunts me.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I use the DeWalt bits at Home Depot. The one in my drill now put up ~1200 paper towel dispensers x 3 screws each. And now it is being used to install NEC monitors in a theater. Yes, the same bit.....

I buy the bits in the yellow flip top plastic container. The container I have, I’ve had it for quite a few years already. I’ve probably used maybe 5 of the bits. I’m not sure how many come in the container.

I have the same pack from HD too. They're decent bits.

 

[DerekV]

The Dewalt impact PH2 bits work well for me.

The older Milwaukee Shockwave bits with the silver band around them are embarrassingly soft. Newer ones with red band are much better (I have some in Torx). Haven’t tried the PH2’s yet because I’m still working down the Dewalt stash.

 

[RoundedNut]

Philips is not a good driver type and the problems increase with impact use. I suggest using a drill/driver or dedicated screw gun, which are all non-impact.

This doesn't stop manufacturers from pushing this combination of course because they want to sell more impact drivers that break the (expensive) impact bits.

Insert bits are too short to have any real impact buffering so if you must, then you should use a torsional impact bit holder to provide extra buffering. Regular bits and a flexible bit holder provide the best performance, as felo shows here:

 

[engineer2]

Makita Impact Gold has been on sale at Menards lately, but not every location might have them.

 

[TwoInch]

Philips is not a good driver type and the problems increase with impact use. I suggest using a drill/driver or dedicated screw gun, which are all non-impact.

This doesn't stop manufacturers from pushing this combination of course because they want to sell more impact drivers that break the (expensive) impact bits.

Insert bits are too short to have any real impact buffering so if you must, then you should use a torsional impact bit holder to provide extra buffering. Regular bits and a flexible bit holder provide the best performance, as felo shows here:

This isn't right.

I can generally drive, and remove phillips screws more easily with an impact that would prove more difficult or even impossible with a drill. Camming out is a torque limiting function built into the screw, designed around the steady torque of a drill driver.

An impact, while rough on bits, somewhat defeats this auto camming action of the screw. People generally report less Phillips stripping with impacts.

Special bits for impacts are a gimmick in my opinion. I don't want springy bits, I want hard stiff bits. Why buy an impact with the highest torque, then handicap(not really) it by using "buffering" torsion bits and the like?

Use regular, hard bits, and back off on the trigger if need be.

I've never purchased Special "impact bits", only high quality normal bits. Never have had a problem breaking them, ever. Tens of thousands of screws of all types, I'm sticking with what works just fine, and utilizing full torque transfer.

Try Montana bits. I struggle wearing them out. They just work.



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[cheechi]

take your pick
https://www.kctoolco.com/phillips-insert-bits/

When I need to pad an order to get free shipping that is my go to page. I also have a collection of Felo phillips bits they have sent me for free with each order.

My other go to is
https://www.quickscrews.com/catalog/drive-bits?TID=498&drive[]=Ph#2

For longer bits. I bought a 1500 box of screws and wanted to get a pack of 6" P3 bits to go with them. I sent them an email and asked if they are impact rated and if they had any numbers on longevity or wear. Their reply is 1 bit will probably drive all 1500 screws with an impact driver. I bought a 10 pack anyway. Still haven't worn down the one yet.

 

[RoundedNut]

This isn't right.

I can generally drive, and remove phillips screws more easily with an impact that would prove more difficult or even impossible with a drill. Camming out is a torque limiting function built into the screw, designed around the steady torque of a drill driver.

An impact, while rough on bits, somewhat defeats this auto camming action of the screw. People generally report less Phillips stripping with impacts.

Your points about why I'm not right are tangential to my points

Of course an impact has much higher (peak) torque so it can drive or remove difficult screws that a drill/driver can't. And people generally use the softer impact bits with impacts so they won't damage screws as much when misapplied.

With regards to the camming/torque limiting "function/design" of philips, that's a common misconception. Given proper alignment and enough pressure against the screw, a significant amount of torque can be safely applied.

The defect in philips is that its very difficult to achieve this alignment and most people will drive off-axis, strip the screw and/or damage the bit. Philips is more of a punishing skill test.

With regards to torsion bits and those hydraulic pulse impacts, yes they handicap the drive as far as max torque but not for energy transfer, which is what actually turns the fastener. From auto racing: torque is the ability to turn the wheel but horsepower is what turns the wheels.

With regards to these Montana bits, you should congratulate yourself on your skill level rather than the bits.

 

[HenryAZ]

WIHA for me.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have had good luck with DeWalt. Just make sure they are the impact ones !

 

[KDoug]

Klein #2 Phillips Insert Power Driver, 1-Inch 5-Pack:

https://www.kleintools.com/catalog/power-drivers-bits/2-phillips-insert-power-driver-1-inch-5-pack

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-T...wer-Insert-Driver-Bit-5-Piece-PH215/205504326

I have no idea if these are worth getting but I've known about them a while and have been curious about them. Impact rated and Made in the USA. They have several other different bit pack configurations.