Bits keep falling off

[lynn2323]

Greetings guys,

I don't know if it's just me. When I'm using screwdriver with swappable bits, those bits tend to fall out of the screwdriver shank when applied too much torque.

I know there are screwdrivers with bit chuck(quick release) equipped. But more are regular screwdrivers.

Just curious if people have the same problem.

Thanks!

 

[Onefastgsx]

Buy a better brand with stronger magnets in the shank. I have cheapie drivers that they fall out of. I dont often have that problem with my gearwrench ratcheting screwdriver set.

There are also some that use clips that hold the bits in. The one I have I often have trouble getting the bit back out it holds so well.

 

[lynn2323]

That's the problem. The one I have is a Stanley. Not the best, but definitely not the worst.

 

[measuredtwice]

At $69.. Get a Snap-On SSDMR4B ratcheting screwdriver

At $30... Get a Williams WRS-1. Only slightly different than the Snap-On branded one.

At $12... Get a Wiha or Wera or Felo magnetic bit driver (non ratcheting)

 

[Samuel D]

Why do they fall out? Has the ball under the retaining spring gone AWOL?

No amount of torque should cause the bit to fall out (rather the opposite, since torque increases friction between the bit and driver).

 

[lynn2323]

Why do they fall out? Has the ball under the retaining spring gone AWOL?

No amount of torque should cause the bit to fall out (rather the opposite, since torque increases friction between the bit and driver).

The Stanley one that I'm using is a magnetic one.

The bits stuck on the screw, especially hex and torx screws. I guess there's a little deformation on the screw when applied some torque, which made the friction between bits and the screw greater than screwdriver's magnetic holding power. If that makes sense.

 

[Samuel D]

Makes perfect sense (and that happens to me too). Was just wondering if there was some other obvious problem.

I don’t have a neat solution, but what I do to prevent this is to gently turn the screwdriver the other way (not hard enough to reverse the screw), which frees the bit from the deformed screw before removing the tool. Doesn’t work well with a ratcheting screwdriver because you have to reverse the ratchet first and it all gets a bit slow and fiddly.

 

[mr.lemons]

Yes and it's frustrating. I've moved over to quick release as you mentioned for this reason. Not sure if you are referring to ratchet screwdrivers or no ratcheting (or both) but I can recommend Facom's ratchet screwdriver as it has a magnetic/locking/quick release bit holder that is not much larger that a normal magnetic holder so doesn't have the clearance issues normally associated with quick release drivers.

 

[driftpin]

Whe I saw the thread title, I thought it might be a discussion about the movie 'Papillon,' when Steve McQueen encounters the leper colony.

 

[lynn2323]

Yes and it's frustrating. I've moved over to quick release as you mentioned for this reason. Not sure if you are referring to ratchet screwdrivers or no ratcheting (or both) but I can recommend Facom's ratchet screwdriver as it has a magnetic/locking/quick release bit holder that is not much larger that a normal magnetic holder so doesn't have the clearance issues normally associated with quick release drivers.

That Facom screwdriver looks pretty nice! I've also gotten a stubby ratcheting screwdriver with quick release to replace the Stanley magnetic one.

It says it has some kind of elastic mechanism to relief wrist pain and add some torque. Still testing it out tho.

But anyway, I believe a lot of the screwdrivers out there aren't equipped with quick release. Instead of buying a new screwdriver with quick release, aren't there any other ways to prevent bits from falling?

 

[PaKettle]

Why do they fall out? Has the ball under the retaining spring gone AWOL?

Yes the the retaining spring clip on mine got caught on something and lifted enough for the ball to fall out. I need to know what size ball to buy.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Yes the the retaining spring clip on mine got caught on something and lifted enough for the ball to fall out. I need to know what size ball to buy.

You're going to need to post pictures and a lot more information than that.

 

[JBH]

At $69.. Get a Snap-On SSDMR4B ratcheting screwdriver

With sales (Father’s Day, possibly Memorial Day) coming up the vastly better designed PB Swiss one is in that range too.

Snapon’s ratchet mechanism is one of the better ones but the bit storage is decades behind the times. PB Swiss has an excellent ratchet and thoughtful bit storage. Better handle shape too IMO

 

[measuredtwice]

With sales (Father’s Day, possibly Memorial Day) coming up the vastly better designed PB Swiss one is in that range too.

Snapon’s ratchet mechanism is one of the better ones but the bit storage is decades behind the times. PB Swiss has an excellent ratchet and thoughtful bit storage. Better handle shape too IMO

Haven't tried the ratchets or drivers with onboard storage. Haven't tried the exchangeable blades either. I need to make my list for the (probable) upcoming sales. I have several sets of the PB Swiss fixed drivers and the magnetic bit holders that have covered my needs well but I'd enjoy adding a few more things to my arsenal.

 

[Fcvapor05]

when you're done tightening the fastener, pull the handle lightly perpendicular to the shaft to break the bit free from the Phillips/torx/hex/whatever head before you try to pull it back and this problem will go away forever. It doesn't take much.

 

[SeisMec]

what I do to prevent this is to gently turn the screwdriver the other way (not hard enough to reverse the screw), which frees the bit from the deformed screw before removing the tool. Doesn’t work well with a ratcheting screwdriver because you have to reverse the ratchet first and it all gets a bit slow and fiddly.

Guess it depends on the ratcheting mag. screwdriver. Do it on a regular basis with my Snappy. Barely a conscious thought when I do.

 

[ez-duzit]

Don't waste your time with those cheap magnetic screwdrivers. One 6-way driver will take care of 90+% of your needs.

https://www.toolsid.com/enderes-too...wdriver-set-mpn-2160.html?singleid=1675433952

 

[Robbie B]

I bought a Kline 11 in 1 a couple weeks ago. I dang near can’t get the bits out of it.

 

[Bigblockyeti]

I've noticed that even ones with a nice powerful magnet can't hold nearly as well if you get filings or other ferrous dust built up cutting down on the flux with which the magnet can pull the back of the bit. In turn making it more prone to falling out.

 

[GeoBruin]

I have several mult-bit drivers mentioned here including the SO ratcheting driver and various Kleins (11 in 1, Stubby) but was recently turned on to Piquic. I actually picked one up because I liked the idea of having a thinner blade than most multibits would allow. But, I have noticed the bits really stay put. Maybe the magnet can be super strong because there's always plenty of blade to grab on to when you really want to remove it.

http://www.picquic.eu/en/products.php

 

[LeeG]

Wera Rapidaptor

No magnet. Holds bit securely, and only takes 1 hand to swap bits. The bit handle is removable to be used in a drill or impact.

 

[PaKettle]

You're going to need to post pictures and a lot more information than that.

I posted the pictures that you requested.

 

[PaKettle]

I guess I posted a too tough of a question for this kind of forum.

 

[seber]

Wiha locking bit holders are the same diameter as the magnetic type. They hold totally, the bits simply slip in and stay put. Pull the sleeve and they fall out. Total satisfaction here.

 

[Samuel D]

I guess I posted a too tough of a question for this kind of forum.

Post your photos and question again in a new post at the end of this thread. Typical readers are far too lazy to scroll back to your edited post. Even after I mention this, most will not go looking for it. Instead they’ll click on the next thread that makes for easier entertainment. Make it easy for people.

Someone is bound to know the correct ball size (ball bearing) to get or have a good guess to try.

 

[HenryAZ]

Wera Rapidaptor

No magnet. Holds bit securely, and only takes 1 hand to swap bits. The bit handle is removable to be used in a drill or impact.

I am a big fan of the Rapidaptor. I have all three lengths of the bitholders and a couple of screwdrivers with the Rapidaptor a permanent part. Just push the bit in, and a sleeve locks it in place. Push the slide forward and the bit pops out, a one-handed operation. There are also several other manufacturers making bitholders and screwdriver that use the same principle for holding/releasing bits. The only downsides I can see with the plain Rapidaptor are that the magnet (there is a magnet in there) is not really strong enough to hold a screw in position for driving, and the sleeve adds to the bulk (diameter) at the end, so may be hard to get in tight spots. Even the Rapidaptor with the "ring magnet" does not work that well to hold a screw.

 

[toddmorr]

Snap On ratcheting and it drives me nuts. Was pondering how to re-magnetize the magnet some way, to get it to hold the blasted bit.

 

[measuredtwice]

I guess I posted a too tough of a question for this kind of forum.

Yes the the retaining spring clip on mine got caught on something and lifted enough for the ball to fall out. I need to know what size ball to buy.

Did you measure the diameter of the hole

 

[PaKettle]

You're going to need to post pictures and a lot more information than that.

7/64 drill bit fits the hole so the bearing should be the next size up? 1/8?
Who sells one or two little ball bearings.

 

[PaKettle]

7/64 drill bit fits the hole so the bearing should be the next size up? 1/8?

Who sells one or two little ball bearings???