I need a replacement 1/4" screwdriver bit set. Which one is the best?

[poppinjohnnies]

I had a decent 1/4" bit set that was basically thrown together, but I have lost it. I would like to have a good set that will hold up to my Milwaukee M18 impact driver. Who makes the best set for the money? I'd like one with a few sockets along with all of the various long & short bits.

 

[rlitman]

Any bits used with an impact driver (especially an M18) should be considered consumables. Don't expect anything to hold up too well, unless you're talking 5/16" nut drivers and larger.

 

[RTM]

Whatever is on sale at HD at Black Friday sales. Lasts me til at least next Christmas.

 

[Zeus36]

I like Bosch and DeWalt. Seems Milwaukee holds up pretty well.

 

[Steve_P]

Project Farm has done a few bit comparison tests...

edit: Whoops, beat me to it

 

[bpwoodworking]

For an impact driver, Felo is pretty much top of the pile imo. For non impact, PB Swiss.

 

[Hytekrednek]

wera is hard to beat for the price.

 

[Etchase]

Dewalt, Makita, Bosch and my new favorite for 9 bucks including a nice bit holder is SATA.

SATA 31-Piece 1/4-Inch Hex Shank Power Tool Bits Set - ST09332SJ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076YGJ2HQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

There is a reason they sell 10 packs of bits, and a reason that people that use them all day, don’t buy singles in my opinion.

 

[JradM]

I have preferences, but the fact is that fresh bits work better than well-used ones. For that reason, I don't think it's necessary to pick the best possible bit - just pick "good" ones and replace them as they wear.

Dewalt, Milwaukee, Makita and Bosch all make pretty good bits. I really like Wera with laser tips or the "hex plus" design - but it's rarely worth the extra effort to get them. Vessel is awesome, but not competitively priced. Felo has good bits too.

If you're not using an impact driver - well then that changes everything. Screwdriver bits still wear, but over a much longer time frame. I'd be willing to spend more in that case for better performance.

 

[Dig Doug]

Bits are a personal choice….

say a Phillips #2 bit is not all the same ! For me depends on the screw type.

these are all #2 even the rusted Dewalt Yellow band

I like all black right side & the one in the bit holder - They seem to bite better and don’t fall off, strip out the screw…

I keep mine in a zipper bag ! And I’m always looking for bits….

 

[134k]

I have a box of Makita bits that were marked as Made in Germany. I've yet to replace any of them. I've since found out that they are made by Wiha.

 

[four.cycle]

^ I watched that "Project Farm" video all the way through. I have no complaints with his findings or his methodology.
However, he did not include Vessel or Wera in his comparison.

The overly-lengthy and exhausting "What brand of screwdriver should I buy?" thread caused me to think about all of these "which brand?" threads collectively.
Most of them, in my view, are more "This is the brand I own and let me tell you why I think it's the best" as opposed to "I tried every brand on the market and I finally found one I liked."
Let's be honest: NONE of us has used every brand.

I bought a package of those Milwaukee bits last summer when Mike and I were replacing the south wall of the house. They were okay, but not impressive.
Impressive was the #2 Wera bits I bought down at Platt Electric. Came in a two-pack - $1.33 each. I gave one to Mike, and have been using the other one for over a year. Best #2 phillips bit I've ever owned.

A couple years ago I bought a big 33-piece "Vessel" kit because it had some bits in it I needed. I haven't put enough miles on it to offer an informed opinion.

as always, YMMV

 

[Pinemarten]

Vessel.....................But, any bits are consumables.
I've used a bunch of different "brands" over the years. Does anybody think all the brands aren't re-branded from a couple dozen or so manufacturers?

 

[four.cycle]

^ no... they're making them in different places... I've tried a lot of different flavors. they definitely are a "consumable", just like hacksaw blades and drill bits - wear 'em out, throw 'em away, buy new ones.

 

[Robinson1]

I keep a set from Dewalt to cover all the random stuff you rarely use but need to have on hand. Then I buy bulk Phillips #2 and T25 (The stuff I actually use) impact bits from either Milwaukee or Dewalt.

 

[four.cycle]

Pratt-Read #1 x 2" Phillips 1/4" drive bit (5 pack) $2.00 + $4.90 shipping

Pratt-Read #2 x 2-3/4" 1/4" drive bit (10-pack) $4.00 + $5.85 shipping

See POST #29 in the "Cripe Distributing Hot Deal" thread

You want to put an order together, put all the stuff IN THE CART, and then send them a message and ask them to COMBINE SHIPPING BEFORE YOU PAY. Oherwise you're going to get nailed for shipping on each item - only way to save any money dealing with Cripe is to BUY a whole mess of stuff.

I purchased four packages of the #2 bits a couple years ago. Gave a bag to Mike. Gave a bag to my other buddy. No complaints. I think they've held up pretty good. NOT as good as the WERA I bought down at Platt Electric last year though. (photo below)

(Why do I get the feeling I'm repeating myself?)

YMMV

 

[Jeff]

I have a Vessel set. Impact rated. No issues with my 18v impact driver or 12v.

 

[four.cycle]

^ I bought two of those. Gave one to a buddy (who already owned a Bosch set) and kept one. Love it except my fat fingers have difficulty removing the driver adapter piece (lower left in your photo.) Other than that, it's performed flawlessly.

 

[Jeff]

^ I bought two of those. Gave one to a buddy (who already owned a Bosch set) and kept one. Love it except my fat fingers have difficulty removing the driver adapter piece (lower left in your photo.) Other than that, it's performed flawlessly.

Same issue here. I got some of the impact Vessel bit holders.

 

[four.cycle]

^ I was strictly a "Made in USA" kind of guy until I was communicating with Mr. Bowers when he first brought the line in and suggested I take a look at it, which was when I ordered that "Glow in the Dark" model for its novelty. Turned out it was one damn nice screwdriver and I realized "I've been using ****** hard-handles my whole life and how did I not know about these?".
Only way to go unless your objective is strictly price, or you absolutely cannot use that "soft" rubber handle.

 

[four.cycle]

One of the multitude of screwdriver threads this morning compelled me thusly:

figured I'd try a P2 in that style as well.

 

[thunderalley3]

I have had great results with the Wiha terminator bits. I also have some Dewalt impacts that hold up ok as well.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

Loews or HD Dewalt, Makita, or Milwaukee.

 

[AE2]

Seems like Menards always has Masterforce kits on sale for next to nothing. I just grab them whether I need them or not. I wouldn't call them the best but like others have said, they're consumable.

 

[Kuma601]

Have used Bosch, Makita, DeWalt and to me they are ok, typical consumables. The Torx bits that come with the box of screws are sufficient. I've liked the Hilti PH#2 (made in Germany) bits, not impact rated but I still use them with success.

 

[MarcSeattle]

I've tried the Bosch, Makita and Dewalt and agree that they are fine but not exceptional. I was a Wiha guy for a long time. Then I tried Hazet bits. They have exceptional fit but they don't make impact bits. The regular ones seem durable though. Cheap bits are not worthwhile (IMHO) except for repetitive production work at fairly low torque, like drywall screws where the low price offsets the average fit (and drywall screw heads aren't precision cut anyway).

 

[lardy1]

Vessel.

 

[NoahG]

The black dewalt ones are good, the silver ones are not. I find Bosch has the best fit but they wear quicker. Makita golds were infact gold but the silver replacements aren’t quite as good. The best compromise for big box bits is honestly Milwaukee.