Impact Bits for Impact Drivers....

[mobiledynamics]

Alrighty, fess up . Are ya'll using impact bits for impact drivers....

On the dedidicated snapon for the track rat , Yes.

For the panny 14v remodel guns, I'm just using whatever 1/4 bits I have in my stash, which is plenty.....

 

[5lima30]

I've been using the Bosch #2 bits on my new Hitachi impact driver. No problems works great! I don't know how I got along for so long without one. YMMV.

 

[musgofasta]

Nope - I have a Makita 10.8v and use whatever I've got with a hex head. Only had 1 phillips head bit failure in tons and tons of use.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Well, I guess they are impact bits. My impact driver generaly has 6" #2 phillips bit is it. If it's not made for an impact, what's it made for ?

 

[Buckgnarly]

Well, I guess they are impact bits. My impact driver generaly has 6" #2 phillips bit is it. If it's not made for an impact, what's it made for ?

Drills......

 

[Trucky]

Yes, a few of the black DeWalts from Lowes. They usually last a good while.

 

[pist0lpete]

I've broken several regular bits in my impact driver... but then I've also broken one or two "impact" bits too! Maybe it's me...

Also is seems square or torx tips are less likely to break the way Phillips do.

 

[domain]

I personally use regular bits. They only impact rated items I own are the Dewalt 1/4'' and 3/8'' square drive adapters.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I use my impact driver as an impact wrench (for smaller bolts) almost exclusively. If I abuse it like this Im not going to care what bits I use on the few times I actually use it for what it is made for.

 

[Strouty]

I always use impact bits in an impact driver, just like the manufacturer says!

I have so many of the grey regular driver bits, I figure if I paint them all black it will they will become impact bits. I feel like I have broken just as many impact bits as regular driver bits. I do use impact sockets when I use the impact guns.

 

[green.bubbly]

Glad this thread came up. I stripped out two bits today and was going to Lowes or HD Monday to get new ones. I did not realize there was specific impact bits.

Are these Dewalt bits at Lowes any good?

 

[mobiledynamics]

95% of my bits are Apex.
tried and true for me....

 

[Stuey]

Glad this thread came up. I stripped out two bits today and was going to Lowes or HD Monday to get new ones. I did not realize there was specific impact bits.

Are these Dewalt bits at Lowes any good?

I like 'em. If you get a set, get one with the ToughCase storage case, it's freakin' awesome.

 

[BigAl62]

I buy bulk packs of #2 1" long drywall bits at Sears Hardware. They're cheap, but they hold up well. Also have 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2" socket adapters and I use chrome sockets on it, no problems in over 7 years. BTW I'm using 14.4 and 19.2 volt Craftsman 1/4" impact drivers (14.4 at home, 19.2 at work).

 

[5lima30]

Glad this thread came up. I stripped out two bits today and was going to Lowes or HD Monday to get new ones. I did not realize there was specific impact bits.

Are these Dewalt bits at Lowes any good?

I have used the DeWalt bits from Lowes but personally didn't care for them. They didn't break, however they seem to cam out the tips much quicker than the Boschs which are not much more in cost. YMMV.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Drills......

True, I guess I didn't really think about that.

There oughta be a industry standard then, impact bits gets the machining for the quick connect and the other stuff for drills don't get machined.

 

[Weps]

There oughta be a industry standard then, impact bits gets the machining for the quick connect and the other stuff for drills don't get machined.

if you are talking about the notch at the bottom, in my experience, that is typically associated with the term "power bits". the shorter bits without the notch are "insert bits". impact bits typically are forged/coated and have some type of way to address torsional stresses. they may or may not have the notch. i suspect a lot of this is marketing hype, but i am looking forward to trying the wera impaktor system when it is available in the us.

 

[JMLoughrey]

I bought a ton of the Dewalt #2 Impact bits off ebay back around the holidays. I believe it was about $5 shipped for 20 bits. Gave away a few to the other tech i work with, i use them daily in my makita 10.8v impact and well as a 10.8v makita drill. Ive still got 4 left. Only actually broke one, the others i either grew legs and walked away or got worn down from use.

 

[shopnut]

I've had my impact driver for about 6 months now and I don't use any special bits in it, just the sames ones I've used in my cordless drill for years.

Since I started using it, I haven't broken a bit yet, and actually I've noticed the bits don't get rounded off as quickly. I think this is because it take so much less effort to run screws in with the impact. Before I would have to push so hard with the drill when running the 3" screws into the "extra dense" lumber used on the Asylum that I would get tied quickly and then the bit slips. Now it is just zip, zip - wish I would have bought it sooner.

With the old drill, it was common to snap the tips (last 1/8") of bits off - it hasn't happened yet with impact driver after about 20 pounds of 3" screws. Can't figure that one out - seems it should be the other way around

 

[mathil]

I build RV's for a living. Lots of different screw heads, nut heads, yadda yadda. I'm currently using the Milwaukee Shockwave impact set, and I like it.

I've put myself through the pain of using cheap 100 bit sets; it's not worth it. They don't shatter, but the edges wear down, they round over and after a few days they just don't fit the corresponding fastener properly.

The impact bits definitely use a better grade of steel than the cheapies do, and to me it's more than worth it to use them. Even if I used one set a month, at $29.99, it would be worth it.

It might not make a difference to a DIY user who turns a few screws a month.

 

[BlindViper]

If you pre drill the holes for the screws you can use the reg bits. If you try and run a 3" or 4" screw without it will snap the bit every 2 or 3 screws. Its also very important to stop squeezing the trigger when the screw stops.

 

[fr0mastaj]

I have used the DeWalt bits from Lowes but personally didn't care for them. They didn't break, however they seem to cam out the tips much quicker than the Boschs which are not much more in cost. YMMV.

Same here. The dewalt impact P2's seem to have too sharp of an angle or something? It almost looks like a P1..but it isnt. They cam out/stripped way too easy.

 

[Slain]

Milwaukee shockwaves for me. Used on a hitachi dsl 18v.
fantastic tool, should have bought one a long time ago.

 

[Greatbear]

Currently using Milwaukee Shockwave bits and DeWalt impact bits. They both hold up, but I've busted or worn out just about everything out there, brand-wise.

 

[tool-fanatic]

Alrighty, fess up . Are ya'll using impact bits for impact drivers....

On the dedidicated snapon for the track rat , Yes.

For the panny 14v remodel guns, I'm just using whatever 1/4 bits I have in my stash, which is plenty.....

I bought the new wera impact bits, and it is unbelievable how robust they are!!! great stuff! www.weratools.com

 

[Weps]

I bought the new wera impact bits, and it is unbelievable how robust they are!!! great stuff! www.weratools.com

where did you find them? i found any available in the US yet.

 

[AussieDan]

I use a Hitachi 1/2" 18v impact with the Shockwave 1/2" to 1/4" hex adapter, it has a bit more oomph than your average 1/4" hex "impact driver"...

I have just been using regular Hitachi bits, they haven't shattered but do seem to wear out very quickly.

Sounds like I'll have to try the shockwave or wera bits.

 

[Mike_C]

Irwin forged bits are well worth the money, I have yet to break one at work.

 

[Monte]

http://chadstoolbox.com/impaktor.aspx

 

[Carl B]

So the trick is to use the holder??? -- - too bad they didn't just test the bits.. that might have been useful information...

FWIW,
Carl B.