Impact driver bits

[Fluelikesymptoms]

Got my new Milwaukee driver drill combo. I am looking at suggestions for driver bits to compliment it. I'm wanting to get nut drivers as well as Phillip's, slotted, and torx bits. I know that not that great of bits will explode and break, some pretty easily. I know bits are consumables, but I'd still like to have a good set then a questionable set that'll let me down the few times I'll actually use them.

Been looking at apex bits. I have to admit I'm not a big fan of inserted bits and would prefer to avoid them. I really like there power drive bits but feel as though it would run me alot to get a complete set for something I could easily loose, and i wouldn't get any type of case which I'd also like to have.

Anyone know of a set thats comparable to the power drive in quality, and I could buy a whole kit with case?

Any recommendations on nut drivers?

A good value industrial set would be nice, but if somewhere like HD has a good set that would be comparable I'd consider it.

I'll likely end up buying a bag of cheap #2s to toss in my organizer box

I saw wiha has power bit belt sets, any experiences here at gj?

 

[matt_i]

I've used the Wiha torx drivers, they have held up to 1000s of screws, I wore out a T25 but it was used to build an entire building.

Apex makes very good bits from what I've found.

Milwaukee makes a clamshell organizer case that comes with some tools but can be expanded. The 1/4" hex to 1/4" square, 3/8" square, 1/2" square and now you can use any impact socket.

I bought the small very shallow impact sockets w magnets (for hex screws, etc) from Milwaukee, color coded, I think 1/2" is max. They also seem to do well but have used those 5% of the time I have used the torx drivers.

 

[seber]

I use phillips bits every day and tend to go through one about every week. There may be differences in quality but other than the really cheap ones breaking occasionally I find too little difference to notice. I do like the Bosch toothed bits for how they grab, but the teeth wear out pretty quick. I sure won't be spending the money on overpriced German bit again.

 

[BarryWells]

I generally buy the Makita gold line of bits. My torx are a Bosch impact tough set

 

[sweet victory]

You can get this Sunex kit for around $50 on Amazon. Matco sells a rebranded kit for $169.

 

[nh_yota]

I use phillips bits every day and tend to go through one about every week. There may be differences in quality but other than the really cheap ones breaking occasionally I find too little difference to notice. I do like the Bosch toothed bits for how they grab, but the teeth wear out pretty quick. I sure won't be spending the money on overpriced German bit again.

Agreed. As long as you're buying a brand name they are all pretty much the same. Stay away from the cheap no-name or store brand bits.

 

[GRB]

For heavy duty work such as construction screws and concrete screws, the Wiha Terminator bits are worth every cent. They are only available 2" long so I buy the Wiha Power Bits for the long ones. They seem fine also but aren't beat on as hard in my businesses.

 

[Rarified27]

Just grabbed some Makita gold bits because the Milwaukee impact stuff I had seemed to not have the best fit over time. They weren't stripping screw heads, just wearing enough to occasionally slip.

 

[mikebaker1129]

Apex are very good ,
Zephyr are vey good also and they just released some impact rated bits to the market.

 

[tarbellb]

Apex are very good ,
Zephyr are vey good also and they just released some impact rated bits to the market.

Should be noted that I bought Zephyr's NON impact rated bits thinking they would last like my other high end USA bits.... not the case.

While nice, engage well, and not terrible pricing, my impact does indeed snap them easier than any of my NON impact rated bits?

I bet the Impact rated style are better?

 

[CR888]

Wiha last longest IME but I've yet to use Zephyr.

 

[ChrisLS8]

I was using Zephyr ACR and while great in a bit screwdriver they WILL BREAK quickly in an impact driver.

I do steel stud framing daily with phillips and my go to bits are Vega/Qualtool US and DeWalt Maxfit. I can without a doubt advise against "impact rated bits "

Makita gold made in Japan is good but the made in China packs are not

Shockwave is meh, I'm waiting for the carbide versions to hit the shelves though.

Bosch is middle pack with Kobalt and other misc brands.

 

[Fluelikesymptoms]

Thanks for the replies you guys. Seem to get about the same information that I found on other threads here.

I will be checking out a couple of the suggestions.

Chrisls8 if your running non inpact bits repetitively are you using a lower load on the bits?

I'm also going to get the carbide shockwave bits, maybe your problem with the zephyr or impact rated bits is the repetitiveness of your work?

I dont know a great deal about drilling and driving techniques I just always managed with what i had, sometimes with a great deal of hassle.

My understanding is impact bits are meant for heavy loads like long screws or self tappers, but if your not putting the bit under heavy load it's best to use a harder bit to reduce the wear on your impact bits? But using harder bits on heavy loads causes the tip to snap which I've saw alot myself.

Just curious if you think impact bits overall a bit gimmicky or if your experience hasn't had a real need for them and your wear them out too quickly.

I'm eying those vega long power bits they seem promising

 

[Fluelikesymptoms]

Also does anyone know of good long hex to 3/8 adapters. I have experience with apex adapters but I'm not a fan of their pin locking style, I'd prefer the ball detent. I'm having a hard time with determining if apex makes them with the ball detent, but if they do I'll definitely be grabbing that.

 

[wartee]

I use Makita gold and dewalt bits...never had an issue with either.

 

[DFB]

Also does anyone know of good long hex to 3/8 adapters. I have experience with apex adapters but I'm not a fan of their pin locking style, I'd prefer the ball detent. I'm having a hard time with determining if apex makes them with the ball detent, but if they do I'll definitely be grabbing that.

I got a set of 3 adapters 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" all 12" long ARES brand off Amazon. They are very balanced and spin true. I also tried their 6" long but found them not as nice and REALLY no better than a $5 SET from TSC.

I also have 6" wobble adapters (TSC) also like them too

There recently was a link posted for Makita brand items (bits, adapters and such) on sale at TOOLBARN. Was some big discounts to be found after digging for while especially on multipacks counts.

 

[cherrybomb]

I like my Makita Gold,made in Japan,will handle most every sitiuation.

 

[2manytools]

Milwaukee has just revised its regular shockwave line. The pegs at HD are getting updated as old stock sells. They have increased wear life in the tip. These are not the carbide-matrix tips that arguably have just been released.

I have several Irwin adapters & nut drivers that I like using with my impact. I also keep the Makita 3/8" angled adapter in my socket kit, that's a handy adapter

 

[engineer2]

I broke a new Makita gold philips bit. They offered to replace it, but it wasn't worth the hassle.

Got some long T-25 bits at Menards. Might be Screw Products brand, they are pretty nice.

 

[Wamsutta]

I can without a doubt advise against "impact rated bits "

Why is that?

 

[Yarpo]

I got a set of 3 adapters 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" all 12" long ARES brand off Amazon. They are very balanced and spin true. I also tried their 6" long but found them not as nice and REALLY no better than a $5 SET from TSC.

I also have 6" wobble adapters (TSC) also like them too

There recently was a link posted for Makita brand items (bits, adapters and such) on sale at TOOLBARN. Was some big discounts to be found after digging for while especially on multipacks counts.

I got the Titan set, probably very similar and/or the same and have used them extensively without issue. Pretty great for the price.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FKXB5HS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[mikebaker1129]

Zephyr makes ball detent 3/8 hex adapters and they sell them for $2 something on eBay with free shipping.

 

[DFB]

I got the Titan set, probably very similar and/or the same and have used them extensively without issue. Pretty great for the price.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FKXB5HS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Ya I have the Titans in the 3 inch size. Good set

 

[Fluelikesymptoms]

Ya I have the Titans in the 3 inch size. Good set

I've heard mention of titan tools here, never looked in to them either, no experience with them. But for 12 dollars that set looks pretty good and hell, its 12 bucks. I'll be comparing those to the zephyr and see what we get. I cant see myself running 1/2 impacts on a impact driver, but more power to me if I get them right.

As far as bits I've decided I'm going to start with the dewalt maxfit. I know alot of people dont like them but alot do. I am going to grab the carbide shockwaves when they hit the shelves and will run that unless I really actually need an impact bit.

After the dewalt bits wear, I'm just gonna change brands until I find what fits my liking best.

I can actually see an appeal to all brands for different types of people.

I think I'm going to try out the sunex bits mention earlier as well for power drive. Mainly for the case, if the bits wear easy or strip or junk, in just gonna try to fit an apex power drive replacement into the case.

Unless anyone knows of a power drive bit with a case/organizer similar to the sunex. I typically try to avoid the sunex/tekton type of brands they just dont sit right with me dont know why though. Another discussion I suppose.

As far as I understand the makita gold bits can be made in China or made in Japan. I can see how that might make some like it and some not if there's a quality difference and the consumer isnt informed of the different offerings.

 

[seber]

Unless anyone knows of a power drive bit with a case/organizer similar to the sunex. I typically try to avoid the sunex/tekton type of brands they just dont sit right with me dont know why though. Another discussion I suppose.

You can get the Ryobi kit at Home Depot which is almost identical to the Sunex but half the price.