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Recommend Me A Bit Set

Superchido

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Jul 4, 2011
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53
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Portland, yeah, that one.
Over the years I have gotten along with a couple crappy old Stanley and Craftsmen bit holding screwdrivers. To go along with them I have various cheapy bits and bit sets that I have picked up here and there.

I finally bought a couple nice Wera bit holding drivers that are so much nicer to use than the old Stanley I had. I am sick of the crappy old bits I have and am looking for some recommendations on good, "lifetime" sets to use with the nice new Wera drivers.

I regularly use slotted, philips and torx. For torx, I really mostly only use T25 as that is used pretty exclusively on the Volvos I work on. I don't really use hex bits or safety torx or anything else that exotic. The Wera bit holding drivers I have use 1/4" C6 style bits.

So based on that can you guys recommend a quality bit set to buy? I will pay for quality and don't mind spending more for a set if it will last me forever.
 
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Monte

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Dec 23, 2008
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Germany
Wera Tool Check

DSC_0022%25257E1.jpg
 

J.Lind

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Sep 14, 2011
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Everett, WA, USA
Seconding the Wera.

I got their adjustable-torque torx set, and while I broke a bit because I overtorqued (should have stopped and done the Newton-Meter to Ft-Lb conversion), I BROKE the bit, I didn't strip the bit, which tells me they're harder than they are tough, which I like for the wear resistance. My Wiha torx drivers strip out somewhat regularly just from normal use, and I've never broken one.
 
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Superchido

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Jul 4, 2011
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Location
Portland, yeah, that one.
Awesome - thanks!

Maybe I'm blind but I'm not finding that tool check set anywhere to buy? Tons of "bit check" sets and such, but that set with the bit ratchet and metric sockets pictured above from Monte looks perfect for what I need.

Actually, I don't find that set on the Wera website either? Do they not make that particular set anymore?
 

osborn.ozzy

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Zrexxer

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Jan 23, 2007
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Maybe I'm blind but I'm not finding that tool check set anywhere to buy? Tons of "bit check" sets and such, but that set with the bit ratchet and metric sockets pictured above from Monte looks perfect for what I need.
While Monte always has lots of pictures of pretty tools, he's in Germany and seems to be fond of posting things that are impossible - or nearly impossible - to get in the United States.
 
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Superchido

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Joined
Jul 4, 2011
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53
Location
Portland, yeah, that one.

Aha - no wonder I was having a hard time finding it in their normal product listings. Any idea on price range for the kit? I'll send a PM Bhae's way. Thanks.


Yeah, that's bit checks, not the super-sweet tool check kit Monte posted.

While Monte always has lots of pictures of pretty tools, he's in Germany and seems to be fond of posting things that are impossible - or nearly impossible - to get in the United States.

What a tease! :D
 
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Subyroo651

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Aug 26, 2011
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Northern IL.
Those are nice, but I haven't found a better set than the HF (DrillMaster) $8 when on sale 100 bit security set. Everything you need, duplicates of a few common ones. Even if you buy some of the expensive bit sets you should still have at least one of the HF 100 bit sets.

http://www.harborfreight.com/100-piece-security-bit-set-91310.html

+1 on this set, I have the same. Covers some unusual types that are nice to have and can be sacrificed if need be without breaking the bank.
 

Skin

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Feb 24, 2010
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Boston
i cant speak to the quality of Wera bits but the bit ratchet is not worth the money. I own one, i think it was around $40 for the the bit ratchet alone so i'm sure the set posted above will be $75-$100. The bit ratchet is not made in Germany and it reverses occasionally. For the money its a bit of a joke and there are many other far cheaper options that will work just as well. The GW sets are a fantastic bargain and i believe Sunex also makes a nice little set.

For tool truck brands Snap-On also has a couple decent sets if you want USA [SDM400A], if you dont mind imports check out MAC. I picked up this set for about $60 on the bay some time back and its holding up well.

http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/product/tabid/120/p-320136-spmr49b.aspx
 
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dwm

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Aug 28, 2010
Messages
861
Location
Southeast Michigan
For Philips in a hand driver, my favorites are the Snap-On ACR bits. They last longer than anything else I've owned. I have plenty of Wera bits, and use their Bi-Torsion BDC quite a bit in cordless power drivers, but for long-term hand use the Snap-On win. Same thing for slotted. I rarely destroy a 1/4" hex drive Torx bit, so I can't compare durability there.

I've come to the conclusion that I don't care so much about having a bit set. I tend to rearrange anyway, and a set isn't a set once you lose, break or wear out a few bits. Pick storage you like, and bits you like. If they happen to come as a set, great. In the end you wind up buying replacement bits at least once in a while.

For storage, I like the Mechanics Time Savers (MTS) 580 series magnetic holders (no bits) and the VIM MRBB36 (which comes with bits, a bitholder ratchet and an extension/holder). I tend to refill the VIMs because I want more PH2 bits and I almost never run into small XZN. The MTS holders come in 10 different colors which is handy for keeping things organized in groups of 37 or less. Need more storage, just buy another one. Magnetic base on the VIM and the MTS lets you stick 'em just about anywhere in/on your box. Far easier to get bits in/out than any of the Wera bit storage I have. The Wera look nicer, but the MTS and VIM are significantly easier to use. I tend to prioritize ease of use over cosmetics, but that's just me.
 
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