Which 1/4” impact bits are you all using?

[Hakeem]

Just curious to see what GJers are using. Here are my experiences with the stuff sold in the home centers:

Makita: their XPS line, or whatever the silver ones sold in Home Depot are called, were my first choice for a long time. Good fitment and durability. Unfortunately the bits in the last set I bought fractured really quickly, which is odd … never had a single bit fracture before. Dunno if they changed their manufacturing or if I just got a bad batch.

I bought a set of their Made in Japan Gold impact bits and they have been really good. Possibly the best bits I’ve used. Or maybe the shiny gold color is clouding my judgment. I think i will buy a few more sets as I’ve heard these are discontinued.

https://www.amazon.com/Makita-B-60523-Impact-Phillips-PowerBit/dp/B07CBRM5Y1?tag=atomicindus08-20

Milwaukee: pretty good, slightly worse fit than Makita. Zero fractures, these will just wear out

Bosch: I like their double ended bits but in general the fitment doesn’t seem as great as Makita. These tend to fracture before they wear out

Dewalt: decent fitment but they fractured really fast. Do not recommend.


Are there any 1/4” impact bits that have really impressed you with their performance? Please share your experiences

 

[Dave455]

I’m generally quite unimpressed with any bits sold by power tool manufacturers. The Makita gold don’t sound too bad, but I’ve never tried those.

I’m equally unimpressed by any bits with a thin “torsion” zone. The whole point of an impact driver is to impart shocks to the fastener. Anything you do to reduce this reduces the effectiveness of the tool. I suspect the real reason that so many manufacturers do this is because their bits are not good enough quality to withstand the impacts.

I’ve found a few bit’s I’m really happy with.

PB Swiss are superb in all respects. Love these. They do cost a little more but they’re worth it.


Wera are also decent. They are not quite as costly as the PB Swiss, but don’t last quite as long. Value probably works out about the same. The advantages of Wera are that, for me at least, they are available just about anywhere (PB Swiss I have to order). They also offer a huge variety of tip types and lengths.


With Wera, you can always use a bit holder, and the short 25mm bits. I do this if I’m working with poor quality screws. This isn’t an option with PB Swiss - their short (C6) bits are hardened differently - they are almost everlasting when used by hand, but will shatter if used with an impact.


Vessel are also excellent, but many are designed to Japanese spec so need to be used with appropriate tools.

I’ve found Bosch to be “minimum acceptable” for me, but you notice the difference after using the others.

Whatever you use, bear in mind that impact bits are essentially a “consumable”, and plan accordingly!

 

[niget2002]

I buy Dewalt

I have not had the same fracture issue as you. I buy the ones with the yellow paint on the bit.

 

[nicks78camaro]

CBS35IS - 35 Piece Impact Bit Set

Made of durable impact-grade material. Withstands 75% more torsion than normal steel bits. Longer bit lengths included for greater access in tight places. Variety of tip styles and sizes for a wide range of applications. Includes: 1.25" Phillips® #1, Phillips® #2 (2), Phillips® #3, POZIDRIV® #1...

webcat.cornwelltools.com

I got this Cornwell set on a monthly special. Same as the Carlyle set from NAPA, but lifetime warranty from Cornwell. Seems to be good quality.

 

[Hakeem]

I’m generally quite unimpressed with any bits sold by power tool manufacturers. The Makita gold don’t sound too bad, but I’ve never tried those.

I’m equally unimpressed by any bits with a thin “torsion” zone. The whole point of an impact driver is to impart shocks to the fastener. Anything you do to reduce this reduces the effectiveness of the tool. I suspect the real reason that so many manufacturers do this is because their bits are not good enough quality to withstand the impacts.

I’ve found a few bit’s I’m really happy with.

PB Swiss are superb in all respects. Love these. They do cost a little more but they’re worth it.


Wera are also decent. They are not quite as costly as the PB Swiss, but don’t last quite as long. Value probably works out about the same. The advantages of Wera are that, for me at least, they are available just about anywhere (PB Swiss I have to order). They also offer a huge variety of tip types and lengths.


With Wera, you can always use a bit holder, and the short 25mm bits. I do this if I’m working with poor quality screws. This isn’t an option with PB Swiss - their short (C6) bits are hardened differently - they are almost everlasting when used by hand, but will shatter if used with an impact.


Vessel are also excellent, but many are designed to Japanese spec so need to be used with appropriate tools.

I’ve found Bosch to be “minimum acceptable” for me, but you notice the difference after using the others.

Whatever you use, bear in mind that impact bits are essentially a “consumable”, and plan accordingly!

Fantastic post Dave, I appreciate the thorough explanation. A cursory search shows that prices for the Wera & PB Swiss bits are no more than for the Milwaukee or Makita stuff. A single 6” PH2 Milwaukee is $8.50 at my Home Depot, for example.

I buy Dewalt

I have not had the same fracture issue as you. I buy the ones with the yellow paint on the bit.

Hmmm, maybe I had a bad set? I had 4-5 bits fracture prematurely before I put the set down and moved on. I like my other dewalt stuff so I was definitely surprised

 

[MBfreak]

BACHO set. Guess name on box is S31
Come in a nice little box and VERY high quality. Total 30 pieces and driver
Ph1-3. PZ 1-3. Ph2 G ( ie japanese PH2) T10-30. Flat drivers 3, 4,5,5,5. Hex 2 to 6 mm

Seems to last forever.

Ola

 

[Dave455]

Fantastic post Dave, I appreciate the thorough explanation. A cursory search shows that prices for the Wera & PB Swiss bits are no more than for the Milwaukee or Makita stuff. A single 6” PH2 Milwaukee is $8.50 at my Home Depot, for example.

In fairness, I’ve never used Milwaukee bits. I know a couple of tradesman who do, and they seem satisfied.

Yes, I’ve tended to find that the good bits, bought wisely online, are no more costly than lesser ones bought locally. I’m in the U.K. where we have an abundance of “DIY” shops, which are generally the worst place to buy anything!

My most used impact is currently my baby 12v Bosch. I generally carry Wera bits with it, and I’ve found that the 3 1/2” do about 90% of what I need.


Though I have 2 inch and 6 inch if needed.


Wera also offer various sets with good selections of 1 inch bits. I tend to chuck one of these in my bag if ever I think I might encounter the unexpected, which is most of the time now I think about it.


The Wera set above, with 30 bits and a holder, can be had for the equivalent of $17. Not sure if they are comparable priced where you are.

 

[64C10]

I recently picked up a set of “Montana Brand” from Tractor Supply, and I really like them. USA made and a pretty good price point.

 

[four.cycle]

^ Interesting. I wasn't aware Montana (Rocky Mountain Twist) was making "bits". Can't comment on those, but my buddy was greatly impressed with their "hex drive drill bits" on a job that required him to drill about 400 holes.

I bought a big "Vessel" set, which more than adequately serves my needs.
I've also been using various other brands - everything from the "two for a buck" garbage you find at the check-out aisle to the more spendy stuff.

Thus far, the one I use most commonly - the #2 Phillips bit - I've been most impressed with is the Wera that I bought two years ago when we replaced the south wall of the house - and it wasn't spendy! Far better than others I've tried (which does NOT include: PB Swiss, Bosch, or Milwaukee)(the Milwaukee bits are still in the packages, unopened.)

YMMV

 

[welder4956]

The Wera set above, with 30 bits and a holder, can be had for the equivalent of $17. Not sure if they are comparable priced where you are.

$30 USD on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/WERA-05057440001-Bit-Check-Metal-Pieces/dp/B0CVXT54ZZ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Rusted Nut]

We go through a ton of #2 Philips bits on our job sites. Makita gold are really good. Vermont American IMO, are the best for fit and longevity. Milwaukee are surprisingly good, and are available most anywhere for a reasonable cost.

 

[nicks78camaro]

I recently picked up a set of “Montana Brand” from Tractor Supply, and I really like them. USA made and a pretty good price point.

I was not thrilled with Montana torx bits when I built my deck. Although not sure if any bits would survive how many screws it took. Just thought they'd have done better than my Milwaukee or DeWalt torx bits.

 

[Hakeem]

In fairness, I’ve never used Milwaukee bits. I know a couple of tradesman who do, and they seem satisfied.

Yes, I’ve tended to find that the good bits, bought wisely online, are no more costly than lesser ones bought locally. I’m in the U.K. where we have an abundance of “DIY” shops, which are generally the worst place to buy anything!

My most used impact is currently my baby 12v Bosch. I generally carry Wera bits with it, and I’ve found that the 3 1/2” do about 90% of what I need.


Though I have 2 inch and 6 inch if needed.


Wera also offer various sets with good selections of 1 inch bits. I tend to chuck one of these in my bag if ever I think I might encounter the unexpected, which is most of the time now I think about it.


The Wera set above, with 30 bits and a holder, can be had for the equivalent of $17. Not sure if they are comparable priced where you are.

In fairness, I have no complaints about the Milwaukee bits. Never had a single one break.

Personally I run the short bits in a bit holder with a “sleeve”:


Mostly because I wear gloves at work and it gives me a place to hold without twisting my glove up. The added screw retention is nice when needed. I also pack a 6” PH2 but given the cost I try to reserve its use for when needed for accessibility.

We go through a ton of #2 Philips bits on our job sites. Makita gold are really good. Vermont American IMO, are the best for fit and longevity. Milwaukee are surprisingly good, and are available most anywhere for a reasonable cost.

These sound intriguing, are you using the extra hard screwdriver bits? Or the Icebits? Their website wasn’t very helpful.

 

[teknikfrog]

In fairness, I’ve never used Milwaukee bits. I know a couple of tradesman who do, and they seem satisfied.

Yes, I’ve tended to find that the good bits, bought wisely online, are no more costly than lesser ones bought locally. I’m in the U.K. where we have an abundance of “DIY” shops, which are generally the worst place to buy anything!

My most used impact is currently my baby 12v Bosch. I generally carry Wera bits with it, and I’ve found that the 3 1/2” do about 90% of what I need.


Though I have 2 inch and 6 inch if needed.


Wera also offer various sets with good selections of 1 inch bits. I tend to chuck one of these in my bag if ever I think I might encounter the unexpected, which is most of the time now I think about it.


The Wera set above, with 30 bits and a holder, can be had for the equivalent of $17. Not sure if they are comparable priced where you are.

Hold up. We're not gonna talk about your bit storage there?

If I didn't know better I'd say those are soda bottle blow molding blanks.

 

[username2]

Lemme go look....

Apex.

 

[Dave455]

Hold up. We're not gonna talk about your bit storage there?

If I didn't know better I'd say those are soda bottle blow molding blanks.

Those are just plastic tubes I bought surplus.

I tend to struggle a bit with storage, especially for stuff that needs to be portable. A lot of the plastic boxes you get are the wrong size, or the compartments are the wrong shapes.

At base I use a lot of plastic bottles and tubes now. They are completely damp proof if needed, and with some different sizes I’ve got total flexibility.

I tend to get them from a machine tool dealer I visit. He buys a load of surplus, and all the “****” - lab equipment, office supplies etc gets stored upstairs. You can get 20 plastic bottles for a pound or two.

Think I paid £5 for a hundred of those tubes. They were some sort of lab specimen tube. Ironically, I was struggling to find a use for them, as they don’t stand up, but they turned out to be just right for storing bits.

 

[niget2002]

Hmmm, maybe I had a bad set? I had 4-5 bits fracture prematurely before I put the set down and moved on. I like my other dewalt stuff so I was definitely surprised

Maybe it was the bits? Dewalt makes bits specific for the drivers. They have the skinny shank like the ones in your original picture. Their normal 1/4" bits are for use in normal drills. Or maybe I'm just lucky.

 

[WildBill]

I use a lot of #2 Philips bits at work and the Makita Gold are some of the longest lasting that I've tried. Milwaukee are ok, Wera's are maybe better than either of those. The worst name brand ones we have tried are Dewalt, they don't seem to grip or last very long at all.

 

[bonneyman]

I managed to snag a partial set of the Makita Gold bits awhile back and I think they're pretty good.

Though if I were starting out all over again I think I'd be in the PB Swiss/ Wera camp!

 

[mikey03]

Milwaukee and honestly I won’t ever wear it out I mostly do car stuff and I’m not using it that much for that there isn’t that many Philips head screws around in places that an impact driver can fit. There’s a few here and there but not enough to wear out bits for what I do

 

[Odd-job]

Pretty sure the Makita Golds #2 Phillips that everyone loves were made in Japan by Vessel. I wish I had bought more before the big box stores or Makita started sourcing bits from another country/manufacturer.

I love PB Swiss, but haven't seen impact versions of their bits.

Vega from Zoro has been pretty good to me in P2 form.

Dewalt and Milwaukee and really anything carried by the big box stores will probably get the job done, but won't give you that tickle of high quality.

 

[finn]

Dewalt, Bosch, and even the Masterforce from Menards work for me.

I generally misplace them before I wear them out, but I’m not a tradesman.

 

[Rusted Nut]

These sound intriguing, are you using the extra hard screwdriver bits? Or the Icebits? Their website wasn’t very helpful.

Just the regular hard bits. Didn’t know about the ice bits until I just looked them up.

 

[andypress]

Project farm has a couple of reviews covering this:

 

[Elevator Scott]

Does anyone have any Chapman sets? Maybe wouldn't use in an impact? Made in USA. Can get at HJE. Their slotted bit design has me interested. Supposed to have a nice parallel grind at the tip. Curious if anyone can say how good they are.
I have DeWalt bits and the ph2's do seem to be trash after very few oops cam outs. I generally avoid Philips though. Do have a big set of Milwaukee now. Seems pretty comparable. Think one of the Robertson #2's twisted a bit so must be pretty ductile?

 

[35k0]

I am a big fan of the Bosch line. Have had nothing but good luck with them, zero issues.

Amazon.com

 

[sparky 1971]

I use Bosch insert bits, not because I think they're any better than another brand, but because that's what Menards carries. I will add that when I put new boards on my deck, I ran in 55 pounds of 2-1/2" screws in with one T25.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I am a big fan of the Bosch line. Have had nothing but good luck with them, zero issues.

Amazon.com

I like Bosch too. No breaks, they don't wear much, they're distributed widely and the organizers work for me. I stuff them with power drive extensions and 1/4 flip sockets and Malco magnetic drivers.

I do feel Apex are a high end product. I ended up with torx bits from them after having a bad run of cheap ones. Worked great, and I had great life out of P2 also. If I had future failure in another brand, I would order them without pause.

Is Wera the only extension that holds both power drive shanks and regular bits?

 

[xjfish]

I've had good luck with Milwaukee. I keep a lot of cheap "junk" around and use it/lose it also.

 

[snickers muncher]

I worked in a factory for a while where I would sometimes drive about a thousand #2 self drilling philips screws a day with an air impact. The bits I was given were simply marked APEX. They would last for 10s of thousands of screws with very little wear. They would just one day shatter. Darn good bits.

For my own use Dewalt and Bosch have worked well for me.

 

[Digster]

I prefer Milwaukee and had the worst experience with any DeWalt bits. DeWalt tools I really like.

 

[Beerhippie]

I prefer Milwaukee and had the worst experience with any DeWalt bits. DeWalt tools I really like.

I bought a 15-pack of DeWalt MaxFit #2P (short impact bits w/yellow reduced shafts) a few years ago. I think there are still 13 in the box. I never found whatever screws they fit. Bosch are the best available locally.