QUALITY bit holders for impact driver
I would like to know if anyone has suggestions for a quality bit holder for impact drivers.
I want something short that holds the bit secure and will release the bit when I need to change it.
I do fine with putting a bit with the detent groove directly into the driver, but often would like the magnetism you get with a bit holder. Thought about just trying to magnetize bits but don’t think I would get the same strength of magnatism that the bit holders provide.
Also, have found a problem with my 12 volt Panasonic impact driver that I wondered if others have.
I do remodeling and still run into a few slotted head screws that need removed. I thought a double ended bit – one slotted, one phillips would be handy in the impact driver. Problem is, every bit like that I have bought only fits with the phillips end in the driver. When I try to put the standard end into the driver to use the phillips – the collar will not lock the bit in. Seems the socket is just a little too shallow. There is a small concave spot in the middle so the phillips end fits in there, but the outside corners of the standard bit catch.
so, Anyone want to talk driver bits and holders?
Replies
I used to use the Dewalt locking bit holders, but I missed the magnetism. In desperation I purchased a Ryobi mag tip. I have been using it for about 2 years with no problems. The bit sticks in the fastener recess about once per thousand drives, so I can't complain.
Jon Blakemore
McFeely's sell a magnet, about the size of a quarter and a quarter inch thick, hex hole in the middle, slips over your bit, ten bucks.
http://store.yahoo.com/squaredrive/mh-2420.html
Doug I am going to have to get a couple of those way to cool.What I hate is being 30' in the air and go to put in the next screw and no tip most of the time its stuck in the previous screw but when it falls its gone I always put a couple of bits in my coin pocket in the morning just for that.
ANDYSZ2I MAY DISAGREE WITH WHAT YOUR SAYING BUT I WILL DEFEND TO THE DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT.
Remodeler/Punchout
I have the 15.6v drill/driver and got a foam bit holder. I think aobut 79cents and it and adhesive back. Use that to keep serveral different bits available at all times.
This is it: expensive, but i threw the rest of mine away.
http://www.wihatools.com/RapidFix.htm
Does it have a magnet and will it hold 1" wire detent tips?
Mr T
I can't afford to be affordable anymore
I actually have the red version of this holder ( http://www.wihatools.com/clicfix.htm ), which you pull the sleeve back to release the bit. However, I think that the blue version, which you push forward to release the bit is better because it is harder to accidently release the bit. I am assuming that this version also is magnetic, but after looking at the description again, it doesnt specifically say (the red version is magnetic, and holds 1" bits). Maybe these are different?
I also own a couple of these: http://www.wera.de/cgi-bin/vshop?ID=109970051855&CATEGORY=MECHTOOLS&VSCP=97146521498&MAINVSCP=97146420719&TEMPLATE=9736088379&HP_ACTION=SHOW&HTML=wera_products/wera_products.html
They're also nice (but not quite as compact), won't accidently release, are magnetic, and hold 1" bits.
Are you using that in an impact driver? I had the red one by the same company and liked it quite a bit in the drill - didn't last but a week in the impact
No, thats in a regular drill...
what i really want is someone to recommend screwdriver bits for my panasonic.
i snapped about 10 yesterday, and it doesn't seem to make any difference how much i play for them i've tried them all including the special impact driver ones with the torsion zone thing.
OK so i was putting 3 1/2" screws in to sapele without pilot holes but still its really annoying!!!
anyone any ideas????
i've had the best luck with bosch, 'defaults' are a waste of money, but had surprisingly good performance with cheapy vermont american 'ice-hardened' bits.
m
Kostello
I was going to tell you to not buy Bosch bits, I see Mitch likes them.
I had a little container of them, I was snapping them off left and right, finally gave the rest of them to someone at work. POS, same for the Bosch bit holder.
I have some brand that I bought at a tool store, cant find the container, but have never had one snap yet. Have to go look.
Doug
I've had fine experiences with both Bosch and DeWalt bits. Folks that have helped me, have not had the same joys...with them, it seemed to hinge on the casual way they lined up the bit and the screw...now McFeely's #1 square drives, there's some worthless bits...
For impact driver bit holders, I'd love to find one that lasts, too. DeWalt is ok, I like the 3" kind with the sliding sleeve, but the sleeves all pull off after a couple of months. I'm trying an Hitachi now, but it's only been about a month...I've had some others that the bit holder fell off the hex shank. I think they were Bosch.
Any way, I think impact drivers are hard on bits and holders. After a lot of use, I've broken a few of both;-) Don't worry, we can fix that later!
i should probably add that i don't go through a lot of bits in any event, so whatever differences i've observed could easily be the result of variations from one batch to another. i might have just been lucky with a few packs of bosch and picked up some crappy dewalts- the luck of the draw- i don't know how consistent quality control is and for all we know, they're all made by the same friggin factory in china!
m
Hell I'm wondering if they are not all made in the same place, dropped from the same bin, into the same containers with different labels!
Hey, they could have the same labels...when I need bits, I look for the last ones that crapped out on me, I grab the next one over<G>...there is definitlely a different shape thing going on...<G> Don't worry, we can fix that later!
I was a Lincoln-Mercury A/C and electrical tech for 20 yrs, and I STILL buy all driver bits from Snap-on. They really DO make the best hand tools you can buy re sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, ect. Their stuff is expensive, but I won't use anything else. Look for a Snap-on truck parked at a local auto service center, call Snap-on and get the cell phone# of the dealer that serves your area, or go here:
http://www.snapon.com/
Note that the shipping charges for online sales are absurd.
That is probably to protect their franchisees. If I had paid what it cost to field one of those trucks I would be unhappy if the mothership sold them too reasonable.
I hadn't thought about that, but you're probably right...
I've has great success with Lee Valley screwdriver bits. I've NEVER stripped one, usualyy just loose them
Quality repairs for your home.
Aaron the HandymanVancouver, Canada
I have had great luck with B&D (walmart was near by) bits lasting for a long time. Bosch and dewalt kept poping and, like others, gets to be a real pain!