Not much to ask for my 1st post ; ). Just would like to hear what u folks think, i have about 100 bits in the tool box ..some round off / get ate up in a hurry …I dig looking for one I like , but now I’m down to the junk…so before i run off and get a new supply . what “bits’ are u guys using now days? The kind I’ve liked in the pass have “teeth” on the walls and a smaller shank…
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
A rear addition provides a small-scale example of how to frame efficiently.
Featured Video
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Fine Home Building
Follow
-
Fine Homebuilding
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial Now -
GBA Prime
Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
Most of the bits I have-come from the box and..............
from my tool supplier-out of his plexi case on the counter.
Sometimes from my drywall supply.
And most recently got some of those ribbed tips you speak of. I guess I like them-less chance of camming out..............but if I'm driving alot of phillips into wood, I'll predrill.
For drywall, that isn't the way it goes-so maybe I do like the new style bits........
But, if driving anything of substance and not caring if someone wants to remove it later and doesn't have the star bits-that's what I go for. They drive well, least chance of breaking or stripping off the tips.
But my big complaint about them are the myriad numbers of sizes. There's no excuse for it. There should only be 3, not 5or6. They're too close in size-if not the colored ones I got from GRK, I've got to look at the little ass 'd number.
Bits with teeth
Bits with ribs (teeth) are available from Vermont American (Ice Bits) and "Phillips II" which is a Lowes brand.
The "and a smaller shank" qualifier says these are "reduced" Phillips - designated as "P2R" on the bit - not terribly easy to find, Bosch makes them and they are my favorite for use in my drywall screw gun. They can also be very handy for extracting screws with dinged up heads - the reduced diameter tip seems to seat a little deeper and facilitates backing out a damaged screw head.
But, none of these answers your question - my favorite full sized #2 Phillips bits are the Bosch TIN coated bits, I seem to have better luck with these than any other. Lowes stocks them here in a spring loaded plastic thingy which looks very much like a .22 rifle clip.
Jim
Best Phillips Bits
The best for me are the ones in the big fish bowl at the checkout that you grab and pay by their weight. Any better ideas for the budget minded?
Vermont american (prolly made in Taiwan)
> 10 years ago, when the only HF store was still on harbor avenue down the street from disneyland, their catalog often had 'one of' items.
One of the items was a bag of 100 #2 bits from VA. Great bits, recall they were $1.39 per bag, still have a few score as only bought 3 bags.... lost or gave away most of 'em.
A bit off topic, but a minor point some may not be aware of: You know those "Phillips" screws on European-style concealed hinges that your screwdriver always seems to slip out of? That's not because it's a lousy screwdriver, that's because the screws are not Phillips, they're PosiDrive.
If anyone does any work with concealed hinges they want to have a few PosiDrive bits in their toolbox. They work A LOT better than Phillips on those screws.