Impact driver bits

smiffy · Post by **smiffy** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 7:15 pm

Just got a Ryobi One+ impact driver of ebay for £45. Just wondering, is it really necessary to use bits specifically made for impact drivers or will ordinary bits be OK?

Hitch · Post by **Hitch** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 7:28 pm

I dont use specific impact bits, but good quality bits and bit holders are essential.

Wera ones get my vote

Cheap junk holders split and the bits break every half a dozen screws

chippymike · Post by **chippymike** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:31 pm

my box of 25 dewalts the £6.00 ones are holding up most the time, run out of wera bits. I must get some as wera are the dogs rude bits

skiking · Post by **skiking** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:38 pm

Funnily enough I bought some this morning as I needed a flat head. I tend to use the quick change variety which was why it proved hard to find what I was looking for this morning unless I wanted to buy 20 of the same - and I didn't.

stevemastic · Post by **stevemastic** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:17 am

I have found the dewalt ones a bit soft

as hitch says wera do there own impact bits

but they do sugest a bi-torsional bit holder

handyman · Post by **handyman** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:20 am

another vote for the wera bit holders

also get wera bits

Hoovie · Post by **Hoovie** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:43 am

Any noticable difference between standard steel and the ones that are described as 'titanium coated'?

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:13 am

I have not tried the wera, but I have tried Wiha- http://www.wihatools.com/pro_BitSets.htm

I bought a set of diamond coated ones from screwfix and they were fantastic. Screwfix don't seem to sell them anymore.

The impregnated diamond particles grip the screw and prevent cam out. I once overboarded a ceiling and used bugle headed dry wall screws. The screwdriver bits gripped the screws so well that you could let go of the drill and it would stay there upside down, held only by the contact between the screw and the screwdriver bit

I would not use ordinary bits in an impact driver as there is much more torque and normal bits will probably easily break.

Hoovie · Post by **Hoovie** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:57 am

ultimatehandyman wrote:I have not tried the wera, but I have tried Wiha- http://www.wihatools.com/pro_BitSets.htm

I bought a set of diamond coated ones from screwfix and they were fantastic. Screwfix don't seem to sell them anymore.

The impregnated diamond particles grip the screw and prevent cam out. I once overboarded a ceiling and used bugle headed dry wall screws. The screwdriver bits gripped the screws so well that you could let go of the drill and it would stay there upside down, held only by the contact between the screw and the screwdriver bit

I would not use ordinary bits in an impact driver as there is much more torque and normal bits will probably easily break.

When the wife asks for Diamonds, now I know what I can buy her

smiffy · Post by **smiffy** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 7:19 pm

UHM There are diamond coated bits in the latest SFX catalogue - number 90. Are these the ones that you are on about?

http://www.screwfix.com/cats/100403/Scr ... oated-Bits

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 7:52 pm

smiffy wrote:UHM There are diamond coated bits in the latest SFX catalogue - number 90. Are these the ones that you are on about?

http://www.screwfix.com/cats/100403/Scr ... oated-Bits

They are similar, but mine were made by wiha.

I have not tried the wera bits yet.

They are probably very similar, they could even be made in the same factory.

owen · Post by **owen** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:08 pm

i have used the wera and wiha ones, both are very similar, and both are very good, streets ahead of the standard ones, which are a total waste of time.

you will still break a few with an impact driver though.

Hitch · Post by **Hitch** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 12:12 am

I find cam out is minimal with impact drivers anyway. I wouldnt say i have ever noticed a difference between ti-coated ones... the 'acr' ribbed ones are good though. As for diamond, never tried as i have neved had a problem with standars ones, sounds a bit gimicky to me

smiffy · Post by **smiffy** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:04 pm

Thanks to all of you for your replies, much appreciated. Smiffy