Good Phillip bits??

[Toploader]

Sorry guys but I tried a search...
What bits do you all use that dont strip and round off after a couple of minutes?
I went through about 6 bits just putting some damn saw horses together for the shop :shaking: even tried a impact bit from my set and it sheared in half on the first self tapping screw. Bought some Vermont Americans, and DeWalts, but there not much better :confused: And yes the fit was good, im using the correct size and all.

Im adding on to my shop and would just like to be prepaired.

TIA for any recomendations.

Mark

[Bob from BC]

if you want to do any woodworking or screw things on that will be removed in the future, use Robertson, or square screw heads. They're rare in the States, but can be found. I throw out any slotted or philips head screws and use Robertson wherever I can.

http://beehome.info/sendword.php?sq_drive_1 (http://)

http://www.robertsonscrew.com/products.html (http://)


sorry, can't help you on your original question! :(

[Davethorik]

Hmm...at work I had a similar problem, but I was assembling school bus seats. DeWalt seemed to work best, but they would still break. Whatever you do, do NOT use Ace Hardware brand (if they are sold in Ca.). They were cheap chintzy pieces of ferret shit that broke if you looked at 'em wrong. The ends always snapped off.

[Toploader]

I think I will switch over to the square style. They are available around here, and at least worth a shot. I do need to remove some of the stuff like foundation forms/shelves/work benches and whatnot around the place....never had good luck using the phillips bits, they seem to slip and chunk up bad no matter how hard of pressure you put on them.

Thanks guys

Mark

[ChiScouter]

You want to get ahold of a Apex distributer and get some kind of a catalog. You want a ACR type bit that has groves running perpendicular to the length of the tip. IIRC we used to get ACR-X-I bits when I ordered them back in my aircraft mechanic days

[Toploader]

Good info as well, thanks ChiScouter I will look into it.

Mark

You want to get ahold of a Apex distributer and get some kind of a catalog. You want a ACR type bit that has groves running perpendicular to the length of the tip. IIRC we used to get ACR-X-I bits when I ordered them back in my aircraft mechanic days

[Toyota_Jim]

Square or torx. only way to go.
i used the torx on my 4x8 sheets of plywood walls in my shop. loved using them.

[fj40guy]

Dewalt is what I have the best luck with.

With the screwgun, I need to keep pressure on the screw. PITA when starting screws, but start, then move left hand to back of screw gun to keep the pressure up. About 1/20 screws are bad, not letting the bit set all way into the screw.

My 9 yr old daughter was helping yesterday with the shelves. Wiped out the bits after four screws due to lack of pressure on the screw gun. Drilled some pilot holes for her to start the screws with, no problem.

Tom :usa:

[steveh]

Drill pilot holes ................ or get a Impact screw gun .....

[killertoy]

I just was given some screw from my dad that his const company uses they are square and phillips combined. I am not sure what they are called but I won't buy anything but them now. Torx is what i prefferred in the past but I always seam to eat up bits with them also but I would say they are 2nd best.

[TLCObsession]

I find that Robertsons strip almost as much as phillips....

You can use a fine paste (valve grinding compound) to reduce slipping/stripping.

[jerseyzuks]

I have had pretty good luck with the DeWalts. I still have a few left from the bag I got 2 years ago. (25 per bag?)

[Toploader]

I must have gotten a bad batch of tips. I was pre-drilling and all, plenty of pressure, and still no luck. Im gonna get some square and torx's bits and try em out. Im done with those damn philips.

Thanks for all the info.


Mark :beer:

[frankenfab]

ACR Bits. You can get them off the Snap-On truck. About $1.50 ea.

#1 Stock SDM221IRB

#2 Stock SDM222IRB

#3 Stock SDM223IRB

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/OBJECTS/29200/29195.JPG

[Rat70FJ]

$1.50 a bit is pretty steep, but if they last probably worth it. Mark, I agree with the square/torx deal, but sometimes you've just got to use phillips. Dont buy the ones designed for drywall screws, They're not really a full bit and break/strip real easy, Try to find ones that look like a real, brand new #2 phillips driver. It's hard to describe, but you'll know the difference as soon as you see it. They last a bunch longer than the drywall type. Of course, if you didn't have such weanie arms you might actually be able to put some pressure on the bit!!!!

Kent

[Backncardr]

#3 anti cam out bit listed above is what I used for driving 3 " deck screws for my deck in a 1/2" Makita VSR drill. Toughest bit I ever sawr and then some. Dammit man u git what youse pays fer.

[SR5Dave]

"I dont have 6-pack abs.....I have 18-pack abs"

Its Keg, a keg is better than a 6 pack. :flipoff2: Thanks for the clod parts :D They have come in handy 1000 times over :D

As for the subject at hand, craftsman bits suck :rolleyes: ask me how I know.....

[Toploader]

Well there is a snap-on dealer across the street from a friends. I'll ask him for those bits, 1.50 aint shit for a good bit imo. Especially if it will last.
Thanks for the part #'s Frankenfab. :smokin:

Kent: Im putting roughly 108.22 lbs on the drill. 18V cordless & 3/8 Millwaukee
Pissed off-im putting all my 312lbs on it but I can hear the drill case start to crack, so I ussualy back off a few lbs till the smoke goes away. :flipoff2:

Dave! I can finish a 18pack.....not a keg....and yes ace/craftsman bits dont last at all. :D

Mark

[Scout Dork]

I picked up a bag of five double ended Dewalts from Lowes for about $4.00. Broke two, and stripped another. Found a Dewalt package of five at HD for $8.00, don't think they are worth that.
I guess I would buy the same pack again. Can't tell how many screws have been turned, but they seem to work vs. price, on 3" deck screws.
Tip: grind off the tip just a little. Found that they don't sit flush in deck screws with a pointy tip.
Scout Dork

[glfredrick]

I have used the Magna's and they are perhaps the best there are.

They have small grooves that help grab the cross, and they are hard and tough - so they neither snap off or bend.

Nothing is perfect, but they are far better than most.

Haven't shopped this site, but it is a link to the product:

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/toolsplus/power-tool--accessories--screwdriver--bits--phillips.html

And, their home site:

http://www.primarktoolgroup.com/content/pages/magna.html

A PDF document listing all the product specs and styles availible. I use the "power bits."

http://www.primarktoolgroup.com/content/PDF/first_half/ScrewdriverBits.pdf

[Gummi Bear]

An old finish carpenters trick (works for screws and nails):

This does two things for you at once; it keeps your wood from splitting as easily (especially useful in finish grade hardwoods) and also allows your fastener smoother penetration.

Dip 'em in beeswax. You should be able to get it from a good lumber supply. Parafin might work, but it will likely stain a good finish grade wood.

Beeswax link (http://shop.woodcraft.com/Woodcraft/product_family.asp?family_id=750&refcode=04ING028)

I can use the cheap ass Vermont American tips and not break them for months at a time. Keep an eye on your torque setting on the drill, sounds like you're running it pretty hard. I shoot a lot of screws into every material imaginable (commercial/industrial electrician). If I'm buying them to keep on hand though, I do opt for the DeWalt tips. They just seem to have a better gripping surface.

[Bmf24]

i bought some vermont american ICE bits and they have held up the best so far.
I also try to use square as much as i can

[ChiScouter]

i bought some vermont american ICE bits and they have held up the best so far.
I also try to use square as much as i can


I don't know about those cryo ice bits we have found them to be very very brittle.

[66CJdean]

Send some bits to me and I'll do them as a sample if you like. If VA doesn't put them in a +300* oven after cryo they will be brittle.

[jeeplord]

Try using a clutch drill, it only turns the screw when you have pressure on in. I run a thousand or so screws a day (steel stud framing and drywall) and I go through a bit once a month if I'm lucky.

--I use grabber bits---

[Sully]

An old finish carpenters trick (works for screws and nails):

This does two things for you at once; it keeps your wood from splitting as easily (especially useful in finish grade hardwoods) and also allows your fastener smoother penetration.

Dip 'em in beeswax. You should be able to get it from a good lumber supply. Parafin might work, but it will likely stain a good finish grade wood.

Beeswax link (http://shop.woodcraft.com/Woodcraft/product_family.asp?family_id=750&refcode=04ING028)

I can use the cheap ass Vermont American tips and not break them for months at a time. Keep an eye on your torque setting on the drill, sounds like you're running it pretty hard. I shoot a lot of screws into every material imaginable (commercial/industrial electrician). If I'm buying them to keep on hand though, I do opt for the DeWalt tips. They just seem to have a better gripping surface.


I've always just used soap.

[Toyota FJ40]

As far as the original question, the best bit that I have seen is made by Wera, the web page is www.wera.de it is a german company. I have their screwdrivers they are awesome. As far as phillips bits go they have diamond coated bits that are sweet, but they are like 3 bucks a piece.

[Toploader]

Thanks for all the info guys, appreciate it.

We actually had decent luck getting my concrete forms for the shop in place, trying to use up the box of phillips I have.
The old man uses wax, but seems just for smaller screws.... well that just sounds wrong... :laughing:
I talked to some framers at the job site, and they had these square style bits all over. I cant find a pic of them though. The were like a square with another slightly rotated square. Hard to explain, and not quite like a torx bit.
Said they need to buy a new gun at the end of the job before the tip wears out. They use them for all the plywood flooring/roof.
Im gonna check these out too, as long as I can find a bit localy.

[jeeplord]

Are you referring to the bits that look like 4 squares together? Usually they come with quick drive collated guns, you just need to replace the bits, and teir was usually one in each box of screws.