Hey All,

I just got yesterday the Makita 14.4 kit that includes their impact
driver (as well as drill/driver, and worklight).

In preparation, I bought a "screwdriver" (first clue?) bit set (40pc.)
by Hitachi - but it's all 1/4" hex shank, as I need, so I figured they
would work fine. And there was nothing on the packaging about NOT
using them w/ impact drivers.

Well, it didn't take long to shatter not one, but two P2 (phillips)
bits driving cement board screws into 1/4" cement board/ply subfloor.

They shattered right at the end of the drive, as the head of the screw
was nearly flush w/ the backerboard.

My question is: should I be looking for driver bits SPECIFICALLY for
impact drivers?

Thanks,
Chris

"TheNewGuy" wrote in
oups.com:

snip
Well, it didn't take long to shatter not one, but two P2 (phillips)
bits driving cement board screws into 1/4" cement board/ply subfloor.

They shattered right at the end of the drive, as the head of the screw
was nearly flush w/ the backerboard.

My question is: should I be looking for driver bits SPECIFICALLY for
impact drivers?


I had three phillips bits break, doing the same thing, with a 12v DeWalt
(3/8") drill driver. Sometimes, I think it's just the cheap bits.

There is a reason some of them are 49 cents, and some are $2. My hardware
guy has the better ones, if I ask for them.

BTW, congrats on the impact driver. The Bosch I got is wonderful, and I
can't imagine the Makita won't serve you well for quite a while. Lots
easier on the shoulder and elbow.

Patriarch

Thanks Patriarch. So, are the good bits you buy branded?? And have
you tried any of Bosch's bits? I was thinking that'd be my replacement
after I return the Hitachi bits. But then I got to (pessimistically)
thinking that these "kits" are probably all coming off the same factory
in Taiwan, and just badged at the end of the line....

If you have a brand, that'd be good.

Thanks,
Chris

On 2005/9/23 12:15 PM, "TheNewGuy" wrote:


In preparation, I bought a "screwdriver" (first clue?) bit set (40pc.)
by Hitachi - but it's all 1/4" hex shank, as I need, so I figured they
would work fine.

Well, it didn't take long to shatter not one, but two P2 (phillips)
bits driving cement board screws into 1/4" cement board/ply subfloor.


My question is: should I be looking for driver bits SPECIFICALLY for
impact drivers?

Yes. Look in the section of a good tool store where they sell air tools. You
will find socket and screwdriver bits design for both hand and powered
impact tools.

"TheNewGuy" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hey All,

I just got yesterday the Makita 14.4 kit that includes their impact
driver (as well as drill/driver, and worklight).

In preparation, I bought a "screwdriver" (first clue?) bit set (40pc.)
by Hitachi - but it's all 1/4" hex shank, as I need, so I figured they
would work fine. And there was nothing on the packaging about NOT
using them w/ impact drivers.
Unless the package says it is usable with impact drivers (because these cost
more to make and buy), they will break and do other bad things.
Jim

Jim (& Robert) - thanks for your replies.

-Chris

TheNewGuy wrote:

Apex is a good brand of 1/4" hex screwdriver bits. You'll probably have to
get them from an industrial distributor rather than Home Despot, however.

--
--Steve

so far I have not had any problems with bits from a couple of local
stores. they seem to be good and they are not a name brand and they
are not junk. my sockets have held up fine to the impact driver too.
sometimes name brands are junk in disguise. and full sets can be the
worst.
Knight-Toolworks
http://www.knight-toolworks.com
affordable handmade wooden planes

wrote:
On Fri, 23 Sep 2005 18:15:30 -0700, Steve wrote:

If you really use your driver a lot you will find these bits are
consumables.

Based on my experience this past weekend, I'd have to agree w/ you.
Though I think my rate of "consumption" is a bit high, but that may
have something to do w/ technique. More on that in a bit.

So, I returned the Hitachi set to Lowe's, and then found someone
working in the tool area to explain my situation to. Short answer,
they didn't have any driver bits that were specifically for impact
drivers; even checked in the air tools section, w/ no luck.

Went "next door" to HD. Same thing, went to the tools section and
explained the sitch. No, nothing specific, "but if you want the best"
- he took me to the Hilti display. He explained that "these bits"
(pointing to bits) are use in "these tools" (pointing to high-torque
corded drivers; but no impact drivers that I saw...) So, this time I
waffled between a set/kit and just a bunch of P2s. I bought the kit.
The Hilti lasted longer; drove a couple dozen before one of the bits
snapped its tip off. Then the other happened pretty quickly. With
this sample size of two, there SEEMED to be a common failure mechanism:
in both cases, I think I was attempting to snug down a screw that I
hadn't driven fully flush w/ the backer board. So, it was a screw that
was nearly fully driven, that I tried to apply torque to and the driver
bit snapped. Hm.

OK. Returned the Hilti - interesting side story there. Turns out
that HD's return policy is superceded by Hilti's - there is a Hilti rep
in-store at HD M-F and they have to approve ALL returns of their
products. I, of course, was there on a Saturday, and there seemed to
be concern by the girl taking my return that they might not be able to
get it approved; ultimately, the store manager (via phone) approved it.
The girl helping me expressed some frustration w/ Hilti's policy; I
pointed out that as the consumer I didn't see any special notification
of a differet return policy for Hilti - nothing was posted; not there
at the return desk, and not at the Hilti display. She said they try to
put up a sign at the Hilti display noting their special return policy,
but the Hilti rep keeps taking it down! Go figure.

Finally, I went w/ the notion they're consumables, and bought a 30-pk
of P2s from DeWalt, at 30 cents each. (The Hilti bits were on the
order of $2/ea.). Definitely softer v. Hilti/Hitachi; the DeWalts
twisted, and only 1 broke outright. I went through 9 in the course of
driving 70+ cement board screws. I think part of it is technique: when
I would try to time the release of the trigger as the screw began to
countersink itself, I was also lifting off the screw; I think this is
a problem, as it's possible that an impact is being applied when the
driver tip is being lifted partway out of the screw slot. When I made
a concerted effort to stay on the screw until the driver completely
stopped, the bit lasted much longer.

So, that's my experience. Thanks for all the feedback here.

-Chris