Phillip Head Driver bits??

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jttheclockman

jttheclockman

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I am looking for good quality phillip head driver bits like used for sheet rock screws and other screws. It seems over the years they have become so cheap no matter what brand I try. Looking for #2, #3 and #4. I have tried ones they call premium but still strip so easily. Anyone with a proven brand and where did you get them? Thanks
 
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Hi JT,

Although the quality of some products seems to be fluid because of the quality/price trade-off caused by inflation.

I've been happy so far I have been using and am happy with the Makita Impact XPS bits. Mine have a titanium nitride coating.

The Milwaukee Shockwave bits have always been considered a top of the line product. If I didn't already have a lifetime supply of Maktia bits I would likely buy Milwaukee.

A few years ago, Project Farm did a review of several brands of screwdriver bits. Makita and Whia bits were always in the group of best performers in their testing. (Makita bits did pretty good as well and so did Bosch.

I'm curious to hear what others have to say so I will be following your thread!

Dave
 
I had trouble driving a sheet rock screw in oak. Solved the problem: run the screw in and out to cut threads, then drilled the hole in the second part a bit bigger.
Cradle.2.jpg
 
Mortalis said:
Are the driver heads stripping or are the screw heads stripping?

Are you using the wrong screws? <Video>
Click to expand...
Driver heads are stripping. The screws I use are various styles. from standard sheetrock to outdoor stainless and some coated screws. I have tried with standard screw gun, standard drill driver and also impact driver. Seems all have same effect. I have used Bosch, Dewalt, Klien. and bought some Diablo bits about a month ago and all do not hold up. Now none of these are coated with anything so maybe I need to try those.
 
I'm a big fan of the Star Drive, aka Torx, head as well and always try to find them first. When I first dumped most of my inventory of Phillips head screws I went to square drive, aka Robertson as they were the standard that came with Kreg pocket hole tools. My leap to mostly Star Drive came though when I found Milescraft Star Drive pocket screws a few years ago. Of course I still have quite a few Phillips and Robertson screws on hand, but for anything new I always try to get Star Drive first. Even black drywall screws are available with Torx now. - Dave
 
A couple things. I do know it is a no no to use sheet rock screws in wood projects but when hanging sheetrock I buy a course thread sheetrock screw because that is made for wood as where the fine threads are for metal studs. I am not over driving when hanging sheetrock so that is the screw for that. But the bits wear out too fast. Now maybe I need to start using more torx head screws for woodworking projects. That could be a problem solver. I just did a project today which is still part of my reorganizing my work shop. I put a couple shelves under my scrollsaws so that I can store some woodworking jigs. Very simple project. Drill the frame so screws bypass that. Was screwing into standard 2X4. We all know what quality they are today so nothing like the old hard stuff. I was using. #8 x 1-1/2" Inch Wood Screws Phillips Modified Truss Head Stainelss Steel 410 Self Tapping Metal Screws,Black Zinc. Used these for many different projects. Today they had a hard time with stripping the bit and then it rounded the screw head. Changed bits a few times till I finally got the project done. Thus is what prompted me to ask question. Screwing into plywood is not a problem but 2X4 material proved a problem.
 
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I had quite a few Phillips head driver bits (the ones that come 'bulk' in a small container from DeWalt. I didnt like them very much as they never really seemed to fit the Phillips head screws very securely. I bought a set of the DeWalt Elite Series Impact Driver Phillips head bits and they fit the screws much better plus they are rated for use with a impact driver. They do not show any signs of wear.
I am in the process switching over to all Torx screws and bits. I have never stripped the driver or the screws using the Torx system.
 
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