Hexagonal Bits

[njf]

Keep an eye for the Bosch hex box that looks like a huge bit, I got two sets and use them hard, not broken one yet! One set in the tool box, one in the cordless drill box.

Niel.

[John]

Anybody have any recommendations for a manufacturer/supplier of good quality hexagonal bits. You know the type you use for screwdriving in y'cordless! Every one I have had, that usually come with the drill, may aswell be made of Plasticine, after a few uses they are bin fodder! I don't mind paying a reasonable amount as long as the quality is worth it, are the Screwfix (Bargain Bob's!!!) any good?

If any one can actually give me any feedback on their own experiences rather than "B&Q, Focus, Homebase, Screwfix, etc. etc. sell 'em" I would really appreciate it.

Many thanks

John

[Andy Hall]

Wiha ones are good. From Axminster, among others. .andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

[Jim]

Go to a nearby garage and find out when the Snap-on-Tools dealer comes on his weekly visit. They won't be cheap but are the best you will ever find.

[stefek.zaba]

I've found the ones made by CK to be decent non-exotic items: not so soft they wear out from just the thought of looking at a screw, not so hard as to chew up screwheads. RS sell them at their usual full prices, and Farnell carry them too, so CPC (Farnell in disguise) should sell them too. I personally find the 100mm length is a nicer one to use than the usual stubby 25mm: less clearance needed for the power-screwdriver close to the work, and the length seems to absorb some of the stop-start twisting shock usefully.

I've also a set of the "Wera" allegedly diamond-coated bits; haven't worn them out, but haven't used them hard either.

HTH, Stefek

[Andy Dingley]

Wiha or Snap-on. Wiha are better, but Snap-on have a good replacement policy. Snap-on make the necks of the straight-slot bits too narrow, so they're prone to twisting here.

Wiha do a "Quattro" that's coated with diamond dust. Very good for avoiding cam-out, but the coating comes off easily so don't use them for "everyday".

Snap-on also make _the_best_ ratchet handles, especially the T-handle versions (good toolboxes for them too). They also do ultra-small screwdrivers that are no more than a hex bit pushed into an acetate handle - about 1 1/2" long overall, and damned useful for under-dashboard jobs. Cheap too.

-- Klein bottle for rent. Apply within.

[John Stumbles]

I buy the gold ones from Screwfix, 10 at a time (for Pozi#2s, at least). They work and last reaonably well and aren't too expensive to throw away and replace when they do get knackered - which can happen anytime, if you slip on a screwhead.

I go the other way, and use 25mm bits in a 150mm holder (£5 from Bargain Bob's) for most work.

-- John Stumbles

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-+ procrastinate now!

[The Natural Philosopher]

None last forever. They either burr over or shatter.

Just by a shedload of the ones you use a lot, and bin the dead ones.

Its probably like razor baldes used to be - gillette lasted 4 shaves and cost a penny,

wilkinson sword lasted ten shaves and cost ten pence...

Now you get giltte ones at about a quid and they do two shaves befor clogging, and one more fater scarping out with a tothvbruish...

[John]

Any more info on this set, i.e. where from, any product code, etc?

TIA

John

[Nick Smith]

I got a set of those Screwfix Diamond bits as a present a couple of years ago, lost two but the rest are still going strong after a great deal of work and have chewed several screws but are ok in themselves - recommended but pricey at about £20 for 7 bits. No good if you lose them frequently though

Nick

[usenet]

I have lots of ScrewFix ones which are OK'ish, they do wear out but they're also very cheap so I just throw them away when they're at all worn.

I also bought a batch from Axminster (to get an order up to a reasonable amount) and found that they were significantly better than the ScrewFix ones, but not by enough to always buy them from Axminster.

I haven't bought any for a few months though, so with changes in suppliers etc. the above could well be the other way around by now.

All the above refers to cheapest 50mm long PoziDriv bits.

[Paul W]

I work with a local am-dram group building scenery, we buy the Screwfix diamond crusted ones, about £2.75 for a No2 pozi, they are excellent.

Paul.

[njf]

Not just garages, they have industrial salesmen as well, one calls on us at the uni. BTW snap-off stuff does break, but unless its been mis-used its guaranteed for life! My fave mag. bit screw drivers are snap-off, they live in a seperate tool box of specialist tools....

Niel.

[Steve]

Are they horribly expensive ?

Steve

[Dave Plowman]

In general, Snap On stuff is poor value for money. Nor is it particularly good quality - for the price. It's only useful if you want stuff delivered and need credit.

[njf]

Don't know, haven't bought any snap-off personally for years, they were more expensive in the 80's when I got mine, but the quality then was very good, these days there are others that offer better VFM IMHO.

Niel.

[Andy Dingley]

Some Snap-on stuff is cheap. Look at the hex bits, the penknife Allen sets, the nose hook (cotter pin puller), even the breaker bars. Then you have the insanely expensive stuff - ratchet screwdriver handles, or anything electrical (and their electricals or welders often are poor quality)

So what's better ?

-- Klein bottle for rent. Apply within.

[Michael McNeil]

I used to buy whatever was going in the cheap price range, as the alternative was paying a quid or more for Stanley bits that were prone to snapping as they were over-hard.

Then I saw a lot of bits on sale in a tool shop going for about 60p each. This is some 10 years later but you had to buy a box of 20 or so. So I chanced a box. I went back for more a few days later but they'd sold out.

The next time I see them on sale again I'll buy a stock of them. I've got 14 of the Pz 2's and 16 of the Ph 2's left after a couple of years. (Mind you I'm pretty handy with a hammer on pricework.)

DeWalt part numbers: DT7906 and DTY7907.

Scanner code: Thin black line, thin white one, thin black line, thick white one, thick black line, thin white line, thin ...no, err ..thick. Hang on, I'll just go and get my glasses....

I think I had it upside down. Oh, no; it's the same... both ... err... Or is it?

Hang on....

[John]

OP here, now that made me laugh!!

Thanks

John

[Simon Gardner]

Had a look. Pretty good. Any idea where I can buy solo 5mm hex [ie allen] bits or packs of ten of them?