No 2 Pozi screwdriver bits

It always makes me smile when a pack of 25 Pozidrive bits comes with the words "Guaranteed for life" - I assume life means until they break!

Peter

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I use the Dewalt PZ2 bits, 25 pack, around £7 from Screwfix. Last ages.Though havent tried them in an impact driver. I reckon they last for at least a month (per bit). There are not many days when my driver is not used, from fencing to kitchens, so a large variety of use, mainly woodscrews into wood or plugs. Alan.

Like you, I use Wera diamond coated bits. I find they give me the best life in the impact driver, even better than the Wera iron bits (which is meant specifically for impact drivers).

I don't know *why* the Wera diamond last better than all the others (for me). Possibly a factor is the expense making me extra careful.

However I do tend to use PZ3 maybe 75% of the time (6mm spax and turbogold), which are a good bit tougher - if you have the option of going to a larger screw size, that may be a good route to follow (e.g. PZ3 or Torx).

Another make I picked up at the builders merchants is Fischer (or Fisher?) - not seen them anywhere else, expensive, but their Torx bits have proven very robust.

One tip - if the battery is getting a bit flat - stop. I've broken far bits with the impact driver when it's starting to slow, that at any other time.

I used to use Wiha bits, but found they did not last that long in the impact driver - they were a little too hard. The Wera diamond ones though seem to be doing ok. I bought about 8 a couple of years back and still have some left.

The key is to not let the bit rattle in the head of the screw - keep it in contact and don't hold the driver too loosely against it (no need to push as hard as one would with an ordinary drill driver though). Take care as you complete the drive to have released the trigger before you pull away from the screw.

The other point worth noting is the screw type used has an effect as well. Screwfix goldscrews being a little easier on the bits than the quicksilver ones. (probably because the twinthread ones need more driving force)

Sometimes the slightly less hard ones are better (but not plain steel)

Hard to quantify - depends on how much work you are doing. If doing nothing but screwing largish quicksilver screws (2" or over) - then I might get through a bit every few boxes (say 400 to 600 screws) - which I might get through in a day. Smaller screws (or a mixture of sizes) and less intensive use could leave a bit lasting many months.

To an extent they have to be considered a consumable item. However this might be a price you pay for being able to increase your work rate by

Wierd! I've just been doing the same! (trying out my new impact driver, not breaking your bits :))

Yep, I was wondering the exact same question. I did stick a pack of 25 Dewalt ones on the order as they are on clearance from Screwfix at the mo but hadn't realised that I'd need a bit holder to use them in the impact driver (duh! Hadn't thought about that :)). I do have a cheapish bit holder but I'm not convinced that will be up to impact driving hundreds of screws into a deck.

Any recommendations on bit holders as well.

Cheers,

Darren

er, no, means that your life expectancy is divided by 25.

I use either the DeWalt box of 25 or the Wickes boxes, cheap as chips bits. I found the expensive ones shattered more easily, especially in impact drivers.

Bits are a consumable. Having said that I used to use maybe 2 bits on a deck with 1800 screws in it, so not very consumable. I just buy a box of 25 every now & then.

Even cheap ones seem to last pretty well. I use the Wickes or SF bog standard ones.

These are really good for akward jobs

Ah, ok then. Maybe this one will last after all ;)

Darren

The wera bitortion one. Its supposed to make the bits last longer. It isn't true I lose them just as easily. 8-)

OH BTW, make sure you use PH bits for PH screws & PZ bits for PZ screws. Impact drivers are very unforgiving if you use the wrong bit.

The Medway Handyman coughed up some electrons that declared:

I've had Wera hand drivers before and been very impressed. But I've chewed up the PZ2 Wera diamond jobbie mentioned here pretty fast with my fliddy little Bosch electric driver.

Pity that we're stuck with PZ and Phillips for the majority of screws, both of which are totally crap for house building (why would *we* want designed cam out on a fixing?). I'd rather have Torx on everything.

A bit OT: the idea of a battery powered impact driver is new to me (I have one you hit with a hammer). Why would one use this rather than a normal power drill for placing wood screws?

That confused me too, the old hammer one is for vehicle mechanics freeing up rusted bolts

the battery ones drive screws into oak etc, when they hit harder wood they sort of move down gear like a mini racing up a hill -

its the best thing ive learnt in over a year on this newsgroup, my life changed when i bought one!...

They work like a normal drill driver until a certain resistance is met, then they hammer the bit, not too & fro like a hammer drill, but in a circular motion.

Much faster driving of screws, especially large screws. For example, 65mm deck screw goes in so fast you don't have time to pick up the next one before its home. 6mm x 90mm coach screw, no pilot hole, less than 4 seconds.

Useful for removing stubborn screws. No torque transmitted back to your wrist.

More info here

The latter seems pretty common for decking these days, at least in these parts - it's not quite migrated to use in other house structures yet, though.

Re. bits, I just buy a cheap pack every once in a while...

Darren

Brilliant. Thanks Darren.

Excellent, thanks!