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Author Topic: Bit Sets  (Read 2573 times)

Hellmut1956

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Bit Sets
« on: October 18, 2019, 05:45:19 pm »

Hi, I hope this is the right place to ask my question.


My work on advancing my workshop is getting to a point where I want to assign a place so I can find the kind of bit I might need. I am looking to buy bits for all kind of screw heads. My problem is that when I read through comments of other people buys I often read that the quality of the bits are very poor. I have my experience with how short the life span of bits are.


Can you recommend to me a source where I can get best possible quality of bits? I am not asking for bit sets that somebody might have had good experience with, but for a source of high quality bits.
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tigertiger

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Re: Bit Sets
« Reply #1 on: October 19, 2019, 02:49:05 am »

I bought Bosch bits, and they have lasted. I bought a clip of 5 double ended bits, all ends the same. I am not sure if Bosch do different grades.



Ultimately they all wear out, but price would also be an indicator of quality. I suspect that the cheaper unbranded bits are not so good.


It might sound obvious, but in the same way as I think there are at least three types of driver that look like posidrive/corss head, and the wrong one won't fit right (leading to damaged screws and worn bits) the cheaper one may also be a bad fit leading to wear. My Bosch are a very precise fit for the crossheads used in China and will fit down to even 3mm screws without trouble.


I have also found the sets to be a bit of a waste of steel, as I have only ever used 3 types, and one of those only once on very heavy screws. I do have other screw bits, but those are in one of those multi bit driver and bit sets that was not expensive.


NB Having invested in tools that I do not use, I try to avoid buying things that I won't use more than once. Sounds obvious, but ho hum!
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Mark T

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Re: Bit Sets
« Reply #2 on: October 19, 2019, 09:07:19 am »

Hellmut1956

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Re: Bit Sets
« Reply #3 on: October 19, 2019, 03:47:53 pm »

Sadly, bein Makita or Bosch the bits receive bad ratings from people. The effects they see and which let to the bad rating are the ones I am familiar with. I have started to look for suppliers for biz. Like with Bosch, green coloured ones are for consumers, blue ones for biz. I have been studying offers from companies like Wera and Stier. I will give dealers a call on monday to learn more how to get the proper types of bits.


Interesting are for example ones from iFix that do have those bits required for cellulars  You know, while working on my workshop i need another kind of bits compared to those needed for electronics.
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tigertiger

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Re: Bit Sets
« Reply #4 on: October 19, 2019, 04:21:52 pm »

The most important thing is to get the right type of bits, for the type of screws in your market. All bits wear out and should be considered as disposable in today's market. I have been using Bosch blue, for carpentry work, and I have only worn out one so far in two years. A day to day jobbing tradesman will do the same amount of work in a week that i have done in two years. Torx are something else.
Personally, I have even had quality square drive that wear. Unless you are prepared to pay for a Snap-on-tools driver (megabucks) you can and should expect wear and the need for replacement; unless you are a very occasional user.
The other issue I have come across is bits that just don't fit right. I estimate that 80% of the time, people are trying to use the wrong bit. 20% of the time it is a cheap low quality bit issue. As I said before, I know of at least 3 different types of cross head screw driver bits.
Even with slotted screws it is important to use the correct size of bit to get a secure job done. Yes you can use a smaller size flat driver bit, but the chances of slippage are higher.
Another thing I have learned is to avoid bit sets if you want the best quality. Bit sets seem to be a jack of all trades and master of none. Personally I believe that the single tools (not sets) are a better choice, even if they do seem to be not so good a value.


For my own use my hobby is cabinet making. I use the Bosch bits for my power driver, and for hand drivers I have two cross head drivers, on for large (also ok down to for electrical plug fittings sizes), and one for really small screws, maybe m3 and smaller. I have three drivers for slotted screw. One large, one medium and one electrical.


Seriously, you should get drivers to meet all of your needs in a good hardware/DIY store (OBI, B&Q), Lidl/ALDI, or Screwfix. And you probably only need 3 of each kind maximum.


If you are working on computer or mobile phones, you do need specialist bits, like torx, star, etc. Again, I would avoid the multi tool kits, and buy the dedicated drivers that you need. I have bought multi tool kits and only ever used two bits out of twenty, and these were not great quality, the dedicated two tools would have cost the same, but been more reliable friends.


With regard to lifespan. I can buy a set of 10 identical bits for 5 Euro, or a top of the range driver for 50 Euro. If 5 Euro set of bits will last me for 10 years, I need to think of the other tools (or beer) I could buy with the other 45 Euro.
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Perkasaman2

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Re: Bit Sets
« Reply #5 on: October 19, 2019, 04:37:34 pm »

Teng tools are superb and have lifetime warranty and cheaper than Snap On.
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tigertiger

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Re: Bit Sets
« Reply #6 on: October 19, 2019, 05:01:00 pm »

It is easy to follow the online tool reviews and negative ratings of Amazon reviewers. These are not always helpful.

Also beware. There is a logic, and trap, to buy the best tools that you can afford (buy high cry once). For an old time artisan tradesman, that would have held true. However, with modern materials, and for hobbyists, that may be false wisdom.
Example with modern materials. A friend of mine used to fit kitchens with his dad. They could pay good money for a quality saw to cut the worktops. However, the modern worktops are hard and blunt saws. A quality saw (then 50 quid) could be resharpened, but the time cost (an hour) was too high. It was more cost effective to buy cheap 'diamond tip' (5 quid) saws and throw them away after 5 cuts ( yes really).
For hobbyists, example. For the price of a top flight workbench, I have been able to equip my whole workshop. For the price of a top of the range dovetail saw (hand saw) I have been able to buy a contractor/table saw, and band saw, and a selection of cheaper hand saws.


Yes you get what you pay for, but.... horses for courses.
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warspite

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Re: Bit Sets
« Reply #7 on: October 19, 2019, 06:01:38 pm »

Yep - there are various bit sizes, whilst adjusting a shelf with my youngest, I learn't that there are several versions numbered like vph 3 or 6, I was trying to remove a long screw to level the shelf and nearly destroyed the pozi, until he said I needed a ph 6 not a ph 3, though to look at them there seemed to be no difference, but he was right they are different (he worked in a Garage for nearly a year on an apprenticeship and they used the bits in repairs etc).
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cos918

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Re: Bit Sets
« Reply #8 on: October 19, 2019, 10:04:20 pm »

Sadly, bein Makita or Bosch the bits receive bad ratings from people. The effects they see and which let to the bad rating are the ones I am familiar with. I have started to look for suppliers for biz. Like with Bosch, green coloured ones are for consumers, blue ones for biz. I have been studying offers from companies like Wera and Stier. I will give dealers a call on monday to learn more how to get the proper types of bits.


Interesting are for example ones from iFix that do have those bits required for cellulars  You know, while working on my workshop i need another kind of bits compared to those needed for electronics.

I have used Wera and very pleased with them . Yes they wear but then so do all bits .
I use mine in drill and they lasted a long time .

John
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