Dewalt recently launched newly upgraded FlexTorq impact-rated screwdriver bits, claiming longer bit life and improved fit.
The new Dewalt FlexTorq impact screwdriver bits are advertised as featuring a torsion zone that absorbs impact energy for up to 200X longer life compared to “standard Dewalt screwdriving bits.”
The FlexTorq Torx bits in T20, T25, T30, and T40 sizes feature redesigned tips that offer “from 2X up to 5X superior fit” compared to the previous generation.
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The Phillips #2 screwdriver bits have also received an “overhauled” geometry, letting them drive “100% more screws per bit” compared to the previous generation FlexTorq bits.
To sum it up, the Torx bits from T20 to T40 have redesigned tip geometry for improved fit and fastener engagement, the new Phillips #2 bits have a new geometry that helps them last appreciably longer than the previous generation, and all of these have a FlexTorq zone that absorbs impact energy for up to 200X longer life compared to “standard” bits, which usually refers to non-impact bits.
The claims vary slightly depending on the bit. The 200X longer life claim, for example, applies specifically for the Phillips #2 bits.
The updated Torx T20 insert bits are simply said to deliver longer life.
The T20 insert bits are also advertised as delivering 3X superior fit, on average, compared to Dewalt’s previous generation FlexTorq bits.
I have had good experiences with Dewalt FlexTorq screwdrivers bits. In my experience, they’re plenty durable, reasonably affordable, and easily available in the sizes I need.
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Better Torx fit engagement (where some brands have in my experience performed better) sounds good to me. Longer lasting Phillips #2 bits? Great!
It looks like the new bits are coming to Lowe’s.
Adam
Amazing they are still trying to get the sizing right for the fasteners. I know as technology advances the bits would be more accurately produced, but not like the fastener end has changed much over the years
Big Adam
Dear USA,
Know what ACTUALLY gets you 100% more screws per bit?
Ditching PH2 and adopting PZ2 as your defacto crosshead format.
I still don’t understand why the US is wedded to PH.
fred
Stubborn? Or maybe some folks did not want to pay to license some other technology. The Cross-Point (PH) versus Robertson (Square) debate has some lessons. Some of that probably was about licensing – some possibly about PH propensity to cam-out (can sometimes be an OK thing). GM had a brief time using Reed&Prince Frearson – but that didn’t seem to last long. Then I thought JIS might takeover – but Phillips and Phillips II seem to hold on. Many US consumers got introduced to Pozidriv at Ikea. When we acquired the fabrication business and started courting aerospace customers – I leaned about BNAE and lots of other drive styles well beyond cross point, square or star. I also learned that when folks called their bits square drive (not Roberstson) or Crosspoint (not Phillips) or Star (not Torx) it probably meant that they did not want to pay to use the trademarked name.
TomD
Good my sir, we’re the USA. We had to have a screw designed that can take Phillips and regular because we can’t be arsed to use the right driver, otherwise we’ll just treat it as a strange nail. 😜
DanFromMass
Im sure many of you guys have watched this already.
https://youtu.be/R-mDqKtivuI
Really interesting video discussing how the US ended up with Phillips head screwdrivers.
Scott K
Interesting video- thanks for sharing
mark
Another interesting video on fastener heads what “LRN 2 DIY”‘s video on which head offered the best grip. Ppl had said they thought pozidrive/ECX style would prevent cam-out etc. The best. In the end his testing concluded that the best faster geometry was Robertson/square drive.
Should be able to find by googling “LRN 2 DIY Best screw geometry”
Munklepunk
I’ve never had any issues with Philips #2, don’t use cheap screws, don’t use cheap tools, use the right tool for the job. Simple as that. I use torx for when that’s needed, flat head, square, jis, they all have their purpose. If I can’t drive a screw I wouldn’t go blaming a country, I might consider it would be my fault.
mark
Agreed. My Makita XPS bits (thanks to project farm test vid) have never ever let me down. I’ve assembled maybe 8-10 pieces of furniture using a single hex head bit + assembly driver/12v hammer drill/manual driver to tighten and it has no wear. Of course the cheap hardware that came with is, on occasion, a different story 😂.
fwc
or square drive
Franco
Square (Robertson) and Torx are easily better choices. I personally find that JIS is superior to both PH1 and PZ2. So “Big Adam”, if you want your batting average to go up even higher, ditch PZ2 for JIS.
Collin
I have a set of square bits from 00 to 4 and I find that for almost any Philips screw, I can find a square bit that fits well enough to be used with an impact driver.
Steve
The printing of the size in silver is nice as the stamped is hard to read sometimes. Assuming it’s also stamped and/or doesn’t wear off.
Steve
200% longer life and 3X better fit? Is that really possible? Were the previous veesions garbage or are they comparing this to some off brand? Finding it harder and harder to believe any of these manufacturers…
Stuart
There’s always room for improvement?
Some brands are definitely better about fitment and longevity than others.
The previous ones are decent. I can’t recall the last time there were advertised improvements; it’s been a while. I don’t use FlexTorq too much these days since I have a stockpile of MaxFit. I also use other brands’.
I’ll pick up a pack of Ph2 and T20 when I can find them.
Collin
Couple this 200% longer life claim with the Crescent bit holder that claims to extend life over 500 times and you’ll never need to buy bits again, at least not for the next 30 years. Better yet, double up on the Crescent bit holders.
500 * 500 = 25,000 times longer bit life, and these DeWalt are 100% longer lasting than previous bits, for 50,000 times more life.
TomD
It says they compared it to “standard Dewalt bits” but I doubt they’ve even manufactured the old pot metal ones in fifty years.
3x I don’t even know how you measure that. What is it three times? Fit?
Steve
Overhauled geometry? Again, was this bad from the start? How did they get it right this time when it apparently wasn’t right to begin with?
Jared
I wonder if the longer life actually relates to more flex in the “flex torq” zone?
I.e. as impact drivers get more powerful, maybe Dewalt is achieving longer life from bits that twist more, so the impacts don’t chew through the tip as fast. In effect, flexible bits are just robbing the power from each impact blow (like a torque stick does with an impact wrench).
That’s my conspiracy theory anyway.
It would explain how the bit life suddenly doubles and why they couldn’t just “do it that way the first time around”. The new bit design on an older, less powerful impact driver would just be less efficient without appreciable gains in longevity. Do the testing with a stronger impact driver and maybe the old-style bits don’t flex enough to protect the tips.
Bonnie
Personally I find I prefer the MaxFit bits over the FlexTorq line. Part of that is the fit was better when I compared the two so maybe the fixed that issue.
Munklepunk
I don’t remember the last time I used any name brand bit I would consider bad. The older version of Milwaukee shockwave, black, were notorious for shearing off, I had quite a few torx do that. But any of the impact bits have just held up. Improvements are always welcome. I read so many contradictory statements about brands breaking or out lasting others it just tells me my observations are most likely correct, buy a brand name that’s on sale. And since DeWalt makes the best cases…
Although snappy drill bits will not lock into my ¼” Makita chucks.
Roger
FLEXTORQ version 1 has always been great from the first launch. Version2 seems to be about the same performance. I’m guessing this version 3 is mostly marketing. I’ve been wondering if the design is mostly to reduce the material used, and they come up with some excuse. For others, yes. For FLEXTORQ, it’s just works. I hope they don’t change the formula too much by the time I’m ready to restock PH2s.
Franco
One other thing I find is that Philips head screws are not produced with the same precision from one MFR to another. And where less than perfect precision head is less noticeable on Square or Torx heads, it definitely makes a difference on Philips head screws.
frobo
In the debate about Phillips vs Robertson square drive, here’s an interesting “twist “: Last week on Prime Day I finally sprung for a Bosch Chameleon Flexiclick drill. Packed with the drill was a sample set of four impact-rated bits, including a weird looking one marked “P2R2”, which I concluded was a bit designed to be used as a #2 Phillips or a #2 Robertson bit. The very tip of the bit appears to be conventional Phillips, but the flanks have been scooped away to fit square drive fasteners as well. Not sure how well it would work for either type of fastener on a continuous basis, we’ll see. They are probably trading durability for convenience, I would guess.
JR Ramos
Much prefer good quality hardware over “improved” drive bits. Can’t control that so much these days, though. I’ve had the best fits and longevity from Makita bits…Milwaukee and Dewalt and Wiha have all been just average. I can’t say that I see marked improvement on any point in the reduced shank bits these days vs. quality straight shank bits of yore. I’ve wondered sometimes if (what I think to be) poorer fitting bits over the last couple decades has more to do with trying to accommodate the lower quality hardware from so many foreign sources. There was a time where the bits and the hardware all seemed to fit just great, following published standards. I’ve got a small stash of very old VA ACR #2 phillips bits…every time I use one it’s actually a nice experience compared to the “fancy” engineered bits of today. A lot of ills are cured simply by maintaining drive angle….and slowing up on the rpm.
jake
Perhaps a fastener discussion could follow. Who makes quality fasteners and where can you buy them (grin)? Favorite screws and their uses. Nuts, bolts, washers to follow? And maybe more ( another grin)!
William
Why is there both FlexTorq and Maxfit? It seems the former is for Lowe’s to carry and Maxfit is for Home Depot to carry. I only use the Dewalt MaxFit’s because the magnetic sleeve is great.
Has Dewalt really engineered two different bits where one would be better than the other for certain tasks? Or is it just to have exclusivity for the retail partners?
Stuart
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/dewalt-maxfit-flextorq-screwdriver-bit-differences/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
There’s also ToughGrip at Lowe’s. https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/dewalt-toughgrip-screwdriver-bits/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
My assumption has always been that MaxFit are general purpose screwdrivers bits that are impact-rated, and that FlexTorq are impact screwdriver bits that can be used for general broad applications. ToughGrip seems to be a more value-oriented line specifically for Lowe’s.
Home Depot gets MaxFit, Lowe’s gets FlexTorq, and both look to be available at independent tool dealers, with FlexTorq being more prominent.