We’re now going to take a closer look at the new impact drill bits and hole saws that were recently released as part of Dewalt’s new line of Impact Ready accessories. As far as we are aware, these are the first drill bits and hole saws ever designed for use with an impact driver.
Impact Ready Drill Bits
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Yes, these are hex-shanked drill bits, and yes, we typically avoid hex-shanked bits due to their high risk of failure. BUT, Dewalt’s new bits are uni-bodied hex-shanked bits, which should help reduce bit breakage. We imagine that this one-piece construction will bore a hole through the competition!
In addition, these drill bits are centered around a “back tapered web for increased durability” and feature Dewalt’s Pilot Point drill tips. This is especially good to hear since we are quite fond of Dewalt’s Pilot Point bits.
These bits can cut through wood, plastic, and metal.
Impact Ready Hole Saws
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These hole saws have a raised shoulder to prevent overdrilling and rough breakthroughs, an ejection spring to avoid the hassle and delay of plug removal, and a thin-walled design optimized for metal drilling.
As with the impact drill bits, these hole saws are also rated for cutting through wood, plastic, and metal.
A few impact drill bit and hole saw review samples arrived today, and we are very eager to start testing them out – a full review is already in the works!
Final note – the bits’ packaging bore some surprising information. The drill bits are made in Germany, and the hole saws are “made in Japan and assembled in China.” That is much better than we expected!
38pc Dewalt Impact Ready Bit Set via Amazon (We are reviewing this item as well!)
Dewalt Impact Ready Microsite
wantedabiggergarage
I know Hitachi aslo makes impact ready stuff, that includes drill bits. However, I am unsure of who else makes hole saws. I believe Milwaukee might as well (can’t remember now, too late), as I was looking at their impact stuff at the borg the other day.
One thing to test amongst those who use them, try the bits in a drill as well as the impact driver. I found the bits heat up more in the impact driver, and I end up with a slightly larger (wobbly) hole. Just my experience. Thanks for the site!
Stuart
I am aware that Hitachi, Makita, and possible others offer impact drill bits. BUT, and that’s a big but, those bits are all 2-piece bits, and they appear as if the bits themselves are standard and only the hex bits are impact rated.
It looks as if these are the first bits for which the cutting flutes are impact rated as well.
Testing the bits in a standard drill is a good idea – we will definitely incorporate that into the planned testing procedure, thanks!
Monte
The drill bits are made in Dewalts german drill bit plant “BBW Bayrische Bohrerwerke”. Also the regular pilot point drill bits and some concrete drill bits.
Tom Desfosses
In the future, reviews should be evenly matched tests, followed by opinions you develop as a result of the tests. All I got out of this was some laughs… Remember what they say about opinions…
Steve
My first reaction to this is a cringe at the thought of more drilling into metal with an impact driver. When the impacts engage, it is LOUD, great for deafening workers in the vicinity.
I can understand why this product is advantageous – with no backlash (terminology?) unlike a drill, there will be less sore wrists from drilling large holes in steel.
Why has no drill manufacturer (to my knowledge) created a clutch setting exclusively for large diameter hole saws?
I see far too many guys of all ages killing their wrists using them.
When I’m drilling large holes in steel (>1″) i put the clutch setting to max (not drill but one less) so that the drill won’t bind and hurt my wrist. However, most of the time, the clutch will engage before the hole is complete, even without a bind occurring, which is annoying.
The highest clutch setting on the cordless drills I’ve used (hilti, dewalt, makita, milwaukee, mastercraft) is too low, and drill doesn’t provide protection.
Why hasn’t any manufacturer caught on to this? i know some rotary hammers have a anti jam clutch, why hasn’t the stronger clutch mechanism trickled down?