Irwin has come out with a new line of high performance impact-rated screwdriving bits, nutsetters, socket adapters, and bit holders. These new Impact Performance Series accessories were designed for maximum strength and durability.
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Bit Holders
The new bit holders feature a rare earth magnet and external clip that fits into the notch of 1″ insert bits for maximum bit retention.
Screwdriver Bits
Bit styles include Phillips, square recess, Torx, and tamper-resistant Torx. Each bit is forged, rather than machined, for improved fastener fit and reduced risk of stripping. Bits will be available in 1″, 2″, 3″, 4″, and 6″ lengths.
Lobular Nutsetters
The new nutsetters are designed to connect with hex fastener’s flats, rather than corners, for dramatically reduced fastener damage and rounding. The lobular design means extra clearance around fastener corners, which are often sites of paint build-up. The nutsetters will be available in a wide range of sizes with and without embedded rare earth magnets for fastener retention.
Socket Adapters
These forged socket adapters have ball-lock retention mechanism.
Drill Bits
A couple of the new sets include single-piece hex-shank impact-rated drill bits that are designed for strength and minimal breakage.
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Coming Soon…
Irwin has not specified what else will be coming to the new Impact Performance Series line, other than how this launch is Phase 1 of what will be a comprehensive line of impact accessories.
Jon Schlosser, Director of Marketing for Irwin, said the following in a recent press release:
…as we anticipate continued enhancements to the performance of impact drivers themselves, such as new motor or battery technologies, we’re focused on building our Impact Performance Series line to include all types of accessories for impact drivers.
Maybe we’ll see impact-rated Unibits, although Dewalt has already come out with similar, or 1/4″ sockets.
Availability
Irwin Impact Performance Series bits and sets can be found at home centers, hardware stores, construction and industrial suppliers, and online distributors.
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First Impression
I have always been fond of Irwin drill and driver bits, except for the holiday special combo set I bought at Lowes a few years back. Two of my favorite Irwin products are their Unibit step drill bits and Torsion screwdriver bits that seem to wear slowly compared to other brands’ bits.
There is no shortage of impact-related bits these days, but it’s still good to see a complete line from Irwin – especially the longer screwdriver bits. The nutsetters also seem to have an interesting design that could be useful for non-impact driving applications.
truckdriver
I have had the Mac rebrand of these Irwin bits now for 6 years using them in every impact I have including my M18 fuel and have yet to break any. I don’t like the COO but they have flat perform. Hopefully the impact bits won’t dissapoint.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/390072903572?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
fred
Bit sets are probably aimed more at the DIY and occasional user (e.g. plumbers and installer) – than for other markets that buy most-used bits (e.g. PH #2) in bulk. Recently we bought a batch of Wera Impaktor diamond coated bits (Wera # 5057656001 ) – which while not cheap – do come down in price when you buy in bulk (i.e. 100) . The Wera bits are working well – but one should always be open to test out the competition. We might try out the Irwin product (say in PH #2 – Irwin # 1837453) when we start getting low.
Nick
I wish they’d come out with impact rated extensions.
I break Irwin extensions regularly because the ball bearing sticks in the detent.
Noah
Never liked Irwin’s Phillips bits, always felt they were too rounded.
Will be interested to try out the bit holder and socket drivers.
mnoswad1
Shouldn’t all bits be impact bits at this point? at least phillips, square and torx drive. Spax are awesome btw.
And just a reminder……Driver bits are consumable items…….they wear out, and get dull and have to be replaced, before they break off. I cant stand how many guys don’t know how to use the clutch on a cordless driver, despite showing them the benefits, they still just plow along, stripping the head out and destroying the bit with no worries.
I went to a buddies shop once and was so disgusted with the condition of some bits, I just threw them in the trash. He actually didn’t understand why.
Stuart
Most of the major power tool accessory brand have impact bits already on the market, and I thought Irwin did as well. But even if so, this still seems to be a new product launch, rather than just a rebranding.
You’re right about how driver bits are consumable and usually wear slowly, but they can also break, especially when subjected to high-impulse torque.
And if some users can’t get the hang of cordless drill and screwdriver clutches, you can imagine what happens when they use impact drivers at full power.
fred
It is also amazing how many broken-off drywall screws you find in remodel work. Some folks seem to try to use these as “universal” screws – but they are too brittle for this – and as mnoswad1 says – SPAX screws (for one brand) would be much better for general purpose work.
Another issue is with stripping out brass screws with power drivers. Installing real brass (not just plated steel) screws often requires the extra step of drilling pilot holes (think VIX drill bits) and hand driving. We tell our new guys that if it looks like brass and isn’t magnetic – then treat it with extra care.
mnoswad1
Anyone know if SPAX come in 5 lb boxes? or even buckets…….I use them for almost everything now, esp. like them for framing misc walls, wood structures, mdf and particle board assemblies and the like.
They are esp. good in older wood that is sure to split, like sistering onto joists, bolstering old rough framing etc.
I like the clamping force aids in strength, and the screws won’t split 2X material when driven at a toe angle.
I wonder how strong nailed framing actually is when I see so many blowouts at toe nailing locations.
I dont work for SPAX, but i’d be open to a sponsorship.
Stuart
Certain sizes are available in 5lb packs, but it doesn’t look like all distributors carry them.
I am quite fond of Spax screws as well, and don’t see myself buying anything else, aside from pocket hole screws, as long as they’re available.
charles
I buy Spax in quantity from McFeeley’s.
Stuart
That’s where I bought my first packs from, but I have bought more from Amazon and Home Depot since then.
fred
We’ve bought them in boxes of 500 at a local Fastenal store
Adabhael
I just wanted to clarify if the new “Impact Series” innovations apply to the drill bits? The first part of the description only talks about “impact-rated screwdriving bits, nutsetters, socket adapters, and bit holders” and those items all appear to have a torsion zone and the fancy blue paint. Meanwhile, the drill bits are “designed for strength and minimal breakage.” It is good to hear they are single piece, but I could not find them described on Irwin’s website under either impact bits or drill bits. Any sense of how these drill bits compare to the DeWalt impact-ready drill bits you reviewed a while back?
Stuart
I haven’t tried these out yet, but I assume they’re good enough for rough work. Generally, I don’t like drilling holes with impact drivers or 1/4″ hex screwdrivers, as there’s always too much wobble.
I reviewed the Dewalt bits nearly 4 years ago and don’t remember the last time I used them for something.
If it comes down to these vs. Dewalt, assuming similar bit strength, I would go with the Dewalt Impact Ready drill bits, since they have PilotPoint profiles. If you don’t care about that feature, both brands of drill bits will probably perform similarly.
Adabhael
Stuart, thanks as always for the reply. 4 years is quite a while huh, I guess I didn’t even look at the dateline. I agreed that drilling with impact drivers is never a first choice, but it is often handy, and nobody likes them to break. Good point (pun intended) about the pilot tips, I will keep that in mind in making a decision. Thanks again!
Paul
Irwin impact driver bits are crap, don’t waste your money. I was using a number 2 square drive bit and broke half the tip off. I went back to the store and had a good talk with the sales assistant in the tool division. He informed me that bits break ALL the time due to the amount of carbon that is used in the steel