Now, thru June 19th, 2016, save 20% off select Irwin tools and accessories. As of the time of this posting, there were 135 tools eligible for the discount.
If I could be frank for a moment, many of the eligible tools and accessories are actually ones I would have bought or considered buying a few years ago, when my tool collection wasn’t quite as well-rounded as it is now.
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There are quite a few eligible items of particularly strong interest to me, such as step drill bits, tap and die sets, and impact bit accessories. I’m actually pleasantly surprised that some of these higher end offerings are eligible for the deal. I’ll be double checking my accessories to see if anything’s in need of replenishing.
Sometimes Amazon’s %-off deals can be a little restrictive, resulting in a list of eligible tools that holds no interest for me. I’m pleased that this time the selection is varied enough to hold my interest and potentially part me from a couple of bucks.
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Consider taking a peek, even if Irwin might not be your favored hand tool or power tool accessory brand. You might find something you like.
See Also: More Father’s Day 2016 Tool Deals
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Adam
I love their impact bits. Had to switch to something after figuring out the Milwaukee gen1 bits were garbage.
On that topic, how many people have ever used the 3/8 impact socket dapter that many sets come with? I’ve seen the 3/8 sets in store, but haven’t ever come across someone that owns one. And the 1/4 adapter? It seems like they are asking for people to get into trouble when they throw on a non-impact socket. Been floating around in my head for a while, had to “ask”
Bill
Adam, I’ve used both the 3/8″ impact socket adapter and the 1/4″ adapter with great success and no failures to date. Because I have full sets of impact sockets in 1/4″, 3/8″ & 1/2″ drive, in both metric and SAE, I generally will use one of these with an adapter. However, there are many times when I will use my impact driver for speed and convenience, where I’m not hammering away at a nut or bolt in a high impact situation, and I’ll use a conventional non-impact rated socket. Maybe even a 12 point socket.
But then I don’t use my impact driver to drive wheel lugs or work on rusty exhaust systems. That requires a real impact wrench with at least a 3/8″ drive or preferably a 1/2″ drive. So in short, I think with a little care and some common sense these adapters are fine to use and often a great convenience.
Matt J
Same here, I use the adapters regularly for reasonable work loads without impact sockets. The only issue I ever had was a hitachi that had a hard time letting go
nick
I find using socket adapters and a 12v impact driver handy for removing smaller fasteners around the car (10,12mm mostly), and with regular Cr-V sockets. It’s especially handy with things like removing the seats where you may have to support yourself in an awkward position to get access. The less time I have to spend in that position the better. It’s all low-torque stuff so I’m not worried about breaking the tools. For reinstalling I usually go back to hand tools because I don’t like taking chances with cross threading or over/under torquing.
JC
I have used 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2. I snapped a 1/2″ milwaukee in half running lags for a playhouse. 3/8 is the sweet spo for me on the adapters.
Mike
Impact sockets are for impact wrenches, for bolts and metal joining. Impact drivers do not generate enough torque to shatter/crack any decent traditional chrome Cr-V socket. The 1/4″ hex shank on the adapter will give out much sooner than the socket. Or the fastener will deform/round over.
Lower rated impact sockets are actually made of nearly identical alloys as hand sockets, just built a little beefier and finished in black. The heavier duty Cr-Mo impact sockets are simply not needed with relatively puny impact drivers fitted with 1/4″ hex-to-square drive adapters.
Perception on this issue has been largely influenced by tool corporations inherent obligation to constantly expand…so in the last 10-20 years or so “impact ready” insert and power bits have been marketed relentlessly. In real-world typical usage scenarios however(let’s say using PH2 as an example), most users are much better served with insert bits rated as ‘very hard’ with Rockwell hardness around 56-62. Impact bits will tend to round off sooner and are just not needed, unless you are consistently driving into materials harder than aluminum or hickory.
Totally unrelated factoid: ‘impact ready’ bits are cheaper to manufacture than HRC 58-62 high hardness bits.
Also want to note that books and guides from a few decades ago(just before the era of widespread electrical power tools, battery powered especially) included techniques on how to harden drivers and bits ‘at-home’. Along with many, many other tips on tool maintenance, usage, upkeep, and repair. Back before we developed the superior system of “throw it away and buy a new one”.
One thing is certain: humankind is modernizing rapidly with innovations like Apple iPolicy: you buy it -at the highest possible price of course- we still retain ownership(privileges not obligations). How else could Apple get all of the most-est money ever-ever-ever? Other than by not paying taxes? Or using slave labor?
Another example of modern innovation at it’s disruptive best: the newly widespread bank policy for deposits. And I’m not talking about no longer paying any interest on deposits. Nope, there’s been an even better innovation in modern banking.
When a deposit occurs, ownership of the deposit transfers to the bank from the depositor. But the bank only takes the money if they really need it.
Nathan
it’s not about pure torque load it’s about the impulse loads and “shock” to the surfaces.
this is why impact driver bits – like their impact wrench socket counterparts are often made to a higher tolerance (IE less slop on the screw head – or bolt/nut head) and why the must also tolerate the abuse so thicker metal in places and often harder.
I don’t throw bits away I recycle them – I can’t make nor re-point a modern philips bit at home but that’s good metal there that should be recycled.
Jim Felt
My only take on the Irwin tools in general is their well orchestrated destruction of a number of American invented and made product lines.
So no I will not be looking at or buying into their (big whoop) discounted tool promotion. And yes I’m acting a bit churlish. Too bad.
928'er
I agree.
The only Irwin products that interest me are the re-branded NWS pliers. And, I’ll buy them directly from NWS long before I’ll buy any Irwin labeled product.
Ben
If there’s one line of products at Irwin that deserve a good look is their Marples circular saw blades. They are excellent for the money, and they are manufactured in Italy. It’s unfortunate they are only available in thin kerf version, but they are nonetheless excellent quality.
Todd H.
Yes Irwin Impact bits are million times better then Milwaukee gen 1, those were pure trash. Adam is totally right. Irwin is doing well in this dept.
Ben
Can’t agree more than Milwaukee’s first generation of Shockwave bits were the worst POS I’ve ever seen. I think their Robertson bits were designed to strip screw heads, LOL. Irwin has indeed a decent set of bits.
Derek
Irwin drill bits should always be 99% off. That way you feel like you (barely) didn’t overpay.