At their recent 2015 new tool media event, Milwaukee revealed a whole new generation of Shockwave screwdriver bits, as well as impact-rated drill bits. Does that make these second generation or third generation bits? Either way, they’re brand new with an improved design.
I’m not going to mince words here – Milwaukee’s Shockwave bits are generally pretty good, but I have heard a lot of gripes about their longevity and how other brands’ bits simply last longer.
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It looks like Milwaukee might have received the same feedback, or maybe they’re responding to competitors’ updated and improved impact-rated bits. Dewalt (with their FlexTorq bits), and Irwin (with their Impact Performance bits) both came out with new impact-rated bit designs back in 2013.
Dewalt also revealed new one-piece hex-shank PilotPoint drill bits at their recent media event.
The new screwdriver and drill bits will be available starting in September 2015, and the SDS masonry bits will be available this month (August).
Shockwave Screwdriver Bits
I don’t recall too many specifics, but Milwaukee was boasting about how much more durable their new Shockwave bits are compared to competing accessories.
They had an elaborate torque testing setup where they torture tested a selection of Torx bits until the heads sheared off. As expected from a media event demo, the Milwaukee Shockwave bit endured far more torque than any of the other bits that were tested in the same manner.
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All of the new bits feature a red banded “shock zone,” or at least that’s how it was described with the previous generation of Shockwave bits. This makes it easy to tell bits apart. The older ones have silver non-banded midsection, these are red with Milwaukee branding.
There will be Phillips bits, of course.
And new slotted bits too, with a hollow ground profile. Not that I use slotted bits in a drill or impact driver, but some do.
Related Poll: What Styles of Bits Do You Use in a Drill or Impact?
Of course there are Torx bits too.
And hex, let’s not forget about them, which will presumably be available in inch and metric sizes.
There will be long power bits too, in addition to the 1-inch insert bits already shown.
Longer bits get a longer torsion zone.
This is what, a 6-inch bit? So it looks like there will be 2-inch, 4-inch, and 6-inch power bits.
I believe this was a 6-inch Phillips #3 bit. Raise your hand if you use Phillips #3 screwdrivers or bits. I can probably count on one hand how many times I’ve needed this size, but I keep a manual screwdriver and a screwdriver bit or two around just the same.
This is the 2-inch bit, I think. Does the shock zone really throw off the proportions, or is it just me?
Last, but not least, there will be Robertson bits too. I forgot to ask if it’ll be available in different sizes, sorry. How often are #1 and #2 square bits used? I think I have only ever used #2 Robertson/square bits.
Other Current Shockwave and non-Impact Accessories
In case you forgot about Milwaukee’s other offerings, their Shockwave line also includes nutdrivers, sockets, and adapters.
Milwaukee also had some of their (non-impact) USA-made step bits on display, as well as Shockwave drill bits and hole saws.
Milwaukee RedHelix Drill Bits
New drill bits! To be honest, I don’t remember ever taking a close look at Milwaukee’s drill bits. Well, that changed as soon as I saw how well they performed.
First, there are new cobalt drill bits with a 135° split point and Chip Breaker tip. There’s also a variable helix design for more rapid chip extraction.
Here’s a closer look at the tip design. The “Chip Breaker” feature looks interesting.
There are also hex-shanked bits that are rated for impact use.
The 1/8″ bit doesn’t look like it’s one piece, but the 1/4″ one does. I tend to shy away from 2-piece hex drill bits, but will definitely take a closer look at these once they’re out.
See? Impact-rated.
Milwaukee wanted to show how well the variable helix design worked, so they chucked a competitor’s bit in their drill and bored a deep hole into some wood. Do you see that black stuff wrapped around the drill bit? That’s burnt wood.
Then they chucked their new RedHelix drill bit into the same drill and drilled another hole. The bit emerged clean and the chips, which were rapidly ejected from the hole, were clean and unburnt.
I’m really eager to see for myself how good these new RedHelix bits are. It looks like the variable helix design significantly improves chip ejection when drilling deep holes into wood. But is there a downside?
Masonry Bits
There will also be some be SDS masonry drill bits. Here’s a 4-cutter drill bit.
And a 2-cutter drill bit.
It’s not clear from the photos, but the huge foam models of the SDS masonry drill bits’ tips have these distinct red ridges.
This was the second-to-last presentation area of the day, and so I’m going to have to wait for official details to tell you what they’re exactly for.
cody
Milwaukee also came out with milwaukee oscillating blades that are made in the USA.
Stuart
Not really. To my knowledge they’re not new and are only the most basic of offerings.
fred
I was always betwixt and between when considering longevity of items that I considered to be consumables. Driver bits certainly fit into this category – as did some drill bits and saw blades (the ones were not practical to re-sharpen). If I paid a premium (e.g. for Wera diamond coated Impaktor bits we used in the shop) I expected to see a cost benefit – but it was somewhat hard to tell precisely – with mostly anecdotal feedback from the crews. With bits that broke after just moderate use – that was feedback that we acted upon – but with lots of Phillips #2 bits, we used on jobsites, we just bought what was locally available in bulk – and regularly disposed of worn ones as we went along.
With drill bits and saw blades – especially those used in a production environment it was quite a bit easier. As an example we knew pretty closely how many days of quality cutting to expect out of some table saw blades based on our production schedules and materials being cut – and through trial and error we found some blades were much better (on something like a $ per LF of plywood cut basis) than others.
Jimmy D
5 points for using the word “betwixt”!
fred
My son did his thesis on some aspect of the Goliard Poets in England – so some parts of olde English rubbed off
Stuart
I always get a little joy when one of fred’s well-chosen words sends me racing to an online dictionary.
I MUST find a way to use betwixt naturally in a sentence this week.
Mark s
Jack sprat could eat no fat, his wife could eat no lean. Betwixt the pair of them they licked the platter clean.
Stuart
While I haven’t used it in a sentence yet, I did hear it in a cartoon last night!
Jerry
It looks like Milwaukee is trying to improve upon their drive bits. I don’t have much experience with them other than their drywall bits which were OK but nothing special. With any luck, these new bits will be an improvement. I do like the extended shank bits, useful in some instances. #3 Phillips are fairly common in older farm machinery, and an extended shank will help reach recessed ones.
In my experience #2 square drive is the most common by far, with #1 for small screws, and trim head screws, with the #3 used for big screws. Most deck screws I have used were #2 but the structural screws for the framework were often #3
Chip
We use #3 Philips on alumn and vinyl gate hinges,and #1 Robertson on trim screws.
Noah
To answer your questions:
I use #3 Phillips pretty often, with sheet metal screws, large wood screws (#12 & #14) , and machine screws.
I use #1 Robertson of light switches, outlets and plugs, and on trim head screws.
And I DO use slotted bits in power drives, but not power impact drivers, only in hand impact drivers, and only in large sizes.
mnoswad
i’ve found that black screw bits are harder too identify the bit type as easily. Either plain metal or green(grk) or bright silver……..anything other than black oxide is easier to see AND identify at a quick glance at all too cluttered work site, tool bag, etc.
Blythe M
I use my 2″ bits 80% of the time, my 4″ and 6″ 19% of the time( really really useful in certain applications) and 1″ bits 1% of the time. I hate that every kit comes with a blue million tiny bits just so they can say it’s a XX huge number kit
Chris Fyfe
I use Their impact bits quit a bit , I also use some Klien bits . I’m quite satisfied with both .
I stock up on kits before and after X mas . I treat Impact bits as a consumeable , I have piles of them , so I can’t comment on service life .
Chris
jeff_williams
I use #3 phillips for driving tapcons when I need the heads to be flush in the wood, i.e. bottom plates and furring strips. Probably my third most used bit size behind #2 phillips and #2 square.
Cr8ondt
Frankly a bit is a bit, I’ve used them all and when one wears out i grab the next. I really care less if its impact rated or a cheapo, I’ve used all the brands and have to preference.
Cr8ondt
not to preference ment no
Jason. W
The only experience I have with milwaukee bits are their #2philips…and I hated them. I tried dewalt #2 philips and loved them.
Considering most of the time I’m using #2 philips there really was no need to try anything else. My cheap ryobi set works for what ever else I come in contact with
John E
+1 on their #2 phillips. I was cleaning up a deck I was working on and found an unopened five pack of Milwaukee bits dropped by someone a while ago. They went straight in the trash bucket.
Chris Fyfe
KOT , the little Shockwave hole saws are very usefull . The short overall length of an impact , combined with the short overall length of the ” hole saw” , can get you into very tight spots . They whistle thru most electrical boxes , and panels . They do wear out , but by that time , they have served their purpose .
They work well of an M12 Fuel .
Chris
Chris
I think I’ll stick with my flex torq bits, the Milwaukee were the worst I ever used…. I picked up a small set of makita gold not long ago and those work very well too… One thing with the shock wave bits, the kids are super cheap so if you do feel like using inferior stuff, it won’t cost you much ha-ha
Nathan
I’m mildly intrigued as I need to find a good set of bits that cover torx (preferably security) and SAE and Metric HEX bit in all sizes up to 8 or 10mm and 7/16th.
probably going piece meal but either way. those milwaukee bits looked to get fairly high up there in size.
as far as the redesign did they happen to show a version of a mag slide collar for the bits. ALA Dewalt and Makita – because that’s something I don’t see them doing and I have to say I love my dewalt ones.
On thing – I get the need to make the nutdriver bits – I really wish dewalt, milwaukee etc would stop making impact sockets for no other reason than it’s a fairly saturated market. but I get why they do it just wish they would focus their efforts. the 1/4 drive to square adapters – absolutely the sockets I would however never buy.
those masonry bits intrigue me – but honestly I’ve never had an issue with my bosch ones.
Josh
I want a comprehensive bit set (phillips, torx, square, hex SAE and Metric,flat too) from a reputable manufacturer in a case that isn’t terrible; One, maybe two of each bit size, just a “You can open anything” set. I suspect I’ll continue to want such a thing until the day I die.
Josh
Glad to hear they’re revisiting these. I remember trying Milwaukee’s impact bits and being very dissatisfied; they seemed like they got chewed up really quickly. I think we got about a dozen screws from some of the bits and swore off buying them.
Happy to see they’re coming out with hex bits too. I like to switch to electric drive if I have to turn a fastener more than a few times, and not being able to buy hex bits locally is a pain. Going from a 1/4″ hex to a socket adapter, to a 1/4″ hex allen socket is one of the least sensible things I’ve had to do with my tools.
Pete
I have a set of the $12 milwaukee black oxide drill bits and they just keep ticking. I keep wanting to buy another set at HDepot but there isnt a need yet. They still work!
As far as their other driving bits there is ONLY one reason to why i havent bought a set yet- they dont have a combonation that i like. I presonally dont like the 3″ bit holder with the 5-10 cheap crappy 1″ non locking bits. I want everything 2″- 1/4″ QD for my impact. And i has to have just about 1 of everything-#1,2,3 phillips, flat, robertson, torx, hex, hex bit drivers, i usually put out some redundat crap and put in my unibits, i want to keep my socket adapters in there too but theres no room so i keep those with the sockets.
Pete
Currently im using a older impact rated irwin set. Good strong case, great bit retention, modular, come with NEARLY everything i need.
marko
Is that a true Robertson bit or is it just a square drive?
anthony
Well it’s about time, took Milwaukee like 5 years to change their bits. Last shockwave series were pure garage! Especially the Philips ones, worst impact bits I’ve ever used, many guys on our crew called Milwaukee and complained, it took them 5 years to respond. Love Milwaukee tools, but that’s crappy slow service if you ask me.
BikerDad
“And hex, let’s not forget about them, which will presumably be available in inch and metric sizes.”
Yeah, good luck with that. The only convenient place to find metric nutdrive bits is… Harbor Freight. None of the Bigs even seem to MAKE them, much less put them out there where they’re easy to purchase. Seriously, how f’ing difficult is it to figure out that there’s a boatload of metric nuts and bolts in this country that don’t need a huge honkin’ impact wrench and sockets to deal with? Metric Allen bits aren’t as hard to find, but they’re not nearly as common as SAE Allens. And how about doing something to make them EASY to tell apart?
Nathan
I keep finding that to get what I want I just about have to order from grainger/mcmaster carr etc.
whole sequences of APEX or some industrial branded bit. not that i mind I just wish Dewalt would make a set in their flex whatever version so I can use the nift magnet on them all.
but that’s a desire – I know the apex bits will be good and work well.
for holding them I have trays and the like for that.
fred
Wiha and Wera bits and sets are easily available on the internet from folks like Chads, KC Tool , Carbide Processors. Zoro and Amazon. You may need to shop around for price and talk to some of the distributors for quantity discounts if you plan to buy in bulk (think hundreds of bits).
For some of the oddball bits – look at Eazypower and Apex. Bondhus is also a good source for hex bits.
Noah
milwaukee DOES make metric nut setters in 7, 8 , 10 1 and 13 MM. They’re just hard to find. I’ve also seen Metric nut setters in Menards.
fred
Wiha and Wera also make metric nut setter bits. Wera sells both magnetic and non-magnetic styles in 5.5mm to 13mm sizes
Mike
If only there was some system for marking them, like stamping the property class of the fastener on Metric fastener heads, nuts, and threaded devices…
Alan
The current Milwaukee Phillips bits are garbage, the rest of the drive types seem ok.
I use #3 Phillips tapcon and sheet metal screws all the time. These days I try to avoid Phillips screws if possible, if I’m buying screws they’re torx or square drive.
jesse
Those ‘chip breaker’ drill bits look a lot like Irwin’s TurboMax bits. http://www.amazon.com/Irwin-Industrial-Tools-318015-TurboMax/dp/B000EB3YG2/
Jon
I’m a fan of Milwaukee’s Shockwave drill bits. They are far and away better than the cheap old Ryobi set I was upgrading from. They old cost a few bucks more than the discount sets at HD, but you get what you pay for!
Rodney
betwix and between is good English nothing wrong with it. Regards Rod Smith England.
Brian
I hope they fixed the issue with their bits not being straight. Every 3.5″ Shockwave bit I’ve seen has been crooked and wobbled. My OCD would really enjoy using Milwaukee bits in my Milwaukee drills but the Bosch offerings are, to this point, just so much better.