Over at KC Tool, today’s Deal of the Day specially priced item is a Wiha 71997 39pc security bit set. This set comes with a whole bunch of special insert bits that you’re unlikely to find at home centers or the local mom & pop hardware store. It also comes with a Drive-Loc handle, and extending bit holder, a socket adapter, and a compact storage box.
As mentioned earlier this week, we partnered with KC Tool this month on a couple of different fronts. There’s a banner ad that you might have already seen, and a week’s worth of “Deal of the Day” promos that we helped arrange for.
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Here’s what you get:
- Wiha Drive-Loc VI Handle
- 4″ bit holder
- Socket adapter
- Storage box
- Security (Tamper Proof) Torx: T8s, T10s, T15s, T20s, T25s, T27s, T30s, T40s
- Tri-Wing: 1, 2, 3, 4
- Torq Set: 6, 8, 10
- Spanner: 4, 6, 8, 10
- Security (Tamper Proof) Hex: 5/64, 3/32, 7/64, 1/8, 9/64, 5/32″
- Slotted: 6.5, 8.0mm
- Phillips: 1, 2
- Pozidriv: 0, 1, 2, 3
- Square: 1, 2, 3
Tamperproof Torx bits fit those pesky Torx fasteners which have a small vertical pin in the star recess, Tri-Wing bits are used in some gaming consoles and elsewhere, and I believe that those spanner bits can fit the two-holed screw heads I’ve in public fixtures. But Torq Set? I had to look that up.
Security bits are special-purpose bits that you can sometimes plan for. Other times, you only know what you need when faced with finding a fastener you don’t have a fitting tool for. This Wiha set gives you a lot of those bits that you might come across when working on equipment that’s not generally meant to be user-opened, accessed, or adjusted.
The Drive-Loc handle and bit holder extension can be set at multiple lengths. You can also use other Drive-Loc accessories, which are also length-adjustable.
Sale Price: $59.50
Deal is valid today only, 6/2/15, thru 12:00am CT.
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Buy Now via KC Tool
Compare via Amazon
It’s tough to recommend this as one’s first security bit set. What most people do, myself included, is to buy a cheap security bit assortment, and upgrade when the need arises. Or buy once and done, as I sometimes wish I had done. It stings to pay a Wiha premium for bits you might never use, but it’s also frustrating to bugger up a hard-to-replace fastener with a low quality and flawed screwdriver bit.
Yes, the set is pricey, but it beats having to special-order security bits or drivers with expedited shipping every time I need a special bit size or style. Sometimes cheap bits are okay, other times they’re to be avoided. I’ve used low-quality tamperproof Torx bits with off-center holes before, and am not too eager to repeat that mistake.
I hadn’t intended on buying this set, but the thought crossed my mind more than once when I was thinking about which deals I should request to arrange for readers this week. If I can get to a computer today, I might just pick up a set – the sale price is a little too good to argue with.
There are other versions of this set, such as Wiha 71991 (available via KC Tool and Amazon) that come with different driver handle options. The bit selection seems to be the same. If you don’t like the Drive-Loc handle that comes with this set, you could always use your own 1/4″ hex bit holders, mini ratchets, and other tools.
Here’s a quick KC Tool Vine look at the set:
https://vine.co/v/OVH77p1xVvw
There are plenty other security bit sets on the market. For a “just in case” set, you probably don’t need Wiha quality, or the expense. When I say probably, I’m thinking almost definitely. I like the versatility of security bit sets for unanticipated needs, and have a couple of fixed-handle drivers (Wiha tamperproof Torx) for special fastener sizes I know I’ll need often. And I think it’s time I upgraded to this Wiha set.
Which is your favorite security bit set? Can you believe that it has been 5 years since we talked about cheap security bit sets?
There are 2 more deals that we helped arrange for. Check back later this week for additional details.
- Thurs 6/4: Wera Kraftform Micro screwdriver set
- Fri 6/5: Gedore angled combination pliers
Nathan
is the torq set they call it the same as the offset cruciform that is used on some aircraft?
Think philips – and then take the 4 flats – and offset from then from the center – so they don’t make a perfect cross – but one that’s got a disjoint in it.
and google image search seems I’m right. we always called them offset cruciform.
the are great for torquing in a screw – but suck for getting it back out.
fred
Torq-Set bits for industrial applications come in sizes up to 5/8 inch – but the larger sizes are typically 7/16 and 5/8 hex drive. Apex is a good source for these larger bits.
There are other variations on cruciform (non Phillips-Style) bits like BNAE (Think French Bicycles), JIS (Think Japanese), Reed&Prince (also called Frearson), Pozi-Driv (popular in Europe), Phillips-II, and Sel-O-Fit (a Pozi-Driv variant)
Tim B.
There was a discussion on this quite a few years ago on the ToolMonger website.. and my recommendation from that time is still available, and still serving me well. My two go-to recommendations are:
Boxer 30 pcs 4mm Precision set (for any smaller applications)
http://www.amazon.com/Boxer-Pcs-4mm-Precision-Screwdriver/dp/B000FGQ1G6/
Boxer BX-100 100pcs Tamper & Security bit set (everything else)
http://www.amazon.com/Boxer-Tools-BX-100-Tamper-Security/dp/B000AYVJDI
From both a cost and quality perspective, I would purchase these again in a heartbeat, and they have never let me down.
Jim Felt
Thank you thank you. The Wiha sets Stuart likes here all suffere from the same problem. The darn bits fall out on their own. In fact I might return my set that was delivered yesterday as the damn things were all over the little box upon arrival. And they are hard to pull individually to actually use.
I’m ordering your master but set now!
Jeez. Louise.
Jim Felt
Oops! The bit offenders came KCTools. Now I’ve got to what call them for a call tag to return the hard to access and hence actually use bit holder.
We shall see how they stand up to Amazon.
More to come later today.
mike aka Fazzman
This is a nice kit for folks who need to open security boxes and such,the kit fits in a pocket and has plenty of options.
I have a different wiha set that is pretty similar to this.
Conor
By nature of the cruciform design, torq-set pan head screws typically can be shallower than comparable BHCS since you have such good surface area when tightening. Nice if you have clearance issues in a design. That said, they can be a pain to remove since the cruciform works against you on the way out, especially if you’ve added any loctite, etc.
Robert
Wiha is one of the better imports and a decent standard of quality. On the other hand, at what price is an increase in quality overshadowed by cost? Is the cost really justified for these things? That’s a rhetorical question, but valid nonetheless.
While I don’t doubt the quality of these bits, almost $60.00, on sale at that, is a bunch to plop down. Right now you can purchase a comparable Klein 32 piece security bit set for $18.37 on Amazon. If you want the set with a Klein bit driver included, it’s $29.00, also on Amazon. You could purchase 3 Klein bit sets alone for the cost of one Wiha on sale, to say nothing of the regular retail.
Now people will immediately jump to the defense of the Wiha. They’ll praise every virtue in detail. I get the German quality thing. At what point however does the nominal increase in quality justify the exaggerated price means? I know that “exaggerated price” is subject to interpretation. I might be able to tell the difference, but there wouldn’t be enough improvement in practical application to justify the price, at least from my perspective. I could have a spare Klein kit for extras, and still be 20 dollars better off than the Wiha kit on sale. I could have 2 Klein kits with drivers for the same sale price as the Wiha.
As for myself, the Wiha is not for me.
firefly
don’t really need it… but I order it anyway lol 🙂
firefly
Got it today. Love the bit, love the handle, love the way the extension lock in. Pretty much love everything except for the lousy case.
For a premium set the case is anything but premium. When I got it, the bit holders (each hold 5 bit and there are 6 of them) were loose inside the case. I couldn’t get them to snap in properly either.
Oh did I tell you I hate the case? 🙂