Wiha’s recent Terminator impact-rated screwdriver bits claim to provide “up to 30 times the performance over standard insert and power bits.” This a bold claim, but Wiha backs it up with testing that shows how quickly other bits fails while theirs endures.
Terminator bits feature a bi-material torsion zone that helps prevent failure when the bits are over-torqued.
Advertisement
Although… newer impact drivers now have adjustable torque and speed control settings, which could eliminate the need for tougher bits like these. If you limit the torque on the tool, you wouldn’t need super torsion-resistant bits.
http://youtu.be/uY_Nh1b2YB0
Buy Now(via Wiha USA)
Ross
I’ll be curious to see how they hold up. My dad has a 20″ planer with the newer spiral cut heads with the indexable cutters. The cutters are held in with torx-head screws. I forget how many cutters there are, but I think the last time we went through about 15-20 bits using a corldess impact driver. We tried a few different bits, including ones that were impact rated, and none seemed to last very long.
Michael Quinlan
Ever since I first saw the Milwaukee Shockwave series of bits, I’ve thought the same thing – the whole idea of a torsion zone is to absorb some of the impact, thereby reducing the torque delivered to the fastener. While this may make the bits last longer under high torque conditions, it’s also reducing the effectiveness of the tool. It may be the only way to design bits that can handle the torque delivered by today’s tools, but I think the average user has no idea that there’s a trade-off.
matt
Wouldn’t that be part of the point? modern impacts are pretty far above recommended torque on most small fasteners anyway. So some loss in the torsion part of a bit should make zero real difference if anything it may prevent over torque on the fastener.
If its really hard material maybe try pre drilling a pilot hole instead of hammering a small screw in.
Michael Quinlan
Improving the life of the bits is the goal. Absorbing energy in the bit results in lower torque at the bit tip and fastener, and therefore a longer time to drive each fastener. The lower torque should be measurable, but I think the longer time would be less noticeable. My point is that the design trades performance for longevity, and while it’s not necessarily a bad trade, I don’t think the average user is aware of it.
Nick
I bought into the Milwaukee bits for a little while, but I quickly saw that their performance is at best marginal. At a cost of nearly $10 for their 6″ phillips shockwave impact bit, one would hope for long term performance. I suffered for months using those bits and finally said screw it. I’ve been using Apex 6″ bits with an impact driver for normal duty, but recently I made the switch to using GRK construction screws. They have changed my entire business. Where I’d spend hours before screwing with grip rite zinc screws when doing basic remodel framing tasks, I now spend seconds. GRK R4 screws with their 6″ GRK torx impact bits are the best thing I have ever found. Additionally, GRK’s trim screws with a T-10 bit are fantastic for cabinet joinery. Mind you, they aren’t for use with an impact driver because they’re so thin.
This Wiha bits look promising. I’ll have to give them a good run for their money — I have still yet to find a phillips bit that’ll last any length of time. I’m now using torx or square head screws exclusively whenever I can, but I’d like to hope that a wiha phillips bit will last a little longer.
Sarge
Don’t use Philips bits – you’re wasting your time . Instead , search out a company called Vessel Tools – http://www.vesseltools.com and use their impact rated JIS cross bits instead of Philips . By design , Philips are made to cam out for torque limiting – JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) are not made to cam out , ever . JIS cross heads will destroy a philips screw if too much torque is applied , so be careful as you can easily overtighten a screw to the point that the fastener fails , even extremely hard , high-quality screws . It’s all due to a difference in the taper design of the heads , the JIS are designed to drive fasteners to a specified torque , instead of making the torque limited by the taper . If you’ve ever worked on any Japanese motorcycle , car , truck or anything else – those are NOT PHILIPS SCREWS !!! JIS cross heads are different , and using a Philips driver on JIS screws will destroy the heads , and the screw won’t budge either ….
I’ve proved this probably over a 100 times to other mechanics/fab guys and all the seperate Trades at work ( I’m a Union Laborer) – they all are amazed at how well those bits can bite into a Philips screw and the bits simply do not wear out like any other made – Vessel has the steel figured out . I have broken a couple of them so far , but it was at very high torque loads on corroded screws and they come in 10 packs – not cheap but way worth the money….
fred
We have been happy with WERA Impaktor bits – which we buy in bulk from our industrial supplier for about $300 for 100
Amazon sells them too (but I suspect that others – eg. Chads Toolbox) might sell small quantities for less
http://www.amazon.com/Wera-Diamond-Coated-Impaktor-Screwdriver/dp/B005HFMZV0
Noah
I find that Phillips bits wear so fast in an Impact driver that there is little to be gained by spending more for specially designed bits.
I love the Phillips bits from Apex, but I only use them because I personally like their fit better than the cheap store brand bits.
Monte
test reports of the new Wiha bits vs. competitors can be found here:
http://wiha.de/england/ROOT/MAIN/News-Press-Releases/Innovations-2012/Wiha-MaxxTor-Family
ktash
I just got a set of these bits from Home Depot for $14.88. Seven bits and a holder plus case. It’s a good chance to try them out.