Bits for screwdrivers provide strong retention of fasteners and screwing it into the material to the desired level. The most common problem with this device is the loss of shape of the splines (licking), after which the nozzle becomes useless.
We analyzed the results of numerous tests, which were published both in RuNet and on foreign resources, and compiled a rating of nozzles and their manufacturers. Thanks to this, you will find out which bits are best for screwdrivers, which will help you choose the right tooling that can last for many years and not waste money.
What affects the durability of bits
To choose high-quality nozzles, it is not enough just to remember the name of the recommended manufacturer. Even one company has products of different quality, which will affect the usability and service life of the equipment. Here are two key factors affecting the durability of bits that should be considered when buying.
Production material
Since the splines of the nozzle experience the highest load, the material from which they are made is one of the important factors affecting durability.
The most common materials for making bits for a screwdriver:
- Steel R7-R12 is the cheapest, suitable only for screwing screws into soft materials (wood, plastic).
- Tungsten-molybdenum is a more durable and versatile material.
- Chromium-vanadium is the most common instrumental alloy that tolerates high loads. It can be used for frequent work with metal.
- Chromium-molybdenum is the hardest alloy, contributing to the long life of the nozzle.
Even on the life of the material, the bits affect whether it was hardened. Heat treatment helps strengthen the end face of the tooling, which more effectively resists deformations from the load.
In addition to the material of the bit itself, its coating is important. It is designed to either protect steel from corrosion, or increase its strength. Among the low-cost options will be a chromium-vanadium coating, allowing the nozzle to withstand corrosion despite exposure to moisture. But with heavy use of the tool, it quickly erases.
Chrome Vanadium Bits
More reliable is a titanium nitride or pure titanium coating, which can be recognized by the characteristic golden color. The coating effectively protects against rust and increases tool strength.
Titanium-nitroit coated bits.
The tungsten coating is also equal in degree of impact.
The leader in the stability of the outer layer is the diamond coating. It significantly increases the working life of the bits, eliminates the slipping of the slots from the grooves of the fasteners and increases the speed of the same processes.
Diamond coated bits.
Design or what are torsion bits
In addition to the material, the tool life is affected by its design. It can be of two types: rigid and flexible. Externally, the bits look almost the same - the difference can only be in the color insert on the last leg. But now they produce products already without it.
Hard bit is just a piece of metal of a certain shape. It transfers torque from the gearbox to the fasteners. When the self-tapping screw stops abruptly in a solid material, a strong blow occurs, which leads to knocking of the edges in the cap and the nozzle or breaking the bit.
Torsion bit equipped with a flexible insert - a shaft capable of twisting and spinning along the axis. Such bits are well suited for impact screwdrivers, when you need to screw a long self-tapping screw into a dense material or vice versa unscrew the old fasteners. The nozzle transfers the tangential impact from the power tool well, and instead of slipping out of the grooves, it acts on the slots in the head, providing rotation. Impact bits last much longer than usual.
Torsion bit.
The best bit models for a screwdriver
Having considered two key factors affecting the life of the equipment, we will move on to specific manufacturers and models, which will help you choose the right nozzles for various activities. The following is a bit rating for a screwdriver based on tests in descending order. Therefore, the best are at the top. Moreover, their price is different, so those that are lower can sometimes be more expensive than those that are higher.
Milwaukee Shockwave Impact Duty
An American company, founded in 1924, and featuring innovative ideas in the field of power tools and accessories for it. He has more than 300 personal patents and is actively applying new technologies. Her best line of bits Milwaukee Shockwave Impact Duty during the tests showed the highest calculated result - 6088 self-tapping screws with one nozzle. Here are the features and technological solutions of this line.
Bits from this series won the TOP in the experiments of both Russian and foreign experts. All models of the series are torsion and are designed for percussion instruments. The word Shockwave indicates the presence of a special tip machining that provides precise positioning on the fasteners and reduces resonance vibration. The bit material is resistant to heat during heavy use.
This model is available in structural steel with a forged tip. The case has a red torsion insert. Sold individually or in sets. There are all types of nozzles:
- TX with a diameter of 1.0-5.0 mm and a length of 25-90 mm;
- SL with a flat slot is not a big choice - the tip thickness is from 0.6 to 1.2 mm and the width is 4.5-5.5 mm;
- PZ with reinforcement has a diameter of 1 to 3 and a length of 25 to 90 mm;
- PH without amplification with the same dimensions;
- Hex with a face size of 2.5 to 12 mm and a length of 25 mm.
DeWALT FlexTorq
Another American brand that has long gained popularity in Europe. The DeWALT FlexTorq series is a recent innovation, positioned as bits with the most correct geometry. During the tests, the bit was found to be enough for one bit to tighten up to 2592 screws.
Nozzles are made of forged burnished steel with subsequent processing on the machine. Due to this, the shape of the tip especially accurately repeats the cutouts on the fastener caps, which reduces the backlash and increases the contact area. The torsion core is able to twist along the axis by 15 degrees, which protects against a sharp stop of the self-tapping screw.
The series includes ordinary cruciform nozzles and reinforced with sizes from 0 to 3 and a length of 25 or 57 mm. A large selection of stars ranging in size from 10 to 40 and a length of 25 and 57 mm. Among the flat bits, there are only two options with a blade width of 6 or 8 mm.
Wiha MaxxTor
Third place went to Wiha products. This is a German brand operating since 1939. During testing, the Wiha MaxxTor series bits demonstrated the ability to twist up to 1313 screws with one bit.
The line is made of high alloy tool steel, which is able to resist corrosion for a long time. The torsion bar is coated with impact-resistant plastic, which ensures a long service life in harsh construction conditions. Models were included in the list of the best bits for a screwdriver, since the manufacturer endowed them with a large degree of twisting, which is not available for analogues. Torsion is able to crank up to 60 degrees, when for other models this limit is 15 degrees.
They are particularly suitable for pulsed screwdrivers and impact drills. In the yellow line you can find the following types of bits: PH, PZ, Torx, Hex, R. But it does not contain a flat slot SL. The size and length of the cruciform nozzles is from 1 to 3 with a length of 27 and 49 mm. Most of all there are hexagonal bits (20 pieces) with sizes from ¼ to 9/64. You can purchase each nozzle separately or in a set.
Wera Impaktor 851/4 IMP DC
The German company Wera takes fourth place in our ranking. The manufacturer has been operating since 1948 and is always trying to develop something new and make the familiar tool more functional. He succeeded with Impaktor bits designed for a special adapter.
This model of bits was developed to interact with a special adapter, which contains the second torsion part.Thanks to two flexible inserts, the nozzle softens the shock even better and retains the shape of the splines. Bits along with the adapter are positioned as the most durable. Nozzles are allowed to be used separately, but then their service life is shorter.
Bits have a diamond spraying tip that protects the slots from abrasion and deformation. The torsion bar is covered with plastic, the color of which means the type of bit. Crosses are equipped with red plastic, are available with a length of 50 mm and numbers 2 and 3. The same parameters and the reinforced version of PZ.
The flat slot is marked in yellow and is available in the same form with a thickness of 1.0 mm. Most stars marked with green plastic (20 pcs). There are five hexagons having a blue insert color. Tooling length 25-50 mm.
Makita Impact Gold
The oldest Japanese company operating since 1915. In addition to the usual bits, they release a special series of Gold, which has a golden coating. During tests, the bit demonstrated the ability to screw in more than 700 screws. The model is distinguished by an original technological solution.
Bits are made of high-strength steel with a titanium coating, so the series has a characteristic yellow color. The steel itself is tempered using Tatara technology. Now they also produce collectible samurai swords.
Bits of this series are distinguished by double execution, which increases the life of one nozzle. When one tip wears out, the bat is turned over and continued to be used. A flexible shaft is located between the hexagonal drives and functions well under load on either side. But there are one-way models. The equipment is well magnetized and holds tightly in the cartridge. The manufacturer claims that such nozzles will last 10 times longer than usual.
By type produce PH 1-3 with a length of 25 mm and the same double 65 mm. There are PZ 1-3 with a length of 50 mm. SQs are presented from 1 to 3 with a length of 50 mm and 25 mm, and T10-30 with single and double execution. SL is not available in this series. Separately, the models are not sold and you will have to buy a set of at least two pieces.
Bosch Impact Control
Products from the German Bosch concern have also become participants in bit strength tests. Although the company's products have long been manufactured at factories in Asia, its quality remains at a high level.
The bit series is designed in tool steel and forged to increase tip strength. Models are sold only in sets and often very large for 31 pieces. But the cost of nozzles comes out one of the most affordable - at 100 rubles per unit. The torsion bar is marked in white with the brand name.
Bits are available in lengths of 25 and 50 mm. There are double-sided nozzles of 65 mm. In shape, cruciform bits are produced with sizes from 1 to 3, reinforced with PZ 2 and 3, sprockets T 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, and a flat slot with a width of 5.5 mm.
