NationStates Jolt Archive

Ok I need some help with this one. (just in case I'm using the wrong lingo, I mean the things that are like drill bits but drive screws instead.

After a few years of not working much with my hands, I'm doing a lot more assembling, tightening, etc... I bought a new drill, couple of bit sets and start assembling stuff. To my amazement, these screwdriver bits SUCK! They are so weak that I ruined a couple on a tough job. wtf?

What I don't get is that 10 years ago I was doing similar stuff and my bits lasted forever! I still have a bunch of old, rusted bits somewhere, and seeing how shitty these ones are, I think I might have to find them. Are they not being made as strong as they used to be? Is this a kind of planned obsolescence? Has anyone else noticed this?

Were your old bits made of titanium or something? I also really hate it when those iron pieces of shit snap with a tough screw.

I busted a Screwdriver 25 minutes after its first use!:)

This is a problem with modern society. Companies sell crappy products on the basis that you'll go back and buy more of them when your new ones wear out. I mean, look at antique furniture - that stuff's been around for hundreds of years, and it's next to impossible to damage it. Modern furniture, you barely have to put something on it and it'll collapse.

I busted a Screwdriver 25 minutes after its first use!:)
What was its first use?

What was its first use?

Getting Drunk. :)

What was its first use?
Screwing.

Getting Drunk. :)

Screwing.

Both answers are comedy...erm...bronze.

Both answers are comedy...erm...bronze.

Well, the most important thing about sticking a screwdriver down your throat is choosing the right kind first. :)

Both answers are comedy...erm...bronze.
Hey it was consentual.

Can't say much about ordinary screwdriver bits, but ones made for gunsmithing (and this includes whole screwdrivers) are made of metal that is intentionally softer than the 4140 chrome-moly screws commonly found in firearms.

This is to prevent damaging a potentially expensive screw - the screwdriver bit is nearly always cheaper than the screw in the firearm (which is usually made specifically to the firearm, and conforms to no other standard screw).

This also prevents overtightening, which can damage the frame, receiver, or barrel of the firearm, which is vastly more expensive than the screwdriver.

It helps to find the exact size of bit that fits the screw, and be judicious in applying force. If you put a screw in place, and you really don't want it to walk out on you later, overtightening is not going to help - use a bit of Loctite.

practice almost eliminates this problem
After drywalling my basement and building a new deck, using a drill for most of the fasteners, (literally thouasands between the two jobs), its safe to say I dont think I stripped 3 screws. Slowing up at the right point becomes second nature, wether its a 3 & 1/2" inch exterior or just a 1 & 5/8" drywall screw.

practice almost eliminates this problem
After drywalling my basement and building a new deck, using a drill for most of the fasteners, (literally thouasands between the two jobs), its safe to say I dont think I stripped 3 screws. Slowing up at the right point becomes second nature, wether its a 3 & 1/2" inch exterior or just a 1 & 5/8" drywall screw.

It's safe to rely on practice and skill if you are using common screws - who cares if you damage one if you buy them by the pound.

It's gun screws and frames where you can't take a chance on damage - no matter how skilled the user.

On the other hand, I pay a lot for my gunsmithing tools - I feel that if you bought some cheap ass screwdriver, you got what you deserved.

Something tells me that in regular construction, there's obviously a level of tool that you really need to purchase in the first place - or you're screwing yourself.

Buy Dewalt screwdriver bits. Good quality.

It's safe to rely on practice and skill if you are using common screws - who cares if you damage one if you buy them by the pound.

It's gun screws and frames where you can't take a chance on damage - no matter how skilled the user.

On the other hand, I pay a lot for my gunsmithing tools - I feel that if you bought some cheap ass screwdriver, you got what you deserved.

Something tells me that in regular construction, there's obviously a level of tool that you really need to purchase in the first place - or you're screwing yourself.


Welcome back, DK- good to see you.

I agree with you in regard to gunsmithing-similar to jewelry & locksmithing in that respect-you dont want to damage the pice or screw, better to risk the tool.

I may have been mistaken-I thought the OP was discussing more common applications. I personally dont do any fine work like you described, mine is more limited to rough construction (sometimes REALLY rough *L*)-drywall and framing/decking around my house and friends/family. If I strip a screw or mar a surface, its no big deal.

Buy Dewalt screwdriver bits. Good quality.


I got an extended one from Bosch not too long ago-its pretty good too. And I'm pretty sure it was made in the US.

What brand was it? Stanly or Craftsmen? LOL

Go Klein Tools, it may cost 60 bucks for a screwdriver, but its worth it.

I may have been mistaken-I thought the OP was discussing more common applications. I personally dont do any fine work like you described, mine is more limited to rough construction (sometimes REALLY rough *L*)-drywall and framing/decking around my house and friends/family. If I strip a screw or mar a surface, its no big deal.
Yeah I mostly do common household assembly... wardrobe units, dressers and such. I suppose it is possible that overapplying pressure and speed would cause the screw to jump and get damaged. But I don't think my technique is any worse than before, yet the damage seems to be much worse.

Great suggestions from everyone... keep them coming, and any other suggestions for keeping tools from being damaged would be great!

Can't say much about ordinary screwdriver bits, but ones made for gunsmithing (and this includes whole screwdrivers) are made of metal that is intentionally softer than the 4140 chrome-moly screws commonly found in firearms.

Gun nut! :p

From my experience square bits last much longer and it is alot harder to strip a screw with a square bit

but as for if they make them any better or worse then the old ones. im not sure. obvioulsy they mass produce them much faster today then they would of been able to do 30 years ago

Screwdrivers with tapered blades just suck, IMHO. But I'm biased, because I use Forster screwdrivers that fill and fit the screwslot from top to bottom.

See the descriptions at
http://www.forsterproducts.com/Pages/screwdrivers.htm

Are these bits for a powered driver or just a screwdriver?

If its for a powered driver make sure you aren't putting them in a drill. Drivers should have a slipping gear to prevent stripping the bits and screws while drills don't. Was already said, but DeWalt bits are pretty damn good. Home Depot or big places like that usually have a bin full of bits for pretty cheap as well.

If they are screwdrivers (the ol' hand powered ones) go to Sears and buy youself these (http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://us.st11.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/I/tylertool_1879_24594022&imgrefurl=http://www.tylertool.com/handtools2.html&h=70&w=69&sz=5&tbnid=59nkSFsHUC8LuM:&tbnh=66&tbnw=65&hl=en&start=48&prev=/images%3Fq%3DCraftsman%2BScrewdriver%26start%3D40%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3 DN). Also try and find some roberts head screwdrivers (them square Canadian ones), might have to cross the boarder to get some (and screws will be hard to find) but they are worth it, much better than the slot drivers.

http://www.kleintools.com/ - if you want the best of the best, I know guys who have used these for 15+ years, and very few signs of wear

We just spent the best part of a day assembling a bed and furniture for my sons bedroom...it was fairly expensive furniture and it needed a LOT of putting together...and a LOT of screws...My Canadian now has a large blister in the palm of his hand. I tend to agreee that you get what you pay for with most things, tools included.