MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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I've finally realised it's a PITA to keep swapping pilot drill, countersink, drill bit when doing DIY jobs. So, please point me to a decent magnetic bit set that'll ease my issue.
Don't think I want one that'd keep a tradesman in kit for a year, just for normal jobs, probably never really go above no. 12 screws.
Next job is to screw some OSB flooring underlay down in my shed, that's the kind of task I'm thinking of. I realise a second drill driver would also be handy, but not going there yet.
For OSB in a shed I really wouldn't bother. Decent screws will self pilot and countersink nicely without much effort. In fact I reckon you get a better hold and neater finish like that
That's only two swaps if you're organised enough, surely? Drill all the holes before swapping bits?
Fair point about the OSB. But you'll not talk me out of buying some new tools!
Get a combined drill bit with countersink and pilot - that way you only need to use the drill once. Get a few spares of the pilot hole drills as they’re easy to snap.
I'd get an impact driver. Once you've got one you'll wonder why you didn't get one before. Especially one with a soft start.
With a 1.5a battery it's an utter joy to use
For me the answer was more drivers not more bits! Once you're into a cordless system more tools can be ridiculously cheap, the 12V draper/sealey drilldrivers I like for light work are £30 bare, as was the little impact. (turned out I don't really like impacts, I prefer a drilldriver but there's specific jobs they're phenomenal at, especially if you're working in awkward spaces or can't get weight on the tool, arms length or unstable work pieces)
And chinese knockoffs can be a great option if you're into Makita lxt or similiar- genuine for proper tools and batteries and chargers, always, but knockoffs are great for times when you wouldn't have bought the expensive proper tool.
I mean, yes if you're organised you can do a load of holes then a load of screws but I am not organised.
Also yep combined countersink/drillbit is fantastic, also serves as a depth setter if that's relevant. I keep losing mine and it's really frustrating but what a labour/time saver. (you can tell how good a tool is, when you lose it and it's the end of the world even though you still get the job done)
Screwdriver bits have a hard life in powertools and also get lost so I've always figured that buying cheap-ish, often-ish is a good option. Another thing that can be really useful is cheap hex drill bits- the sort that'll pop into a screwdriver bit holder. They're generally a bit crap, and expensive for what you get, but for a lot of jobs like this "a bit crap" is absolutely fine of course. Mine are just chinese no-names, really glad I have them.
I use a milwaukee shockwave adaptor in either an impact driver or (rarely) a drill.
It's a 1/4 hex so fits straight into the impact driver and is easy enough to fit to a drill.
No particular reason that it's Milwaukee other than I imagine it was cheap at the time.
I used to have have similar Dewalt things, they were just as good.
Magnetic, so bits fit easily and quickly. It had a narrow waist to allow for some twist so you do t shatter your bits.
I use that with Dewalt extreme PZ2s or whatever. The Dewalt bits seem to last well and come in packs of 25 for not much money.
While I've got some nice 1/4 hex sets of boys. I wouldn't spend much on bits for use in a powertool. They're a consumable really. Sabrecut have been pretty good from amazon. I managed to twist a tx25 around and around without it shearing. They seems to be made from really nice material.
Thanks all.
I'd seen those countersinks fettlin, I reckon they are just the ticket.
And I reckon you're on the money bens. To be honest, a PZ2 bit is what I use about 99% of the time, so a separate magnetic adapter and box of PZ2's is probably the correct answer. I think a big set with loads of Torx and Phillips wouldn't get used.
Driver (£13) from ikea.
you’d need something burlier.
but a nice, non-magnetic set (£5) from Lidls earlier
I think a big set with loads of Torx and Phillips wouldn't get used.
I always think so, and then I'm in the middle of something and run into some pain in the arse random T20 torq or something. It's definitely worth having at least one big box o random bits, even if you barely ever use them
Agree with Northwind, there are always occasions when you're faced with a curve ball fixing that needs to come out. I have a small Makita bit selection case that covers all the usual suspects and has a magnetic adapter.
If you are buying boxes of screws, some come with appropriate sized bits included inside in a little case.. So you'll get 3 bits per box. It usually says on the carton.
We’ve got a couple of makita bit sets that have a mini ratchet which is incredibly useful in tight spaces. Add a spinner handle and you’ve got the right bit to hand for almost any job.
this is similar but has a ratcheting spinner handle included. £23
Combined pilot/countersink bits are good but not quick change and only do tiny holes (at least all we’ve got)
The smart answer is an extra drill body. For most woodworking the 10.8/12v stuff is better to use because it’s smaller and lighter (especially the impact driver - 18v impact is fantastic for driving big long screws but for normal screw sizes the small ones a lot more controllable).
Thismakita set is great. Extra bare drill drivers are about £40. ( as are the 18v to be fair).
Another thing that can be really useful is cheap hex drill bits- the sort that'll pop into a screwdriver bit holder. They're generally a bit crap, and expensive for what you get, but for a lot of jobs like this "a bit crap" is absolutely fine of course.
I love those, for drilling small holes in fairly light materials, I use them in a reversible ratchet screwdriver, or a small electric screwdriver. Mine are TiN coated, I’ve got a couple of sets, only broken one small one, a 2.5 or 3mm, I don’t do much heavy drilling.