bit tips News & Reviews

A while back Makita sent out a sample pack of their new Impact Gold Bits, Sockets, and Nut Drivers, all of which are rated to handle the high torque that today's impact drivers can deliver. They also sent out some fasteners, some fastening materials and some suggestions on how to put their new impact ready bits to the test. Of course I ignored their scenarios and put the Makita Impact Gold Bits to the test while on the job.

We all need to use bit tips on the jobsite, and probably more than one type. To make sure you are covered, DeWALT has come out with three new 31-piece bit sets that meet the needs of three different trade types. They also housed them in a new smaller Tough Case so you know they will stay organized even if they spend their days riding around in the back of a pickup.

Nobody likes to spend their hard earned cash on driver bits or sockets, only to have them break after a few uses in your impact driver. This used to be a big problem when impact drivers were first introduced and people might be noticing it again now that impacts are offering even more torque. Irwin has introduced a new Impact Performance Line that has been designed with today's impact drivers in mind.

How many times have you been in search of a replacement bit tip and had to search through the bottom of your toolbag, sifting through the saw dust in order to find one? Unless you get yourself organized, you could waist a good 5 – 10 minutes out of your day.