Like a lot of us, I have a few hundred 1/4" driver bits for various work and projects around the property.
Mine are mostly mixed up, and I seem to always pick the wrong ones when in the middle of a job.
So, after looking online for the best impact driver bits —- and not really getting the straight dope —- I asked one of our resident tool experts, MarkT —- what he would recommend. He gave me some solid recommendations —- then he also sent me link to Project Farms.
Weird name, right? But this guy is basically the unbiased Consumer Reports for tools and many other products. Extensive testing, takes no free merchandise, buys everything without getting any manufacturer discounts or freebies. Talks REAL fast —- but he is the real deal.
No BS, just facts and reasons for recommendations after very thorough testing of different tools and products.
What I wanted was some high quality driver bits.
Surprisingly, the most expensive ones were not always the most
durable or longest lasting ones.
For example, Harbor Freight Hercules brand were rated near the top, and a good value.
Other top contenders were Milwaukee, Klein, Bosch, and Wiha.
Yesterday, between Church, lunch, and Sue's Municipal Band Concert where she plays the flute —- I went over to Harbor Freight and picked up some magnetic Hercules hex drivers in Metric & SAE. Then the clerk also told me that I could use a coupon to get either a Metric set or an SAE set of Warrior magnetic hex drivers —- for $2.49. Told him I would take both sets.
Bought some other stuff like impact rated extensions, by Hercules.
Then went across the road to Lowe's and picked up a nice set of WIHA blue TST impact drivers for $35. These are rated to be 120X longer lasting than the average impact driver bits. We'll see... WIHA has always been a top notch tool company for me. Their tools just work effectively, hold up well, and have tight tolerances.
OK, so now I will test the bits and see which work the best and hold up.
I do a lot of electrical, carpenter, mechanical, and woodworking jobs.
My preference on screws and drivers are hex head, star, square, and lastly Phillips.
Will test and report back over the next few projects.
My drivers are Ridgid & DeWalt 18V, and Milwaukee 12V.
Best, Fred
https://www.projectfarmreviews.com/list
You received very good advice, both on the bits and the mention of Project Farms youtube channel.
I've followed the Project Farms channel for several years and normally just jump to the end of his videos to see his test summaries. He runs test on many subjects, tools, etc.
Have used Harbor Freight Hercules hex drivers and no complaints. Thanks for the info on Project Farms.
Given the same quality metal, square head screws seem to be easy to work with. Torx and Phillips are more difficult for me to bit-size correctly.
I always seem to end up using more Phillips than anything else; not sure why; old habits die hard, I guess. But, I can't put the twisting force to Phillips that I can with Torx & square.
Frank
Fred, I have the same tool/driver rack, so I now know I'm partially awesome too! I need to get the nerve to just dump all the piles of bits and get new.
Project Farms is awesome but I have to jump to the end to get what I need. His voice gets tiresome as fast as he talks.
thank you, made a note..
currently have a Winchester set used only for working on reels and shotguns, and a couple of Ace Hardware sets.
the Winchester has been good, nicely made and holding up well.
The Ace stuff, maybe not so much, but it gets used a lot more.
Ever notice how the bit included in a one-pound box of ceramic coated Torx deck screws will never last long enough to use up the whole box.
I have a Brownell's set that I used when I was working as a gunsmith. They seem to be very good quality and are guaranteed for life. I also have some Wiha tools that I like a lot.
Quote from: Rancanfish on October 28, 2025, 04:16:55 PMProject Farms is awesome but I have to jump to the end to get what I need. His voice gets tiresome as fast as he talks.
I have to keep the volume low on my laptop when I play his videos. My wife can always hear it and yes, I too go right to the end as well. Todd is a good guy. He followed up on one of my requests and did a review on it.
Quality tools are nice. I'd like to see the reel manufactures use a better grade of screw and preferably torq.
Quote from: Keta on October 29, 2025, 04:55:43 PMQuality tools are nice. I'd like to see the reel manufactures use a better grade of screw and preferably torq.
I only buy Torx head screws unless there's no option! Phillips were designed to cam out... it's an intentional feature!
Quote from: MarkT on October 29, 2025, 05:21:38 PMQuote from: Keta on October 29, 2025, 04:55:43 PMQuality tools are nice. I'd like to see the reel manufactures use a better grade of screw and preferably torq.
I only buy Torx head screws unless there's no option! Phillips were designed to cam out... it's an intentional feature!
Yup.
There are some really clever and tough Torx head screws. They are also my preference when possible.
For the RV Carport I am building currently, these are what will be used.
The 3" hex screws for the 6X6 support posts & lower Simpson brackets.
The 1.5" hex screws for the upper hardware brackets.
Galvanized nails for the rest.
Schedule is to pour the pad tomorrow starting at 11:30, then start on the vertical structure Monday morning.
Best, Fred
Best, Fred
Nice!!!