Bit sets: types and selection rules

The screwdriver is one of the most demanded tools. It is practiced by both professional builders and ordinary people in everyday life. However, a screwdriver without bits (slotted nozzles) is a useless item, since the efficiency of its operation directly depends on the correctly selected nozzle. For any type of fastener, it will be its own.

If you plan to perform few tasks, then you can buy several of the most popular attachments, but it is still safer to immediately purchase a suitable set.

The bit, as mentioned above, is a special attachment for a drill, a screwdriver. By means of it, bolts, screws, self-tapping screws, screws and other types of fasteners are tightened. It is a rod with 6 edges, at one end of which there is a working profile, and its other end is used for fixing in a holder or chuck of an electric tool (6-sided shank ¼ inch). For each type of fastener, a suitable screwdriver attachment is required.

Screwdriver bits are divided into three broad categories based on the configuration of the working area:

• standard (or basic);
• special;
• combined (bits with a double working part).

The lion's share of the demanded attachments belongs to those mentioned below. They are additionally subdivided into certain types based on the structure of the working part of the slot:

• straight;
• cruciform;
• in the form of an asterisk;
• 6-sided heads.

Special attachments are classified into the following options:

• 3-sided;
• with a stopper for gypsum board;
• with spring-loaded stoppers.

The difference between bits with a double working part, special and basic, is that at both ends of the nozzle there are working areas of different configurations or of the same configuration, but of different sizes. However, the above specifications are not the only ones, as there are several standards for tips.

• Phillips (Ph) - cross-shaped nozzles with a relative size: from 0 to 4. Endowed with expansion of the splines towards the shank and have an apex angle of 55 degrees. The most popular size preferred by consumers is Ph2.

• Pozidrive (Pz) - the angle at the top is 50 degrees. These attachments are an upgraded version of the ones described above. They differ in the presence of two or four additional slots at the base.

• Slot (Sl) - bits are distinguished by the presence of a flat tip, which makes it possible to work with screws with corresponding profiles in the head.

• Torx (TX) - slot in the form of a 6-sided star. It is used for structures with high reliability requirements.

• HEX - a nozzle used when screwing fasteners with an internal hexagon. For the most part, it is used to assemble pieces of furniture and has specialized attachments for nuts or bolts with an external hexagon. Also, this configuration is used when tightening roof fasteners or press washers.

• Custom bit configurations. Square-slotted nozzles are special products that are hardly ever practiced during routine repairs and construction work. Designated with the letter R (Robertson square), they have four faces and four different sizes. They are mainly used to assemble pieces of furniture.Extended R-bits available in lengths up to 70 mm.

• Forked - this is a different kind of non-standard attachments. They have a straight slot with a groove in the center. They are marked with the letters GR and are available on the market in four sizes: 4, 6, 8, 10, while they have a regular and elongated appearance. Such products are capable of reaching a length of 100 mm.

• Non-standard options also include three- and four-bladed nozzles... Three-bladed products are marked TW, and the sting is endowed with three blades. Usually practiced by specialists in the assembly or disassembly of digital technology and household appliances, as well as in the aerospace industry.

The material used in the production determines the reliability of the nozzle. The best bits are made from alloys of chromium with molybdenum, chromium with vanadium, molybdenum with tungsten, and silicon-magnesium sintered (pobedita).

Another very important condition when choosing nozzles for a screw wind is the existence or absence of a protective coating on their surface. The most valuable is a tool that has a titanium sputtering, since it will serve for a long time, and with its help you can screw in more than one hundred self-tapping screws and screws before it loses its functionality.

Experts manage to get good durability of the product when using diamond or nickel sputtering, vanadium-nickel alloy is also popular. They are somewhat inferior to titanium sputtering, but they work equally well for quite a long time.

This ranking includes the best screwdriver bit sets. When forming the rating, the following aspects were taken into account:

• saturation of the set;
• metal quality level;
• design and practicality;
• price;
• expert reviews;
• customer reviews.

Quite good sets of nozzles for professional use and in everyday life can be found in the middle price category. There are both complete kits and highly specialized kits, which may include a ratchet wrench and adapter.

Experts advise paying attention to several samples.

This set contains a complete set of attachments. At the same time, the equipment is sold at a reasonable price. Compared to products from China, Hitachi products serve the owner for a long time with careful handling.

Experts advise not to give significant overloads, to avoid stall rotation, and the nozzles will serve for quite a long time. The manufacturer made a duplicate of each item. And especially popular nozzles have 5-7 takes. If you use the equipment in a sparing mode, then the kit will last at least 5 years.

Decent competition to the leader of the rating was made by a set of nozzles from a familiar company from Germany Bosch. It contains 43 items, meanwhile its cost is more expensive than that of the Hitachi set. For this reason, the specialists gave the candidate only 2nd place. The main advantage of this kit is its superior quality. Although this tool is made in China, the European grandee is strict about the quality of production. The nozzles are made of carbon or alloy steels, the products undergo all phases of heat treatment.

The set includes 6 pieces of 75 mm and 32 pieces of 25 mm.In addition, the kit contains several multifunctional and quick-release magnetic clips. If the buyers do not make claims to the attachments, then they still exist for individual holders. For example, the holders cannot firmly attach the attachments.

All equipment is neatly placed in the case. The best products in the premium class. High quality screwdriver bits are required for daily work with a screwdriver. The best products are in the premium segment. Below is a description of some of the kits that were highly praised by the experts.

This is an example of not only reliability, but also attractiveness. Experts note the optimal combination of metal, chromium and vanadium in the structure of steel, as a result of which it was possible to make a wear-resistant toolkit. To make it easier for the master to understand the assortment of nozzles, each group with a specific slot has a special color coding.

The set of nozzles does not cause complaints from consumers. There are all popular versions in the sizes 25 and 75 mm. The set has a small and comfortable suitcase that does not require a lot of space in the closet or garage. In all respects, Metabo will be an excellent assistant to its owner.

An unusual equipment configuration was chosen by the designer, creating the Milwaukee Shockwave kit. All attachments are made according to the Shock Zone concept. This has a positive effect on the resistance of the instrumentation to fracture at increased loads. However, it is not only the original configuration that contributes to the good reliability of the products - shock resistance is achieved by internal ductility... It was possible to obtain such properties of steel thanks to the competent choice of the steel grade and the latest heat treatment technologies.

Buyers are very positive about the reliability and long service life of the attachments. The case is made of good plastic and has strong snaps.

Experts highly appreciated the quality of products based on a strong chrome vanadium alloy. The set contains all the commonly used bits: from straight slot to star-shaped. The manufacturer also included 5-11 mm sockets. Along with this, users will receive a practical magnetic lock.

Although the set of accessories is designed for an electric tool, there is also a simple screwdriver. It will serve for a discharged battery of a screwdriver or when working in narrow recesses. The acceptable cost of a premium class set should also be indicated.

The most complete and capacious mini-case in this rating is the Ryobi 5132002257 kit. However, the experts did not give the first place to this kit for the gorgeous content. The main factor in staying on the crown of the pedestal was the excellent quality of each piece. All the most popular attachments have a doubler.

Despite the low cost, buyers in the reviews talk about the long service life of the kit. You can only blame the manufacturer for the structure of the magnetic lock - it is made in the form of an elongated sleeve, which is pressed onto a hex shank.

Experts consider this mini-case to be an effective set of attachments. Its small size and utility are perfectly combined with the strength of each component. The set includes both standard short bits (25 mm) and extended bits (50 mm). The structure of the case received special approval from the buyers. Inside there are comfortable inclined clips - due to this arrangement, the nozzles are pulled out quite easily.

Below are the key aspects for choosing attachments.

1. First of all, you need to decide for what purposes and what bits are needed. If you expect different types of work with different types of splines, then it is best to buy a set of the most necessary products.
2. Before purchasing, you should look for the most reliable building materials store. It is better to go to expensive specialized outlets. You should not purchase products from little-known sources, including via the Internet.
3. The focus should be on the structure of the bit alloy and its features. The best option is chrome and molybdenum alloy. You should not purchase steel nozzles, as they are difficult to work with. However, they quickly become unusable.
4. You should definitely find out the composition of the coating of the product. If it is titanium, then the quality will be at its best.

How to choose the right bits for a screwdriver, see below.