drill screw bits

[laktrash]

I'm still deck building I'd starve if I had to depend on my handyman skills. Any way what or some recomendations on the best bits for drilling the deck screws .I had a set of craftsman that were about wore out after many years so I picked a set of kobalt at lowes. What POS. I didn't get a screw per bit untill they rounded out I tryed all sizes they were pure junk. I found a old one that had flat on one and phillips got thru the day . Whats some of the better sets out there . Always had good luck with craftsman may just go back that route,What pi**ed me off about lowes was last week 2 grades of decking 5/4x6x10 $5.97 & $10.97 this week same stuff $3.27 & $5.97 I'm glad I just got a few last week and got the balance today

[Guest nicemac]

I'm still deck building I'd starve if I had to depend on my handyman skills. Any way what or some recomendations on the best bits for drilling the deck screws .I had a set of craftsman that were about wore out after many years so I picked a set of kobalt at lowes. What POS. I didn't get a screw per bit untill they rounded out I tryed all sizes they were pure junk. I found a old one that had flat on one and phillips got thru the day . Whats some of the better sets out there . Always had good luck with craftsman may just go back that route,What pi**ed me off about lowes was last week 2 grades of decking 5/4x6x10 $5.97 & $10.97 this week same stuff $3.27 & $5.97 I'm glad I just got a few last week and got the balance today

Square drive screws and bits work much better than Philips. They just don't round out and they don't slip out either. If you can exchange them, square drive will make this project easier.

[laktrash]

I agree but I'm stuck with a boxful from another project. I can make work for this project I did stumble on a good screw for the the supports and sides it saved me a bunch of time and seems secure, its callede timberlok . Those that do this may know about it. It was new to me set

Tarheel Wood Treating Co. - TimberLokâ„¢ Heavy Duty Wood Screws

[Trekbike]

I agree on the square bits.

Also, depending on the screw length used, you might have to predrill the holes to get the screws to fully set in deep enough. Also using soap on the screw threads cuts down on the torque required to get them in.

[enfield]

Take your bits back to Lowe's and get a refund. You won't get an argument from them. I'll bet the Dewalt bits are good.

[Guest Lester Weevils]

The star-pattern deck screws are easy to use also. I think Ace, Home Depot, and Lowes probably have more star-drive deck screws than square, but could be mistaken. There is at least one brand of the star-drive screws that has a "free bit" in every box, and I don't recall ever wearing out a star deck screw bit. I usually lose em way before they get worn out.

[Guest nicemac]

Take your bits back to Lowe's and get a refund. You won't get an argument from them. I'll bet the Dewalt bits are good.

The DeWalt bits are not good.

I have some old bits I got from the Mac Tool man several years ago that really bite screw heads, but I have no idea what brand they are. They really never strip out, but they do break once in a while. I only have a couple of them left. I don't know what I will do when they are gone.

Edited March 29, 2011 by nicemac

[peejman]

I've had good luck using the Deck Mate screws and the bits that come in the box with them. I think Lowes and Home Depot both carry them. They used to be a hybrid phillips/square drive and have changed to torx drive. Either way, they work well. I've built a couple of decks with them.

Deck Mate

[laktrash]

I got some of those deck mates also "blue" none of those match up with screws I have. the're too big. "huh never had that problem before" no big deal. I 've got a good size box and want to use them up . I'll go with torx next go around. I'll tell you the timberlock are really good for alot of applications. a little pricey but sure did the job for me.

[Guest adolf.oliver.bush]

You could use a good handpowered screwdriver.

[Mark A]

Impact drivers are your friend...

Mark

[Guest tnfireman]

+1 for deck mate.

99% chance the screws you have take a #2 bit

[Guest Lester Weevils]

Yep, impact drivers are yer friend fer sure. Ryobi makes a couple which are not real expensive and last good enough for the occasional amateur carpenter.

Deckmate and torx were the words I was trying to remember when I mentioned Star bits.

Torx - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Torx (pronounced "torks") developed[when?] by Camcar Textron, is the trademark for a type of screw head characterized by a 6-point star-shaped pattern. People unfamiliar with the trademark generally use the term star, as in star screwdriver or star bits. The generic name is hexalobular internal driving feature and is standardised by the International Organization for Standardization as ISO 10664. Torx Plus is an improved profile."

From now on I'm gonna make sure to use the name "Hexalobular Internal Driving Feature" when I go to Ace Hardware for screws!

"Star Driver Bit" may be a more appropriate name for Scottish Dilithium Crystal fasteners on the Starship Enterprise. Or perhaps the most famous bit in the most famous computer device driver. Or a joke about a movie star driving.

On the other hand I do occasionally see star screws in use on guns and bullet holder thingies.

[laktrash]

Impact drivers are your friend...

Mark

I've got a 2 speed hammer drill thats seems work as far as low speed torque. I know a regular drill tends to spin them out.

I could go ahead and try to finish today in the rain while standing in the lake