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#177265 04/27/08 04:07 PM
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 23
H
HEI_Inc Offline OP
Member
Looking for some opinions on bits. I have used naileaters and milwaukee's self feed wood boring bits. Both are great out of the box but once you hit that first nail....

Also, with the self feed wood boring bits, if you are drilling more than 2 studs the hole fills up with shavings and you wind up spending 10 minutes digging the bit out of the hole.

What are you using ?

Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,056
R
Member
When I'm hot and heavy into new residential, I buy a new Naileater after 2-3 homes.

$30.00 well spent.

Kepp the most recent old one and resist the temptation to keep, sharpen, or use the older ones.

Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,445
Likes: 2
Cat Servant
Member
For the vast majority of my stud / top plate drilling, I use the Irwin Speed-Bor Max bits in a cordless impact driver.


[Linked Image]


The bit has the 1/4" hex shank to snap right into the chuck of the driver. Available in sizes to accommodate Romex, MC, 1/2 and 3/4 EMT, it can also be used with an extension. The three-flute design does a fine job of expelling chips from the hole.
The bits make a fast, very clean hole. If you encounter a nail, while the bit will NOT cut it, the bit will typically just skate over the nail, and drill no further, with little actual damage to the bit. Several nail hits are necessary to significantly dull the bit.
Be advised: The bits require more torque than a 14.4v drill can reliably deliver. Nevertheless, I have no problem powering them with a 9.6v impact driver!

Now, for the impact driver ....


[Linked Image]


While I am not going to make any claims as to this particular driver being better then others, it has almost completely replaced my drill in daily use. Getting a driver with a larger battery offers very little increase in power - though you can make more holes between charges.

Apart from driving the Irwin bits extremely well, impact drivers have a very short head; this is mainly because they do not use the usual chuck. As a result, the driver and bit will easily fit between 16"OC studs.

Finally ,,,, and I know this is hard to believe ... but an impact driver transmits ZERO twist to your hand. This means no more banged knuckles, sore wrists, or bent bits from striking something with the bit.

For those needing larger holes, Milwaukee has an impact driver designed to accept their "forstener style" bits.

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 466
Likes: 1
J
Member
Have to agree with John about the Speedbore bits. This is the first time I have been able to use a cordless drill on a rough-in. Even doubles don't really slow it down.

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 241
S
SJT Offline
Member
Does the Bit fit into the Impact Drill like a standard chuck? Does it need a key? How are the RPM's on that, variable?
Thanks

SJT #177302 04/28/08 03:24 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,445
Likes: 2
Cat Servant
Member
The hex shank of the bit fits into a special chuck that only accepts such hex shanks. The front ring on the chuck will slide, an let you insert the bit, than snap back into place.

RPM's are varied by pressure on the trigger, until the bit meets resistance. At that point, the bit is 'hammered' in the direction of rotation. You will be able to see the bit turn, stop, turn in time to the hammering. The force of the hammering is not something you can control - the strength of each blow is set by the tools' design.

Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 812
Member
Originally Posted by renosteinke
The hex shank of the bit fits into a special chuck that only accepts such hex shanks. The front ring on the chuck will slide, an let you insert the bit, than snap back into place.

RPM's are varied by pressure on the trigger, until the bit meets resistance. At that point, the bit is 'hammered' in the direction of rotation. You will be able to see the bit turn, stop, turn in time to the hammering. The force of the hammering is not something you can control - the strength of each blow is set by the tools' design.


Here's the impact driver thread from around Christmas:
https://www.electrical-contractor.n...l&topic=0&Search=true#Post172107

Ian A.

Last edited by Theelectrikid; 04/28/08 04:41 PM.

Is there anyone on board who knows how to fly a plane?
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 241
S
SJT Offline
Member
Thanks,
It sounds like the 1/2" Right Angle Drill I have is going to take a break.

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,158
Member
Originally Posted by renosteinke
For the vast majority of my stud / top plate drilling, I use the Irwin Speed-Bor Max bits in a cordless impact driver.


[Linked Image]


The bit has the 1/4" hex shank to snap right into the chuck of the driver. Available in sizes to accommodate Romex, MC, 1/2 and 3/4 EMT, it can also be used with an extension. The three-flute design does a fine job of expelling chips from the hole.
The bits make a fast, very clean hole. If you encounter a nail, while the bit will NOT cut it, the bit will typically just skate over the nail, and drill no further, with little actual damage to the bit. Several nail hits are necessary to significantly dull the bit.
Be advised: The bits require more torque than a 14.4v drill can reliably deliver. Nevertheless, I have no problem powering them with a 9.6v impact driver!

Now, for the impact driver ....


[Linked Image]


While I am not going to make any claims as to this particular driver being better then others, it has almost completely replaced my drill in daily use. Getting a driver with a larger battery offers very little increase in power - though you can make more holes between charges.

Apart from driving the Irwin bits extremely well, impact drivers have a very short head; this is mainly because they do not use the usual chuck. As a result, the driver and bit will easily fit between 16"OC studs.

Finally ,,,, and I know this is hard to believe ... but an impact driver transmits ZERO twist to your hand. This means no more banged knuckles, sore wrists, or bent bits from striking something with the bit.

For those needing larger holes, Milwaukee has an impact driver designed to accept their "forstener style" bits.


I bought the Dewalt 18 volt today for 199. reg 329 @ Home Depot today.


My elbows are getting painful these days gonna see if this tool helps with less stress on them.

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 21
J
Member
I am in the middle of a new house and almost all the drilling is done with the 18v Milwakee impact and the irwin speed bits like pictured. For the larger holes I have a 28v milwakee right angle drill.
The house I am doing is almost 10,000sq feet and not having to drag cords around is such a time saver. If the drill ends up in the trash when I am done the time I saved will more than offset the cost of it.
Also don't throw the bits away, I have a dremel tool I just sharpen them with and only takes a few minutes to do each one.

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