Not all impact bits are created equal

[johne]

Interesting vid about impact bits.

Do note that the video is made by Wera so take it with however many grains of salt you wish but it seems there are big differences between these bits

 

[neth27]

I have tried the Wera Impaktor bits, i thought they were no better than any of the other cheap makes. The Impaktor bit holder was total crap  [big grin]

John..

 

[AlexThePalex]

Every company says their products are the best, and they all got the figures to prove it. Even the cheap and ultra cheap brands.

What it comes down to in the end is, you built up a reputation or not. I don't think Wera has much to complain there.

 

[johne]

Thanks John

Hands on experience is better than a manufacturers promo video
just to add some fuel to the fire here are some more vids. If anyone has experience with any bits good or bad please let me know

 

[johninthecamper]

snap on ones are pretty much the same price,the biggie here,they will replace it,all you need is the piece with their name or number

when I first posted this snapon did not come threw right

 

[johne]

Hey alex

Of course they have a reputation and their bits are good but are they that much better than the competition?
Or for that matter the Wiha terminators?

Manufacturers are know to make their products look better than they are. A good example, i should probably say a bad example, is Nokia, who whilst promoting the extraordinary image stabilization on their new Lumia phone shot themselves in the foot with this commercial  [big grin]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=A-TZmvZTwSk

Anyways just wondering if the terminators or impaktors are worth the extra money?

 

[AlexThePalex]

Hey alex

Of course they have a reputation and their bits are good but are they that much better than the competition?
Or for that matter the Wiha terminators?

I have no hands-on experience with the Wera or the Wiha bits so I couldn't tell you.

Best way to find out is to try them yourself. I wouldn't go out and buy a set right away, you can also buy their bits seperately, so I'd buy one or two and test them before making my mind up.

Problem with impact bits is they break often, even the more expensive ones.

Personally I think using some cheaper brands might be more economical. They break quicker, but their replacement price is lower.

That Nokia ad is hilarious.

 

[Alan m]

that nokia add sums up all the crap that companies claim about their products. i always treat every claim with a healthy level of distrust

i have used normal pz2 wera bits in their impacter and kompacter bit holders. i havnt used the impact bits thow
they last a lot longer that the generic ones iv used.
lately iv been using dewalt bits (i got a box for free on a job)  instead of my wera ones.
they last about half as long but cost about 1/6 th .
i think from now on il save my money . i dont mind breaking the dewalt ones too much but the wera ones anoy me when they break.
i broke 4 wera ones and 2 dewalt ones in one day. i wasnt a happy camper that day
i have a pz3 wera and it has lasted years doing serious screws

 

[woodie]

I have tried the Wera Impaktor bits, i thought they were no better than any of the other cheap makes. The Impaktor bit holder was total crap  [big grin]

John..

I have to agree. I wanted to like the impaktor set but the bits don't seem to hold up any better and the bit holder IS horrible. I've had great luck with Apex bits however.

 

[johne]

Thanks guys usefull info!

@ Johninthecamper: Are you sure the Snap-on warranty applies to bits?

 

[johninthecamper]

my truck gives me new ones,never used anyone else

 

[AlexThePalex]

my truck gives me new ones,never used anyone else

So where does your truck get them?

 

[johninthecamper]

made by snap- on

 

[Mettes]

I use the the Wera Impaktor, bit and bit-holder since more then a year, and I don't think I've broken two bits since!  Have to admit that I mostly use PZ3 and my screws are Spax.
The make of screw you use makes a big difference.  Compared to a regular screw the Spax, I mostly drive 6×100mm, go in 1.5 time faster.  So more screws per charge and easier on the bit.

 

[Davej]

I have tried the Wera Impaktor bits, i thought they were no better than any of the other cheap makes. The Impaktor bit holder was total crap  [big grin]

John..

Have to agree about the holder ( ring magnet type ) its pants . I bought it as a set and snapped a pozi 2 point bit almost straight away so i rang wera  who put me in touch with the local rep who sent me 6 replacement bits after apologizing  for premature failure. Also have a wera ringmatic rabpidaptor that i put a normal bit holder in and couldnt get it back out as the shoulder was right up to the sliding sleeve , again i rang them and they sent  me a new holder with an apology . Gotta give them 10 outa 10 for customer support . No bits have failed on me since then and i would defo buy wera again