Drill Bit Attachments

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Looking to buy my first drill bit accessory kit. Since I am just a beginner, the common sizes will probably suffice for now.

Also, I need the socket adapters that can allow me to attach 3/8" and 1/4" drive extensions to my impact driver. I believe the first Makita kit includes these?

I am looking at these kits:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000UZ0...;pf_rd_i=507846

http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW2587-80-P...5612&sr=8-1

I am willing to spend a bit more for quality, but maybe not Snap-On level.

Thanks.

EDIT: This is the impact driver and hammer driver/drill kit I have:

http://www.homedepot.com/buy/makita-18v-...ery-394323.html
 
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Wait a couple weeks for the after fathers day clearances at depot/lowes.

For just bits, I like the B&D set from Walmart. Includes lots of odd sizes between 3/8 and 1/2. Other brands/stores skip those intermediate sizes.
 
The socket adapters can be had separate for about $4 ea, you don't really need hex drive sockets if you use these and have a socket set.
You have a drill so you don't need bits with a hex shank just buy regular bit.
Don't cheap out on drill bits with cordless tools they cause enormous battery drain and in general just suck, go cobalt, you can get a small set for not much money.
The rest of the bits buy them individually like the hex bit holder and screwdriver bits.

Buy a box of 20 or so philips head bits from Dewalt at HD for a few bucks, power tools tear bits up quick.

This Irwin 8% cobalt set will do almost everything you need for under $70, its a decent set. Buy metric drill bits as needed from a local jobber if you need them. Metric cobalt sets are harder to find and expensive.

http://www.bettymills.com/shop/product/v...CFYhM4Aodkhmi9Q
 
That's a nice drill/impact set.

Honestly, while those kits are nice because they come enclosed in a nice case, I dont see much benefit to having them, especially if you are within 15-20 minutes of a Home Depot.

I have a number of power tools:
-Corded and cordless impact gun (1/2)
-Drywall screwgun
-corded 1/4 and 1/2 drill
-set of impact gun and 1/2 hammerdrill
-small electric screwdriver

So,
-I bought a set of Blue Point impact sockets for lug nus.
-I bought a "tube" of good (Hilti) #2 screwdriver bits.
-I bought a cheap set of small drill bits from Ace, which can be used for small pilot holes and general drilling. As they break, I replace them with US made rigid bits from HD.
-I bought a kit of jobber length US-made Milwaukee branded standard drills that hit all common sizes.

I did this over maybe a year or so, as I needed them.

Ive also bought things on an as-needed basis.

If youre doing hammerdrill work in concrete, youre likely formulating a plan, and need to buy hardware, so you can pick up the right hammer bit (Bosch is quality IME at HD) for your job.

Similarly, if youre pulling wire or doing something where you need some kind of spade or wood auger bit, youre likely planning your work, so can pick up the right one (I have a 3/4" spade, and it is all Ive ever needed).

Ive never personally been in a situation where I randomly need a 3/8 or 1/2" drill bit, but they are handy if doing bigger things. However youll likely have time to go buy one ar HD (I have the US made ridgid bits in these sizes).

I have never needed a drill bit bigger than 1/2" for around the house and car stuff. I have found my 8" long 3/8" drill bit to be handy on many occasions... But again, for routine stuff youll not need this likely, and youll more than likely know when you will need it - and be planning for a project anyway to be able to pick it up.

I did require a 4" hole saw recently. Milwaukee sells US-made hole saws at HD. The connecting thing that holds the hole saw and goes into the Chuck isnt US made, and showed gouging from the torque that I needed (nearly ripped my arm off, it felt like!) when hole-sawwing through plaster and lathe.

If you need metric drills, Ive had good luck with the domestically made metric bits sold by mcmaster. Ive only once needed a metric drill, and it was a 7mm bit not even to be used as a drill, but rather as a reamer for the prechambers in my diesel - to clean them out of carbon when I had glowplugs out. Maybe some drill in metric all the time, Ive never needed to.

Dewalt does sell "impact" (black coated) #2 phillips and other drill bits for impact guns. I would recommend buying two longer lengths, since the shorty ones for drywall guns arent always the easiest to get in to tight spots, with a big fat drill/impact right behind it.

I dont believe that any of the 5/16" hex to 1/4" or 3/8" square drive connectors are rated for impact. Certainly not the Ryobi ones that HD sells, perhaps DeWalt has one... can't say. Be careful with that, and make sure you have impact rated sockets in 1/4 and/or 3/8" drive if doing that. Ive never sheared a connection, but I dont use it daily in pro use, and if I need that much torque, Ill use another tool.

***Always have a good ratcheting and standard screwdriver, as well as a little ratcheting bit driver (kind of like a ratcheting box-end wrench) for doing jobs. You dont have enough control to screw in flush in some circumstances, so dont rely on electric tools for everything. Sometimes it is much better to have the feel by hand... You can do it right with some tools, like drywall screwguns, but they are more specialized. Dont underestimate the value and power of finishing stuff by hand***

Ive broken, dulled and damaged a lot of bits. Had to work some stuff pretty hard, like when trying to drill through thick metal pipe, filled with concrete, that was used for a chin link fence.

Another thing for your toolbox - get a good, sharp awl. This way you can create a divot to center the drill bit on and have less walking.
 
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