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Discussion Forum

best magnetic bit holder in the world?

silver77 | Posted in Tools for Home Building on December 8, 2009 03:01am

Hey,

If this has been covered in previous threads, please send a link and I’ll shut my piehole.

Otherwise–insert rant here-I am fed up with all the magnetic bit holders I have tried in the past couple years:

Including Lee Valley’s latest offering at 8 bucks-magnet sucks/ poor overall quality-sending back for refund

17 bucks for the dewalt- 1″ bits don’t lock/weak magnet-/

I have looked everywhere and can’t find a simple bit holder that:
has a strong magnet
has a small hub that locks the bit in place
lasts

I remember a discussion that included Acme as the best but I never found a source.

thanks!

silver

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Replies

  1. calvin | Dec 08, 2009 03:11am | #1

    The best one I have I bought in maybe 74.  It came in my milwaukee screw shooter.  It is brass on the sleeve around the shaft that goes in the drillmotor.

    In liew of that, I've got several that perform well.  Purchased at my tool supplier.  If necessary I'll ask what brand they are.  As is the usual, they are housed in those angled displays with the clear plexi lids-sitting on the counter.

    I'm assuming shipping up to you might be more than the bit holders.

    A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.

    Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

    http://www.quittintime.com/

     

    1. silver77 | Dec 08, 2009 03:20am | #2

      Thanks-I would like to know the brand...mbholders piss me off!!!!!!!!"The best one I have I bought in maybe 74." -now that's funny!I thinking of writing a scorching review for lee valley and suggest they send their products out to BTers to be field tested...

      1. calvin | Dec 08, 2009 03:43am | #5

        What's funny is I still have it.

        35 y.o. bit holder.

        And the screw gun too.

        Some are hard on tools.

        Me?

        nope.

        And I use the #### outta them.  Just don't loan 'em out nor use them for something they weren't meant for.

        What a concept.

         

        If you cannot find them-ask the Tim HEREA Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.

        Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

        http://www.quittintime.com/

         

      2. calvin | Dec 08, 2009 03:52am | #6

        The brass one-the sweetest of the bunch-Belzer KM 153-48 Germany.

        I've got a couple MBH's-not so good-tip comes out easily to remove, not it use tho.  The seem pretty good to me for holding while operating.

        And Apex-need pliers to remove the bit.

        I've found that an impact driver can booger 'em up also.

        Best of luck.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.

        Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

        http://www.quittintime.com/

         

  2. danski0224 | Dec 08, 2009 03:32am | #3

    Tried Apex?

  3. lettusbee | Dec 08, 2009 03:35am | #4

    Commercial Drywall Supply houses and real (Genuine) old fashioned lumber yards seem to have the real APEX brand  bit holders commonly seen in  the plexiglass lidded display cases. 

    1. silver77 | Dec 08, 2009 03:58am | #8

      Apex-Acme okay could be...I haven't tried nor seen...maybe just marketed in the us of a...but I'll try online now that I got the name straight...thanks-silver mbh

    2. silver77 | Feb 18, 2010 12:06pm | #20

      Hey all-dug this thread back up-not that easy

      In the old days, i would have replied to all

      It is what it is and it ain't good...

      anyway I'm searching for apex magnetic holders and the sites suck...

      does any one have a link to a good one??

      THANKS

      silver

      1. User avater
        MarkH | Feb 27, 2010 10:54pm | #23

        Try this: http://www.cooperpowertools.com/main.cfm

      2. bd | Mar 01, 2010 06:21am | #24

        Have you tried something like these?

        http://www.mcfeelys.com/product/mh-2420/     

            

         

  4. junkhound | Dec 08, 2009 03:57am | #7

    Reworked HF cheapies work well.

    Bought a bunch of NFeB rare earth magnets on line for other uses, saw they would drop right into a 1/4" holder - bust out the existing cheap ferrite magnet, drop in a NFeB magnet with a bit of glue - sometimes need a pliers to pull a bit out!

    1. silver77 | Dec 08, 2009 04:04am | #9

      is that the 2 toonies and a loonie solution?uhh-that's 3 bucks canuck...good plan-I like it for plan bplan a has to rock and roll-
      easy in
      easy out
      doesn't come out except when I want it to
      non-tool removalplan b
      ok-sign me up-I already have the mag bits-just need the magnets-lee valley...thanks for that

  5. andybuildz | Dec 08, 2009 04:07am | #10

    I forget but I think it's my DeWalt screw holder that has the sleeve that pulls over the screw head. That helps a LOT!! 'Specially on long screws.

    View Image

    The Woodshed Tavern Backroom

    The Topics Too Hot For Taunton's Breaktime Forum Tavern

    1. silver77 | Dec 08, 2009 04:24am | #11

      "That helps a LOT!! 'Specially on long screws."Yep-handy just don't seem to last...I was going through my toolbox over the weekend and realized I have been mbh challenged for too long<grin> I'm kinda cheap now...buy quality and keep it for years...I have some tools 20-30 years old ... but a fraggin' mbh-I have 10 of them -and they all suck

      1. andybuildz | Dec 08, 2009 04:59am | #13

        Dude..its just another one a them thar tools you just know yer gonna keep buying so....suck it up...LOLView Image

        The Woodshed Tavern Backroom

        The Topics Too Hot For Taunton's Breaktime Forum Tavern

        1. silver77 | Dec 08, 2009 06:18am | #15

          I'll suck it upbut I want the best...as I get older my patience runs out fasterwhen I want to rock and roll, I want to rock and roll...not look for another POS mbh<grin> silver

          1. andybuildz | Dec 08, 2009 06:36am | #16

            I have so many half a magnet bit holders in my tool box it ain't funny. I keep thinking one day one of em'll make one full one but so far....View Image

            The Woodshed Tavern Backroom

            The Topics Too Hot For Taunton's Breaktime Forum Tavern

          2. silver77 | Dec 08, 2009 07:34am | #17

            ha that's 'xactly what I'm talking aboutI smell opportunity-I've got to check out the much raved about Apexotherwise I'm conspiring with lee valley to produce the world's best and only long lasting mbh guaranteed for your lifetime or money cheerfully refunded...silver

  6. FingerJoint | Dec 08, 2009 04:36am | #12

    Not magnetic, but I like this one.

    http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00926205000P?keyword=speed+lock

    I have had one for years, and it works flawlessly.  I don't typically like Craftsman in the power tool department, but this accessory is an exception. 

    1. silver77 | Dec 08, 2009 06:15am | #14

      I'll try anything once...plus I could add a magnet per junkhound's suggestion...I'll pick one up next time in SearsBTW, if you don't have one-Sears/craftsman makes the only receptacle that I know that takes a power tool on top and accessory below-like a chop saw and a vacuumso saw and vacuum run at same time.that bit looks like lee valley POS

      1. silver77 | Dec 10, 2009 09:27am | #18

        Too bad some of the best replies are MIA...

        silver

      2. hammerelbow1 | Dec 14, 2009 09:59pm | #19

        I bought two last week. One for work, one for the shop. Works like a charm. The shop vac stays on for a few seconds after you shut off the saw.

        Wayne

      3. Mcdust | Feb 27, 2010 08:27pm | #22

        Picking up on the old power tool -  auto on vacum switch thread, I have had one of those $15 dollar sears switches for about five years and laugh when I see the high priced versions mentioned in the (xxx) magazines. I always wonder who made sure that this totally useful, inexpensive tool is overlooked. Sometimes it starts the vac hooked up to my chopsaw a million timed a day.( Lot of mistakes not a lot of work.)

  7. Mcdust | Feb 27, 2010 08:14pm | #21

    Hi- Finding good bit holders for impact tools is tough. I get by with the Dewalt after I pry out the lock ring for the kind of jobs where I do a lot of bit changes but they wear out quickly and leave the bit behind a lot. My best have a knurled locking collar that works with an o-ring to hold the bit tightly for doing the long run work. I've had them a while and love them. they came from Star Sales in Woburn Mass. It's a great industrial tool place that I'm sure you can google up or call.

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