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Discussion Forum

Impact mag insert that works?

JTC1 | Posted in Tools for Home Building on March 15, 2009 11:06am

Has anybody found a brand of magnetic bit holder which will actually continue to function when used with an impact driver?

I am partial to the magnetic holders which are about 3″ long and use them with 1″ driver points / bits.

Seems that in a fairly short period of use the points become stuck into the mag inserts. First warning sign is when a bit has to be extracted with pliers and it goes down hill from there……….

I now own various mag holders with permanently attached GRK Red #15, another with GRK Green #25, a DeWalt “Impact Ready” extension with a black DeWalt “Impact Ready” 1/4″ nut driver, and another with a Bosch #2 Phillips.

Have tried DeWalt “Impact Ready”, Malco and some no-name brands of magnetic extensions.

It’s not like I am using the highest powered impact driver (Ryobi), or driving huge screws / lags.

Or, do I just have to give up and go to the 2″ driver bits with no extensions or magnetic holders?

Jim

Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
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Replies

  1. JTC1 | Mar 16, 2009 12:10am | #1

    Bump.

    This is not a good sign.  

    I expected 4 guys to jump in and tell me something like - "Ya, cheap dummy, loosen up on a few bucks and get a XYZ from http://www.mag-insert-that-works.com or some such site.

    I can't believe it ----my bogus link was automatically underlined!

    Jim

     

    Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.



    Edited 3/15/2009 5:11 pm ET by JTC1

    1. Snort | Mar 16, 2009 12:20am | #2

      The magnetic and sliding bit holders that I like just don't last, even with the little bosch impactor. I take 2" bits and rub them on a magnet, and then drop another screw<G>http://www.tvwsolar.com

      I went down to the lobby

      To make a small call out.

      A pretty dancing girl was there,

      And she began to shout,

      "Go on back to see the gypsy.

      He can move you from the rear,

      Drive you from your fear,

      Bring you through the mirror.

      He did it in Las Vegas,

      And he can do it here."

  2. AitchKay | Mar 16, 2009 12:34am | #3

    I don't have an impact driver, but I've found Apex holders and bits to be way superior to others.

    Put matching bits, #3 Phillips, say, in different holders, and do the tug-of-war trick with a ball bearing -- the Apex always wins.

    And their bits are sharper-edged, crisper-edged than others, and stay that way longer than any other brand I've ever used.

    I've been using them ever since '77, when I found an Apex adapter for my big Yankee screwdriver (anyone else remember back before cordless tools?) that accepts 1/4" hex bits.

    I can't help you with impact driver info, but I'd contact them, and see what they say. If nothing else, you'll end up with the best bits and holders for your other drivers.

    AitchKay

    1. ANDYSZ2 | Mar 16, 2009 12:48am | #4

      My problem is they get stuck in the holder on the impact driver.I then have to smack them into the concrete to get them to let go.

      ANDYSZ2WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?

      REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST

       

      1. FastEddie | Mar 16, 2009 03:11am | #14

        When the bit gets stuck in the impact chuck, put it in reverse and let it hammer one time.  Usually that's n ot enough to back the screww out, but it does release the bit.  Or hold the bit with pliers and hit reverse for one or two strokes."Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

        "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

        1. JTC1 | Mar 17, 2009 07:01pm | #16

          >>..... hold the bit with pliers and hit reverse for one or two strokes.<<

          Now there's an idea worth investigating!

          JimNever underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

    2. Snort | Mar 16, 2009 12:48am | #5

      Yeah man, yankee screwdrivers, they were so great, no batteries, special bits... why don't I still use them?... oh.... yeah... the places on my hands where the flesh was ripped off by that helical action... they're pretty much healed up and filled in now... that's one tool I'm glad got stolen<G>http://www.tvwsolar.com

      I went down to the lobby

      To make a small call out.

      A pretty dancing girl was there,

      And she began to shout,

      "Go on back to see the gypsy.

      He can move you from the rear,

      Drive you from your fear,

      Bring you through the mirror.

      He did it in Las Vegas,

      And he can do it here."

      1. frammer52 | Mar 16, 2009 01:17am | #7

         

        Yeah man, yankee screwdrivers, they were so great, no batteries, special bits... why don't I still use them?... oh.... yeah... the places on my hands where the flesh was ripped off by that helical action... they're pretty much healed up and filled in now... that's one tool I'm glad got stolen

         

        You want another?

      2. AitchKay | Mar 16, 2009 01:30am | #8

        I still take mine along on camping trips -- one of my family’s favorite places to camp is on the dunes overlooking Lake Superior, at PIctured Rocks National Lakeshore.Superior can really brew up a storm, though! So I thread split-ring key rings onto every tent-stake loop on all of our tents. The tent spots there are rectangles defined by 4x6s to prevent erosion, and I set the tents up so that I stake down the windward side with two screws per ring -- bombproof! Much better than stakes in sand.Yankees are great, and I love to trot mine out, but cordless drills are better, aren’t they?A couple of things that come back to me when I use it are that since a lot of my pushing action is going into rotation, it’s harder to keep the bit in the recess. And when it jumps out, ouch! It really can do damage to your hands and/or your work! I don’t know how many little X-shaped divots I’ve left in my work because of that!

        1. spike999250 | Mar 16, 2009 01:52am | #9

          The older gents i have had the pleasure of learning from, told me they took the springs out for that reason. One or two that i inherited from my POP have the springs removed.

          1. AitchKay | Mar 16, 2009 02:01am | #11

            Yeah, I tried one like that once. Trouble was, even less force holding the bit into the recess.AitchKay

          2. DaveRicheson | Mar 19, 2009 03:29pm | #17

            Don't take the spring all the way out. Just cut it down by 1/3 or less, strectch it and put it back in.

            I have one set up like that from when I use to install storm windows and doors. Gives you a little more control and less of an impact if it does jump out.

          3. AitchKay | Mar 20, 2009 04:37am | #18

            Here's the system I mentioned in Post # 11. If you just go ahead and load up on magnetic holders, most of your problems are solved, especially if you buy Apex.Try changing 1" bits with gloves on -- ain't gonna happen, but it's a piece of cake changing that ball-detent driver.Try finding that 1" bit in the flowerbed after you drop it from that extension ladder -- ain't gonna happen, but you've got more than a fighting chance of finding that larger, shinier mag holder.The mag holders present the business end to the sky, so, whether it's in a pencil pocket of your belt, or in something like this little Bucket Boss rig, you'll always be able to pull out the right bit in a flash.Switch out 1" bits ONLY because they're worn out, not because you own too few mag holders.AitchKay

        2. Snort | Mar 16, 2009 02:10am | #12

          I am being harsh... I used to have push drills with a funny 1 flute bit that I used on cedar siding butts, didn't cause too much bodily damage, but pocket drills (unless it's the bosch 10.8) would do that faster. I can take the impactor on any car camping trip, sound like a pileated woodpecker, and not spill my beer.http://www.tvwsolar.com

          I went down to the lobby

          To make a small call out.

          A pretty dancing girl was there,

          And she began to shout,

          "Go on back to see the gypsy.

          He can move you from the rear,

          Drive you from your fear,

          Bring you through the mirror.

          He did it in Las Vegas,

          And he can do it here."

  3. mikerooney | Mar 16, 2009 12:55am | #6

    I use this with the 2" bits.

    View Image

    http://www.mcfeelys.com/product/JMR-0001/Jack-Rabbit-Magnetic-Ring

    Hard work is damn near as overrated as monogamy.
    - Huey Long

  4. AitchKay | Mar 16, 2009 01:55am | #10

    "I now own various mag holders with permanently attached GRK Red #15, another with GRK Green #25, a DeWalt "Impact Ready" extension with a black DeWalt "Impact Ready" 1/4" nut driver, and another with a Bosch #2 Phillips."

    I do the same, but out of choice. Yes, I have to spend more on holders, but the ball detent is easier to change bits with than the wire detent, and it's easier to keep track of the 1" bits, too.

    For my big Teks gun (a drywall gun on steroids), I’ve even been known to shave off a tiny flake of hot-melt glue, and drop it in the holder. I’ll hold a lighter to the 1” bit for a few seconds, then shove it home. No more bits left behind in the recess of the last screw you drove. And of course, being hot-melt, it’s reversible when the bit wears out.

    I bought a mini version of a Bucket Boss designed to fit a coffee cup. It’s got 8 pockets that are perfectly-sized for bit holders. Some of the pockets hold 1 only, some three. Right now, it’s living on a stainless-steel Coleman camping cup, but I’m going to buy another one, find a couple of tin cans about the right size, rivet them together, and end up with the perfect rig. The business end is always sticking straight up, and easily visible.

    AitchKay

  5. jigs_n_fixtures@icloud.com | Mar 16, 2009 02:39am | #13

    I've got a 1/4-inch nut driver with a magnet in it, that I use with the 1-inch bits. It seems to be holding up fairly well.

    I like the suggestion about a little hot glue though, and might give that a try.

    1. KenHill3 | Mar 16, 2009 03:41am | #15

      I have never had any luck with 1" bits in holders with the impact driver. Seems like they always got stuck in there like others have mentioned. I hardly ever use 1" bits anymore, other than in the screwdriver/handle type holders. I now use at least 2" bits with the ball detent shanks.

      I really prefer a non-magnetic holder so that the bit won't stay in the fastener head when you pull away. My favorite is the Milwaukee, but I'll be damned if I can find a photo to post.

      For a strong magnetic holder i really like the Ivy Classic:http://images.google.com

      View Image

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