Replies

1. 
   calvin | Jul 12, 2010 05:46pm | #1

   Most of the bits I have-come from the box and..............

   from my tool supplier-out of his plexi case on the counter.

   Sometimes from my drywall supply.

   And most recently got some of those ribbed tips you speak of.  I guess I like them-less chance of camming out..............but if I'm driving alot of phillips into wood, I'll predrill.

   For drywall, that isn't the way it goes-so maybe I do like the new style bits........

   But, if driving anything of substance and not caring if someone wants to remove it later and doesn't have the star bits-that's what I go for.  They drive well, least chance of breaking or stripping off the tips.

   But my big complaint about them are the myriad numbers of sizes.  There's no excuse for it.  There should only be 3, not 5or6.  They're too close in size-if not the colored ones I got from GRK, I've got to look at the little ass 'd number.

2. 
   JTC1 | Jul 12, 2010 07:25pm | #2

   Bits with teeth

   Bits with ribs (teeth) are available from Vermont American (Ice Bits) and "Phillips II" which is a Lowes brand.

   The "and a smaller shank" qualifier says these are "reduced" Phillips - designated as "P2R" on the bit - not terribly easy to find, Bosch makes them and they are my favorite for use in my drywall screw gun.  They can also be very handy for extracting screws with dinged up heads - the reduced diameter tip seems to seat a little deeper and facilitates backing out a damaged screw head. 

   But, none of these answers your question - my favorite full sized #2 Phillips bits are the Bosch TIN coated bits, I seem to have better luck with these than any other.  Lowes stocks them here in a spring loaded plastic thingy which looks very much like a .22 rifle clip.

   Jim

3. 
   barmil | Jul 12, 2010 07:46pm | #3

   Best Phillips Bits

   The best for me are the ones in the big fish bowl at the checkout that you grab and pay by their weight. Any better ideas for the budget minded?

4. 
   junkhound | Jul 12, 2010 09:10pm | #4

   Vermont american (prolly made in Taiwan)

   > 10 years ago, when the only HF store was still on harbor avenue down the street from disneyland, their catalog often had 'one of' items.

   One of the items was a bag of 100 #2 bits from VA.  Great bits, recall they were $1.39 per bag, still have a few score as only bought 3 bags.... lost or gave away most of 'em. 

5. 
   DanH | Jul 12, 2010 10:07pm | #5

   A bit off topic, but a minor point some may not be aware of:  You know those "Phillips" screws on European-style concealed hinges that your screwdriver always seems to slip out of?  That's not because it's a lousy screwdriver, that's because the screws are not Phillips, they're PosiDrive. 

   If anyone does any work with concealed hinges they want to have a few PosiDrive bits in their toolbox.  They work A LOT better than Phillips on those screws.