Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [bits]

38 questions
23
votes
6 answers

What is the right tool for old, rusty, flat cross head bolts?

I'm trying to restore an old park bench, and I am struggling to unscrew the bolts. The heads have this wide (~12-14 mm) "flat cross" pattern that I have never seen before (see photo), and I don't have any screwdriver that nearly wide enough to get…
Nicolas Payette
  • 333
  • 2
  • 7
14
votes
5 answers

Masonry bits dulling after 3-4 holes

I'm using an 18v makita hammer drill with a 3/16" Bosch blue granite turbo concrete bit to drill 2" deep holes into concrete-filled cinder blocks. With a fresh bit, it takes about 15 seconds to drill a hole. By the 4th hole, it slows to a crawl and…
Tyler M
  • 1,070
  • 1
  • 9
  • 24
11
votes
8 answers

How to drill holes in 3/8" thick steel plates?

I had to drill some 1/2" holes in 3/8" steel plates. In addition to taking something like 15 min per hole, a brand new drill bit lasts maybe two holes and it is trash. What is the best way to drill holes in steel that thick at home, assuming no…
amphibient
  • 7,095
  • 42
  • 115
  • 182
9
votes
4 answers

Why does a driver bit shank have an indentation?

The part that interests me is marked in the picture. I have no tool that utilizes that part of a bit and I cannot find any clues on the net... In fact, all of my bit holders have better grip on bits without that indentation. So what's that…
Nebril
  • 201
  • 1
  • 5
6
votes
2 answers

Drilling 1/4" steel plate and concrete?

I need to drill (44) holes in (22) 1/4"-thick stainless steel plates. These are for 3"x3/8" heavy Duty Screw Anchors that will go through the plate and into the concrete. My question is: if possible, can I use one drill bit that will make the hole…
rbhat
  • 1,975
  • 8
  • 33
  • 66
4
votes
3 answers

Are impact driver bits a different standard than screwdriver bits?

I bought a Milwaukee M4 cordless screwdriver (Milwaukee 2101-22) from Home Depot. Home Depot has plenty of Milwaukee screwdriver bits and I bought a set. The bits are too short. The head of the bit is nearly inside the socket; it's hard to even…
steveha
  • 255
  • 1
  • 3
  • 11
3
votes
1 answer

Is it normal for drill bits to slip in a keyless chuck when binding in metal?

I'm trying to drill some 5-10mm holes in 1-1.5mm thick steel. I'm using a DeWalt DCD777 18V cordless drill with Bosch HSS bits (which claim they're made for drilling into metal). Both the drill and the bits are brand new. No matter what I do, the…
Victor Stanciu
  • 134
  • 8
3
votes
2 answers

Is there a universal colour code for screw bits?

Lately I've been seeing colour coded screw bits, like in the set below (from Lidl's store brand, Powerfix). (Click for larger version) Red for Phillips Blue for Pozidriv Orange for slotted Yellow for Torx Pink for Allen Is this colour code…
SQB
  • 858
  • 7
  • 21
3
votes
2 answers

Want to know how hex bit shank works and the history behind it's design

I have tried to search this in google but I haven't found a complete explanation, so I ask this here. I also have read other answers related with hex bit socket, but it still not satisfied. How the mechanism in screwdriver hold the hex bit? The…
Donny Kurnia
  • 131
  • 4
3
votes
2 answers

What drill bit size to pilot drill hole into stud for 15/64" lag screw?

I'm trying to install a TV mount that has no instructions. Using my drill gauged plate, 15/64" is the smallest hole these lag screws can thread into. What size drill bit should I now use for pilot drilling into the wood stud? Thanks.
neoisanoob
  • 31
  • 1
  • 1
  • 2
3
votes
3 answers

3-prong tamper proof screw type?

Anyone know what bit would fit this? I have only seen the 2-prong spanner bits...
Rawshark
  • 81
  • 6
3
votes
8 answers

How to drill a 0.75" hole in metal

I'm trying to drill a 0.75" hole in a metal pole. I got a 0.75" drill bit from Home Depot (DEWALT 3/4 in. Black Oxide Reduced Shank Drill Bit) that I was told is appropriate for metal. I used a punch to create a pilot dent. I then tried to use the…
Guy
  • 2,053
  • 11
  • 33
  • 41
2
votes
0 answers

4mm hex shank to 1/4" hex shank adapter

I have a screwdriver which uses interchangeable bits and a magnet to hold them in place. The screwdriver takes 4mm hex shank sized bits. It seems this shank size is really rare, because I can't find any security bits with a shank of this size.…
ExecutionByFork
  • 121
  • 2
2
votes
5 answers

How best to drill pilot holes through hardened steel exterior door frame?

I'm trying to drill pilot holes through my exterior door frame in order to install a weather seal. I purchased a few new cobalt drill bits labeled for hardened steel. However, each new bit was only able to drill one pilot hole before losing its…
Steve
  • 133
  • 1
  • 1
  • 6
1
vote
3 answers

How to drill a hole in plexiglass (acrylic sheet)?

What kind of bit should I use to drill a 1/2" hole into acrylic glass (plexiglass)? The local hardware store does not have a 1/2" hole saw - which was my first inclination. I am now considering these options in the following order: Spade bit…
Luke1018
  • 129
  • 1
  • 1
  • 4
1
2 3