What's with the Phillips?, March 15, 2011

I was ready to pick up one of these at a woodworking show. Then I noted that all the screwdriver bits are Phillips. What's with that? I work on furniture and almost all my screws are Robertson (no, I am not Canadian). Anyone wanting to use an impact driver would, I think, prefer Robertson or Torx over Phillips bits that were originally designed to cam out under too much torque. I'd happily buy one of these sets if they had a choice of bits other than a Hobson's choice.

Dewalt sells another "Impact Ready" kit with more variety, but lacks the 1/4-3/8 drive for sockets. Thus, forcing you to buy both kits. The pivot drive probably won't be as useful as Dewalt markets it to be, and having a case full of #2 bits isn't going to get me very far when I need to drop down cement board or decking using square drives. I've been using Bosch philips bits with my Makita impact and they've held up perfectly, so I really wanted this more for the 1/4-3/8 drive and sockets.

All the screw driver bits are Phillips size 2. It would have been better had they included a couple of different sizes and a regular flat blade. I also have had a problem with the Impact Ready Pivoting Bit Tip Holder snapping in two. I have been able to get it back together, but it has happened more then once. All other bits work well.