Looking for good quality allen and torx bits

[Veloo]

I have pretty good allen and torx wrenches.
Looking for some good quality allen and torx bits to go into my CDI TorqControl torque wrench.

Good quality to me would be very good fit/ tolerances, strong/ hard metal but not so brittle that they snap easily.

Would also be nice to get some longer length ones for spots like lever clamp bolts under the hoods.

Anyone know of any sets?

[fmradio516]

im interested in this as well... the most expensivest set of high tolerance hex/torx keys are great until you need to use a torque wrench!

[jpritchet74]

my favorite
https://silca.cc/collections/workbench/products/hx-one-home-and-travel-essentials

[Pinned]

The absolute best is Wera. Full bike related set linked below, but KC Tool Co sells individual bits as well. Wera's Hex Plus keys are also a must have.

https://www.kctoolco.com/wera-004172-bicycle-set-3-39-pieces/

[Veloo]

I'd prefer just a bit set if possible. Already have the torque wrench.

[lonoeightysix]

Second the Wera. In addition to hex and torx, Id also recommend a ball end set. Sometimes tough to get the head of the torque wrench inline with the fastener head, and not worth stripping a bolt head at final torque.

50mm or 89mm length bits. 840/842/867 series. The most economical purchase may be buying a set with the kraftform handle.

[David Tollefson]

Highly recommend going with the hex+ standard.

[Ozz]

I'd prefer just a bit set if possible. Already have the torque wrench.
Go to KC Tool and search for "bit set"....quite a few options show up.

[morrisericd]

I spent a long time thinking and looking for this exact same thing - bits for my torque wrench. Bought and very happy with these:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JN7OVQ4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Peter P.]

Check out McMaster-Carr (https://www.mcmaster.com/screwdrivers/driver-style~bit/). The opposite of Harbor Freight.

[Veloo]

I see a local retailer carries some Festool torx bits. Sold in pairs. $21 and $35 for longer ones so not cheap.

Anyone use this brand?

[pdonk]

Since you're in canada try https://www.ihlcanada.com and look for wera, have lots of choices and options and pricing is in CAD and better than KC tools.

[mulp]

I don't know how serious you are about your tools but these two links are super helpful if you are trying to retool:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249851

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=136120

They identify which tools are rebranded by Snap-on.

[djdj]

I've been happy with these.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N9C3BH0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[djdj]

And also happy with these. I have both hex and torx versions.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NT2LK4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[EnginCycle]

These as well as the Wera are excellent tools.

https://www.wihatools.com/bits/impact-bits

[jb_11]

I've been pleased with my Proto set.

[rrudoff]

Agreeed, Wera and Wiha are both really good.

[Dino Suegiù]

I have pretty good allen and torx wrenches.
Looking for some good quality allen and torx bits to go into my CDI TorqControl torque wrench.

Good quality to me would be very good fit/ tolerances, strong/ hard metal but not so brittle that they snap easily.

Would also be nice to get some longer length ones for spots like lever clamp bolts under the hoods.

Anyone know of any sets?

In addition to some of the other excellent (there is no "absolute best" really) brands mentioned here, you might also look at PB Swiss.

I have a lot of PB Swiss bits, handles, other tools, and also use the bits with a CDI TorqControl (great torque wrench) as you plan to use, and they are very good, very durable. (I have read that another brand mentioned here actually use PB Swiss bits). All bit heads + short and long lengths are available, in either sets or as individual pieces.

The best USA sales source is Tool Lady in Washington state. I think they are the PB Swiss USA importer/distributor. They have a somewhat quirky website (if a page doesn't open try opening again in another, new, refreshed, window), but excellent selection, pricing, and customer service (phone service is always good).

PB Swiss Handles, Blades, Bits & Sockets; Tool Lady (https://www.toollady.com/store.html#!/Handles-Blades-Bits-&-Sockets/c/17876060/offset=0&sort=normal)

Tool Lady also have fantastic 30% off sales 3x/year: on Memorial Day (soon), Labor Day, and Black Friday.

They also plan on starting "pop up" sales at various times, so the best way to be alerted is to subscribe to their Facebook page:
Tool Lady Contact Page (http://toollady.com/contact.html)

I have no affiliation, etc, at all, but have been very impressed with PB Swiss/Tool Lady for years and think they deserve a very positive recommendation. Very nice tools, very nice people.

[smontanaro]

This topic came up on another bike-related forum (BF, CR, iBoB, can't recall which). Wera was prominently featured there as well. I realize vintage and modern bike applications are a bit different, but this was the set I recall (well, my web browser recalls) being mentioned:

https://www-us.wera.de/en/great-tools/l-keys-in-a-two-component-clip/

[Black Dog]

Danny. This is local, high quality, inexpensive, and ships free.

https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/hand-tools/screwdrivers/bits/75946-magnetic-holder-and-1-4-inch-bit-set


https://assets.leevalley.com/Size5/10028/17K0206-magnetic-holder-1-4-inch-bit-set-f-42.jpg

[oldpotatoe]

I'd prefer just a bit set if possible. Already have the torque wrench.

A suggestion..look at automotive types, not just bike(overpriced) types..

Wiha, for example.

https://www.wihatools.com/master-tech-65-piece-set-esd-handle-mini-ratchet-microbits-in-metal-storage-box

[estilley]

I don't know how serious you are about your tools but these two links are super helpful if you are trying to retool:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249851

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=136120

They identify which tools are rebranded by Snap-on.

Oh my...

[Dired]

In addition to some of the other excellent (there is no "absolute best" really) brands mentioned here, you might also look at PB Swiss.

I have a lot of PB Swiss bits, handles, other tools, and also use the bits with a CDI TorqControl (great torque wrench) as you plan to use, and they are very good, very durable. (I have read that another brand mentioned here actually use PB Swiss bits). All bit heads + short and long lengths are available, in either sets or as individual pieces.

The best USA sales source is Tool Lady in Washington state. I think they are the PB Swiss USA importer/distributor. They have a somewhat quirky website (if a page doesn't open try opening again in another, new, refreshed, window), but excellent selection, pricing, and customer service (phone service is always good).

PB Swiss Handles, Blades, Bits & Sockets; Tool Lady (https://www.toollady.com/store.html#!/Handles-Blades-Bits-&-Sockets/c/17876060/offset=0&sort=normal)

Tool Lady also have fantastic 30% off sales 3x/year: on Memorial Day (soon), Labor Day, and Black Friday.

They also plan on starting "pop up" sales at various times, so the best way to be alerted is to subscribe to their Facebook page:
Tool Lady Contact Page (http://toollady.com/contact.html)

I have no affiliation, etc, at all, but have been very impressed with PB Swiss/Tool Lady for years and think they deserve a very positive recommendation. Very nice tools, very nice people.Thanks so much for sharing this vendor. These prices are excellent.

Sent from my LM-V600 using Tapatalk

[Dino Suegiù]

Thanks so much for sharing this vendor. These prices are excellent.

Yes they are, and all the PB bits I own have lasted for years with no issues.

If you can wait until the Memorial Day sale in ~6 weeks, 30% off the entire order is significant savings.

One caveat again about the Tool Lady website: it can be VERY finicky. Especially if working from several open pages (at least in Google, for me) to place items in one's cart the pages do not seem to communicate with each other and so then drop items out. It can become very frustrating.

So what I do instead is:
1) search for the items I want on the TL website
2) copy/paste each item (with the specific item/size #) in a Word table and save it
3) once finished, open the Tool Lady website again and re-populate the cart, just using one TL page, not multiple pages, verifying cart contents with the Word document
4) finish, pay, and then email them a copy of the Word order document as a fail-safe check-list

Perhaps their website cart system has improved now, but I still place orders using that method, as the Word document then also functions as a good, consolidated, progressive list of all the pieces I have.

Shipping is normally very fast and as mentioned before their phone customer service is excellent (I think it may be only a 2-4 person operation, all very knowledgable/friendly).

[Dired]

Yes they are, and all the PB bits I own have lasted for years with no issues.



If you can wait until the Memorial Day sale in ~6 weeks, 30% off the entire order is significant savings.



One caveat again about the Tool Lady website: it can be VERY finicky. Especially if working from several open pages (at least in Google, for me) to place items in one's cart the pages do not seem to communicate with each other and so then drop items out. It can become very frustrating.



So what I do instead is:

1) search for the items I want on the TL website

2) copy/paste each item (with the specific item/size #) in a Word table and save it

3) once finished, open the Tool Lady website again and re-populate the cart, just using one TL page, not multiple pages, verifying cart contents with the Word document

4) finish, pay, and then email them a copy of the Word order document as a fail-safe check-list



Perhaps their website cart system has improved now, but I still place orders using that method, as the Word document then also functions as a good, consolidated, progressive list of all the pieces I have.



Shipping is normally very fast and as mentioned before their phone customer service is excellent (I think it may be only a 2-4 person operation, all very knowledgable/friendly).Thanks Dino! I noticed the site issues right away. Unfortunately no price discrepancies. [emoji6] I'm going to pick up some of the color coded screwdrivers.

Any recommendations on a wood/steel drill bit set for around the house?

Sent from my LM-V600 using Tapatalk

[weaponsgrade]

PB Swiss here. Also got them from Tool Lady. Love those rainbow colors. I also picked up a PB Swiss Phillips screwdriver with the SwissGrip handle. My previous screwdriver was an old Huskey. It didn't look too worn, but it would camout on tough to turn screws - like screwing brackets into 2x4 studs for a shelf. I would always just try and push harder into the screw. Then I got the PB Swiss one and man, what a difference. I promptly threw that Huskey into the junk bin.

[Dino Suegiù]

Thanks Dino! I noticed the site issues right away. Unfortunately no price discrepancies. [emoji6] I'm going to pick up some of the color coded screwdrivers.

Any recommendations on a wood/steel drill bit set for around the house?

Sent from my LM-V600 using Tapatalk

Ha, no price discrepancies sadly but the prices are still good and the 30% sales are fantastic savings. Nobody ever beats those Tool Lady sale prices, not even eBay, etc. I only buy during those times. It really adds up.

I have the PB Swiss color-coded screwdrivers, in flat and Philips; they are great. Highly recommended. The PB handles are great too.


No great recommendations on wood/steel drill bit sets, sorry; maybe others here do.

I have had all kinds of bits from cheap to pretty expensive (including some Bosch bits that came with my cordless drill). The Bosch bits are nice, but I don't think they are anything particularly special and in any case I always find that the 2-3 sizes I use the most of course get fried that last time while using them and so I just have to ride over to the hardware store to pick up whatever they have in stock that day anyway.


PS: also, the Tool Lady "Attic" and "Discontinued" sections are definitely worth a look. I have bought some very nice odd-lot PB items from those sections over the years at extremely low prices.

[macgee]

I'll put my 2 cents in. I have a machine shop restoring vintage machinery (german, US, swiss, UK) and collect many tools, old and new for my shop and for customers. I come into possession thousands of tools when buying up old machinery and old world machine shops.

When it comes to torx bits, don't be afraid to get USA made bits made for the aerospace industry like "Zephyr Insert Bits". You can find them cheap at surplus sites and on fleaBay. Zephyr makes the torx bits for Snap-On and they've been around forever, it's whats used at Skunk Works, Boeing, McDonald Douglas.....etc.

Look for the Zephyr "Torx Plus" version, they're more expensive but much better, the bits will last longer and better finish. USA made and very nice. There industrial tooling not flashy looking with cute colors.

One thing I can tell you, the old american and german stuff is the best, especially pre-70's. Don't be afraid of getting old american tools, they're almost always hands down better than the exact same tool being sold now by the same company, this includes Snap-On, Wera, Wiha and PB Swiss……etc. Also be mindful if you're working on Japanese parts with JIS fasteners, use driver bits designed for them.

The metal and hardening process/heat treatment was just so much better back then than it is now for most tooling. Be careful of Wera, Wiha and similar, these German companies are excellent but they have moved a lot of there metal forging production elsewhere and the durability has gone down compared to there tooling from 10 yrs ago. If your looking for these, try to get “new old stock” tools marked made in Germany. There now getting much trickier and not telling you where they're from, in Germany the have different rules for country of origin.

I have PD Swiss screwdrivers and not in love with them, I thought I would be but keeping reaching for my Williams (Snap-On) and Felo more. I had a #1 slotted PD Swiss bend like butter on first try, that was very disheartening and maybe was never hardened. The #1 Williams took over and got the job done.

The ones listed in thread by others are all good mentions and links, I like Wera for there reduced cam outs but I also have gone through there bits pretty quickly and some I have not. I would also definitely lookout at Felo screwdrivers and bits, good prices and they’ve held out longer going overseas than the others; I have a Felo Phillips bit on my 12v Bosch driver and still looking fresh after a lot of use.

[Veloo]

Thanks. I'm considering that along with a longer bit extender.
https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/hand-tools/screwdrivers/65491-bit-extenders

[QUOTE=Black Dog;2694336]Danny. This is local, high quality, inexpensive, and ships free.

https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/hand-tools/screwdrivers/bits/75946-magnetic-holder-and-1-4-inch-bit-set

[fmradio516]

Thanks. I'm considering that along with a longer bit extender.
https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/hand-tools/screwdrivers/65491-bit-extenders


I just went and bought that set as well, though im not too optimistic given the price.

[macgee]

Thanks. I'm considering that along with a longer bit extender.
https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/hand-tools/screwdrivers/65491-bit-extenders

[QUOTE=Black Dog;2694336]Danny. This is local, high quality, inexpensive, and ships free.

https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/hand-tools/screwdrivers/bits/75946-magnetic-holder-and-1-4-inch-bit-set

I just went and bought that set as well, though im not too optimistic given the price.

I wouldn't have much faith in those bits as they're most likely asian made steel and mostly likely not nearly as good as what has been recommended earlier by other members in this thread but you'll most likely have a much better chance getting more life and usage with those extenders.
Bad, soft metal bits can wreak havoc on building up a bike and it's components.

[Veloo]

I went with Wiha ($6 for 6 bits) and the Festool ($20 for 2).
We'll see how they hold up.

[one60]

while not a well packaged as some options, the quality and precision of their bits in amazing...a step above wiha and wera

https://cdn-cyclingtips.pressidium.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Chapman-Mfg-Cyclist-Tool-Kit-Bit-Tool-Review-1280x774.jpg

[Dired]

I recently picked this up, albeit for much less via Amazon warehouse. Extremely happy with the quality and the metal box packaging.

Wiha 76899 Terminator 34 Piece Impact Insert Bit Set In Metal Storage Box https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GT4TIJY/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_acBVEbJ04YVJR

[jadedaid]

Does Wera do their hex+ profile in bits as well? I tried finding that and came up short. The hex allen keys are meant to be the best at what they do, I have their torx allen set and am left a little underwhelmed.

Big fan of all things PB Swiss. Expensive though.