Power Bit vs. Impact Bit vs. Insert Bit...WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?! (Driver Bit Guide For New DIYers!)

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Power Bit Vs. Impact Bit Vs. Insert Bit...WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?! (Driver Bit Guide For New DIYers!)

Many new DIYers overlook a few of the most basic differences between driver bit types. This can be detrimental, because the rise of strong impact drivers has created more confusion surrounding what type of bit to safely use. This short video from The Honest Carpenter will explain the differences between Power Bits, Impact Bits, and Insert Bits, and show how to best use them!

Power Bits are longer silver-colored bits that are meant to chuck directly into keyless chuck power drills.

Insert Bits are shorter (1") silver bits that CAN chuck into standard power drills. BUT, they're really best suited for use with a BIT HOLDER or EXTENSION SOCKET. These devices were created to chuck into drills, and provide an appropriate 1/4" socket for quickly changing between insert bits.

Impact Bits are often black with colorful bands around the neck (or, in some cases these days, gold in color--Makita bits especially. These driver beats are rated for use in impact drivers, which create a substantial amount of torque.

Impact Bits are capable of flexing slightly in their torsional shaft so they don't break during heavy usage.

Impact Bits also have a POWER GROOVE near the bottom of the shank, which lets them chuck easily into the quick-release collet on impact drivers.

However, to confuse the issue, most standard Power Bits now also have this power groove, though I'm not sure why since they shouldn't be used in impact drivers, but most standard drills don't come with fast-change collets.

If you know why this is, shout it out in the comments!

Thanks for watching!
The Honest Carpenter

[jennlizzy]

THANK YOU!!! I have talked to many sales associates at big box, lumber, and hardware stores. Not one of those people could adequately explain to me about bits. For that matter, most couldn't explain the difference between drills and impact drivers. I am 66, a widow, and I LIKE the independence of having the 'know how' to do home fixes. In this social climate it is a survival skill.

[DisillusionedAcronym]

in response to your "hope it helps" comment: IMMENSELY. your channel is one of the rare channels that patiently explains things that may obvious to seasoned craftsman but is not for the rest of us. i absolutely appreciate you.

[jackdillon]

Your acknowledgement that you don't know why power bits have power grooves and inviting others to answer that question was great.

When someone teaches others about a topic but admits there are some facts they don't know, that increases my confidence in what they DO claim to know and teach.

I realize that above statement may come off as sarcasm to some but it's not and I honestly do think it's a great quality of this video. Thumbs up!

[cottrelr]

Here's a tip when buying impact bits -- buy different brands to color code by fastener type! For example, buy Milwaukee (red) torx bits, DeWalt (yellow) phillips bits, and Makita (blue) square bits.

[PurpleRhymesWithOrange]

The power groove on standard bits was common in several brands years before impact drivers became common place. It served the same purpose in that there were extensions with spring loaded couplers that would hold them until the coupler was released so the bit would not drop out when you pulled it off the screw head.

[SvdSinner]

Nice to know. However, I have used regular bits in impact drivers for years and have had almost no failures. Unless you are primarily using big, long screws, impact bits are only marginally useful. If impact bit would prevent me from losing them at the same pace I lose regular bits, THAT would be an awesome feature.

[ChickenSplitter]

While I know this difference exists. I daily use the two kinds interchangeably(depending on whichever I find first) in an impact driver and have never had a “power bit” break on me my guess is your more likely to damage the fastener before you break a bit so to all those new comers I wouldn’t worry too much about spending the extra money on impact bits unless you plan to do a really serious amount of impacting and are organized enough to keep a bit long enough to break it.

[cateyez]

I had this exact problem yesterday when using my impact driver for the first time. I have learned so much from your videos. How to use tools safely, using the right tool for the specific job, and overall tool and accessory vocabulary 😊 Thank you

[richardp]

Many years doing stuff and didn't know most of the information contained in your video. Clear and articulate as usual.

[MichaelOlsen-Engineer]

The quick change groove is a fun bit of engineering, manufacturing, and political history:

Power bits have the same groove as impact bits as a historical artifact. Before power drills were allowed to be sold as "drill/driver" combos, power screw drivers and impact screw drivers entered the market (1960's). Power screw drivers were notoriously bad at holding longer bits, so they adopted the "quick change" feature of the impact driver and scaled it to the now common 1/4 inch hex.


Over time and with advancements in materials, impact drivers were able to be scaled down from 3/4 inch and 1/2 inch to the now common 1/4 inch. This meant a single manufacturing system could produce both bit types by essentially changing only the input material. This was a major economic gain for the manufacturers both in production cost savings and the ability to bring impact drivers to the DYI market at an affordable price. At the same time, several patents, laws, and regulations were changed which now allowed any variable speed drill to be marketed as a drill/driver. The torque limiting chuck was very nearly a simultaneous release.

Since manufacturers had no reason to retool their lines (a very expensive procedure without any demonstrable financial gain), the now mostly superfluous grove on power bits remained. Virtually all impact tools (drivers, wrenches, etc.) clearly and conspicuously state in the operations manual to use exclusively impact rated accessories (bits, sockets, etc.). As a result manufactures of bits are only required to note that a particular accessory is impact rated on the packaging and and provided instructions, not on the accessory itself. Thus the legacy groove is meaningless for identification purposes. The distinguishing differences of colored bands, neck sizing, etc. are all Very recent (primarily post 2000), and were driven by users requesting simplified ID of impact vs. other types of accessories (specifically after throwing out the packaging and "user manual / instructions).

Some "conspiracy theorists" also attempt to suggest that the groove remains on non-impact accessories as a way to tempt people into using them in impact tools so that the bits will break and the manufacturer is able to sell more bits -- a form of "planned obsolescence. However this is not the case. As noted earlier, there are numerous electric screw drivers that use the quick release system, as well as many smaller 1/4 inch drills common in the home/DYI market - especially outside of North America. So again, why would manufacturers change their production lines when doing so would cost money without increasing profits?

[danielhaulbrook]

I've been a carpenter for 20yrs and just learned something new today. I always used the correct bit I guess just instinctively, but didn't know this.

[unintendedpurposes]

Impact drivers use an impacting anvil to increase their torque, not a ratcheting mechanism. The addition of the impact force also increases shock factor whel loosening fasteners. Also, the groove came before impact drivers were on the market, it was for tools that offered a quick release chuck.

[richardhyman]

10 years as a hobby woodworker and I never knew this (yes, I have snapped a bit or two in my impact driver and just assumed it was workmanship). As always, thank you for making the videos you make. I enjoy your videos and learn something from just about everyone of them (sometimes to my embarrassment lol). Keep up the great and appreciated work!

[bradnail]

The deep round groove is for a ball detent bit holder. As noted by others, these predate 1/4” Drive impact drivers. The shallow skinny groove as seen on 1” insert bits is for a wire detent, as found in bit holders and built into traditional corded drywall screw guns.

[caffeinatednation]

Taking on home projects as a first time DIY'er and I just learned that I've been using the wrong bits/combos this entire time! Thank you so much for the lesson! So much appreciated!

[caroldragon]

WOW and SUPER WOW. Now I finally know what all those tiny bits are for, and the skinny necked ones. Your explanation of how each one was designed to be used was, as usual, a real game changer for me. I always look forward to your vids. Even when they are about a tool that I will not need, such as a chop saw, just knowing about them is fun for me.

[notmyfirstrodeo]

Thank you very much for this instructional video!! My handy husband of 40 years recently passed away. When I went to find a tool I was overwhelmed. First I couldn’t figure out why there were so many “bits”. Then I couldn’t figure out how do take the bit out of one machine to change it. Then..the different lengths really got me. When I realized how many power tools were out there I nearly gave up. I went to the big box store and got one grumpy guy..no help. Then a very young, sweet kid had no idea what the difference between impact, drill, driver etc.was. He pulled out his phone..to google… Anyway, since he passed suddenly, he had so many little projects started. I spent a week putting everything away but left the bits and drills on the shop tables..Fortunately, they are all organized by types, in nice little boxes. I was going to ask a neighbor for help. You really helped me. I ended up spending way too long with a regular old screwdriver and it took forever. I really had no idea about the difference between a drill and impact driver. You just saved me some money. I want to get something light and almost ordered an “impact driver” online (since the big box store was so intimidating) I just need a nice light drill motor (I think). His drill motor is a bit older and very heavy… Now I wonder what those big sharp, round shaped things are and what tool they go to? Update..I just subscribed and saw your other video’s about the difference between screws and other hardware..I spent a week putting separating all the loose ones into jars, then I found all the boxes that I matched them up. I realized some were sharp and some were flat.. gonna watch my next lesson. I did go to Harbor Freight and got some plastic hardware boxes to organize them by shapes..no I can find out what they are all for..thank you!

[AP-uvqs]

I’m glad you showed the difference for diy people, I’m in a trade so I use Makita B-35097 Impact Gold Ultra-Magnetic Torsion Insert Bit Holder it’s like screws are glued to the bit, very strong magnetic field. Love your channel, keep up the great tips. Would like your option if it’s better to get a track saw system or a table saw. Which to purchase 1st. Almost the equivalent price.

[paulcooper]

20 years of hobby use, you certainly solved some mysteries tonight, thank you

[AncoraImparoPiper]

Exactly the info I was looking for. I've been holding off buying an impact driver because it was the bit differences that confused me especially the ones with the notches but as you said they are not designed to be used with impact drivers. OK so now I can get that impact driver and a set of power bits. Thanks for clearing this up!