Types of Driver Bits: Must-Have Driver Bits for Professionals

Whenever you are working on a DIY or construction project, you will encounter the trouble of needing the appropriate driver bit to speed up your work. To know which driver bits will be the perfect pick for your project, you need to know the different types used in projects. 

With that in mind, we've created a complete guide to all the driver bit types that every professional must carry in their toolbox. Once you read it, you will surely know which ones to keep in inventory for your preferred projects. Let's get started.    

What are Driver Bits?

Driver bits are like drill bits, which are used on impact drivers. The driver bits usually do the same work as a screwdriver. You can use driver bits of different styles and shapes to tighten or loosen screws of various shapes. 

With driver bits, you don't have to worry about keeping a different screwdriver for every need. You have a set of driver bits containing different styles of driver heads, and that's pretty much it. These bits are interchangeable on the impact driver to work on various screwdrivers.  

How Do Driver Bits Work?

The driver bits work the same way as a screwdriver. Consider them as a combo of screwdriver and drill. You have to attach the driver bits on an impact driver, which works pretty much like a drill, and then use the impact driver to tighten or loosen a specific type of screw. 

To use a driver bit, first, you must install the bit on the impact driver or the multi-purpose drill compatible with driver bits. You can use the chuck on the drill or driver to secure the driver bit on the tool. Next, you place the driver bit tip on the screw slot, then start the driver. 

As soon as you start it, the driver will start either tightening or loosening the screws. The tightening and loosening function depends on the direction of the rotation, which you can set using the impact driver tool. 

What are the Different Types of Driver Bits?

Now, let's talk about the different driver bit types that suit various kinds of projects. Whether you are a DIYer or a professional, you will surely feel that some of the driver bits are crucial for your projects whereas some might not be that significant for the type of work you do. 

Let's get through all the different types and see which ones fit your needs the best. 

Phillips Driver Bits

The most common shape for screws in household items is the Philip head screw. It’s a cross-shaped head-on screw which interlocks with a matching cross in the screwhead. A Phillips driver bit works on Philip head screws which are useful for furniture, electronics, and cabinet hardware.

 

If you are looking for quality Philip driver bits, check out the ThunderMax PH2 x 150mm impact power bit or the BitBuddy PH2 driver bit. These Philip head bits are top-notch in quality and performance for impact drivers.  

Square Driver Bits

Whenever you deal with automotive or heavy-duty construction projects, you will come across screws with square recess screw heads. These screws are great for high-torque applications, which is why they are mostly popular for automotive machines and tools.

 

The BitBuddy SQ2 driver bit is a great choice for square driver bits for DIY or professional projects. It has a top-tier steel construction and a magnetic tip and is a perfect fit for any impact driver. 

Hex Driver Bits

Another very common type of screwhead used for various purposes like furniture assembly, machinery, and appliances is the hex-shaped screws. To tighten or loosen these hexagonal sockets, use hex driver bits on your impact driver to complete your furniture or machinery projects. 

One of the best hex driver bits you can get to complete all your DIY projects is the BitBuddy HEX5 driver bit. It fits perfectly on hexagonal sockets, and it has a very solid construction combined with a magnetic tip.

Security Drives

Security drives are uniquely shaped screws that are completely different from a Philip head, a slot head, or any other common screw shape. These are mostly used to secure items that the manufacturers don’t want others to tamper with. Some common shapes for these drives are star-shaped, square with a pin in the center, and spanner shape.

 

Finding high-quality security drives can be quite difficult. That’s why it’s best to go for a top-notch set of drives like the 100-Piece Security Bit Set. The set includes plenty of different types of driver bits, including rare security bits.

Socket Drivers

Removing the nuts and bolts from machinery can be so difficult with manual tools. But with the help of socket drivers, the job becomes effortless using the impact driver. You can easily tighten or loosen the nuts and bolts of any size tool using the socket driver bit on your impact driver. 

Slot Bits

Similar to the Phillip bits, slot bits were also very commonly used in household items. These bits tend to have a flat, blade-shaped head that fits into the slot of a screw head. If you do a lot of restoration work on furniture or old hardware, then the slot bit might just become your best friend because the slot screws aren’t used that much anymore in modern furniture or tools. 

What are the Common user errors and problems with Driver Bits?

You will often face some common issues while using driver bits with an impact driver. Out of many of them, the two most prominent issues that almost every user faces are as follows -

Driver Bit Slipping or Camming Out

The first issue is the driver bit slipping, or as the professionals say, “camming out.” This is when the driver bit slips out of the screw head and throws off the alignment completely. This issue can be quite risky if you don’t wear gloves or other protective gear while working with impact drivers or drills using driver bits.

Fix  

To prevent this issue, you must use the right size driver bits and ensure the bit fits the head properly. Also, try using a slower speed at the start to keep the driver bits stable on the screw head slot. 

Stripped or Damaged Screw Head

This issue isn’t as common as camming out, but over time, this can become a real issue. It’s when the screw head gets damaged, and the recessed slot completely loses its shape, which makes the screw completely unusable. Once the screw head is damaged, the only option you are left with is to replace it, which can be difficult for rare screws. 

Fix 

The cause for this problem is using the wrong driver bit type or the wrong side of the driver bit. To prevent this problem from occurring, you can use the right type and size of the driver bit to remove or tighten the screws. 

Driver Bit Holder by Bitbuddy

Plenty of DIYers and professionals always need help with working with driver bits. They end up losing a lot of their bits, and they have difficulty carrying the different sizes of bits at the same time. 

The driver bit holder is compatible with many driver bit brands and types. It is capable of holding any standard driver bit. With a high-quality aluminum construction, there will be no worries about durability. With this holder, you can keep all your bits organized and within reach right around your tool belt. 

So, if you constantly lose your driver bits, this BitBuddy driver bit holder might be your best friend.

FAQ About Driver Bits

Here’s a quick overview of some of the most common questions regarding driver bits. We have answered them below to clear out any further confusion you may have on driver bits and their use.

What is a square drive bit?

A square drive bit, also known as a Robertson bit, features a square-shaped head that fits snugly into a square recess in the screw head. It’s mostly used because of its superior grip and ability to handle high torque. This works great for automotive items, deck building, and heavy-duty construction projects. 

Can I drill using an impact driver?

Yes, you can drill with an impact driver but must use the appropriate drill bits. You will need to specifically use impact driver bits that can handle the hammering action of an impact driver as it is responsible for drilling. These bits are typically made from stronger materials and have thicker shanks to handle the increased force. However, it’s best not to use impact drivers for drilling, as the primary purpose of impact drivers is to use them for tightening or loosening screws.  

What is the most common square bit size?

The most common square bit size is #2 square, used in furniture, cabinets, and other regular tools. Almost 75% of the square screws use the #2 size. 

What is the difference between impact driver bits and regular bits?

Impact driver bits are made from high-strength steel or alloys, whereas regular screwdriver bits are made from standard steel. Impact driver bits can handle the hammering function on an impact driver, but regular bits cannot. Also, impact driver bits have thicker shanks, whereas regular bits have thinner shanks. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, knowing about the different types of driver bits is very crucial to make sure working on the project is safe, effective, and protects the screws. If you use the wrong type and size of the driver bits, you will end up damaging the screws. 

Also, with knowledge of proper driver bit types, you can choose the right kind of driver bits for your project and significantly speed up the progress.

So, make sure you learn what each driver bit type offers and where they perform the best.