Last updated: August 8, 2021

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In our daily lives, we all have to do chores that require us to use screws or drill holes. Usually, we have to resort to a wide variety of screws, which require a wide variety of screwdrivers. However, a large number of screwdrivers and attachments for cordless screwdrivers can quickly become an expensive affair.

To avoid having to dig too deep into your wallet, there are so-called bit holders that can be used as an alternative to hand screwdrivers or as an attachment for a cordless screwdriver and can also be adapted to the most diverse types of screws.




Summary

  • Bit holders can be used both as handheld screwdrivers and as attachments for power drills. A bit holder can often be used for both.
  • Bit holders usually have a magnetic function and a hexagonal drive that allows you to respond to all forms of bits.
  • There are different types of bit holders that can be used to respond to different situations. For example, bit holders can stop at a certain depth or rotate around corners.

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Buying and evaluation criteria for bit holders

To find the best bit holder for you, it all depends on your needs. In the following, we have selected and listed all the important buying and evaluation criteria for bit holders.

After listing the buying and evaluation criteria, we have looked at them in more detail and present them to you below.

Activity level

When it comes to the question of activity level, a distinction can be made between a manual or automatic bit holder. Accordingly, a bit holder can be integrated manually in a screwdriver or automatically in a drill. Both forms can be advantageous for your project, as they are both very flexible due to the multiple use of bits. However, if simple screwing by hand is not enough, but there is enough space and you need to screw in many screws in a shorter time, a bit holder for a drill may be the better alternative.

Size

When it comes to the size of bit holders, a distinction can be made between the length and the width of the bit holder. With regard to the length of the bit holder, it depends on the distance of the screw to be turned. The width, on the other hand, can vary between 6.35 mm, 8 mm and 11 mm. There are also smaller versions, the "minibits" with a size of 4 mm, which are made for smaller screwdriving jobs, such as replacing the batteries of your kitchen radio. In the following, we have converted the different millimetre sizes into inches.

inch millimetre
1⁄ 4 inch 6.35 mm
5⁄ 16 inch 8 mm
7⁄ 16 inch 11 mm
5⁄ 32 inch 4 mm

Magnetic

How the various bits are held in the bit holder and so in the percussion drill or handle depends on the pick-up. On the one hand, it can be equipped with a retaining device or the bit is held magnetically in the pick-up. This ensures that the bit and the screw are adequately held on the bit. In addition, they can be replaced easily and quickly.

Shank shape

The shaft shape can theoretically vary and ensures that the bits do not rotate inside the bit holder and that there is also good power transmission from the drill or handle to the screw. In general, the hexagonal shank shape has become the standard. It is also possible to vary between manufacturers of bits and bit holders. This presupposes that the correct size has been selected for the bits/bit holders.

One-handed operation

Especially when you are building your new basement shelving, drilling or doing other work that involves a bit holder, it can be annoying and time-consuming to have to change bits with both hands.For this purpose, bit holders are nowadays built with one-hand operation for easier handling. This way, you can change bits with one hand without having to put the drill or anything else out of your hand.

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Guide: Frequently asked questions about bit holders answered in detail

When it comes to buying a bit holder, similar questions come up again and again. We have collected and prepared them for you. Accordingly, the most important and frequently asked questions on the subject of bit holders are now answered in detail.

What is a bit holder?

Since it is not clear to everyone what a bit holder is, this question should be addressed first. A bit holder is, as the name suggests, a holder for bits. Bits are interchangeable heads that can be attached to the front of a screwdriver or drill in order to be able to turn different sizes of screws without having to buy a new screwdriver for every screw. As a rule, one acquires a bit holder that suits one's preferences and then selects a set with the required number of different bits. As already mentioned, a bit holder can be purchased for a screwdriver or a drill.

Bithalter

To be able to turn a large number of screws, you often need to buy a large number of screwdrivers. To avoid spending more money than necessary and wasting too much space, you can simply get a bit holder that can be tailored to each screw with many bit sizes. (Image source: Jack Douglass/ Unsplash)

Who is a bit holder suitable for?

A bit holder is suitable for any DIYer and therefore for everyone. There is almost no phase of life where a person does not need a bit holder. Even if a person is not handy and prefers to leave drilling or assembling furniture to others, a bit holder can be put to good use just for opening battery compartments.

What types of bit holders are there?

There are also different types of bit holders that are made for specific functions. Mostly they are produced and used for reaching difficult places. To give you a better overview of the different types, we have listed them below, including their functions.

Type Function
Angle bit holder This is particularly practical when hard-to-reach places are to be reached. They are usually constructed at a 90 degree angle and can therefore be used in small corners.
Extended bit holder These are, as the name suggests, simply extended bit holders. This type is also suitable for turning screws in hard-to-reach gaps.
Bit holder with depth stop A bit holder with depth stop prevents a screw from being countersunk too far into the object to be drilled. This would result in deep holes that would have to be filled, for example. This bit holder therefore saves time and effort and is therefore mainly used in drywall construction.

What does a bit holder cost?

Bit holders can vary in price depending on their function, type and purchase criteria. There are bit holders in the low-price segment that are available for as little as 5 €. Special versions can also be purchased for just under 10 €. These include angle bit holders, long bit holders and bit holders with depth stops. Only in the high-price segment can the price start from 15 €, but then it can vary greatly, as sets can be equipped with different quantities of bits or still be equipped with drills. In the following table we have given you an overview of the different price segments.

Price range Available products
Low-priced (5- 10€) single bit holder
Medium-priced (10- 25€) Special versions
High-priced (from 15€) Bit holder set with bits

How does a bit holder work?

A bit holder in itself has no special application difficulties. It only has to be attached to the handheld screwdriver or drill. Depending on the tool, it can then be used for screwing or drilling. Difficulties can therefore only occur with the tool or due to an incorrect size of the bits that are fastened in the bit holder.

What kind of handles are there for bit holders?

When it comes to the handle of a bit holder, you can distinguish between different types. On the one hand, you can also call a cordless drill a handle for the bit holder. On the other hand, the bit holder can also be attached to a screwdriver, which is the next possibility for the handle. The screwdriver handle is again divided into a normal handle and the so-called T-handle. The T-handle, as the name suggests, is shaped like a T and can be placed in the palm of the hand for a more secure hold and easier gripping. The handle cover is usually made of soft rubber to prevent slipping.

What size bit holder do I need?

The size of the bit holder depends entirely on personal preference. If it is intended for a drill, it should be ensured that it can also be attached to it. However, if it is for a handheld screwdriver, the size of the hand and a comfortable grip are crucial. The size of the stainless steel screws only determines the required "front size" of the bit and therefore has no direct influence on the size of the "rear" part of the bit. You should only make sure that the bits also fit into the bit holder. If you already have bits, the size of the bit holder can be adapted to them.
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Conclusion

In conclusion, a bit holder is suitable for everyone. It prevents the unnecessary purchase of many screwdrivers. A bit holder can therefore be flexibly adapted to all screwdrivers. For drills, too, a bit holder is a good way to handle many screw sizes with one tool. A bit holder is therefore ideally suited for everyday use when it comes to opening battery compartments or building shelves. But it is also ideal for experienced craftsmen and prevents them from lugging around a lot of equipment. But with only one bit holder, it is possible to respond to many screw sizes.

(Cover photo: Mika Baumeister/ Unsplash)

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