Our method
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.
Contents
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.
The Best Bit Holders: Our Choices
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.
Guide: Frequently asked questions about bit holders answered in detail
What is a bit holder?
Who is a bit holder suitable for?
What types of bit holders are there?
| 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?
| 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?
What kind of handles are there for bit holders?
What size bit holder do I need?
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)
