I’ve been meaning to write about Irwin’s impact-rated masonry drill bits for some time now. They’re currently available at Amazon and presumably elsewhere – I haven’t checked – and seem like a great idea.
Think about it: hammer drills are great if you need to drill just a few holes in masonry materials. But for more than that, they kind of suck. For lots of holes or larger holes, you want a rotary hammer, which as you probably know is a completely different kind of beast.
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Impact drivers can deliver a lot of torque, and they also have reactionless torque transmission. If you’re using an impact driver and a bit binds or jams, the tool won’t twist your wrists, or at least it shouldn’t. If the same happens in a drill or hammer drill, the tool will counter-rotate.
Or at least that’s what happens with most drills. Bosch makes some heavy-duty drills with wrist-saving anti-kickback safety sensors.
I recently noticed that Dewalt has just come out with impact-rated masonry drill bits of their own. I kept putting off a post about just the Irwin bits, but seeing Dewalt come out with their own drill bits of this style was enough to finally push my pen to paper.
Impact drivers typically offer higher speeds, reactionless torque, and greater max torque limits compared to drills.
If these bits take off, hammer drills might eventually lose their appeal. But I don’t think will happen.
Rotary-only masonry bits are lousy, at least the couple of ones I’ve used. Hammer drills deliver a vibratory-type of impact motion which, while nowhere near as effective as the piston-style hammering of a rotary hammer, should perform better than rotary-only action. If you use these bits in an impact driver, which do not provide any chipping-away-at-masonry-materials vibratory or impact motions, wouldn’t they perform worse than perhaps the same bit in a hammer drill?
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Impact drivers are not hammer drills. Sometimes hammer drills are called impact drills, but they are still inherently different than impact drivers.
It’s like the difference between stirring a pot of sauce and mashing potatoes. One provides rotary impact pulses, and the other pulses in a perpendicular direction.
Part of me is psyched about these new impact-compatible masonry drill bits, but a bigger part of me wonders whether they’re any good. My feelings would be less mixed if these were impact-rated multi-material masonry bits.
Maybe I shouldn’t be so hasty to judge. Dewalt says their new Impact Ready masonry drill bits have an innovative flute design leading to faster material removal for easier drilling. They’re also sized for common Tapcon anchor installation.
Do you really need a rotary hammer or even a hammer drill for 1/4″, 3/16″, and 5/32″ hole sizes?
You can buy a 3pc set of the Dewalt bits for ~$14, and individual sizes are currently priced at ~$10 each. The Irwin bits, which are already shipping, are priced at ~$29 for a 6-piece set, and ~4-6 each. There’s also a smaller 5-piece set for ~$18.
Buy Now(Dewalt bits via Amazon)
Buy Now(Irwin bits via Amazon)
I probably wouldn’t hesitate to buy a pack of impact-rated masonry drill bits the next time I have to install a couple of smaller masonry anchor sizes. They sound convincing enough, but I still have my hesitations.
Although an impact driver lacks the vibratory action of hammer drills, which helps to break up masonry materials, this should also mean reduced vibration, and this a better user experience. So even if they don’t perform quite as well, they might be easier on your hands and arms.
Unrelated, but while we’re talking about masonry drill bits…
A while back someone asked for my opinion about masonry drill bits for hammer drills. Sorry, I have your email starred and flagged as unread, but haven’t finished the full Reader Question post about it yet. If you’re reading this, I’m going to have to say Bosch all the way – something like their 7pc set which is $24 via Amazon. I bought that set, or one very much like it, and added in one or two other sizes. Keep in mind that this and other sets often have duplicate bits of more delicate bit sizes.
In terms of impact-compatible masonry drill bits. Dewalt has worked hard to refresh their Impact Ready, FlexTorq, and MaxFit (what’s the difference?) impact-compatible lineups in recent years. Irwin also launched a new impact-compatible bit lineup in recent years. And while we’re on the subject, Milwaukee’s new Shockwave drill and driving bits are also coming out soon. But there hasn’t been much buzz from Bosch.
So while I tend to favor Bosch masonry drill bits, and of course SDS masonry drill bits as well, I don’t think that would stop me from wanting to try the Dewalt bits mentioned above, or maybe even the Irwin ones.
Michael Quinlan
This is the first I’m hearing of this type of drill bit, but I’m pretty skeptical that they’ll be any improvement over non-impact-rated bits, other than the benefit you would get from the higher RPM of an impact driver.
While on the subject of masonry bits, have you (or has anyone reading this) ever seen a 1/8″ SDS-Plus bit? Ever since your post on Spax screws I’ve been using their #8 multi-material pan-head screws in place of what I had been using (probably Crown). However, in masonry they recommend a 1/8″ pilot hole, and the only bits I’ve been able to find are for hammerdrills.
Stuart
Looking at Bosch’s website, the smallest SDS bit size I could find is 5/32″. If Bosch doesn’t have one, I can’t think of which other brand might.
fred
Looking at our old inventory – the smallest SDS-Plus bits we had were 5/32 from Bosch, Driltec and Hitachi. Drilltec also makes metric sizes – but no 3mm (5mm is their smallest)
Altan
Bosch has 3mm one and Snappy as well
fred
Maybe it’s just me – but it seems that the phrase “impact-ready” may be as much a marketing gimmick as it is a needed feature. Sure – for those applications where torque reaction might break a screwdriver or twist-drill bit – I can see the logic for wanting something to stand up to the rigors of an impact driver. Since many folks may be using an impact driver as their primary tool (rather than a drill) – and even though this is not the ideal tool for drilling – I can see why manufacturers want to market accessories for use with impact drivers. But come-on – is there likely to be much torque reaction when drilling into common concrete to set small anchors or tapcons? Unless you hit some reinforcing wire/bar or some odd piece of embedded aggregate – my experience says that this is not a “torquey” operation.
John
Maybe somewhat unrelated but why is it so hard to find an impact rated bit holder which locks the bit in place instead of weak magnet or press fit. Im constantly having bits stay stuck to the head of the fastener and pop out on my impact driver. Especially the torx or square bits.
The only “official” impact rated bit holder which locks the bit in place I’ve been able to find is the “DEWALT DWA3HLDIR IMPACT READY FlexTorq Bit Tip Holder with Screwlock System”. Its wonderful, but its being phased out and long since replaced with a non locking version. Its also not a “quick” one you have to manually screw the locking sleeve on top to keep it locked in.
Its crazy that none of the other manufactures seem to have a similar or at least quick locking alternative that is impact rated. The included bit holders are a simple sleeve with a magnet or tension wire and thats not enough to keep the bits from being pulled or falling out on some of these fasteners.
I’m a big fan of Wera’s Rapidaptor but its not impact rated and even Wera only offers a non locking magnet hold slip in holder in their Impaktor line. Even their BiTorsion isn’t impact rated and I know bc I had it snap in half. I’d give anything for a Rapidaptor thats impact rated.
With all the impact bit development I am frustrated that there isn’t any seemingly good associated impact rated locking bit holder. Any suggestions or similar frustration finding that?
Jerry
I hear you. I have used my Rapidapter for impact bits for a while now, with great results, even running some gutter screws with a #3 Robertson drive. I was starting to wonder if I was going to ruin my $20 Rapidaptor, so I recently got a $6 Tekton locking bit holder from Amazon. So far, so good. I know it isn’t impact rated, but I figure if I’m going to ruin one by misuse, it just as well be a $6 one. It came with a little holder, and some bits, and cost me between $6 and $7 as an add-on item. It doesn’t work as slick as the Rapidaptor, but at less than 1/3 the price, it is very usable, has held all my 1″ bits securely so far, and if it gets damaged by the impacts, I’m not out much.
Tekton, if you are listening, you make a very good bit holder for the money. If you were to make them available bare, without the extra bits and little organizer, to get the price under $5, I bet you’d sell a ton of them. Even if the impact driver would ruin one eventually, it would still be well worth it, to get an actual locking holder, at a reasonable price.
Hilton
“Maybe somewhat unrelated but why is it so hard to find an impact rated bit holder which locks the bit in place instead of weak magnet or press fit. Im constantly having bits stay stuck to the head of the fastener and pop out on my impact driver.”
One possible answer is that due to the physics of how an Impact driver works, the bit in question needs a little bit (excuse the pun) of leeway in terms of moving in and out of the holder. It’s probably a fraction of a millimeter but a bit holder that locks the bit in will be destroyed eventually. I haven’t researched this but it’s the only logical explanation I can come up with.
A line from the that older Dewalt bit holder you referenced is this “Reflex core allows 2″ bits to flex up to 15-degrees to reduce breakage”.
Maybe a Rapidapter that locks wouldn’t allow for such flexing?
Blythe M
Looks like they could be convenient in masonary, but I wouldn’t expect them to do much in cured concrete
Jerry
Guys, look at the bits in the picture. The bit is significantly smaller than the 1/4 hex drive they attach to. For drilling holes 3/16 and under, I’m willing to bet that they will work just fine on an impact driver. I have used small bits in the past using an 18V XRP hammer drill, and if they bind at all, the bit breaks. I would think that with the impact driver’s hammer action, that would be much less of a problem, if the shank has the proper amount of ‘spring’ to it. With small bits like this, getting them to penetrate is not usually the problem. Binding and breaking is a bigger problem, whether it is from hitting an obstacle, or the flutes binding with dust. I have broken several small bits using the hammer drill, when I hit a soft spot, had the bit suddenly bite deeply, plug the flutes, bind up, and snap off even with the surface I was drilling. NOT fun, if the hole is needed in a precise location. Getting a bound up and snapped off bit out of the hole when there is nothing to grab on to, is a real pain.
Jerry
PS. Where I see a use for these, would be Drilling pilot holes through cement board, for mounting something you need anchored to the studs or joists underneath. Drill the holes with your impact driver, snap in a driver bit, and run the screws.
Curt Hibbs
I have to say I’m a little bit disappointed in this article. Why waste all this time just theorizing about their performance?
I don’t understand why you just did get one and try it, then tell us about how it actually performed. THAT would have been a lot more useful!
Stuart
Sorry?
While I value hands-on reviews over hands-off assessments, there’s no way I can ever test everything I want to post about. I do want to test these, but it’ll be a while before I get to it. Besides, the Dewalt bits aren’t even available yet.
I normally separate preview info from my initial thoughts about new tools, but in this case everything is so meshed together that I didn’t.
ken
I would have to second the above comment from Curt. I understand not all tools are available and you may not have funding or time to buy and try everything but this seems like an inexpensive easy to try item that is already available on the market. You can always think about how a tool might work but until you use it in real world applications those ideas are not validated. I would like to see more written about the application of specific tools and specific uses and how to better utilize a tool than hear about the latest and greatest tool that has yet to hit the market or maybe is only available in foreign countries.
Stuart
While you make good points, there are limitations as to how much I can do given the time and resources I have.
If I delayed the post until I bought and then tested either the Dewalt or Irwin bits, it would have been buried beneath 10 better tool preview or review ideas that would receive higher priority.
More about the application of specific tools, specific uses, and how to better utilize a tool? That’s a good idea, at least in theory, but 50 different users would use the same tool for 50 different things.
One user might use small diameter masonry bits and Tapcons to hang conduits and small pipes on a masonry wall. Another might be using them to install emergency lights and exit signs, and another might be hanging slatwall in retail spaces.
The point of a post like this is to start a conversation. Readers will often chime in with comments about how a new tool might or might not benefit their specific needs.
There are different ways this post could have went.
1. Look at these new bits!
2. Look at these new bits, they’re awesome!
3. Look at these new bits, they look awesome, but maybe not without a catch.
I opted for # 3. Sorry that you’re disappointed.
In an ideal world, I’d have 10 accelerated-growth clones of myself that work in different trades and a ToolGuyd testing center to perfectly evaluate every single tool I post about. That’s not possible, so I do the best I can.
John L.
While a hands on review might have been better, I personally like to see what’s new and available rather than wait.
Christian V
I have never commented on this site before, yet since discovering it 3 years ago have never been dissapointed with the quality of articles. As a young home owner starting his tool collection I have never felt the need to complain about any article written. This site does not charge nor does it create highly subjective reviews. As a school teacher/coach with no children, hardly do I find enough time to finish projects during the school year and therefore would never write about how the Stuart has wasted my time with a non trial review. It amazes me that other tool websites receive amazing compliments in the comments after articles that say nothing, yet Stuart hears nagging for thinking out loud. There was so much information in this post that can help a new visitor to the site or even an old one like myself. Do what you do Stu
Ian
I saw bits from Bosch under their Daredevil brand at Home Depot (about a year ago, and since) with the other masonry/concrete bits.
They are carbide tipped, white-fluted bits with a 1/4″ hex shank for impactors.
Maybe you can try and compare all three brands?
Bill
Stuart, about 30 years ago when I “discovered” hammer drills it was a revelation for a diy home owner working on my newly purchased CBS home with a slab on grade foundation. With mostly small holes to be used for Tapcon screws and even an occasional 1/2″ or 3/4″ hole, my first corded 1/2″ hammer drill with a handful of cheap concrete bits was a great improvement over a standard drill. Certainly a true SDS rotary hammer is the way to go if you have many holes to drill daily and or large holes. I also agree that Bosch makes the best bits for concrete that I have found. As for these bits you reviewed above, while I haven’t tried them I can’t imagine they would be much of an improvement without the linear hammer action of a hammer drill.
Michael
I’m a cable tech in Florida. I’ve used these Irwin bits for more than a year down here, in both the 3/16 and 3/8ths sizes. I love them. I’ve burned out plenty, more than 20 now, but have also given at least 20 more away to my fellow techs, who also love them. These combined with the new 12V Makita are just unstoppable in the cable industry.