Long Drill Bits.

[amatureleccy]

I have been using Dewalt PZ2 drill bits in my drill driver. I have been driving in 100mm length screws (self tapping) into wooden posts and have been finding the toward the end of the drilling the drills loses its grip on the screw and I almost end up stripping the head of the screw.

Am I,

A) using cheap screws. On one job I resorted to using screws with a hex head and got much better results
B) using cheap PZ2 driver bits
C) just not very good at drilling

Foot note - Assume C is a given. If I am a bit wobbly in the direction of my drilling I can imagine that I am not helping the driver to seat firmly with screw.

Also, I see on the various youtube videos I watch that some builders use very long drill bits to drive the screws. Do the longer bits make for more accurate drilling.

Thanks.

 

[Diver Fred]

d: Not very good at describing your problem.

Think you are saying you are using PZ2 screwdriver bits to drive 100mm PZ2 screws. That will take a lot of effort on the part of the drill driver.
I don't think you are drilling pilot holes first.

So - I suggest you need to do the following assuming a5mm screw
1; drill a pilot hole with a 3 or 3.5mm drill bit to a depth of 75 - 80mm
2; drill the pilot hole out with a 5mm drill through the workpeice you are fixing (that stops 'ramp out')
3; drive the screw home with the drill driver using a PZ2 bit.

Buy good quality screwdriver bits (DeWalt or similar). Press firmly on Drill Driver.

Alternatively use an Impact Driver - but still drill a pilot hole in the workpeice you are fixing.

 

[rsgaz]

If they're quite wide screws, they could well be PZ3, which a pz2 bit will still turn, badly.

 

[catlad]

Assuming you have the right bit for the screw a 4mm pilot hole works wonders.

 

[mrrusty]

Good screws (eg reisser) good tips (not cheap rubber metal) and a proper impact driver and you'll drive them all day long without pilots. Chuck the tip after it's slipped twice and use a new one. I buy tips in little boxes of I think 20 at a time for about a fiver from the merchants.

An impact driver is far better than a cordless drill for larger screws.

 

[^woody^]

D) not using candle wax on the screws

 

[catlad]

Good screws (eg reisser) good tips (not cheap rubber metal) and a proper impact driver and you'll drive them all day long without pilots. Chuck the tip after it's slipped twice and use a new one. I buy tips in little boxes of I think 20 at a time for about a fiver from the merchants.

An impact driver is far better than a cordless drill for larger screws.

Don't forget using one of those will p!ss everyone else off near bye and you will go deaf quicker, not to mention your wrists damage.

 

[Keithmac]

I use torx headed screws, much nicer than pozi drive.

For the fence I bought some with 8mm hex heads for screwing to the posts.

 

[JohnD]

I use stainless hex-headed coach screws and washers for my fence. The drill struggles a bit if no pilot hole.

Coastal area so ordinary plated fixings don't last long

 

[mrrusty]

Don't forget using one of those will p!ss everyone else off near bye and you will go deaf quicker, not to mention your wrists damage.

??? OK, impact is marginally louder, but not much. As to wrist damage - far more using a cordless drill as a driver as the clutch is torque controlled and reacts through you resisting the twist using your wrist - that's actually why I got an impact in the first place after a day pushing screws into decking with a cordless my wrist was knacked. Virtually no torque with an impact - much nicer to use - and will drive things a cordless won't like 120mm M10 coach screws!

 

[foxhole]

E. Weak wrists .

 

[Nige F]

cordless - schmordless . A big Stanley Yankee was good enough

 

[HERTS P&D]

cordless - schmordless . A big Stanley Yankee was good enough

The good old days Nige.

Andy

 

[blup]

A bit will "cam out" if the speed is high and the torque low.

Try a pilot hole and driving in at speed, or driving more slowly in a lower gear. In each case with a suitable torque setting on the drill.

Blup

 

[^woody^]

cordless - schmordless . A big Stanley Yankee was good enough

I've recently bought a bit adapter for mine and started using it again.