gclark

I have used power tools for years and each time this happens I wonder why.. So ,you can laugh, but when using power screwdriver.. the screw starts to go in but suddenly stops and the bit starts stripping the head of the screw. What makes this happen?
I use the level on the drill to check that I am holding the drill straight, I check the bit against the head of the screw before I start, and pulse the drill to get the hole started.. What am I doing wrong??

creative novice

are you screwing into hard wood? (predrill and use bar soap to lubricate the screw)
do you predrill the holes? (hold a drill bit behind the screw, if you can barely see it, that's the one)
does your drill have multiple torque settings? (adjust it down a little)
are you using cheap screws? (cheap aluminum screws that "come with stuff" will disinigrate fast)
are your screw bits cheap or worn out?
are you using the "right" screw bit?...there subtle differences in them, (before you load the bit into the drill, try putting the bit in the screw with your hand and turn , if it sets tight should be right bit )



...that's the end of my limited knowledge...now the rest of you guys can take over!

__________________
"I tried it. I liked it. " Julie's 19 month old grandaughter, Feb 2009

mpm1696

For one, I push really hard on the drill/driver while driving screws to prevent slip, and I don't screw in too fast for better control. I use the slow speed setting on the drill. When my driver is worn out I just throw it away, from my own experience it's not worth the fuss. I always use Robertson or square-drive screws, it surpasses all other types.

Pete

Bob Wingard

I got sick of the same situation & got a Makita 14.4V drill/impact driver combo kit. BEST solution for me. The impact driver seems to never slip, even with worn bits. The ease of driving long, large screws & lag bolts is just amazing. It's something you won't believe until you try it out for yourself.


<<<__ Bøb __>>>

Allthumbs27

Laugh but some of the best bits I have found come from walmart. They are B&D And are titanium coated and seem to last much longer than the more expensive bits I had been using. What bit brands do you all use?

Lucas54

Square heads have eliminated that problem for me.

Kenbo

Gotta love the Canadian contrabution of square "robertson" head screws. If you coat them with Canadian maple syrup, they stick to your screwdriver.
Ken

__________________

GeorgeC

You covered the subject pretty well. Predirlling and coating the screw with soap will solve most problems. Getting rid of cheap screws and throwing away worn bits will solve the remaining.

Yes, square bits are better.

George

nblumert

I had a problem withe the screw heads snapping off before I could get them in the wood. I called a friend of mine and asked him what the problem could be, and his first question was "where did you get the screws from?" I bought them from HD and he said that was my problem. It might be that the screws you are using are just really cheap. I have since moved to using McFeely's square drive screws. They are a much better option from the cheap pieces of junk from HD. They even stay on the square drive bit without having to be held or the bit having to be magnetized. No more snapped off screws for me.

firehawkmph

I agree with the predrilling. About the only thing I don't predrill is construction grade lumber. Even with good screws, try shooting one into hard maple without a proper pilot hole and see if it doesn't snap. I have drill bits break when drilling maple when they fed too quick and the flutes bound up with chips. I normally use an impact driver also.
Mike Hawkins

john5mt

Predrilling is key

torx or robertson's are always a better bet than phillips or god forbid flat head

Allthumbs27

I think Rosie O'Donell invented the flathead screw.

GeorgeC

Do you mean "slot head?" Flat head is the style of screwl

G

Allthumbs27

guess