Smart-Bit Screw Depth Setting Tool

This device works pretty much as described. I used it to refloor my deck. I drove over a thousand screws with it and they were about as depth consistent as one could hope for. You will want to drive a bunch of test screws to get the depth right and get used to the way it behaves. Consistent downward pressure on the drill/driver is helpful. Also, you will need to use two pairs of pliers to tighten the locking ring so that it does not work it's way loose during use. Finally, IT WILL NOT WORK WITH AN IMPACT DRIVER.

This drill bit works great for setting depth of screws. I use it for Trex decking for setting screws just a little past flush.

Like the unit, but it has struggled with my hardwood deck and the depth isn't quite as repeatable as you'd hope. I think it would be much better in a pine deck. The clutch mechanism is a little hit and miss and sometimes doesn't fully separate, but it doesn't wreck the screw just slips noisily. It's so very much better than trying to do it manually.Overall I'm happy, but I think that I needed to be much more careful keeping it vertical and restrained a bit more in the early hours as I suspect that gave it a little internal wear. I wish that I'd bought 2 up front and suggest that you buy a good supply of tips which I found get loose in the tool with wear.

The tool worked as expected. Be sure to tighten the locking nut so that the depth doesn't change. Unfortunately, as other reviews have shown and stated, the split ring that holds the tool together broke after 200 sq.ft. of decking.

Easy to use, but not very high quality device. Useing to screw down 1' deck boards. Thing does not hold setting for very long. had to re-adjust depth setting every 40-50 screws. Worst of all, the thing locked-up after about first 150 screws. I had to place if a vise and free up with channel-lock pliers. I applied Never-Sieze and oil to device threads and retracting loint, it locked-up again after the next 100 or so. It works good when it works, but it just doesn't work very long. I'd never buy another one, nor recomend it to anyone else. I am very disappointed thus far.

The Smart Bit tool came with extra bits but I'm still using the first one after replacing all the deck boards on two 8' x 16' decks with Trex. The star drive bit is starting to look a bit rounded and will probably need to be replaced soon before it starts leaving screws. I followed directions and drove some screws into a scrap piece. Instantly discovered that my estimate of the correct setting was way too deep. Also discovered trying to tighten the locking collar by hand wasn't going to last very long before it vibrated loose. Used two pairs of pliers to snug mine once I had the adjustment depth right. I used about 8 screws practicing. The Smart Bit tool is definitely a time-saver and far better than trying to drive Trex deck screws to a consistent depth. Practicing also made it clear that it was best to pre-drill the holes before driving the screws. The deck screws could drill their own hole, but pre-drilling removes any chance of a board not being clinched tight to the joist or splitting. The Trex boards were too expensive to risk cracking or splitting because I was too lazy to pre-drill. The Smart Bit tool drove all the screws to put two in every joist for 56 16-foot long Trex boards on our decks. I am very happy with this tool for star drive Trex screws. I would not use it for Phillips head deck screws. It did come with a Phillips bit, but the way it backs the bit out to release would do terrible things to a Phillips bit and screw head.

Bought 2 of these but both broke after just a few dozens uses. The metal cover that contains the spring just wears and breaks. When it does work it does a pretty good job about 8 out of 10 uses. The other 2 out 10 times it didn’t get the depth just right and I had to use another bit to get it flush. In the end I just had to do it using the regular bit and slowly inserting to my desired depth.

Replacing decking, 6 screws per every 4-foot board. You will just need to figure out the adjustment height, then it works like a charm. You know when it stops as it sort of pops when it stops. Def recommend, all screws are same height/flush with top of boards.