best accessories for easier and faster screw driving

Top 6 Accessories That Make Screw Driving Easier & Faster

You are halfway through installing deck boards when another screw head strips out. This happens after driving 500 screws where 20% of them strip because the screw keeps slipping.

We've worked timber construction for 28 years, we’ve seen the same pattern repeat. Professionals finish decks in two days while DIYers spend long weekends on the same project. The gap isn't just about skill or experience. Us, pros, use six specific accessories that prevent split boards, stripped heads, and blown knees while cutting installation time nearly in half.

What you'll read here comes from our job sites and real contractor feedback, not just product descriptions.

1. Countersink Drill Bits

Countersink drill bits pre-drill the pilot hole and cut the countersink in one operation. You're not switching between a pilot bit and a countersink bit for every single screw. These bits have an adjustable depth stop collar that controls how deep the countersink goes.

for driving pilot easier and faster use starborn smartbit

The Brands We Trust

Starborn Smart-Bit (what we carry on every job) gets honest reviews like "this thing really works" from pros who've tested dozens of accessories. You twist the depth ring to set it, test on scrap wood, and you're done. The free-spinning stop collar protects the work surface and stops when the hole reaches the correct depth. Works with composite decking, hardwoods, and fiber cement.
Amana consistently ranks as the top choice among professional woodworkers who call them "just about perfect". The carbide-tipped countersinks feature an adjustable heavy-duty revolving depth stop with a strong thrust ball bearing for quick adjustment. In comprehensive testing, these bits are called "the benchmark for all other bits" with the strongest build quality available. The main drawback is cost? You'll pay around $45 per bit, and you need different sizes for different screws.
Fuller makes combination countersink and tapered drill sets that perform three functions in a single operation: drilling countersinks for screw heads, through holes for shanks, and pilot holes for threads. The Type C countersinks have four flutes for clean boring with an 82-degree cutting angle. Sets include depth stop collars and plug cutters for complete hole preparation.
Snappy Tools (Make it Snappy) gets strong recommendations from experienced woodworkers who appreciate that they're made in the USA at a reasonable price. The HSS tapered countersink bits drill the pilot hole and countersink in one step with an 82-degree countersink angle. They use a hardened set screw that locks onto the hex shank instead of the drill bit itself, eliminating slippage. You can buy the adjustable no-mar depth stop guide separately from the bits, which makes them more cost-effective than buying complete systems.

What This Prevents

Two-stage drilling that doubles your time. Without countersink bits, you're pre-drilling every hole, switching bits, then driving the screw. Tough composites need two separate pre-drill passes at different depths or the screw spins out and snaps the head off. Countersink bits do it all in one shot.
Screws spinning out in composite decking. Composite deck boards have tough shells. Screws stop advancing when they hit that surface and just spin, ruining the threads. Now you've got a visible hole you can't fix without drilling it out and plugging it. Pre-drilling with a countersink bit prevents that completely.
Split wood near edges. The tapered screw head wedges into lumber without proper countersinking. Wood splits, especially on end grain or near board edges.
Screw heads that won't sit flush. Without a proper countersink, screw heads either stick up and catch feet or get buried too deep and mushroom the composite material.

Pro Tips on Using Countersink Drill Bits

Use Eagle Claw deck screws. When we’re fastening deck boards, we pair the Smart-Bit with Eagle Claw stainless steel deck screws. They’re the best stainless steel deck screws, and not one screw stripped!
Test your depth setting on scrap first. Twist the depth ring, drill a test hole in scrap material that matches your decking, and adjust until the countersink depth is perfect. Every screw after that sets at the exact same depth without thinking about it.
Keep the stop collar clean. Wood dust and debris build up on the revolving collar and affect how it spins. Wipe it down regularly so it keeps protecting your work surface without burning or scratching.
Replace worn drill bits. The tapered HSS drill bits inside these countersinks wear out eventually. Most brands sell replacement bits separately so you're not buying the entire assembly again.

2. Depth Control Bit Sleeves

Depth control bit sleeves work with your screwdriver bit to stop screws at the exact depth you set. A metal sleeve slides over the screw and pops when it hits the surface, releasing the bit before you strip the head or bury it too deep.

The Brand We Trust

DeWalt makes the DW2043 adjustable screw depth setter that contractors rely on for consistent results. You adjust the bit position to control depth when driving screws. It's heat-treated for durability and has a hardened core for extra strength and reduced breakage. Works with Phillips-head screwdriving applications.

What This Prevents

Stripped screw heads from over-driving. You push the drill too hard trying to get the screw perfectly flush, the bit spins out, and now the Phillips head is ruined. Depth control sleeves stop the bit before that happens.
Inconsistent screw depth across the entire deck. Without depth control, every screw sits at a slightly different depth depending on how hard you pushed or how long you held the trigger. It looks unprofessional and clients notice.
Screws buried too deep or sticking up. Too deep creates dimples in the surface material, and too shallow leaves heads protruding that catch feet. Depth setters give you the perfect flush screw every single time.
Damaged work surfaces from the drill collar. Standard drill operations can mar or scratch finished surfaces. The collar protects the surface while you drive.

Pro Tips on Using Depth Control Sleeves

Set your depth on scrap material first. Adjust the depth ring, drive a test screw into a piece of the actual material you're using, and check if it's flush. Lock it down and every screw after that sits at the exact same depth.
Use with impact drivers for consistent torque. Depth control sleeves work best with impact drivers that deliver steady power. Regular drills can over-torque and strip screws even with the sleeve working.
Keep the collar clean. Wood dust and debris can affect how the collar functions. Wipe it down regularly so it keeps working properly.
Pre-drill tough composites first. Some composite brands have such hard surfaces that you need to pre-drill pilot holes even when using depth control sleeves. Keep a second drill with a pilot bit ready for dense materials.

3. Collated Screw Gun Attachments

Collated screw gun attachments feed screws automatically from a strip into the driver bit.

for faster decking use screw gun attachments

The Brand We Trust

Simpson's Quik Drive system handles decking and subfloor work where you're driving thousands of screws. We've run these on commercial deck projects where the cordless version lets crews move freely without dragging extension cords across job sites. The corded model works when you've got power nearby and don't want to worry about battery life.
The Quik Drive Project Pro is the stripped-down version without the stand-up extension. Lighter weight makes it work better on vertical surfaces where the full system feels too heavy. You're still getting the auto-feed magazine that eliminates fumbling with individual screws.

What This Prevents

Dropped screws everywhere. Working off ladders or scaffolding means dropped screws disappear into grass, insulation, or between deck joists. Collated strips keep every screw attached until it's driven.
Constant trips to refill your pouch. A 50-screw strip replaces 50 individual screws you'd normally carry. You're making fewer trips to your screw bucket and spending more time actually driving.
Two-handed operation slowing you down. Holding the board tight with one hand while the other hand positions a screw and then switches to the drill wastes motion. Auto-feed lets you hold material with one hand and drive with the other.
Misaligned screws that go in crooked. The nosepiece on collated systems holds the screw perpendicular to the surface. Screws go in straight every time without you eyeballing the angle.

Pro Tips on Using Simpson’s Collated Screw Gun Attachment:

Buy extra strips and load them the night before. Our crew preloads 20 to 30 strips for big deck jobs so they're not stopping to reload during work hours. The strips themselves are reusable at least once if you're hand-loading your own screws.
Keep the feed pawl clean. Wood dust and debris jam the mechanism that advances screws forward. Spray lubricants attract more dust, so stick with dry lube.
Lift the tool completely off the surface after each screw instead of dragging it to the next position. Dragging wears out the screw strip and causes jams.
Use stainless steel collated screws for better rust protection. Use 316 if you’re building near the ocean.

4. Ultra Magnetic Bit Holders

Ultra magnetic bit holders grip screws tight enough that you can hold a three-inch deck screw horizontally without it falling off. Standard magnetic tips barely hold screws vertical. These holders use ring magnets or neodymium magnets strong enough to lock the screw in place while you position it.

The Brand We Trust

DeWalt's aluminum collar bit holders slide over their longer impact bits and use magnets built into the collar itself. The self-retracting guide sleeve traps the screw upright through the entire drive, then retracts as the screw sinks in. Cheaper knockoffs from Amazon work just as well for a fraction of the price.
Some contractors drop a three-millimeter neodymium sphere into weak magnetic holders to boost the strength. Permanent fixes involve supergluing three-millimeter magnetic disks into the bottom of the holder.

What This Prevents

Screws shooting off the bit on ladders or scaffolding. Working at height means dropped screws disappear or create hazards below. Strong magnets keep screws locked on the bit even when you're climbing or reaching.
Fumbling with screws using both hands. Weak magnets force you to steady the screw with your fingers while starting it. Ultra-strong holders let you position and drive screws one-handed while holding material with the other hand.
Screws tipping sideways and stripping out. Bits slip off screw heads when the screw isn't perfectly aligned. Magnetic holders keep the bit seated in the screw head throughout the drive.
Bits falling out during heavy impacts. Standard magnetic holders lose grip under heavy knocking or vibration. Quick-change holders with mechanical retention plus magnets handle impact drivers without bits flying loose.

Pro Tips on Using This Screw Driving Accessory:

Match the holder to your screw length. Three-inch deck screws need the slide-over type holders because you can reach all the way out and place screws one-handed. Short screws work fine with compact magnetic holders that fit into tight recesses.
Keep a magnetizer tool in your kit. You can re-magnetize bits that lose strength over time, though magnetized bits never get as strong as dedicated magnetic holders. We run both systems depending on the job.
Check your bit size matches the screw head perfectly. Phillips #2 is standard, but using worn bits or wrong sizes causes slipping even with strong magnets. Torx screws hold better because the star pattern seats tighter than Phillips heads.
Apply steady pressure straight into the screw. Angling the drill even slightly lets the bit slip out of the screw head and strip it. The magnetic holder keeps things aligned, but you still need to push straight.

5. Extension Poles for Stand-Up Operation

Extension poles let you drive screws while standing instead of kneeling for hours. Your back and knees take the punishment on standard deck jobs where you're crawling around on joists all day. A 20-inch extension puts the screw gun at floor level while you're upright.

screw driving efficiency with extension poles from quik drive pro

The Brand We Trust

Simpson's Quik Drive G3 Extension ships with the PRO300SG2 systems we mentioned earlier. Lightweight design at 22 inches long keeps the tool balanced even with collated screw strips loaded. We've run these on commercial subfloor installs where the extension paid for itself in saved time and less crew fatigue.

Extensions detach when you need to work on walls or tight spaces. The same gun works for drywall, fence building, and vertical applications once you pull the extension out.

What This Prevents

Blown knees from kneeling on joists all day. Deck joists aren't comfortable even with kneepads. Standing operation eliminates the constant pressure on kneecaps and lets you move faster between screw locations.
Lower back strain from hunching over. Bending at the waist to reach deck boards while holding a heavy drill strains your lower back. Extensions let you stand straight with the tool doing the reaching.
Slower production rates on big jobs. Kneeling, driving a screw, standing up, moving two feet, and kneeling again burns time. You walk the deck standing up and drive continuously without changing position.
Crew members calling out with injuries. Job site injuries cost time and money. Ergonomic tools reduce physical stress and keep experienced crews working instead of recovering.

Pro Tips on Using Simpson’s Quik Drive:

Extensions work best on horizontal surfaces like decking and subfloors. Snap chalk lines and just walk the lines driving screws. The consistent height keeps screw depth uniform across the entire installation.
Remove the extension for walls and ceilings. The base unit handles vertical work better without the extra length throwing off your balance.
Match your extension length to the work surface height. A 20-inch extension works for standard deck heights, but raised platforms might need shorter extensions to maintain control. Too much extension makes the tool tip-heavy and harder to guide precisely.
Budget for the extension when pricing jobs. It's not an optional accessory if you're bidding against crews using stand-up systems. The speed difference shows up clearly on projects over 500 square feet.

6. High-Capacity Battery Systems

High-capacity batteries keep you working instead of waiting on chargers. A 1.5Ah compact battery dies after 100 screws on deck work. That's maybe 20 minutes of actual driving. Five-amp-hour batteries drive 700-plus screws per charge.

dewalt 20v power stack for screw driving efficiency