Author Topic: Screw drivers..... (Read 23264 times)

Jak147 · « **on:** February 22, 2016, 03:53 PM »

On the rare occasion that there is a call for an actual screwdriver, I reach into the box and pull out an old beat up Stanley number. The flat heads have the corners chipped off and the pozi's are more of an awls than a screwdriver! All of which makes the expeience even more painful.
So the time has come for a shiny new set. The green and black Wera diamonds are the obvious choice but a colleague already has a set and I need to get something different to avoid getting them muddled.
Does anyone have any reconmendations on a similar quality driver?
All help greatly appreciated
Jk

Alex · « **Reply #1 on:** February 22, 2016, 04:04 PM »

PB Swiss. My favourites. Excellent quality and I like the handles best.

Wera and Wiha are also good quality, but I am not so found of their handle shapes.

And Gedore also makes good screwdrivers.

Those 4 are some of the best I can think off. Whether a handle shape suits you is up to personal taste.

You can get Wera if you want, just mark them with paint or coloured tape to distinguish them from those of your colleague.

Jak147 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 22, 2016, 05:00 PM »

Mary's thanks @Alex I had never heard of the pb Swiss brand. Exactly what I was looking for. They even have the colour coded tops like my beaten up Stanley's! A feature that the Wera drivers are greatly lacking!
I also ordered the colour coded hex keys they looked too darn sexy to pass up!

Thanks again
Jk

StianRL · « **Reply #3 on:** February 22, 2016, 05:38 PM »

I really like my Bacho ratcheting screwdriver.
Not great for screws sunk in tight holes though because of the ratcheting collar.

6 bits will fit in the handle. Can always be replaced by wera ones..
Seems they have a new one now with LED lights.
Might get another:-)

Kev · « **Reply #4 on:** February 22, 2016, 05:51 PM »

In Oz the big hardware stores always seem to have a regular discount on the Stanley sets .. the quality is "ok" and I've never felt the urge to reach for the higher quality tools simply because I see the Stanley drivers as almost disposable based on price and the alternatives effectively working out to be 10X (here).

Sadly, cheap screwdrivers tend to lead you down the path of using them as chisels, paint stirrers, pry bars, etc .. and sometimes as screwdrivers

... I'm starting to feel like a bit of a caveman.

demographic · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2016, 05:56 PM »

I found a Snap On stubby ratchetting screwdriver in a scrap Ford Transit a few years ago.

Surprisingly handy little item, glad I found it cos they cost thirty or so quid new.

Its stubby, black and kind of square handled. Just can't get on with the soft grip things that go manky if you get oil on them.

SHJ NH · « **Reply #6 on:** February 22, 2016, 06:07 PM »

I use Gedore screw drivers and wrenches. Stanley is for me an upper cheap B quality, not quit enough to be an A quality product. Good enough to a tapeline, hammer and "stanley"knife. It's of the Black and Decker company...

neilc · « **Reply #7 on:** February 22, 2016, 09:36 PM »

Check out the selection at KCToolco.com

They carry a pretty broad selection of german tools.

I had a full set of SnapOn screwdrivers that were 20 years old, but gave them to my son and just purchased Wiha's -
New SnapOn's were way too much money for what I did not consider to be any better a driver than you can find in some of the German brands.

I had used Wiha precision drivers in the past and tried out their larger ones and really like them a lot. Very comfortable handles and tips that hold the screw well.

Nothing against the SnapOn's other than I wanted a more comfortable handle. At a more affordable price.

Peter_C · « **Reply #8 on:** February 23, 2016, 01:40 AM »

Snap-on "Nothing comes close" <That is their quote.

Here in the USA they are best you can get and fully warrantied for the bits. I lost track of how many I have broken, but other than the ones I lost, I still have all of mine in use after 27 years. The newer handles have great grip and are comfortable. So far I have not found a ratcheting screwdriver that comes close.

Cheese · « **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2016, 12:10 PM »

Quote from: Peter_C on February 23, 2016, 01:40 AM

Snap-on "Nothing comes close" <That is their quote.
Here in the USA they are best you can get and fully warrantied for the bits. I lost track of how many I have broken, but other than the ones I lost, I still have all of mine in use after 27 years.

I'll second that...my Snap-on's are 35 years old and have been used mostly to repair cars & motorcycles, a much tougher task than what the average woodworker would subject them to. Snap-on dealers keep a supply of parts on the truck so they can repair them on the spot...no questions asked.

Most of their screw drivers have a forged blade with a hex bolster formed on the upper part of the shaft so you can apply additional torque. The tips of the screw drivers are hardened and vapor honed for a better grip with the screw.

RussellS · « **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2016, 01:54 PM »

All the screwdrivers I ever need.

Klein 5 in 1 screwdriver. Two Phillips and two flat drivers to handle 99% of your screwdriving needs. Keep one in my tool belt and one in my kitchen drawer so I always have the right screwdriver at hand.
http://www.kleintools.com/catalog/screwdrivernut-drivers/5-1-screwdrivernut-driver

Set of mini screwdrivers. Sometimes you have to work on small stuff like eyeglasses.
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-piece-precision-screwdriver-set-47823.html

RobNJ · « **Reply #11 on:** February 23, 2016, 07:59 PM »

I recently bought a set of Vessel Megadoras for when I need a higher quality driver, and a $15 set of Husky from Home Depot for beaters. Incidentally, the Huskies came with a P3 which is perfect for the Woodpeckers parallel guides!!

Peter_C · « **Reply #12 on:** February 23, 2016, 09:46 PM »

Quote from: Cheese on February 23, 2016, 12:10 PM

~my Snap-on's are 35 years old and have been used~

Those are used?

They are in way to good of shape. Mine were used daily for a long time and are pretty trashed. No I never beat on them, I have other tools to beat on, like Craftsman! I also learned black is a horrible color for auto repairs. Snap-on eventually learned this too and started making them out of red, and neon colors. I have never lost an orange screwdriver yet.

jmbfestool · « **Reply #13 on:** February 24, 2016, 02:35 AM »

Perfect

http://www.pbswisstools.co.uk/catalog/PB_Swiss_Tools/PB_4040.SET_PET.html

Cheese · « **Reply #14 on:** February 24, 2016, 10:36 AM »

Quote from: Peter_C on February 23, 2016, 09:46 PM

Those are used?

Yea they are, things mechanical have always been just a hobby for me so they don't get used like they were in a 24/7 environment, and they always get wiped down after each use.

Besides, I try to remain sane when using hand tools and not use the screwdriver handle for a hammer or the shaft for a pry bar, although when you're under the car with a transmission on your chest the dynamics of the situation does change the sanity statement.

I agree, using black handled tools in a black engine compartment with poor lighting probably added untold $$ to Snap-on's bottom line each year.

Jak147 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 24, 2016, 04:09 PM »

Blimey, I had no idea so many people used screw drivers!! The pb Swiss drivers that Alex recommended arrived today. Very nice, comfortable handle. Dare I say better than the Wera

Jak147 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 24, 2016, 04:16 PM »

Re the snap-on drivers...
I advoid oil at all costs, so a hard plastic handle is a torture I do not need to endure. I'm sure the snap-on screwdrivers are the dogs dangles in an automotive environment, but without the rubber eating mineral oils that coat everything in an auto garage, I can have a nice squishy handle and not have it dissolve in 12 months!

Alex · « **Reply #17 on:** February 24, 2016, 05:06 PM »

Quote from: Jak147 on February 24, 2016, 04:09 PM

Which is great as usually a slotted screw results in despair and a trip to the truck to search for a suitable pozi replacement

That's a habit you shouldn't break.

Glad you like the PB's.

Peter_C · « **Reply #18 on:** February 25, 2016, 02:20 AM »

Quote from: Jak147 on February 24, 2016, 04:16 PM

Re the snap-on drivers...
I advoid oil at all costs, so a hard plastic handle is a torture I do not need to endure. I'm sure the snap-on screwdrivers are the dogs dangles in an automotive environment, but without the rubber eating mineral oils that coat everything in an auto garage, I can have a nice squishy handle and not have it dissolve in 12 months!

Well the Soft Grip Snap-on screwdrivers are warrantied for life. They changed the handle again to a newer formula and design. The handle angles are far more important than how soft the handle is.

Cheese, this special Chopper screwdriver is for you because of your avatar. It was a very very limited run, never sold. Some people would call it a collectors edition. I threw it in my toolbox and put it to use. *shrugs* I don't hit mine with a hammer, nor use them as hammers. Well accept the Craftsman as that is what they are for

The closest one is from my Save-A-Boat-Dive-Kit. It is ratcheting and can be used bent or straight.

leakyroof · « **Reply #19 on:** February 25, 2016, 08:52 AM »

Will have to check out the pb Swiss tools. Haven't heard of them.
I own a fair number of screwdrivers, many are part of the original MacTool sets I bought in the '80s before buying Snap-On screwdrivers to fill in or replace missing ones. Since the handles are Red, they didn't get lost in the interior of a car as easily as the older Snap-On black handled versions did....

Handle styles and material keep changing. Snap-On ran into a real problem with their earlier Black versions, there was 1 or 2 chemicals that would just eat up the handles over time, and it was fairly common. They quietly would warranty the handles if you asked them.
I think Lacquer Thinner was one of the problem solvents, which used to be very common in body shops and other shops.

leakyroof · « **Reply #20 on:** February 25, 2016, 08:53 AM »

Don't get me started on pliers though......

Cheese · « **Reply #21 on:** February 25, 2016, 10:12 AM »

Quote from: Peter_C on February 25, 2016, 02:20 AM

Cheese, this special Chopper screwdriver is for you because of your avatar. It was a very very limited run, never sold. Some people would call it a collectors edition. I threw it in my toolbox and put it to use. *shrugs* I don't hit mine with a hammer, nor use them as hammers. Well accept the Craftsman as that is what they are for

"The Chopper"...ya gotta love that lame marketing ploy.

Although I do remember some limited edition Harley Davidson tool boxes from Snap-on.

Just curious how well that 2nd screw driver with the elbow & ratchet works?

alkaline · « **Reply #22 on:** February 25, 2016, 11:45 AM »

This is a great topic. He reminds me where to start disease. I was about three years and I saw my father screwdriver. He had a magnificent brown handle and very, very I wanted him to have. Brown is still amazing to me.

adcolor · « **Reply #23 on:** May 11, 2016, 01:08 AM »

Hardened tips.
Parallel face slot head drivers. Almost impossible to get except in insert bit styles.

Do a little search on Reed-Prince/Phillips/JIS/Pozi-drive. Since you are updating your drivers (yeah, you already bought a set).

Cheese · « **Reply #24 on:** May 11, 2016, 10:13 PM »

Check out your nearest SnapOn dealer... hardened tips, removable shafts with hex drive hubs and guaranteed for life. They aren't cheap but they do last a life time.

eddomak · « **Reply #25 on:** May 11, 2016, 11:13 PM »

Quote from: Jak147 on February 22, 2016, 03:53 PM

The green and black Wera diamonds are the obvious choice but a colleague already has a set and I need to get something different to avoid getting them muddled.

It seems from your follow up post that you've already got yourself a set, but I was surprised no-one suggested either the stainless Wera set (black and blue) or the electrical Wera set (red and yellow), or the chiseldriver set (black and yellow) to still have a Wera set but be able to be distinguished at a glance from your colleague's set.

I had a quick look at the other brands, and does anyone else do something like the laser etched tips from Wera?

leakyroof · « **Reply #26 on:** May 12, 2016, 08:57 AM »

Quote from: eddomak on May 11, 2016, 11:13 PM

Quote from: Jak147 on February 22, 2016, 03:53 PM
The green and black Wera diamonds are the obvious choice but a colleague already has a set and I need to get something different to avoid getting them muddled.

It seems from your follow up post that you've already got yourself a set, but I was surprised no-one suggested either the stainless Wera set (black and blue) or the electrical Wera set (red and yellow), or the chiseldriver set (black and yellow) to still have a Wera set but be able to be distinguished at a glance from your colleague's set.

I had a quick look at the other brands, and does anyone else does something like the laser etched tips from Wera?

I've bought 'blasted' tips over the years, seem to hold up very well. Don't think I've bought a 'laser-etched' screwdriver yet.

six-point socket · « **Reply #27 on:** May 16, 2016, 05:13 PM »

Hi,

owning and having used almost everything that was discussed so far, I'd like to offer my opinion on this topic.

Personally I like the Snap-On Instinct handle with hex-bolster best, but the tips of their bits and screwdrivers not so much. I found some of them to be pretty rough/uneven and sometimes with a little nub leftover right on the tip which - depending on the screw - ruins the fit completely and you'll have a hard time trying not to slip out of the head while you turn the screw.

It's not every tip, not every bit, but every now and then I find a "bad apple". Actually the tips of their Instinct handled "non conductive composite" screwdriver series is much better. But that's a different story - and I don't think those would be the right choice for you.

This brings me to the ultimate opposite - PB Swiss. The tips of their bits and screwdrivers are, I will call it "machined" to excellence. Sharp and ultra tight fitting. I don't really like their handle, although their ratcheting bit driver's action is ultra smooth. So my personally preferred combination is a Snap-On's ratcheting bit driver (either small or large) with PB Swiss bits. I have used PB Swiss bits in cordless drivers - but only for soft screw-joints. I would not use them for hard screw-joints or with an impact driver.

Actually a lot of the Snap-On bits, basically everything that says "Made in CZ" are made by Wera - Most obvious if you take a look at the Snap-On diamond pop up bit-/screw-driver and the corresponding diamond bits.

This brings me to Wera and another important point: bit quality.

Especially Wera, but also Wiha and others I'm sure have different lines of bits that vary.

Besides the pretty important differences between hard/very hard bits for soft screw-joints like in wood (torque rises continuously) and rather tough than just hard bits for hard screw-joints like in metal (torque rises abruptly at the end) and then special bits for impact drivers there are also different qualities available. In my experience especially their bits labeled premium are best speaking of fit but they still aren't on a par with PB Swiss. Please keep in mind that this is complaining on a very high level by me - neither Snap-On, Wera, Wiha, Felo or so many other manufacturer's bits are per se bad - but once you know what can be had, you don't go back.

Now leaving bits and going back to screwdrivers, Wera has what they call "Lasertip" offered on their Kraftform 300 series Screwdrivers, the tips are pretty good and you'll notice the difference pretty well compared to screwdrivers with no "anti cam out" function. I have removed fasteners/screws with those that other screwdrivers wouldn't turn and slip right off. Definitely a good choice if the handle is for you. Also it's never bad to have the hex-bolster. "Machining" on those tips and fit is actually pretty good.

Then there is Wiha - you could look into either "soft"-finish or "micro"-finish. "Soft-finish" being for dry applications, "micro-finish" for wet/oily applications. Again, not the biggest fan of their handle style but they get the job done, they have the hex bolster and their tips are good, too.

I'd suggest you try the different handles and find out what suits you best and what kind of tip quality you want - if those happen to be the same your colleague has - find a way to personalize them rather than buying something you're not 100% comfortable with just because they could get mixed up.

Kind regards,
Oliver

LiamD789 · « **Reply #28 on:** April 26, 2022, 03:59 AM »

Quote from: RussellS on February 23, 2016, 01:54 PM

All the screwdrivers I ever need.

Klein 5 in 1 screwdriver. Two Phillips and two flat drivers to handle 99% of your screwdriving needs. Keep one in my tool belt and one in my kitchen drawer so I always have the right screwdriver at hand.
http://www.kleintools.com/catalog /screwdrivernut-drivers/5-1-screwdrivernut-driver

Set of mini screwdrivers. Sometimes you have to work on small stuff like eyeglasses.
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-piece-precision-screwdriver-set-47823.html

Exactly what i needed, thanks

notenoughcash · « **Reply #29 on:** April 26, 2022, 07:05 AM »

i find that wera are generaly the best bet. i use those quick change VDE ones. work a treat. but yeah, mark em, as they are 10 an penny

Author Topic: Screw drivers..... (Read 23264 times)

six-point socket