Thinking of Getting Wera Screwdrivers

[GoingMyWay]

I have a set of Klein screwdrivers, which I think are good.  The only problem is that they're all in my Veto toolbag which is rather heavy and up on a shelf that's honestly a pain to lift up and down, especially when my wife's car is parked in the garage.

I have been thinking about getting a set of Wera Screwdrivers - specifically because Black Friday is right around the corner.  I saw some sets that include a wall mounted holder.  That holder seems like it would be super convenient so I'd always have quick and easy access to a nice screwdriver.

Does anyone have any recommendations or suggestions on where to get the best prices (Black Friday deals) and what is a good combination set with Philips and slotted?

Anyone know why they don't sell regular allen/hex screwdrivers?  It seems like I can only find those in in an L-key set or with T-handles.  Is it because of how much torque you can apply?  I found Wera makes a Torx screwdriver set:https://www.amazon.com/Wera-Screwdriver-Set-Torx-4013288147165/dp/B0078S6CMM/ref=asc_df_B0078S6CMM/.  Aren't Torx and allen/hex essentially the same thing?

 

[rst]

I buy Wera from Chadstoolbox.  They carry the complete line and are great to deal with and usually have the best pricing.  My latest purchase was the offset handle ratcheting screw driver with bit compartment in the handle...should have bought two so I could leave one at home.

 

[lwoirhaye]

You may be able to use a Torx driver on an Allen screw in a pinch, but they aren't designed for it and it's possible to damage the Torx head doing this if any substantial torque is involved.

I have some tiny Torx heads I bought in a package for working on folding knives and the blades of the heads are quite easily damaged loosening tight screws.  Larger ones have stronger cross sections on the blade parts of course and hold up better.

So yes and no.

Ball-end t-handle Allen wrenches are quite handy.  Carrying a full set of both Allen and Torx drivers in a portable kit may be overkill for some, but in a shop having both is nice.  I have a driver set with Torx, Phillips and Allen head inserts for my portable kit but the Allen heads aren't ball-end.  It does in a pinch though when a need comes up and all I have is what's in the truck.

 

[deepcreek]

I bought the big Wera set and returned them.

The wall mounted holder is cheap plastic.  I was very disappointed in it.

The handles did not fit my hand and they were not made in Germany as I expected.

I ended up buying a German-made set from Wiha instead.  Very satisfied with them.

 

[pixelated]

kctools.com is a source that's been recommended in other forums I frequent for Wiha and Wera (and Knipex). I don't know how they may stack up for pricing or black friday deals.

 

[rvieceli]

Screwdriver brand preference usually stirs up a lot of choices.

Personally I like and use the Wera Kraftform series. They are made in the Czech Republic and are of excellent quality.
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias=tools&field-keywords=wera+kraftform

Most vendors are usually fairly close in price normally. BUT if you are not in a hurry, Amazon will usually do significant discounts on certain sets. So I have generally bought from Amazon.

For hex keys I like Bondhus. Made in the USA and great quality. For the 1/4 inch insert bits I much prefer the Wiha impact bits and their holder.
http://a.co/d/fawZpxs

There are a lot of different screwdriver choices. Klein, Snap on, Felo, PB Swiss and Wiha all have loyal followers.

 

[vkumar]

I bought the big Wera set and returned them.

The wall mounted holder is cheap plastic.  I was very disappointed in it.

The handles did not fit my hand and they were not made in Germany as I expected.

I ended up buying a German-made set from Wiha instead.  Very satisfied with them.

Looking at the Wiha sets, looks like not all are made in Germany. Many bits are made in Vietnam.

 

[Spandex]

GoingMyWay, Wera do make ‘standard’ hex screwdrivers. Search for their 354 range (standard hex, metric only) and their 352 range (ball-end hex, metric and imperial).

They’re available over here in the U.K., but I don’t know about their availability elsewhere.

 

[GoingMyWay]

I buy Wera from Chadstoolbox.  They carry the complete line and are great to deal with and usually have the best pricing.  My latest purchase was the offset handle ratcheting screw driver with bit compartment in the handle...should have bought two so I could leave one at home.

Thanks for referring Chadstoolbox.  I had never heard of that site, but it looks good.

You may be able to use a Torx driver on an Allen screw in a pinch, but they aren't designed for it and it's possible to damage the Torx head doing this if any substantial torque is involved.

I have some tiny Torx heads I bought in a package for working on folding knives and the blades of the heads are quite easily damaged loosening tight screws.  Larger ones have stronger cross sections on the blade parts of course and hold up better.

So yes and no.

Ball-end t-handle Allen wrenches are quite handy.  Carrying a full set of both Allen and Torx drivers in a portable kit may be overkill for some, but in a shop having both is nice.  I have a driver set with Torx, Phillips and Allen head inserts for my portable kit but the Allen heads aren't ball-end.  It does in a pinch though when a need comes up and all I have is what's in the truck.

I've definitely used a Torx in an Allen head before.  I have a set of Torx and Allen that all fold up into the handle.  They're handy to have, but they're also in my tool bag that's up on the shelf.

I bought the big Wera set and returned them.

The wall mounted holder is cheap plastic.  I was very disappointed in it.

The handles did not fit my hand and they were not made in Germany as I expected.

I ended up buying a German-made set from Wiha instead.  Very satisfied with them.

That's too bad to hear about the holder being cheap.  I guess I'd be better off buying a metal screwdriver holder from some other manufacturer.

kctools.com is a source that's been recommended in other forums I frequent for Wiha and Wera (and Knipex). I don't know how they may stack up for pricing or black friday deals.

Looks like KC Tools is running a 20% off sale for Black Friday.

Screwdriver brand preference usually stirs up a lot of choices.

Personally I like and use the Wera Kraftform series. They are made in the Czech Republic and are of excellent quality.
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias=tools&field-keywords=wera+kraftform

Most vendors are usually fairly close in price normally. BUT if you are not in a hurry, Amazon will usually do significant discounts on certain sets. So I have generally bought from Amazon.

For hex keys I like Bondhus. Made in the USA and great quality. For the 1/4 inch insert bits I much prefer the Wiha impact bits and their holder.
http://a.co/d/fawZpxs

There are a lot of different screwdriver choices. Klein, Snap on, Felo, PB Swiss and Wiha all have loyal followers.

There do seem to be a lot of die hard screwdriver fans.  Seems like there is a lot of Wera vs Wiha debate and then usually someone else will say some other brand is even better than either of those.

I bought the big Wera set and returned them.

The wall mounted holder is cheap plastic.  I was very disappointed in it.

The handles did not fit my hand and they were not made in Germany as I expected.

I ended up buying a German-made set from Wiha instead.  Very satisfied with them.

Looking at the Wiha sets, looks like not all are made in Germany. Many bits are made in Vietnam.

I guess you do have to pay close attention to where the actual item is made.  I think Wera was/is a German brand, but at least now their screwdrivers are made in the Czech Republic.

GoingMyWay, Wera do make ‘standard’ hex screwdrivers. Search for their 354 range (standard hex, metric only) and their 352 range (ball-end hex, metric and imperial).

They’re available over here in the U.K., but I don’t know about their availability elsewhere.

Thanks, I guess I have to buy them individually as they don't seem to sell a whole set of Hex screwdrivers.  Buying them one by one might be the smarter choice anyway (though I sure do love to buy sets) as I probably really don't need 3-4+ flat head screwdrivers.

 

[semenza]

  I have ordered quite a bit from Chads toolbox. They almost always have the best prices in the USA (Alaska) sometimes by a lot. But check, it depends on the product. They also have a 5% rewards deal. But be prepared for slow processing and shipping. I have also found that they do not have a terribly accurate inventory that automatically updates stock when people order. I usually find about 10% of what I have wanted is not actually in stock. So here is what happens ...........  If your order includes an item not in stock they will just sit on it until the item is restocked (or not). No notification to the customer. It may just be that they don't realize the item is out and so the order doesn't get completed. Not sure.

  The fix ................ after you order send them a message asking them to check on availability.

  Even if everything is in stock you should figure as much as two weeks for delivery.

  They are slow and somewhat antiquated but the price is generally hard to beat if you can wait.

  KCTool is on the other end of the customer service spectrum, but you definitely pay for it. KC pricing is frequently 50% - 100% more than Chads. Chads usually has a better price even when KC has a big sale. Especially big price difference on Knipex. Popular items such as common  Wera  screwdriver sets are closer in price.

  I have also found that many (not all) Knipex tools can be bought through amazon.de (Germany), including shipping to the USA, for less than from US sellers.

  Don't mean to sidetrack this topic just thought this info might be useful for those looking into Wera screwdrivers.

Seth

 

[GoingMyWay]

Thanks for that information Seth.

I'm in no rush on getting my screwdrivers.  I really don't even need them to begin with.  Yesterday, I added some individual Wera screwdrivers to my KC Tool shopping cart to try to see if it's cheaper to buy ala carte or cheaper to get a set.  I hadn't compared the prices with Chads yet.

 

[Mario Turcot]

A few months ago I got me the 17 pieces Felo set. The rack is not fantastic but all metal.

They fit very well in large hands.

I got mine from Amazon but KC Tools carry pretty much all brands

Felo Set @ KCTools

 

[GoingMyWay]

Unfortunately or maybe fortunately for me, I got busy on Cyber Monday and didn't have time to buy anything.  So on the one hand I might have saved myself ~$100 in screwdrivers, though I still kinda want them.

That Felo set and rack looks pretty nice.  I'm a sucker for a nice rack,holder, case.  I have rather small hands so I wonder if the Felo might feel a little too big in my hands.

 

[Mario Turcot]

Unfortunately or maybe fortunately for me, I got busy on Cyber Monday and didn't have time to buy anything.  So on the one hand I might have saved myself ~$100 in screwdrivers, though I still kinda want them.

That Felo set and rack looks pretty nice.  I'm a sucker for a nice rack,holder, case.  I have rather small hands so I wonder if the Felo might feel a little too big in my hands.

I didn't found any local vendor in my area for any brand I was looking  for, Wera, Whiha and Felo. To test the fit I did ordered a single screwdriver. It was a #2 phillip

 

[GoingMyWay]

Yup, I was gonna say I don't know of any local store that sells all 3 brands of screwdriver.  I think Woodcraft only sells a set of Weras.  Buying 1 screwdriver from each might not be a bad idea.

 

[GoingMyWay]

On Sunday I saw that KC Tools was having a sale that ended that same day so I pulled the triggered and finally bought a bunch of Wera screwdrivers:

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I bought a set of Philips/standard, a torx set, several hex head, and a few extra Philips.

 

[GoingMyWay]

I got my Wera screwdrivers mounted to the wall.  I made a little screwdriver holder out of scrap plywood based on something I saw on Facebook.

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I also had the pleasure of getting to use the new screwdrivers to partially disassemble a vacuum.  They worked great and felt good in my hand.

 

[peter halle]

Were screwdrivers rock.  Problem for me is have to hunt and search for a Craftsman screwdriver to hit with a hammer and then prevent my Wera from the damage that they should not be entitled to.

Peter

 

[Mario Turcot]

Well done [member=66216]GoingMyWay[/member]  [thumbs up]

 

[semenza]

Were screwdrivers rock.  Problem for me is have to hunt and search for a Craftsman screwdriver to hit with a hammer and then prevent my Wera from the damage that they should not be entitled to.

Peter

    Then you need a couple Wera chisel drivers!

Seth