I've been discovering since I'm working on my car and other things more lately that the two phillips screwdrivers (plus a tiny one) that I got in a stanley set when I got as a poor newlywed just aren't cutting it.
When choosing phillips screwdrivers, what are some things to look for? What should a set include as far as sizes and head types to be a good well rounded set? Is there a good American-made set anyone can recommend (or good German failing that)?
TIA,
Tony
Phillips Screwdriver basics for beginners?
- Thread starter cadfaeltex
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I own Snap-On and Stahlwille screwdrivers. Both are excellent.
I don't always recommend buying "the best", but for the basic hand tools I think it makes sense.
robert
If they last and function well, I'm willing to pay a little more. Conversely, if something less expensive does the job then I'm not opposed to that. I have one craftsman flat-head that I got my dad before he passed away that I kept (his brother got the rest of his tool-chest) and it is great. I have a small set of torx I got a couple of years ago (also craftsman) that are servicable but feel light and almost toy like in comparison.
I looked at Harry Epstein and saw Klein, Pratt and Read, and a wood handled set all made in the US.
Don't laugh ok - but seriously - I think the Pittsburg line of Screwdrivers from HArbor Frieght are the best bang for your buck out there. I got tired of "soft" phillips screwdrivers from Craftsman and I got a set of these HF ones and I like them so much I bought 2 more sets. They have nice, sharp and hardened tips that won't damage a screw head and they BITE great! They are also covered under HF's lifetime tool warranty. Also - with a coupon you can get the 5pc set Free!
Oh and those Stanley's are garbage! My son even hates his set and he is 10...he got his on HF set too.
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/8-piece-heavy-duty-screwdriver-set-66173.html
I was always a believer in Craftsman tools, and have lots of them. But things in Bolivia tend to walk away so I've bought some less expensive replacements over the years. HF has good prices, but the Indian stuff is not as good as their Chinese, and that sometimes is questionable, with sizes not being exact and several defects. I've broken a few.
Then I tried the "Kobalt" brand that Lowes is carrying and have not been able to break anything, and I've pushed the limit on a few wrenches. Sizes are good. But haven't tried their screwdrivers yet, just sockets and open end wrenches.
Originally Posted By: GMBoy
Don't laugh ok - but seriously - I think the Pittsburg line of Screwdrivers from HArbor Frieght are the best bang for your buck out there. I got tired of "soft" phillips screwdrivers from Craftsman and I got a set of these HF ones and I like them so much I bought 2 more sets. They have nice, sharp and hardened tips that won't damage a screw head and they BITE great! They are also covered under HF's lifetime tool warranty. Also - with a coupon you can get the 5pc set Free!
Oh and those Stanley's are garbage! My son even hates his set and he is 10...he got his on HF set too.
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/8-piece-heavy-duty-screwdriver-set-66173.html
OVERKILL
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Originally Posted By: GMBoy
Don't laugh ok - but seriously - I think the Pittsburg line of Screwdrivers from HArbor Frieght are the best bang for your buck out there. I got tired of "soft" phillips screwdrivers from Craftsman and I got a set of these HF ones and I like them so much I bought 2 more sets. They have nice, sharp and hardened tips that won't damage a screw head and they BITE great! They are also covered under HF's lifetime tool warranty. Also - with a coupon you can get the 5pc set Free!
Oh and those Stanley's are garbage! My son even hates his set and he is 10...he got his on HF set too.
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/8-piece-heavy-duty-screwdriver-set-66173.html
The Armstrong and the Wright both have good looking sets. Also went and looked at Wiha that I've seen recommended in other settings; they have a dizzying array of choices.
Back to part of the original question, what are the things to look for - handle, tip, etc?
The american made screwdrivers can't hold a candle to these taiwan made ones the quality is much better with the imported ones.
OVERKILL
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Originally Posted By: Chris142
The american made screwdrivers can't hold a candle to these taiwan made ones the quality is much better with the imported ones.
I find the #2 Phillips is the one I grab the most, followed by #1 (smaller), once in a while #0 (quite small), and only rarely #3 (quite large). In that order.
I like a black tip and avoid chrome plated Phillips tips. The chrome plating is too slippery and they "cam out" too easily in my opinion.
McMaster-Carr (mcmaster.com) had a nice Phillips that I really liked. It had a Phillips tip with some tiny ribs on it labeled as "anti-slip tips". They don't seem to offer exactly the one I have anymore (different handle), but do seem to offer an equivalent P.N. 55095A35
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: GMBoy
Don't laugh ok - but seriously - I think the Pittsburg line of Screwdrivers from HArbor Frieght are the best bang for your buck out there. I got tired of "soft" phillips screwdrivers from Craftsman and I got a set of these HF ones and I like them so much I bought 2 more sets. They have nice, sharp and hardened tips that won't damage a screw head and they BITE great! They are also covered under HF's lifetime tool warranty. Also - with a coupon you can get the 5pc set Free!
Oh and those Stanley's are garbage! My son even hates his set and he is 10...he got his on HF set too.
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/8-piece-heavy-duty-screwdriver-set-66173.html
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: Chris142
The american made screwdrivers can't hold a candle to these taiwan made ones the quality is much better with the imported ones.
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
He did?
I don't see anything about inexpensive there?
Quote:
Is there a good American-made set anyone can recommend (or good German failing that)?
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
Originally Posted By: GMBoy
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: Chris142
The american made screwdrivers can't hold a candle to these taiwan made ones the quality is much better with the imported ones.
Germany is fine in my books, and so are you guys, LOL, remember, I'm Canadian 
I've seen this set for a little lower if you shop around, but this is what I've had for a long time and they've held up really well:
http://www.amazon.com/Wiha-30297-12-Piec...1705&sr=1-6
It's a comprehensive set, and has every side you could really need in most instances. Besides the fact that I love the handles and the slotted screwdrivers have a very fine, but durable tip, what I really dig about these is that they'll work with JIS screws. Any US-made screwdriver I've ever used, including Snap-On, would cam out some specific JIS screw heads. They aren't technically a JIS screw driver, but I believe they meet the ISO standard which works with JIS (I think). Regardless, they work. If you work on bikes, the occasional piece of electronic equipment,or own a Honda this is kind of a big deal.
They're expensive, but worth it. They're made in Germany, if that's in important to you.
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: GMBoy
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: Chris142
The american made screwdrivers can't hold a candle to these taiwan made ones the quality is much better with the imported ones.
Germany is fine in my books, and so are you guys, LOL, remember, I'm Canadian Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
He did?
I don't see anything about inexpensive there?
Quote:
Is there a good American-made set anyone can recommend (or good German failing that)?
How are Klein tools? They seem to be well respected and they just opened a new factory near me in Texas. May be an option too:
http://www.kleintools.com/
The people who are claiming the HF Chinese screwdrivers are better than Snap-On or MAC are fooling themselves, I believe.
Also, first world screwdrivers don't have to be expensive. But, avoid the regular Craftsman drivers, they aren't very good. There are just too many good, affordable American and European screwdriver choices to go Chinese, IMO.
Pratt-Read screwdrivers are pretty decent and can be had cheap at Harry Epstein.
But, there are some good European drivers to consider.
I don't own these Wihas, but I've been considering buying them. They're made in Germany. Wiha tools have a very good reputation on tool forums.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002FTA4A/ref=ox_sc_act_title_7?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER
These Weras are made in the Czech Republic. I bought sets of these for all my friends for this Christmas. They have hard handles. The tips appeared to be very well shaped.
http://www.amazon.com/Wera-Kraftform-Cla...2494&sr=8-6
The Williams USA made screwdrivers are very similar to the Snap-On drivers. They're a little pricier than the other options.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002NH5...8-2&seller=
Also, I've owned a couple of the Craftsman Pro screwdrivers and I think they're pretty high quality. They're a big step up from the regular Craftsman drivers, IMO.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00949020000P?prdNo=23&blockNo=23&blockType=G23
And, here are some other options to consider.
http://www.amazon.com/Felo-07157-28009-P...804&sr=8-13
http://www.amazon.com/Felo-0715750174-Sl...804&sr=8-16
These Weras are made in the Czech Republic. I bought sets of these for all my friends for this Christmas. They have hard handles. The tips appeared to be very well shaped.
http://www.amazon.com/Wera-Kraftform-Cla...2494&sr=8-6
The Williams USA made screwdrivers are very similar to the Snap-On drivers. They're a little pricier than the other options.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002NH5...8-2&seller=
Also, I've owned a couple of the Craftsman Pro screwdrivers and I think they're pretty high quality. They're a big step up from the regular Craftsman drivers, IMO.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00949020000P?prdNo=23&blockNo=23&blockType=G23
And, here are some other options to consider.
http://www.amazon.com/Felo-07157-28009-P...804&sr=8-13
http://www.amazon.com/Felo-0715750174-Sl...804&sr=8-16
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