Quality screwdrivers

[Stewart Fan]

I'm finally building a nice set of hand tools. I've gotten by with Taskforce for long enough.

I'm on the hunt for a nice set of screwdrivers. I've had Kobalt,and Craftsman. Neither seem to last.

What should I be looking at?

 

[jstutz]

Not sure what to look for as far as specs, but through the years, i have had very few philips screwdrivers hold up. The best ones i have are some pratt read from about 20 years ago. I believe they still sell them at northern tool but i dont know about the current quality. I got to the point that i use one of those drivers that you can just slide the bits into then buy the bosch or dewalt philips bits from lowes. Nice thing about craftsman is the return policy when they wear out.

 

[dparm]

My Dad has some 30+ year old Craftsman screwdrivers that are still going strong. Lifetime warranty too. He's got a few random Snap-On screwdrivers that are still holding up, though if he breaks one it'll be a little bit harder to get it replaced.

What is it that you are doing that breaks/wears out screwdrivers?

 

[helix_rider]

A good screwdriver requires Good orange juice with a decent-quality Vodka.

Don't forget the Ice!

 

[Chris142]

You guys are going to laugh. These are the best screwdrivers I have ever used. The tips are hardened and the grips are comfortable.

I have these and I love them.

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-color-grip-screwdriver-set-36788.html

 

[Stewart Fan]

Originally Posted By: dparm


What is it that you are doing that breaks/wears out screwdrivers?


Just normal use. They seem to be made out of soft metal these days. The tips wear quickly.

I do have one electricians screwdriver that I've had for years. Still looks new. I wish I remembered who made it.

 

[jstutz]

Originally Posted By: Chris142
You guys are going to laugh. These are the best screwdrivers I have ever used. The tips are hardened and the grips are comfortable.

I have these and I love them.

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-color-grip-screwdriver-set-36788.html


I have seen these before but passed over them because a lot of hand tools i got from HF have been on the low end of low quality. Maybe ill give them a try next im in there.

 

[oggb]

We have those harbor freight type screw drivers where I work and they work VERY well. The tips have yet to wear out and as someone else mentioned we've had poor luck with other brands of screwdrivers.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Chris142
You guys are going to laugh. These are the best screwdrivers I have ever used. The tips are hardened and the grips are comfortable.

I have these and I love them.

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-color-grip-screwdriver-set-36788.html


Looks like I'm headed to HF again!

 

[beast3300]

I like Snap On because of the handle. Some like turkey baster, sand paper grip Matco ones.

 

[tom slick]

For quality you should be looking at Snap-on, Klein, and WIHA to name a few. Your "electrician" screwdrivers are probably Klein.

http://www.amazon.com/Wiha-30297-12-Piec...0184&sr=1-3

http://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-Cushio...0211&sr=1-1

 

[mpvue]

+1 on the klein. that's all my Dad ever used, I bought my own because of that and I've used them for years. HD sells a real nice combo one that is almost all I ever need.

 

[Warstud]

You say they dont last! Is it the tips or are they breaking in half?

 

[Spazdog]

+2 for Klein

 

[Herz]

Get your self a set of Kliens or Snap-Ons, you will never use a different screw driver again.

 

[Chris142]

I hate my Snap-On screwdrivers. The handles don't fit my hand.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Snap-on, Matco (Witte), Wera, Klein, SK (Facom hard handle) or Wiha. Buy whatever feels good in any of those brands and you will be OK.

 

[wrcsixeight]

I once needed a long then phillips head screwdriver to put on my Drill. I was at the 99 cent store and they had a 10 inch model that said chrome vanadium. I took my angle grinder with cut off wheel and cut off the handle.

In my drill it performed flawlessly, and I have since used it to drive hundreds of screws, and even lent it to a less than handy friend who proceeded to attempt to drive screws with an unclutched electric drill.

The abuse it has taken made me go out and but a couple more. I have not yet cut off the handles, but have no qualms about doing so if I need to, or to lend them out, or use them for what they were not designed for.

I still cannot believe it.

 

[goodtimes]

They must case harden, or solid harden, the snot out of those points. For 99 cents delivered to the store, can't be too much R&D. I thought, but I seem to be wrong more than not on here, major tool makers harden and temper for longevity, and safety. I have chipped off the ends of cheap philips screwdrivers/bits, but the good ones slowly get rounded off about the same way. In my experience. It isn't too difficult to harden steel way up on the Rockwell. I recently broke the points completely off a Chinese made bit in my Ridgid drill. I forgot, they are all Chinese bits, I broke a bad one.

 

[TMoto]

My collection includes Craftsman, Proto, and a recently added Wiha #2 Phillips ACR because I wanted to see how well the anti-camout ribs work. Haven't tried it yet though.

However, my favorite choice for a #2 Phillips is an old Apex brand bit that fits in my magnetic screwdriver handle. It just seats perfectly into the screw and rarely slips. Now, about that vodka...