Want to Upgrade

[cruiser808]

Hi everyone - while I have accumulated a very respectable assortment of fine drive tool sets over the years, my screwdriver collection is rather humble and in need of upgrade. Presently, my best consist of some older Proto's with the transparent yellow handles and those traditional Kleins. The others are a motley group of very old and stinky Craftsman's and hardware store "specials."

I've been feverishly reviewing all the recent GJ posts on screwdrivers without getting a definitive answer what I should get. All those choices!!! So, I'm going to let the board decide.

First, I want a "premium" set, so money is not the first consideration. Next, the larger screwdrivers should have hex bolsters. Lastly, I am leaning toward hard handles because of durability concerns with the ergo-mushy ones, but I can be persuaded to go the other way.

So, what say you? Please select my purchase for me. Thanks :bowdown:

[hamburglar]

Oh jeez, here we go.

[goodfellow]

while you're at it, why not ask about the difference between SNAP-On and Craftsman quality! But please wait until I get the Jiffy Pop and a comfortable chair. :bounce:

[48548]

Hmmm.... Why do I have 2 snap on green handled ratchet screw drivers and a red stubby t-handle snap on ratchet screw driver and just bought the gearwrench set 40 piece with the drivers that can be changed for different lenghts? Because I use all of my tools, but would rather keep my snap in better shape if I can hahaha(Waiting for red and green to be instyle to look cool). Also the proto yellow handled drivers were the best I have used until the snap on, and to this day I have never broke a tip on the proto drivers like I have on the snap on.

[philw]

If money is not the first consideration then go with Snap-on. Should be easy to warranty with your local Snap-on man and are one of the best out there.

The German screwdrivers are another possibility--Wera, Wiha, Witte------I have the Wera's and they have been great so far. I have the Chiseldrivers and they have bolsters and can be struck if necessary. Warranty would be more complicated.

I would shy away from MAC and Matco--- someday you may want to warranty them and get a Gearwrench or other import in return. Nothing against Gearwrench but if your paying $$$ I would expect better.

Check out the screwdriver thread---do a search. There should be many idea's out there.

[64merc]

You can't make up your mind because there are so many good choices out there, and everyone has their favorites. As long as it's a good quality screwdriver, it really does come down to which one feels best in your hand. For instance, even some diehard Snappy fanatics don't like the new SO screwdrivers. Instead they may prefer the old black handled ones, or a German brand. See if you can get your hands on some different brands and test them out.

[eschoendorff]

This has been covered... MANY times: Snap On

[old salvage]

while you're at it, why not ask about the difference between SNAP-On and Craftsman quality! But please wait until I get the Jiffy Pop and a comfortable chair. :bounce:

Jiffy Pop ?
Thats fine if you're a shade tree popcorn eater . Its cheap and easy to pop.
For those who make a living eating popcorn it just doesnt cut it. They need
heavy duty popcorn flavor.
If my Jiffy pop sits in the mic for 15 minutes and not a single kernal pops I dont have time to run back to the market and warranty it.

[philw]

Jiffy Pop ?
Thats fine if you're a shade tree popcorn eater . Its cheap and easy to pop.
For those who make a living eating popcorn it just doesnt cut it. They need
heavy duty popcorn flavor.
If my Jiffy pop sits in the mic for 15 minutes and not a single kernal pops I dont have time to run back to the market and warranty it.
:spit:

You can't make up your mind because there are so many good choices out there, and everyone has their favorites. As long as it's a good quality screwdriver, it really does come down to which one feels best in your hand. For instance, even some diehard Snappy fanatics don't like the new SO screwdrivers. Instead they may prefer the old black handled ones, or a German brand. See if you can get your hands on some different brands and test them out. ]

:thumbup: Good advice!!!

[Coach James]

I can remember when Craftsman popcorn was the best. Ever since Danaher started making their popcorn though, it's sucked even with the lifetime warrenty. And the last time I tried to return some popcorn to Sears, they wouldn't give me new popcorn, they tried to give me popcorn someone had already eaten!! That was it for me, from then on, I bought all my popcorn off the truck.

Coach

[cruiser808]

Thanks to all those with your fine screwdriver recommendations. Just to keep things simple, I've narrowed my choices to new Snap-on's or NOS hard handle Mac's. I'll also check out the Germans if I decide to go mushy-ergo. Now if I can only find those Snap-on's on Ebay without the crazy stupid prices. :wtf:

[ImportTuner]

Check out the Williams ... I'm suppose to be getting my set tomorrow from the big brown truck .... :)

[wrenchr]

while you're at it, why not ask about the difference between SNAP-On and Craftsman quality! But please wait until I get the Jiffy Pop and a comfortable chair. :bounce:

Beer will be needed as well!!!!!!!!!!

[wrenchr]

Thanks to all those with your fine screwdriver recommendations. Just to keep things simple, I've narrowed my choices to new Snap-on's or NOS hard handle Mac's. I'll also check out the Germans if I decide to go mushy-ergo. Now if I can only find those Snap-on's on Ebay without the crazy stupid prices. :wtf:

Mac still makes those hard handles.

[Underdog]

Check out the Williams ... I'm suppose to be getting my set tomorrow from the big brown truck .... :)

I 'd vote Williams to for the price. Lets us know when you get them.

[billymade]

Importuner; where did you end up getting them from and how much did you pay? I have been having a hard time finding a online vendor and some one to point people in the right direction; a couple of links I had, people ended up saying that didn't have them in stock with the turnaround being months! Any info would be appreciated!

[hamburglar]

If you guys are totally sold on that style screwdriver and the William ones are hard to find, I'd think I'd just get these:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002NYDW6

or something and be done with it. The likelihood that there's a discernable quality difference is pretty low I'll bet.

Personally, I'd just buy a Wera Chiseldriver set for 30 some bucks from Chad's Toolbox, maybe a set of ACO Wiha's from there, and scout around for a small set of screw holding screwdrivers (Felo or Wiha).

[cruiser808]

Mac still makes those hard handles.

Hi wrenchr - how do you like those handles? I have some Mac Ratchets with the comfort grip similar to the screwdriver handles and I like them just fine. Looks like either Snap-on or Mac for me. :)

[Underdog]

[QUOTE=hamburglar;246260]If you guys are totally sold on that style screwdriver and the William ones are hard to find, I'd think I'd just get these:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002NYDW6

They are not the same as Williams, I think everybody likes them because they are exact copies of SO second Generation hard handles that a lot of people wished Snap On still Made.

[hamburglar]

They are not the same as Williams.

Well...they are a different color.

[Stanger]

Facom for me please.:)

[ImportTuner]

Importuner; where did you end up getting them from and how much did you pay? I have been having a hard time finding a online vendor and some one to point people in the right direction; a couple of links I had, people ended up saying that didn't have them in stock with the turnaround being months! Any info would be appreciated!

It was $44.20 at all2ools.com ... the site that you suggested; I kept calling and finally he said he can get them ... worth the wait with all I saved and I didn't need them immediately anyways ... Thanks for your help ... :)

[billymade]

Awesome, glad it worked out! That is the best price I have seen!

[ImportTuner]

The big brown truck came a calling as planned ... Pictures of my new Williams screwdrivers with my ratcheting Snap On's ... :)

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh204/GGGVenom/IMG_0505.jpg
http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh204/GGGVenom/IMG_0506.jpg

[eschoendorff]

Facom for me please.:)

Facom are quite nice. if you can find them, you will like them...

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/eschoendorff/IMG_0604.jpg

[billymade]

Ooh, is a new iMac box?

[Guitar Doctor]

You want to sell the clear handle Protos?


Doc