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Need screwdrivers. Best tips?

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ryan_289

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May 5, 2009
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211
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Arkansas
It seems around here everyone goes crazy about the handle design of their screwdrivers but I dont see much talk about the buisness end. My wife made the comment today about getting some screwdrivers for herself after I griped at her for not putting mine back in the toolbox. Soooo, my idea is to unload (I mean give) her my Crapsman screwdrivers and get me a new set:rocker: Ive looked at the Williams drivers but wondered about how long the tips last. Thats been my biggest problem with my Craftsman drivers. Ideally I dont want to spend a ton of money but if the general consensus is Snap On, Matco, Cornwell, etc makes the longest lasting drivers I can save pennies for a while longer.
 
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AZ_Catskinner

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Jan 29, 2011
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Morenci, AZ
I've had my Macs since 1992 and only had to warranty two of them. I've found that I rarely use regular screwdrivers anymore, and mostly use Snapon ratcheting drivers or a non-ratcheting bit driver that I picked up at Napa.
 
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NinetyTwoFifty

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Winchestertonfieldville, Ga
Wera Lasertips. A third the price of Snap On, these are the highest quality tips you'll ever see.

http://www.amazon.com/Wera-Kraftform-Lasertip-Professional-Screwdriver/dp/B000ZEAP9C/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1NSNRK4S9FJND&colid=3Q57NEBBY0266

41QxU0nmpZL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
 
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plinker

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Feb 28, 2007
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Northern Wi
I like using S-O ratcheting drivers with bits too, I also have the interchangeable blades as well. They fit decent.

The best fit I have found (short of gunsmithing bits & drivers) is a Klien 5 in 1 screwdriver, the flat & phillips fit perfect.
 
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Altec

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Jun 17, 2011
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SoCo, MD
Snap-on and Williams screwdrivers are great choices. As far as tip life, the craftsman don't hold a candle.

I haven't used them yet, but I hear great things about Wera. I plan to pick up a set soon. Although I got another set in mind first. For the price, they are worth trying. Even the chiseldrivers.

I am currently looking at the Hazet 810 set on eBay. Which is sold by a member here. I just did some side work, so I'm going to treat myself with them!
 
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archirelic

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Sep 24, 2010
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texas
Racr350 said:
those in lime green are nice to use and nice to look at.
Click to expand...

The color in the image is off. They're darker in color.

And I second the Wera recommendation. I've had a set of the chiseldrivers for several years now, used extensively in carpentry/construction-related projects for school and they're still going strong. I recently just indulged and ordered a ton of Wera from Amazon b/c of the crazy deals they had going on this past week.
 
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blue dog

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Culver City Ca.
x2 on the Wera nintytowfifty posted above. I have found that pb swiss drivers fit fasteners better then any thing else i have come across.
 
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ryan_289

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Arkansas
Do any brick and mortar stores cary the wera? Im eating my words right now but im not crazy about the handle design. That could change if I could handle some.
 
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plinker

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Amazon.com has them, you could buy a couple and try them. I had bought a mini screwdriver and it's a little different but nice.
 
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Scout Driver

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Nov 20, 2009
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South Dakota
My Williams have the best 'tip-to-fastener' fit of any screwdriver I have used. I've had them since Christmas of 2010, so I can't make an estimate on wear.

I do have some older Snap On hard-handle drivers that have been used a lot and the tips are holding up fine.

Scott
 
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fflintstone

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Jul 18, 2010
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MOFnowhere Mi.
Since I HAD to replace ALL my drivers, I looked at all of them. First off Snap on prices are insane. There isn’t a screwdriver in the world worth $20 each. Don’t drink the Kool-Aid.:rocker:
In the end I chose WIHA and am quite happy with them. I bought the models with full thru hex bolster and striking caps on the end.
:3gears:
 
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Kirbot

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Sep 25, 2010
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New Jersey
I used to suggest snap on regardless of the price, simply for the warranty.

But, and I'm sure I'm going to get flamed for this... I've come to the conclusion that the tips are way to soft. A couple cam outs and you've had it.

Which is really a shame I'll add.
I love the instinct handles

I suspect the williams are the same
 
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NinetyTwoFifty

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Kirbot said:
I used to suggest snap on regardless of the price, simply for the warranty.

But, and I'm sure I'm going to get flamed for this... I've come to the conclusion that the tips are way to soft. A couple cam outs and you've had it.

Which is really a shame I'll add.
I love the instinct handles

I suspect the williams are the same
Click to expand...

I've noticed the same exact thing. Snap On's new screwdrivers just aren't holding up like their old ones.
 
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gatewaysysop

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Nov 11, 2008
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Arizona
ryan_289 said:
Do any brick and mortar stores cary the wera? Im eating my words right now but im not crazy about the handle design. That could change if I could handle some.
Click to expand...

I haven't seen Wera in a brick and mortal, but since someone mentioned Felo, Fry's Electronics has those in-store if you want to check them out in person.

If we're talking tip quality/fit/finish (not to mention gorgeous handles and superb balance), I'm leaning towards PB Swiss out of all the other ones I have (c-man pro, Klein, Wera Kraftform, mainly). I like the Wera probably second best due to the tip design, but I rely on them more for buggered fasteners than a go-to driver for regular use. If you're only going to have one primary set, though, they would definitely serve you well.:thumbup:

Also, in case it matters to you, those Wera Kraftform drivers are no longer made in Germany, at least not the ones I got recently. :(
 
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bibman

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Mar 3, 2011
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NEBRASKA
I have no complaints about the tips on Vessel Screwdrivers. The handles take a bit to get used to but the tips are indestructable.
 
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Notwerk

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May 11, 2011
Messages
329
ryan_289 said:
Do any brick and mortar stores cary the wera? Im eating my words right now but im not crazy about the handle design. That could change if I could handle some.
Click to expand...

Of course, everyone's hand is different, but I find the handle on the Weras to be perfectly ergonomic.
 
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Notwerk

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gatewaysysop said:
Also, in case it matters to you, those Wera Kraftform drivers are no longer made in Germany, at least not the ones I got recently. :(
Click to expand...

Yes, Czech Republic now. I've had no problems at all with the quality, though. At least it's not China ;)

bibman said:
I have no complaints about the tips on Vessel Screwdrivers. The handles take a bit to get used to but the tips are indestructable.
Click to expand...

I can't speak to the drivers themselves, but I ordered some Vessel bits from Levelchrome and they're ridiculously well made. Really good stuff. I use them in my Wera Kraftform Kompakt bit driver, and they fit perfectly.
 
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Altec

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Jun 17, 2011
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SoCo, MD
bart1 said:
These are really good for the money. Tip fit is better than average. :rocker:

[MG]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e8/barth7/Tools%20Gararge/P1010430.jpg[/IMG]
Click to expand...

Between that picture, and the picture of the packaging is why I'm getting them... Plus, supporting a GJ member through his eBay is cool to me...
 
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decaf

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Jan 14, 2011
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514
Location
Stockholm, SWEDEN
How can i tell you how they hold up?

I can show you a picture from one of my most frequently used wera.

I have used it for five years now, every day, several times a day.

And this is what i lookes like now, i´ve only cleaned it up.
 

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Mr Ratchet

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Mar 3, 2011
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930
Location
Michigan
Lots of good screwdrivers out there. I like Wera Lasertips the best. They don't tend to cam out of the screw in either direction. I recently got a Wera 6 pcs set and plan to replace some other CM screwdrivers with the lasertips.
 
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wafrederick

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Jul 3, 2010
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6,051
Location
Holton,Mi
Phillips screwdrivers good and cheap do break and I know someone that can prove it.My Neighbor Ken is good at breaking tips off of #2 phillips screwdrivers,broke 6 of them and my father saw him do it one night.
 
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