Wiha, Snap-On, Williams

[MackMan]

Ok, please don't shoot me, I know there's been a lot of screwdriver discussion recently, and I've read through most of them.

I'm wanting to upgrade my screwdrivers soon from the Craftsman Hard-Handles I have, and get a little more diversity (somehow I ended up with 2 or 3 of the standard size drivers, but no large or small drivers).

From what I have been reading on here I have narrowed my choices to
Wiha, Snap-On, and Williams.
all 3 seem to get rave reviews. Snap-On is the most expensive by far. I have a snap-on hard handle magnetic driver handle and really like the feel of it, so I'm thinking the hard handle Snap-On or Williams will be nice from a feel standpoint.

However, my question is about the tip ONLY. Feel to me is too subjective to really qauntify, but my question is between the 3
Is there ANY difference between Snap-On and Williams tips? I have seen both ways on this on the forum, any definitive answer?
Is there a difference between Snap-On instinct tips versus hard handle tips?
and how does the Wiha tip compare to the Snap-On/Williams?

I've been leaning towards the Wiha, as they seem to get great reviews, and are inexpensive compared to Snap-On. But I have a Snap-On truck at work, so if I ever need warranty then it's easier to get. Since screwdrivers are a bit of a "wear item" the idea of a lifetime warranty with hassle free replacement is worth some $.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[Scout Driver]

The two sets of Williams that I have both have the tiny "cuts" in the edges of the tip that help fit the screw.

Scott

 

[Applesauce]

Current Williams DO have cam-out ribs. Not sure about older ones. Same shank as Snap-On, even has the Snap-On "S" stamped on the shank up inside the handle.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MackMan]

So the Williams is the same as S-O other than instinct handle it sounds like. I'd only be getting new ones.

Any thoughts on S-O/Williams tip versus Wiha?

Does anyone know if a S-O truck will do warranty for Williams since they are the same parent co?

 

[bcradio]

great thread. I look forward to seeing what other people have to say. I am in the same boat

 

[Nocturnal-G]

I went from Craftsman screwdrivers to Felo screwdrivers... I did manage to get a bad one but it was replaced under warranty. They are some of the strongest screwdrivers I've used. If you are considering Wiha... I've used the bits and they are just as strong as the Felo screwdrivers I own. Here is a picture of fitment and they are not magnetic:

 

[wmartin]

However, my question is about the tip ONLY. Feel to me is too subjective to really qauntify, but my question is between the 3
Is there ANY difference between Snap-On and Williams tips?

I own most of the fancy schmancy screwdrivers, since I couldn't pass up a deal on Amazon when they used to practically give this stuff away, and the one brand that really seems better is PB Swiss.

Doing it over, I'd buy a set of Williams for easy of cleanup and opening paint cans, and buy a set of PB Swiss drivers or bits for sketchier situations.

 

[Brownsfan]

I have a set of snap on and Williams and the tips are identical. Both have the acr ribs in the Phillips. I bought the 6pc slotted and 6pc Phillips Williams sets and they are great. I wish they made them in torx as well. I would have never bought the snap ons had I known about the Williams at the time. For around $70 from toolsdelivered.com you can have a 12pc very complete set.

 

[iroc409]

I like my Wiha stuff a lot, slightly more than my Weras.

 

[ricky836]

In the same boat right now and those were the 3 brands I was looking at, anyone ever had to warranty a Williams? Can you go through the truck or have to mail them back and forth?

 

[1950mercury]

If you have a snap on truck that comes to you go with snap on for the easy waranty. That would be worth the price differance to me. Esp if you use them everyday

 

[merr6267]

My wife bought me a set of Wiha for Christmas 3 years ago, and they are great, however I can't speak about Snap-on/Williams, as I only have 3, and they are all flat blade and all of different vintage. Subscribing.


I like your avatar . . . I graduated in '06.

Take care,
Phill

 

[Dave455]

In case you hadn't realised it, the Wiha tips are metric sizes, whereas the Snap On are Inch sized. If you are working on mostly metric, the Wiha will fit the screws better. If it's mostly inch sizes you use, then go for one of the others!

Personally, I don't like using metric drivers in inch sized screws, they are always a bit small! Vice versa is worse! So I have both inch and metric drivers in my box!

If you mainly use Phillips or Pozidriv then it doesn't matter (but then you could get a set of Zephyr drivers anyway)!!

 

[nanofrog]

I own most of the fancy schmancy screwdrivers, since I couldn't pass up a deal on Amazon when they used to practically give this stuff away, and the one brand that really seems better is PB Swiss.

Doing it over, I'd buy a set of Williams for easy of cleanup and opening paint cans, and buy a set of PB Swiss drivers or bits for sketchier situations.

I'll second PB Swiss as top notch (even better than Wiha).

OP: FWIW, they actually serial number every tool, so I think it's safe to say they take their tool production seriously.

 

[MattPersman]

I have snap on and wiha both good, obviously if you have a truck snap on is easier for any warranty issue down the line

 

[CWP1616L]

Personally, I don't like using metric drivers in inch sized screws, they are always a bit small! Vice versa is worse! So I have both inch and metric drivers in my box!

I've always wondered about that. Are the slot widths different on metric verses standard size straight slot screws?

 

[Hako86]

Wiha, wiha, wiha, wiha, wiha, wiha, wiha, wiha..... love those things

 

[MackMan]

In case you hadn't realised it, the Wiha tips are metric sizes, whereas the Snap On are Inch sized. If you are working on mostly metric, the Wiha will fit the screws better. If it's mostly inch sizes you use, then go for one of the others!

Personally, I don't like using metric drivers in inch sized screws, they are always a bit small! Vice versa is worse! So I have both inch and metric drivers in my box!

If you mainly use Phillips or Pozidriv then it doesn't matter (but then you could get a set of Zephyr drivers anyway)!!

Well that throws a wrench in things... I actually don't know which I work on more as far as screw sizes. car wise i'm about 50/50

I'll second PB Swiss as top notch (even better than Wiha).

OP: FWIW, they actually serial number every tool, so I think it's safe to say they take their tool production seriously.

Not seen much about these, but they seem a fair amount more expensive, will have to look further.

I have snap on and wiha both good, obviously if you have a truck snap on is easier for any warranty issue down the line

Warranty aside, what do you think of the tools comparison?

 

[MackMan]

Well I could never make up my mind between the bunch of screwdrivers that were highly recommended, so I decided to ask for some for Christmas from my parents and let them decide.

I think they chose well (Dad decided on Snap-On since I have the tool truck avail for warranty, and because most of my other tools are Snap-On... he also got a set for himself in green.)

 

[davesnothere]

good pick, dad.

 

[durallymax]

Well I could never make up my mind between the bunch of screwdrivers that were highly recommended, so I decided to ask for some for Christmas from my parents and let them decide.

I think they chose well (Dad decided on Snap-On since I have the tool truck avail for warranty, and because most of my other tools are Snap-On... he also got a set for himself in green.)

Nice, for slotted/phillips warranty is nice as they break often. For me I still don't care because I like the Wiha's better and they are cheaper. I have an Amazon Prime account and overnight shipping is $4, the Snap-on guy only comes once a week, Amazon delivers 5 days a week. Then send the broken one in for warranty.

However, when your looking at Torx, External Hex, Internal Hex, Torx Plus and any other drives, look at the Wiha's, very high quality tips. I prefer the grips over the Snap on's I have but thats me. I compared the Wiha grip to Felo Ergonic, Felo 550, Wera chiseldriver, Craftsman Pro and Snap On instinct.

I have too many of them, but keep buying.

Torx/Torx Plus. The Torx Plus drivers are very nice as are the ball headed Torx.



Phillips/Slotted. I like the screw holding ones a lot, the BitFlip is neat too.



The magicring ball head hex drivers are very nice, they can be lifesavers at times. The Ergostar L key holders are very nice too, rotate one key and all of them rotate so you can remove them.



Of course their nut drivers are nice too, I like how the handles are sized for the fastener size, helps give you the torque you need on the big ones and prevents too much on the smaller ones.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Nice, for slotted/phillips warranty is nice as they break often. For me I still don't care because I like the Wiha's better and they are cheaper. I have an Amazon Prime account and overnight shipping is $4, the Snap-on guy only comes once a week, Amazon delivers 5 days a week. Then send the broken one in for warranty.

However, when your looking at Torx, External Hex, Internal Hex, Torx Plus and any other drives, look at the Wiha's, very high quality tips. I prefer the grips over the Snap on's I have but thats me. I compared the Wiha grip to Felo Ergonic, Felo 550, Wera chiseldriver, Craftsman Pro and Snap On instinct.

I have too many of them, but keep buying.

Torx/Torx Plus. The Torx Plus drivers are very nice as are the ball headed Torx.

How much were those striking drivers? I'm too lazy to look and (probably) too cheap to actually buy a set from wiha but curious.

 

[durallymax]

Maybe $100 for the entire set.

 

[rusjack]

Ive used a new set of Instinct at work here and there, and for Christmas I was given a 5 piece set of new Williams drivers.
I'd be hard pressed to tell you any differences in the tip without holding them side by side and REALLY inspecting them. That alone would have me save the cash and go for the Williams.

Like others said, the Williams do have the ACR on the tips, which I wasn't expecting (but am very happy to have).

My main set of drivers at work are Bahco and I would take the Williams over them in a heartbeat.

 

[neurotic]

[/URL]

Sidetrack: who makes this driver holder? Is that also from Wiha?

Thanks.

 

[durallymax]

Sidetrack: who makes this driver holder? Is that also from Wiha?

Thanks.

No thats off the snappy truck, they are made by ernst

http://www.ernstmfg.com/tool-organizers/14-tool-no-slip-low-profile-screwdriver-rail-set.html