German Satin
Well-known member
Witte would be a good choice, made in Germany.
Good set of screw drivers?
- Thread starter Roverguyjoe
- Start date
joshmodelskidoo
Well-known member
I just saw that video and was going to mention that
anndel
Well-known member
Vessel, Snap-on hard handles, Snap-on Comfort Grips all tie for me. I grab whatever is the closest to me.
wafrederick
Well-known member
Good screwdrivers whom makes them for Matco
Knurled Grip
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2011
- Messages
- 49
A local tool closeout store had 8 piece sets of the French Expert drivers for $15. Needless to say, I possess multiple sets, and I really like them.
From the same store, I also managed to piece together a fairly complete set of Witte drivers rebranded as Lawson. I like those too.
From the same store, I also managed to piece together a fairly complete set of Witte drivers rebranded as Lawson. I like those too.
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javyLSU
Well-known member
I have these exact drivers, and found it hilarious that Vessel wasn't too concerned with hiding their branding when producing these for Toyota...
Bubba Fett
Well-known member
The SBD Craftsman drivers are quite good. The Phillips drivers fit very well, and even fit JIS screws well. My only complaint - and this is for Craftsman acetate drivers in general - is that the Phillips handles are too small. The SBD Craftsman acetate drivers are a great driver for the money, and honestly, I think they are better than the Pratt-Read/Western Forge drivers from Sears.
Speaking of Sears, avoid the drivers that are made in China. They are junk. HF has better drivers for less money.
Channellock and Tekton are both good drivers, and both made by Pratt-Read (who also makes Martin, Wright, and up until recently, Masterforce, Master Mechanic, and SK).
The Kobalt acetate drivers are made in USA by Great Neck. Pep Boys sells identical drivers under the Great neck brand. They are not bad, but I the handles are a bit uncomfortable. I also don't think they are as durable as other brands.
Klein drivers are the ones I use daily, and I've never had a problem with them. Those are my favorite full size brand. I also like Ideal cushion grip drivers. The handles are actually a bit more comfortable to me, but the tips are not as precise as Klein.
Wiha is the gold standard for precision drivers, as far as I'm concerned. I've never used their full size drivers, but that may change soon.
Acetate and cushion grip drivers may not be the best for auto-mechanic work, since the handles are susceptible to corrosion from various fluids. In that realm, Williams, Proto Duratek, and Tekton would be my choice.
I also like Stanley 100-plus drivers. They are rock solid. The grips are not that comfortable, but if you are wearing gloves, it doesn't matter. I have a few old ones that I use as pry bars, etc, and they have never broken. The newer ones are made in Taiwan, but they are still very tough.
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nbpt100
Well-known member
I like the Toptul go thru screw drivers I have. It's nice to be able to hit the top of the handle with a hammer(not too hard) now and then and know you are not going to damage the tool and the impact gets transfered to the work piece more efficiently.
I have all kinds of screw driver brands but one one I really like for the Quality/Price ratio is this set from Harbor freight. The Philips tips are really good and they are magnetic. Far from a complete set but the #2 Philips gets a lo of use and is holding up very well. If I lose one I am far from pissed off. I keep some in my van and some in the house. Please no hate mail. I have noticed over the years a number of people on here like them.
www.harborfreight.com
I have all kinds of screw driver brands but one one I really like for the Quality/Price ratio is this set from Harbor freight. The Philips tips are really good and they are magnetic. Far from a complete set but the #2 Philips gets a lo of use and is holding up very well. If I lose one I am far from pissed off. I keep some in my van and some in the house. Please no hate mail. I have noticed over the years a number of people on here like them.
Screwdriver Set, 8 Piece
Amazing deals on this 8Pc Screwdriver Set at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com
Wiha has the most extensive lineup of precision drivers but IMHO Wera's are a superior design. The hump gives you maximum torque and the slender part gives you maximum speed. It's like a handle that's an automatic transmission. The big fat swivel tip is nearly frictionless and fits very comfortably in your palm. The entire shape is hexagon which gives you maximum grip anywhere on the handle. I just wish Wera had a master kit like Wiha. You won't go wrong with either Wera or Wiha.
Good video (as usual by Project Farm). Surprising to see Tekton and Channellock wear out so quickly, as everyone raves so highly about them. I have a Wera set and they fit very well and have good grips.
I was surprised by the results as well. I like how well my tri-lobe Tektons drivers fit Phillips screws. I was surprised (pleasantly) by how well the Cman drivers did. I traditionally have not liked their drivers as I felt they always fit the screws poorly.
I would have liked to have seen him include some of the "better" HF brands like Quinn to see if they did any better than the $7 Pittsburgh set.
I'm actually not so surprised by the Craftsman's showing. In my experience Taiwan tools are often pretty good. I bought a set of Cman drivers for my wife's daughter recently, but only after looking at the package to make sure they were not from China.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
The set reviewed regularly goes on sale for about 25% off. Great value.
Dave455
Well-known member
The Stanley drivers are not bad for the price. Better quality than a lot of the Stanley stuff these days.Excluding JIS, my recommendation would be Wiha, PB Swiss ... possibly consider Stanley Fatmax (made in France), lovely 2 component handles and cheaper. Tool snobs would overlook the Stanley but they are identical to Facom drivers. I would order the JIS online unless you can source some near to you and buy the rest locally where you can try them out.
Those drivers are made by Bost though. Identical in all but colour to the Bost drivers, but different from the Facom drivers.
I've been beating on these for 3 years or so now, well worth the money.
4xdog
Well-known member
I wouldn’t be surprised if the original Vessel imprint was removed so the Toyota imprint could be applied. These sure aren’t high production items.
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matt_i
Well-known member
I got some S-K hard handles recently, seem nice, and the Bahco that one can order from McMaster Carr are also very good. Have had Wihas for many years, I find it hard to keep a full set no matter what I do lol.
elmech
Well-known member
I saw a wood handled screwdriver set from japan on here once.. They were expensive does anyone recall the name? Anyway.. I work on cars for a living mostly imports. I'm using a set of Matcos right now made in France I think they're great. I have room for three new sets as I bought a way bigger box last week. Any boutique brands I might not be aware of?
Edit: I bought a set of wood vessels and impactas on eBay right after I read this thread. Still want more though.
Edit: I bought a set of wood vessels and impactas on eBay right after I read this thread. Still want more though.
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Like probably most of you, I have several sets. My "good" set is the Wiha Microfinish Extra Heavy Duty:
I have really liked these a lot - great handle (I really don't like the bumpy Wera handle), beefy and haven't had any problems with any fasteners at all. I bought an Icon set as an "abuse as necessary" set that lives in my tool cart with all the car tools, and while they seem very beefy and well-made, I actually liked the Doyle set I bought for my eldest spawn's first apartment better - great handle, hex shaft (vs. a hex at the handle), striking caps on the big ones, etc. and still have the lifetime warranty for less than half the Icons (~$23 vs. $50 list, though I got the Icon set for $40). They're both nice.
I also have a Milwaukee set my wife grabbed at HD that was somewhere between the Doyle and Icon set price-wise, but doesn't really impress me very much. Fine, but not great:
I have really liked these a lot - great handle (I really don't like the bumpy Wera handle), beefy and haven't had any problems with any fasteners at all. I bought an Icon set as an "abuse as necessary" set that lives in my tool cart with all the car tools, and while they seem very beefy and well-made, I actually liked the Doyle set I bought for my eldest spawn's first apartment better - great handle, hex shaft (vs. a hex at the handle), striking caps on the big ones, etc. and still have the lifetime warranty for less than half the Icons (~$23 vs. $50 list, though I got the Icon set for $40). They're both nice.
I also have a Milwaukee set my wife grabbed at HD that was somewhere between the Doyle and Icon set price-wise, but doesn't really impress me very much. Fine, but not great:
IndyGarage
Well-known member
He did a very comprehensive test on durability and performance, but he missed a few important tests. 1. Grip, 2. Hand comfort/Ergonomics. 3. clean up
Grippiness is really important in my opinion. It's the difference between getting a screw loose and not in many instances. Just my opinion, but the best grip is PB swiss. The material their handles are made of just sticks to your hand like glue. Wera and Felo are very good also as are Milwaukee. The hard handle screwdrivers just can't compete on grip.
Hand comfort is very much based on personal preference and is related to grip, but a little different - more like the shape of the handle - my top vote goes to Wera - as somebody says above the shape allows you to spin it quickly or grip it firmly and it fits the palm of my hand perfectly - Felo is pretty similar. Interestingly I don't like the shape of PB Swiss, Wiha or Vessel nearly as much. None of the others really stand out in hand comfort, but I do like the shape of the Milwaukees. .
Finally clean-up. Spending a ton of time cleaning up is nonproductive. This is where Wera and PB Swiss would move to the back of the pack and all the hard handles would move forward. Which is probably why full-time mechanics almost always like hard handle screwdrivers better. PB swiss handles are really grippy, but that makes them awful to clean if they get really greasy. Wera is similar - the bright green turns black and takes time to clean up. Hard handles are much easier to clean. If you want something in the Middle, then Felo, Klein and Milwaukee are somewhat grippy but easier to clean up.
So my pick would be based on how it's used. In a fairly clean environment - PB Swiss, or Wera. In a really dirty environment - hard handles - snap on, tekton, Craftsman etc.
My pick for all around use would be Felo. Strong, Grippy, great ergonomics and relatively easy to keep cleaned up. I don't really go for the Felo wood handles though - you lose a lot of the grip with those. I would say my second all-around would be Milwaukee, Wiha or Vessal.
IndyGarage
Well-known member
Sorry double post
Not sure which you saw, but KTC, Anex, Sunflag, Nepros all make wood handled screwdrivers
PB Swiss offers their Classic line of 'hard handles'. I have them, very durable and easy to clean up.
That's one of the problems with these kind of tests, PB Swiss offers three handle types (Multicraft, Swissgrip, Classic). As does Wiha, Felo, HF, Vessel, Proto, S-o, etc. I can't fault Project Farm for not testing every single type of offering. These tests are hardly all encompassing.
Not sure if this is the best deal but this is on sale this week.
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Just ordered a set of Vessel screwdrivers based on the glowing reviews here. They’re supposed to arrive today.
For a good value on made in the USA screwdrivers try the Williams hard handles (like old school snap-on). Use those at work and they hold up great.
Have a set of Felo Ergonics and really like them.
edit: these showed up today. So far they don’t disappoint. Handles were a lot larger that expected (a good thing imho).
Take a look at Proto.
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I got these for "Advent"... I couldn't wait and opened them yesterday. SHHHH don't tell my wife.
In line with the Project Farm comments, I like his videos. He does a good job providing some objective data points on which to compare tools.
However, you really need to consider your usage along with that data before making a purchase. For example:
However, you really need to consider your usage along with that data before making a purchase. For example:
- if your screwdriver needs a striking cap - well that wasn't really covered was it,
- hard to devise a test to objectively measure handle comfort (I like Wera laser tips, but prefer Felo overall just because of the handle shape),
- Where to you slot in (ha - pun) screwdrivers that weren't tested? (I love me some Irazola/Bahco),
- Is your flat-blade going to serve as a prybar? If so - then absolutely pay attention to his tip strength tests. However I have screwdrivers I abuse for those tasks and others I use for actual screwdriving (flat blade screws is were Wera's laser-tip shines- oooh or some PB Swiss with that straight grind profile),
- Work on machines with JIS? Get some Vessel.
nadogail
Well-known member
Twenty Years ago; I bought a set of Stanley Fat Max Screwdrivers, they are still my favorites.
Ton ton
Well-known member
I don't think I have seen Stanley Fatmax screwdrivers. I mostly use a Stanley 6 in 1 screwdriver. It's about worn out.
I'll second that.... I got a set of Wrights and love 'em. Larger than usual grips which is nice for the extra torque.
I'm glad I saw this. Stanley's get overlooked. The Fat Max's are pretty good screwdrivers and good grips.
Nice! Stanley's don't get the cred they deserve.. I like them too.Excluding JIS, my recommendation would be Wiha, PB Swiss ... possibly consider Stanley Fatmax (made in France), lovely 2 component handles and cheaper. Tool snobs would overlook the Stanley but they are identical to Facom drivers. I would order the JIS online unless you can source some near to you and buy the rest locally where you can try them out.
fishwatcher
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2023
- Messages
- 759
I just ordered Vessel Armour Grip Cross Point screwdrivers. $20 for four pieces when I don’t need slotted drivers seems like a good deal for JIS screw drivers.
I hope by going the cheaper route, I’m not missing out on the grippy jaws of their MegaDora series.
I hope by going the cheaper route, I’m not missing out on the grippy jaws of their MegaDora series.
nbpt100
Well-known member
This set has come up many times on scrw driver threads but I will bring it up again. I think it is a great value. Not a complete set but all it needs is a PH 3 and it would be complete enough for me. Missing some nice to have features like a hex bolster or striking cap. But they have quality tips that are magnetic. I would take a magnetic tip over a hex bolster If I had to choose one.
Again for the price they are great. If I lose one I do not care. I have never needed to warranty one but with Lifetime HF warranty it is pretty easy. If you are some one who uses their screw drivers more for prying and scraping that might matter.
www.harborfreight.com
Again for the price they are great. If I lose one I do not care. I have never needed to warranty one but with Lifetime HF warranty it is pretty easy. If you are some one who uses their screw drivers more for prying and scraping that might matter.
Screwdriver Set, 8 Piece
Amazing deals on this 8Pc Screwdriver Set at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com