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Quinn Screwdrivers?

CloudsRest

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Has anyone here tried the Quinn screwdrivers from harbor freight? Are they decent?

I need some decent screwdrivers to keep in my vehicle for overlanding trips (off grid, no cell service) and can get the Quinn 15 piece for $20 right now. I want at least one #2 Phillips and two flatheads (1/4 and 5/16) which puts me at $6 for Pittsburgh, and currently my main screwdrivers are older US made Craftsmans that kinda **** tbh.

Quinn sockets/ratchets have decent reviews, which got me wondering about their screwdrivers, which look really similar to Husky. I’d probably throw some in my vehicle kit and use the rest at home.

The screwdriver freebies I got from harbor freight ~4 years ago are complete trash, so I’d definitely like something better than that. Is the Quinn a step up from those and my old Craftsmans or should I just buy a couple Pittsburghs and not bother with Quinn? I know it’s only $20, but I’ve been saying that about a lot of things lately 😂…and I’d rather they not break out in the boonies. 34567294-8284-4164-A458-523D1A40AB82.jpeg
 
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guitarbutt

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The 2 Quinn (flat and ph2) and the aforementioned Pittsburgh (that same set) have been nothing short of great. I don't hammer or pry with them; I use them as screwdrivers. I see no need to spend money on PB Swiss, Snap on, Mac, expensive European brands. The Quinns are a little heavier. Both are worth the money and both are great choices. I would choose the Quinn just because they have a square shaft
 

M635_Guy

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I got the Icon screwdriver set for myself as an extra/automotive set, and I like them fine.

However, I later got the Doyle Heavy Duty set as I was putting together a toolkit for my oldest spawn's first apartment, and if I hadn't been on the opposite side of the continent, I might have swapped sets. They're nice and beefy. Most have hex shafts that let you use a wrench or pliers wrench for extra and more-controlled twist. The two bigger flat screwdrivers have striking caps. I was impressed. I'd buy them over the Quinn for sure, and maybe over the Icon as well (though the Icon set has stubbys, and I definitely wanted those).
 

Jtels85

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The only thing about the Quinn set - no stubbys, which I used quite often. That’s a huge miss on their part.
 

Fedwrench

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Hey, beebop over to Harbor Freight, slap $5 plus tax on the counter to purchase the Quinn two piece screwdriver set. You'll get a 1/4 flat tip and a #2 phillips to try out. No one but you, can tell if you like the Quinn screwdrivers by holding them in your hands, fit, feel, balance, handle shape, etc. It doesn't matter how we like them. While at Harbor Freight, you can also get a 5/16 Pittsburgh to compare as well. They sell individual open stock Pittsburgh screwdrivers. I bought the two piece Quinn set just to try out and abuse. They're nice screwdrivers. I'm not sure if I like the square shank on the phillips though. :beer:
 

Madjik Man

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I know you said you wanted a 5/16 not a 3/16 but…



But if you’re looking to replace your entire old Craftsman, then that’s a different story.
 

dnschmidt

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They're not TOPTUL, Wera, Wiha or PB Swiss but they are completely serviceable tools that work. I like all of the Doyle tools, particularly their pliers, but the Quinn seem to be excellent value for money.
 

Professional Tool User

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I don't see how you go wrong with them if you expect the to be budget tools. I highly doubt they are worse than the big box store options like Husky, Craftsman, or Kobalt. At the same time, I wouldn't expect them to be as good a screwdriver from a set where the average price per piece is $5 or more.
 

MarvinBerry

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I had the Quinn 6 piece diamond tip in my hands yesterday & put em back. I'm sure the quality is fine but... the pricing vs other options..?

Need a set for a small field box I'm putting together where loss is a real possibility. At $17 for the Quinn well... big orange has a 10 piece DeWalt set for $23 and a 6 piece Milwaukee for $20


Maybe I should look at the $10 Pittsburgh set but I kinda feel like screwdrivers are one place I don't want to cheap out on. They get used a lot.

I do have the Milwaukee set in one stack & they're great. Also have a full set of the black handle husky in my main box... Bought em handful of years ago for the jeep. Tips holding up fine... not my favorite handle but feel ok.

Will probably grab the DeWalt set... hoping the yellow means hi vis & they'll be less likely to grow legs. Plus I could use stubbies in the main shop box.
 

M635_Guy

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The only thing about the Quinn set - no stubbys, which I used quite often. That’s a huge miss on their part.
There doesn't even appear to be a Quinn-branded stubby option at all. There is a Doyle, and as I mentioned earlier I picked up the Icon set in part because it had stubbys in the kit. Minimal options. Very odd, and agree it's a big miss...
 

Grokew

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I had the Quinn 6 piece diamond tip in my hands yesterday & put em back. I'm sure the quality is fine but... the pricing vs other options..?

Need a set for a small field box I'm putting together where loss is a real possibility. At $17 for the Quinn well... big orange has a 10 piece DeWalt set for $23 and a 6 piece Milwaukee for $20


Maybe I should look at the $10 Pittsburgh set but I kinda feel like screwdrivers are one place I don't want to cheap out on. They get used a lot.

I do have the Milwaukee set in one stack & they're great. Also have a full set of the black handle husky in my main box... Bought em handful of years ago for the jeep. Tips holding up fine... not my favorite handle but feel ok.

Will probably grab the DeWalt set... hoping the yellow means hi vis & they'll be less likely to grow legs. Plus I could use stubbies in the main shop box.
Can't talk for the Quinn brand, but I have a set of diamond tipped screwdrivers and they are great. Used a phillips at a job removing a store sign. The screwdriver wouldn't cam out nor damage the anchors. So give diamond tipped screwdrivers a try
 

Bubba Fett

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I'm not really a big fan of the little diamond plate-like texture on the handles, but they might be good if your hands are dirty/greasy. Then again the rubber may degrade and get sticky over time.

I feel like Williams or Tekton hard-handles might be better choices for mechanical work, but for the price these are pretty good.
 

Max

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I'm not really a big fan of the little diamond plate-like texture on the handles, but they might be good if your hands are dirty/greasy. Then again the rubber may degrade and get sticky over time.

I feel like Williams or Tekton hard-handles might be better choices for mechanical work, but for the price these are pretty good.
Like pizza, screwdrivers are very personal, and what works for you may not work for someone else. Having said that, I have the Williams hard handles and really like them. I also have the Tekton hard handles (torx, not screwdrivers) and I think they would work well.

I think that the hard handles work really well for mechanical kind of stuff. But when I want more torque (and am not using a drill/driver) I much prefer my tekton soft lobe screwdrivers. I thought that the lobes were kinda lame initially, but for torquing screws into wood they are great.
 

MarvinBerry

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Follow up!

Short version is I wound up with a Lenox 6 piece set for $20 - Phillips # 1 2 & 3 plus flats... I'll probably never touch the #3 in that field box. Between those and a cheap 4 in 1? Way good.

Nearest hazard freight is 30-40 minutes each way... haven't made it back there.

Price of the DeWalt set I linked above went up 3 bucks to $26... which... that's another 10% increase and I... feel free to read between the lines...

So I found the Lenox bought em. Seems older stock 2019? Taiwan... good quality... blue & white handles hopefully stay hi vis & don't walk first time out. I'm happy.
 

nbpt100

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Im sure these Quinn are decent if not great


DO NOT SLEEP on the Pittsburgh 8pc set, easily one the best screwdriver sets per dollar out there

Honestly.... $10 for 8pc


1663377954622.png
i've Never used the Quinn but if they are as good as this set it would be a great buy. I have purchased 3 or 4 sets of these. They have excellent magnetic tips and if I lose one, at this price, I am not upset. My only disapointment is that they do not have the #3 Philips. This is probably one of the best Pittsburgh quality/price values.
 

Ton ton

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Follow up!

Short version is I wound up with a Lenox 6 piece set for $20 - Phillips # 1 2 & 3 plus flats... I'll probably never touch the #3 in that field box. Between those and a cheap 4 in 1? Way good.

Nearest hazard freight is 30-40 minutes each way... haven't made it back there.

Price of the DeWalt set I linked above went up 3 bucks to $26... which... that's another 10% increase and I... feel free to read between the lines...

So I found the Lenox bought em. Seems older stock 2019? Taiwan... good quality... blue & white handles hopefully stay hi vis & don't walk first time out. I'm happy.
That's one of my axes to grind with harbor freight. Too far to drive to visit a store. Just my worthless 2 cents.
 
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nbpt100

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They have internet sales too. Like everyone else these days. When it comes to HF I would rather buy in the store so I can see up close and feel the tool before I purchase. I am just saying if you know what you will be getting and you do not want to drive a distance, it is an option to have it shipped. Like the 8 pc Pittsburgh screw driver set. I know what it is and I would not have a problem buying it on line. You weigh your gas, time etc against the shipping cost.
 

dogdog

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Has anyone here tried the Quinn screwdrivers from harbor freight? Are they decent?

I need some decent screwdrivers to keep in my vehicle for overlanding trips (off grid, no cell service) and can get the Quinn 15 piece for $20 right now. I want at least one #2 Phillips and two flatheads (1/4 and 5/16) which puts me at $6 for Pittsburgh, and currently my main screwdrivers are older US made Craftsmans that kinda **** tbh.

Quinn sockets/ratchets have decent reviews, which got me wondering about their screwdrivers, which look really similar to Husky. I’d probably throw some in my vehicle kit and use the rest at home.

The screwdriver freebies I got from harbor freight ~4 years ago are complete trash, so I’d definitely like something better than that. Is the Quinn a step up from those and my old Craftsmans or should I just buy a couple Pittsburghs and not bother with Quinn? I know it’s only $20, but I’ve been saying that about a lot of things lately 😂…and I’d rather they not break out in the boonies. 34567294-8284-4164-A458-523D1A40AB82.jpeg
Yes very decent, used to be good deal when it was $16 or $20, at that current selling price, a husky set is better. They have a sample set for about $4 which is a no2 Philips and a flat. I have few of those when it was $1.99.
 

908Jim

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Im sure these Quinn are decent if not great


DO NOT SLEEP on the Pittsburgh 8pc set, easily one the best screwdriver sets per dollar out there

Honestly.... $10 for 8pc


1663377954622.png
Came here to add that these are shockingly great for the price. I bought a set circa 2012 (Green and orange handles but otherwise the same) because I was working somewhere I thought they were going to grow legs. They have held up far better than expected and the smaller ones now see near daily use as "kitchen drawer" screwdrivers.

I liked them so much, I bought a few of the loose stock screwdrivers for the vehicle tool bags. Highly recommended if you need a cheap screwdriver.
 
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MarvinBerry

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Yeah and I have a bLowes about 4 miles away that I drive past a couple times a week... by comparison hazard freight I drive past once a month.

Something I noticed flipping the racks at bLowes? Geez... these screwdrivers even in identical looking packaging? They're coming from all over.

Kobalt $25 mega set? Store had one pack covered in dust made in China. About 10 feet over a whole stack made in Vietnam. Appeared to be newer... way less dust.

Craftsman red & black handle sets? China yes... but others were Taiwan. Looked because I noticed the tips were slightly different.

Worth noting? The Cman acetate handles are Taiwan and for better or worse quality is on par with the old USA style. Clones basically. Have a few in my main box they work... feel familiar.

Kinda puts talk of quality & consistency in a different light eh?
 
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nbpt100

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Craftsman red & black handle sets? China yes... but others were Taiwan. Looked because I noticed the tips were slightly different.

Worth noting? The Cman acetate handles are Taiwan and for better or worse quality is on par with the old USA style. Clones basically. Have a few in my main box they work... feel familiar.

Kinda puts talk of quality & consistency in a different light eh?
About 9-10 years ago I had the classic acetal hande WF USA C'man philips #2 (right out of the package) and I stripped the tip off on a stubborn screw. Just with my hand and I am no muscle man. Things can slip through the crack. I believe Most on here will agree that the classic style Cman screw driver is far from high end. With all of the money pressures Sears had over the past 20 years it is no surprise the QC may have declined. I still have a lot of that style USA C'man screw driver and I would put the Pittsburgh discussed in this thread far superior in quality regardless of COO. I hardly use them now. When you consider cost there is a no question which to get. Feel free to disagree. I won't take it personally. Just my experience. Most of us here have a lot of screw drivers and with lifetime replacement warranties how many more do you need to buy? A few maybe. replace the lost and totally abused.
 

merkyworks

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I still like the rubber coated craftsman western forge flathead screwdrivers. I do agree the Philips are horrible.

Rubber coated, are you talking about the Craftman Professional type? If so, yes those are really good.
1E379FD4-0423-4E9E-B683-4CA22AACD8D9.jpeg
 
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Bubba Fett

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Worth noting? The Cman acetate handles are Taiwan and for better or worse quality is on par with the old USA style. Clones basically. Have a few in my main box they work... feel familiar.
The SBD Craftsman acetate handle drivers at Lowe's are better than what WF was making for several years. The tips are properly sized, and actually fit their intended screws.

Sears was having WF make the drivers to a price point, and the quality declined as a result. The Taiwan acetate drivers are closer to what the Craftsman drivers used to be, when they were decent. I bought some of the last WF acetate drivers, and hardly any of them fit. Phillips #2 wouldn't even make it halfway into the screw. The 3/16 was closer to 7/32, and the 1/4 was closer to 9/32. I had to file and sand nearly all the tips to get them to fit. Same with the Husky drivers that were also made by WF at one time.

The drivers made by Pratt-Read were better, though they had issues with the zinc plating discoloring, and even their slotted drivers were oversized. They also had the most comfortable handles.
 

Jweebothee

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I’ve used the large Phillips head as an impact driver to remove rusted brake rotor retaining screws on my sister in laws car, tip held up great no damage at all
 

Madjik Man

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I love the hard handle Tekton screwdrivers. They feel so good in my hands.

My only gripe is the size markings are already wearing off after minimal/moderate use. But that's just a nuisance and not a hinderance as it's not that hard to figure out what size screwdriver it is without looking at a marking.
 

Drunkonunleaded

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I bought the two pack of Quinn screwdrivers to try. Almost immediately, the diamond coating began to flake off of the Phillips driver. This happened while installing a license plate....

Dollar for dollar, I prefer the Carlyle screwdrivers from NAPA. In my road box, I carry a few of those and a Williams ratcheting driver that I picked up from a New Holland dealer.
 
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