Felo Ergonic or Felo 550 Series?

Nocturnal-G · Dec 30, 2012

I'm stuck between these two screwdrivers... if people can chime in with personal experience that would be great. Seems like there aren't too many 550's being made, just 5. I love the idea of a chiseldriver, I've looked at the Wiha's, the Wera's, and the Felo's. I'm leaning towards the Felo's after reading plenty on the forum... I just don't know which set to get. Will I realistically need more than 5 screwdrivers? I'm replacing Craftsman screwdrivers. The Ergnonic set looks great with the hex bolster but the 550's looks awesome with the metal cap.

Thanks in advance guys!

zer0cell · Dec 30, 2012

The yellow set is cheaper and can be had at northerntool with coupon for a pretty good price. I never tried them though so I can't comment on the handle. Spoil yourself, get one set of each and review them

ash95608 · Dec 30, 2012

Hi, there are 7 flat head 550 seires and 3 phillips available and 3 pozi drive so a total of 13 diffrent ones http://www.felo.com/en/catalog/series/s550/

Holt · Dec 30, 2012

I have the ergonic set for home use and I love them. The tips are great. Handle is comfy. If you decide on these get them from German-Hand-Tools.com since you get a free 3 piece torx set with them

marlinspike · Dec 30, 2012

As far as Felo vs Wiha, what are you using them for? If that AMG means you're using them primarily for Mercedes, strange as it sounds NO screwdriver fits Mercedes phillips head screws like Felo screwdrivers do. I theorize this is somehow related to MB toolkits having their screwdrivers made by Felo.

The 550 also have the hex bolster btw.

I've never used the strike cap when working on cars, but I do around the house (nice to smack a flat head blade into a screw that has had too much paint put in the groove).

The best grip IMHO for when working on cars (because you will get oil on your hands) is the Wiha Micro Finish, which is also available in Heavy Duty (i.e. with a strike cap). That said, the Felo phillips matches up to Mercedes phillips screws so much better that I only us my 550s anymore.

GeneralDisorder · Dec 30, 2012

You really shouldn't *have* to hit screwdrivers with hammers hard enough to require a steel cap. In a mechanic shop that really should be the job of chisels and punches.

In the world of contractors and electrician's/plumbers, etc it becomes more useful to have dual purpose tools and a screwdriver that you can use to for knock out's in electrical boxes and for badly stripped screws, etc is useful. What are you planning to use them for an in what environment? That rubbery grip gets really nasty in a transmission rebuild shop where it's exposed to lots of ATF and gear oil and most of the cars I work on are not sparkly clean so I avoid such tools - opting for ones that are easier to clean. I've had $150 Snap-On "comfort grip" ratchets and frankly they did nothing for me but get slippery, slide off the handle, and generally become a nuisance - gloves are much more practical in my environment.

GD

zer0cell · Dec 30, 2012

Honestly, although I think the striking cap is not a bad thing and can be useful... I wonder if its worth paying the extra over the significantly cheaper 500 series. The reason I say this is because even the 500 series can take a moderate blow without being damaged, especially if you use a rubber or wooden mallet with it.

I think there would only be a few select circumstances where I feel like the striking cap, for extra protection would be necessary and if you are hitting the screwdriver that hard I would be concerned about tip breakage. I'd rather use an appropriate sized cold chisel in those instances whenever possible. Anyway, not saying the 550 is bad by any means, just not sure how necessary it may be for practical usage.

Personally speaking, the only time I have ever struck a screwdriver with a hammer has been as someone mentioned when paint or a little rust had got into the screw head and I needed to get a better grip on the screw with the tip... and generally you don't have to hit the back of the driver that hard for this purpose in my experience with old door hinges in houses. The other time was when I was knocking out electrical boxes (small chisel could be substituted for that one to prolong life of screwdriver tip). Anyway, just my 2 cents.

Nocturnal-G · Dec 31, 2012

zer0cell said:
The yellow set is cheaper and can be had at northerntool with coupon for a pretty good price. I never tried them though so I can't comment on the handle. Spoil yourself, get one set of each and review them

Thanks for the heads up!

ash95608 said:
Hi, there are 7 flat head 550 seires and 3 phillips available and 3 pozi drive so a total of 13 diffrent ones http://www.felo.com/en/catalog/series/s550/

Ash, which is the biggest set for the 550's? I looked and only found a set of 5.

Thanks!

Holt said:
I have the ergonic set for home use and I love them. The tips are great. Handle is comfy. If you decide on these get them from German-Hand-Tools.com since you get a free 3 piece torx set with them

Thanks for the heads up... I will check it out! :thumbup:

marlinspike said:
As far as Felo vs Wiha, what are you using them for? If that AMG means you're using them primarily for Mercedes, strange as it sounds NO screwdriver fits Mercedes phillips head screws like Felo screwdrivers do. I theorize this is somehow related to MB toolkits having their screwdrivers made by Felo.

The 550 also have the hex bolster btw.

I've never used the strike cap when working on cars, but I do around the house (nice to smack a flat head blade into a screw that has had too much paint put in the groove).

The best grip IMHO for when working on cars (because you will get oil on your hands) is the Wiha Micro Finish, which is also available in Heavy Duty (i.e. with a strike cap). That said, the Felo phillips matches up to Mercedes phillips screws so much better that I only us my 550s anymore.

I'm going to be using them primarily on Mercedes... and of course my own personal cars, house work, and what not. I have a old Felo screwdriver that came in those MB tool kits. I don't know where the kit came from since it was passed down to me, looks like it's from the 80's. Stamped with West Germany.

GeneralDisorder said:
You really shouldn't *have* to hit screwdrivers with hammers hard enough to require a steel cap. In a mechanic shop that really should be the job of chisels and punches.

In the world of contractors and electrician's/plumbers, etc it becomes more useful to have dual purpose tools and a screwdriver that you can use to for knock out's in electrical boxes and for badly stripped screws, etc is useful. What are you planning to use them for an in what environment? That rubbery grip gets really nasty in a transmission rebuild shop where it's exposed to lots of ATF and gear oil and most of the cars I work on are not sparkly clean so I avoid such tools - opting for ones that are easier to clean. I've had $150 Snap-On "comfort grip" ratchets and frankly they did nothing for me but get slippery, slide off the handle, and generally become a nuisance - gloves are much more practical in my environment.

GD

I'm going to be using them for cars, house work mainly. I recently changed a headlight switch on a 93 S class and I must have went through a million screws... I wasn't digging the Craftsman set I was using, it did however get the job done.

By the way, if anyone can answer... are the tips on any of these magnetic?

ash95608 · Dec 31, 2012

Ash, which is the biggest set for the 550's? I looked and only found a set of 5.

Thanks!

You are correct the set is 5 pieces, the additional drivers would get ordered separately to individually add to the set.

marlinspike · Dec 31, 2012

They are not magnetic. I use one of these magnetizers on mine as needed though:
http://www.wihatools.com/400seri/40010ser.htm

I've never felt like I was missing a screwdriver from my set with MBs with my set of a PH 1, PH 2, PH 3, and then flatheads in 5.5, 6.5, and 8.0, but I do use all 6 of them.

Chadwilliam1 · Dec 31, 2012

I have the felo ergonomic screw drivers, square tip and torx. I also have the 1/4 driver on order from ash. I love them, I even bought them for my dad for Christmas. I would prefer they made a few more sizes and stubbys but I bought the 550 stubbys. I couldn't be happier with them, they are so comfortable to use. I want the 1/4 ratchet to but i cant justify any more ratchets right now.

GeneralDisorder · Dec 31, 2012

For dash work nothing beats a small cordless screwdriver. I have the ACDelco set with screwdriver and impact and I love them. Can't beat the price and being able to change a worn out tip is the ultimate against wear protection. They don't work for everything but if you can get a regular screwdriver in there it's generally a go. For tight spaces you need a stubby or sometimes even a ratcheting right angle low pofile bit driver, etc.

http://www.acdelco-tools.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=60&product_id=135

GD

Nocturnal-G · Dec 31, 2012

ash95608 said:
You are correct the set is 5 pieces, the additional drivers would get ordered separately to individually add to the set.

Thank you Ash!

marlinspike said:
They are not magnetic. I use one of these magnetizers on mine as needed though:
http://www.wihatools.com/400seri/40010ser.htm

I've never felt like I was missing a screwdriver from my set with MBs with my set of a PH 1, PH 2, PH 3, and then flatheads in 5.5, 6.5, and 8.0, but I do use all 6 of them.

Wow... that is the coolest thing I've seen in awhile. I'm definitely buying that! Would you happen to know if Felo makes one as well?

Chadwilliam1 said:
I have the felo ergonomic screw drivers, square tip and torx. I also have the 1/4 driver on order from ash. I love them, I even bought them for my dad for Christmas. I would prefer they made a few more sizes and stubbys but I bought the 550 stubbys. I couldn't be happier with them, they are so comfortable to use. I want the 1/4 ratchet to but i cant justify any more ratchets right now.

550 Stubbys? Whoa... I didn't see those. Wish they sold a big set of each series.

marlinspike · Dec 31, 2012

Nocturnal-G said:
Wow... that is the coolest thing I've seen in awhile. I'm definitely buying that! Would you happen to know if Felo makes one as well?

Felo doesn't AFAIK, but Gedore, which Ash also sells, does (I'm assuming your reason for asking was to one-stop-shop).

lok · Dec 31, 2012

Both..

Felo ergonicbut with striking cap. (exclusively for Wurth by felo)

Pics and info by Monte.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=693321&postcount=190

Here you can see the differences.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1761919&postcount=8474

In action.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2568179&postcount=12403

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2672705&postcount=12905

Nocturnal-G · Dec 31, 2012

marlinspike said:
Felo doesn't AFAIK, but Gedore, which Ash also sells, does (I'm assuming your reason for asking was to one-stop-shop).

I was actually asking to keep it all one brand. I don't mind getting the Wiha if Felo doesn't make it.

lok said:
Both..

Felo ergonicbut with striking cap. (exclusively for Wurth by felo)

Pics and info by Monte.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=693321&postcount=190

Here you can see the differences.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1761919&postcount=8474

In action.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2568179&postcount=12403

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2672705&postcount=12905

Oh wow... Thanks for all the info.

They don't look like the Felo Ergonic's but do look like the 550's.

Maybe they are fatter, bulkier versions of the 550's?

ishiboo · Dec 31, 2012

Either Felo is great... I have both and both are nice screwdrivers. I don't find the Egro grip is all that much better than the 550 grip.

I would stay away from the blue-handled Felo's which you haven't mentioned but I thought I'd make you aware, the chrome plating falls off the first time you use them.

Scout Driver · Dec 31, 2012

The Ergonic drivers are a great value. Well made, comfortable and precise fitting tips. Find a set with the free set of torx drivers and you have an excellent deal. I've been using a set since winter started.

Scott

ash95608 · Dec 31, 2012

ishiboo said:
Either Felo is great... I have both and both are nice screwdrivers. I don't find the Egro grip is all that much better than the 550 grip.

I would stay away from the blue-handled Felo's which you haven't mentioned but I thought I'd make you aware, the chrome plating falls off the first time you use them.

Th blue ones are very economical, I have the 5 piece set for $13.99. They are nickle plated not chrome but still made in germany. Your still getting good quality at harbor freight pricing.

shoturtle · Dec 31, 2012

Have all 3 brands. The ergo is nice and you can put allot of torque on them, not as good for fingertip turning like the wiha. Wera is nice but the Czech tips are not quite as good as the German wiha or felo. If you have big hands the felo would be better. If you like more precision in the grip the wiha. All three brands make a great driver.

Chadwilliam1 · Jan 1, 2013

Nocturnal-G said:
Thank you Ash!

Wow... that is the coolest thing I've seen in awhile. I'm definitely buying that! Would you happen to know if Felo makes one as well?

550 Stubbys? Whoa... I didn't see those. Wish they sold a big set of each series.

Sorry, they are 500's. My mistake.

purpurite · Jan 1, 2013

I recently bought a set of Felo 500 series; Philips, straight, Torx, stubbies, and a bit driver, and I really like them a lot. Quality is great, feel is excellent, and the fit has been perfect. I actually chose these over the 550s because I didn't want the hex shaft. Striking cap? I have junk screwdrivers that I can use as chisels.

Chadwilliam1 · Jan 1, 2013

because of this thread I decided to add to my order with ash and get another ergonomics for my basement.

lok · Jan 2, 2013

Nocturnal-G said:
I was actually asking to keep it all one brand. I don't mind getting the Wiha if Felo doesn't make it.

Oh wow... Thanks for all the info.

They don't look like the Felo Ergonic's but do look like the 550's.

Maybe they are fatter, bulkier versions of the 550's?

you're welcome!

Yes they look like 550's but they have soft handle like the ergonic's.

The handle of zebras is a little bigger than 550's but not so much. Νeither much thicker. The ergonic's has a fatter handle on the top. I don't remember about the length.

You can see all these from the catalog of each brand.

Here is for wurth. Is easier to find the felo.
http://wueko.wuerth.com/cgi-bin/wu_produkt_blaettern.pl?547148290554000443059;;;;0000;;;;11053;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;13571160261546
Puse the "PDF-Printable version" at the upper right for better result.

http://wueko.wuerth.com/cgi-bin/wu_produkt.pl?547148290554000443059;SHOWKATE;0000;000;060013001010;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;13571160180950

But also..

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=779357&postcount=1511

The zebra is more expensive than 550. I don't know comparing to the ergonic. Ask for a price maybe it help you to choose.

If you like the handle better can buy the zebra with striking cup and the conventional handle (not ergonic).

eg.
http://outillage.wurth.fr/web/fr/50ans_outillage/typeoutils/tournevis/tournevis.php

lok · Jan 2, 2013

ApexSpeed said:
I recently bought a set of Felo 500 series; Philips, straight, Torx, stubbies, and a bit driver, and I really like them a lot. Quality is great, feel is excellent, and the fit has been perfect. I actually chose these over the 550s because I didn't want the hex shaft. Striking cap? I have junk screwdrivers that I can use as chisels.

Awesome collection. :drool:

Congratulation.

The round shaft is also longer and the tool overall lighter.
The hex shaft is stronger when you use the tool as a prybar and usually has a hexagon for wrench at the end of the handle.
For general purpose the round shaft is excellent. And the junk screwdrivers are excellent as chisel.

Chadwilliam1 · Jan 2, 2013

Even if I bought a set of screw drivers with a steel cap. I still couldn't hit them with a hammer. I use craftsman screw drivers for that or a chisel.

The Frisco Kid · Jan 2, 2013

Chadwilliam1 said:
because of this thread I decided to add to my order with ash and get another ergonomics for my basement.

who is Ash and does he have good pricing? I'm sure he's a member here or something, but I haven't been in the classifieds section much around here.

marlinspike · Jan 2, 2013

Ash is a member here and operates german-hand-tools.com. He has great pricing and great service!

Felo Ergonic or Felo 550 Series?

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