Back for buck/good screwdriver set

[gizardlizard]

Hi all. I’m a fan of Tekton tools. Bang for the buck, I think they’re good tools and own many. One thing I love about their screwdriver sets, is on a lot of them you get matching length Phillips and slotted. With that being said, I’ve returned two screwdrivers in the last few months and anticipate more going back as well because the tips are soft and round over. Can somebody recommend a decent set of screwdrivers that won’t break the bank?

 

[M6erfan]

What's "break the bank"? Difficult to help without a budget. How many screwdriver are you looking for? A set of 3, 5, 10, 15?

 

[gizardlizard]

6-8 commonly used ones. Budget would be around 100 bones

 

[ecotec]

6-8 commonly used ones. Budget would be around 100 bones

That pretty much means that you could pick just about any brand. That is a big budget for only 6-8 screwdrivers.

I got 3 of the 5pc CATERPILLAR PAKTY sets when they were about $45.

I prefer the Williams/CAT/Snap-on style screwdrivers and the Klein.

 

[tool_scrounge]

I have had good luck at work in the machine shop supplying Williams screwdrivers. Williams is Snap On’s industrial brand. Here is an example set of 8 for $92

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NH5F30/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[ForrestT]

Lowes has a wiha set for $15.97 now that used to run $30. Made in Germany. I like mine so far and already picked up a set for my dad for his birthday.

 

[rancherbill]

I am going to get abuse for this but......

I do not have a problem with oil on the handles. They are easy to grip.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-T...-Cushion-Grip-Handles-8-Piece-85078/100647679

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-T...Set-with-Cushion-Grip-Handles-85076/100627990

 

[liliysdad]

I have a drawer full of random, quality screwdrivers. My absolute favorites are Tekton hard handles and Wera LaserTips.

 

[lardy1]

Where to start? There are tons of really good screwdrivers out there by any number of manufacturers. If you like domestic, it's hard to go wrong with Williams. Felo, Wera and Wiha all have sets within your budget if you like a European flare. KC Tools has a set of Heyco on sale for forty bucks that I keep reminding myself I simply don't need. I think I'd throw forty bucks at them if I did justto try them.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Sears used to have great sales on Craftsman screwdriver sets around Father's Day and Christmas.

 

[ToolPolisher]

Ten responses without an overwhelming Vessel consensus?

C'mon, GJ!

But seriously, I'd first identify WHY the Tekton are failing and buy around that premise. Then, handle size/shape/material.

Then, once analysis paralysis manifests, I'd buy a set of Vessel Megadoras for under $100.

 

[M6erfan]

6-8 commonly used ones. Budget would be around 100 bones

Ok, you've got a good budget then.

Screwdrivers are a very personal choice, ask 100 people you'll most likely get at least 50 answers. It also depends on what you're working on.

For example, I don't like Williams or Wera because of the handle shape, but YOU might.

I like PB Swiss, Wiha, Witte, and Vessel Megadora, for automotive/motorcycle work. For around the house I generally use Klien but I dont really care for their handles either and Milwaukee has a 3 piece set of insulated screwdrivers that includes an EXC tip with is great for electrical connectors, which I plan on picking up in the near future. Proto Duratek are another option but I don't own any, they're hard to find and relatively expensive.

I also have this JIS Sunflag screwdriver set in my motorcycle 'track box', they're very nice.

Lots and lots of choices within your budget.

 

[gizardlizard]

Not sure why they are failing but have noticed a few things. The slotted are breaking. Not so much the Phillips. These slotted screwdrivers have ribbed tips. As I recall, better quality screwdrivers have a hardened black tip. Handle type: I like the soft grips and prefer tri handle for the torque aspect. I have Wera at work but they are insulated electrical style.

 

[Vwpower]

Save up and get snap on.

 

[BarrelRoll]

I have a set of williams hard handle at work, I've broken one of the flat heads using it as a pry bar and the #2 phillips putting a wrench on it. My snappy guy but a blade on the #2 for me. The williams hard handles are exactly the same as the snappy hard handles.

A couple years ago I bought a set of soft handle Kobalts for home and they have held up extremely well, they have the black tips you are after. I haven't lived in an area with a Lowes for 3 years so I don't know if they still offer them.

One advantage of Tekton or big box store screw drivers is easy warranty when you do break them. Some of the other brands are a little harder to warranty.

 

[M6erfan]

Seriously, if you guys are breaking screwdrivers on the regular . . .

The better investment is a hand impact driver. I have this one . . .

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004IKTTH8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Tips wear out, screwdrivers are consumables.

 

[bonneyman]

I have had good luck at work in the machine shop supplying Williams screwdrivers. Williams is Snap On’s industrial brand. Here is an example set of 8 for $92

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NH5F30/?tag=atomicindus08-20

if I wasn't already so invested in Proto I'd go for these Williams. I like the Snap-On hard handle profile, and the Williams have it.

 

[Madjik Man]

Ten responses without an overwhelming Vessel consensus?

C'mon, GJ!

But seriously, I'd first identify WHY the Tekton are failing and buy around that premise. Then, handle size/shape/material.

Then, once analysis paralysis manifests, I'd buy a set of Vessel Megadoras for under $100.

I was just about to chime in with Vessel.

I have a set of their 900 series JIS that are not the JawsFit tip and they are incredible.

 

[dnschmidt]

Vessel.

 

[richfinn]

Vessel, you can't go wrong!!

 

[Fedwrench]

Two schools of thought. First, buy a set of vessel that includes the Impacta series.

https://www.jbtools.com/vessel-980mixeva-megadora-impacta-assorted-screwdriver-8-piece/

Second, buy a set of wera chisel drivers:

Wera 05018283001 932 S6 Screwdriver Set Kraftform Chiseldriver & Rack, 6Piece

Buy Wera 05018283001 932 S6 Screwdriver Set Kraftform Chiseldriver & Rack, 6Piece with an everyday low price and fast shipping! JB Tools

www.jbtools.com

Lastly if you beat the **** out of your screwdrivers, get a set of DEMO DRIVERs and just beat those up:

Mayhew 40180 3-Pcs Demo Drivers Set

Buy Mayhew 40180 3-Pcs Demo Drivers Set with an everyday low price and fast shipping! JB Tools

www.jbtools.com

Milwaukee Demo Screwdriver Drivers with Steel Caps (2-Piece) 48-22-2702 - The Home Depot

Milwaukee demolition drivers are designed for maximum jobsite toughness and durability. The forged steel shanks are compressed to the high impact steel caps to provide 2X longer life in demolition applications.

www.homedepot.com

 

[d.mcfarland]

Witte or Williams seems like the ones I would go with.

 

[tool_scrounge]

I would avoid witte soft handle screwdrivers.

1) the yellow handle ones were easily stained

2) I once had a rodent get into the garage (?!&@$ slacking cat) and all it chewed was Witte screwdriver handles.

3) super soft handle when I first got them. Now rock hard.

 

[gizardlizard]

Those Vessel impacta drivers are super cool.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

Bahco, Williams, Felo, Proto Duratek, PB Swiss ( no data on slotted PB Swiss) Or some combination of these in that budget. Heck you could even try some assorted singles in your most used sizes.

I do not care for Wera, Wiha, Klein or Vessel in general (except a JIS balldriver), even though those are all very popular here.

 

[BTL-A4]

What about getting some sort of handle that accepts screwdriver bits? You could be slotted tips in bulk! Ha! How are you breaking them? Are you using the screwdriver for a prybar, or twisting screws that are stuck, or something else?

I've also found that using the right size slotted driver helps. Too loose and it can cam out and ruin the slot; too tight and it will also ruin the slot.

Find out if the tips are hardened, painted or not. I think Harbor freight paints the tips black to fool people.

Another vote for Vessel. They have hollow ground tips instead of wedges/angles.

 

[belvedere]

Handle type: I like the soft grips and prefer tri handle for the torque aspect.

I have this set and like them.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHTSDS8

 

[Grokew]

Vessel Ball-Grip.
The vessels are comfortable to use, and allow you to apply heavy torque if needed. My wrists hurt less when using them, when compared to using my regular acetate handle screwdrivers.

 

[Vpick001]

I’ve had great experiences the Icon set. Heavy shop use, and have outlasted a couple of our SnapOn Phillips screwdrivers.

I did warranty one Icon flathead that chipped after a worker used it as a chisel. I was honest about what happened but the employee just gave me a new one from the package.

 

[Grokew]

I have this set and like them.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHTSDS8

Are those trilobular?

What about getting some sort of handle that accepts screwdriver bits? You could be slotted tips in bulk! Ha! How are you breaking them? Are you using the screwdriver for a prybar, or twisting screws that are stuck, or something else?

I've also found that using the right size slotted driver helps. Too loose and it can cam out and ruin the slot; too tight and it will also ruin the slot.

Find out if the tips are hardened, painted or not. I think Harbor freight paints the tips black to fool people.

Another vote for Vessel. They have hollow ground tips instead of wedges/angles.

Maybe it is a magnetic coating?

 

[WWheeler]

Best Screwdriver Set? Craftsman, Milwaukee, Wera, Wiha, Klein Tools, Felo, PB Swiss, Tekton

 

[qqzj]

To save everyone 12 minutes, the answer is Milwaukee since OP asked for best bang for the buck

 

[F-22]

Not sure why they are failing but have noticed a few things. The slotted are breaking. Not so much the Phillips. These slotted screwdrivers have ribbed tips. As I recall, better quality screwdrivers have a hardened black tip. Handle type: I like the soft grips and prefer tri handle for the torque aspect. I have Wera at work but they are insulated electrical style.

Apart from the stuff you get with an Ikea closet, I think it's hard to find a screwdriver that does not have a hardened tip. It can be chromed over even if hardened, it does not need to be black. If it's chromed it can/will flake off, but it does not necessarily indicate poor quality, just a design choice.

To save everyone 12 minutes, the answer is Milwaukee since OP asked for best bang for the buck

At 42$ per set, or ~7$ per screwdriver, they're probably okay but pretty average/higher end on the cost. I don't doubt you might get them for less on a sale, but they're not worth it at the full price.

A made in Japan Vessel megadora (their usual most common style) is about 4.5$ per screwdriver. The hard handle Vessel crystaline (beautiful and wonderful to hold IMO) is just 3.2$. The Vessel Powergrip is in the 6-10$ range depending on the size and is a beast of a screwdriver.

All made in Japan, awesome quality... Even PB Swiss is in the 7-10$ range per screwdriver. I tihnk a Hazet (made by Oplast) is in the 4-6$ range.

Top brand screwdrivers can cost the same as "budget" ones in some cases....

 

[belvedere]

Are those trilobular?

Yes