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Best Demolition Screwdrivers?

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oldschoolcraft

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I currently own only one set of demolition screwdrivers. Wiha that came in a 5 pack. The slotted are models 5533 and 5534. I hadn’t had a chance to abuse them much. I need some more for various kits.

I like Milwaukee in general but their demo screwdriver has bad reviews on Amazon. The top picture shows a broken one.

I’m aware of Klein 602-7DD and 602-4DD for 4” and 7” versions. I like Klein stuff usually but no experience with these.

What do you guys like?
 
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tamaraw

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Hohn said:
Aren’t there tools for demolition better than a screwdriver?

Vessel makes fantastic drivers, I’m just curious exactly how one would use them for demolition work vs say a Recip saw.
Click to expand...
A sawzall would be used for cutting things... a screwdriver would be used for prying or poking.

It doesn't mean demolition as in "I'm going to destroy this building using nothing but a screwdriver", it just means that it is a heavier duty screwdriver. For example, something that you could smack with a hammer to shock a seized fastener. Or something that you could also use as a light duty chisel or pry tool.
 
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dscheidt

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Hohn said:
Aren’t there tools for demolition better than a screwdriver?
Click to expand...
Yes, but it depends on what you're doing, and most of the time you're doing demo, you don't have a zillion tools. you generally want a screwdriver or two, so why not have drivers that do double or triple duty as a punche, or a chisel, marshmallow roaster, or prybar? It's demo, not precision electronics repair, so beating on stuff is normal. Yeah, you're going to wear your screwrivers out, but the good demo ones take a lot. And they're consumables, they save time and effort, so replace them when needed.
 
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T45

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If you are doing contractor stuff around the house, maybe look at klein. Alot of variables come into play with thin kind of work, not just durability, but also functionality as a screwdriver, how heavey/light, how it fits in your tool bag/belt/pack, etc.

On the go, working out of a soft bag, I personally value drivers with more compact handles.

That being said, for actual demo or prying work, there are some pretty good tools out there. 20 years ago, snap-on seemed to make the ONLY tang-thru prybars. Now, these are widely available everywhere, even HF and HD and Husky, Milwaukee, etc

The more recent "evolutions" if impacting pry bars...include some that look alot more like screwdrivers. Worth mentioning, IMHO.

10in tang-thru, straight shaft, prybar
1689827737235.png
Mini size, straight shaft prybar
1689827840321.png
 
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Madjik Man

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dukefx

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I usually recommend the best (best fit and durability) screwdrivers but in this case I'd consider them to be consumables and a bang for buck option might be better. Something made in Taiwan like Toptul or Teng Tools. They both have tang-thru, should be realitively durable and dirt cheap. Alternatively the yellow Weras if you want to spend a bit more for more or less the same quality.
 
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F-22

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Surprised noone mentioned these.

s-l1200.webp


The Vessel Power Grip. These are really beefy tools. The small 5.5x75 is the one I always carry with me, so much strength in such a small screwdriver.... Ideal for prying stuff but works great as a screwdriver.


I ordered mine on Japanese Amazon, and if I recall they were more around 8€/screwdriver. The prices on US amazon are overblown. The shipping from Japan is really fast and I haven't had a bad experience with the Japanese amazon but did with the US one (reselling used items or totally wrong items).
 
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tamaraw

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oldschoolcraft said:
Can you please share the model name or number? I can’t find them on their website.
Click to expand...

MEGADORA Chisel-Type Screwdriver No.970(7 x 100) | PRODUCTS INFORMATION | VESSEL CO., INC

full range of information on product groups ranging from tightening tools such as drivers, bit sockets and air tools to anti-static products in the factory
vessel.co.jp vessel.co.jp

MEGADORA Chisel-Type Screwdriver No.970(9.5 x 120) | PRODUCTS INFORMATION | VESSEL CO., INC

full range of information on product groups ranging from tightening tools such as drivers, bit sockets and air tools to anti-static products in the factory
vessel.co.jp vessel.co.jp
 
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Bubba Fett

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I have the Mayhew dominator screwdriver-style prybar. I like it.

I also have demo drivers from Irwin and DeWalt, which both have 5/16" Keystone, and #2 Phillips drivers. I mainly use the Keystone driver for prying wiremold from the wall, temporarily pulling trim away, or general poking and prodding. The Phillips driver gets used for screws that have been painted over. A good tap will push it right through the paint, and firmly seat it. I usually use the other driver as the mallet.

Keep you expectations in check. These tools are not indestructible, and they are not pry bars, or chisels. They can be used as such, but they really don't work as well as the proper tool. In fact I'd say the entire concept is a bit gimmicky, but tool manufacturers basically concluded that since these tools will get mis-used, they may as well make drivers that can handle the abuse.

I would NOT use these for electrical work , since the through-shanks and endcap can conduct electricity.
 
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JradM

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I have heavy duty screwdrivers from Vessel, Wera, Bahco & Felo - but I don't use them as demolition screwdrivers, even if they would perfectly fit that role.

Instead, I use Irwin's demolition screwdrivers. They're surprisingly good, heavy duty and robust. Nice enough actually, that I still feel bad abusing them, even though they weren't expensive and that's precisely why I bought them.

81ud3+d5qNL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg

There aren't a lot of things I would recommend from Irwin, but I like these screwdrivers. The tips are precise and they just feel tough whether using them to turn a fastener or as an impromptu chisel.

If you want to lean more into "demo" and less into 'screwdriver", then I would instead recommend the Mayhew Dominator pry bar screwdrivers.

61cYi50qfDL._AC_SX679_.jpg

Mayhew makes top tier stuff - including items for Snap-on. These are extremely robust, but a little much for screwdrivers. They come in different lengths and straight or curved.

They also have more traditional screwdriver designs, but while I would trust the brand, I haven't tried these:

51iDmzltAhL._AC_SX679_.jpg
 
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M635_Guy

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I'll have to look into the Dominator stuff - I have their prybars and they're terrific.

Absent that, for ten bucks I'd probably grab the Doyle Demolition set at HF. I bought a set of the Doyle Heavy Duty screwdrivers for my spawn's first-apartment kit, and was pretty impressed with them for the $$ - instantly made me regret the Milwaukee set I'd grabbed as a beater set that was more expensive even on sale, and not very confidence-inspiring (though they've been fine so far).
 
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lardy1

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The Mayhews are a great tool. I'm not sure how well they work as screwdrivers but they do the things I don't do to my good flat screwdrivers.
 
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tamaraw

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Bubba Fett said:
I would NOT use these for electrical work , since the through-shanks and endcap can conduct electricity.
Click to expand...
Correct, or for poking holes in drywall.

Side note that there are models with a ceramic ball that isolates the blade from the striking cap. More of a specialty item, but here are two examples:

Tang-Thru Screwdriver w/Ceramic Ball (for electric works) No.250(Ph No.2 x 150) | PRODUCTS INFORMATION | VESSEL CO., INC

full range of information on product groups ranging from tightening tools such as drivers, bit sockets and air tools to anti-static products in the factory
vessel.co.jp vessel.co.jp

www.wiha.com

Dowel racket set SoftFinish®

Product description There is more to the dowel racket than meets the eye. A special structure in its interior provides galvanic separation between…
www.wiha.com www.wiha.com
 
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njride

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oldschoolcraft said:
I currently own only one set of demolition screwdrivers. Wiha that came in a 5 pack. The slotted are models 5533 and 5534. I hadn’t had a chance to abuse them much. I need some more for various kits.

I like Milwaukee in general but their demo screwdriver has bad reviews on Amazon. The top picture shows a broken one.

I’m aware of Klein 602-7DD and 602-4DD for 4” and 7” versions. I like Klein stuff usually but no experience with these.

What do you guys like?
Click to expand...
www.kleintools.com

5/16-Inch Keystone Demolition Driver, 7-Inch Shank - 602-7DD | Klein Tools

Klein's ''Made in the USA'' Slotted Demolition Driver is engineered, manufactured and tested for prying and chiseling. The heat-treated metal shaft runs the complete length of the handle to the metal strike cap. This transfers the impact force directly to the work surface. In addition, the...
www.kleintools.com www.kleintools.com
Glad to know about the kleins, I use My regular kleins in live panels, but using one of those would be interesting lol,with the shank being all the way through. Anyway the second Pic in the listing they show it being used on a breaker in a panel. I'm surprised klein makes them honestly, that's gonna catch some old electrician with a big surprise.
 
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WWheeler

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tamaraw said:
A sawzall would be used for cutting things... a screwdriver would be used for prying or poking.

It doesn't mean demolition as in "I'm going to destroy this building using nothing but a screwdriver", it just means that it is a heavier duty screwdriver. For example, something that you could smack with a hammer to shock a seized fastener. Or something that you could also use as a light duty chisel or pry tool.
Click to expand...

TIL all screwdrivers are apparently not demolition screwdrivers. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 
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bigredcornhead

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This is the exact reason i go to garage sales, i will buy every square stock steel old craftsman or other brand standard. So i can beat the **** out of them. Right now i have a Sparta brand square stock that takes the abuse lol
 
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Pinemarten

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Key word.............Demo...........use some crappy yard sale, road found, or chipped/arc burnt screwdriver you are good pounding on with a BFH. Get a crow bar with the money you saved!
 
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NoahG

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Honestly Ive always been happy using the cheapest ones from the dump bin at the bottom of the screwdriver rack from Home Depot.
 
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Bubba Fett

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Lowe's has Toughbuilt demolition drivers that I suspect are made by the same company that makes Milaukee's. It's not really a screwdriver, but has more of a chisel edge and a notch that might be good for pulling nails or staples.
Item #5081536 Model #TB-H5-D-X
1690425913193.png
 
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danski0224

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The Menards ones ****, sold as a 2 pack, straight and cross tips.

The handle is somehow not attached to the through shaft, and it will loosen and spin.

I generally like Menards stuff, but this one is a miss.
 
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ShiroCarpentry

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The broken Amazon ones are probably fakes remember Milwaukee has NO AUTHORIZED retailer on amazon everything from them on amazon is either resells or fakes this information is from Protoolreviews.com
oldschoolcraft said:
I currently own only one set of demolition screwdrivers. Wiha that came in a 5 pack. The slotted are models 5533 and 5534. I hadn’t had a chance to abuse them much. I need some more for various kits.

I like Milwaukee in general but their demo screwdriver has bad reviews on Amazon. The top picture shows a broken one.

I’m aware of Klein 602-7DD and 602-4DD for 4” and 7” versions. I like Klein stuff usually but no experience with these.

What do you guys like?
Click to expand...
 
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M635_Guy

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Location
NC
KnurledNut said:
I’ll play...
53060842220_8ef8a0a010_b.jpg
Herbrand for anyone wondering.
Click to expand...
I didn't get anything in a quick search, but thing is srs. If I was doing a lot of tough demo I'd have one of those...

The Doyle demo (flat head) has a home on the side of my bench
zuWic0.jpg
 
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