I don't know if this has been discussed before , but I'm looking for opinions on what the best overall buy would be (price , reliability,comfort etc.) I have some older snap on ones my father gave me and I love them bought a newer version of them off the truck for about 24 a piece only bought 1/4 and 5/16. Also I work on small engines so that may be a factor .
Best nut drivers
- Thread starter Blanco_25
- Start date
Not a big fan of nutdrivers, I just use a 1/4" spinner/driver with my socket of choice. Much more versatile and frees up room in the toolbox...
Anyway, I think they're all about the same, they typically aren't used to apply lots of torque. like on stuck fasteners. Comfort is a personal choice, cant help you with that...
Anyway, I think they're all about the same, they typically aren't used to apply lots of torque. like on stuck fasteners. Comfort is a personal choice, cant help you with that...
KMdef9
Well-known member
Same here. The magnetic version is the way to go.
rlitman
Well-known member
My Craftsman nut drivers are hollow. What's the point in a nut driver that isn't hollow?
The Craftsman nut drivers that I have are only hollow for about an inch and a quarter. The entire shaft should be hollow.
Mechanical Noise
Well-known member
Xcelite probably has the widest variety of nutdrivers, at least in fractional inch sizes. The standard size Xcelites have large diameter handles, which I like. The shafts and handles are clear almost to the top of the handle. There's some nice stubby sets with small diameter handles and a slip on larger diameter handle for extra torque. And some very long nutdrivers which were handy for getting TV tuners out of big console TV sets back in the day.
Durability seems to be about average, though.
Durability seems to be about average, though.
You will be hard pressed to find nicer nut drivers than the tried and true Snap On hard handle set. The different colors for different sizes are a nice touch, easy to quickly identify.
When I worked in a small engine shop a long time ago, I don't remember ever using any sizes other than the 5/16 and 1/4. Times have probably changed. I got a metric nutdriver set as a gift in the early 2000s. Used the 7mm for the very first time about a month ago. Not much need for them anymore.
When I worked in a small engine shop a long time ago, I don't remember ever using any sizes other than the 5/16 and 1/4. Times have probably changed. I got a metric nutdriver set as a gift in the early 2000s. Used the 7mm for the very first time about a month ago. Not much need for them anymore.
anndel
Well-known member
+1, I have both SAE and metric but hardly use them.
rlitman
Well-known member
I only have one Craftsman nut driver in my desk (7/16").
I just stuck a wire in it roughly 4 1/2" up it. I also shined a light down the hole, and you could see it shining through the clear handle.
In this one, it appears that the metal shank is completely hollow, and the only obstruction is where the shank terminates in the plastic handle.
I have an extra 1/4" one at home that I'm using as the handle for a hook. I know I shoved the wire that forms the hook at least 4" in there. I'll have to look at the ones in my toolbox when I get home...
Yes, I agree that the entire shaft should be hollow.
rlitman
Well-known member
I use 1/4, 5/16, and 3/8 a lot on hose clamps and other things. 7/16 on 1/4-20 nuts, and 11/32 on 8-32 nuts on studs I encounter at lot at work (where a hollow shank is REALLY important for me).
I think that's about it though. I believe I own a couple of other sizes, but don't recall ever using them.
I've never owned nor needed metric nut drivers, and just rely on 1/4" drive metric sockets for that purpose.
sberry
Banned
I use them a lot. I fouind some 7/16 cheap stuff Channelock a while back and bought 4 more. I see my Brother came thru with a couple from ACE and said they were only 3$ in 5/16. I buy those on occasion from Menards, have a fistful of Klien and a set or 2 of Cman. The Menards have a hard grip but its good. The Klein have a rubber grip which is great if you are ruff and tuff. I have about a dozen 5/16 and keep up on addition and replacement about like utility knives. We use screws that size and hose clamps.
speed bump
Well-known member
The Craftsman hollow nut drivers don't seem to fit stuff as well as the Kleins. I keep a couple of the Craftsmans in 1/4 and 5/16 for hose clamps but otherwise I use Kleins for most things.
Brownsfan
Well-known member
I wish Klein made the Magnetic ones in metric.
928'er
Well-known member
I've had a set of the Xcelite drivers sitting in my tool box for at least 30 years. I don't think I've ever used them. Don't even remember where they came from....
sberry
Banned
I use the 2 sizes every day. Have them in near everything that moves.
Almost $200 for a set of the SAE: https://store.snapon.com/Hard-Handl...E-Nut-Driver-Set-3-16-ndash-1-2--P810822.aspx
Wamsutta
Well-known member
I like the Craftsman nut drivers made by Western Forge USA.
I won't be buying any of the Chinese replacements.
I won't be buying any of the Chinese replacements.
davethorik
Well-known member
The only dedicated nutdriver I own is a Masterforce 7/16. Seems like I'm always running into that size doing home repair stuff. I have a Klein 11 in 1 screwdriver, which also has 1/4, 5/16, and 3/8 nutdrivers although usually for those sizes, I use nut setters in my 1/4 impact.
Another brand i haven't seen mentioned in this thread is Bondhus. Their sets are made in the USA and not that pricy.
Another brand i haven't seen mentioned in this thread is Bondhus. Their sets are made in the USA and not that pricy.
shockwave
Well-known member
You will be best with wiha or witte or even snap on I usually use the handled drivers 1/4 and use sockets since these usually have 1/4 female ends for use with ratchets
But these are low torque applications so any decent brands will do fine
But these are low torque applications so any decent brands will do fine
I don't know about them being the "best," but I've never really had a problem with my Craftsman nut drivers. In all honesty though, I most often find myself breaking tension with a ratchet and then popping the socket onto a knurled extension bar and spinning it that way. If I need just a touch more torque I occasionally grab my 1/4" spinner handle but I just don't use my nut drivers all that much.
They were recently on promo for less than that. 2-3 months ago. Probably will be again for the holidays.
MDK22
Well-known member
In all honesty I almost always use ratcheting screwdrivers with socket bits or a ratcheting 1/4" drive screwdriver style with sockets. Though I only would use what i listed or a nut driver on something that is brittle or easy to break like plastic otherwise it is a ratchet.
Nut drivers are a waste if you ask me but, if that is what you use I would suggest buying 1970s USA made Craftsman. Those are very strong and when i had to use them often at other peoples houses i could put a lot of torque on them and they worked well. Like i said though if you ask me I would use the alternatives.
Nut drivers are a waste if you ask me but, if that is what you use I would suggest buying 1970s USA made Craftsman. Those are very strong and when i had to use them often at other peoples houses i could put a lot of torque on them and they worked well. Like i said though if you ask me I would use the alternatives.
Jeff
Well-known member
I've got a hodge podge of tools I've collected over the years. I have no complaints with the PB Swiss nut drivers in metric, or the Xcelite nut drivers in SAE. The metrics get the most use.
sberry
Banned
Any of them work, its not really surgery. 5/16 hex is used a lot in electrical, structural and sheet metal screws. Same for 1/4 bolts in brackets clamps and hangers. Nut runners are a staple, millions of them in tool belts.
Phog Allen
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2009
- Messages
- 83
It depends upon your trade. Auto mechanics? Probably not so much. Electricians (me), HVAC, electronics tech, appliance repair, or process machinery control techs use them all the time. Magnetic 99% of the time.
I like a mix of both short and longer shaft models. 1/4, 5/16, 11/32, and 3/8 see almost all my use. I have the 3/16, 7/16, 1/2, and I think 9/16. I couldn't tell you the last time I used them. It was simply cheaper to buy the set. Klein cushion grips in Imperial long and short and metric short.
If I had to limit it to one type it would be the hollow long shaft magnetic models. I wouldn't mind trying some Wiha and PB Swiss. This is one type of driver that really needs a grip to fit the hand well. It is inevitible that you will try to remove a fastener that is well beyond what you should be trying to apply manual torque to.
I like a mix of both short and longer shaft models. 1/4, 5/16, 11/32, and 3/8 see almost all my use. I have the 3/16, 7/16, 1/2, and I think 9/16. I couldn't tell you the last time I used them. It was simply cheaper to buy the set. Klein cushion grips in Imperial long and short and metric short.
If I had to limit it to one type it would be the hollow long shaft magnetic models. I wouldn't mind trying some Wiha and PB Swiss. This is one type of driver that really needs a grip to fit the hand well. It is inevitible that you will try to remove a fastener that is well beyond what you should be trying to apply manual torque to.
tymbo
Well-known member
Pirate walks into a bar.
Bartender says" Hey you've got a steering wheel on your belt buckle!
Pirate says"Arrggghhh, it's drivin' me nuts!"
Bartender says" Hey you've got a steering wheel on your belt buckle!
Pirate says"Arrggghhh, it's drivin' me nuts!"
sberry
Banned
I use a 10mm, went and bought an extra one from Menards as the Cman are the same color in early metric sets.
DeliveryGuy
Well-known member
Klein magnetic. 1/4 and 5/16 are sold in a two pack. They're the two that I use for electrical cabinet screws on garage door openers.
decableguy2000
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2012
- Messages
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I use a variety of Kleins daily short and long. Craftsman metric, Also use Craftsman T handle SAE and metric in my home box (made by Armstrong)