Best screwdriver set? $40 or less

[Kirbot]

I'm doing some Christmas shopping and I think my dad will be getting a nicer screwdriver set.
Right now he has a set from harborfreight, and while they work, there not that great.

Looking on amazon has just made things confusing!
Theres Williams, Wera, Husky pro, Pb swiss, and lots more.

I'm sure this has been asked before, but what would you suggest in the $40 range?

Preferably something made in the USA, but European is fine to.
No China or Taiwan this time.

 

[Theloniousmonk]

toolguyd has the Felo Ergonomics set listed as on sale... most of the Felo sets are under $40 when on perpetual sale...I like mine very much. Made in Germany if that is acceptable. There are also wood handle Felo sets available, prices vary widely, but can be had for under $40.

 

[Kirbot]

Those wood handles Felos look nice!

I think he would like them.

 

[RRmech]

Enderes Tools.

Small family owned firm in Minnesota, that's been in business over 100 years.
I think their screwdrivers are of excellent quality!

Steve

 

[Theloniousmonk]

Kirbot, by the time this thread is over, you'll be back to square one... there are ALOT of great quality American/Euro made screwdrivers out there... good luck.

 

[mickeyone]

picquic distributed in USA by firehawk I have customized all in one with the blades I always use.This thing is robust and by far the best multi bit driver out there.They also make marine one for harsh environments Its made in Canada

 

[blue dog]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001IAMICO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Pb swiss all the way.

 

[pep]

Those wood handles Felos look nice!

I think he would like them.

For a gift, that sounds like the perfect answer. I'd just buy those and be done with it.

...of course, there are always these:

http://www.edenki.co.jp/shopimages/edenki1/051039000031.jpg

ooh la la.

 

[I can fix anything]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NH5X2I/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Stuey]

toolguyd has the Felo Ergonomics set listed as on sale... most of the Felo sets are under $40 when on perpetual sale...I like mine very much. Made in Germany if that is acceptable. There are also wood handle Felo sets available, prices vary widely, but can be had for under $40.

Exactly what I was thinking.
http://toolguyd.com/2010/11/gift-guide-9pc-felo-ergonic-screwdriver-set/

I'd also recommend this Wiha set for a little extra:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000T9SI60/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Those wood handles Felos look nice!

I think he would like them.

The wood handles are pretty nice, but don't buy them at $35. They go on sale for $20 every now and then. There are two sets, one with ergonomic shaped handless, one with straight handles. I'd wait for the ergo ones to drop in price.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XDNSQ2/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001N330OG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[jay50]

Don't get all worked up with the BS that the screwdriver polishers will tell you to buy.

Just buy either the Cman Pro or Husky Pro screwdriver set and save your hard earned money for some professional quality ratchets or other tools that you might be needing in the future.

 

[pep]

Don't get all worked up with the BS that the screwdriver polishers will tell you to buy.

Just buy either the Cman Pro or Husky Pro screwdriver set ...:

In the case of the Craftsman Professional screwdrivers, they look to be roughly the same price ($50 for a set of eight, for example). Dunno about 'Husky' tools, it's probably best to avoid something that's named after a clothing size for overweight youths.

One cool thing about screwdrivers is that, realistically, most people just need a single set (plus probably a bit driver handle and a set of precision screwdrivers). You can buy just about anything and, in the scheme of things, it won't cost very much.

 

[Theloniousmonk]

Cman pros are above the price bracket, and honestly IMO are not any better than the others listed thus far, I don't know if the Huskys are US made, or Euro made... I use my Felos nearly daily... a gift of some nice screwdrivers is a great idea.

 

[Kirbot]

I noticed the two different wood handled drivers.
I think your right, even without handling them, I don't much like the look of the straight handle ones.

Do you think the ergos are likely to go on sale in time for Christmas?

Although Jay50 does make somewhat of a good point, wood handles are nice, but I wonder if there really all that practical?
He used to really be into wood working which is why I liked them, but now, he's keeping busier with his tractor. Getting dropped, and kicked around concrete, and getting covered in oil ect... would be awfully hard on them.

Maybe something tough and easy to clean like the williams hard handles would be better.
I really like my snapon black hard handles, but I would never pay full price for them. ( I got mine from an auction)

 

[Theloniousmonk]

yea, the woods would work but get beat up pretty bad... you are right Kirbot - look for a hard/plastic handle then.

 

[pep]

yea, the woods would work but get beat up pretty bad... you are right Kirbot - look for a hard/plastic handle then.

Ah....well then, the obvious answer is *two* sets of screwdrivers.

 

[fordbroncodave]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NH5X2I/?tag=atomicindus08-20

i want to know how snap on can sell the same screwdrivers for 4 times as much money as the williams though they are owned by eachother. makes no sense

 

[Theloniousmonk]

Ah....well then, the obvious answer is *two* sets of screwdrivers.

YUP! best idea i've read today.

 

[ugapug]

Or just go buy the regular Craftsman screwdrivers. Still made in the USA and you can get a pretty big set for 40 bones. If the tip fails it's not like they don't have them in quantity at the local Sears.

 

[Kirbot]

He's better off with the Harbor freight screwdrivers than Craftsman.

First time I bought them I thought there was something wrong with them, they were so bad. Even before the tip gets mangled beyond usability, there not shaped right anyway.

I "upgraded" to a set of 8 for $5 from tractor supply not long after buying Craftsman.

 

[dwm]

For mechanical instead of woodworking, I'd go for ratcheting with bits. I like this set:

http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-8940.aspx

Though I suspect it's made in China given how much cheaper it is than the Snap-On version.

My current favorite for working on rusty stuff outdoors, though it's above your price point:

Wera Kraftform Kompakt 90 22-piece set

And of course I can't not mention my all-time favorite ratcheting for standard length... Snap-On SSDMR4B. The orange one is $55 at the moment.

Snap-On SSDMR4BO

Not ratcheting, but well within in your price range and terribly handy (6 bits, extendible bayonet Rapidaptor, fits in my shirtpocket):

Wera Kraftform Kompakt 25 PH/Z

There are so many great options for fixed handles!

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

I really need to see where all of these ****** Craftsman tools are coming from. Not a single one of my CMan tools has ever failed me without it being my fault...

I say CMan Pro btw.

 

[padronanniversary]

i want to know how snap on can sell the same screwdrivers for 4 times as much money as the williams though they are owned by eachother. makes no sense

its because of the magic cool aid

 

[foolishpride]

Klein

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001BQ0DT0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Kirbot]

I really need to see where all of these ****** Craftsman tools are coming from. Not a single one of my CMan tools has ever failed me without it being my fault...

I say CMan Pro btw.

Believe me, nobody would love to like craftsman more than me.
And for the most part, I do.

But there standard screwdrivers are garbage.
Not only do they cam-out easily, the first time they do, it's ruined because there so soft.


It looks like lots of good suggestions everybody.
I hadn't considered a ratcheting screwdriver.
I've never used one, are they really that great?

 

[dwm]

Believe me, nobody would love to like craftsman more than me.
And for the most part, I do.

But there standard screwdrivers are garbage.
Not only do they cam-out easily, the first time they do, it's ruined because there so soft.


It looks like lots of good suggestions everybody.
I hadn't considered a ratcheting screwdriver.
I've never used one, are they really that great?

My go-tos for mechanical work have been the Snap-On hardhandle ratcheting for over 25 years. Stubbies don't get used heavily (I prefer the soft-grip verison there even though they're not as durable), but the standard length... I couldn't live without them for car and other mechanical work. I have several of them, handle color denotes the type of bits that are stored in the handle (Phillips ACR, Torx, hex, slotted). The SSDMR4 hasn't changed in decades, IMHO because it's simple and near perfect. Knurling is just right for spinning, handle is comfortable and very durable, ratchet is smooth, rebuild kit is available ($10). My oldest one... I don't know the age, early 1980's I think, and I've used it fairly heavily since I got it. Still works fine without a rebuild (though it's about due, it has never slipped on me).

The GearWrench soft-grip are the same exact design as the Snap-On soft-grip (Snap-On licensed it to GearWrench, I believe). Probably different COO for manufacture though. I'm not a fan of the standard length soft-grip because the handle is an inch longer than the hardhandle. I do use one for 1/4" sockets though (always has that shaft loaded). And I like the stubby soft-grip and the T-handle soft-grip.

 

[Skin]

these are the Husky Pro previously mentioned. One of the few USA tools sold under the Husky brand. Made by WF. They'd serve any hobbyist great.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...0-_-10368321&AID=10368321&PID=1992680&cj=true

although if you want my personal opinion, unless he's doing intricate work, i think you'd be doing him a far bigger favor by getting him a battery driver with a 1/4" collet for bits. I hardly ever use screwdrivers anymore.

 

[yjWrangler]

Dunno about 'Husky' tools, it's probably best to avoid something that's named after a clothing size for overweight youths.

Or, you know, a dog...

 

[kams1973]

Buy the Williams set. They essentially SO screwdrivers w/ williams stamped on them. Oh yea, they are Made In USA.

 

[ugapug]

I have 2 Snap-on ratcheting hard handled screwdrivers. Don't know why I didn't think about recommending those. You'll spend a little more to get one, but one of mine is over 20 years old and works as well as the day I bought it. Honestly, most of the time I reach for the ol' ratcheting screwdriver instead of one of the regular ones.

 

[jay50]

I really need to see where all of these ****** Craftsman tools are coming from. Not a single one of my CMan tools has ever failed me without it being my fault...

I say CMan Pro btw.

Same here; wrench professionally and used the Cman without any problems.

Seem like a lot of folks been sipping the Wera/Witte cool-aid too much...

 

[rjohnson]

If you want to go the ratcheting route Gearwrench has a nice Snap-on copy for $35.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00944013000P?prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3

 

[pep]

Seem like a lot of folks been sipping the Wera/Witte cool-aid too much...

LOL, oh man, you don't know the half of it.

The thing with screwdrivers is that, if you constantly hunt around for deals, the good stuff is super cheap now and again. I'm not sure that I've every paid more than $20 for a set and ended up with Wiha, Wera, Felo, and PB Swiss...all except the last being the bolster + end cap variety. One thing you do end up with is Spiderman-looking tools (Wera/Knipex).

The incredibly stupid thing is that I'd still like a set of those wood handled Nepros ones.

As sins go, it's not a major one. Truth is, I'd probably be better off doing more billable work and less shopping and just buy anything that looks cool.

 

[airbuff101]

My son bought these last year-Hazet 5pc.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Haze...QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools#ht_881wt_930

It's a pretty basic Hazet style but very nice. Last year they were 39.95 Free shipping. Just a couple bucks more now.
The fellow has some higher end sets too.
Rob

 

[old salvage]

Believe me, nobody would love to like craftsman more than me.
And for the most part, I do.

But there standard screwdrivers are garbage.
Not only do they cam-out easily, the first time they do, it's ruined because there so soft.


It looks like lots of good suggestions everybody.
I hadn't considered a ratcheting screwdriver.
I've never used one, are they really that great?

What about these ? I saw them yesterday and thought they may be a step above the standard grade. ..

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00947123000P

 

[pep]

Or, you know, a dog...

I think that's purely a coincidence.

 

[Kirbot]

What about these ? I saw them yesterday and thought they may be a step above the standard grade. ..

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00947123000P

They could be worth a try, but not as a gift.
If I'm going to experiment, I'll get it for myself.

Glad you pointed them out though, I've never seen them before.

 

[pep]

This is probably a pretty good deal ($36.19)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001D2OEJM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Kirbot]

I'm leaning towards either the Williams...
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NH5X2I/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Or the wera classic. There a lot cheaper, so I could get him some decent pliers too. Most of his are harborfreight.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XITE7E/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[fr0mastaj]

I have the CMan pro set and have had no problems with them. I think I got the 10pc set for $40 about 2 years ago? Not sure what they are at now...
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