Best screwdriver set? $40 or less

[matthew]

As a hobbyist, my opinion is perhaps a little more subjective than the others, but my thoughts:

- I like my ratcheting driver, but if he doesn't have a good set of basic fixed handles, I'd start with that.
- I think wood handles are underrated. Have never handled the Felo wood handles, but my fathers old Proto and Mac wood handles are fantastic, and contrary to popular opinion I would say they're as tough, and as easy to clean up as the others. Wood has a nice tactile feel, particularly when it's cold, isn't as slippery as plastics, but a hardwood like would be used for screwdrivers is tough. Might dent up a bit, but won't be destroyed by dropping, etc.

So my picks would be (in no particular order):
- Felo hard handles plastic. I really like the few my father has.
- Wilde wood handles, at the bottom of this page, if you can find them. Haven't tried them, but they look very similar to the old Mac design that is really great to use.
- Williams hard handles.

 

[matthew]

Oh, if you go the ratcheting route, the Snap-On SSDMR4B has a really good handle feel to it, although there are other options. For the sort of money you're talking about you could get a Blue Point ratcheting model (which has finer ratcheting), plus a set of bits, or add something like a Picquic bit type driver, or a few of the Felo fixed drivers.

(edit) Two other quick ideas on ratcheting - Williams, or if you're in a rural area a CaseIH or NewHolland ratcheting screwdriver. Both are hard handles, and I believe have basically the same as the Snap-On ratcheting mechanism, just a different handle and I don't think they have a knurled shaft, but around $30.

 

[jcfields]

Honestly, I think this set of Craftsman Professional is the way to go. Under forty bucks, tough (you've got a better chance of ******* up the screw than the driver with these), comfortable handles, easy to warranty, easy to expand the set (just go to Sears). Husky Pro has the same benefits (and both drivers are made by the same company), but I like Sears more.

The Williams hard handles and Felos are excellent too, but I really don't think they turn a screw any better than the Craftsman Pros. Just depends how fancy you want to get.

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

I have this set. They have the exact same shafts as the regular Craftsman screwdrivers (which I don't think are as bad as everyone says, but you can still do better for $30), just different handles. The handles are a bit big but comfortable.

While we're talking about ratcheting screwdrivers, I have this MegaPro driver, and it's pretty solid and not that pricey. Made in Canada.

 

[old salvage]

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.

Good idea. The Sears near me had some as open stock and a smaller set. I'm going to buy one (probably a #2 ph) just to see what its like.

I have this set. They have the exact same shafts as the regular Craftsman screwdrivers (which I don't think are as bad as everyone says, but you can still do better for $30), just different handles. The handles are a bit big but comfortable.

Ah, thanks for the info about the tips/shafts. The handles felt nice to me but I have big hands for my size.

 

[briggsguy17]

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.

Not even close! I own three of the long Snap On soft handle ratcheting ones and two stubbys. I keep a Gearwrench soft handle one in my truck box. No Comparison!

 

[mrholeshot]

If I only had 40 dollars to spend on screwdrivers I would build a set out of open stock with exactly what I need from The Husky Pro line at Home Depot. Excellant USA built screwdrivers. The blades remind me of Klein. Very nice grip as well.

 

[dwm]

Not even close! I own three of the long Snap On soft handle ratcheting ones and two stubbys. I keep a Gearwrench soft handle one in my truck box. No Comparison!

Really? They look exactly the same, and I know I read here somewhere that Snap-On licensed them to GearWrench. I only have the Snap-Ons, but have been considering the GearWrench. I've destroyed 2 of the Snap-On softgrip stubbies in the last 5 years (which is why I always have 2, one is backup) and was thinking the GearWrench is a much less expensive replacement. I've never had a problem with the hardhandles, but the softgrip stubby, as much as I like it, doesn't hold up to my abuse.

 

[3 at 8]

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

These C-Man's look just like the Husky Pro which I like alot. I like the slight taper to the rear of the handle. There both made by WF. $20 for a set of six.

Husky Pro: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Also, I just recieved this 7 piece Klien Journeyman set today for $24.75 before ship and they look rather nice for the price. Use "tooltime" code for extra 10% off if its still active. Thier USA if it matters.

Klien Journeyman: http://www.protoolsdiscount.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product2_10451_10101_-1_16302_21437

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

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.

I'll admit that the last time I used a set of the regular Cman, they were probably over 20 years old, so I can't say I know much about anything new. CMan Pro are just as good as anything out there though.

 

[brimorga]

I went through this same question a month ago. Ultimately, I bought these:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NZ8JWS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I lot of great suggestions on here. For me, it was between these and the Williams. I liked having the hex nut on there in case you need a little extra. In the end it was essentially a coin flip.

As far as ratcheting vs screwdriver set. For me, if I work right next to my tool box, I'd prefer a set. It's easier to grab. If most of my work is not right there, ratching is better because it's less to carry. It depends on what you want it for though, I could see how ratching could be very useful for certain applications.

 

[Bo Heck]

I'll admit that the last time I used a set of the regular Cman, they were probably over 20 years old, so I can't say I know much about anything new. CMan Pro are just as good as anything out there though.

The newer style with the black and red handles are absolute ****. The metal they used is softer than the free Harbor Freight drivers I got. I have Wera and Felo and wouldn't go back. The old black handled Cman Pro drivers were respectable, but not these.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

The newer style with the black and red handles are absolute ****. The metal they used is softer than the free Harbor Freight drivers I got. I have Wera and Felo and wouldn't go back. The old black handled Cman Pro drivers were respectable, but not these.

The newer ones might not be as good as the older black handled ones, but they are far from ****. What do you have to support your conclusion?

 

[Bo Heck]

A drawer full of ruined ones in my friends garage.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

A drawer full of ruined ones in my friends garage.

You know what, I don't believe you. I also don't really care. Carry on.

 

[Bo Heck]

You know what, I don't believe you. I also don't really care. Carry on.

Well that's mature...I have several Craftsman Pro tools I use and am perfectly happy with. I'm not a Craftsman basher, I call em like I see em though. Those drivers don't perform well, certainly do not earn a "pro" label in my opinion.

 

[catfish]

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

where can you buy enderes tools online?
i have never heard of them until now

 

[tradesmanschoice]

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

Seems the Enderes Tools family missed out on the last 20 years of ergonmics research - the handles are designs from the 60's. Why don't american manufacturers catch up with the rest of the world? Klein is exactly the same.

Cheers,
Mark.

 

[doctorschmullus]

I know you didnt want an asian set but the yellow and green see through handle stanleys are the toughest ever lol, id rate them higher than snappy almost, they are durable, I know a few fitters that have had the same set going on 10 years etc.

 

[mrholeshot]

You know what, I don't believe you. I also don't really care. Carry on.

So what are you trying to say?

I'm with you on this one. They arn't the best screwdrivers but they are still good ones.

 

[catfish]

I know you didnt want an asian set but the yellow and green see through handle stanleys are the toughest ever lol, id rate them higher than snappy almost, they are durable, I know a few fitters that have had the same set going on 10 years etc.

i've got some USA made yellow and black stanleys like that , picked up a bunch of old screwdrivers at a pawn shop 8 for 5 bucks or something.

Also have some of the green plastic Australian made Stanley screwdrivers.
They're not small philips though so they will last longer , i always find the smaller philips are the ones which wear out fastest.

The only thing i've seen that stanley still makes in Australia though is a dated hacksaw that you see in the hardware stores.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

Well that's mature...I have several Craftsman Pro tools I use and am perfectly happy with. I'm not a Craftsman basher, I call em like I see em though. Those drivers don't perform well, certainly do not earn a "pro" label in my opinion.

Mature?

Anyways, you call em like your friend sees em actually. I'm hoping you at least borrowed your friend's drivers before making your opinion. I know several around here that actually own and use them that might disagree with you on that one is what I'm saying.

If you don't like them that's great. All I'm asking is that you come up with something more than "those are **** because I saw them in my friend's tool box and I use other CMan Pro stuff".

 

[Basskiller]

Also, I just recieved this 7 piece Klien Journeyman set today for $24.75 before ship and they look rather nice for the price. Use "tooltime" code for extra 10% off if its still active. Thier USA if it matters.

Klien Journeyman: http://www.protoolsdiscount.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product2_10451_10101_-1_16302_21437

Thank you

 

[Bo Heck]

Mature?

Anyways, you call em like your friend sees em actually. I'm hoping you at least borrowed your friend's drivers before making your opinion. I know several around here that actually own and use them that might disagree with you on that one is what I'm saying.

If you don't like them that's great. All I'm asking is that you come up with something more than "those are **** because I saw them in my friend's tool box and I use other CMan Pro stuff".

I'm sorry if you took my comments as if I've never used them. My friend and I wrench a lot together, when I'm at his house, I use his tools. I have plenty of first-hand experience with them from which to draw my conclusion. I have the standard clear handle Cman drivers that have served me well but they are probably twenty years old or so. The only gripe I have about them is the handles simply arent very ergonomic and I prefer grips that have finger grooves like Wera and Felo.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

I'm sorry if you took my comments as if I've never used them. My friend and I wrench a lot together, when I'm at his house, I use his tools. I have plenty of first-hand experience with them from which to draw my conclusion. I have the standard clear handle Cman drivers that have served me well but they are probably twenty years old or so. The only gripe I have about them is the handles simply arent very ergonomic and I prefer grips that have finger grooves like Wera and Felo.

Sounds good to me. Thanks for throwing that in there. I still have to say that I like them, but to each his own I guess.

 

[Steevo]

The only issue with the Snap-On hard handles is that with age they become "brittle handles", and then "fractured handles". I have some that I have owned since I bought them new in the 1970's, and although they held up very well, in the last few years they have been shattering when dropped. Three so far have broken into many pieces when they hit a concrete floor after falling from a ladder. Of course they are over 30 years old, but I have some Craftsman handles older than that, and they aren't breaking.

 

[plinker]

Amazon had/has a williams set 5pc or 6pc for 40$ free shipping. I got my Brother a set of those for Christmas last year.

 

[993James993]

I bought a 5 or 6 piece set of Williams drivers on Amazon because someone on this forum indicated that they thought the drivers (not the handles) were the same as Snap on. When I received them I was disappointed but I've used them and I really like how they perform. I would recommend them. The set had two Phillips and either three or four flat tips. Cost was about $25 or so.