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Current recommend for a regular screwdriver set?

n8n

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For 99% of my screwdriving needs, I use either a Snap-On or Vessel bit holder with bits. However today I ran into a situation where I need a dedicated Phillips (actually JIS, but Phillips will probably work) screwdriver to disassemble a table radio with recessed screws. Somewhere I have a set of Craftsman screwdrivers that I bought in the early-mid 90s, but they're not accessible to me. Maybe 10 years ago I bought a set of Williams black handle screwdrivers but my ex has those.

Buy another set of Williams? If not, what? Vessel? Other? thanks for opinions.
 
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n8n

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ecotec

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For JIS, I like Vessel.

For regular screwdrivers, I like Williams, CAT, Snap-on hard handles. I bought the 19pc Williams set years ago when they went under $100. I continued to add to them with Snap- on from estate/garage sales and flea markets and by adding some screwdrivers onto my tool orders from CAT.
 
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Stelzer

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Thanks. That looks like a solid buy but I really do prefer hard handles like Craftsman, Snap-On, Williams... do they make anything like that?

Edit: how about these? https://www.amazon.com/VESSEL-ARMOR...o-550A8PTU/dp/B093TYTYW5?tag=atomicindus08-20 they're cheap enough I'm tempted to just pull the trigger.
I've never used the Armor grip, but Vessel has a number of offerings and most of which provide a solid value. Their 4500 series offers what I believe to be the best overall grip, but I'm also fond of the their woodies. I may be an outlier here, but I don't seem to like the ball grip as much as most.
 

finn

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No idea if they’re any good from personal experience, but there seems to be some love here for the Tekton brand.

They’re supposedly USA made and are available for a pretty good discount on the Tekton web site in the close out section for a decent discount.

There’s a link over on the Hot Deals section somewhere.

I think there are about six or seven pages of screwdrivers of different designs to choose from.
 
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n8n

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For JIS, I like Vessel.

For regular screwdrivers, I like Williams, CAT, Snap-on hard handles. I bought the 19pc Williams set years ago when they went under $100. I continued to add to them with Snap- on from estate/garage sales and flea markets and by adding some screwdrivers onto my tool orders from CAT.

yes, the Williams I really liked. I think I had the same set, which is now way more expensive hence my asking here. Sounds like you and I have the same preferences in screwdrivers. I wish I still had them but at the time I just wanted to GTFO that relationship without arguing. She got a Dual 1019 and two pair of good speakers (Infinity RS-5b and Wharfedale W70D) for the same reason. The Marantz 1070 was legit hers because I bought it and a little Harman/Kardon receiver and told her she could have her choice of the two for an office stereo. But I digress...
 

64C10

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When it comes to screwdrivers, comfort is king. The best, most expensive drivers aren’t worth a damn if they hurt your hands.

I’ve personally got a hodgepodge of everything from wood handled Plombs to current Snap-on , but the ones I reach for 90% of the time are regular old Craftsmans. For whatever reason, they’re just extremely comfortable to me.
 

tamaraw

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Thanks. That looks like a solid buy but I really do prefer hard handles like Craftsman, Snap-On, Williams... do they make anything like that?

Edit: how about these? https://www.amazon.com/VESSEL-ARMOR...o-550A8PTU/dp/B093TYTYW5?tag=atomicindus08-20 they're cheap enough I'm tempted to just pull the trigger.
I haven't tried those, but that's their ultra budget line.

Check their catalog here:

Anex and Sunflag also make good drivers but are harder to source outside of Japan.

I like Wiha drivers as well and have heard good things about PB Swiss.
 

ecotec

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yes, the Williams I really liked. I think I had the same set, which is now way more expensive hence my asking here. Sounds like you and I have the same preferences in screwdrivers. I wish I still had them but at the time I just wanted to GTFO that relationship without arguing. She got a Dual 1019 and two pair of good speakers (Infinity RS-5b and Wharfedale W70D) for the same reason. The Marantz 1070 was legit hers because I bought it and a little Harman/Kardon receiver and told her she could have her choice of the two for an office stereo. But I digress…
I just looked up what the 19pc set goes for today. I would never pay that much for screwdrivers.

I would buy 3-4 JIS Vessels and buy a decent set of screwdriver's then amend it with $.25-$1 cheap ones from garage/estate sales.

My trick with buying tools at garage/estate sales is to buy so much that it is borderline ridiculous… then organize it all and weed out the lesser examples. The earlier that one gets very picky… the better the end result. So… I always suggest buying only the cleanest lightly used tools. You can see that I often break my own rules in the garage sale thread. We all do.
 

Fedwrench

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Thanks. That looks like a solid buy but I really do prefer hard handles like Craftsman, Snap-On, Williams... do they make anything like that?

Edit: how about these? https://www.amazon.com/VESSEL-ARMOR...o-550A8PTU/dp/B093TYTYW5?tag=atomicindus08-20 they're cheap enough I'm tempted to just pull the trigger.
The armor series have rubber grip handles, not hard plastic. They are made in Thailand, and I don't think they're as nice as regular Vessel screwdrivers. However, if you want a budget friendly JIS set, there you go. The last thing I need is another flat tip screwdriver so, I opted for the Armor phillips only set.
 

Beauregard

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tamaraw

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Oh, and you can also get long bits with reduced shank too. That's a PB Swiss stubby bit holder at the bottom of the photo with reduced shank Vessel +2 bit, I think from their "Go-Sai" collection?


These are all +2 in the photo for the sake of comparison:

1000010928.jpg
 

ecotec

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Cat brand (rebadged USA Snap On/Williams hard handle) $40-50ish
They are $41.38 at my local dealer. I think that they are a good buy with the tray.

The trays fit the small drawers in the older Snap-on top boxes very well. Obviously, three times as many screwdrivers would fit in the same drawer… but, if one does not need to get the most storage out of a given space, the tray is nice to have. You can, obviously, see if anything is missing from the drawer.
 
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n8n

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four.cycle

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Those Heyco ones look like strong contenders.
If I'm not mistaken those got favorable reviews from those who actually bought them. You'd have to look at that thread for comments.
I know that's been one of the more popular "hard handle" choices for a few months now.
 

BombShelter

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Some old radios, boomboxes, Walkmans have dozens of little tiny screws and almost all are JIS. Don't make the mistake of stripping an important screw with Philips, get a set of Vessel and good luck with your repairs.

 

four.cycle

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^ There are currently small kits containing an assortment of bits and other tools - presumably intended for working on "smart phones" - that are hitting the market - flooding ebay listings. Direct from mainland China I'm getting offers from sellers in the $10-$11 range, but I'm honestly not sure what I would use these for - I don't use cellular phones.
115 piece set $10.96 incl. shipping (ships from California)
115 piece set $10.96 incl. shipping (ships from California)
(sellers from mainland China have shot me offers for about a buck less, but stuff from China takes weeks to arrive.)
YMMV
 

legenddc

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They are $41.38 at my local dealer. I think that they are a good buy with the tray.

The trays fit the small drawers in the older Snap-on top boxes very well. Obviously, three times as many screwdrivers would fit in the same drawer… but, if one does not need to get the most storage out of a given space, the tray is nice to have. You can, obviously, see if anything is missing from the drawer.
I’ve looked at two things on the Cat website at my local dealer. Both are way more. The screwdriver set you linked was $59.
 

ecotec

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I’ve looked at two things on the Cat website at my local dealer. Both are way more. The screwdriver set you linked was $59.
Every dealership has different prices on everything.

Sometimes they have the same prices if the dealerships are both under the same umbrella company like Michigan CAT.
 

bonneyman

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No idea if they’re any good from personal experience, but there seems to be some love here for the Tekton brand.

They’re supposedly USA made and are available for a pretty good discount on the Tekton web site in the close out section for a decent discount.

There’s a link over on the Hot Deals section somewhere.

I think there are about six or seven pages of screwdrivers of different designs to choose from.
I agree with finn on the Tekton's. I have two phillips drivers and really like the handle contour. (The high torque, rubber coated style). The local Ace sells them, so it'd be easy if I wanted to to grab others as I need them and complete the set.
 

username2

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Hard handles? I'd like to check out a set of these, although Williams/Snap-on/Cat might be the way to go.
 

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AceofSpad3s

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The Pittsburgh pro Bahco Gen 2 ergo gripish set is the best screwdrivers you'll find for $10.
 

tamaraw

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I'm starting to think I might get this set


(sorry it doesn't seem like they're sold on Amazon or any of the tool sites) and then save to get the Williams set down the road, because on a per screwdriver basis it's not much worse than the others, and I know I like it.

I almost forgot, I do have two of the 370 series that I keep in my trunk. I was originally looking at the wooden ones but went plastic instead in case they got damp. I believe it is the same construction as the 100 series, material difference aside.

The material feels a tad harder than Snap-On hard handles and has a sort of hollow ring, almost like bakelite, but not as brittle. The grey crosshatch pattern is an anti-slip design that is surprisingly effective. It's not tacky like rubber, I think it might be serrations stamped/melted into the surface. They also have a color-coded ring under the striking cap.

Not too much use on them, just changed bulbs or removed interior trim a few time. Tip quality seems on-par with the ball grips, maybe a slight step under my 930s.

If you want wood, there is also the wood-compo line which is a little fancier and uses an injected sawdust/resin hybrid material. This has superior grip in oily/wet conditions. I just have the 5.5x75 from the 330 line (tang-through) but the standard non-tang through ones are the 300 line.

Megadora (900/930) and wood compo (300/330) both offer regular and tang-through options, but use a different striking cap design. The 930s use a full domed cap while the 330s use a star shaped striking cap that makes them lighter and better balanced in exchange or a slight loss of ******** durability vs a hammer.

FYI, 100 and 370 series are good drivers but they are very old/industrial designs. If you are working on a bunch of electronics like radios with recessed fasteners or limited clearance, you might be better off with the reduced shank bits I posted earlier.

1000010940.jpg
 
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