Decent Screwdriver Set

[liliysdad]

I have a set of Wera KraftForms, and I love them. The rest of drawer is filled with random Craftsmans, VA, etc...I would like to buy one set of decent, mid to lower price, quality screwdrivers to replace them randoms.

American made is preferred, but others considered. I figure that a set of Channellocks is where I will wind up at, but wanted some other options. I would like to stay is the $50ish or less range, and yes....I know what that means. Looking for those hidden gems out there...

And....GO!!

 

[mike93lx]

Subscribing

 

[kjbenner]

Williams 100P-8MD

 

[Professional Tool User]

Wera fix tipped screwdrivers are also my favourite screwdrivers when it comes to bang for buck, especially when my local Wera dealer puts the sets on sale. The tips are decent, meet DIN/ISO standards so they will work on JIS screws, and the handles are comfortable. The only downside with them is that they are not chemical resistant in the long run. Other German brands also offer excellent bang for buck. If you want to go with American made, Tekton screwdrivers, both the triangular soft handle ones and the hard handled ones are halfway decent budget options. The tips are probably not as good as the German branded screwdrivers though. And like other American made screwdrivers, including Snap on, you are out of luck when you have to deal with JIS screws.

 

[measuredtwice]

I have a set of Wera KraftForms, and I love them. The rest of drawer is filled with random Craftsmans, VA, etc...I would like to buy one set of decent, mid to lower price, quality screwdrivers to replace them randoms.

American made is preferred, but others considered. I figure that a set of Channellocks is where I will wind up at, but wanted some other options. I would like to stay is the $50ish or less range, and yes....I know what that means. Looking for those hidden gems out there...

And....GO!!

What types? Slotted and Phillips? Torx? Hex?

I like Channellock pliers but I see no reason to buy their screwdrivers over other brands.
Keep in mind that not all of their screwdrivers are made in the USA. The clear acetate handle is made in the USA. The soft grip handles are not.

Williams from Zoro 8 piece set is around $50. Use a 15 or 20 or 25% off coupon to get it lower. You can get any color you want as long as it is black.

Tekton from Tekton.com has new hard handles with a similar handle shape to Williams/Snap-On. Register and you'll get free shipping and cash back. You can get any color you want as long as it is red.

Ebay. Lots of new and new old stock screwdrivers from a lot of brands. You can get lots of deals.

Klein from Fleetfarm when on sale and/or coupon. Or from Zoro with a coupon.

If you want cheapos, Wally World has a USA-made 9 piece set for $12 --> https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hyper-Tough-9-Piece-Acetate-Handle-Screwdriver-Set-935G9C/180080069
Quality is on par with the price.

 

[liliysdad]

Wera fix tipped screwdrivers are also my favourite screwdrivers when it comes to bang for buck, especially when my local Wera dealer puts the sets on sale. The tips are decent, meet DIN/ISO standards so they will work on JIS screws, and have comfortable handles. The only downside with them is that they are not chemical resistant in the long run. Other German brands also offer excellent bang for buck. If you want to go with American made, Tekton screwdrivers, both the triangular soft handle ones and the hard handled ones are halfway decent budget options. The tips are probably not as good as the German branded screwdrivers though.

Thats pretty much my understand, and belief, as well. I will keep my Weras, and use them for the majority of stuff. This set will be more of a general use / beater/ drawer filler set.

 

[liliysdad]

What types? Slotted and Phillips? Torx? Hex?

I like Channellock pliers but I see no reason to buy their screwdrivers over other brands.
Keep in mind that not all of their screwdrivers are made in the USA. The clear acetate handle is made in the USA. The soft grip handles are not.

Williams from Zoro 8 piece set is around $50. Use a 15 or 20 or 25% off coupon to get it lower. You can get any color you want as long as it is black.

Tekton from Tekton.com has new hard handles with a similar handle shape to Williams/Snap-On. Register and you'll get free shipping and cash back. You can get any color you want as long as it is red.

Ebay. Lots of new and new old stock screwdrivers from a lot of brands. You can get lots of deals.

Klein from Fleetfarm when on sale and/or coupon. Or from Zoro with a coupon.

If you want cheapos, Wally World has a USA-made 9 piece set for $12 -->https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hyper-Tough-9-Piece-Acetate-Handle-Screwdriver-Set-935G9C/180080069
Quality is on par with the price.

Slotted and Phillips. I am good to go on Torx, etc.

The acetate handle Channellocks would be the only ones I would be interested in. I would love to have a set of their old hard handle US made drivers.

The Williams option is one I keep forgetting. Thank you.

I've no interest in cheapy, HF or Walmart types.

 

[riceaterSLC]

I've been thinking about these protos for a while:
https://www.harryepstein.com/13-pc-proto-screwdriver-set.html

 

[measuredtwice]

Slotted and Phillips. I am good to go on Torx, etc.

The acetate handle Channellocks would be the only ones I would be interested in. I would love to have a set of their old hard handle US made drivers.

The Williams option is one I keep forgetting. Thank you.

I've no interest in cheapy, HF or Walmart types.

I've seen the old Channellocks on Ebay but don't recall any deals on them. I think Williams is a solid choice.

I like the major German brands for Phillips but the slotted tips don't always fit well. For example, most American 1/4 inch slotted drivers are around 1mm thick whereas most German 6.5mm slotted drivers are 1.2mm thick and may not fit some American fasteners. See example below. For slotted, I prefer American brands, Vessel Japan, or PB Swiss. YMMV.

Here's a comparison photo of PB Swiss, Klein and Wiha driving a common countersunk screw. The PB Swiss 6.5 mm fills the slot perfectly. The Klein 1/4" also is an excellent fit but the corners do stick out because of the shape of the countersunk screw. The Wiha 5.5 just wedges in at the very tip and doesn't fill the slot. The Wiha 6.5 (not shown) doesn't fit at all. All these screwdrivers are good screwdrivers but they don't all fit the same. Standard screw sizes have a range so having lots of choices is a good thing.

 

[Tallpilot]

I have Snap-on, Wiha and Tekton. That Proto set linked above is a pretty good deal. Otherwise, the Tekton hard handles meet all of your requirements. I prefer softer trilobular handles myself.

https://www.tekton.com/phillips-slotted-hard-handle-screwdriver-sets

It really is unfortunate that the US manufacturers won't change their Phillips tips to ISO standards. Even on non JIS screws the deeper engagement is noticable.

 

[liliysdad]

I saw that Proto set, but it looks like there is one Phillips in the whole mess.

There is also a US Made Husky set on Epstein as well. They look just like the Craftsman acetate handle drivers, which I am torn on.

Thanks for the help guys, its definitely pointing me in the right direction.

 

[exmaxima1]

I saw that Proto set, but it looks like there is one Phillips in the whole mess.

I thought the same thing. Way too many long skinny screwdrivers

 

[lardy1]

I have Klein, USA made Channellock, USA Craftsman, older USA Stanley, and Hard handled Tekton. The Kleins outshine them all. But the Tektons were a good value. By your own criteria, I don't think you'd be at all displeased with Tekton. I'd suggest buying a pair (about 12 to 15 dollars) and seeing if you want to go that route. They have free shipping and no minimum order which makes that easy.

 

[kngelv]

I have Klein, USA made Channellock, USA Craftsman, older USA Stanley, and Hard handled Tekton. The Kleins outshine them all. But the Tektons were a good value. By your own criteria, I don't think you'd be at all displeased with Tekton. I'd suggest buying a pair (about 12 to 15 dollars) and seeing if you want to go that route. They have free shipping and no minimum order which makes that easy.

I bought the Tekton set on some super Amazon deal. Good quality, price and made in the USA. However I hate the handle and never use them. I like Klein, Williams or any of the German brands at a reasonable price. Snap-On is great but a little pricey.

James

 

[liliysdad]

I bought the Tekton set on some super Amazon deal. Good quality, price and made in the USA. However I hate the handle and never use them. I like Klein, Williams or any of the German brands at a reasonable price. Snap-On is great but a little pricey.

James

What did you not like about the handle? Just looking at the site, they look pretty similar to the Williams and Snap On hard handles...

 

[2stroke1971]

I have some Kleins at my job, and they hold up in a professional setting quite well. Im an industrial mechanic/electrician/fabricator etc etc.

 

[Tallpilot]

What did you not like about the handle? Just looking at the site, they look pretty similar to the Williams and Snap On hard handles...

I'm curious too. I'm thinking he bought the trilobular handle. Those tend to be polarizing. Just ask Fedwrench about Instinct handles. He will cuss and spit for about an hour.

Lots of people swear by Klein. This is a good assortment:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-T...-Cushion-Grip-Handles-8-Piece-85078/100647679

I don't like round handles but if you make me use one the rubber grip on the Klein helps. The guy above is right; Tekton will ship you one screwdriver with no additional charges if you make an account. Spend $10 and see if you like them before committing to a set. HD probably sells Klein singles too.

 

[liliysdad]

I have a couple of Klein's, and a couple of older hard handle Snap Ons in my drawer...I like the hard handles just fine. I use the Klein's for household electrical stuff, they seem well suited to that.

The more I look, the more I like the Tektons for my purpose, and price can't be beat..

 

[kngelv]

What did you not like about the handle? Just looking at the site, they look pretty similar to the Williams and Snap On hard handles...

I had to look on their site to see what you were talking about. I have the High-Torque ones and had never seen the regular ones. If they are built the same as the ones I have then they would be a good purchase.

James

 

[M6erfan]

Cross Point = Wiha/Vessel
Slotted = PB Swiss

 

[clown]

I have a set of Wiha Soft-Finish, slotted and Ph/Pz, they are the best fitting screwdrivers I have ever used, hands down. We do some antique furniture restoration which used many slotted heads (I think they should be banned...lol) and the Wihas always seem to grip/fit the slotted heads better than any others. Also, the fit of the number 1 Phillips or PZ head is way better than others I have tried. Number 2 Phillips/PZ is no better or worse than other brands.

As stated in my profile, I live in Germany, so I'm not sure if this set is available in the USA, but I would look for the Wiha 302HK12 set...it includes Phillips/PZ slotted and Torx.

I have a lot of wiha screwdrivers/pliers/channellocks...everything I've bought is "Made in Germany"

Here is a link from ebay.co.uk : https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wiha-Sof...635277&hash=item216ef48b8c:g:WR4AAOSwGBpeOHrA


I don't wrench for a living, but I do quite a lot of maintenance on our vehicles, and the Wiha handles have held up extremely well against oil/grease/chemicals also; I use the same screwdrivers for furniture and car maintenance.

Hope this helps.

 

[RTM]

These are my go to screwdrivers for precision work, unfortunately only flathead. I got mine at HJE a few years before I joined GJ. Keep these back from the regular screwdrivers so others don’t abuse them in my absence.

http://www.graceusatools.com/item-details.php?item_id=31&category_id=1



This is their more general set

http://www.graceusatools.com/item-details.php?item_id=41&category_id=2

 

[Wamsutta]

If I didn't have any at all, I'd go get some Kleins.

 

[zippster]

I have an SK set that is about 20 years old and the tips look darn near brand new. I do baby them.

I think Vessel screwdrivers are a must if you work on anything Japanese.

 

[liliysdad]

These are my go to screwdrivers for precision work, unfortunately only flathead. I got mine at HJE a few years before I joined GJ. Keep these back from the regular screwdrivers so others don’t abuse them in my absence.

http://www.graceusatools.com/item-details.php?item_id=31&category_id=1



This is their more general set

http://www.graceusatools.com/item-details.php?item_id=41&category_id=2

I have a set of Grace drivers in my gunsmith setup, don't really care for them. I prefer my Maganabits by a pretty substantial margin. I do like the wood handles...but they would get nasty pretty quick working on cars and such.

 

[liliysdad]

I figure I will order one of the 8 piece Tekton hard handle sets....when they are back in stock.

Thank you all very much.

 

[bobcatdan]

I really like Witte screwdrivers. I have the matco ones and John Deere was selling them too. Big thing I find with them is their Phillips is better than snap on. If a snap on starts to slip, stop before I destroy it and the Witte will generally get it out.

 

[Gummi Bear]

I have loads of screwdrivers, 2 drawers full. Old Craftsman USA , Husky, Stanley USA, and a bunch of random others.


Out of all of them, Klein is my favorite. (I’m an electrician, so of course they’re my favorite) https://www.kleintools.com/catalog/screwdrivers-and-nut-drivers/screwdrivers-0



I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately...

Henry David Thoreau

 

[IndyGarage]

Like everybody else I have drawers full of odds and ends - mostly cheap Stanleys and old Craftsmen that were bought in the 30 piece sets.

Personally I like the German ones - Wera, Wiha, Felo . Of those my favorite so far is probably the cheapest - Felo, but they are all good - I really like Wera too and they aren't too expensive. I bought a complete set of the PB Swiss a couple months ago, but haven't used them enough to know if I really like this more than the others yet - they are quite a bit more expensive than the others. I got the rainbow colors and I'm not sure I like that yet, I already know it's impossible to keep the handles clean.

As far as a super cheap set that are really nice - a few years ago I bought a set of Milwaukees at Home Depot and they perform very well. Not my primary but they could be easily.

 

[Legion Prime]

Menards, not in the store but on their website and they dropship straight from Bondhus. Not made in the US but they're Felo. Their Ergonic 6 piece set is $41
Felo® Ergonic Screwdriver Set - 6 Piece
The wooden handle 5 piece set is $20
Felo® Wooden Handle Screwdrivers Set - 5 Piece
They're hard to beat for the price and the wooden handle set is the cheapest I've seen anywhere by a large margin. I have a set of the wooden handled ones myself and as nice as they are they get even nicer when you sand the varnish off the handles and put on some linseed oil.

 

[skernv99]

I got in on the 50% off WihaUSA sale that they had a couple weeks ago. I bought a 7 piece extra heavy duty soft handle striking cap screwdriver set. I paid $69 and change, free shipping. Just saying, you have to be on the lookout for these deals. Maybe WihaUSA will have another sale this year. I would subscribe to their mailing list to get notified of any sales.

 

[liliysdad]

Between those wooden handled Felo drivers, and the Tekton hard handles, I should be set. Thank you all very much!!!

 

[tarbellb]

Been using my Trilobe Tekton set for the last 2yrs, really like them. Think I paid $20/10pc.

Likely my vote for best quality to price set.

If you are truly looking for "beaters" the HF Pro set (red+blue) is excellent for ~$10, and the Astro chisel set (full length shank) is absolutely bulletproof.

 

[lardy1]

I might buy those wooden handled ones, too. The last thing I need is more screwdrivers but I'm curious enough to part with the twenty five bucks.

 

[IndyGarage]

Not sure why you would go for wooden handle screwdrivers - I think they went out of style in the 70's, and they weren't very good then.

Especially since the Ergonics are so good.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Williams 100P-8MD

I ordered that set today.. It will be interesting to see how they compare to My 40 year old Snap-on sets. Rumor has it I won't be able to tell the difference..

 

[m6z]

Vessel, Tekton and SK would be my picks. I like the vessel drivers the best though.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I was using the Felo wooden handle for 2 years until the Tektons came out and I absolutely love them!

 

[Steve_P]

Agree on skipping the wooden handles. I realize there's nostalgia and we all want to be young in 1975 gain... but it's like buying a Vega when there's a new Civic next to it at the identical price. Today's soft grip handles have science behind the design. Yes, they're not hard plastic, but they're designed to transmit the maximum torque that the user can exert.
I'm a huge Wiha fan and the steel Wiha uses is bullet-proof and really, really lasts.
There are a thousand identical questions and, in general order of love, the answers are : Wiha, Wera, Williams, PB Swiss, Snap On.....
I do have a few Williams hard handles for when I'm deep into grease and oil and want to keep the Wiha's clean. And I have a couple of small Williams slotted for electrical work since they fit the screws better since they're a US standard design.

 

[sk farmer]

Menards, not in the store but on their website and they dropship straight from Bondhus. Not made in the US but they're Felo. Their Ergonic 6 piece set is $41
Felo® Ergonic Screwdriver Set - 6 Piece
The wooden handle 5 piece set is $20
Felo® Wooden Handle Screwdrivers Set - 5 Piece
They're hard to beat for the price and the wooden handle set is the cheapest I've seen anywhere by a large margin. I have a set of the wooden handled ones myself and as nice as they are they get even nicer when you sand the varnish off the handles and put on some linseed oil.

i have both and can't go wrong with either. that's why i have both!