Electrician screwdrivers

[signcrafter]

My electrician tools need an upgrade. They are probably 15 years old plus and have been used a lot. The screwdrivers in particular have worn out tips. They are either klein or ideal or a mix, don't remember for sure. So what's the best options out there today? I need to replace my standard and phillips regular length, small standard and phillips, and large standard. I have others also but they aren't used as much and aren't worn out. Home depot has this Klein 7 piece set for just over 50 bucks which looks to be a decent deal, http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-Cushion-Grip-Screwdriver-Set-7-Piece-85076SEN/100341457

Also thinking about picking up some insulated drivers. What's good for them?

 

[supertooljunkie]

I use Klein. They are American made. I have also started buying Whia screwdrivers. Greenlee makes nice screwdrivers, but they are made in Taiwan.

If you go to Whia's website they are having a sale on slimline insulated screwdrivers

 

[cm_osu]

https://m.sears.com/klein-7-pc-screwdriver-nut-driver-set/p-00982991000P

This set has a couple common screwdrivers in it for cheap. Might be worth it to pick it up then get the other sizes you need individually.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[Youngguns]

Fifty dollars for seven Klein screwdrivers? That wouldn't be very high on my "to buy" list. For that money you can easily find the same amount of drivers from various German manufacturers like Felo, Wiha, Wera (I guess..). Also, although typically geared towards the mechanic, there's Williams. I'm not an electrician, but I would imagine you have to fit these drivers in tight places, so I'd go for hollow ground (cabinet?) slotted tips, as opposed to tapered. Although, I'd have a decent sized tapered driver as an all around driver, chisel, pry bar, etc...

 

[kctyphoon]

the Milwaukee stuff looks pretty decent. alot of people complain about Kliens not holding up. i say just buy whatever you like. its not a huge investment and nothing wrong with treating yourself to some new tools once in a while.. i dont think i could keep and use the same basic handtools i bought over 20 years ago without buying some new stuff just to keep things interesting.. i know alot of pro electricians will always lean to Klien and Channellock, but i have some stuff from everybody, and the Newer Milwaukee hand tools are ALOT better then the older ones.

depending on the environment, these days alot of tools get lost/stolen too so depending on your personal situation buying expensive may not be a great idea. i hate having to hover over people when i need to loan tools out, but the truth is nobody will treat them like i do.


guy on ebay selling the 10 piece insulated Milwaukee set for $59.. thats less than half what some places have them for.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-MILWAUK...d=100338&rk=4&rkt=23&mehot=ag&sd=281677678063

 

[defektes]

Klein, Ideal, or the Germans.

I wouldn't trust your life with Chinese insulated tools. My ins. tools are a mix of Ideal, and Klein. They have held, but I only use them when working on live circuits which is not often at all. FWIW, newer Ideal insulated tools are more domestic than before and typically are cheaper then Klein.

I had a set of German drivers before from sears that were cheap, 30 bucks or so, but I cannot remember the brand. They were insulated. Those were real nice.

 

[bob_the_builder]

I am a build fan of Klein screwdrivers for electrical work. For automotive work the rubber handles are hard to keep clean.

Bob

 

[kctyphoon]

Klein, Ideal, or the Germans.

I wouldn't trust your life with Chinese insulated tools

but it gets trusted with Chinese wire nuts and $0.60 electrical tape... do you have to find a way to work this angle into everything you talk about here?

 

[supertooljunkie]

If you are an auto mechanic, you would pay much much more for a seven piece set of Snap-on screwdrivers. I have paid much more for Snap-on screwdrivers than I have ever paid for Klein screwdrivers. Fifty dollars for a set of seven Klien isn't so bad if you consider they are almost $10 each for the smaller sizes, up to $15 each for larger that come in the set at Home Depot. And they are American made if that counts for anything.

Depends on what you are doing with the tool. For roughing in, you want a more robust, square shank driver. If you are working in panels, a thinner driver is helpful. Most screws in breakers are slotted with a Robertson #2 drive hole also. I use a 8" Klein Robertson driver for most panel work. If working in a hot panel, I will use a Whia insulated slotted, or Robertson bit driver. I just bought a nice set of Whia Ergo Soft grip drivers in Robertson sizes #0-#3 online for $30.


Look online for Klein Tools, there are much cheaper places to purchase them than Sears. That is almost the most expensive place to buy them other than an electrical supply house.

It rreally comes down to what the OP likes. I have seen guys on jobsite using old "no-name" drivers and getting just as much work done.

 

[Brownsfan]

I use Klein in my on the road install bag. They get used daily in all sorts of conditions. I have the 7PC set listed plus I added the long shank p2 for column shroud screws. The p2 gets used the most and the flat heads have never touched a screw. They have been a punch pry bar or chisel exclusive. No issues. You won't be disappointed. I'm pretty sure they are easily warrantied at home depot but I couldn't tell you for sure because I haven't had to warranty any.

 

[Mr. T]

I never liked (more like hated) the Klein 11-in-1 until I started doing electrical work. For doing general electrical (receptacles, plugs, etc.) it the only driver you need. That a pair of lineman's pliers and wire strippers will do 95% of your common tasks.

For mechanic work it ***** though.

 

[Brownsfan]

but it gets trusted with Chinese wire nuts and $0.60 electrical tape... do you have to find a way to work this angle into everything you talk about here?

I use 3m connectors and tape. Both USA made. Either in the car or the house. Not much more than the cheap stuff but my name goes on the work I do.

 

[Dagny]

Fleet farm just started handling felo tools bought some a month ago really like them.

 

[AA/FC]

but it gets trusted with Chinese wire nuts and $0.60 electrical tape... do you have to find a way to work this angle into everything you talk about here?

I can't stand cheap electrical tape. Super 33+ for me. Maybe Super 88 for certain things....

 

[AA/FC]

Fleet farm just started handling felo tools......

I bought a felo screwdriver from Mills Fleet Farm over a year ago, maybe 2 years ago now.

 

[fivespdcat]

For electrical work the klein combination tips can't be beat. No more stripped PH2 drivers or screws!

http://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-32378-Combination-Driver/dp/B00OJQWWFC

 

[AA/FC]

For electrical work the klein combination tips can't be beat. No more stripped PH2 drivers or screws!

http://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-32378-Combination-Driver/dp/B00OJQWWFC

I have 2 of those in the Menards house brand, Masterforce. They are made in USA by Pratt-Read/Ideal.

 

[swaterbenny]

For electrical work the klein combination tips can't be beat. No more stripped PH2 drivers or screws!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OJQWWFC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

FYI never seen an electrician with these.

I had Klein, Felo(yellow, and black), and now Wera(green and black). I like the Wera the most just due to comfort.

There is no real "good" use of insulated drivers. Our contractor has Klein, but they never get used. Most of the time cutting live wires, or turning live screws, of stripping live wires is done with the same old tools, just don't touch the metal part(keep hands on grips, keep plier grips in good condition).

 

[SantaAna12]

I would buy Wiha. I own Klein and used them for many years.
Today, I would buy Wiha.

 

[signcrafter]

Just to clarify these will only be used for electrical work in houses, no automotive work.

 

[littletoes]

Electricians buy klein's because its an industry standard, but the stuff isn't warranted, and doesn't actually wear that well.

Will this get some guys fired up?? Sure....

Be ahead of the game and buy Wiha insulated drivers. Best priced/Highest quality, and lifetime warrantee.

KC Tools has great prices, with inexpensive shipping.
Check 'em out.

PS-15 years isn't actually that old for a tool.

 

[kctyphoon]

I use 3m connectors and tape. Both USA made. Either in the car or the house. Not much more than the cheap stuff but my name goes on the work I do.

i get that, but as an electrician your working around what everyone else used too.. im just making the point that your basic insulation is not a "hi tech" thing. my company changes suppliers for stuff like tape and ive never encountered a "more deadly" electrical tape, or "more deadly" insulated screwdriver.. just cause the tools say "made in the usa" you have no idea where the raw materials are coming from, and for someone to insinuate that an insulated Milwaukee screwdriver is "more dangerous" than a Klien because of the address it was made is just getting a to be a bit too much in here.

if a piece a plastic or rubber can insulate me from 18,000 volts - i think youll be ok using a Milwaukee screwdriver to install an outlet.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Klein. They definitely ARE warranted, not like Craftsman, but you just take the tool back to HD or your electrical supply house if it breaks.

 

[kctyphoon]

Electricians buy klein's because its an industry standard, but the stuff isn't warranted, and doesn't actually wear that well.

Will this get some guys fired up?? Sure....

Be ahead of the game and buy Wiha insulated drivers. Best priced/Highest quality, and lifetime warrantee.

KC Tools has great prices, with inexpensive shipping.
Check 'em out.

PS-15 years isn't actually that old for a tool.

electricians also buy them cause its what the people that taught them used, or its what their father/grandfather used.. its still surfing the wave of success cause years ago there wasn't many options available.. not calling them inferior - but there are options just as good and better..

 

[popparoach]

Felo is running a pretty nice sale right now.http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=309158

 

[redwrench60]

I use 3m connectors and tape. Both USA made. Either in the car or the house. Not much more than the cheap stuff but my name goes on the work I do.

Yeah, we do too. My first and last name appears on the customer's copy of the finished and cashiered repair order. If our parts dept. starts carrying cheap **** for supplies they hear about it

 

[Brownsfan]

Just to clarify these will only be used for electrical work in houses, no automotive work.

Honestly for in the house I use a Klein 11in1 for most. It covers just about anything. There is one in the basement tool box and the hall closet.

 

[supertooljunkie]

Electricians buy klein's because its an industry standard, but the stuff isn't warranted, and doesn't actually wear that well.

Will this get some guys fired up?? Sure....

Be ahead of the game and buy Wiha insulated drivers. Best priced/Highest quality, and lifetime warrantee.

KC Tools has great prices, with inexpensive shipping.
Check 'em out.

PS-15 years isn't actually that old for a tool.

I have had no problem swapping out Klein tools at Home Depot. Traded a screwdriver in yesterday where the tip chipped.

Bought a set of Whia Robertson screwdrivers from KC Tools last week. Nice stuff, fair prices, cheap shipping.

I have a set of Whia insulated screwdrivers. They are nice.

 

[JettaGetUpandGo]

For electrical work the klein combination tips can't be beat. No more stripped PH2 drivers or screws!

I have the Milwaukee combination/ECX screwdrivers that came in a set and I use them on outlets all the time. I never realized other companies made this style tip.

 

[rick carpenter]

Screwdrivers are wear items; they get lost/left or walk off; and, to get real, people use them for other things than driving screws. German brand loyalty for items likely to need replacement fairly often and fairly quickly doesn't make sense to me. I've got some German stuff, but my lectric screwdrivers are MasterMechanic and I will soon add more Kleins. You can say what you want about warranty, but if I need a replacement right away, I've got an HD right around the corner. And in this part of the country we've got McCoys too.

And as for the Klein 11n1, I have one but I prefer my 5n1. I like the longer hex section bits.

 

[wiens80]

I like Klein drivers. I have some of my originals from when I first started in the trade 14 years ago. They seem to hold up real well.

 

[Brownsfan]

I like Klein drivers. I have some of my originals from when I first started in the trade 14 years ago. They seem to hold up real well.

I have been saying this. But for everyone of us that has had a good experience there will be one to say they are ****. Seems like they had a run of crappy soft tips and some have sworn them off has **** and always will be. For a quality readily available USA made screwdriver set they are priced good. I can't speak to the ease of warranty because I haven't needed to in the 2 years of daily use. I have added to my set but haven't broke any. I would LOVE to see a updated handle design from them but these still work fine.

 

[knobby]

Klein screwdrivers had a tip hardness issue for a couple of years recently so one would want fresh stock.

 

[defektes]

but it gets trusted with Chinese wire nuts and $0.60 electrical tape... do you have to find a way to work this angle into everything you talk about here?

You choose to purchase the Chinese nuts and tape. I use 3m super 88 made in USA, and Ideal wire nuts USA, thanks. You have your opinion about products I have my own.

The issue is the poor QC around those products, why chance it.

 

[SantaAna12]

There was the handle issue awhile back too. Thats what got me. I bought an 11 to 1 and it had this loose shiny plastic handle that shifted on the driver. Nothing like the dull rubber Klein traditional handles. I compared it to my 5 to 1.....I thought Klein had imported Chinese handles.
I might give them another try in the future. So many good choices out there.

 

[Keyrick]

Klein for flat tips, Wiha for everything else.

 

[defektes]

There was the handle issue awhile back too. Thats what got me. I bought an 11 to 1 and it had this loose shiny plastic handle that shifted on the driver. Nothing like the dull rubber Klein traditional handles. I compared it to my 5 to 1.....I thought Klein had imported Chinese handles.
I might give them another try in the future. So many good choices out there.

I own both the 11 in 1 and the 10 in 1 and can say that the 10 in 1 is far superior. It is a tighter fit, the 11 in 1 is too bulky for my taste, I do find the 11 in 1 excellent for hose clamps however.

The old Klein handles really were the best, new ones don't like em.

 

[sberry]

I am not fussy and have most flavors. The Klien wore out like most of them if they were really worked. I treat myself to a new one if I start a job and have need to do it with some of the pliers. I also change up brands for handles, I got nothing against a Sears screwdriver if its new, same for that stuff from Menards, buy one you need when you need it.

 

[canbug]

Does anyone sharpen their screwdrivers, flat blade, anymore. I use my Klien's daily, beat the **** out of them and when they get rounded I take them to the grinder for a tune up. I'm not sure how old some of them are now. Warranty if I break one, if I loose it, I replace it.

Tim.

 

[Monte]