Electricians screwdrivers

dogdad · Aug 22, 2015

Looking for recommendations on a small set of insulated screwdrivers...thanks

alfredeneuman · Aug 22, 2015

You can't go wrong with Klein

https://www.kleintools.com/catalog/insulated-tools/insulated-screwdrivers

justsam · Aug 22, 2015

I find these Made by Whia are comfortable if you use them all day, and you can apply good torque even if you suffer from some arthritis like I do. They do take up space in your tool box.

http://www.all-spec.com/products/32093.html?gclid=CNSNq-vEvccCFQuMaQodrW8PFA

Klein makes a handy "all in one" that is of decent quality however not insulated. Works when you just want to grab one or two tools.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-11-in-1-Screwdriver-Nutdriver-32500/100648043

1/2 Cup · Aug 22, 2015

I am a Whia fan myself, a sparky by trade I find they fit the bill very well.

Regards

zmaxmotorsports · Aug 23, 2015

Ive used kobalt screw drivers from lowes for a long time without any issues.If youre working on something with that high of voltage you should have the power off anyway.

CNGsaves · Aug 23, 2015

If you're near any military sites, you could get Complete Set of electronics goodies (may have some missing pieces) . . . . . they call it Electronic Tool Kit . . . at auction on GovLiquidation.com

See an example with $25 opening bid at:
http://www.govliquidation.com/auction/view?auctionId=9966257&convertTo=USD

I was watching some brand new sets that went pretty high . . $260 to $320
http://www.govliquidation.com/auction/view?auctionId=8908926&convertTo=USD

wyliesdiesels · Aug 23, 2015

I have both klein and wiha insulated drivers.

For klein i have an a cabinet tip, phillips, #1 and #2 square recess tip.

For wiha i have a #1 and #2 terminal driver, for screws on outlets, switches etc.

alfredeneuman · Aug 23, 2015

I snapped the end right off a Wiha cabinet point screwdriver on the third screw I attempted to remove. The company replaced it without question, but I never bought another one from them.

kd3pc · Aug 23, 2015

klein

Speedy Petey · Aug 23, 2015

I would not buy another Klein. Rather cheaply made these days and do NOT last IMO.
Ask any real professional who uses them every day and you'll get way more negative reviews on Klein than positive. It's really unfortunate.

It's only Wiha/Wera/etc for me. alfredeneuman, I'm sorry for your EXTREMELY isolated and unfortunate experience, but it's your loss if you won't buy them again.

The only reason I replace my German made screw drives is because I abuse them.

This is the only Klein I use:

Speedy Petey · Aug 23, 2015

Perfect kit for under $40:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000T9UG60/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Beemer533 · Aug 23, 2015

I like the set from Felo personally:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002YNQVVS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The set takes up a bit less space as they have a removable handle.. I've been really pleased with them..

My main complaint is really only about the box they come in, which takes up a bit of space in a tool box. I'm planning on getting a small pouch for them that should be easier to fit in a tool box..

They also don't have a square drive, but that hasn't been a huge issue for me yet.

I mostly use them when working in 3ph panels with screw down breakers as they are typically in facilities (airports) that I can't shut power off to.

gdh33 · Aug 23, 2015

Proto also makes a set.

Milton Shaw · Aug 23, 2015

You might look at a Milwaukee 11 in 1 that has a pair of ECX bits. These bits fit the screws on electrical panels, outlets, and switches. The screws that have a slot and what looks like a philips bit in the middle. These bits have both the slot and the star/square to fit these screws better than anything else I have tried.

toplessHO · Aug 23, 2015

dont buy into the replaceable bits on an insulated screwdriver
alot of places have outlawed use of any multibit screwdrivers
regardless of insulated or not.
Klein like anything else has cheapened over the years.

Speedy Petey · Aug 23, 2015

toplessHO said:
alot of places have outlawed use of any multibit screwdrivers
regardless of insulated or not.

Like where?

nehog · Aug 23, 2015

1/2 Cup said:
I am a Whia fan myself, a sparky by trade I find they fit the bill very well.

Regards

Wiha, please Wiha! :bounce:

I have this set: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00313K0R6/?tag=atomicindus08-20 in a set of three phillips and three flat tip.

LS6 Tommy · Aug 23, 2015

In the "Old days" 3M #33 wrapped around the shaft of the screwdriver sufficed. Now that there are good 10K insulated drivers around, I say Wiha or Klein...

Tommy

tshetter · Aug 23, 2015

Wera. Have used them for years and never had issue.

Personally I have the insulated stainless steel versions.

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00359FAYE/

They are super comfortable, very durable, and are reputable high quality.

While you shouldn't work on live circuits, they do provide a margin of safety should it be needed

Certified VDE to 1,000v and tested at 10,000v.

There are non-stainless as well:

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00024JWQ2/

Mr. T · Aug 23, 2015

Another vote for Wiha. I use them frequently and they're very high quality and just seem to "fit" better than any other brand I've tried. I really like the slimline design too for recessed terminals.

wyliesdiesels · Aug 23, 2015

Speedy Petey said:
I would not buy another Klein. Rather cheaply made these days and do NOT last IMO.
Ask any real professional who uses them every day and you'll get way more negative reviews on Klein than positive. It's really unfortunate.

It's only Wiha/Wera/etc for me. alfredeneuman, I'm sorry for your EXTREMELY isolated and unfortunate experience, but it's your loss if you won't buy them again.

The only reason I replace my German made screw drives is because I abuse them.

This is the only Klein I use:

Ive been using Klein for years without any issues. And ive workd with several electricians who have as well.

Not sure what youre referring to....

The rapi drive is a great tool. I have the interchangeable one...

toplessHO said:
dont buy into the replaceable bits on an insulated screwdriver
a lot of places have outlawed use of any multibit screwdrivers
regardless of insulated or not.
Klein like anything else has cheapened over the years.

say what? I have NEVER heard of this! :wtf:

Mr. T · Aug 23, 2015

wyliesdiesels said:
say what? I have NEVER heard of this!

Me either, and we're pretty safety oriented. The only reason I can think of is arc flash. Since it's the next big thing in safety I can imagine a very unlikely scenario in which a bit falls out and creates a phase to phase short. Being that the bits themselves are not insulated.

Speedy Petey · Aug 24, 2015

wyliesdiesels said:
Ive been using Klein for years without any issues. And ive workd with several electricians who have as well.

I used to use Klein exclusively. The quality seems to have slipped in recent years. Many guys I speak to seem to agree. Or maybe it's just I/we have found something so much better that it makes Klein seem inferior.
Klein reps have even shown up to another site I frequent to deal with complaints.

wyliesdiesels said:
say what? I have NEVER heard of this!

Seems he is ignoring my request to know of even one of the "many places" that outlaw them. :lol_hitti

LS6 Tommy · Aug 24, 2015

For what it's worth, Klein and Stanley screwdrivers are the same. Right down to the patent numbers on the rubber grip...

Tommy

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