mason_tay
Well-known member
You know the type, insulated, ect. What do you carry? Good brands? What won't break the bank but still quality?
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Electricians screwdrivers
- Thread starter mason_tay
- Start date
Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
All of my insulated screwdrivers have been Klein.
jlh92
Well-known member
For insulated I have Greenlee, non-ins I have Klein. I only bought the Greenlee because they were on sale at the time, I prefer Klein over them.
rlitman
Well-known member
All my insulated screwdrivers are Wera.
I'd be comfortable with almost any decent brand. But you wouldn't catch me touching HF's insulated **** with a 10 foot pole.
The new Milwaukee ones look nice enough in the package, though they're made in China. They seem to have a nice warranty though.
I'd be comfortable with almost any decent brand. But you wouldn't catch me touching HF's insulated **** with a 10 foot pole.
The new Milwaukee ones look nice enough in the package, though they're made in China. They seem to have a nice warranty though.
kd3pc
Well-known member
klein for insulated and regular work.
willjogervais
Well-known member
My wera's are nice and were fairly cheap if i remember correctly
KnurledNut
Well-known member
I have Wiha insulated. I like them, but sometimes its hard to get a lot of torque on them.
I really like my FELO insulated bit holder:
I have non-insl Klein, but mostly i use my ratcheting Snap-on with a phillips.
I also have a Felo Ergonic No.1 square for combo screws.
I really like my FELO insulated bit holder:
I have non-insl Klein, but mostly i use my ratcheting Snap-on with a phillips.
I also have a Felo Ergonic No.1 square for combo screws.
mikebaker1129
Well-known member
This^ echoes my experience to the tee. The Wihas are great for the $,I have had experience with both the older Klein that were very high quality and the newer Klein,which are good,just not as good as they once were. My 15-20 year old Klein drivers still work like new.
I prefer the Wiha sold at Sears for around $35 to the newer Kleins. Witte is another quality brand that I picked up off the Matco truck,but they were expensive.
Bit-holders are kind of a no-no with high voltage. If a bit falls out into a panel it could vaporize it (and you). Looks comfy, though; I've been wanting to try a Felo for a while. I'm more than stocked on screwdrivers but maybe I'll pick up another just for "emergencies." 
Klein is the industry standard, but they know it and they're milking it for all it's worth and their quality has definitely suffered. I'd look to Wiha, Wera, Felo, or anything with a German flag on the package.
Klein is the industry standard, but they know it and they're milking it for all it's worth and their quality has definitely suffered. I'd look to Wiha, Wera, Felo, or anything with a German flag on the package.
Brownsfan
Well-known member
I have Wiha insulated. I like them, but sometimes its hard to get a lot of torque on them.
I really like my FELO insulated bit holder:
I have non-insl Klein, but mostly i use my ratcheting Snap-on with a phillips.
I also have a Felo Ergonic No.1 square for combo screws.
I have this as well. Plus a 4PC set of the same handle drivers. 2 Phillips and 2 slotted. I really like them.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
I, too, had this concern. I am impressed with the magnet retention. Its very strong.
Now you just need that Ravens NFL ratcheting Snap-on screwdriver. ;-)
go to lowes, there a green handle screw driver in the electrical dept, it cheap like $4.99 but why is this so special. it has the holes in the handlle to tighten up the electrical twist nuts.
screw driver is pretty good but the klein model of this is $45. this one is just as good five dollars. I bought ten of them
screw driver is pretty good but the klein model of this is $45. this one is just as good five dollars. I bought ten of them
555
Well-known member
Klein
furbis
Well-known member
although it has been 10 years or so since I worked as an electrician I have wired everything from a small remodel to houses with elevators, prisons, and hotels in Beaver Creek Colorado and I never saw an electrician worth his salt carry and use anything but Klein screwdrivers and pliers.
Weird Tolkienish Figure
Well-known member
Wera and Wiha are the most popular at the electrician's forum. Wera's are very nice, I got my first set a few weeks ago. used them already extensively.
Finky198
Well-known member
I've got the 6pc Wiha set listed above also from sears. I like them and trust Wiha to make a great product their micro stuff is top notch imho...
I just like the added level of protection should some idiot flip on a switch...
I just like the added level of protection should some idiot flip on a switch...
Qualitytools
Well-known member
I like my Wiha's the tips are very precise and they don't slip! Got them at Sears when they were on sale
FMC1959
Well-known member
I have had a few different sets over the years, which worked OK for me. Got these a few months back, very nice. You can use the full size handle, nice ergo feel to it, or the smaller yellow tip allows them twirl in your palm like jewelers screwdrivers, but are slightly bigger.
Different sets available, my favorite to date
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002YNQVVS/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Different sets available, my favorite to date
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002YNQVVS/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Crazyjake8493
Well-known member
Klein and Wera, except for my Ideal twist-a-nut driver
DWise
Well-known member
I really like my 7" Compositools and 4" Kleins
Brownsfan
Well-known member
I, too, had this concern. I am impressed with the magnet retention. Its very strong.
Now you just need that Ravens NFL ratcheting Snap-on screwdriver. ;-)
Um. No. I wouldn't use use that if it was the last snap on ratcheting screwdriver on earth.
Klein might be OK for attaching plastic cover plates, but forget Klein if you ever have to deal with tight screws. One camout and the tip will be ruined.
Somewhere along the line Klein lost or cheapened their process for hardening screwdriver tips.
I tossed the last of my newer Kleins. Almost any brand is better then new Kleins. (old Kleins were good though)
Somewhere along the line Klein lost or cheapened their process for hardening screwdriver tips.
I tossed the last of my newer Kleins. Almost any brand is better then new Kleins. (old Kleins were good though)
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Mid-2013 Klein started manufacturing a new stronger screwdriver steel for their phillips and square drivers.
rlitman
Well-known member
Klein's terminal block screwdriver has always been legendary (though it is not insulated). They're well known to turn the screws in terminal blocks that shear and twist off the tips of other screwdrivers. But while this looks like an ordinary slotted screwdriver, it's actually a specialty item in disguise.
My Klein Philips screwdrivers predate that, and are kind of lousy. Not any worse than Craftsman's line with acetate handles, but also nothing special. Again though, I own nothing insulated from Klein.
...
I really like my FELO insulated bit holder:
Insulated bit holders scare the **** out of me. Many times, I've removed my bit holder and seen the bit stay in the screw (this happens a lot with hex bits, but also with good fitting Philips bits).
With the bit in an insulated holder, only a short length of it is exposed, which should be shorter than the air gap required between phases. But once removed from the holder, the bit is theoretically long enough to short out things. Think about a Philips bit precariously sticking out of a screw, potentially energized, ready to fall on something below and bounce into who knows where. And you're left playing a real life game of Operation, trying to fish it out with the insulated handle.
At least with those sets with interchangeable shanks and a single handle, the insulation stays with the shank when it is removed. Snap On once made an insulated bit holder shank that would work in their ratcheting screwdrivers, but my fear above, is the reason I don't own one.
Again I come back to: don't use bit holders on electrical work.
Klein's reputation is just shoddy at this point. Some items seem OK for some users in some situations, but you'll find plenty of stories of unreasonable failures. Since Klein commands a high price, why even bother? There are plenty of better options out there for everything they make. My Knipex linesman is a work of art. My insulated Wera screwdrivers with laser tips are way better than any Klein driver I have. It would be one thing if Klein was a budget brand or even moderately priced, but pretty much everything they sell has premium pricing. I've bought my share of Klein, but when it breaks it'll most likely be replaced with something else.
Klein's reputation is just shoddy at this point. Some items seem OK for some users in some situations, but you'll find plenty of stories of unreasonable failures. Since Klein commands a high price, why even bother? There are plenty of better options out there for everything they make. My Knipex linesman is a work of art. My insulated Wera screwdrivers with laser tips are way better than any Klein driver I have. It would be one thing if Klein was a budget brand or even moderately priced, but pretty much everything they sell has premium pricing. I've bought my share of Klein, but when it breaks it'll most likely be replaced with something else.
I bought a Titan set.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001A2T6ES/?tag=atomicindus08-20
It worked well, no major drama, although I didn't really stress it.
But thanks to this thread, now I'm thinking I should upgrade to a Wera or Wiha.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001A2T6ES/?tag=atomicindus08-20
It worked well, no major drama, although I didn't really stress it.
But thanks to this thread, now I'm thinking I should upgrade to a Wera or Wiha.
jallyn
Well-known member
Wiha for insulated drivers. A 5 or 6 pc set from Sears or Amazon might be all you need for insulated drivers.
I also have Wiha precision drivers and love them. Got this set that comes with 7 precision drivers and a pair of nice needle-nose pliers: http://amzn.to/2bHLU4z
Drivers are made in Germany, pliers are made in Vietnam. All Wiha brand, all excellent fit and finish. And everything fits perfectly in this soft case. http://amzn.to/2bzmd2Y
I also have Wiha precision drivers and love them. Got this set that comes with 7 precision drivers and a pair of nice needle-nose pliers: http://amzn.to/2bHLU4z
Drivers are made in Germany, pliers are made in Vietnam. All Wiha brand, all excellent fit and finish. And everything fits perfectly in this soft case. http://amzn.to/2bzmd2Y
i have witte, they're the brand I like for regular drivers so I got the insulated ones. Any German brand will do, they have a standard, VDE, and all the screwdrivers that bear that seal are tested individually. Wouldn't touch milwaukee or any other chi com **** with a 10' pole.
There was a deal few months ago when you could score the Milwaukee 10pc insulated set 48-22-2210 in a nice case,retail was like $150, crazy deal was for $30, not sure if deal is still available, check ebay, online retailers...
TerryH
Well-known member
Love my Wiha!!
rlitman
Well-known member
Exactly!
That is a good point, however, looking at the Milwaukee site:
https://www.milwaukeetool.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/48-22-2210
UL® Classified - Tested and certified to insulated tool standards: IEC 60900:2012 ; ASTM F1505-10; NFPA 70E
Meets OSHA Insulated Tool Standard
VDE & GS Certified
Dual Layer Insulation offers visual wear indication for tool replacement
I will point out that I own quite a few Wera VDE screwdrivers made in Germany (these are the older ones, as they have since moved production out to the Czech Republic, though the one Czech made laser tip I own seems to be as nice as the German made ones). Yet NONE of them have dual layer insulation. I'd really like that.
My Wera screwdrivers are also not UL classified, though for my purposes VDE is at least as good.
I'd have no qualms about using the Milwaukee set. China is plenty capable of producing quality products. They make the iPhone for gosh sakes. The problem with "chi com ****" comes from when disreputable importers try to pass off garbage without any QC. Milwaukee has a name and reputation to uphold.
edit: further reading shows me that the Milwaukee insulated screwdrivers are the first and only UL rated screwdrivers out there. The fact that they went this far for independent testing is significant to me.
Oh, and I see these sets on eBay for as little as $36.
The down side is the limited tips. I use a #2 pozi for a lot (ABB contactors for example use #2 pozi on their side contacts), and they don't off that. They do offer an ECX tip though, which is making the set very tempting to me.
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I have some Kleins screwdrivers 2010 models, and a kit of 2015 date. I can tell from working with both that the 2010 models have a softer metal. The tips bend on hard torques......The 2015 models don't have mark on them, and I have torque the hell out of these bastards. So I guess that new metal is back to their roots.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
You have a ligitimate concern. Especially with regards to critical components or high voltage. I totally agree common sense is needed when working hot.
However, I havent had an issue yet.
Its also interesting that there are no complaints of this on all the Amazon reviews. Oh, i might add, they are all 4/5-star. ;-)
Ultimately, to each, his own.
From Amazon:
"1/4" bits are held in place by a fairly hefty magnet. The magnet is strong enough to (very) securely hold the bit as well as hold a fastener. The magnet is so strong that smaller bits may not offer enough leverage to easily remove. I almost had to use a pair of pliers to remove a P0 bit. If my hands were greasy or otherwise dirty, it would have been a bit sticky for sure."
"This has a beefy magnet that holds the bits in well, and the whole screwdriver feels well made"
"I HAVE to take off a point for the magnet being too strong. Maybe it will get better but for now I am forced to use the extension/bit holder that came with my bit set because 1) I cannot remove most bits by hand and 2) it overly magnetizes the bits so that when you are trying to work in a tight space it will "steer" the bit against something magnetic and throw off your precision. This could be remedied by using longer bits such as the ones in impact drivers that are approximately 1 inch long."
"The magnet is almost unusually strong and very securely holds the bits in place."
"Rubber coating gives it massive grippiness, magnet is hilariously strong."
"It's a fantastic driver, the magnet is stupid strong."
"Bits fit very precisely and the magnet is strong, you won't have any bits falling out of this handle!"
"The best one I've bought. great shielding to keep from getting shocked, feels solid in your hand, and the magnet holds the bits in place. Couldn't be happier."
"Good grip and a strong magnet."
https://www.amazon.com/Felo-0715750785-4-Inch-Insulated-Screwdriver/dp/B000E62O22/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8#customerReviews