Favorite Nutdrivers?
- Thread starter cashishift
- Start date
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Those aren't old, these are old !
HA! those aren't old; THESE are old!
My old (Mostly wood handled) SpinTite Brand Spintites I've been working on for a bit. the two big ones are 13/16 and 3/4!
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jakemac
Well-known member
HA! those aren't old; THESE are old!
My old (Mostly wood handled) SpinTite Brand Spintites I've been working on for a bit. the two big ones are 13/16 and 3/4!
Ha Ha ! OK, you win, I should have known not to compete with the master.
my58
Well-known member
I think its a tool that once you become accustomed to using you tend to use them often on lots of things.
Most around here probably don't remember phone installations before 66 blocks, but at 1 time all Telco B-boxes and backboards used posts that you would use nut drivers to add and remove wire pairs.
After a few years of that, a nut driver just became a natural tool to use whenever a nut was involved.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
This ^^^ Plus their primary use is for machine screws, but I like to use them on small engine repair as well. it's just faster, even if you have to break a small bolt loose.
scaron
Well-known member
i don't really use nut drivers; depending on the situation i'll use a multi-bit driver, adjustable wrench, pliers, almost anything else... if i really have to, i'll just pull out one of my socket sets and a spinner. in the very rare cases where i do use one, klein or vaco are my go-tos.
scaron
Well-known member
you know, yeah, excelite made a pretty nice nut driver too, but i don't think they are sold any longer. i'd grab them if i saw a set at a used tool sale.
They still make 'em, about $35 for a set on Amazon last time I checked.
shockwave
Well-known member
I do like the witte nut drivers the best and matco and cornwell both use them also look at a 1/4 handled driver with a female socket at the end those are nice aswell
Brownsfan
Well-known member
BLASPHEMY !!! BURN THE HERETIC !!!!
Yea I know. But I have 3 complete sets of screwdrivers(Phillips/flat head) 2 torx driver sets(long and short) don't get me started on ratchets and pliers. I have so much I don't really need but for some reason I can't sell any of it.
scaron
Well-known member
sweet, i had just kind of assumed xcelite was no more and really hadn't looked, it's nice to see they're still out there. that set on amazon is nice, i had one once at a previous job a long time ago. back when i was spinning a lot of retainer nuts in d-sub plugs. in fact, i think the dearth of d-sub connectors in modern computers is what has really made the nutdriver irrelevant for me.
John316
Well-known member
yeah... and if you buy xcelite it is good to buy new unless you like handles that smell like poop.
Working with nuts!! A socket won't have the clearance that a hollow shaft nutdriver has which can render the socket useless for long studs.
It's also easier to just grap a nutdriver then fumble around with a ratchet and socket for less demanding work. It's also easier to shear the screw with a ratchet/socket whereas the nutdriver limits torque due to your grip.
I like Kleins because of the handle but I wouldn't get too **** about nutdrivers. Just about any major brand will work out OK.
metaldad
Well-known member
fixed.
jakemac
Well-known member
I like to use a nutdriver on hose clamps to release them or to snug them up. Then I'll use a screwdriver or ratchet to tighten them up.
comedyman809
Well-known member
i have an olde plastic handle set of macs that i love, the kleins and the vacos are great as well
im eye balling the protos for metric!!!
im eye balling the protos for metric!!!
crewchief888
Well-known member
CM std & MM
SO selected sizes
stanley in 1/4" & 5/16"
and a lone vaco
my only complaint about the CM sets i have is after years of use, i cant see the color coded sizes on th stds, nor can i see the sizes on the MM ones.
SO selected sizes
stanley in 1/4" & 5/16"
and a lone vaco
my only complaint about the CM sets i have is after years of use, i cant see the color coded sizes on th stds, nor can i see the sizes on the MM ones.
Funny, but that's the only use I've ever had for a nutdriver. Where do you find the hollow shank useful?
The Vaco's I use are pretty specific usage- sheetmetal screws only, in hard to reach places..... Long shank, and magnetic tip (and thus, not hollow) is the only way to fly.
jakemac
Well-known member
Anytime the bolt sticks up through the nut. The most often I see this is when rewiring an old electric motor. The mounting studs on the motor usually protrude too far for a non-hollow nutdriver.
kiatech
Well-known member
Wera FTW I cant stand the cman handles.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
This ^^^ and machine screws are commonly overly long, so the sickout gets you if you don't have the hollow shank. Same with sockets, unless you use the deeps.
I have a Klein Hollow shaft nutdriver set which I am happy with. The markings on the end of the handle make it easy to find the right one when they are in a tool pouch. As far as USA made (non-tool truck) nutdrivers are concerned, these are probably among the best out there which are still being made. Pratt-Read, Xcelite and craftsman are other options but I prefer the Kleins over those. Then again, if you happen to be buying used, your options widen. By the way, the Vaco brand is now part of Klein and you can still buy new Vaco branded drivers.
All the big german brands also make a set, some of which look pretty interesting to me as well but one set of nut drivers is probably all I'll ever need.
All the big german brands also make a set, some of which look pretty interesting to me as well but one set of nut drivers is probably all I'll ever need.
You guys'll think I'm weird but I don't mind the smell of old Xcelite and Craftsman handles so much. My dad used to have an old briefcase full of the tools he used to repair electronics and it reeked of that old cellulose plastic smell. I'd sneak in there and snag his needle nose pliers and play with them when he wasn't looking. I guess my old Xcelite drivers remind me of that. Aah, pointless nostalgia!
Favorites are one of those boxed sets of Xcelites for electronics and fiddly hobbyist stuff plus I've got a nice set of hard handled (look pretty much like Snap-on) Wihas in the garage. I wish I could find a full set of screwdrivers to match the Wiha drivers.
monkeyspanners
Well-known member
I have some Eclipse ones in 6,7,8,10mm for the tool box, they have the old style handles, they do their job but are not my favourite.
I have an Irwin 9 in 1 that will fit 8mm nuts (5/16) and is hollow so is good on studs etc.
For the tool pouch i have a King **** 7mm, a hollow shaft Facom 8mm, and a Koken 10mm. (i need to get a 6mm) I like the handle and finish on the Koken most.
Mostly the are used on hose clamps, small fan motors, and electrical connections.
I also have a Draper (made in Japan) handle with about 10 different imperial nut drivers and a couple of screwdriver blades that push in to the handle. It was too cheap to miss on ebay for 99p!
I was never keen on nut drivers till i started using them!
I have an Irwin 9 in 1 that will fit 8mm nuts (5/16) and is hollow so is good on studs etc.
For the tool pouch i have a King **** 7mm, a hollow shaft Facom 8mm, and a Koken 10mm. (i need to get a 6mm) I like the handle and finish on the Koken most.
Mostly the are used on hose clamps, small fan motors, and electrical connections.
I also have a Draper (made in Japan) handle with about 10 different imperial nut drivers and a couple of screwdriver blades that push in to the handle. It was too cheap to miss on ebay for 99p!
I was never keen on nut drivers till i started using them!
byoungblood
Well-known member
I have a set of Kleins I picked up at a yard sale for next to nothing, can't complain about them the few times I've used them. I like them for worm drive hose clamps and working with smaller sized fasteners.
Given their intended use, and frequency of use, it isn't something that you need to go chasing a tool truck for.
Given their intended use, and frequency of use, it isn't something that you need to go chasing a tool truck for.
TAMPAGT07
Well-known member
I'm an hvac guy so I use them every day. I love my Kleins. Never had any problems with them. I have a couple craftsmans at home that I've had forever and the 5/16 seems to strip a lot of nuts out, but it might just be old and worn.
The Kleins hold up well to stuck nuts, and no one likes stuck nuts.
The Kleins hold up well to stuck nuts, and no one likes stuck nuts.
TAMPAGT07
Well-known member
Dave455
Well-known member
Pb Swiss are probably the nicest, but I also have some CK which are really good too. I have some British made Eclipse ones that have the nicest handle of any to use, but as usual they don't advertise them so hardly anybody knows about them!
Here in the U.K. CK tools are regularly found in hardware shops, and sometimes get overlooked, but their classic yellow hard handle drivers are pretty good and have lasted well!
I like different makes for metric, a/f and British Stndard sizes so I can tell 'em apart quickly! Especially important for nut drivers as they are the sort of tool you do grab for quickly! Socket wrenches need a bit more thinking about!
Here in the U.K. CK tools are regularly found in hardware shops, and sometimes get overlooked, but their classic yellow hard handle drivers are pretty good and have lasted well!
I like different makes for metric, a/f and British Stndard sizes so I can tell 'em apart quickly! Especially important for nut drivers as they are the sort of tool you do grab for quickly! Socket wrenches need a bit more thinking about!
PCO6
Well-known member
I have a set each of Mastercraft Imperial and metric nut drivers but I tend to used sockets with a 1/4" or 3/8" driver most of the time. I also like to be able to use a flex (spring) extension when needed which you can't do with a nut driver.