How are the Doyle Insolated Screwdrivers??

[Iowafox]

I will be doing some basic electrical stuff around my house and I wanted to get a decent set of insolated screwdrivers. I went to Harbor Freight and went with the Doyle 3 pack after hearing some good things about them. I have used regular drivers for stuff like outlets but I believe in right tool for the job even if the electricity is off to where your working.
I want to know if these are a decent set for a homeowner. I want to hear everyone's thought on these.
.
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It's not that i'm worried or not comfortable with doing the work with electricity. I am mostly doing outlets and switches. I have done plenty of electrical stuff but never had my own set of insolated screwdrivers before always used my father inlaws. I help him remodel houses and on his rental houses. Hopefully this clears some of the confusion up.

 

[1982fxr]

Not sure specifically what you're working on, but I would NOT want to be the guinea pig testing those out.

 

[Kscardsfan]

I will be doing some basic electrical stuff around my house and I wanted to get a decent set of insolated screwdrivers. I went to Harbor Freight and went with the Doyle 3 pack after hearing some good things about them. I have used regular drivers for stuff like outlets but I believe in right tool for the job even if the electricity is off to where your working.
I want to know if these are a decent set for a homeowner. I want to hear everyone's thought on these.

What are you going to be working on that needs insulated tools? If you’re not trained or comfortable with it, stay out of the panel and use conventional screwdrivers to change outlets and switches. If you’re still worried you can wrap a layer of electrical tape around the shafts as an insulator.

 

[Iowafox]

It's not that i'm worried or not comfortable with doing it. I am mostly doing outlets and switches. I have done plenty of electrical stuff but never had my own set of insolated screwdrivers before always used my father inlaws. I help him remodel houses and on his rental houses. Hopefully this clears some of the confusion up.

 

[RoundedNut]

You shouldn't need insulated tools as a home owner. Always flip the breaker before doing work, and test the switch/outlet afterwards as well. If you're doing work in the panel like adding/upgrading a breaker, then flip the main breaker.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

like others said, shouldn't need one for light duty home fix.

I don't know how HF tools are tested in real life, but that is something I would not buy it from HF.

buy well known brand, they are not that expensive.

https://www.kctoolco.com/insulated-screwdrivers/

 

[shawhite]

Like everyone else has said you don’t need insulated tools to change outlets. Insulated tools are designed for panel work when you can’t turn off power to certain circuits. I surely would not trust my life to some harbor freight insulated screw drivers. I see they advertise dual layer but I don’t see a second opposing color layer on any of the pictures. Also insulating tool are just one part of your PPE if working on live circuits.

 

[lardy1]

I've been doing basic residential wiring for many years as a non professional/residential builder-remodeler, etc and never owned any until recently. I just scoured the net and bought individuals of Proto, Wera, etc. for very reasonable money.

If I absolutely NEED something to be insulated, I want the second guessing on quality to be at a minimum. But, in reality, they just lay there in my tool box.

 

[bwringer]

Good gravy, people, it's a frickin' layer of frickin' plastic over a frickin' screwdriver, not a dilithium crystal warp core or a lightsaber.

They're fine, and Doyle tools are great quality for the cash. Most Doyle stuff is made in Taiwan, not China, FWIW. Not 100% sure on these specifically.

They are certified, and HF would be in an instant heap of poo if they faked or fudged a certification. And no homeowner is ever going to encounter anything near 1000V anyway.

And no, homeowners probably don't need insulated screwdrivers. But then again, a homeowner is perhaps a little more likely to make a mistake with an accidentally live circuit than a pro, so maybe a little extra reassurance just in case makes sense.

 

[shawhite]

Good gravy, people, it's a frickin' layer of frickin' plastic over a frickin' screwdriver, not a dilithium crystal warp core or a lightsaber.

They're fine, and Doyle tools are great quality for the cash. Most Doyle stuff is made in Taiwan, not China, FWIW. Not 100% sure on these specifically.

They are certified, and HF would be in an instant heap of poo if they faked or fudged a certification. And no homeowner is ever going to encounter anything near 1000V anyway.

And no, homeowners probably don't need insulated screwdrivers. But then again, a homeowner is perhaps a little more likely to make a mistake with an accidentally live circuit than a pro, so maybe a little extra reassurance just in case makes sense.

Actually it should be two layers of contrasting insulating material over the blade so you can inspect for damage and discard if one of the layers has been compromised. In my experience insulating tool encourage diy guys to work circuits hot when there is no need. You can chance your life to Doyle insulating screw drivers but I prefer to spend a few extra $ to insure my safety. We all know HF is not above making outlandish claims.

 

[joey1320]

Use them and be smart about it. You'll be fine. Safety first.

 

[KnurledNut]

Ive never used the Doyle, but for hot work, i only use manufacturer tested tools.
As has been reiterated, for what you are doing, you dont need insulated tools, if the power is off.
I would recommend having (and getting acquainted with) a reliable NCVT and DMM.
I also find an outlet tester and a circuit breaker tracer handy.
The old adage to "test, dont guess" applies here.
Dont assume because a breaker is off that the wiring is de-energized. There is some jacked up wiring out there.
I would highly recommend a combo tip driver (like the Milwaukee ECX) for outlet and switch work.
If you dont understand some wiring you come across, leave it alone until you can figure it out or get help. Or post it here, and we'll try to diagnosis it with you.

 

[Kscardsfan]

Ive never used the Doyle, but for hot work, i only use manufacturer tested tools.
As has been reiterated, for what you are doing, you dont need insulated tools, if the power is off.
I would recommend having (and getting acquainted with) a reliable NCVT and DMM.
I also find an outlet tester and a circuit breaker tracer handy.
The old adage to "test, dont guess" applies here.
Dont assume because a breaker is off that the wiring is de-energized. There is some jacked up wiring out there.
I would highly recommend a combo tip driver (like the Milwaukee ECX) for outlet and switch work.
If you dont understand some wiring you come across, leave it alone until you can figure it out or get help. Or post it here, and we'll try to diagnosis it with you.

Real good point that I didn't think to mention. Buy a good hot stick and make sure all your stuff is dead before you mess with it. A Klein is only $20ish bucks at Home Depot and will work like a champ even if you drop from a 10' ladder, I know, I proved it.

 

[seagullplayer]

As industrial maintenance I have had many times where we had to work on live equipment.
And needed insulated tools. Most often is making an adjustment to a board while running. Or checking connections on a machine while troubleshooting an issue.

But at home I can't see any reason to work on a live circuit. I do all kinds of residential work for family and friends. I might use one to check/tighten connections on HVAC unit, but even then you are better off just shutting it off first.

All that aside I don't like using an insulated screw driver unless I have to. I would not call it the right tool for the job you are doing. But there is nothing stopping you from doing it. I like the Doyle stuff, you should have no issues if used correctly.

 

[tarbellb]

I use a old gym sock and standard driver, Doyle should be fine.

 

[jg4660]

Considering there's a million screwdrivers out there wrapped in black tape by Bubba, these are definitely better. Seriously, i'm sure there fine.

JG

 

[guitarbutt]

Good Lord, some of you people fly off the handle at the dumbest things. A simple question about a tool for a simple use and you're like obnoxious children arguing at recess. Insults over a cheap tool, grow up and get lives.

To somewhat answer your question, I have the Pittsburgh ones I bought for the same thing as you intend to use the Doyle's. Just for comfort of mind when living in an old house and not being an electrician, they're not expensive tools and they worked fine. And I didn't get electrocuted, so that's a plus

 

[jayrush13]

considering there's a million screwdrivers out there wrapped in black tape by bubba, these are definitely better. Seriously, i'm sure there fine.

Jg

Thats why I use red tape. Sets me apart from those million Bubbas