Husky Black Friday screwdrivers different then retail versions?

[skydve76]

I bought a set of Husky screwdrivers: item 1004354047

The blades of all the slotted screwdrivers have the horizontal grooves in them like the older craftsman screwdrivers.

However the sets they sell of slotted screwdrivers as well as the individual ones, have a very smooth blade. compared to this item 1000024275.

the only thing my set says different is they are magnetic.

Is this the reason why, or some other reason? The smooth blades one seem to look better and stronger. Trying to decide if I should take them back.

 

[measuredtwice]

I bought a set of Husky screwdrivers: item 1004354047

The blades of all the slotted screwdrivers have the horizontal grooves in them like the older craftsman screwdrivers.

However the sets they sell of slotted screwdrivers as well as the individual ones, have a very smooth blade. compared to this item 1000024275.

the only thing my set says different is they are magnetic.

Is this the reason why, or some other reason? The smooth blades one seem to look better and stronger. Trying to decide if I should take them back.

I don't have these particular Husky drivers but I have drivers from Husky and others and I can comment in general. There is no way to SEE the tensile strength or hardness. Those things can only be tested.

I've seen variations in a set where one is different than the others. It happens. It really has no functional consequence whether the machining lines are visible. It could be a difference in the finishing before plating or a difference in the thickness of the plating or both. The thickness of the plating is not indicative of quality. There's some really thick cheap decorative chrome but there's also high quality triple chrome. These are cheap screwdrivers and the manufacturing is cheap.

I had some brand new unopened Husky China and Craftsman China screwdrivers that I took to a pawn shop because nobody would take them on Craigslist. Pawn shop didn't want them either. If you can take them back to HD, then I would. There are lots of better drivers that you could buy for the $20. You won't get as many for $20 from a better brand but you'll get enough and they'll be higher quality.

 

[skydve76]

Thank you, I will return them. I have several of the acetate craftsman and not whats going on. They have good reviews but mine are made of cheese. Even my wife complains when assembling furniture or changing toy batteries.

What would you recommend?

 

[Wamsutta]

Since they came from Home Depot, you might check the electrical department for some Klein's. They make a screwdriver that's easy to spin across your fingers. I always reach for a Klein when I'm impatient and want a screw removed quickly. My 10 inch #2 Phillips is my favorite.

 

[measuredtwice]

Wamsutta's recommendation is good but can be expensive. Zoro often has 15-25% off coupons so you might get a deal on it from them. The slotted drivers fit well. The Phillips are also pretty good though I give the edge to Germany and Japan for Phillips.

Do you have particular needs? You probably need a #2 Phillips and 1/4" (or 6.5mm) slotted because they are most common. For electronics batteries, you probably need a #1 Phillips... possibly a #0 Phillips.

There are lots of good German brands like Wera, Wiha, Felo, Witte, Hazet, Stahlwille, etc. Some have a range of low end and higher end. In general the German Phillips is very good. I find the German slotted drivers can run a bit thick for American fasteners but they are also good. You can get a set of Felo with wood handles for $20 shipped from Menards. There are also holiday sales. Amazon has a sale on some Wera --> https://www.amazon.com/s?k=wera&i=cyber-monday&tag=vglnkc3018-20&ref=nb_sb_noss_2 KC Tool has a 10% off coupon for the forum. I can look it up if you want it. Amazon Germany has some good prices.

Vessel Japan makes very good Phillips and the slotted also fit American fasteners well. Some are available on Amazon USA but you will get the best deals ordering from Amazon Japan.

I'd advise shopping for deals. You might check the deal section of the forum.

If you give me more specifics, I may be able to give a better answer. What is your budget? Do you need any particular drivers or just the basics?

 

[skydve76]

I managed to return the screwdrivers. I noticed the set I bought is made in China and the sets they sell normal retail are maid in Taiwan. Not my problem anymore.

I dont use screwdrivers as much as I used to. I work mostly on cars and motorcycles with my tools. Occasionally one of my applicances. However for the few applications I do use them, its nice to have a variety of sizes and lengths. While the cheaper sets provide this, my acetate craftsman take damage from every screw I turn.

Maybe the solution is to keep my craftsman I have and use sparingly and buy 1 good set that will fit most applications?

 

[Legion Prime]

I'd go with Dave's suggestion, I prefer buying a driver here and there that way I can try different manufacturers and different driver styles without having to buy whole sets. Williams still makes the older style hard handle SnapOn screwdrivers and they're very reasonably priced. Here for example is a nice #2 phillips.
https://smile.amazon.com/Williams-SDP-2-4-Phillips-2-Point-Screwdriver/dp/B007YRAP8E
That would be an excellent start and then as you find them try out a Vessel for instance. I personally like the size of their handles which while not highly textured are on the large size which is nice if you have large hands. Also the tips are phenomenal, they're the first thing I reach for when I've got a stubborn or damaged screw to remove. Their Impacta line is handy as when you hit the top with a hammer not only does the force keep the tip in the fastener but there's a cam inside which rotates the shaft ~15° or so which is very handy for really stubborn screws.
https://smile.amazon.com/Vessel-Megadora-Impacta-P2x100-Screwdriver/dp/B003BI8HHQ
Also check out the other brands mentioned and others, Wright Tool makes acetate handled screwdrivers like everyone else used to make. I haven't got any yet that I know of but if they're anything like their wrenches I don't think you'll be disappointed. If you have smaller hands rather than Vessel you might instead check out PB Swiss. They are another quality manufacturer but their handles are a bit on the smaller size. Wilde is another manufacturer and what I have of theirs isn't the fanciest out there but they have all been well made and not at all expensive. I know Menard's carries some of their stuff or if not Menards you might stop by a Napa and take a look at some of their Carlyle tools.

 

[sberry]

I wonder how I ever got it done?

 

[measuredtwice]

I managed to return the screwdrivers. I noticed the set I bought is made in China and the sets they sell normal retail are maid in Taiwan. Not my problem anymore.

I dont use screwdrivers as much as I used to. I work mostly on cars and motorcycles with my tools. Occasionally one of my applicances. However for the few applications I do use them, its nice to have a variety of sizes and lengths. While the cheaper sets provide this, my acetate craftsman take damage from every screw I turn.

Maybe the solution is to keep my craftsman I have and use sparingly and buy 1 good set that will fit most applications?

No need to get rid of the ones that you have. It will be difficult to sell used screwdrivers and at the very least you can use the slotted drivers to pry paint lids.

You don't necessarily need to have fixed blades for everything, especially if you are not using the tools for a living. You might buy some high quality bits for some stuff. For example, you might just use bits for torx. I have 2 sets of fixed torx drivers but I got along fine before using just torx bits.

I paid $13.88 shipped from Detroit Metalworking for a nice Felo driver with around a dozen good bits. That was a great way to get both quality bits and a driver. It looks like the price went up though.

This Klein 5 in 1 is good for around the house stuff and it only costs $10. I like the 5 in 1 better than the 11 in 1. On the 11 in 1, the bits fall out.
https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/klein-tools-5-in-1-screwdriver-nut-driver/0000000037402

This Vessel driver is fugly and the paint comes off the bits but it's good steel and the the fit is very good.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E55DL4I/?tag=atomicindus08-20

For fixed drivers...

On the high end, PB Swiss is very good. I buy them from toollady when they have a 30% off sale.
http://toollady.com/

I also recommend the Vessel Megadora 900.
https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B000TG8OTY/

Lots of others to consider also. Screwdrivers often go on sale. Deals pop up all the time. The best coupons only pop up a few times a year though.