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I need new screwdrivers......

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CoconutPete

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Jul 28, 2010
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Location
Charlotte, NC & Denmark
I'm a weekend warrior. I know enough to be dangerous. My biggest accomplishments of the last few years as far as DIY is gutting my kitchen and redoing it as well as building a deck from scratch and cutting out a window and putting in a sliding glass door. I know enough to get by.

I have never had a "complete" set of screwdrivers - i have always jsut had a hodgepodge of random ones. I realized yesterday that I have ben limping by on harbor freight ones for the last year and they are so bad htey are changing chapes.......

I'd like a few diff. sizes of both flat and philips - perhaps a long and a "stubby" of the most common size. Any recommendations on brand? I'm not looking to spend a ton on these as I am an office person most days.
 
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daparrothead

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Dec 21, 2013
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200
I have Cman, Snap On and recently bought some Gear wrench brand from Advance auto a couple weeks ago when they had them on sale. I think they are better than Cman and just about as good as the Snap On.
 
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Gmonkee

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May 9, 2010
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What handle shape do you prefer? I'm a squarish handle fan myself.

WalMart sells some orange/black handled ones I really like, they have good steel and hold up to regular use just fine. Not exactly cheap but really good value for the buy. I get years out of use out of mine now before they show wear.

After that I'm onto a wood handled screwdriver just because I like them.
 
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mikefromme

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Dec 13, 2009
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266
I just bought the craftsman pro -- nice. Might have to retire my Snap on

UPBCEFdl.jpg
 
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airdale

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Oregon
Handle shape, size, and materials are such personal preference. Try out as many as possible in person.

My preference runs toward the squarish profile of the classic Snap-on hard handles. Fits my hands well for lots of torque.

A surprise for me were the previous version of Grainger's Westward brand, (haven't tried the current version). They had oval shape black and gray handles. Very comfortable to me.

Edit: Saw some "Blackhawk by Proto" on clearance at Grainger, coo France. Oval grip, looked nice.
 
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scaron

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Aug 6, 2013
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407
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ypsilanti, michigan
another vote for the proto classics; they're my go-to screwdrivers except when i'm doing electrical or computer stuff, then the kleins come out. get them while you can!
 
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Shipfittin

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Dec 15, 2009
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353
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Portsmouth, VA
Really it comes down to what do you like and what are your expectations?

Like daparrothead, I also recently purchased a set of Gearwrench screwdrivers from Advance Auto Parts and have really enjoyed using them a lot. Order them online, go to a place like RetailMeNot.com and get a coupon code for Advance and you can either have them shipped to you or pick them up at your local Advance. With the coupon codes you can easily get this screwdriver set down to $20.

I also have Craftsman professional here at the house and at work I have Snap On and Husky Professionals. I really like them all, I'm not overly picky. The one thing I really do look for in a screwdriver is to have the ability to stick a combination wrench on it to torque if need be and a comfortable handle.
 
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92integra

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Jul 11, 2013
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857
Regular craftsman screw drives do it for me got the 26 piece set that has like 5 torx drivers for like 20 bucks last year
 
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Mastermind

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Ypsilanti, MI
cant go wrong with the williams. if you don't mind black handles. easy to lose in a shop environment. excellent blades, nice handles.
 
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airdale

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Oregon
How close to the Snap-On are the Williams handles? They look thinner and less contoured in the pics.
 
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whyNick?

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Have you tried the HF Pittsburgh Pros? They really are a lot better than their price tag suggests...
 
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balane

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Pacific Northwest
It's hard to beat that Williams set. They are fantastic. If I were shopping I would look for those or search for a good deal on a Wiha kit.

Edit: I haven't used them personally but that linked Proto set seems like a really nice value as well.
 
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bcradio

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Jan 30, 2012
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New Mexico
OP this topic has been beat to death already... please do a search and you will find all the info you need..... Just playing of course :lol_hitti :evil:

I would pick the Williams myself... handles are identical to the old Snap-Ons.
 
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Westly

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Jan 17, 2014
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U.S.A.
I use a hex drive bit holder instead of an actual bunch of screwdrivers. I think the bits are better than the tips they put on screwdrivers, especially the slot bits. The bits are cheap and plentiful and you can also use them in other equipment.
 
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neonlazer

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Dec 20, 2012
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Lafayette, LA
airdale said:
How close to the Snap-On are the Williams handles? They look thinner and less contoured in the pics.
Click to expand...

My friend had the snap on version and we couldn't tell the difference. It would be cool if they made different colors..but then again that's why you buy snap on. :lol_hitti
 
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sberry

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Brethren, Michigan
I have come full circle and just don't care all that much anymore. If it works it does, if its cheap it can be replaced. A Channelock, Vise Grip and number 9 am a bit more fussy over. I tried 4 in one, they worked for a while but fell back to singles most of the time.
 
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cburnscrx

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Jan 15, 2013
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Location
Indianapolis
As a budget minded individual I would go with the Williams or Craftsman Pro's. I think there about the best bang for the buck. I personally have the Craftsman Pro's
 
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tomshep

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Sep 24, 2011
Messages
441
I have the SO hard handle which are the same as the Williams above. I really like the handles and you can put some serious torque on them. Once you use a good screwdriver with good tips you will be amazed on how crappy the old ones were.

I would shop ebay for some good older hard handles or Williams.

Tom
 
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nicksnothereman

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Oct 19, 2013
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In the Mojave
CoconutPete said:
I'm a weekend warrior. I know enough to be dangerous. My biggest accomplishments of the last few years as far as DIY is gutting my kitchen and redoing it as well as building a deck from scratch and cutting out a window and putting in a sliding glass door. I know enough to get by.

I have never had a "complete" set of screwdrivers - i have always jsut had a hodgepodge of random ones. I realized yesterday that I have ben limping by on harbor freight ones for the last year and they are so bad htey are changing chapes.......

I'd like a few diff. sizes of both flat and philips - perhaps a long and a "stubby" of the most common size. Any recommendations on brand? I'm not looking to spend a ton on these as I am an office person most days.
Click to expand...

On the stuff you're doing you should use bits anyway. You don't use a manual screwdriver to build a deck bro.:lol:

As for a mid-grade set...probably craftsman would be good, a lot of the recommendations are good screwdrivers but probably more than you need. You don't need precision (or WANT to buy precision in a set) so max you're looking at something like 10 screwdrivers not including torx, nut drivers, or robertson, etc. Retail brand should be okay. I'd say just buy a pittsburgh pro set for like 8 bucks if you have harbor freight nearby, then just buy a set of precision drivers from wiha or wera (if you need them).

Besides craftsman there is husky and kobalt and both have decent variety in their in house drivers/sets. Home depot has different brands, lowe's doesn't (as far as I know).

Some guys work in sets, I've never done it because some things in a set aren't as useful or comfortable as other things (honestly) AND/OR I'm super cheap. I'd never go for a huge set for big money even if I could test them out in store (or truck).
 
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byoungblood

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Apr 6, 2011
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2,590
Location
Berryville, VA
Travisnd said:
Craftsman Pros for me! Easy to get and pretty good prices!
Click to expand...

Get them while you can. They are obviously either reducing the pro screwdrivers to nothing but the bare bones, or are planning on eliminating the line completely. Most of the stores I've gone to have almost completely sold out of the open stock Torx drivers, and it is apparent that the larger slotted sizes are down to what is left on the shelves.

It is a pity, they put the ordinary CM drivers to shame. I'm glad I've built up a good set of them.
 
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outdoorsman310

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Aug 23, 2013
Messages
915
Location
DE
I would take a look at the craftsman pro drivers. they have sets and some long "cabinet" screwdrivers. If you were in canada, I would recommend mastercraft maximum
 
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