I'm new and need new screwdrivers!

[crustysarge]

Hello all,

I have surfed the site for a little while and decided to sign up. I live in NE Italy and work for the US Military here and have been in Italy for 27 years, yes that is 27. I have maintained strong ties with home and have several 70's American cars here and a 1,400 sqft garage under my house.

Lately my 20+ year old Cman drivers have given up and I need a new set. I would like to buy American even though I can get Wiha and Wera along with USAG and Beta at the local hardware store. The Proto 19 pc set below really caught my eye and I emailed Proto to ask about where they were made and the answer was America. I have to admit the 40 Pc Wiha set on Amazon is attractive as well. I 'd like Snap On but it hurts so bad to pay those prices.

I plan on going to the International Hardware Fair in Cologne Germany at the end of the month, maybe something unique will pop up.

Any other thoughts? I want to start a whole new set and retire the old drivers to the emergency car tool bags.


http://www.stanleyproto.com/default...819&strSiteName=PROTO&strDefaultCatalog=PROTO

 

[Davefr]

I went through the same decision making process recently. Wiha, WERA, PB Swiss and Snap On all came highly recommended. (only the SO's are made in the USA)

You can also get the the same legendary black handle Snap On screwdrivers under the Williams name for a lot less $'s.

I decided on PB Swiss w/Swiss Grips and love them. I'd think they'd be easy to get in Italy.

A lot of it depends on personal preference. (ie how do they feel to you)

 

[crustysarge]

I need to add I am a greasy boy and work hard on old greasy cars, I want something easy to clean.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Another vote for PB Swiss. Not made in the US, but they are extremely good. And they're not some far east import ****, they're made in your Neighbouring Switzerland.

I plan on going to the International Hardware Fair in Cologne Germany at the end of the month, maybe something unique will pop up.

Oooh.. Maybe i should have myself a day trip to go to that!

 

[ATTappman]

I can get Wiha and Wera along with USAG and Beta at the local hardware store.

What are you waiting for? I wish I could do that.

You can't go wrong with Proto. But if I could get Wera screwdrivers in a local store, I'd do it. If I could get Proto screwdrivers in a local store I'd probably do that too.

 

[crustysarge]

Man, I go to Switzerland now and then, have some good friends up there. They are all stuck up about how everything is better there, if they catch me buying tools I'll never hear the end of it! VERY $$$ Country.

 

[trythis]

Part of the price of snap on is the easy replacement service by the guy on the truck. I don't think you will get that in Italy, so you shouldn't pay for that service.

 

[Merkava_4]

The Protos are very good screwdrivers with excellent tips and handles that provide tons of leverage.

PB Swiss - Swiss Grips will provide the most comfort for long periods of use. Their prices are about the same as Snap-on though.

 

[Monte]

lots of choices... USAG, Beta, Pastorino, Mundial......

 

[mkdive]

Another vote for the swiss grips from PBswiss!

 

[haneyrm]

I recently replaced my old Craftsman's with Wiha's and have been very happy with them. Made in Germany and seem to be good quality.

Mike

 

[Diesel-Mech]

Snap-on are the best American made In my opinion, my favorite overall though are Witte drivers which are made in Germany.

 

[bushhawg73]

Snap-on are the best American made In my opinion

I agree, I am currently trying to get a set of the WIlliams black hard handle ones. We now have an Snap on industrial rep stopping by every now and then. Waiting on him to come back so I can get a price.

 

[The Muffin Man]

Some of my favorites include Facom, Felo, Toptul, Witte, and Wera.

Overall my favorite is Felo's Ergonic series

Toptul's

 

[Davefr]

I need to add I am a greasy boy and work hard on old greasy cars, I want something easy to clean.

In that case I'd avoid the cushion grip screwdrivers and go with hard handles. I feel PB Swiss Grips are more of a screwdriver for precision work. I'm not sure if the grips would be forgiving to constant grease/dirt and be easy to clean.

For "greasy old cars" I'd go with the classic Snap On Black hard handles. You'll have to buy them used or as Williams. The Williams are always on Ebay in new sets. PB Swiss also has a hard handle lineup. Sears Craftsman Professional series also get good feedback.

 

[crustysarge]

How about those SK Suregrips for grease work? I wish I could find more info on the Proto pro set, not much out there.

I'll tell you that most European tools are cheaper on the US side of the pond. Wera drivers average 20-30% more in Italy over the US prices. I have a military APO mail box so shipping for me is easy and no import tax. Ha, buy German drivers from the States and mail to Italy cheaper than buying here, crazy world.

I am going to a shop tomorrow to look at the Felo 500 Frico drivers. Funny name, Frico is a regional dish where I live made from eggs,potatoes/cheese, poor folk food.

 

[Davefr]

I'll tell you that most European tools are cheaper on the US side of the pond. Wera drivers average 20-30% more in Italy over the US prices. I have a military APO mail box so shipping for me is easy and no import tax. Ha, buy German drivers from the States and mail to Italy cheaper than buying here, crazy world.

If that's the case I'd get these. It's a good price for a legendary screwdriver that designed for greasy/rough automotive work. You might find better ergonomics with other brands but I doubt you'll find a tougher screwdriver:

http://cgi.ebay.com/JH-WILLIAMS-PRE...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item414bbbfa28

Just ask the seller if he'll ship to an APO.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

I have maintained strong ties with home and have several 70's American cars here and a 1,400 sqft garage under my house.

 

[benjamming]

Pratt-Read

 

[crustysarge]

Oh man, don;t make me go through posting pix...I got too much work going on. Let's try this shot of my 70 Lemans Sport project in the garage.

 

[crustysarge]

OK, I need some advice on the best way to post pics here. There is no ADSL in the village I live in and I use a wirless USB KEY SIM Cell connection, fairly fast.

Here is my 77 TA behind my 04 Lariat (sold) going to race day south of Milan. See link:

www.hillsrace.it

 

[MrMark]

That is a nice car! I would love to have one of those. Not very powerful, but a cool car. You probably have hopped it up some, right?

 

[MrMark]

These are my favorite other than Snap on:

http://www.wihatools.com/special_09.htm

I did get mine from Amazon seller small parts, however. The price was about the same and mine were made in Germany! I think I got old German stock because the Wiha site does not indicate these are still made in Germany.

I like German tools the best - other than Snap-on.

I like the Wera, and Witte too, but they are not as nice as these IMO. The Wera Kraftform handles are just a hair too small and the Witte MaxxPro are just a bit to big for normal size large hands.

 

[crustysarge]

Yeah, she is modded and running around 425-450HP, 4 spd car I have owned since '85, I am the second owner. Suspension set up pretty well as well. I drive the **** out of it and the engine is on a stand now going through a rebuild for this upcoming season. 96 octane gas at the pump here.

 

[MrMark]

Yeah, she is modded and running around 425-450HP, 4 spd car I have owned since '85, I am the second owner. Suspension set up pretty well as well. I drive the **** out of it and the engine is on a stand now going through a rebuild for this upcoming season. 96 octane gas at the pump here.

That is awesome. I bet you love Smokey and the Bandit.

I had a 77 Vette, that was a piece of junk, but was the best car I have ever owned character wise, if you know what I mean. It was the most comfortable car I have ever driven including later Vette's.

 

[mjozefow]

I love my Wiha's they are really nice, and for the $$$ I think they are nigh unbeatable.