In need of a quality screwdriver set

[motoretro]

Delete

 

[MattVette89]

What is your budget?

 

[steed andersen]

I'm in love with Wera screw drivers and they are very reasonable.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Why not just get the Wright? They are USA made.

 

[Sine Swept]

Williams?

 

[Negen]

These are great tools and made in usa. Handles are great and nearly indestructible. The proto has two types ones with bolsters and ones without so be aware. Also it seems that they come with some sort of life time warranty. These are by far the best drivers I have used in a long time. That being said I have not used a wide variety of screw drivers.

Proto duratek <-- clicky

Wera chiseldrivers are great as well. They are made in Czech Republic with head quarters in Germany. These also come with a lifetime warranty of some sort but my guess is a bit harder or time consuming to warranty than proto.

Wera 932 S/6 <-- clicky

 

[AmericanMechanic]

I grew up on Craftsman but I'm also contemplating what to buy in future that would be more durable. (E.g. phillips tips rounding off). Are there any that are truly "one time" purchases? (With reason - I realize any tool will eventually wear out)

 

[JUNK-MAN]

Snap on!

 

[RedRabbit]

Snap on!

+1 for snap on hard handles are the best.

 

[Brownsfan]

Klein from Home Depot. Some here have had issues in the past but I have been using my set daily for over 2 years with not one issue. The Phillips tips fit well and I have only used the flat heads a few times and using them as pry bars. And warranty would be easy. Home depot is everywhere. Klein claims the new tips that have come out recently(couple years now) are the strongest ever.

 

[jask]

Budget and application? I also use Wera a lot very comfortable and well made - they are my main go to set, the Kraftform plus are stout enough for automotive use and worth a look in person. I like Klein as well but have had problems with busted tips on Phillips drivers and even in my electrical bag the Kleins are slowly being replaced with Wera

 

[NoahG]

Whats wrong with Wright? Most companies don't actually *make* their own drivers anymore. Screwdrivers have to be one of the most common rebranded products.

 

[sonvolt]

I would go Williams USA or Klein

 

[Brownsfan]

Wonder who makes them for wright? I have seen them and they look to be decent quality

 

[M6erfan]

Ive had Wiha for years and like them a lot. I can recommend Facom screwdrivers as well.

I recently got a set of Vessel tools screwdrivers because their tips are JIS, critical for working on asian "phillips" fasteners so you don't strip out the heads, and they work perfect on phillips too. They are my new favorite, haven't used the Whias since... They are made in Japan

http://www.vesseltools.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/motorcycle-restoration-repair/motorcycle-repair-kit/flypage_sku.tpl.html

 

[oldldh]

Proto Yellow Handle Professionals....

Can still be found, if you look...

www.harryepstein.com has a 17 piece set for about $ 64.00...

They also have a lot of single drivers...

Amazon has the J9900C 36 piece screwdriver set for almost $500.00!!!

I didn't pay that much, but I had to assemble my set from different sources...

 

[Askme42]

Proto duratek

 

[AmericanMechanic]

Proto Yellow Handle Professionals....

Can still be found, if you look...

www.harryepstein.com has a 17 piece set for about $ 64.00...

How do you tell flat blade from phillips without looking closely at the tip? That'd something Craftsman got right (color differentiation) and ought to be a fandamental requirement for anyone selling screwdrivers.

 

[trever]

Another vote for williams

 

[slip knot]

Williams?

^^^^ this.

 

[AmericanMechanic]

Proto Yellow Handle Professionals....

Can still be found, if you look...

www.harryepstein.com has a 17 piece set for about $ 64.00...

How do you tell flat blade from phillips without looking closely at the tip? That'd something Craftsman got right (color differentiation) and ought to be a fandamental requirement for anyone selling screwdrivers.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Williams USA hard handles, purchased them about 8 months ago, and wouldn't be able to live without them!

I have not tried the new proto but can't see how you could go wrong there.

Snap is also a good option, but since I don't have a truck, Williams seemed like it made more sense for me.

The Soft handle SKs are nice, as were the craftsman pros, but for the price of the SKs there are better options IMHO

 

[albundy]

I'm rather fond of these...http://olympiatools.com/index.php?cPath=14
The gold series. Only cheap in price...

 

[M6erfan]

Williams gets a lot of love here. Wondering what makes them stand out?

 

[Negen]

with screwdrivers people will like what they have tried and it seems most people have tried Williams. Since USA brands are limited I think it is easier to try them rather than the newer proto. I can say that there isn't anything wrong with the choice that you make so long as you like what you end up with.

 

[hautpot]

PB Swiss

 

[Adam.C]

If you are getting older, maybe your grip is fine now, but won't be as strong in years tomcome, maybe some wrench time leaves you with aching hands, soft grip Snap On a Instinct is the right answer.

They have large handles, easy to grip, and their triangular shape makes it very easy to produce high torque. Like many here, I was put off by them when they first came out. I thought they were ugly and I really loved my hard handles that I've been using for 25 years. Well, having used Instincts for some time now, I can say they really are a better design. Pro mechanics complained about the soft grips; they can get chewed up if you are rough with them, and they can't be simply wiped off as easily as the hard grips. Many people here have echoed these comments, but I'm not 100% convinced their assessment has been a fair one. The soft grip give you more torque, even when your hands are wet or slippery. Especially for an older mechanic, I recommend a set of soft grip instincts without hesitation.

 

[dadsEH]

Stanley 'yellow handle' edition.!
quality+ !

 

[JonnyMac]

Pb swiss...
I have snap on hard handle, mac hard handle and wera stainless.

The pb swiss are what i grab first..

 

[Rock Hound]

Go to either the Cripe Distributing website or eBay store and buy a bunch of individual USA made screwdrivers from various USA manufacturers for about $2 a pop.

If you buy from their website, it is best to call him up to get a shipping rate before you pay, if you use eBay just hit the button for combine shipping/order beforehand and wait about a day for them to weigh it and get a better shipping rate.

 

[FriendOfYours]

Wiha

WIHA

WIIIIIHHHHHAAAAA

I've owned multiple sets from what I'm sure is every big brand. Felo, Klein, PB Swiss, Wera, SO, MAC, CMAN, Proto and Wiha.

I will not use any other screwdriver. Best fit. Best finish. Best handle. Best striking cap. Best durability.

 

[chipper]

If i had to start over i would get williams

 

[crewchief888]

i'm a hard handle kinda wrencher.

my preferences

old SO hard handle
old mac hard handle
old SK hard handle

 

[Dave455]

I reckon that screwdrivers are my most used tools, so it's worth getting this one right!

First of all, what are you going to be working on? If it's mostly inch sized screws, then get U.S. made drivers with inch sized tips! If it's metric screws, then European drivers with metric tips may be better!

Second, what sort of handle? I personally hate soft finishes, in my workshop they pick up oil and grease, then grit, and are soon dreadful to use, so I always prefer hard handles!

My advice :

Inch size hard handles - Old style Snap On! They are still available and well worth it! Sets come up on special a couple of times a year! Also consider Williams (very similar) Mac (with the red hard handles) or Proto (same blades as Mac but a yellow cellulose acetate handle). All perfectly good! Also consider the awesome Nepros with the wooden handles!

Inch size soft handles - has to be the Snap On Instinct! They do make a hard handle version of this, but it's not as good as the old style hard handle!

Metric size hard handles - Has to be the PB Swiss with the 'Classic' hard handle! Nothing else comes close for quality or longevity! The tips are to Swiss standard and are hollow ground. There are other European makers who offer hard handles (such as Wiha) but the PB are the best! Here in the U.K. we get CK drivers with yellow cellulose acetate handles which are pretty good quality and excellent value. Don't know if they are available in the U.S.

Metric size soft handles - Probably PB Swiss again, they offer a soft handle which is very comfortable! The Wiha is another good option here, and maybe a bii more durable than the PB. Blades are good, but not quite as tough as PB. I speak from experience as I have both!

 

[Davefr]

Here are three choices. (PB Swiss is more of a precision screwdriver then the other two):

Proto Duratek
Williams Hard Handles
PB Swiss

^^^ All of the above are as good or better then SO at a tiny fraction of the price. (ex: the Proto 19 pc set comes out to about $5-6/driver on sale at Zoro. That's 1/4 the cost of SO and they're better IMHO.)

 

[Scout Driver]

Another vote for Williams hard handles. The tips fit screws tightly and wear well. Reasonably priced too.

If you have smaller hands, I'd say Felo. They will be more comfortable and easier to grip than the Williams. The Felo Ergonic are especially easy on your hands.

Scott

 

[jeffmoss26]

Enderes

 

[PT Doc]

Wiha steel capped drivers. Simply awesome. Almost too nice to use.

 

[rodsnratfinks]

I'll throw the Matco/Witte style in the ring. They have great grip on screws and on hands. I think you will like them if your hands are arthritic. They seem to take a lot less grip strength for a given torque. ... I've owned an tried a lot of different types, including nearly everything mentioned in this thread.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[JimbosGarage]

Craftsman has always been a great tool for the price, And life time warranty.