Jeweler's screwdrivers?

[n8n]

Who makes good ones? I need some for replacing cartridges etc. on turntables and it is way to clumsy to use the ones with replaceable bits intended for PC work. Anything significantly better than others that I could buy at Lowe's, the Orange Colored Store, Ace Hardware, or an online retailer?

 

[81turbota]

I really enjoy my Wiha precision screwdrivers. They’re a real treat to use and fit fasteners well. Large selection too.

 

[driz]

I got set of Kobalt at LowesA few years back. They’re pretty nice for glasses and such. If you’re going to buy any now’s the time to grab them because that’s when Ive seen them sitting there just prior to Christmas


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[CGarage]

Horotec makes the best.

 

[n8n]

Horotec makes the best.

Hmm, now that I think about it I may have some Bergeon ones in my watch box. Have to go look and see if they are big enough.

 

[rlitman]

Horotec makes the best.

If we're talking about real jeweler's screwdrivers, then we're talking about strictly slotted screws, and Horotec does sell a decent but overpriced screwdriver. The same sets with replacement blades can be had direct from China for under $10, though they will need a touch-up on the stone before use. Still, such drivers should be regularly sharpened anyway.

If we're merely talking about a screwdriver set with tiny tips in all shapes and sorts, then I'd suggest looking at the Wiha 75965 MicroBit Ratchet Set with 65 pieces. The driver tips are the smaller 4mm hex size, rather than the typical 1/4", so they're far less clumsy, and it's got proper European style phillips that fit Asian screws, plus a good range of parallel ground slotted bits.

 

[HotWire]

Wiha. Or Technics, Shure, etc.

Here are 2 of my 3 Technics 1200mkIIs




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[n8n]

If we're talking about real jeweler's screwdrivers, then we're talking about strictly slotted screws, and Horotec does sell a decent but overpriced screwdriver. The same sets with replacement blades can be had direct from China for under $10, though they will need a touch-up on the stone before use. Still, such drivers should be regularly sharpened anyway.

If we're merely talking about a screwdriver set with tiny tips in all shapes and sorts, then I'd suggest looking at the Wiha 75965 MicroBit Ratchet Set with 65 pieces. The driver tips are the smaller 4mm hex size, rather than the typical 1/4", so they're far less clumsy, and it's got proper European style phillips that fit Asian screws, plus a good range of parallel ground slotted bits.

Typically cartridge screws are slotted pan heads and either need a large jeweler's screwdriver or very small regular one. Typical size is 3-48 or M2.5 depending on where the table was made (although a lot of them mount with nuts and washers so they're effectively interchangeable - but some headshells like my AR XA's have threaded inserts so you're locked into what those are. Being 'murrican I'm pretty sure those are 3-48)

Reminds me, I need to get some #3 stainless or nylon washers.

 

[n8n]

Now that I think about it there may be a cheezy little screwdriver in my XA's original accessory kit. If I can find it.

 

[n8n]

Wiha. Or Technics, Shure, etc.

Here are 2 of my 3 Technics 1200mkIIs

Love the wheels of steel. Right now the only turntable I have in the house that doesn't have some sort of special instructions is my SL-1650. It. Just. Works. (OK, I did have to take it apart when I first got it and lube the mechanism that moves the tonearm, but you don't have to worry about that with the ones and twos.) I would like to get a Mk2 or M3d someday for the quartz lock but they seem to go for a lot more money than the higher featured ones because wannabe DJs drive the prices up.

Getting off topic but have you noticed that headshell prices have gone through the roof since Technics introduced the Mk7? And I was just setting up a different table for a friend to play 78s and found that the N78S that I probably paid $20 for when I got it is now worth $80 since Shure got out of the cartridge business...?

 

[HotWire]

Getting off topic but have you noticed that headshell prices have gone through the roof since Technics introduced the Mk7? And I was just setting up a different table for a friend to play 78s and found that the N78S that I probably paid $20 for when I got it is now worth $80 since Shure got out of the cartridge business...?

Yes. Shure is out but Jico has taken up Shure’s replacement. Ortofon is pretty much all that’s left for new stuff that I know of.

I saw all this coming a long time so I stocked up on styli for a few different pairs of cartridges.

I don’t ever plan on getting rid of my turntables.



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[JR 42]

Moody makes traditional style jewelers screwdrivers in the US, and they're not expensive.

 

[Davefr]

For what you describe, I'd recommend precision screwdrivers vs jewelers screwdrivers as long as you can get the tip size you want.

Wiha has the broadest offering but IMHO Wera is superior. I described why here in post #38.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21443&highlight=moody&page=2

 

[CGarage]

Horotec is preferred to Bergeon. I have both.

 

[n8n]

Yes. Shure is out but Jico has taken up Shure’s replacement. Ortofon is pretty much all that’s left for new stuff that I know of.

I saw all this coming a long time so I stocked up on styli for a few different pairs of cartridges.

I don’t ever plan on getting rid of my turntables.

JICO's prices range from expensive to eye watering though... I do have JICO made EVG styluses on a M91ED and a V15-II. Those were a good deal while it lasted. Have a couple spare N97xEs that I got as part of a package deal. Other than that I have more carts than styluses... lessee... in addition to the above I have a couple M97xEs, M70EJ, M75EJ, clip mount M91EJ, M92...

I didn't intend to become a Shure fanboy but it seems that every time I acquire more turntable stuff it always comes with a couple more Shures. They must have had the cartridge market cornered back in the day. Best sounding table I ever set up however had a humble Ortofon OM-10 on it because at the time I didn't have such a stockpile of cartridges and it was literally the cheapest non-junk cartridge I could find at the time; I was impressed with it. Right now the only non-Shure cartridge I have is a Micro Acoustics MA2002e. Actually three of them and two good styluses, but only one body makes noise on both channels, go figure. (they were all **** shoot buys, and if you know where to get a replacement stylus please let me know!)

Anyway back to the topic, thanks for all the opinions guys, keep 'em coming. Looking at the Weras mentioned above, those look like a strong choice.

 

[ive]

Wiha has a wonderful master set in blow moulded plastic. You can turn the case upside down and the screwdrivers won’t fall out. All the screwdrivers are stamped made in Germany. Beautiful set.

 

[Jawn]

Wiha also makes some nice 7-8 piece sets for a very reasonable price if you just need the basics.

 

[bonneyman]

Try MicroMark. They have tons of tiny tools. Perhaps you'll find something you can use.

https://www.micromark.com/

 

[parks31]

I just picked up a set of wihas torx and slotted and Phillips. Going to try them first before buying anything else. If these don't work out I will be buying snapon

 

[Minnesota Steve]

For what you describe, I'd recommend precision screwdrivers vs jewelers screwdrivers as long as you can get the tip size you want.

Wiha has the broadest offering but IMHO Wera is superior. I described why here in post #38.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21443&highlight=moody&page=2

I can't say if Wera is superior to Wiha, but they are good. And they are infinitely superior to Craftsman which I replaced after.

I got this set for $35 which has everything I need... flat, phillips, torx, etc.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009ODV0PI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[measuredtwice]

A slotted precision electronics screwdriver is what I would use. I have slotted precision drivers from Wiha, Wera and PB Swiss. I like them all but I like the PB Swiss hollow ground the best.

When it comes to fit, the PB Swiss with the hollow ground blade is my favorite. The PB Swiss drivers have "parallel tips" (see photo) and are less likely to damage fasteners. The santoprene handle is also really nice.

The Wera has a nice quick spin and power spin zone.

I've owned the Wiha longest and I know they are durable. I've put a tremendous amount of torque on the 2.0 mm slotted. At times, I fully expected it to snap or twist but it hasn't. The handles are okay but I prefer the handles from both Wera and PB Swiss.

 

[bonneyman]

A slotted precision electronics screwdriver is what I would use. I have slotted precision drivers from Wiha, Wera and PB Swiss. I like them all but I like the PB Swiss hollow ground the best.

When it comes to fit, the PB Swiss with the hollow ground blade is my favorite. The PB Swiss drivers have "parallel tips" (see photo) and are less likely to damage fasteners. The santoprene handle is also really nice.

The Wera has a nice quick spin and power spin zone.

I've owned the Wiha longest and I know they are durable. I've put a tremendous amount of torque on the 2.0 mm slotted. At times, I fully expected it to snap or twist but it hasn't. The handles are okay but I prefer the handles from both Wera and PB Swiss.

High praise! I guess I should start looking at PB SWiss.

 

[n8n]

Are the Wera hollow ground like Wiha? I do like that type of tips for slotted screws. There is a Wera set for under $30 that looks like what I need and then some.

Also, am I the only person having trouble keeping Wera and Wiha straight in my head?

 

[visionguru]

These?

Those mentioned above are mostly electronics screwdrivers, a little too bulky for "precision".

I've been using a $15 standard jeweler's screwdriver set (made in China?) for about 20 years, somehow the tips keep shape better than my Bergeon watchmaker screwdrivers. The option of sharpening the screwdriver tips is huge comparing with more expensive ones.


As long as it's a level above dollar store qualty (more than $10), there is not big differences for everyday use.

Of course, buy some most used sizes in PB:

 

[measuredtwice]

High praise! I guess I should start looking at PB SWiss.

Nice but pricey. I catch them when they are on sale for 30% off from Toollady.

There are several variations of the slotted precision drivers... I think there are 2 tip styles and at least 4 if not more handle variations. I think my favorite is the santoprene handle with the hollow grind.

Are the Wera hollow ground like Wiha? I do like that type of tips for slotted screws. There is a Wera set for under $30 that looks like what I need and then some.

Also, am I the only person having trouble keeping Wera and Wiha straight in my head?

Wera and Wiha are wedge shaped with flat grinds. PB Swiss has parallel tips with their unique Swiss grind (don't know what to call it) or a hollow grind.

Here's a summary that might help keep things straight...

Wera --black flat ground tips
Wiha --hard chrome flat ground tips
PB Swiss style 1 --black unique Swiss ground parallel tip
PB Swiss style 2 --black hollow ground parallel tip

Here's a photo of Wera, Wiha and PB Swiss side-by-side.
top to bottom: Wiha, Wera, PB Swiss

And here's a comparison of the tips.
left to right: PB Swiss unique Swiss grind, PB Swiss hollow grind, Wera flat grind, Wiha flat grind

 

[n8n]

Gotcha. OK now I'm thinking PB Swiss maybe. I have their Pozidriv bits but have only used them a couple times, but HARD (loosening door hinge screws on an old Studebaker)

 

[Davefr]

Nice but pricey. I catch them when they are on sale for 30% off from Toollady.

There are several variations of the slotted precision drivers... I think there are 2 tip styles and at least 4 if not more handle variations. I think my favorite is the santoprene handle with the hollow grind.




Wera and Wiha are wedge shaped with flat grinds. PB Swiss has parallel tips with their unique Swiss grind (don't know what to call it) or a hollow grind.

Here's a summary that might help keep things straight...

Wera --black flat ground tips
Wiha --hard chrome flat ground tips
PB Swiss style 1 --black unique Swiss ground parallel tip
PB Swiss style 2 --black hollow ground parallel tip

Here's a photo of Wera, Wiha and PB Swiss side-by-side.
top to bottom: Wiha, Wera, PB Swiss

And here's a comparison of the tips.
left to right: PB Swiss unique Swiss grind, PB Swiss hollow grind, Wera flat grind, Wiha flat grind

^^^That's an excellent comparison.

It's personal preference but I don't like the parallel tips for precision screwdrivers. If the fit is a little sloppy, then it will always be sloppy. However with the long flat grind (Wiha/Wera) you can often get a nice tight fit even if the very tip is a tad loose in the slot.

The Wiha/Wera drivers are pretty cheap. I often custom grind them if I have an application that requires a near perfect fit.

 

[bonneyman]

Nice but pricey. I catch them when they are on sale for 30% off from Toollady.

Quality always is!

 

[CGarage]

For fine work you want watchmaker’s screwdrivers.
The Vessel Japan Electronics screwdrivers are my favorite “micro-electronics” screwdrivers. I prefer them to Facom, Wiha, Wera, etc...
The PB Swiss are also very nice. I have a bunch of those, too. But I reach for my Vessel Japan drivers first.

 

[tym]

Bergeon...but be prepared to pay.

The blades are replaceable, however. And they do have some incredibly tiny/fine blades for wristwatch screws.

 

[CGarage]

Bergeon...but be prepared to pay.

The blades are replaceable, however. And they do have some incredibly tiny/fine blades for wristwatch screws.

Horotec is superior to Bergeon.
A good indication of the seriousness of a watchmaker is how many screwdrivers are on his workbench. Marring a screw is seen as highly unprofessional and many of the finest watches have handmade screws necessitating tuning of off-the-shelf screwdrivers to fit the slots. This is usually done via filing and sanding of a ready made screwdriver to fit the application.

 

[mowkep]

I've got an old Craftsman set that looks identical to the Wihas. Not sure if that was ever a thing. But they are fantastic

 

[Philbert]

I see you have your two turntables, but where is your microphone?
I like the Wiha drivers. I have a set in my computer tool kit bag. They
have served me well.

 

[measuredtwice]

^^^That's an excellent comparison.

It's personal preference but I don't like the parallel tips for precision screwdrivers. If the fit is a little sloppy, then it will always be sloppy. However with the long flat grind (Wiha/Wera) you can often get a nice tight fit even if the very tip is a tad loose in the slot.

The Wiha/Wera drivers are pretty cheap. I often custom grind them if I have an application that requires a near perfect fit.

Thank you, Davefr

Quality always is!