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Klein nutdrivers, any good?

bobcatdan

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Jan 4, 2011
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Kaukauna,WI
I see enough post here saying their screwdrivers are too soft for mechanic work, but any ideas how their nutdrivers hold up? Kinda thinking I want a set.
 
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young_buck

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Jan 1, 2013
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Alberta, Canada
They were used in a diesel shop I shadowed in this summer, they had them there for 3 years and they had just started to show wear on the grips. Just make sure you keep them clean and don't saturate them in grease and oil and they will serve you well, the handles are quite comfortable as well.
 

FiveFinger

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Dec 25, 2012
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61
Most electricians do the bulk of their work with them. Are they the best? Probably not but they are a well made tool.
 

Davefr

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Jan 7, 2010
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OR
I see enough post here saying their screwdrivers are too soft for mechanic work, but any ideas how their nutdrivers hold up? Kinda thinking I want a set.


I dumped my Klein screwdrivers but their nut drivers are keepers.
 

alpinewhite

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Aug 4, 2012
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Location
Orange County, California, USA
I dumped my Klein screwdrivers but their nut drivers are keepers.

I love my Klein screwdrivers. I prefer using my Vaco nutdrivers over the Kleins as the color on the handles make them much faster to identify. They're also longer then the Kleins.

I still have my Klein nutdrivers in the toolbox, though.

Different strokes for different folks.
 

greasemonkey44

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Mar 30, 2011
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1,625
Location
memphis
i keep a 5/16 and a 1/4 in klien in my box for just in case
they have held up just fine and the fit on fasteners is good
thinking about getting a 7mm and maybe a 10mm
 

Chadwilliam1

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May 13, 2012
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2,787
Location
Cincinnati
I like them I have both metric and fractional in my box. They seem te be the same as my metric craftsmans with the rubber grip. I prefer the craftsmans which they no longer make because the grips are different colors.
 

decableguy2000

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Nov 4, 2012
Messages
650
I use them everyday. I have seen a few broke ones in 20 years of cable work. Most of those have been abused and not used for the right thing. I have no problem keeping them in my toolbox, also have a set of the long shaft ones. They come in handy. Anything over a 1/2" gets to be a bit awkward, as the have a large handle.

Jeremy
 

domain

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Joined
May 16, 2010
Messages
902
I use the 2 piece set consisting of the 1/4'' and 5/16'' MAGNETIC HOLLOW SHAFTS. These things rock and are durable/dependable. Granted, I do not abuse them and they get turned as intended.
 

metaldad

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Aug 2, 2011
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7,735
Location
nw indiana
I have a few in my pouch.
Only gripe is that the size color on the end wears off quickly.
I remark them with paint crayons.
Vaco was a great tool. They still made? Or absorbed by Klein?
 

jontar

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May 1, 2012
Messages
199
i'm an industrial electrician and use Klein nutdrivers daily, they are probably the best, I have the vaco ones in metric and they are good too.
 
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hifi_hokie

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Nov 2, 2010
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1,102
Location
Hillsborough, NC
I see enough post here saying their screwdrivers are too soft for mechanic work, but any ideas how their nutdrivers hold up? Kinda thinking I want a set.

I bought metric and SAE sets a few years ago as one of my first "real" tool purchases.

They've held up fine.

I'd recommend the hollow-shaft ones - the cheap Chinese set I had before were solid shafts, and for some reason if that's all you have, every bolt you encounter will be too long for the socket :p
 

Paul Bee

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Dec 23, 2012
Messages
42
Location
Near Portland, Oregon
I have been an Hvac technician for 40 years and in trade school they had Xcelite nutdrivers. Then a few years later I worked for RCA Factory Service and they supplied Xcelite Service Master roll kits. Their sockets are case hardened (like a lock shackle). I have owned and used stanley, master mechanic, craftsman, powercraft, proto and Vaco and Klein. Nothing holds up like Xcelite. I just bought both a 1/4 and 5/16 long shaft magnetic for $13.96 each. Regular length 5/16 magnetic was about $8.50. Just FYI Crescent is the same thing. The regular length ones are solid with the shaft drilled (not hollow tubing with a socket brazed on.) Klein bought Vaco a number of years ago I see them at all the hvac supply houses, I like Klein cutters and crimpers and needle nose pliers, but I use Xcelite nutdrivers.
 
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Scout Driver

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Nov 20, 2009
Messages
4,284
Location
South Dakota
I've used the Kleins when swapping air-seeder shovels to tighten hose clamps. This amounts to a lot of heavy, dirty, repetitive work. The grippy handle lets you apply lots of torque without your paws slipping on the handle. Very good drivers overall!

Scott
 

glenmore

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Joined
Nov 18, 2008
Messages
1,351
Location
Los Angeles
Speaking of nut drivers, are the Snap-On versions anything special?

There are some of the old style clear yellow handle ones for sale in my area.
 

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dirtydogintex

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Sep 28, 2012
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927
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inner looper-3rd Div Houston w & n
It's a speed contest?
No hares here.... *L*

Always thought feel was more important since it doesn't take much more than
looking cross eyed at sheet metal/hose clamp screws to strip 'em out
and
since hard handles give ya better 'feel' when the gripping gets slippery....
 
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