Renegade1LI
Well-known member
So Tekton has USA made screwdrivers? who knew, I really like this 63 pc set.
Looking for a nice screw driver set
- Thread starter jstroede
- Start date
Maui
Well-known member
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After the PF video I was intrigued by the recent Craftsman drivers. Historically I don't like their screwdrivers as I found they didn't fit screws that nicely. It appears that is no longer the case.
I like the Tekton trilobes. I picked up some when this set was stupid cheap (~$20)
The Walmart Heart stuff isn't bad for throw away tools. That was another purchase that I did when they were clearance priced.
If cost is relatively not an object, I love the Williams drivers since they are like the Snap-on ones my Dad has.
I like the Tekton trilobes. I picked up some when this set was stupid cheap (~$20)
The Walmart Heart stuff isn't bad for throw away tools. That was another purchase that I did when they were clearance priced.
If cost is relatively not an object, I love the Williams drivers since they are like the Snap-on ones my Dad has.
Ray’s Autoshop
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- Jan 19, 2022
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I'm a Craftsman guy as well and do have a set of Craftsman screwdrivers. They are good screwdrivers and mine are used regularly. But the best screwdrivers I've owned and used are the older SK green/white. My first SK in the 1980's was a 73504 multi-driver that had the absolute best phillips driver bit (73522) I've ever seen. I used that thing for putting up and repairing fences, building a playhouse, two work benches, and a host of many other stressful applications over the decades - all while chucked in a corded electric drill. I gave that thing hell and it never even wore out. It destroyed quite a few screw fasteners. It did finally break a few years ago while I was hanging some cabinets in my garage. That was a sad day. Anyway, I highly recommend SK. I now have a completed SK phillips green/white set. My best slotted screwdrivers are the old yellow/red Mac. I recommend them too. There are a lot of other good recommendations on this thread as well.
slowtwitch73
Well-known member
These seem pretty tasty.. German made, wood ergo handles, black tips. $23 bucks free ship on Ebay.
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
All this screwdriver talk forced me to order this 63 pc set from tekton, review to follow.
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
look nice for woodworking box.These seem pretty tasty.. German made, wood ergo handles, black tips. $23 bucks free ship on Ebay.
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
Thanks. I just ordered a set for my trim bag.These seem pretty tasty.. German made, wood ergo handles, black tips. $23 bucks free ship on Ebay.
I'm not sure why Made in Taiwan vs. Made in Czech Republic (or whatever) means anything - I value performance. My Wiha set is a better set of tools, but a lot more expensive. The Icon set has been absolutely fine, and haven't been treated gently.
Duster346
Well-known member
I'd also suggest the Channellock screwdrivers as a lower budget option ..
The Toptul go-thru striking cap sets are very nice mechanic/engineers type set and good example of better taiwan stuff, I got 6pc set and extra #3 philips (no idea why don't do set as 7pc) and they been great in daily use .
These can be found silly cheap at times .
These can be found silly cheap at times .
slowtwitch73
Well-known member
Is it a thing that wood handled drivers are for the wood box?
I orderd a set also.. going to use them as I would any driver.
I orderd a set also.. going to use them as I would any driver.
We have people with hands of all sizes that work for us. They go from very small to close to gorilla. Each person based on that has a screwdriver handle they like best. It does not seem to be a one size fits all. I would say try samples of each and based on your hand size and shape use what fits you best with the best blades. Most companies design for the average as they see it. As for me and my hands, I see a few on the list I hate since I have a hard time getting a grip, a few that are OK and what I use is missing. Since my comment is to find what fits you I will not list it.
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
No, i don’t think so, but they kinda match my sorby wood chisels, will be a good fit and fit 23$ how wrong can you go.
slowtwitch73
Well-known member
Yeah the price is nuts...
Dammit, you just cost me $23 plus tax!These seem pretty tasty.. German made, wood ergo handles, black tips. $23 bucks free ship on Ebay.
ETA: I’m giving them to my nephew for his 17th birthday after I finish fiddle-********* them…
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Alpine4x4
Well-known member
I have Snap-On, Wera, and Cman USA. Really like the Snap-On hard and soft handles. Using the Wera this morning I was impressed with the fit in my hand. Very happy with them. I might geab those Felo for giggles and want to try some Vessel as well. Cant have too many screwdrivers...
slowtwitch73
Well-known member
I think a 63 piece driver set is a sales generating ploy by tool box manufacturers.
It’s like a candy store for adult boys. HJE has been my go to store for tools for the last 40 plus years. Be prepared to spend some cash.
The Harry J. Epstein Co. - USA Hand Tools - Surplus/Retail/Liquidation
The Harry J. Epstein Co. - USA Hand Tools - Surplus/Retail/Liquidation
www.harryepstein.com
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
I bought them to put in my toy hauler box, works out to 3.75 per driver, I like having all the individual bit tools & nut drivers.I think a 63 piece driver set is a sales generating ploy by tool box manufacturers.
i really like my Felo wood handled drivers, and under $30 is a bargain for those.
While I can understand people preferring hard plastic handles for mechanical work, these do have finish on them. Between that, and I don’t like turning screwdrivers with slippy hands so I use shop towels, so I wouldn’t have a problem using them in the garage. The old Mac and Proto wood handles were used for mechanics by many people. And wood is just a great tactile material.
While I can understand people preferring hard plastic handles for mechanical work, these do have finish on them. Between that, and I don’t like turning screwdrivers with slippy hands so I use shop towels, so I wouldn’t have a problem using them in the garage. The old Mac and Proto wood handles were used for mechanics by many people. And wood is just a great tactile material.
TheGr8erG00d
Well-known member
I'm also on the Vessel train. I have a number of screwdriver sets and these have quickly become my favorite. They bite into Phillips screws better than anything else I've ever owned.
I never thought this would be such a hard decision. I have seen several that I like Mayhew, but they seem to have a very limited number of sizes available.
I put my hands on those at the local tool shop, and they seemed solid. If I want something with more options, I might have to go with Wera or Wiha. They seem to have much more options for sizes and lengths if I were to need something. Tekton and GearWrench both seem to have moderately priced kits that include pretty much everything I would ever need.
Getting closer I think to making a decision. I never knew screwdrivers would be such a hard choice!
John
I put my hands on those at the local tool shop, and they seemed solid. If I want something with more options, I might have to go with Wera or Wiha. They seem to have much more options for sizes and lengths if I were to need something. Tekton and GearWrench both seem to have moderately priced kits that include pretty much everything I would ever need.
Getting closer I think to making a decision. I never knew screwdrivers would be such a hard choice!
John
I'd think about whether you are going to get the handles dirty or not, the Weras (for example) can get pretty grunged up.
I've got too many screwdrivers, but I think the PB Swiss have the best tips while the heavy-duty Wihas are best for misuse as bludgeoning tools. Doing it all over again? I don't care about handle shape too much and so would probably just buy a set of the European stuff (Wera,Wiha,Felo,PB) or maybe that Williams set and be done with it. Whatever seems like a good deal. No point in buying Asian (non-Japanese) for screwdrivers, they're not that expensive
Part 2 would be to get a couple of bit holders (long, short, ratcheting) and a set of really good bits. That would be for the sketchier fits.
I did buy one of these sets
for $23.96 back when PB Swiss was ultra-cheap on Amazon, and use it more than anything. They're stupid-expensive in real life though.
I've got too many screwdrivers, but I think the PB Swiss have the best tips while the heavy-duty Wihas are best for misuse as bludgeoning tools. Doing it all over again? I don't care about handle shape too much and so would probably just buy a set of the European stuff (Wera,Wiha,Felo,PB) or maybe that Williams set and be done with it. Whatever seems like a good deal. No point in buying Asian (non-Japanese) for screwdrivers, they're not that expensive
Part 2 would be to get a couple of bit holders (long, short, ratcheting) and a set of really good bits. That would be for the sketchier fits.
I did buy one of these sets
PB Swiss PB 7215 Phillips/Slotted Screwdriver Set, 10-Piece: Pb Swiss Tools: Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement
PB Swiss PB 7215 Phillips/Slotted Screwdriver Set, 10-Piece: Pb Swiss Tools: Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement
www.amazon.com
Ton ton
Well-known member
I like vessel screwdrivers too.
Bubba Fett
Well-known member
I've heard good things about the Tekton screwdrivers. They have two styles: Ergonomic and Hard-handle. The hard-handles have reinforced nylon handles that are easier to clean, so they may be a better choice for automotive work. I believe Tekton drivers are made by Ideal/Pratt-Read, and I have a feeling that may change when the contract runs out, since Pratt-Read is no more, and Ideal appears to be getting out of contract manufacturing. Same goes for the Channellock acetate-handle screwdrivers, which are also made by them.
Great Neck makes acetate-handle screwdrivers for Lowe's (Kobalt) and Wal-Mart (Hyper-Tough) which are assembled in USA. These are decent screwdrivers, but not the best. They are fine for household duty. I believe at one point they were fully made in USA, but I'm not sure. I'd bet money they got the handles from Pratt-Read's subsidiary A&L, who made handles for pretty much every US tool brand (and some imports) except Klein. I believe they also went under when Pratt-Read died.
Great Neck makes acetate-handle screwdrivers for Lowe's (Kobalt) and Wal-Mart (Hyper-Tough) which are assembled in USA. These are decent screwdrivers, but not the best. They are fine for household duty. I believe at one point they were fully made in USA, but I'm not sure. I'd bet money they got the handles from Pratt-Read's subsidiary A&L, who made handles for pretty much every US tool brand (and some imports) except Klein. I believe they also went under when Pratt-Read died.
slowtwitch73
Well-known member
Making a decent driver is, in large part, no mystery, and I'd wager where they are made doesn't make a huge difference in terms of quality for a given price point. We live in a world awash in nice drivers.
Tekton is having a deal where for 10$/free ship they will sell you two Phillips heads , one of each handle type, and a 10% code if you then order a set having made up your mind as to what handle you like. As of now made in USA.
Tekton is having a deal where for 10$/free ship they will sell you two Phillips heads , one of each handle type, and a 10% code if you then order a set having made up your mind as to what handle you like. As of now made in USA.
Ton ton
Well-known member
Dave R from Tekton said Tekton sources screwdrivers from a variety of manufacturers. Take it however you choose is what I say.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
My take on it:
Post in thread 'New hard handle screwdrivers from Tekton'
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...-screwdrivers-from-tekton.435138/post-8168597
Bubba Fett
Well-known member
And I think I read on here somewhere (from a Tekton rep?) that Tekton sourced Pratt-Read and another company for the drivers. I assumed they got the blades from P-R and the handles from Universal Products. There are not that many screwdriver manufacturers in the US, and Pratt-Read made drivers or parts for nearly everyone, including top-tier brands. Wilde makes their USA-made pliers and pry-bars, but I believe Wilde's screwdrivers were also made by Pratt-Read, and I have noticed that their selection for drivers has dwindled to near-nothing, following P-R's death.
I do know that final assembly for Tekton drivers takes place in Grand Rapids. It makes sense that they get the blades in, and the are put into the machines for injection-molding there. It's possible that they have found another source for blades, as they will continue to make drivers here.
Side note: Mayhew now offers screwdrivers, but they are made in Taiwan. Mayhew did recently purchase Best Way, who makes drivers and bits for 6-in-1 drivers, etc. I believe Best Way did do some manufacturing here, but some stuff was imported. Might see some interesting things from them in the future. The probably has nothing to do with Tekton, but it is interesting.
I do know that final assembly for Tekton drivers takes place in Grand Rapids. It makes sense that they get the blades in, and the are put into the machines for injection-molding there. It's possible that they have found another source for blades, as they will continue to make drivers here.
Side note: Mayhew now offers screwdrivers, but they are made in Taiwan. Mayhew did recently purchase Best Way, who makes drivers and bits for 6-in-1 drivers, etc. I believe Best Way did do some manufacturing here, but some stuff was imported. Might see some interesting things from them in the future. The probably has nothing to do with Tekton, but it is interesting.
Ton ton
Well-known member
I do agree that it's almost a miracle to find modern USA screwdrivers besides the tool truck brand names.
Bubba Fett
Well-known member
It is. Klein, Tekton, Ideal, Williams, and Proto, are about all that's left, other than truck brands, which count for two of those as rebrands. And all those brands have Taiwan-made drivers as well.
slowtwitch73
Well-known member
Wilde, Wright, some Stanleys, Pratt Read, Grace, some Dewalts (of globally sourced materials), Bondhus (Torx/Allen)
slowtwitch73
Well-known member
There's plenty of options out there imo. Maybe not at the local store.
Bubba Fett
Well-known member
Pratt-Read is dead. The were the OEM for most of those brands. Ideal *may* still be making Wright and Channellock drivers, and Bondhus doesn't offer Standard or Phillips drivers.
65ranchero
Well-known member
I was looking for a replacement handle for a SO flat blade screw driver with the old black square handle and I stumbled on this:
Screw drivers Click on the link
Now before the SO guys tell me to contact SO for a replacement ,I already did that and got a replacement screw driver and they did not want the old one back and I think it's a waste to scrap the blade ( right now it's being used as a pry bar, chisel, assembly separator)
Screw drivers Click on the link
Now before the SO guys tell me to contact SO for a replacement ,I already did that and got a replacement screw driver and they did not want the old one back and I think it's a waste to scrap the blade ( right now it's being used as a pry bar, chisel, assembly separator)
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slowtwitch73
Well-known member
Also Ideal are made in USA.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Southwire has some too. And Moody for precision drivers.