looking for fairly priced quality screwdrivers

[i4ni]

In a head to head comparison is there any screwdriver that is close to snap-on in quality but is more affordable? I'm only looking for opinions from those that have and use snap-on screwdrivers because this is a head to head comparison. Thanks

 

[AceofSpad3s]

In a head to head comparison is there any screwdriver that is close to snap-on in quality but is more affordable? I'm only looking for opinions from those that have and use snap-on screwdrivers because this is a head to head comparison. Thanks

J.H Williams is a snap on industrial brand and sells snap ons old designs like their hard handles.

 

[JonDick13926]

There are some of these on a cart at work. Not mine, but I've used them a lot and they're pretty nice.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NH5F30/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Syntax_Error]

I like my Felo Ergonic and Wera Kraftform screwdrivers, also the wera chisel drivers but snap on would bebbetter for those just for the warranty ease.

 

[d.mcfarland]

J.H Williams is a snap on industrial brand and sells snap ons old designs like their hard handles.

Umm .. it's the current hard handle, not old designs.

OP - my vote is this. You will save dramatically versus new Snap On.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Umm .. it's the current hard handle, not old designs.

OP - my vote is this. You will save dramatically versus new Snap On.

They still make hard handles? I though they didn't since williams carries snapon's old designs.

 

[i4ni]

I have 2 sets of snap-ons. I,m lookin for something that won't make me cry if I lose one

 

[zkling]

Wiha or Craftsman pro for easier warranty.

 

[oldldh]

Proto Yellow Handle Professionals....

The 18pc set was available from Epsteins for less than $ 70.00...

 

[espyking83]

Williams hard handles if you're looking for something very similar to SO. They're great.

If you're looking for very affordable and very good, look at Wera, Wiha, and Felo. I actually think they're better than Snap On. Probably just me though, but after Wiha's I'm never going back.

Epsteins has Pratt-Reads for like $12, and as the above poster said they have the good hard handle Protos, though it pisses me off there's like 20 slotted and one philips.

 

[Brownsfan]

The new proto durateks. They are now my favorite. And i do own a set of Snap on instinct handles.

 

[merbie]

vessel

 

[Davefr]

In a head to head comparison is there any screwdriver that is close to snap-on in quality but is more affordable? I'm only looking for opinions from those that have and use snap-on screwdrivers because this is a head to head comparison. Thanks

Williams hard handles are virtually identical to SO at a fraction of the price.

If you want to go up a notch, then get Proto Durateks when Zoro has a flash sale.

If you want to go up another few notches then get PB Swiss. They're probably the finest screwdriver made but expensive and more appropriate for precision tasks then beating and abuse.

 

[Kaane]

Wera, Good price and great quality.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001NQQCM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[T45]

Also look at Witte with the euro brands (wera, wiha, felo).

 

[devoncoolman]

Ill vouch for witte drivers being just as good if not better then snap-on at a lesser price point.

 

[Scottsdale10]

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/C...driver-Set-Combination/_/R-CHQSDS8_0151353725

great screwdrivers for the price

 

[n8n]

They still make hard handles? I though they didn't since williams carries snapon's old designs.

I don't think they do. But I too vote for the Williams screwdrivers as I prefer that handle style to the ones that Snap-On is now selling.

http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Williams-100P-19MD-Hand-Tools-Screwdrivers-Driver-Sets

I convinced the girl to buy the Phillips set because I was going through her toolbox and found that she had a crapton of flat drivers but one lonely #1 Phillips and it's pushing me that closer to ordering the big set for myself, they are the greatest handles ever and supposedly the drivers themselves are either almost as good as or the same as Snap-On depending on who you ask.

 

[AndrewV]

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/C...driver-Set-Combination/_/R-CHQSDS8_0151353725

great screwdrivers for the price

Those are the Apex tool groups design. If you like matco's, you'll like them op.

I sold my green snappy hard handles, and picked up Astro Pnuematic bolstered set, and Sunex hard handle set. Love them. Still had enough left over to fill my tank to.

 

[67King]

No love for SK, huh? I had read mostly positive stuff about them, the only negative was that one person experienced issues with brake cleaner softening the handles (ergo grip). I recently bought several sets, and am happy with them so far. But I may have sprung for those yellow Proto's above had I found them earlier.

 

[i4ni]

Those are the Apex tool groups design. If you like matco's, you'll like them op.

I sold my green snappy hard handles, and picked up Astro Pnuematic bolstered set, and Sunex hard handle set. Love them. Still had enough left over to fill my tank to.

so the astro pneumatic bolstered have striking handles?

 

[benzoni]

These SK are almost or as good and I have used the SO.http://www.amazon.com/SK-Hand-86006-Combination-Screwdriver/dp/B00003030U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421034694&sr=8-1&keywords=sk+screwdriver+set

 

[Kaane]

SK doesn't make them. Western Forge does. They make the same screwdrivers for craftsman and many others.

 

[TexF18]

wera chisel drivers and craftsmans for warranty, i also like the premium masterforce screwdrivers at menards

 

[Steevo]

I am a big fan of the SK green hard handled screwdrivers.
I like them as well as, or better than my Snap-On hard handles that I have had for 30 years.

http://www.tooltopia.com/sk-hand-tool-86320.aspx

 

[Shipfittin]

I have a set of Gearwrench screwdrivers that I like a lot.

 

[txdude87]

Felo, wera or Williams gets my vote. Buy one of each set!

 

[67King]

SK doesn't make them. Western Forge does. They make the same screwdrivers for craftsman and many others.

Are you sure? They look absolutely nothing like the Craftsman ones they are replacing. Hex fitting for a wrench, chrome plating, hardened tip, features on the tip are more crisp (i.e. where the X portion on a phillips meets the shaft, the SK has a sharp, well defined edge, whereas the CM is more rounded). You may be right, but holding a pair of P2's beside each other, I can't really see how they could visibly appear more different.

Guess I'll learn soon enough, since the Craftsmans tend to wear after about two uses (which is why they are being replaced)!

 

[Scimmia]

I'm really liking Witte screwdrivers right now.

 

[exmaxima1]

The new proto durateks. They are now my favorite. And i do own a set of Snap on instinct handles.

Ouch! They are expensive! I think the OP wanted something "fairly priced"

 

[lilcraigford]

I have scoured GJ discussions trying to decide which direction I want to go with screwdrivers; the Proto and Williams seem to be the go-to for affordable quality. I've narrowed down my choices but haven't pulled the trigger on anything:

Proto Classic: Top choice at the moment. I'm just particular about which ones I want (none of the available sets fit the bill) and buying them individually gets expensive quick. Maybe I'll just sell off extras from a set.

JH Williams Hard Handle: Would be a close second if they were also available in a torx style. I have thought about tracking down used Snap On hard handle torx to satisfy my quirk for matching sets.

PB Swiss Classic: Only if money were no object. I don't use screwdrivers enough or in any applications that justify the cost. They sure are nice to look at though!

 

[nicksnothereman]

In a head to head comparison is there any screwdriver that is close to snap-on in quality but is more affordable? I'm only looking for opinions from those that have and use snap-on screwdrivers because this is a head to head comparison. Thanks

There is no such thing as a bad screwdriver!

Snap on similar handle for cheaper? Craftsman professional aren't bad when they're on sale. I use crappier ones. I woodwork a lot for mechanical work don't really need a whole lot of screwdrivers to be honest...to be used as actual screwdrivers. Shouldn't be using them as striking tools or sets unless they're cheap enough to be disposable or designed for that use.

Different guys like different handles and that's where the preference starts occurring. Personally, my choice is crescent dura driver (USA MODEL!) but I also like the kobalt striking drivers. The kobalt drivers aren't cheap individually at all but they're nice; crescent can be had for around 15-25 for a set depending on the size.

There's a lot of old stock floating around like napa by witte which are nice but you won't get a complete set. Even the import gearwrench drivers don't look so bad (cheap too). I was trawling ebay a while back for some insulated drivers. Best bet at 20 bucks is gonna be wera, maybe spend some more on a wera set (30 bucks?) and get a little better set of insulated or laser tip (more obviously).

There are probably more good screwdrivers than bad screwdrivers. The difference is the warranty and the price. If you don't got redundant drivers (several of the same sizes) get something with a walk in or truck warranty...walk in is usually better unless the truck comes every day.

 

[Halfdawg]

Snap On,,,,,,,, that **** will get you laid!!!




Don't see any of the other brands with that feature.

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[nicksnothereman]

No love for SK, huh? I had read mostly positive stuff about them, the only negative was that one person experienced issues with brake cleaner softening the handles (ergo grip). I recently bought several sets, and am happy with them so far. But I may have sprung for those yellow Proto's above had I found them earlier.

I like the facom octopus handles but there ain't no one on here that don't like facom (if they're being honest).

 

[1970W-30]

@ Davefr
Who makes the driver in your picture (3rd from top on the right)?
I have one and it doesn't have any markings on it. It fits my hand great.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Absolute best quality to price are the Williams or Proto hard handles.

Williams hard handles:
http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Williams-100P-19MD-Hand-Tools-Screwdrivers-Driver-Sets

Proto hard handles:
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/Proto/PROTO-LG-SET.html

I currently use a mix of the Western Forge made Craftsman Pros and SK comfort grips which I have no complaints with. I bought and sold a set of the Williams/Snap-On screwdrivers, as they just felt too damn nice to beat up the way I do...

 

[i4ni]

F.Y.I ebay alert Thanks for all the input so far. Been all over the internet looking at alot of recommendations and found a 10 piece vintage nos PB Baumann (swiss) Assortment of Screwdrivers.I'm not really a big tool afficienado (butchered that spelling) so this is not a must have for me but i figured i'd let you guys fight over them. Dude says these are over 25 years old and he has 4 sets. I don't know how to do **** on a computer (no link)so just do a search of the name on ebay.$50 clams w/s

 

[Shipfittin]

Snap On,,,,,,,, that **** will get you laid!!!

 

[ChevyEFI]

I like the cushion grip handles on my craftsmans from 10 years ago (black rubber over red acetate for flat, black/ blue for Phillips.) I should try Klein for more.

The electronics screwdrivers from Snapon have black, ergonomically disappointing handles. They just aren't the same as the hard handles like the Williams.

 

[wild cowboy]

Snap-On makes a great screwdriver no doubt, but let's not get too excited here, they are no better than a Wiha for 1/3 of the price,
in fact, I would take the Wihas at the same price, hard to beat those Germans on screwdrivers!

www.amazon.com/Wiha-30297-12-Piece-Phillips-Screwdriver/dp/B00NQY51ME