Looking for new Nut driver set SAE/Metric

[Jsf721]

I brought my Husky nut driver sets to work and I am leaving them here, tired of putting sockets on a de-tent shaft screwdriver.

I need to replace these in my home box. Any suggestions? I don't use them all that much, but when I need them, I need them.

thanks

Jeff

 

[davethorik]

This is about the best price I've come across for sae/metric usa made.

https://m.ebay.com/itm/14-Pc-Metric...291140?hash=item1a41a215c4:g:KG0AAOSwAvJXAvuh

 

[Parrothead]

If they’re good enough to leave at work, just rebuy them for home. I’ve used them and they work well. I have the older Craftsman USA nut drivers and they weren’t any different in my opinion.

 

[Jsf721]

I could, and perhaps would, but before I replace a tool, even one I am happy with I always want to check and see if there is anything new/better in my price:quality area.

If they’re good enough to leave at work, just rebuy them for home. I’ve used them and they work well. I have the older Craftsman USA nut drivers and they weren’t any different in my opinion.

 

[jam022316]

What do you find you use these on? I've never had a use for one that I know of where I couldn't get a ratchet and extension on. Just curious if I should go buy a set!

 

[Jtels85]

This is about the best price I've come across for sae/metric usa made.

https://m.ebay.com/itm/14-Pc-Metric...291140?hash=item1a41a215c4:g:KG0AAOSwAvJXAvuh

+1 on those USA NAPA nut drivers. You won’t find a better deal. I got my set from that seller and they also come in blue vinyl pouches.

 

[Parrothead]

I use mine when working on my washer, dryer, HVAC, light fixtures, and misc stuff around the houses. You can certainly survive without them, and locking extensions can even be used in their place, but when you’re outside pulling the cover off the central AC and using both hands, they’re nice.

 

[Jsf721]

I have been getting by without them at work for a while. I mostly use these for screws set inside a recess where its not easy to get a socket into. We work on Scrubbers, and cleaning equipment and they love to recess a nut into a deep roto mold recess with very little room around the nut.

Its faster to grab the nut driver, than get the socket, pop it on a driver, and then keep switching the socket size during disassembly and then doing it all again in reverse to re assemble. Now just grab the correct nut driver.

If they’re good enough to leave at work, just rebuy them for home. I’ve used them and they work well. I have the older Craftsman USA nut drivers and they weren’t any different in my opinion.

What do you find you use these on? I've never had a use for one that I know of where I couldn't get a ratchet and extension on. Just curious if I should go buy a set!

 

[Stooge]

My metric and sae sets are Wiha that I use at work, and I bought another sae set for the garage (I think they are Czech if I remember correctly). I like them, comfortable handle and nice fit to them. they don't get used much but can come in handy, mostly holding a fastener while making small, precision adjustments. I don't remember the last time I used the home set, they're too long for a lot of my car related uses.

 

[B.S.A. (ret.)]

Beyond branding I think that a hollow shaft is more important.

Absolutely correct on having a hollow shaft for those applications where the nut has a couple of inches of thread above it. My ancient Stanley 100's have this feature and someone will have to pry my cold, dead fingers off of them if they want them.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I just use my Craftsman spinner handle for my pass though (Vortex) sockets. The handle is hollow so just a socket works in most cases. If I needed something longer I can just add an extension. The sockets are thinner and fit into tighter holes that normal sockets don't. Does not fix the changing of socket size issue though.

In terms of a nut driver set. What ever has the best grip shape for your hand with a hollow shaft. The Gearwrench ones feel pretty good in my hand.

 

[four.cycle]

I have sets in Vaco, Craftsman, and Proamerica.
I have huge hands.
I wish I'd found the Proamerica models first - I would not have purchased the other two sets if I had.
The Proamerica models have big handles.
Not cheap, though - $30 bucks for the set, shipped:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/9-Piece-Jumbo-Nut-Driver-Set-ProAmerica-USA/391617847132

 

[CR888]

Wiha Germany have T-handles in both long & short / SAE & Metric. For small engine work, I couldn't live without them. I've tried quite a few & Wiha are the best quality I've found. You can also get them without T handles in a soft comfort handle. Not as cheap as some sets I realise but quality is remembered way after price is forgotten.

 

[Dingleburry]

The few things i would consider is
Do you want magnetic? So the nuts get held/get stuck in them?
Do you want the ones that do squares and 12pt or exernal torx or whatever else (like the milwaukee ones)
I personally like 6pt, non magnetic, hollow shaft.
I think i seen a couple cheap non hollow shafts, maybe im thinking of the handles?
Milwaukee are pass through handles.
But i dont like the way milwaukee grip the fastener. Much prefer 6pt rather than universal.
Wiha arent pass through handle. But they are hollow shaft. 6 point. Same with wera holoow shaft non pass through handle. 6 pt. Both non magnetic.
Milwaukee are universal (do square, external torx, triple square or someshit) have a hollow shaft pass through handle. And hex shaft so you can stick pliers or a wrench .. or pliers wrench to help out. Dont think the wrea or wiha have that. I dont like the way milwaukee contact the normal hex fastener. Especially narrow nuts like on fractional horsepower motors.

 

[kctyphoon]

Milwaukee...

 

[mfewtrail]

What do you find you use these on? I've never had a use for one that I know of where I couldn't get a ratchet and extension on. Just curious if I should go buy a set!

I use them for working on appliances most often. One other use is on hose clamps. It basically comes down to personal preference and you can certainly get by without them. A 6in1 screwdriver has replaced my dedicated nut drivers for the most part. It has the most common 1/4'' and 5/16'' drive sizes along with the most common phillips and flat bits all in one tool.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I own laundromats. I have a set at every store. They are invaluable for sheet metal screws and general machine work.

 

[potato]

Milwaukee...

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...PIPHorizontal2_rr-_-204456640-_-204246880-_-N

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-T...ow-Shafts-Cushion-Grip-Handles-647M/100648072

 

[bob15]

Have a screwdriver handle design you prefer? If yes, look for at brand and see if they make a nutdriver set. If no, go to a pawn shop or flea market or even e-bay and see what they have for used. My first nutdriver set was a wooden handle Walden set....paid a dollar for the set set (including the base). Still have 'em, though I don't use them much anymore.

 

[finn]

The last Craftsman set I bought does the job well, and is easy on my hands.

Ok, now let’s hear the usual Craftsman bashing crowd’s response.

 

[mad german]

FWIW, I have a set of Craftsman SAE & Craftsman that are about 10 years old. I use them regularly and they’ve worked out just fine. They come in a nice zippered carry case as well.

 

[Fedwrench]

TEKTON

https://www.tekton.com/drivers-and-bits/nut-drivers

US Made, singles available, outstanding customer support.

 

[SRSemenza]

Just a note on hollow shaft (not pass through) vs. solid ....... some solid shaft have a recess that is as deep as the depth on some hollow shaft drivers.



Seth

 

[Dentaltec]

These are very high quality

 

[bob15]

The last Craftsman set I bought does the job well, and is easy on my hands.

Ok, now let’s hear the usual Craftsman bashing crowd’s response.

I won't because I have two of these C-man sets which are comfortable to use

 

[four.cycle]

^ those look like they'd be more fun to work with than the skinny hard-handle CM models I have.

 

[bwringer]

If you have Menard's around there, MasterForce brand drivers are quite nice, US made, and inexpensive.

The Tekton drivers are very nice, US-made, and a great value as well. If you have a Meijer store, they'll be on the shelf.

Between the two, I'd go for the Tekton drivers -- I don't like the clear handles on the MasterForce.

 

[bob15]

^ those look like they'd be more fun to work with than the skinny hard-handle CM models I have.

They probably would be. The handle size is about the same diameter as the Klein's, with similar as well. Definitely nice using when your hand is wet or when you are trying to put little extra in when twisting.

 

[rick carpenter]

What do you find you use these on? I've never had a use for one that I know of where I couldn't get a ratchet and extension on. Just curious if I should go buy a set!

There's a comfort for me knowing that I can pick up a nutdriver and not have to worry about a socket switch being in the other position than needed, no part of the nutdriver can fall off, they fit better in a pouch or pocket than even a 1/4" ratchet with extension, and you can get hollow-shaft.

When I was doing my own band-aide fixes to our old a/c compressor, all I used to open her up was nutdrivers. Not a lot of torque needed to fasten or loosen the screws.

... In terms of a nut driver set. What ever has the best grip shape for your hand with a hollow shaft....

+1 The best advice. There's not a lot of technology needed so even cheap sets can be great.

 

[unslow1]

I have a few different brands including some tool truck ones but I usually prefer to use these HF ones. The acrylic plastic of most I find annoying.

https://www.harborfreight.com/7-pc-professional-sae-nut-driver-set-69239.html

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I have two sets of nutdrivers and I can't remember the last time I touched one of them. I use my 12v impact for pretty much everything, and if it's only 1/4" 5/16" or 3/8" I'll use a multi-bit screwdriver sometimes.

 

[Hammer1963]

Witte. Great quality and I prefer the handle styles they offer.

 

[Fly YX]

I got this https://www.tekton.com/nut-driver-set-26984 and I am happy with them. When I did more electrical work used Klein's.

 

[6PTsocket]

While some examples shown here have them, nobody mentioned multi colored handles. I have an old set of Xcelite SAE drivers. It is quicker to spot the red 1/4" than have to rotate to read them or look at the socket to find the size I need. Even that NAPA set was only multi color on the SAE's.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[anndel]

Snap On, Harbor Freight, etc. Lots of options out there. I mention these 2 brands because they strike the most nerves here on GJ.

 

[potato]

Snap On, Harbor Freight, etc. Lots of options out there. I mention these 2 brands because they strike the most nerves here on GJ.

the snap on are faster.

 

[doan]

Whichever brand you choose, color coded handles are really nice. The Milwaukee set linked above has those ridiculous “universal” heads, vs. traditional 6 pt. That would steer. Me away from those.

 

[bubinga]

They are handy for dash board work, blower motors and resistors.

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[bubinga]

The last Craftsman set I bought does the job well, and is easy on my hands.

Ok, now let’s hear the usual Craftsman bashing crowd’s response.

I have the Craftsman set too, got them a few years ago, on sale for $20.00, in a soft zipper case.
Metrics on one side standard on the other. They seem nice.

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[apollo11]

Along with my nutdrivers I have
something similar to this so my sockets can be used as a nutdrivers
Mine is a MAC though.