Matco screwdrivers?

[eschoendorff]

Ok, now that I got your attention, check out these NAPA professional screwdrivers that I picked up today. $39.99 for a seven piece set and they damn close to the Matcos... even made in Germany:

And they just hang out with teh rest of the drivers:

 

[TNToy]

That's pretty sweet.

Cornwell and Matco both had contracted with Witte to make their screwdrivers. I didn't know anyone else had done the same.

I've got a set of Cornwell/Witte screwdrivers at home, and a set of Snap-On soft grips in my box at work. I prefer the Snappys and I don't think anyone currently makes a tougher screwdriver... but these are the next best thing. More than enough for any home shop, and half the price of snap-on.

 

[kartracer55]

Napa stuff is from Danaher if im not mistaken.

The Matco Screwdrivers are the next level up from those (I know because I was lookign to buy them from witte). The Matco's are a "+" model, as they use some sort of insert, that feels almost like carpet in the handle.

Im still torn between the snap on's and the matco's. In the past few months Ive broken a matco flat head and seen another one broken, but I use them almost primarily (the bay Im typically in) and we also tend to abuse the screwdrivers and pry with them. As for comfort, Im kinda torn. What do you guys think of the grips between the snap on comfort and the matco? Do the Snap ons really transfer more torque?

Jim

 

[chevy302dz]

Since we're on the subject of German screwdrivers does anyone have a opinion on these. http://www.wihatools.com/images/holiday_06/46099.380px.jpg

 

[eschoendorff]

Napa stuff is from Danaher if im not mistaken.

The Matco Screwdrivers are the next level up from those (I know because I was lookign to buy them from witte). The Matco's are a "+" model, as they use some sort of insert, that feels almost like carpet in the handle.

Im still torn between the snap on's and the matco's. In the past few months Ive broken a matco flat head and seen another one broken, but I use them almost primarily (the bay Im typically in) and we also tend to abuse the screwdrivers and pry with them. As for comfort, Im kinda torn. What do you guys think of the grips between the snap on comfort and the matco? Do the Snap ons really transfer more torque?

Jim

If I was going to buy another set of screwdrivers, it would be Snap On, hands down. I just happened to find these and the price was doable... I put the replacements in my wife's car.

 

[joenero]

eschoendorff, once you try a soft grip snap on you'd never want to go back, I just upgraded from the matco/witte soft grip to the snap ons because of how much better they were, it's worth it

 

[joenero]

What do you guys think of the grips between the snap on comfort and the matco? Do the Snap ons really transfer more torque?

Yes, no question about it.

 

[eschoendorff]

eschoendorff, once you try a soft grip snap on you'd never want to go back, I just upgraded from the matco/witte soft grip to the snap ons because of how much better they were, it's worth it

I have a couple Snap On soft grips... had them before these. And, if I was in the market to buy a whole new serious set of drivers, as I said before, it would be Snap On hands down. I love those screwdrivers. But for the $$$, these seemed like a good bet...

 

[iiibdsiil]

I hated the Matco screwdrivers my old boss had.

And personally, I like the hard grip Snap-on's, but that's me. I have a set of both hard and soft.

 

[Rickster]

Those look like the Craftsman Pro versions with the soft grip handles with hard plastic inserts. I really didn't care for the feel of those hard plastic inserts.

 

[eschoendorff]

Those look like the Craftsman Pro versions with the soft grip handles with hard plastic inserts. I really didn't care for the feel of those hard plastic inserts.

Huh??? I have those Craftsmans and they are night and day different than these NAPAs. The Cman (red and black soft grip pros) have a different finish on the blade, sand blasted tips and are made by western forge. These have a sort of satin blade with a black oxide tip and are made by Witte in Germany. I think that Jim was right, though, these handles are just a little different from those used by Witte for teh mainline Matcos. I highly doubt that the shaft or the tip are any different, though.

 

[motorheadjohn]

Im still torn between the snap on's and the matco's. In the past few months Ive broken a matco flat head and seen another one broken, but I use them almost primarily (the bay Im typically in) and we also tend to abuse the screwdrivers and pry with them. As for comfort, Im kinda torn. What do you guys think of the grips between the snap on comfort and the matco? Do the Snap ons really transfer more torque?

Jim

I have both. I keep the Matcos in a toolbox for the Roadrunner at the racetrack along with a matching set of torx drivers for the Edelbrock carb. In the garage I have the Snappys and a set of C-man pros. I grab whatever I am closest to and don't have any complaints. I do tend to prefer the triangular shape of the Snappys and C-man pro handles for when the hands get slick from sweat or oil.

I just noticed the other day some bad pitting on my Snappys from the humidity. I thought I had everything pretty well coated in light oil but I guess not. GRRRRRRRRRRR

 

[54bomb]

I think those matco screwdrivers are kinda hard to hold on to and I didnt really like that "felt" type material on them. I ordered the orange snap on screw drivers and they work great.

 

[Junkman]

I could never get used to the new soft grip tools, so I just stay with my time tested old fashioned square & triangular plastic handled screwdrivers by Snap-On. If I find a used one at a flea market and the price is right, I buy it and keep it as a spare. Seems like screwdrivers and 1/2" / 9/16" wrenches, you just never have enough of. Just when I think that a tool is lost forever, it shows up in the most unlikely place, like in the wrong drawer. Now, I don't put anything away until I finish the job. I just keep throwing the tools that I am finished using into a cardboard box, and then I clean all the tools in the box and put them back in there proper place. Too often, I would open a drawer to get a different tool, and drop the one in my hand into that drawer by mistake.

 

[wilbilt]

I could never get used to the new soft grip tools, so I just stay with my time tested old fashioned square & triangular plastic handled screwdrivers by Snap-On.

Yep. The soft grips **** in the dirt and wear quickly.

Maybe when NIKE comes out with a set of fancy squishy screwdrivers, I'll buy some.

 

[tweety652]

i have a snappy soft grip ratchet that i used to replace a fuel pump. it got some gas on the handle and turned sticky. i thought this was weird but was told by other mechanics this happens all the time even when exposed to oil. i miss the old plastic snappy.

 

[kartracer55]

I have mixed feelings abotu the soft grips. I believe I can generate more torque witht he soft grip snap on screwdrivers than the regular ones. But, I dont like how long the handle is on the 1/4 soft grip flex I have.

Jim

 

[dink]

I think you guys should try true ergonomic handles either hard or soft grip....I really like these type...less fatigue on the hands and more comfortable

 

[IntrstlarOvrdrve]

I hated the Matco screwdrivers my old boss had.

And personally, I like the hard grip Snap-on's, but that's me. I have a set of both hard and soft.

I have two soft handled snap on's, I too like the hard gripped ones..

 

[Deafautotech]

I did saw matco tool screwdrivers and it make me like what is that!! but i got snap on pry bar set and soft grips set from my college for only 120 dollars (throught to distrubor not dealer). it service me really good as i have many craftsman screwdrivers and already twist flat head screwdrivers and phillip screwdrivers show more wear than snap on screwdrivers. so well i use my tools too hard to do the jobs in dealership.

 

[eschoendorff]

Eh, I thought I'd post em up anyway. For less than $40, this 7-piece set has proven to be a pretty good buy so far. Been using them all week and no complaints.

 

[ilikebeer]

The funny thing is that Danaher makes newer Craftsman, Armstrong, Matco, Gearwrench, Kobalt and Allen brands. The Danaher rep claims that some of the Armstrong toolboxes are exactly the same the only difference is the stickers.