Moderately priced screwdriver set opinions?

[dwasifar]

It's been nagging at me, why does Megadora sound vaguely familiar? And finally I realized it was reminding me of the character Nymphadora from Harry Potter.

I went looking for a picture to add to this post, and Google tried to **** me into a morass of mega-geeky HP fandom. I barely escaped with my life.

 

[four.cycle]

^ Those are significantly lower prices on the Vessel stuff at JBTools than what I paid a year ago from another seller. (22% less on the little 31-piece bit set.)

 

[cosmokenney]

I particularly like this set from Pittsburg (Harbor Freight). They have bolt heads above the handle so you can really torque them with a wrench or socket if needed. And they have held up well over the last 10 year's I've had them:

https://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-bolstered-screwdriver-set-94899.html

 

[Rockable]

Vessel Megadora. After you use them a little while, you will elevate your old Crapsmans to the junk draer in the house. I did.

I have a bunch of Craftsman tools but their screwdrivers are not in the class of Vessel.

 

[four.cycle]

^ I rounded up most all my Craftsman stinky drivers and gave them to a buddy of mine. Last batch of "grab bag" stuff had some Craftsmans in it - they got shipped down to Don, who posted them a couple nights ago after cleaning the paint off of them.

 

[rct]

For mid-range screwdrivers, so far I own and like in no particular order - Vessel JIS, Williams USA black handles, Tekton, Carlisle and my new Witte set (reportedly the current German oem of the Matco screwdrivers). All are superior to my old Craftsman USA screwdrivers.

 

[CGarage]

I have a set of old Craftsman USA screwdrivers with translucent plastic handles with blue and red color details.

I actually like them. One of the few tools from Craftsman that I think was “good”.

Not as good of a tip as Vessel, particularly on Philips, but I still use them for some tasks when I don’t want to use a fancy, import screwdriver.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Finally wearing out the tips on my 90s black Craftsman Industrial. They had a good run.

You and I have a different opinion on "moderately priced" !

To me, this is "moderate".

 

[dwasifar]

Vessel Megadora. After you use them a little while, you will elevate your old Crapsmans to the junk draer in the house. I did.

I have a bunch of Craftsman tools but their screwdrivers are not in the class of Vessel.

These are 90s Craftsman Industrial, quite a bit better than the common acetates. They look like this (not my pic):



I have a set of the acetate ones too. Bought them to get the last chance at USA WF, just before SBD moved production overseas, but I rarely use them because the Industrial were so much better. I considered putting the acetates into primary service as a replacement for the Industrial, but didn't want to take that step down.

Really I have too many screwdriver sets. In addition to the in-transit Vessel set, I have the soon to be decommissioned Craftsman Industrials, the Craftsman acetates, a set of Channellock acetates (which I really like) and a set of Quinn from HF, which are better than you'd think for the price; plus a toolbox drawer full of randoms, and who knows how many reversible multi-drivers.

 

[dwasifar]

You and I have a different opinion on "moderately priced" !

To me, this is "moderate".

Yeah. I have those from when they were made in USA.

I said "moderately priced" to weed out replies like "go spend $200 on a set of PB Swiss."

 

[CGarage]

These are 90s Craftsman Industrial, quite a bit better than the common acetates. They look like this (not my pic):



I have a set of the acetate ones too. Bought them to get the last chance at USA WF, just before SBD moved production overseas, but I rarely use them because the Industrial were so much better. I considered putting the acetates into primary service as a replacement for the Industrial, but didn't want to take that step down.

Really I have too many screwdriver sets. In addition to the in-transit Vessel set, I have the soon to be decommissioned Craftsman Industrials, the Craftsman acetates, a set of Channellock acetates (which I really like) and a set of Quinn from HF, which are better than you'd think for the price; plus a toolbox drawer full of randoms, and who knows how many reversible multi-drivers.

USA WF ?

 

[jimbee]

How about Klein for $48?
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-T...gnetizer-Cushion-Grip-6-Piece-85146/310970853

 

[CGarage]

The “pearl clutching” gasps that happen on here when Asian and European product is recommended, that is superior in quality and value to American made, just makes me shake my head…

 

[dwasifar]

USA WF ?

Yes.

 

[bcradio]

For mid-range screwdrivers, so far I own and like in no particular order - Vessel JIS, Williams USA black handles, Tekton, Carlisle and my new Witte set (reportedly the current German oem of the Matco screwdrivers). All are superior to my old Craftsman USA screwdrivers.

If those are mid-range, what do you consider high-range?

 

[Jsf721]

I have a set of Wera I love and recently I have been working on rebuilding a large 42" Wolf BBQ. I needed some longer shafts and picked up a set of ICON at HF and they are really great. Zero Complaints. Fit and Bite are great and they have taken out some badly charred and greasy hardware.

 

[theoldwizard1]

To me, this is "moderate".

Yeah. I have those from when they were made in USA.

All mine were made in the USA. I only have one Craftsman tool that was NOT made in the USA (and nobody wants it !)

I have added several more to that set. Even longer slotted and a #3 Phillips plus a "cabinet" screwdriver (slotted, extra long, thin round shank; good for adjusting carbs on small engines).

I am probably one of only a couple folks around here that have small engine carburetor jet screwdrivers (slotted, hollow ground).

 

[CGarage]

Yes.

What do you mean by ‘WF’ ?

 

[Rockable]

These are 90s Craftsman Industrial, quite a bit better than the common acetates. They look like this (not my pic):



I have a set of the acetate ones too. Bought them to get the last chance at USA WF, just before SBD moved production overseas, but I rarely use them because the Industrial were so much better. I considered putting the acetates into primary service as a replacement for the Industrial, but didn't want to take that step down.

Really I have too many screwdriver sets. In addition to the in-transit Vessel set, I have the soon to be decommissioned Craftsman Industrials, the Craftsman acetates, a set of Channellock acetates (which I really like) and a set of Quinn from HF, which are better than you'd think for the price; plus a toolbox drawer full of randoms, and who knows how many reversible multi-drivers.

I have a set just like that and I am telling you, the Vessel Phillips end screwdrivers fit today's screws and can transmit more torque. I nearly threw away my #1 the other day.

 

[FigN⋅m]

These are 90s Craftsman Industrial, quite a bit better than the common acetates. They look like this (not my pic):

Still have my set (did kill one, though) I treated myself to way back when.
I actually gave them a proper clean recently for the first time and they
have held up extremely well and give me little reason to look elsewhere.

ETA: Ok, lied a little bit, I do have a Vessel Ball Grip 220W3J1 I keep in the 4Runner

 

[Tynee]

What do you mean by ‘WF’ ?

Made by Western Forge, right?

 

[four.cycle]

^ Western Forge made those acetate-handled red/blue/clear models shown in post #48, yes. (at least part of them, anyway.)

 

[Ohio Andy]

USA WF ?

USA is place of manufacture and WF are the initials of the manufacturer... And I'm brain farting on the name right now which really annoys me. It's even posted in this thread so I've even read it today and I still can't remember.

I had a nice set of the black handled professionals. I really like them and at the moment I just absolutely cannot find them.

Makes me wonder if I bought those before I left the country cuz I think I came back with my tools couple years later.

 

[dwasifar]

^ Western Forge made those acetate-handled red/blue/clear models shown in post #48, yes. (at least part of them, anyway.)

They also made the black ones, and every USA Craftsman pliers I've ever seen.

 

[rct]

If those are mid-range, what do you consider high-range?

Mine were all purchased on sale at various times. Tekton sets average $5 per driver, the Williams and Carlyle about $45 for the sets, I think 6 and 8 pieces. I would consider high priced: Snap-On, MAC, Matco, Proto and costly imports I don't own like PB Swiss. Essentially there are the low-cost import brands at Walmart, Lowes, Home Deport, many of the Harbor Freight options. I consider mid-range to be a quality tool at less than industrial/tool-truck pricing. I would not pay Napa full price for Carlyle unless I needed a specific piece, but when on sale I have found them to be very nice tools. My Craftsman screwdrivers are all USA Pratt-Reed or Western Forge and are not as good as the other brands I've tried. I don't own a full Vessel set, just a few JIS drivers from Amazon which were worth the $8-11 each. Adjusted for inflation before Craftsman raced to the bottom and died, I think the costs are comparable. I think midrange in Screwdrivers has alot of options between the under $15-20 sets and the over $150 sets. Just a home wrencher on my tractor and simple auto repairs but quality tools do feel and work better.

 

[dwasifar]

I decided to supplement the Vessel Megadora set, and ordered these two additional drivers:



So I will have four Phillips (P0, P1, P2, P3) and four slotted (1/8", 3/16", 1/4", and 5/16", or their metric approximations anyway).
This completely replaces the eight retiring Craftsman drivers. Works out that both shipments will arrive on the same day. Now if they fit the rack without modification, that'll be the trifecta. If not I'll just make a new one of these racks for them:

 

[CGarage]

You and I have a different opinion on "moderately priced" !

To me, this is "moderate".

It could always be worse…….
But life is too short to “screw around”.

 

[Kscardsfan]

Again:
I had some mixed feelings about shipping my buddy that "Megadora" set for Christmas, as he's been using U.S. made "hard handles" his entire life, and is a grumpy old man resistant to change (like me.) I had some reservations about the "soft handle" thing, but pulled the trigger and sent them to him just before Christmas.
After he finally recovered from two heart attacks and the installation of a pacemaker, I asked him about them. (This would have been about two months back when @BrandonV first started digging into the "JIS" thing toward the end of this thread.) He said he loved them, which actually surprised me.

The few I have kept for myself are now my "go to" for anything Phillips - they just FIT better (and I honestly don't understand the whole "JIS" issue, but I don't work on any Japanese-made machinery.)

I married into a Prius or else I wouldn't really care either. Then my mom bought a 4Runner so I have more excuses.

 

[dwasifar]

The few I have kept for myself are now my "go to" for anything Phillips - they just FIT better (and I honestly don't understand the whole "JIS" issue, but I don't work on any Japanese-made machinery.)

I married into a Prius or else I wouldn't really care either. Then my mom bought a 4Runner so I have more excuses.

We have three made-in-Japan Subarus, plus I work on electronics from time to time, so I do encounter a lot of Asian screws. This will be interesting.

 

[Shoreline_]

I think you just have to consider the warranty process for any brand. For me the tool trucks are the easiest followed by box stores. Never dealt with tekton or the likes but I can imagine Amazon isnt gonna be helpful in 6 years when the tips break off.

 

[Ohio Andy]

I think you just have to consider the warranty process for any brand. For me the tool trucks are the easiest followed by box stores. Never dealt with tekton or the likes but I can imagine Amazon isnt gonna be helpful in 6 years when the tips break off.

For Tekton, take a picture, submit it and a few days later you have a new one.

 

[Shoreline_]

For Tekton, take a picture, submit it and a few days later you have a new one.

That's faster than waiting for my tool truck to show up

 

[CGarage]

I think you just have to consider the warranty process for any brand. For me the tool trucks are the easiest followed by box stores. Never dealt with tekton or the likes but I can imagine Amazon isnt gonna be helpful in 6 years when the tips break off.

I don’t understand your math or thinking here.

1) Tool trucks come by once a week
2) Most don’t replace the item with an exchange tool from the truck right on the spot
3) Tool truck price is roughly ~ 3 x street price for many items
4) Amazon allows you to buy at a near street price level and item may still have warranty from manufacturer and you get it in two days or less with prime

I think the tool truck business model can still work but it needs to be re-evaluated and re-imagined. There are some independent trucks that are doing big business by offering a variety of product inventory with great service. If you don’t have that, it makes little sense to buy tools in this way.

 

[Shoreline_]

I don’t understand your math or thinking here.

1) Tool trucks come by once a week
2) Most don’t replace the item with an exchange tool from the truck right on the spot
3) Tool truck price is roughly ~ 3 x street price for many items
4) Amazon allows you to buy at a near street price level and item may still have warranty from manufacturer and you get it in two days or less with prime

I think the tool truck business model can still work but it needs to be re-evaluated and re-imagined. There are some independent trucks that are doing big business by offering a variety of product inventory with great service. If you don’t have that, it makes little sense to buy tools in this way.

Tranquilo, guey. No hay math. I never said it was better. And my snapon guy replaces my screwdrivers on the spot. The Mac guy replaces them on the spot. I buy the snapon ones because my tools make me money so it doesn't matter how much I spend on them. I like the handles the best outta all of them. Just so happens to be one of the most expensive. And before you go on about return of investment, I bought the instinct screwdrivers like 6 months after they were released. Probably priced better relative to your income then.

And I'm talking about warranties. Not the speed at which you can procure the tools.

 

[Ohio Andy]

A tool truck shows up and you can put your hands on the tool you can feel the tool you can touch the tool and you can talk to someone who probably knows about the tool.

Pectin sells a screwdriver sampler set that includes two screwdrivers one from each handle type so that you can try them out before you commit to them. With the tool truck you just grab them.

I wandered into harbor freight the other day cuz I wanted to see what all the fuss was about with these icon ratchets and I saw that all the icon ratchet seem to be in boxes and then things that I couldn't handle. Well, at least not easily.

 

[CGarage]

I can’t imagine most tool truck owners wanting to let customers come aboard with grubby work hands to fondle tools.

 

[dwasifar]

I can’t imagine most tool truck owners wanting to let customers come aboard with grubby work hands to fondle tools.

My late brother had a Matco truck. I'd ask him if he were still with us.

That venture didn't last long, though. I never asked him why; it was a sore subject. But my sister says it didn't work out for him because he never learned he couldn't talk to his customers the way he used to talk to his employees on the road crew.

 

[Ohio Andy]

I can’t imagine most tool truck owners wanting to let customers come aboard with grubby work hands to fondle tools.

No tool fondling? Fondling the tools sounds like the "funnest" part.

 

[dwasifar]

Well, they're here:





Tried out the fit on a random JIS screw and I can actually lift the driver by lifting the screw. These look great. Thanks, guys, for the recommendation. Looking forward to putting some use on them.

 

[Mr_B]

Toptul Go-Thru screwdrivers are proper nice, they do sets and a few additional sizes are available as singles .
I been using them in daily auto repair for few years and they great .

6pc Go-Thru Slotted & Phillips Screwdriver Set

(3) Go-Thru Slotted Screwdrivers (Hexagon Steel & Hexagon Driver) 5.5x100, 6.5x150, 8x175 (3) Go-Thru Phillips Screwdrivers (Hexagon Steel & Hexagon Driver) PH1x75, PH2x100, PH3x150

jmtoolco.com

Another favourite is Williams hard handle in large set, can work out sensible price per piece for the quality .