Need opinions on screwdrivers

[Dadillac]

So I am looking for a new screwdriver set. I currently have a mish mash of cheap Craftsman, Craftsman Pro, and DeWalts. Currently the Craftsman pros are my favorites for comfort. What I am interested in is an ultra high quality tip and a comfortable grip. I would really love to get a set that had more sizes than I could even dream of using. I have a fairly large budget in mind (more or less 250 or so) so not really looking at price as a driving force. Not destroying screws and not getting blisters on my hand is what is important. So what are your choices? Thanks. Also a pic of my screwdriver drawer.

Don

 

[uncwstudent]

I used to be a die hard Wera guy until I got in on some German-made Wiha screwdrivers. I haven't looked back since! The Wiha's are very comfortable, the tips seem to last a long time, and they seem to be pretty stout screwdrivers. I've had Wera, Craftsman Pro, Snap On, Facom, and more, but I've definitely settled on Wiha's. The Wera laser tips tend to wear out pretty quickly in my experience.

 

[dlafever]

I love my Hazet screwdrivers. I dropped an engine block on my thumb joint about 16 years ago and that sucker gets tender if I'm 'relaxing' in the garage too long. Hazet makes a great set of drivers for just about any budget. Amazon.de has good deals on them and in a lot of cases you can get them shipped, two-day shipping if you're in a hurry.

 

[dlafever]

Check out this set, super nice.

https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B07KGH21YR/

 

[visionguru]

So I am looking for a new screwdriver set. I currently have a mish mash of cheap Craftsman, Craftsman Pro, and DeWalts. Currently the Craftsman pros are my favorites for comfort. What I am interested in is an ultra high quality tip and a comfortable grip. I would really love to get a set that had more sizes than I could even dream of using. I have a fairly large budget in mind (more or less 250 or so) so not really looking at price as a driving force. Not destroying screws and not getting blisters on my hand is what is important. So what are your choices? Thanks. Also a pic of my screwdriver drawer.

Don

My choice would be various length ratcheting screwdriver handles with bits. I found that some German screw drivers are soft as garbage, the tips are not even as good as Craftsman or Chinese imports.

 

[BarryWells]

Proto

 

[Yarpo]

Wiha and Snap On are my favorites, I don't believe snap on makes a large set tho, or at least not one I've seen?

 

[jumbojak]

If you like the Craftsman Pro I think SK comfort grips are identical.

 

[Max]

Screwdrivers are like pizza - there are a lot of different types and people seem to like a wide variety of types. Williams (industrial Snap On) makes a very nice 19 screwdriver set. I have one (upgraded from a variety but mostly Craftsman) that I really like. Amazon has it for about $115, Zoro has it for the same price - but Zoro generally has screwdrivers as part of their 20% off sales. So I paid $94 for mine.

Max

 

[jimmyin3D]

Like people have already said, it depends on what you like and what feels good in the hand. You won’t be disappointed with the higher end makers.

I went through Wera/Wiha/Snap On/Hazet/Pb Swiss/Williams before I landed with the last two that just felt right for me.



For the best of both worlds the PB Swiss is excellent fitment, durability and amazing handles.



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[sberry]

You did good by posting g budget etc. Makes a huge difference.

 

[fang123]

If you like the Craftsman Pro I think SK comfort grips are identical.

They are.

 

[joey1320]

I have Matco, MAC, Craftsman, Kobalt and Pittsburgh Pro and I like the Pittsburgh Pro the best. Crazy how that works.

 

[fang123]

Proto

This is what I went to. Durateks. But they are an all hard handle. Took me a little to get used to them after the Craftsman pro, but I like them. If you liked the shape of Craftsman pro you will like the Durateks. You could look into Mac, as they are the same as Proto, but with a soft insert on the grip. More money though.

 

[mikebaker1129]

I like the tips on the Witte, mine are rebranded Matco,but the Witte is the same thing for less $.

There is also a red hard handled Wiha,that are very durable.

 

[Jtels85]

This is what I went to. Durateks. But they are an all hard handle. Took me a little to get used to them after the Craftsman pro, but I like them. If you liked the shape of Craftsman pro you will like the Durateks. You could look into Mac, as they are the same as Proto, but with a soft insert on the grip. More money though.

Good news! The MAC version of the Proto Durateks are now offered in a soft grip.

I have the MAC hard handle Duratek’s and I love them. They have a good balance, comfortable in the hand and the tips are of superb quality. They have my vote!

 

[BarryWells]

I see those hard handle Williams in a pic above. My buddy has those at his machine shop and I use them quite a bit when I abuse his machinery. I like them a lot too.

 

[fang123]

Good news! The MAC version of the Proto Durateks are now offered in a soft grip.

I have the MAC hard handle Duratek’s and I love them. They have a good balance, comfortable in the hand and the tips are of superb quality. They have my vote!

And nothing will degrade the hard handle Duratek handles if that is an issue for you.

 

[Basskiller]

I would buy a PH #2 in each brand that I was interested in. Use them and see what you like best before buying the whole set.

 

[paulsomlo]

I would buy a PH #2 in each brand that I was interested in. Use them and see what you like best before buying the whole set.

Good advice - if you're going to spend near $250, you'll want to get it right.

If you search here on GJ, you'll have enough posts to keep you entertained for hours. What I've learned, is the brands that seem to bubble to the top consistently are Wiha, PB Swiss, Vessel, and Williams/Snap on. Personally, I bought a PH #2 in both Vessel and PB Swiss, like 'em both. If I had to buy a set, I'd go with PB Swiss, especially the Swiss Grip handles. For PB Swiss, go to toollady.com, for Williams/Snap on go to toolsdelivered.com.

 

[woody 73]

Op for my two cents tonight if you love the craftsman pro screwdriver then you will go ape over the SK pro screwdriver (same thing as the craftsman pro).

 

[Dadillac]

So far I am leaning towards three. The Williams seem really good. Folks seem to really love their Snap On screwdrivers and well the Williams are pretty much the same so. Next would be Gearwrench. Anyone have any input? They seem to get really good reviews. The next seem to be discontinued but still available Craftsmans. The Extreme Grip diamond tip. Again any input on these? Thans

Don

 

[laser3kw]

I was shopping a while ago and ended up with Williams 100P-19MD, 19pc set. I think I paid $105 for them.
I like it alot. But I keep my old Craftsman visible in the back of the drawer. I do have a habit of using a particular Cman for certain jobs.

 

[Dadillac]

The tip about buying a single screwdriver in each brand to try is actually a very good idea. I hadn't even considered doing that. Thanks

Don

 

[oak_park]

If you want Craftsman diamond tip, you can buy a Husky set for 10 bucks, probably made in same factory and still have 240 left over. If you don't like them, take them back for a refund. Although I suspect the diamond dust will just wear off over time and is likely a gimmick.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Diamond-Tip-Magnetic-Screwdriver-Set-6-Piece-H6PCMDTSSD/302346933

Best advice so far is to buy a couple singles in various brands.

 

[joseywales]

Curious to hear any input on the Gearwrench. They get great online reviews, except one guy who says he has a 10 year old set from Big Lots, same case an everything. He swears they're the same. Maybe GW started out at Big Lots, who knows! Either way, would like to hear about GW drivers as well

 

[fang123]

I see those hard handle Williams in a pic above. My buddy has those at his machine shop and I use them quite a bit when I abuse his machinery. I like them a lot too.

I have these also. Decent. Handles- not for me. really never gave them much of a chance though. They live in my seldom used road box.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I have a bit driver by TopTul that's the best of what I've used. It's a locking bit holder, I believe identical handle to a FTBA0824. The handle is a 3-sided, rounded profile, and is easy to grip for a strong pull when needed.

They also have oval "two-sided" two-tone handles I suspect I wouldn't like quite as well.

In smaller drivers, I like the hard handle, rounded 4-side handles. Similar to the Williams hard handles posted above. Toptul offers some items with that too, but not sure what sets they have to suit you.

edit: I think you can get into the GAAI5801 set at about $145 USD if you look.

 

[Yarpo]

So far I am leaning towards three. The Williams seem really good. Folks seem to really love their Snap On screwdrivers and well the Williams are pretty much the same so. Next would be Gearwrench. Anyone have any input? They seem to get really good reviews. The next seem to be discontinued but still available Craftsmans. The Extreme Grip diamond tip. Again any input on these? Thans

Don

Curious to hear any input on the Gearwrench. They get great online reviews, except one guy who says he has a 10 year old set from Big Lots, same case an everything. He swears they're the same. Maybe GW started out at Big Lots, who knows! Either way, would like to hear about GW drivers as well

I have them and use them at work, love them. The only reason I didn't recommend them was because you where looking to spend much much more than they cost. I like them due to size mostly. I have fairly small hands and the handles seem to be on the smaller side based on my observations. Tips have held up great, they come in a nice tray similar to the Carlyle and best of all they're cheap. I am however not that hard on my screwdrivers and use them as intended, minus small prying tasks (Prying up valve covers/hoses etc) I believe them to be made in the same place Carlyle drivers are made and then fitted with a different handle. Here's a few pics.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have a many more Craftsman screwdrivers in my drawer (probably close to 20?) and I find them adequate for the job. I have a couple of non-Craftsman, but those all have special purposes.

 

[Jtels85]

The Craftsman diamond tip screwdrivers are made by Apex. You can find diamond screwdriver sets by Apex available in a Gearwrench 6 pc. set, Duralast from Auto Zone 6 pc. set, Husky from Home Depot 6 pc. set, Crescent in a 14 pc. set and HyperTough from WalMart in a 4 pc. set. All feature the same blades and tips, but different handles and sizes offered by each company. I love my MAC’s, but the diamond tips are an excellent choice in any brand.

 

[Jtels85]

 

[Professional Tool User]

My personal preference is Wera. Inexpensive, decent tips, comfortable handle, lots of places that sell and warranty them, and they come in just about every variety - standard, insulated, striking, chrome, precision...

 

[Mr. Tool]

As you know there are a few manufacturer's that produce top quality screwdrivers, such as Vessel, Wiha and Elora just to name a few, so it really is just a matter of opinion.

Here are three different manufacturer's (out of a few that I have) of screwdrivers that I have.

I'm very satisfied with them.

 

[joseywales]

I have them and use them at work, love them. The only reason I didn't recommend them was because you where looking to spend much much more than they cost. I like them due to size mostly. I have fairly small hands and the handles seem to be on the smaller side based on my observations. Tips have held up great, they come in a nice tray similar to the Carlyle and best of all they're cheap. I am however not that hard on my screwdrivers and use them as intended, minus small prying tasks (Prying up valve covers/hoses etc) I believe them to be made in the same place Carlyle drivers are made and then fitted with a different handle. Here's a few pics.

Excellent feedback. Details about small hands, etc. are very important. Conversely, although my hands aren't large, I can palm a basketball. Moreover, I have tendinitis. I have a drawer filled with Craftsman and Bridgeport Cushion grip. Like em both just fine, but the Megapro and Rolgear multi tip screwdriver each have a nice "fat" grip and I think my elbows might prefer that over time. Based on your feedback, the Carlyle could be worth a look, should I ever decide to "upgrade".

 

[M6erfan]

Consider parallel, hollow ground tips for slotted screws, like Forster or PB Swiss.

For every other type of screw I like PB Swiss, Wiha, and Vessel drivers. The Proto Durateks are definitely worth a look, but I don't own any.

If you find that you're beating on stuck screws a lot, you probably should invest in a hand impact driver (if you don't already have one). Really saves your other screwdrivers from abuse and their tips will last a lot longer.

 

[belvedere]

Carlyle could be worth a look, should I ever decide to "upgrade".

If you watch for sales, these can be a great buy. They're nice quality, too.

 

[nichocha33]

I have both the Williams(black handle set) and Carlyle, both live in the same box and I find myself reaching for the Carlyles. It’s all personal preference and what fits you best


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[R_einan]

I really like the SK green hard handle ones, the tips are good and I haven’t had any fitment or can out issues

 

[Mowerdoctor]

dont know how u feel about them, but Carlyle have been pretty good to me and fairly cheap


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