No BS screwdriver guide

[gagreen]

Put your personal, coo, price point aside please.

I am looking to buy a new set of screwdrivers (phillips, flat, and torx).

I have an eye for snap on hard handles but I am going to shop around as they are not needed immediately. So tell me what you like and why based solely on the quality without coo being a factor.

I'd like to have handles that clean quick, not obese and unnecessarily bulky. I am a diva when it comes to keeping my tools clean at the end of the day lol.

Tips that bite, last, and fit their intended fastener.

Quality materials that resist rusting on the shaft and falling apart at the handle. I will encounter skydrol, fuels, oils, other hydraulic fluids, cleaning agents, volatiles etc...

So tell me what your thoughts are and try to use facts first then feel free to share your opinion after the specs.

 

[jjjrmx5]

What part of the world are you located in?

That will make a difference as to what is cost effective and the most easily available to you in many cases.

 

[gagreen]

What part of the world are you located in?

That will make a difference as to what is cost effective and the most easily available to you in many cases.

I'm in the U.S. but I'm looking for quality over cost effectivity. I just want to hear as unbiased opinions as I can before I make the cost and ordering decision. I'm thinking snap on hard handles so that is close to the top of the price range anyway .

 

[Scout Driver]

If you are leaning towards Snap On hard-handles already, look into Williams hard-handles. They are the same driver. Only difference is the name on the handle and the lower price of the Williams.

Scott

 

[gagreen]

If you are leaning towards Snap On hard-handles already, look into Williams hard-handles. They are the same driver. Only difference is the name on the handle and the lower price.

Scott

I read that and was wondering if there was any difference other than the name. Do they originate on the same production line, same materials and dimensions?

Lots of questions ha, but I am to the point of replacing "cheap" tools in my work box with industrial + grade. I know williams is industrial but after seeing the price difference found it hard to believe that a name stamp and a truck driver was the only difference between snap on and williams, but I'm new to having to have my own tools to work with.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I am looking to buy a new set of screwdrivers (phillips, flat, and torx).

I've got the SDRBM20FNG Set which has all 3 you describe in a nice foam cutout tray...I really like the Macsimizer handle. Tips and everything have been great. Overall I'm very happy with my purchase of them.
Heres a crappy pic off my phone when I got em in Jan..

 

[gagreen]

I've got the SDRBM20FNG Set which has all 3 you describe in a nice foam cutout tray...I really like the Macsimizer handle. Tips and everything have been great. Overall I'm very happy with my purchase of them.
Heres a crappy pic off my phone when I got em in Jan..

Coming in foam would save me about an hour of shadowing them. Adding those to the possibles list.

Thank you for showing me those.

 

[redline380]

If you are leaning towards Snap On hard-handles already, look into Williams hard-handles. They are the same driver. Only difference is the name on the handle and the lower price of the Williams.

Scott

i bought as per recommendations from this website. the tip on the second largest flat blade snapped off the first time i used it. yeah, i was using it improperly as a prying device, but who doesnt?

 

[plinker]

I bought a new S-O hard handle set (green, 7pc) a couple months ago for around 135-ish$. They came with a plastic tray.

 

[bobcatdan]

Hard handle blades can be a bit on the brittle side to some because they are so hard. That said, I have had my set since 2000 or so used daily fixing ag and con equipment and I have never broke one.

 

[gagreen]

i bought as per recommendations from this website. the tip on the second largest flat blade snapped off the first time i used it. yeah, i was using it improperly as a prying device, but who doesnt?

thats what the craftsmans are for lol. I have a prybar set so I don't want to use this as a reason to rule them out entirely.

Sounds like a good pressure test how much force do you estimate you put on it? Did you only have the tip under what you were prying or further down the base?

 

[akhappy]

If you are leaning towards Snap On hard-handles already, look into Williams hard-handles. They are the same driver. Only difference is the name on the handle and the lower price of the Williams.

Scott

What he said.

They are 50$ a set on eBay with free shipping

 

[gagreen]

How about the SK with the sure grip? How do they stack up to the snap on/ wlliams?

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

Another vote for the SO / Williams hard handles.

Both the same tools, so the SO version only wins out if you have the weekly visit of tool truck to easily / quickly hand warranty replacements if you do use them enough to wear / break tips.

 

[gagreen]

Another vote for the SO / Williams hard handles.

Both the same tools, so the SO version only wins out if you have the weekly visit of tool truck to easily / quickly hand warranty replacements if you do use them enough to wear / break tips.

I'll be working in generally isolated area's on general aviation aircraft. So breaking or brittle tips is a fod hazard. Not worried to much about having quick replacements as I have back ups in my home box to go to for a few weeks while something is getting warrantee work.

So I am looking for professional high use screwdrivers.

 

[redline380]

thats what the craftsmans are for lol. I have a prybar set so I don't want to use this as a reason to rule them out entirely.

Sounds like a good pressure test how much force do you estimate you put on it? Did you only have the tip under what you were prying or further down the base?

it snapped with relatively little force. i was using it to pry apart a clamp that hold a ball joint in on the upper control arms in my car. ill find a picture. and it was just the tip that broke off. was kinda pissed but i realized this is why i bought warrantiable products. either way, i grabbed an old no name screwdriver and it pryed it apart no problem. heres a good pic of the "clamp" i was talking about.

 

[redline380]

i should add that i think the screwdriver was tip was positioned perfectly so that the dark area of the tip was the only partin contact while prying. if i jammed it in there further, who knows. maybe it wouldnt have snapped

 

[cburnscrx]

I read that and was wondering if there was any difference other than the name. Do they originate on the same production line, same materials and dimensions?

Lots of questions ha, but I am to the point of replacing "cheap" tools in my work box with industrial + grade. I know williams is industrial but after seeing the price difference found it hard to believe that a name stamp and a truck driver was the only difference between snap on and williams, but I'm new to having to have my own tools to work with.

I can't speak from experience with tool manufacturing, but I can from food production. You'd be AMAZED what a label can cost!

 

[Skin]

Another vote for the SO / Williams hard handles.

Both the same tools

They're not quite the same. Snap-On phillips have anti-cam out ribs, williams drivers do not. Snap-On doesnt offer basic hard handles anymore either except on special and the Williams soft handled drivers are Taiwan (no instinct grip copies is basically what i'm saying).

 

[Spudland_Dave]

They're not quite the same.

When you start looking into the SnapOn/Williams, or MAC/Proto, etc.. you find those words ring very true...Close, Yes.. Quality, Absouletly.. Exactly the same, Not Quite.

 

[gagreen]

They're not quite the same. Snap-On phillips have anti-cam out ribs, williams drivers do not. Snap-On doesnt offer basic hard handles anymore either except on special and the Williams soft handled drivers are Taiwan (no instinct grip copies is basically what i'm saying).

Interesting, these are the little nuances I'm trying to catch onto. AN/MS fasteners aren't as cheaply replaced and that is a big reason I'm upgrading from my craftsman set.

 

[peterbilr98]

go with so hard handel or instinct have both plus a set of williams black hard handles there not bad I use my so instinct the most

 

[Brownsfan]

Another vote for the SO / Williams hard handles.

Both the same tools, so the SO version only wins out if you have the weekly visit of tool truck to easily / quickly hand warranty replacements if you do use them enough to wear / break tips.

The problem with these and why they won't work for the OP is they don't make them in torx. No bs good set that you can get at a great price. Craftsman pros. I own a bunch and they have been great and have an even better price. Just hope sears keeps them around.

 

[gagreen]

go with so hard handel or instinct have both plus a set of williams black hard handles there not bad I use my so instinct the most

How well does the instinct handle clean up after contact with hydraulic fluid or solvents?

Hard handle appealed to my ease of maintaining them over something that has a softer grip.


Thanks for all the replies keep them coming my wallet hates you all but im learning more than I can from reading product descriptions from websites trying to sell them to me

 

[boosteddsm92]

Wiha Heavy Duty, they are fantastic.

 

[jjjrmx5]

The problem with these and why they won't work for the OP is they don't make them in torx. No bs good set that you can get at a great price. Craftsman pros. I own a bunch and they have been great and have an even better price. Just hope sears keeps them around.

But the offering of C'man Pro torx sizes is way behind the curve. Way too few.

To get all the sizes you need as a pro you have to go Snap-On , Wiha, Felo or Wera or the like.

Especially now that C'man has slimmed down the C'man Pro size offereings all across the board. Especially in the stores.

I'm facing that now.
Ordered a Wiha full Torx set screwdriver set thru Grainger today. Price be damned.
Gotta do whatcha gotta do.

 

[gagreen]

The problem with these and why they won't work for the OP is they don't make them in torx. No bs good set that you can get at a great price. Craftsman pros. I own a bunch and they have been great and have an even better price. Just hope sears keeps them around.

The soft handles make me nervous with the craftsman pros. Skydrol is nasty to most softer plastic things that ive seen. Now that said I keep a clean rag in my pocket to wipe down things somewhat regularly. Pelican won't even say their cases will hold up to skydrol so there is a certain amount of responsibility that lies with the user to remove it as soon as is reasonable.

The torx drivers get used in cleaner areas than say a phillips will generally and I'm not all to worried about the complete set being the same brand necessarily.

 

[Brownsfan]

Do you have access to tool trucks? If you go with snap on torx they are really short. Found out the hard way. That's why I bought the craftsman pros. They were much longer. I also own a set of Phillips and standard snap in sets all with the instinct soft grip. They are great but the torx set was just too short for some things. For example a t20 in a Chrysler column shroud. Craftsman pro reached no problem. Also look into German offerings or Matco or Cornwell. They are witte drivers rebadged. A lot of guys here rave about them. P

 

[Pumpman1968]

I just got the Craftsman cushion grip "master set" on close out from Epsteins......and I was NOT impressed. Glad I hadn't sold my old set of Craftsman Professional black handles.

 

[Brownsfan]

But the offering of C'man Pro torx sizes is way behind the curve. Way too few.

To get all the sizes you need as a pro you have to go Snap-On , Wiha, Felo or Wera or the like.

Especially now that C'man has slimmed down the C'man Pro size offereings all across the board. Especially in the stores.

I'm facing that now.
Ordered a Wiha full Torx set screwdriver set thru Grainger today. Price be damned.
Gotta do whatcha gotta do.

You are correct. The pros don't have as many sizes. I only bought them because the sanp on was too short. I should have bought the longer shank version off the bat. I own both and they have been great.

 

[jjjrmx5]

You are correct. The pros don't have as many sizes. I only bought them because the sanp on was too short. I should have bought the longer shank version off the bat. I own both and they have been great.

But the sad part was they used to.

They clearenced out the C'man pros for $3 a piece for P3 and P4's and the big flat blades and I cleaned them out as well as the long cabinet drivers last year. I stockpiled. That should have been a Sears hint to me.

Torx were 90% good in the C'man pro's in 2010 and then they started the downsizing with them with what was available.

Oi vey.

I didn't pull the trigger on the C'mans as a result and use my Snap-ons all the time but did the Wihas as a supplement.

We'll see when they come in.

 

[gagreen]

As of right now I have no tool truck support. Which is a good thing lets me take my time with tool purchases rather than feeding on my impulse buying lol. I am surprised there hasn't been more euro brand suggestions, I guess mentioning snap on right out the gate shut that down lol. I am leaning towards picking up a set of phillips/flat hard handles off feebay quickly.

 

[Pantsfall_McFixit]

Wiha Microfinish Extra Heavy Duty, they are designed to be used covered in oil, etc. They have a grip that lets you grip when oily. These have a hex bolster.

Largest set is Wiha 53398 8-piece.

For Torx Wiha Microfinish as well. Wiha 52791 8-piece torx. These do not have a hex bolster.

 

[Duck tape Bill]

My vote is for Wiha too. Lots of handles to choose from, and their torx & hex bits are some of the best (if not the best). You might check out http://www.kctoolco.com, they have a good selection of Wiha tools.

 

[TheGrooveking]

Matco aka Witte Maxx Pro Plus will fill your needs, excellent drivers.

TheGrooveking

 

[Skin]

How well does the instinct handle clean up after contact with hydraulic fluid or solvents?

I just wipe my down at the end of the day and they clean up fine. Something also worth mentioning with the instinct grips hard vs soft is the soft arent really soft in the sense that they're spongie so fluid cant really soak into them. The black areas on the handle are essentially a hard rubber and thats the extent of the "soft grip" portion while the rest of it is hard plastic.

I use to say that Snap-On drivers are overpriced and not worth it blah blah blah. Fast forward a bit I started to encounter phillips on japanese made things and if you arent familiar they like to use red loctite and really crank the things down to the point where you have to get intimate with your impact driver less you destroy the screw heads trying to remove them. Anyway I took a sip of the koolaid and got myself a green set of soft grips. I wont go so far as to say they're a great bargain but they're damn nice and the handle is far and away one of the easiest to torque on that i've held. They bite well enough to really give you a chance at removing stubborn phillips without resorting to the impact driver.

 

[Steevo]

I am very fond of my SK hard handle screwdrivers:
This kind:

They feel good, work good, are strong and warranted, and they are my favorite color, US currency green!

 

[smothers33]

i got 1 snapon HH #2 phillips, 1 wiha flat blade, and 1 sk #1phillips. i bought these to get a feel for thehandles to see which i liked. by far the one i like the most is the SO. the handle is bulky but the i feel like i can put much more torque on screws with that handle even with oil and greased up hands plus the tip fits perfect into #2 screws. i wish i had taken a picture but the day i got it i put it in a screw that was parallel to the ground and the screwdriver stood straight out once i let go. i couldnt believe it gripped that well especially with that bulky handle. that pretty much sold me on SO. also they clean real well after getting all oily and greasy

 

[wellpoison]

i would say wera because its my preference. i also like wiha and their handles are easier to clean.

 

[Gotmayhem]

I use to say that Snap-On drivers are overpriced and not worth it blah blah blah. Fast forward a bit I started to encounter phillips on japanese made things and if you arent familiar they like to use red loctite and really crank the things down to the point where you have to get intimate with your impact driver less you destroy the screw heads trying to remove them. Anyway I took a sip of the koolaid and got myself a green set of soft grips. I wont go so far as to say they're a great bargain but they're damn nice and the handle is far and away one of the easiest to torque on that i've held. They bite well enough to really give you a chance at removing stubborn phillips without resorting to the impact driver.

Very well put. I had difficulty justifying the price jump for my green Instinct set but I don't regret it at all. I wasn't aware of what you mentioned earlier about the Williams not having anti-cam lobes that the SO does though. I'd recommend the Instinct to anyone. I know some people don't like the grips but they really give you a great position to torque with as you said. I still have beater drivers around of course for "incorrect" use. Just because something is warrantied doesn't mean it's right to purposely endanger it.