No BS screwdriver guide

[Brownsfan]

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.

Very well put. I have the green set of "soft" grips myself. They are one of the nicest handle designs ever despite what the hard handle collector purist say. The soft grip is very "grippy". Your hand will never slip off these and they clean up great. I also have the craftsman pros in my road box as I mentioned and they are nice but not near the snap ons

 

[ddo]

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.

JIS Screwdrivers would make an even bigger difference. The japanese use a slightly different pattern on their screws called JIS. They're not too common to find in US, but they are available and worth it if you work with a lot of Japanese products. Using the right driver for the screw is as important as the quality of the driver itself. That said, I have a few black hard handle snap on's and love them. Something about them feels right.

 

[96snma]

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

These are the hard version of the instinct handle. I don't have a better pic but I've basically had them black with grease. I don't use them everyday as a mechanic but they clean up and have held up extremely well.

I spray some wd 40 on a clean rag and wipe them down. Comes right off

 

[jebutler]

The classic MAC red hard handle drivers are excellent and clean up easy and also the Matco rebaged Whittes are good drivers just dont clean up as easy. Personally I tried the MAC acr set and found the tips to wear to fast. Not sure about the macsimizer's posted earlier, never tried them.

 

[Skin]

JIS Screwdrivers would make an even bigger difference. The japanese use a slightly different pattern on their screws called JIS.

I know what JIS Phillips are. I read they've been pretty much eliminated from Japanese mass manufacturing since the early 90s. Not sure if that's correct or not, the Snap-Ons still fit great.

 

[dirtmister16]

my prefernces are for my SK green hard handle set that i have, you can get the a older green hard handle or a newer style that is alot like the craftsman pro handles if not the same just with green.


these really bite are tough clean up really well. i also have sk torx drivers that are some kinda ergo grip that are kinda bulbed on the end. they are ok as far as bite and strength but the handles aren't as nice as the others.

second to that id go snap on hard handles(old style if you can get it) or new as they are ok. they grip well and have good cleaning to the handles. they bite just as good as my sk but are more spendy.


those are my experiances i hope they help.

 

[pacsguy]

I know what JIS Phillips are. I read they've been pretty much eliminated from Japanese mass manufacturing since the early 90s. Not sure if that's correct or not, the Snap-Ons still fit great.

Some new Japanese medical devices still use them for what it's worth.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

heres a good pic of the "clamp" i was talking about.

Ah, the famous B5 pinch bolt!

In my experience Wiha and Wera are the best overall. I have some Wiha torx screwdrivers and nothing else i have used matches them for fit and finish. They're also pretty cheap, and mine are made in Germany.

I have a lot of Snap-on screwdrivers and honestly don't feel they're worth their price. If i had to start over i would buy Wiha for everything, they're better in almost every aspect, to me at least.

 

[Danglerb]

Toss up for me, I like Snapon hard handles, but maybe edge goes to Wiha with the microtouch finish. Wiha and Wera have some nice tips too.

 

[darkk]

I am retired now but, of all the screwdrivers I've used in my 45+ years as a body man / fabricator, the Snap On black hard handles are the ones I like the best. I still have several left. Clean, simple, effective.

 

[redline380]

Ah, the famous B5 pinch bolt!

i was hoping someone would recognize it! sorry for the thread jack, but i've got a good tip for ya. ive had those pinch bolts really stuck in there. a five pound sledge couldnt even get one out. so i went down to my local hardware hank and pick up the same bolts in stainless. $15 for two metric stainless bolts and nuts, but well worth it. say goodbye to seized pinch bolts. if i cant pull them out with my fingers now, it only takes a couple light taps from a hammer. it really helps up here in minnesota where the salt on the roads causes insanely seized bolts.

 

[richfinn]

I,ve got Wiha/Facom and they are both great. I also have a Soft grip Snap On ratchet screwdriver (which I dont like as much as my old hard handle as it just soaks up grease).

Screwdrivers are just a consumable tool to me and I dont expect a lifetimes service out of any set. If you get 10-15 years before you wear them out your doing well. I know you can redress a flat tip but its just not worth the effort. Maybe if your working on spotless aircraft they might last a long time, when you work on cars and trucks covered in grease grime and roadsalt they are going to wear eventually.If the soft grips dont wear out the hard handles will scratch/chip and look like **** anyway.

My vote is go for the best value quality brand nearest to you, and spend what you save on chrome stuff that will last forever.

 

[gagreen]

Anyone use armstrong? Hard to find a place without a napa to deal with warrantee issues? I just got my armstrong ratchets and I honestly like them better than the snap on's I used for years... (blasphemy I know)

 

[Brownsfan]

Anyone use armstrong? Hard to find a place without a napa to deal with warrantee issues? I just got my armstrong ratchets and I honestly like them better than the snap on's I used for years... (blasphemy I know)

Same as craftsman pro I believe. Same with the SK

 

[Dave455]

I've got to go with a lot of the above and say you can't go wrong with Snap On. If you like the newer 'Instinct' handles go for the hard variety. They are much easier to wipe down and will last much better than the soft. if you can find the older style hard handles they are even better, but only turn up on the trucks now and then (in the U.K. at least).

The old style hard handle Mac drivers are nice too, but not quite as good as the Snsp On as the black on the tips tends to flake off. (I own both!)

If you are going to work on metric stuff the Swiss P B are by far the best - opt for the Classic handle which is best for oily workshops.

Wiha, C.K. etc are all fine, but bear in mind all the ones I've seen have been in metric sizes only! Don't know if they make a different range for the U.S. but doubt it. (c.k. used to offer inch sizes, but in reality they were metric sizes with inch markings so not always a perfect fit!) None of them are as good as the Snap On!

 

[nanofrog]

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.

+1

They bite extremely well, and if your hands are slippery from various fluids, these would still give you a good grip in your hands. Also easier to clean up, as they were made with this purpose in mind.

Given your requirements, these would be the best fit for the OP's requirements IMHO.

 

[PT Doc]

Wiha textured handle with striking cap. Simply excellent.

 

[SRX]

Found this comparison video on youtube . He makes me feel much older than I am. Apparently this forum influences alot of people out there from all ages. Congrats GJ!

 

[Justin1776]

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).

Has this changed recently? I have black hard handle USA Williams screwdrivers. My #1 #2 and #3 have ribs. The long shank #2 and #4 do not have ribs. I have had the drivers for about a year.

 

[Brownsfan]

My Williams Phillips have thee ribs as well. Might be a new addition.

 

[shoturtle]

Top end screwdrivers are Felo, PB Swiss, Wiha, Witte, and Wera. Great fit and finish with all. The best tips in the world are Wiha, PB Swiss and Felo. Witte, Wera are in line with snap on. Cost for the Swiss and German drivers are less then the snap on if you look around. The fit and finish of the European drivers are top notch.

I would skip sk, they are the same ones from Craftsman Pro. And the Craftman are 1/2 the price.

 

[Maexle]

Wera Kraftform

 

[cvcman]

I have a full set of the black hard handle snapon's I dont really like them..I also have a full set of Craftsman Pro's that I much prefere over the SO's
They just feel better in my hand and seem to be better made ??

 

[Spudland_Dave]

They just feel better in my hand

Nobody really mentioned ergonomics...but that right there is very important. What feels good in my hand may not be good for you....

 

[crewchief888]

I am very fond of my SK hard handle screwdrivers:

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

i have a couple of SK hardhandles, $1 ea at the pawn shop

they rank 2nd behind
SO hard handles
in 3rd place are older MAC hard handles.

all the above seem to fit my hand better than anything else i've used.
i have several SO hardhandles that are at least 20 years old, and have never had a shank replaced.

 

[Cobra5150]

WERA.
I bought into the newer CM pros because they looked good. I'll make you a heck of a deal on them. I may just donate them to the son in law and buy the WERAs. That is what I have at work and very good but not much more than CM.

 

[Steevo]

i have a couple of SK hardhandles, $1 ea at the pawn shop

they rank 2nd behind
SO hard handles
in 3rd place are older MAC hard handles.

all the above seem to fit my hand better than anything else i've used.
i have several SO hardhandles that are at least 20 years old, and have never had a shank replaced.

I have several Snap-On hard handles that are 30+ years old also. Some have disintegrated handles that fractured into small bits, and some are still hanging in there. Most shanks are still in great shape though.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

i was hoping someone would recognize it! sorry for the thread jack, but i've got a good tip for ya. ive had those pinch bolts really stuck in there. a five pound sledge couldnt even get one out. so i went down to my local hardware hank and pick up the same bolts in stainless. $15 for two metric stainless bolts and nuts, but well worth it. say goodbye to seized pinch bolts. if i cant pull them out with my fingers now, it only takes a couple light taps from a hammer. it really helps up here in minnesota where the salt on the roads causes insanely seized bolts.

I've never had B5 ones seized that bad. B6 ones chemical react between the ally hub and steel bolts, which are much worse. B5s i can usually air hammer out, Hazet now make an air hammer adaptor for this.

Never used stainless bolts, usually use ceramic anti-seize (Pagid brake grease) or new bolts with a special corrosion protection. I think they're from Febi.

 

[gagreen]

went with a bit of unique factor and went with a facom set up (combination of enduro and black series handles). Price wise it was right around where I wanted to be (89 shipped). I'd still like to have a set of snap on hard handles but they just aren't in my current price range. One of these days....

Looking forward to spinning them tho.

 

[Applesauce]

Has this changed recently? I have black hard handle USA Williams screwdrivers. My #1 #2 and #3 have ribs. The long shank #2 and #4 do not have ribs. I have had the drivers for about a year.

Resurrecting a recent thread here... What are "cam-out ribs"? Are these like Pozi splines?

 

[ddo]

Resurrecting a recent thread here... What are "cam-out ribs"? Are these like Pozi splines?

Not really. Pozi splines are part of an entirely separate type of screwhead, while the ridges are a driver design that are featured on some pozidriv and Phillips drivers to help minimize cam out. Personally I think the cam out ribs are more helpful on Phillips bits than pozidriv bits, as the pozidriv pattern has much less chance to cam out to begin with.

In my experience with pozidriv pattern, if the right driver is used, they are much easier to work with than standard Phillips, although the right driver is very infrequently used. Pozidriv is used quite a bit in electrical panels and connections, although use of pozidriv drivers for these is uncommon. Most use Phillips on a pozidriv and strip out the heads of the screws.

As often as I've seen pozidriv show up, you would think it would be readily available at electrical supply houses, but in my experience it really hasn't been.

 

[rick carpenter]

I forget which Williams hard handle mixed set I bought, but I then purchased a few individuals that I wanted that weren't included to round it out. No torx in this set though. I like them, especially after putting heat shrink on the shanks for grip. The Phillips have the anti-cam ribs. The black handles look like pics I've seen of Snap Ons. The only negative I've heard is that the shanks don't extend far up into the handles. Obviously I can't see how deep they go, but I only use these for driving screws. I have an old Roscoe Two-Fister flat-tip that I use for abuse, and for torx I have a CM driver and socket bits.

 

[Southern]

I'm late to the party, but I decided a year ago that I was going to buy a set of the nicest screwdrivers money could buy, I didn't give a **** what they cost or where they came from.

I walked onto every single truck, in every store, ordered singles online to test, tried every brand and type in every shop I could find. I have literally held, tested, and researched nearly every screwdriver made.

If you are serious about getting a non-nonsense good for a lifetime excellent screwdriver, stop shopping and buy these.

They have a heavy extra large handle with the best gripping finish in the biz. It's the perfect blend between a soft finish that is comfortable and gives you big torque, and a hard finish that doesn't get metal shavings and oil and **** stuck in it. It' a massive full tang shank welded directly onto a huge striking cap on the back of the tool.

They are all hex shank with a torque bolster even on the phillips drivers. If you buy them from the company I linked you, they will even give you their own craftsman style warranty ON TOP OF the very respectable Wiha lifetime guarantee. No matter what happens, if you ever aren't happy with your driver for any reason, sent it back and get a new one.

There's a lot of suggestions in this thread, but I've held, bought, and used every single one of them in here. I've read the catalogue sheet and spoken to a salesman about every single one and these ones are the best. End of story.

Edit: Woops, just realized this thread is a necro. Leaving my post for anyone who wanders by this thread via google someday.

 

[Justin1776]

To all the people saying the Williams and Snap-on drivers are identical,

Several years ago a member here measured a Williams and Snap-on #1 Phillips and found they aren't identical, but are very close. Now, have the Williams changed at all since 2008? I don't know.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23116

All my dads Snap on hard handles are "pre-anti cam out" but it's what I compared my Williams to in this thread. Can't say its exactly apples to apples. I was contemplating buying a set of brand new, current production blue hardhadles but they are about $140, that would be the best comparison. Im sure there have been changes over the long hard handle production time line.

 

[bpankratz]

What do you guys think of the Proto screwdrivers with the yellow hard handle?

 

[cryan]

I think Wera screwdrivers are excellent. I also find them the most comfortable in the hand, they have anti cam out on the blades and some have the machined square for puting a wrench on. They're also sensible price unlike Snap-On.

 

[wise]

I used to be a SO Hard Handle guy, but I got Instincts in a bogo deal and I've been using them the last week. I really like the feel of them, the grip, the tips are perfect, and I even like the colour. I keep both in my box, I'll just use the Hard Handles when I'm working with dirty grease, metal shavings, and solvents.

All the older guys won't even give them a shot!

 

[Brownsfan]

I used to be a SO Hard Handle guy, but I got Instincts in a bogo deal and I've been using them the last week. I really like the feel of them, the grip, the tips are perfect, and I even like the colour. I keep both in my box, I'll just use the Hard Handles when I'm working with dirty grease, metal shavings, and solvents.

All the older guys won't even give them a shot!

I was the same way until I used them. They are the best handles I have EVER used. Definatley my go to drivers. Hve the torx set as well. Tips are great and strong and the handles are so damn comfortable(i have the soft grips). Even being soft grip they still clean up real nice

 

[Danglerb]

For basic screwdrivers I use them too often not to buy whatever I like, and buy anything that looks interesting to see if i like it better.

 

[Texican]

What do you guys think of the Proto screwdrivers with the yellow hard handle?

They are not bad, I think they are a decent middle of the road screwdriver.