Not Happy with Klein Screwdrivers

[Davefr]

Hi,
I'm a newbie to the site but a log term tool aficionado. I'm glad I have company. My wife just doesn't get it!!

Anyway, I'm curious who makes great screwdriver sets for <$100. I bought Klein but I'm pretty disappointed. The worksmanship is great but they just seem too soft. They might be great for electricians but I don't think they're all that great for uses that are subject to occasional abuse - like me!!

Any recommendations?

 

[Merkava_4]

What do you mean by "occasional abuse?"

That sounds disturbing.

 

[Joe B.]

I know what you mean, I love the Klein handles but the tips are not as strong as I would like.

Some complain but I like my Craftsman Pro screwdrivers for the money. I have some Witte now and they seem even better but they are expensive.

 

[caper]

Personally I hate the Klein screwdrivers I have.I bought them after reading people raving about them here.I think they ****.Some of the worst drivers I've ever used.The #2 robertson has to be the absolute worst piece of sh*t I've ever used.There hasn't been a screw yet it hasn't ruined.Everytime I get a tight screw it tears the tip of the driver up to the point it has to be replaced.I'm on my fourth #2 robertson.The only reason I've gotten 4 is because my employer replaces what ever tools I break.Good thing since Klein wouldn't warranty them.

 

[Davefr]

What do you mean by "occasional abuse?"

That sounds disturbing.

OK, sometime I torque a screw beyond it's normal force. Sometimes I pry with a screwdriver vs. a prybar.

Klein seems great for electricians that apply normal torque but IMHO they're rather unforgiving. Maybe it's just me, I really like Klein tools but they just don't seem great for jobs that put them outside their comfort zone.

If I were an electrician I'd love them to death, just not as a general purpose screwdriver subject to occasional abuse.

 

[t100]

They might be great for electricians.......

so you do know what they are designed for. use the proper tools to do the proper work.

 

[mossyboy6]

get a wiha or used snap on set.

 

[autoace]

The two best brands of screwdrivers I ever had, or have are GearWrench, and Snap-on..........................Both are durable, and wear well. I did have a soft Snap-on no 2 phillips once, but I think it was a fluke.

 

[M900]

get a wiha or used snap on set.

If he is using them as prybars Im going to suggest HF.

 

[Davefr]

so you do know what they are designed for. use the proper tools to do the proper work.

Yes, and that's my basic question. What screwdriver sets <$100 are the most suitable for general purpose use given that Klein are best used for electrical work.

 

[Joe B.]

so you do know what they are designed for. use the proper tools to do the proper work.

Uh, they are screwdrivers. I think that means they are meant to drive screws. (And they don't hold up well considering their cost.)

 

[Davefr]

If he is using them as prybars Im going to suggest HF.

And who hasn't used a screwdriver for an occasional prying task or something slightly outside of it's normal comfort zone????

 

[back2class]

I have to admit. I used to love them but the latest Klein screwdrivers I owned have kinda sucked. I used to recomend them but not anymore.

 

[caper]

I use my hard handle snappys as prybars almost every day.That's part of the reason I like them so much.They take the abuse without complaint and keep on going.If only Snap on would put out a line of Robertsons and JIS.

 

[nato]

I'm partial to Mac comfort grips (one's with red plastic handle). Held up well for myself (used properly also). In the past year, our dealer has had them on special for right about $100 even for the 8-piece set. Before these, I had an SK tri-lobal set that was $90, but the tips didn't hold up nearly as strong as the Mac's did and the grips didn't grow well on me as I though they would

 

[Charles (in GA)]

The worksmanship is great but they just seem too soft.

I agree. I recently bought a couple of Klein #2 phillips on Clearance at Lowes I think it was, and used one for the first time the other day. After using it on two screws that it seemed to fit real well in, I looked at it and it already looked not only worn, but the edges were "smeared" as if it had slipped and rolled some metal off the tip.

I much prefer a magnetic tip 1/4 hex handle that will take APEX tips, they are hard, very hard, and when they wear, you chuck them and put in another one, but sometimes length and diameter dictate that you use something thinner.

Charles

 

[Merkava_4]

OK, sometime I torque a screw beyond it's normal force. Sometimes I pry with a screwdriver vs. a prybar.

Klein seems great for electricians that apply normal torque but IMHO they're rather unforgiving. Maybe it's just me, I really like Klein tools but they just don't seem great for jobs that put them outside their comfort zone.

If I were an electrician I'd love them to death, just not as a general purpose screwdriver subject to occasional abuse.

The only time I use a screwdriver as a prybar is when opening a paint can - that's it.

 

[TheGrooveking]

I have to admit. I used to love them but the latest Klein screwdrivers I owned have kinda sucked. I used to recomend them but not anymore.

+1 I have used Klein screwdrivers for over 30 years in maintenance, primarily electrical maintenance, which doesn't present the same level of rusted fasteners as auto work does, but I can attest to the quality of their tips in regards to hardness going downhill.

TheGrooveking

 

[ovilla]

I know what you mean, I love the Klein handles but the tips are not as strong as I would like.

Some complain but I like my Craftsman Pro screwdrivers for the money. I have some Witte now and they seem even better but they are expensive.

+1 on the Craftsman Pro screwdrivers. I actually went out and bought multiple sets when they were on sale. I like how they fit my hands and the torque you can get on them is awesome. I already moved my old/regular craftsman ones into the house for the family to abuse.

 

[BWright]

The only time I use a screwdriver as a prybar is when opening a paint can - that's it.

Use the right tool for the job Merk.

 

[Evogun]

Pry and hammer away!

Haven't tried them but they are on the list!

 

[FNFS2000]

I've got those wera "chisel drivers" I really like them. Hard to beat wera (even after the move across the border...)

 

[Monte]

I can also recommend the Wera`s. At least i would buy screwdrivers with a hex blade if you want to use them as a prybar.

Wiha makes them too.

 

[X1 Mike]

As far as I'm concerned the best bang for the buck in screwdrivers right now is Williams. They are basically the old and some (me) say best Snap-On hard handle.

http://cgi.ebay.com/JH-WILLIAMS-5-P...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1e59cb1c6d

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/JH-W...Z140370779446QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools

My pref would be to buy the six piece slotted and the matching six piece phillips, but I can't find a listing this second.

 

[Stuey]

It's good to see that I'm not alone with my distaste for Klein drivers. The tips are too soft, too easily deformed.

I'd suggest Wiha or PB Swiss.

 

[Hawk321]

By german screwdrives ans you will be happy. Wera, Wiha, Felo or PBswiss(they speak german )

Had problems with my Snap-on screwdrives...all to soft and worn out after some weeks...not with Felo or Wiha!!! Unbreakable and cheap.

 

[comedyman809]

i love my Facom red egonomic set i bought a few years ago when SK still supplied them.

 

[Tim Cowan]

I never owned any Klein screwdrivers, but night before last at Home Depot I bought a pair. Looks like a great deal, the Klein Apprintence Tool Set( six pieces) that is regular $70 was maked down to $31. The single Klein Lineman plier was on the rack at $28 and the Apprintence set included this tool, with 8" dikes, needle nose, wire stripper, and two screwdrivers. I really didn't need them, but had to buy for I felt it was too good to pass up.

 

[Davefr]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I guess I'm not alone in thinking the Klein tips are a little soft and probably best suited for electrical/precision vs. automotive/general purpose.

(p.s. I'm not looking for "pry bars" but I am looking for screwdrivers with a somewhat higher tolerance to occasional abuse.)

The PB Swiss look great but they're really hard to find and not offered in large sets. The one source looks pretty expensive.

The one Amazon review on Gearwrench screwdrivers looked troubling. (soft tips)

I'm leaning towards Wiha. They're offered in large sets and prices at Amazon look decent.

The Williams on Ebay look good but I'm not fond of the set configurations he's offering.

Anyone else know good deals on a 8-12 pc set??

 

[FNFS2000]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I guess I'm not alone in thinking the Klein tips are a little soft and probably best suited for electrical/precision vs. automotive/general purpose.

(p.s. I'm not looking for "pry bars" but I am looking for screwdrivers with a somewhat higher tolerance to occasional abuse.)

The PB Swiss look great but they're really hard to find and not offered in large sets. The one source looks pretty expensive.

The one Amazon review on Gearwrench screwdrivers looked troubling. (soft tips)

I'm leaning towards Wiha. They're offered in large sets and prices at Amazon look decent.

The Williams on Ebay look good but I'm not fond of the set configurations he's offering.

Anyone else know good deals on a 8-12 pc set??

I've had bad luck and have heard of much more instances of "questionable" wiha product shipped by amazon. Most is probably OK. Seems like they send seconds or something to the big discount stores or stuff that bypasses QC altogether to save some loot like other mfgs do with shipments heading to walmart and other big boxes.

 

[Merkava_4]

I forget to mention that I like Klein screwdrivers -- they look somewhat plain and utilitarian, but you can really spin the handle fast in your finger tips.

 

[Davefr]

I decided on PB Swiss w/Swiss Grips. I hope they're decent. I've had good luck with previous Swiss made tools.

Future warranty replacement may be problematic but my goal is to buy tools that never need warranty replacement. (vs. seeking out stores that make warrant replacement easy for their inferior tools). In other words, the best warranty is buying quality at the outset.

 

[daveblank]

The only time I use a screwdriver as a prybar is when opening a paint can - that's it.

Merk, if you go to the paint department they have a tool just for opening paint cans. See, I've feed your addiction & given you a reason to buy more tools. You can thank me later.

 

[woody 73]

I have used Armstrong screwdrivers I think they are very good.I also like the snap on soft grip screwdrivers they are easy on the hands.

Hope this helps.

 

[Monte]

Anyone else know good deals on a 8-12 pc set??

here is one

 

[blarf]

I decided on PB Swiss w/Swiss Grips. I hope they're decent. I've had good luck with previous Swiss made tools.

Future warranty replacement may be problematic but my goal is to buy tools that never need warranty replacement. (vs. seeking out stores that make warrant replacement easy for their inferior tools). In other words, the best warranty is buying quality at the outset.

With my new car's extensive use of TORX (or so I thought), I went ahead and bought some Wiha drivers from wihatools.com. At first my eyes were playing tricks on me and I thought that the handles weren't on straight. After staring at them for a while and holding them, I just didn't warm up to the handles. I bought one of a few styles to try them out ('hard', microfinish, Proturn 3k), the fit and finish on all felt pretty sloppy (flashing, uneven paint, noticeable seams, etc).

The vendor sent a prepaid return shipping label without hesitation. I figured I could use some TORX drivers so I kept them. A few days ago I had a brilliant insight: all of the fasteners were actually TORX Plus (ugh). So I went looking for some appropriate (and apparently hard to find) screwdrivers.

I decided to grab a PB Swiss driver from Amazon and see how I felt. Without even thinking about it I liked the SwissGrip handle over the various Wiha styles. It just felt right. I like the color coding that PBS does. Neither here nor there but the PBS have thicker shafts and longer handles than the Wiha styles I tried. The Wiha handles were a beefier in terms of girth. In tight spaces or with big or small hands this may be an issue.

Obviously I can't evaluate long term durability with such light use over such a short period of time... so I still have some hesitation about long term durability of all of these soft handles, but we'll see.

You can get both PB Swiss and Wiha screwdrivers from Amazon (altho not the complete USA selection). If you want warranty service, pony up for a truck brand (altho my local SnapOn guy carries/warranties Hazet tools as well).

I'll likely end up putting the Wiha drivers up for sale in case anyone's interested.

 

[blarf]

PB Swiss SwissGrips ($50):

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001IAS88C/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Here's a set of Wiha Proturn 3k (fairly small, two piece handle, $17):

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NZ7J1K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Wiha Microfinish ($30):

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NZ7INE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[The Muffin Man]

I'm going to cast my vote for Felo's "Ergonic" series Screwdrivers.

They are plenty comfortable featuring soft cushioned handles that feel similar to gel wrist pads

The hexagonal shafts are also more resistant to bending when used as a pry bar compared to cylindrical shafts. They are not very expensive either

 

[Danglerb]

I do kind of like some specific screwdrivers, but I can't say I have ever picked up a screwdriver and thought, wow I will never turn a screw with this.

 

[arkangel06]

I can also recommend the Wera`s. At least i would buy screwdrivers with a hex blade if you want to use them as a prybar.

Wiha makes them too.

now these are nice screwdrivers