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Nut drivers

Jsf721

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Dec 23, 2012
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LI, NY
I have a screw driver handle that takes my sockets and that's what I have been getting by with as far as nut drivers. My box is getting full but I am sure I could fit a set.

Other than some time savings any other advantage of owning a nut driver set?
 
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unslow1

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Mar 3, 2012
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Illinois
I have many and use them often. I still wouldn't consider them a necessity. I don't keep a set in my trailer where tool space/weight is limited.
 

KnurledNut

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Jan 28, 2011
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n/a
I dont know what your occupation is, but from personal use, I highly recommend the Klein magnetic tip hollow shank ones.
 

SantaAna12

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Mar 1, 2012
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Say you had a job that involved installing certain machinery/systems that involved the same set of fasteners to the same general low torque value.
Nut drivers, in the dedicated slot in the toolbag.

Billit!
 

ihateminimumwage

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Jan 26, 2012
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3,963
I sold off all of my nutdrivers years ago. But now that I work out of a tool bag, they are a must have. We've worked on generators surrounded by deep mud or snow, and if you drop a socket, it's gone. Much easier to keep a hold of a dedicated driver. Bought an SAE set and a 10mm, all from Wiha, and they've been great.
 

AceofSpad3s

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Oct 1, 2014
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I don't use them very often but they are nice to have. I keep a 7/16 one in the house to adjust my antenna.
 

1950mercury

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Mar 26, 2013
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metro detroit
I like them for small engine repair. Like others have said hollow shafts are a must. I've used so,craftsman, Klein and other odd brands. They all get the job done.

I have seen a few posts on this site with complaints about hf nut drivers.I can't remember why they didn't like them though
 

Brownsfan

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Apr 16, 2012
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Cleveland Ohio
I have the craftsman regular handle and the t-handles. I really only use the 7mm 8mm and 10mm. But my ocd made me buy the sets. If you are thinking about getting the craftsman sets check the package. The Chinese made versions are starting to show up. I have seen them in singles and the 12PC zipper case sets. The 7PC SAE and Metric I have only seen USA made so far. I use them for dash and door panel bolts. I have dropped too many sockets down into dashes so I try to use nut drivers for that now.
 
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CNGsaves

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Sep 26, 2012
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KS and OK
Think the Craftsman set is marked down if you're wanting to buy some. IIRC they are 50% off from $25 down to $12 . . . I've got them in cart but haven't pulled the trigger yet !! ;)
 

Brownsfan

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Think the Craftsman set is marked down if you're wanting to buy some. IIRC they are 50% off from $25 down to $12 . . . I've got them in cart but haven't pulled the trigger yet !! ;)

Do in store pick up or you may get the China versions. These have been one of the more consistently good tools to have the craftsman name . You can see the difference in the China versions. The clear handle SAE have a cloudy hue to them and the paint for the colors is not as good. The chrome shafts are not shiny and actually look used for years but they are new.
 

plinker

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Feb 28, 2007
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Northern Wi
I have a couple at home for odd jobs, 1/4,5/16,3/8 & 10mm. At work I have a 3/8 that I keep with my electrical tools as it is the common size for junction box and buss bar nuts.
 
OP
J

Jsf721

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Dec 23, 2012
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How did you get the 50% off? I added to cart and they are not discounting at all?



Think the Craftsman set is marked down if you're wanting to buy some. IIRC they are 50% off from $25 down to $12 . . . I've got them in cart but haven't pulled the trigger yet !! ;)
 

CNGsaves

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How did you get the 50% off? I added to cart and they are not discounting at all?

That was last week (might have been Columbus Day) when I was trying to use up SYW points. Might have been 50% off those just for the day. Sorry.
 

Empty Pockets

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Sep 21, 2015
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Rural New York
I have both CM SAE and Metric sets. they work well, when you done need to torque the daylights out of a fastener. No need to search for the right socket
 

kv501

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Jul 14, 2010
Messages
613
I have the 12 piece Craftsman set that I got with some other stuff back when I was 19 (1999). I'd say only one or two have ever been used and even then maybe a couple times in a breaker box. I use a Snap On 1/4 driver for most everything since I don't very often find myself in a spot where the socket falling off would be life or death. Could probably be persuaded to part with the nut drivers if anyone is looking. Screwdriver drawer is plenty full the way it is.
 

doan

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Sep 25, 2012
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585
Location
Frisco, TX
Nut drivers are like a deep socket that keeps the nut at the end of the socket (hence the name). Very handy for assembly work. A lot handier than a "screwdriver handle" with a deep socket on the end.
 

Jim C.

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Jan 8, 2010
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2,600
Nut drivers are nice to have and since they're mostly used in low torque applications, going with a moderately priced set is probably okay. I think the most important feature to look for is the depth of the hollow shaft. I have a set of Craftsman nut drivers that are about fifteen years old. The shafts are hollow only about half way up. That's usually okay, but I can think of one occasion where a fully hollow shaft that went all the way up to the handle would have saved me some time and trouble. What's interesting is that I recently acquired an older set of Craftsman nut drivers from the 1960s, and their shafts ARE hollow all the way up to the handle. I think those are just a little more versatile.

Jim C.
 

sberry

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Jun 18, 2005
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Brethren, Michigan
I have about a hundred and a dozen in 5/16 and as many in 7/16. 3 or 4 sets of Klein I bought back in the day.
I look at fleas on occasion but a Sears set at 12$ I would take for a being a virgin. I buy a couple new 5/16 a year from Menards now and they are about 6 a piece. I am sure a Klein is a dollar or 2 more.
 
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sberry

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Brethren, Michigan
I throw a lot of hose clamps out over the years because they are not 5/16 end. I had a compulsive type worked for me want to save everything dig them out of the trash and I finally had to throw them in his car. If it isn't standard out it goes. Old with slotted screws and on old equipment metric get replaced.
 
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