Observations on screwdrivers

[speed bump]

1.) Favorite recommendation seems to be influenced by availability. The easier it is for someone to have a certain brand the less people seem to champion them. The more people buy a certain brand, the higher the numbers of "eh they aren't any different than ***" shows up.

2) the shows us your toolbox threads are somewhat misleading because people with big/expensive boxes tend to get the most attention (same as anything, unless your widget is unique people pay the most attention to the shinier widget) and most of those boxes tend to be owned by people that buy tools from mobile tool stores.

That being said, the best screwdriver is the one you can purchase enough of to always have them available. One misplaced amazing screwdriver more often than not loses to 5 average screwdrivers in the same space.

 

[hangfirew8]

Snap On here.

I came to this conclusion after stripping out many many Phillips head screws that held the float bowls on motorcycle/ATV/small engine carburetors out there. If one looks closely on the heads of these screws, a small dot is stamped. This indicates they are actually not a Phillips screw, but a JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) spec head.

There's not much difference between them but it's enough that if you use a standard Phillips screwdriver on them you'll strip them the majority of the time on the float bowls. Snap On screwdrivers tend to bite the best on them, at least in my observations/experiences.

But then again, as an electrician I have many different screwdrivers for many different applications. I'd be lying if I told you they were all Snap On.

I just completed two chainsaw carb rebuilds this week... with a Craftsman Philips screwdriver. Nothing stripped.

-HF

 

[hangfirew8]

IMHO Snap On users are most likely to post pictures and talk up their purchases. The reasons are simple. They are relying on the tools to hold their value so they can retire someday, sell their tools and justify their expenditures. So they do their best to keep up the value perception of that brand.

Good luck with that.

-HF

 

[Gmonkee]

I have to disagree a bit.

We buy a few top line things (all of us inclusive) and because we perceived them to be the best. Of course we want to brag them up a bit. It is the pinnacle we could achieve and pride steps in.

Of course another has a best that is better, even if only how he perceives it. His needs will differ and it may well be better for him.

I have a bit of of bling mixed into a sea of common stuff myself.

I am not sorry SO screwdrivers were not my moment of divine inspiration. They are just screwdrivers after all. They were good if not awe inspiring and drifted out of use.

A change of job negatated the awe of flex ratchet wrenches and eventually I sold them. Now they hold him in awe. It's all good. They are only wrenches in the end.

 

[CafeTools]

IMHO Snap On users are most likely to post pictures and talk up their purchases. The reasons are simple. They are relying on the tools to hold their value so they can retire someday, sell their tools and justify their expenditures. So they do their best to keep up the value perception of that brand.

Good luck with that.

-HF

I think they are waiting for the day thier tools go up in value!