Pro mechanics: how long do your screwdrivers last?
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nicks78camaro
Well-known member
Philips? A long time.
Slotted? A long time unless it succumbs to chisel or prybar status and I break the tip off.
Slotted? A long time unless it succumbs to chisel or prybar status and I break the tip off.
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rustyzman
Well-known member
Warrantied the blades that broke, but I still have all the original Snap on set I bought first year pulling wrenches. Over half of the set is still fully original. On the No.2 phillips I warrantied the blade multiple times. Worked it hard.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
I got around a year and now have noticeable fitment issues on my #2 Phillips, which is a Williams USA. I just bought a wera lasertip to try out. I get 1-2 years, as I don't use them with worn and ill fitting tips. Before that I had some SK, and before that a mix of new HF and used ones. I used to run them much longer with very worn tips. Life's too short for that IMO, but I will retip a flathead prybar from time to time.
If it comes down to it I'll buy a single #2 from Snap On. They're 30/each but I have ~28 ******* on the Williams and the Wera now.
EDIT: snap on is basically 2× the price as regularly available "good" screwdrivers. So if you use good drivers, the math can pencil out pretty easily for snap on over 30+ years.
If it comes down to it I'll buy a single #2 from Snap On. They're 30/each but I have ~28 ******* on the Williams and the Wera now.
EDIT: snap on is basically 2× the price as regularly available "good" screwdrivers. So if you use good drivers, the math can pencil out pretty easily for snap on over 30+ years.
Forever, just warrantee the SO blade, many years ago I picked up one at a pawn shop, the blade was mangled but a good handle for I think 46Cents, I was buying other tools and the girl didn't believe that I wanted it, it rounded up to an even dollar.
Gave it to my dealer, got a new blade and use it every day, I haven't replaced it again yet.
Gave it to my dealer, got a new blade and use it every day, I haven't replaced it again yet.
I'm not sure whether my question was unclear, but "forever because they're under warranty" doesn't really answer how long the screwdriver itself lasts. I'm interested in the durability of the tool, not the quality of the warranty.
Maybe I should have asked it this way: How long does it take you to wear out a screwdriver?
Maybe I should have asked it this way: How long does it take you to wear out a screwdriver?
As young men in school we were taught how to properly file a tip of a straight blade screwdriver. So over the years I have filed many a tip to bring them back to proper condition. So I have some well used and reconditioned screwdrivers that are well over 50 yo.
lg
no neat sig line
lg
no neat sig line
Wamsutta
Well-known member
If you use the correct size screwdriver for every fastener to where there is no clearance; and if you never slip out of the fastener; screwdrivers can last practically forever. The one thing that makes my blood boil is when people use the wrong size screwdriver for the fastener because they don't care; frickin hacks. I always do a wiggle test before I start turning the screw.
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I think this will be a tough question to answer. Auto mechanics/cars don’t use Phillips or straight screw heads nearly as much as they used to. Things mechanics do with screwdrivers aren’t as taxing, My guess is, indefinitely might be a reasonable answer. I do maybe 4-6 auto repair jobs a year. Some large, some not. My basic set of Snap On hard handles are still pretty pristine from 1994. PH2 is starting to get a little dull. The handles are worn pretty smooth.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
That rust frozen Phillips with half the head rotted off and swollen with scale is a rough place to be a phillips. Normally I'd use a power tool on impact driver, but things like plate-bulbs require normal hand tools.
I seethe with rage when I ask for a #2 phillips and people look at me like phillips don't have sizes.
Theronswanson
Well-known member
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Screwdrivers really aren't used any more. I still have my original set I bought 20 years ago, never warrantied one. I used them a lot, until I got a ratcheting screwdeiver and my first cordless drill. I don't turn wrenches professionaly any more, and still rarely use them. Now that I'm thinking of it, I have a flat head I used more as a pry tool than a screwdriver lol.
Most techs use bits now, which are definitely consumables. That being said, there is definitely a difference between a good screwdriver set and a bad one.
I see people with drawers full of them and really question why. I got away in my time with just a few. To each their own I guess.
Most techs use bits now, which are definitely consumables. That being said, there is definitely a difference between a good screwdriver set and a bad one.
I see people with drawers full of them and really question why. I got away in my time with just a few. To each their own I guess.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Oh I do too. Everybody should know there's 7 different sizes of Phillips. #000 thru 4.
Ohio Andy
Well-known member
It can ruin the screw head as well. I finally purchased a set of grace screwdrivers sized specifically for old wood furniture screws after I had a problem with one too meany screws and I had a tough screw. On Old furniture I prefer to keep the original screws when possible. Stuff I build is usually Robertson (square).
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I have to deal with this every day at work ("IT"). Nobody that I work with seems to have any clue that there are sizes or that screwdrivers wear out. The result is that they use one size under 99% of the time and two sizes under with torx. It doesn't help that the manager (who's one of them) keeps buying the cheapest sets possible for us to use.
When I was in the machine shop, I went through a lot of screwdrivers, mainly due to improper usage (Flathead screwdrivers work wonders for spreading QD bushings) and damage from using them as scrapers. Throw in the fact that anything left on a shop table for more than 30 seconds attracts the “have nots” and you buy a lot of screwdrivers.
Around the home shop, the only ones that ever wear out/need replacement are smaller Phillips and Torx. I’ve gotten in the habit of using replaceable bit drivers most of the time, but still have a couple drawers full of regular screwdrivers.
Around the home shop, the only ones that ever wear out/need replacement are smaller Phillips and Torx. I’ve gotten in the habit of using replaceable bit drivers most of the time, but still have a couple drawers full of regular screwdrivers.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
There was one day I found out that Snap-on and MAC differ on their 5/16" wide straight slot blades. Snap-on has theirs set at .047" thick and MAC has theirs set at .042" thick. I wouldn't have known that if I wasn't already a screwdriver collector. I have actually found many instances where depending on the screw, the Snap-on was too thick and the MAC was just right.
Ohio Andy
Well-known member
I recently started measuring my screwdrivers (only one set done so far) so I can more easily track those tricky screws. I own to many to try and remember.
0.005" difference. When it matters it's matters.
I noticed that the grace wood screw screwdrivers have a burr on the top that feels intentional. It is not big but it is there on both sides of the blade tip.
big bab bob
Well-known member
Good screw drivers will last a long time, I have had my Snap-On ones Probably 40 years. Sure I have broken a couple of tips off and mangled a couple of Phillips but that was from doing something stupid with the wrong tool usually
23ford
Well-known member
MATCO 147 years
My pet peeve is people mixing up Phillips and Pozidriv.
What hope does a screwdriver have of a long life if the user can’t even match tip to screw.
Anyway. Phillips or Pozidriv, both of them wear out in a few years at best for me. It’s hard to never get lazy and have a slip. Difficult access angle, working blind, rusty screw head, dirty head, badly made head, whatever. And it only has to slip once to cause damage that makes the next slip more likely. Thereafter it’s a vicious circle.
Other tip types last basically forever for me.
Lassen Forge
Well-known member
IF i'm really, REALLY careful I can get a few months out of one, but if I'm in a hurry, then fergeddaboudit. Also depends on the driver - I've had REALLY good luck with the "el cheapos" I get from NAPA, rotten luck from Stanleys. I've tried re-grinding the tips and it just don't work.
And the flatheads? They can last a decade, but only if they get repurposed as pry bars, punches, etc.
And the flatheads? They can last a decade, but only if they get repurposed as pry bars, punches, etc.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Williams USA on the right, 1 year in service. Wera replacement on the left.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Too many variables.
Depends how its used. Often times the job decides that instead of the end user.
This one only lasted a couple screws:
Whereas this tip had been thru over 6,000 screws over the course of several days and is still plenty usable:
I will say whatever special blend of herbs and spices Witte uses in their screwdrivers holds up exceptionally well.
Depends how its used. Often times the job decides that instead of the end user.
This one only lasted a couple screws:
Whereas this tip had been thru over 6,000 screws over the course of several days and is still plenty usable:
I will say whatever special blend of herbs and spices Witte uses in their screwdrivers holds up exceptionally well.
Bubba Fett
Well-known member
I think Electricians and HVAC Technicians probably go through screwdrivers more frequently, simply because they encounter screws more often than Mechanics, who mostly deal with bolts unless they do a lot of interior work.
As for me (IT/AV/Low Voltage), I prefer to use bit drivers when possible, so that if the bit wears out, I just get a new one. I also run into a lot of Torx, PoziDriv, Allen, and security screws, so bits make more sense than 100 individual drivers. However, I do use individual Cabinet, Phillips, and Torx drivers if clearance is an issue - i.e. deeply recessed screws.
I'm a stickler for using the proper driver type and the correct size, so mine tend to last a good while. That said, old worn out slotted drivers become pry bars, and worn out Phillips become punches or are sharpened into awls - unless I can file them back into shape.
As for me (IT/AV/Low Voltage), I prefer to use bit drivers when possible, so that if the bit wears out, I just get a new one. I also run into a lot of Torx, PoziDriv, Allen, and security screws, so bits make more sense than 100 individual drivers. However, I do use individual Cabinet, Phillips, and Torx drivers if clearance is an issue - i.e. deeply recessed screws.
I'm a stickler for using the proper driver type and the correct size, so mine tend to last a good while. That said, old worn out slotted drivers become pry bars, and worn out Phillips become punches or are sharpened into awls - unless I can file them back into shape.
seber
Well-known member
Just about forever if you use shank through with a hammer on those less than perfect screws. Of course the ones hit with a hammer have a very limited life. Sometimes only a few days. I buy the cheapest ones I can find for that.
Ohio Andy
Well-known member
Hopefully these will help a little.... No, I guess it will only help keep the handle in better shape.
VESSEL Genuine Wood Handle Tang-Thru Screwdriver -8x150 (5/16" x 6") No.100 100S8150 Made in Japan by VESSEL
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089Q1S1NQ?tag=atomicindus08-20
I actually tried to use an older version of this earlier this week.
CRAFTSMAN Hand Impact Driver, 3/8-Inch Set (CMMT14104)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R96M9VW?tag=atomicindus08-20
Unfortunately, the screw was too small for the bit I had and I had to find a different solution. Luckily it was something that was not urgent and so I thought about it for a week before I figured out how to get it off. Still not sure how I didn't damage a screwdriver trying to do it. I was damaging the screw head though.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
As I'm mentioned previously TOPTUL makes great screwdrivers. I gave Eric O. a batch of them 7 years ago and he's still using them in his videos. I consider that to be a huge endorsement considering the way Eric uses his tools. The man is an animal but I have to cut him some slack as he's living in the snow/salt belt.
rust in the eye
Well-known member
How clean a Phillips screw's "slot' is makes a big difference on how often they cam out. You'll soon ruin even the finest screwdriver using only a portion of the contact surface available because you are too lazy to clean dirt from the bottom of the "slot". same goes for any internal hex, torx, etc.
If the tip can't bottom in the fastener it is no different than using the wrong size.
If the tip can't bottom in the fastener it is no different than using the wrong size.
isb cornbinder
Well-known member
My experience with screwdrivers has been, the Mac, SnapOn, SK, Hazet have lasted for as long as 50 years. My first line screwdriver is SK. The Hazet drivers are not used very often. I got the Hazet for
over 40 years ago.My dad left the contents of his shop to me. Dad had a "thing" for screwdrivers. I bundled up about 700 screwdrivers and gave them all to charity.
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richfinn
Well-known member
I like the red Vessel Megadora (pound through version) for mechanics drivers, mine are a couple of years old and still in nice shape.
For what they cost I would happily buy a new set every five to ten years, The handle shape suits me (I've tried most other brands including Snappy).
I don't abuse them and I use the correct pattern/size for the job.
For what they cost I would happily buy a new set every five to ten years, The handle shape suits me (I've tried most other brands including Snappy).
I don't abuse them and I use the correct pattern/size for the job.
Bingo. The free #2 bits from KC Tool are a lifesaver.
BTL-A4
Well-known member
When I taught high school woodshop 20 years ago, we went thru about 2 of the smaller #2 Craftsman screwdrivers every year. They were the only tools I took back to Sears and got replacements for.
thunderalley3
Well-known member
I was doing some work in the garage today and needed a long phillips so I started pulling them from the tool cart to find the length I needed. I can honestly say that they were all snap-on and I know because of the classic black handles that they were from 1998 and they are all in excellent condition. My everyday ones are snap-on cushion grips that are about 20 years old and I think there has only been one that has had the shaft replaced in it.
As stated earlier, use the right size for the correct operation and they will serve you over 20 years.
Now chisels, pry bars, scrapers and impact drivers are replaced more often..but they are not screwdrivers even though many think screwdrivers can replace them!!
As stated earlier, use the right size for the correct operation and they will serve you over 20 years.
Now chisels, pry bars, scrapers and impact drivers are replaced more often..but they are not screwdrivers even though many think screwdrivers can replace them!!
Muckin_Slusher
Well-known member
Don't forget that electrical screws are all cheese-grade so they don't much wear on the screwdrivers.
I sure can't stand the screws I have to deal with. We all carry all the screwdrivers, yet the manufacturers make their screws "combination drive" so you can turn them with slot/philips/robertson/nut driver. Each drive option loses grip because half the metal is gone because of this.
If that weren't bad enough then they go and make everything super shallow so the screwdriver barely fits in there.
I'm looking at you Eaton/Cutler-Hammer.
rust in the eye
Well-known member
Have you tried Milwaukee ECX bits?
I don't even bother with a PH2 anymore because of how bad the screws are.
The last Square D breaker I put in the fastener stripped SQ2 as it approached the manufacturer torque value. Go figure. Maybe it's by design.