Question regarding screwdrivers

[slwpar]

Hi everyone,

I'm Joe from Cincinnati, OH. I Came across this place while Googling a few things such as socket organization. I've been lurking for awhile but thought I would finally sign up. My tool collection consists of USA Craftsman and Craftsman Professional, however I am wanting to branch out into some tool truck brands. I don't wrench for a living, but I do work on cars and misc. things around the home... So my stuff doesn't see a lot of hard abuse. I use my tools but I also collect some rare ones that never get used, such as the old orange handle Pro's. Anyway, I have a couple of questions regarding screwdrivers...

First of all, I notice that most of the tool truck sets from Snap On and Mac consist of 8 pieces. I attempted to find information but turned up a dead end. What are the exact sizes of each screwdriver in a 8pc. Snap On set? By that I mean tip size and shaft length.

Finally, my Pro sets (Orange, black and black/red handle) contain many different large screwdrivers such as P3's, P4's and huge flat heads. I have never encountered anything that I had to use these on. What type of applications or where would you commonly find screws that require such a large driver? They take up a lot of room and tool chest real estate is important.

Thank you in advance for any help. Joe.

 

[Brownsfan]

P3 and P4 are found on brake rotors as the retaining screws. Lots of.older GM door panels had P3 screws. Usually holding the arm rest. Im sure there is more . Dont get rid of them. The moment you do you will.need one.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

P3=older (pre 73) GM door hinge screws plus some hiding in other random places. I just used a p3 yesterday to remove the cushion from an old bar stool I need to recover so I can use it in the garage. So you never know

 

[n8n]

If you're looking to upgrade your screwdrivers (although the Cman pros are well regarded it seems, I've never used them) have a look at the Williams black handle set. Also consider that a bit holder takes up a lot less space, I have the Cman red handle ratcheting bit holder and the Snap-On stubby to match, but now that I've used the latter I'm considering getting the real Snap-On one for the large size as well.

One downside to the Williams set is no Pozidriv, but old hard handle Snap-On ones pop up on eBay occasionally.

Also, if you work on Japanese stuff you'll want a set of true JIS drivers or bits. After some research here the consensus seemed to be that Vessel was the go to for those. I got some Vessel JIS bits and some PB Swiss Pozidriv bits to keep with the stuff I already have.

 

[softailgarage]

If you want to expand in the tool truck tools save yourself some money and look into cornwell tools.

 

[PelicanPines]

Had to get a P4 for my Kohler tractor... put a 3 point hitch on it for a box blade...

 

[XxToolAholicxX]

If you want to expand in the tool truck tools save yourself some money and look into cornwell tools.

Are Cornwell screwdrivers rebadged? Or Cornwell makes them? Are they USA made?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am a ToolAholic,Sometimes I regret it,Especially when the Toolman wont give me no credit

 

[oldldh]

Proto Classic Yellow Handle Professionals!!!

 

[rlitman]

Most of the #10 and #12 philips head wood screws I use have a P3 head. P3 is great, because it doesn't have the cam-out issues of P2.
I don't get to use a P4 that often, but recall seeing it on a few uncommon things.

 

[1950mercury]

Look at the sets on there web sights it will give you any info you need. I had to take the doors off a 51 ford and a 50 merc and the were p4. My crapsman impact(manual) driver didnt do **** i had to use my ir impact and mac screwdriver with a 1/2 wrench bolister to remove the hinges

 

[Manny2_0]

Look at the sets on there web sights it will give you any info you need. I had to take the doors off a 51 ford and a 50 merc and the were p4. My crapsman impact(manual) driver didnt do **** i had to use my ir impact and mac screwdriver with a 1/2 wrench bolister to remove the hinges

Wow
That thing was on there

 

[Dave455]

Standard sizes for screwdrivers in the U.S (and the U.K. for that matter, if we are talking inch sizes) are 3 inch blade x 3/16 tip, 4 inch x 1/4, 6 inch x 5/16 and 8 inch x 3/8.

These are the sizes that Snap On offer, but for some strange reason, they list every dimension in the catalogue EXCEPT the one you really want, which is the tip size!

The sets normally include these sizes, together with a Phillips No.1, 2 and 3!

Phillips 3 I don't use much, but that's only because I'm in the U.K. which is Pozidriv world. Pozi 3 crops up often, but 4's are rare! I don't carry anything bigger than a 3 normally!

 

[steed andersen]

Look into Wera screw drivers before you decide. Incredible value for the nicest screw drivers I've ever used. You can find them at Chad's Toolbox and full description of sizes,options and purposes.

 

[apdxyk]

German screwdrivers are well designed, but the tips are on a soft side. Typical for them, every turner and machinist knows that German steel is softer, yet cuts very well, if used properly. Nothing dramatic, just be aware of this, as I see a few recommendations in that direction. I have had Carl Walter, Witte, Stahlwille, Felo, Wera and Wiha (in order of quality IMHO) and they have a lot of nice things going for them, but the tip durability is not always one of those.

 

[RedRabbit]

Williams makes screwdrivers for SO. So if you want SO quality at half price williams is a great option.

 

[zkling]

German screwdrivers are well designed, but the tips are on a soft side. Typical for them, every turner and machinist knows that German steel is softer, yet cuts very well, if used properly. Nothing dramatic, just be aware of this, as I see a few recommendations in that direction. I have had Carl Walter, Witte, Stahlwille, Felo, Wera and Wiha (in order of quality IMHO) and they have a lot of nice things going for them, but the tip durability is not always one of those.

What? :

 

[apdxyk]

What? :

That's what they discovered in a parallel Knipex thread.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=280874

Mass production does that to you. We don't want Joe from Cincinnati exchange his hard earned dollars for something he may have heard a lot about, yet becomes disappointed when meets in person.

As I said, they have a lot of nicely done and well thought out details, yet, I repeat, the tip durability is not *always* one of those. In my experience, Wiha went down the hill more than others lately.

 

[Farmall450]

Williams makes screwdrivers for SO. So if you want SO quality at half price williams is a great option.

I'm pretty sure it's the other way around!

 

[slwpar]

Thanks everyone for the information! I supposed that I will keep what I have. A lot of the larger screwdrivers I have, I doubt I will ever have a use for but like someone here said.. "Don't get rid of them or you'll need one". Also, thank you to the user who provided the Snap On sizes.

Basically, my 13 drawer heavy duty tool chest is maxed to the point where I'm running out of space. I recently sold my house in a declining part of town and got an apartment with my fiancé. All of my tools are in a walk-in closet instead of a garage for the time being until we get a house. Unfortunately for this reason, I can't upgrade to a bigger chest because ya know.. shoes and purses are more important, Lol. What I'm trying to do is eliminated unnecessary tools that I would never use or sizes you woild not normally find available in the tool truck sets... assuming companies like Snap On and Mac are the standard when it comes to sizes you will commonly use. I hope that makes sense.

Thanks again, Joe

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

I have a bunch of those traditional Craftsman red clear blue ones.. and a set of their professionals. I really like the professionals, but I suspect they're either discontinued or being discontinued.

I have a few Proto, Klein, and SK here and there, and I like them too. I want to pick up some Channel Lock ones that are Made in USA, haven't seen them around in retail yet.

Welcome to joining the GJ!

Here is another thread that might be of interest to you, location specific....

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=278758

 

[n8n]

Consider putting some of your seldom used ones in a box in storage, get a bit holder & some top quality bits to free up some space in your roll cab. It's going to be a rare situation where you need e.g. a #4 Pozi *and* you find that a bit holder or ratchet won't work. Yes such situations exist, but they're rare.

Sent from my XT897 using Tapatalk

 

[n8n]

Look at the sets on there web sights it will give you any info you need. I had to take the doors off a 51 ford and a 50 merc and the were p4. My crapsman impact(manual) driver didnt do **** i had to use my ir impact and mac screwdriver with a 1/2 wrench bolister to remove the hinges

Shake 'n' break... it's beautiful

Sent from my XT897 using Tapatalk

 

[dede2897234]

That's what they discovered in a parallel Knipex thread.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=280874

Mass production does that to you. We don't want Joe from Cincinnati exchange his hard earned dollars for something he may have heard a lot about, yet becomes disappointed when meets in person.

As I said, they have a lot of nicely done and well thought out details, yet, I repeat, the tip durability is not *always* one of those. In my experience, Wiha went down the hill more than others lately.

apdxyk,

Wiha makes excellent quality screwdrivers. Even though they are of not recent production, I have owned a set of the black Microfinish hex bolstered Phillips and flat screwdrivers for about 10 years. They've withstood DIY home and auto repair work with the tips intact.

I have found three threads within the last year where members have chimed in on their recommendations of Wiha screwdrivers against their competitors:

- LINK

- LINK

- LINK


Dave

 

[slwpar]

Ha ha, that's funny for two reasons. I've been to that shop and they have a lot of good quality tools at great prices. Second, that's where I just moved from... Mt. Healthy/Colerain Township. I lived right off of Compton Rd. in a subdivision called Northbrook. My house being broken into while I was out of town was the last straw on top of someone steeling the rims off of my car in 2011. Had enough.

I have a bunch of those traditional Craftsman red clear blue ones.. and a set of their professionals. I really like the professionals, but I suspect they're either discontinued or being discontinued.

I have a few Proto, Klein, and SK here and there, and I like them too. I want to pick up some Channel Lock ones that are Made in USA, haven't seen them around in retail yet.

Welcome to joining the GJ!

Here is another thread that might be of interest to you, location specific....

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=278758

 

[slwpar]

Have any of you tried the new DeWalt screwdrivers, or any of their new line of hand tools for that matter? I believe Stanley owns them and I get the feeling that this line is just a way to make more money, and they are Chinese made (from what I understand). Just curious how the quality is? 99.9% of what I have except for my tape measure is USA. I wouldn't mind having a small set of basic tools to keep in the car.

 

[dede2897234]

slwpar,

I own a set of the Dewalt demo screwdrivers (#2 Phillips, 5/16" flat). I purchased it from Home Depot several years ago for about $10. It is made in China. Here is the link: LINK. I kept the set in my car's cargo area. The set came in handy when I replaced my friend's muffler support bracket on her 2003 Chevy Cavalier. It rotted out. I purchased it at Advanced Auto and replaced it in the parking lot of a huge supermarket. I used the 5/16" flat head as a punch with a brass hammer to drive out the pin (inside a rubber bushing) as the last step to free the rotted muffler support bracket. The 5/16" flat head tip did not suffer a scratch.

However, if I was making the purchase again, I would purchase the Milwaukee 2 piece demo driver set: LINK. It is the same as the Dewalt set except for the following 2 differences: the shaft is hexagonal where the Dewalt is round; and I believe the set is made in Taiwan where the Dewalt is made in China.


Dave

 

[apdxyk]

apdxyk,

Wiha makes excellent quality screwdrivers...

yes, Sir. the ones I bought in their company store (and they were all over the country) when I lived in Germany, are the best and in excellent shape. That was 28 years ago.. [even back then, a regular Sandvik PH0 was easily trumping Wiha's analogue]

I just wanted to warn Joe, it's not the same Wiha it used to be. QA is slipping more and more, handles are not concentric and out of balance, tip edges are not even perpendicular at times - shouldn't have gone past inspectors, etc. I know, I am being picky.. but for the ridiculous price here in USA, you have to be. Their currency is in a free fall and they still charge the same in US$. Again, the metal is a softy. Have you tried to warranty them? The Co doesn't answer any emails. Any.

I don't care about anybody's opinions, based on a bunch of other subset of opinions, as you don't care about mine. We are just sharing them.

McMaster is a good source for some German screwdrivers here in USA. Reasonable pricing and great service. You could guess the brand, looking at the picture

 

[bcradio]

yes, Sir. the ones I bought in their company store (and they were all over the country) when I lived in Germany, are the best and in excellent shape. That was 28 years ago.. [even back then, a regular Sandvik PH0 was easily trumping Wiha's analogue]

I just wanted to warn Joe, it's not the same Wiha it used to be. QA is slipping more and more, handles are not concentric and out of balance, tip edges are not even perpendicular at times - shouldn't have gone past inspectors, etc. I know, I am being picky.. but for the ridiculous price here in USA, you have to be. Their currency is in a free fall and they still charge the same in US$. Again, the metal is a softy. Have you tried to warranty them? The Co doesn't answer any emails. Any.

I don't care about anybody's opinions, based on a bunch of other subset of opinions, as you don't care about mine. We are just sharing them.

McMaster is a good source for some German screwdrivers here in USA. Reasonable pricing and great service. You could guess the brand, looking at the picture

Huh?

Is McMaster like Hotwire.com or something? You don't know what you get until it's paid for. Seems silly for tools.

 

[Pantsfall_McFixit]

yes, Sir. the ones I bought in their company store (and they were all over the country) when I lived in Germany, are the best and in excellent shape. That was 28 years ago.. [even back then, a regular Sandvik PH0 was easily trumping Wiha's analogue]

I just wanted to warn Joe, it's not the same Wiha it used to be. QA is slipping more and more, handles are not concentric and out of balance, tip edges are not even perpendicular at times - shouldn't have gone past inspectors, etc. I know, I am being picky.. but for the ridiculous price here in USA, you have to be. Their currency is in a free fall and they still charge the same in US$. Again, the metal is a softy. Have you tried to warranty them? The Co doesn't answer any emails. Any.

This is contrarian to what is posted, but I value it as it prevents false loyalty in brands suffering recent quality issues; we can't get lazy and assume things will always stay the same. What brand would you recommend for tip durability German or otherwise? I remember there being HRC test results posted in another thread; we need more independent scientifically-conducted and real-world reviews.

I've been happy with my Wiha and Wera drivers, but there are so many brands in my collection no one brand is used extensively.

 

[FMC1959]

German screwdrivers are well designed, but the tips are on a soft side. Typical for them, every turner and machinist knows that German steel is softer, yet cuts very well, if used properly. Nothing dramatic, just be aware of this, as I see a few recommendations in that direction. I have had Carl Walter, Witte, Stahlwille, Felo, Wera and Wiha (in order of quality IMHO) and they have a lot of nice things going for them, but the tip durability is not always one of those.

That is a bold statement. I know they say it's 5:30 somewhere in the world, but isn't noon Sunday kind of early for the hard stuff

 

[slwpar]

Lol, you guys are hilarious. I've seen one of the German sets at Sears. I'm not sure if it was Wiha or Wera... or however the names are spelled. They looked kind of cheap, honestly. The price tag was around $38 USD if I recall correctly.

Right now I'm sticking with the Craftsman Pro's and considering either the Williams set or Snap On since they're basically the same thing.

I keep the Harbor Frieght drivers around and use them as pry bars and paint stirrers. Ha ha

 

[slwpar]

What is everyone's thoughts on SK Tools?

 

[n8n]

Right now I'm sticking with the Craftsman Pro's and considering either the Williams set or Snap On since they're basically the same thing

Not really; williams is very similar to *old* snap-on. SO doesn't sell traditional hard handle screwdrivers anymore. Other than a high quality tip, liking the handle style is one of the most important aspects of a potential screwdriver purchase. I like hard handles, so I like williams.

Sent from my XT897 using Tapatalk

 

[DanInVA]

What is everyone's thoughts on SK Tools?

I have some SK tools (a set of impact swivels), and I like them. SK is on my short list for future tool purchases. As far as screwdrivers go, I believe you will find they are the same as the craftsman professional line. I am pretty sure that their comfort grip line (and the sadly discontinued CM pro screwdrivers) are made by Western Forge

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

Ha ha, that's funny for two reasons. I've been to that shop and they have a lot of good quality tools at great prices. Second, that's where I just moved from... Mt. Healthy/Colerain Township. I lived right off of Compton Rd. in a subdivision called Northbrook. My house being broken into while I was out of town was the last straw on top of someone steeling the rims off of my car in 2011. Had enough.

Sorry to hear of the troubles you had there. I'm not really familiar with Cincy, since I'm up north around Indy.. Have you heard or seen where their new store is yet? I posted a message to their website.. not a peep.

Thx,
Dennis

 

[1950mercury]

Not really; williams is very similar to *old* snap-on. SO doesn't sell traditional hard handle screwdrivers anymore. Other than a high quality tip, liking the handle style is one of the most important aspects of a potential screwdriver purchase. I like hard handles, so I like williams.

Sent from my XT897 using Tapatalk

Snap on still makes the older hard handles....IMO the instincts blow away the older hard handles

 

[arz71]

What is everyone's thoughts on SK Tools?

When I first started working at a Yamaha/Kawasaki shop bought my first tools off an independent truck all SK. Have had them for nearly 20 years, never had any issues excellent quality. Later on bought Snap-On, MAC, Matco and others. Each tool maker has unique tools one may look at to best suit them.

The new MAC Duratek look really good to, they are available from Proto as well.

 

[Parrothead]

What is everyone's thoughts on SK Tools?

I don't know, what you do you think? Haha, just yanking your chain. However, you have them in the Craftsman Professional screwdrivers. The SK cushion grips and the Craftsman Pro's are the same thing with different color handles.