I finally bought a new toolbox (HF 44") and while finally organizing my tools into a nice central location I realized I have more tools than I thought and was somewhat proud of my collection, but the embarrassing part was the lack of screwdrivers of any quality. The best I have are standard Cman and they are a sparse set as several have been misplaced over the years.
So time for a new set. I don't wrench for a living and I wouldn't even consider my self an amateur, but I like nice tools. Number one priority on my list is tip quality. I don't use them enough to worry of too much about the comfort of the grip, I just want good, hard, tips and they must fit nice, especially in the case of the phillips. Tip durability and fit is PARAMOUNT!
I would like to stay in the $40 range for the standard 6 pc set and then I will add to the set later.
For a deluxe option I like the Wera Chiseldrivers with the 1/4" drive recess in the top. But honestly I don't know how much I would use it. If tips are similar in quality, I could buy a set of the Wera Kraftform Classics for <$20.
I know other brands like Felo, Witte, Hazet and others make great screwdrivers as well, so that's why I'm coming to GJ for advice.
Thanks,
Jake
Yeah wera are awesome in my opinion but since you're not really going to be using them...here are some options on the super cheap.
Olympia tools crystal-6 bucks big lots (there are like 6 in the set). When woodworking I have a phillips head that's been my go to screwdriver. It's olympia, it's something like 20 years old, and it still works as new. The current model they sell looks the same. Odd handles that you have to get used to though.
Anything crescent. I bought a couple crescent nos mechanic's us made screwdrivers on ebay a while back. Best slotted screwdriver in the universe. I haven't really seen anymore at retail but I'd pick those up in a heartbeat if they had the angular handle. I don't think they're us made anymore but you can still spot em on ebay.
The older craftsman sets (especially the professional series) are good, but some of the cheaper sets aren't stainless.
Usually during christmas both home depot and lowe's sell low rent sets. I've never had problems with either brands (husky and kobalt) some of the task force stuff is junk but...the task force (or the ones at home depot; they're rebrands I think) screwdrivers are pretty good, I use a couple of the slotted ones for prying and for various "setting" mechanical work (to make sure the bolts line up with the bolt holes on wheel bearing hubs and as a "brake handle" to lock the rotor in place when taking off axle nuts) no problem, no bending, no nothing! 88 cents a piece (give or take). I do a handle wrap on them because the handles are just hard plastic, not great for mechanical work without a makeshift grip because of grease.
Granted none of these are sets but you'll find that you'll never exactly find a "set" that you'll want to use all the time. You'll use a different screwdriver from a different set for a different application. I have a lot of the cheaper screwdrivers and to be honest a screwdriver is a screwdriver. Get one ratcheting driver + bits, and a decent set with mainly phillips head, and a couple slotted screwdrivers and you'll have everything you need for ordinary stuff. If you do electronics work get a nice precision screwdriver set as the heads on the cheaper stuff definitely wears out.
If you're not using them all the time you don't really need anything fancy (even when it comes to other hand tools). It just has to be durable enough that you don't feel cheated with what you paid. You can go buy snap on screwdrivers if you really feel the need, it's just that it's better to have a complete set of lower quality stuff than it is to have an incomplete set of "professional grade" stuff. You wanna spend 100 bucks for snap on or 6-15 bucks for olympia, husky, or kobalt?
