Recommend me a screwdriver set

[308guru]

I’m looking for a recommendation on a new screwdriver set (flat blade and phillips). I’ve been using the common Craftsman screwdrivers for 20+years, exchanged some of them over that time, and now have a bunch of bent/worn tools remaining. I could go through the exchange process at Lowes or Ace but that seems to be hit or miss on whether they will exchange on site without hassle.

I’m ready for something new. What other manufacturers/models should I look at? I’m not after Snap On and associated pricing, but I’m not looking for garbage either. Something middle ground with an easy exchange/warranty. Bonus points for tools that aren’t made in made in China. Doesn’t have to be a set, I’m fine buying individials.

Thanks.

 

[whateg01]

I buy wera now

 

[Caa311]

Vessel!

 

[Steel_Rain]

Like most on this forum, I have many, many sets of screwdrivers.

One brand for me is a standout...Vessel

Set | Screwdrivers | PRODUCTS | VESSEL TOOLS U.S.A., INC

full range of information on product groups ranging from tightening tools such as drivers, bit sockets and air tools to anti-static products in the factory

vesseltoolsusa.com

 

[Wamsutta]

You'd be surprised how much you like Klein once you start using them.

PB Swiss is another good brand for comfort.

 

[AEAdam]

You gotta be a little careful with GJ's love for non US made screwdrivers. Screwdrivers have standards they are supposed to meet. Different countries have differing standards. Phillips is pretty universal, tho some brands make better ones and some worse. Flat screwdrivers can be the problem in a set from Germany for example. The metric std for a straight slot screwdriver requires a thinner blade for a given width. And metric widths are different, which can effect you. Sometimes having a screwdriver blade overhanging the screw head is a problem.

In case anyone needs to hear this- slotted screw heads aren't coin slots. The idea is that the screwdriver blade fills the slot in the screw head with just a bit of clearance

More: Screwdrivers are designed for specific use cases. You sorta need to know what you need going in. Just some poles to consider;

1. For low torque applications favoring spinning in fine threads, screwdrivers like Klein's rubber gripped screwdrivers excel. Look for grips with round cross sections. Additional features might include a small neck near the blade bolster where you can hold a screwdriver while you spin the back end. Many are designed to be palmed and spun with the finger tips. They aren't typically designed to be grasped like a tennis raquet. That's not how we use screwdrivers most of the time.
2. For high torque, crack it free, look for something like the Snap On Instinct handles that are not round. Instincts are tri-lobular, whch is crazy for a screwdriver. But they really really work. These might be grasped in your fist. Some models include wrench flats under the bolster. Those bolsters may be metric or std. I, like others here, have used ratcheting wrenches to held drive screwdrivers. So the size of that bolster can impact you

So, for US slotted fasteners, pick a US spec screwdriver like Klein, Channel lock, Snap On, and many others.

My recommendation; Everyone should own a set of Klein rubber gripped screwdrivers. These meet all your criteria: readily available, warranty, available as sets or individually. Really developed for electrical, they are near perfect for household use. For automotive, I'd look again at something LIKE Snap On instinct. FULL DISCLOUSURE: I don't use my extensive screwdriver collection as much as I used to. Automotove fasteners have changed. Interiors use integrally molded clips more, or torx headed screws, where, in the past, all of those attachments were phillips. So take my advice about "automotive screwdrivers" with a big grain of salt.

 

[liliysdad]

Six months ago i would have recommended Tekton hard handles. That brief little shop has sailed.

Now, Snap On and their corresponding Williams and CAT line would be my default. Channellock has a line of US made hard handles that seem decent, and I’ve yet to be able to lay my hands on any of the US made Mayhews.

 

[308guru]

Six months ago i would have recommended Tekton hard handles. That brief little shop has sailed.

Now, Snap On and their corresponding Williams and CAT line would be my default. Channellock has a line of US made hard handles that seem decent, and I’ve yet to be able to lay my hands on any of the US made Mayhews.

What turned you away from the Tektons?

 

[liliysdad]

What turned you away from the Tektons?

Tekton discontinued their US driver line in favor of rebranded Wittes.

 

[Rinspeed]

I have most of the ones mentioned so far and like PB Swiss the best out of all of them. What fits my hand well might not fit your hand as well.

 

[Madjik Man]

I only use my Vessel screwdrivers now.

I only kept my Tekton hard handle set because I’m in love with the handles.

 

[Ohio Andy]

I think a lot depends on exactly what you want to do with the screwdrivers.

If you are going to get down a dirty and you know that you're going to have things like solvent and a lot of grease and grime when you want to screwdriver that'll hold up well to that. Vessel makes a composite wood handle that works really well and it's upgrade to that environment.

https://www.zoro.com/vessel-wood-compo-non-slip-tang-thru-screwdrive-3308eva/i/G3192267/

I really like PB Swiss and we have a nice relationship of a place called drpd and they have some great PB Swiss screwdrivers. I like their new Evo grip, but if I was going to be getting them disgusting and dirty I would not get the Evo grip...

PB Swiss Tools

Work with the best. All PB Swiss tools are manufactured with precision in Switzerland and backed with a Lifetime Guarantee. DRPD has you covered with all the top offerings from PB Swiss.

drpd.cc

If you like the handles on the tektons they're nice.

Screwdriver Sets | TEKTON

Shop screwdriver sets available with or without organization.

www.tekton.com

I particularly like the vessel megadors for standard juice because they have some really nice knurling which is really useful when you're doing some fine turning

https://www.zoro.com/vessel-megadora-jawsfit-screwdriver-8pc-set-9008eva/i/G3196640/

I like the USA. Made Milwaukee screwdriver

https://www.zoro.com/milwaukee-tool-6pc-cushion-grip-screwdriver-set-usa-mt200-6/i/G806399367/

I'm also really partial to the Williams... To me these are very close if not identical to the snap on our handles. Believe they're made by the same company... Williams...

https://www.zoro.com/williams-williams-screwdriver-set-8-pieces-100p-8md/i/G7259730/

If you're looking at a ratcheting screwdriver, I prefer the snap-On to the Williams even though they are made by the same company and are almost identical because the snap-on has knurling whereas the Williams does not.

And Craftsman has a chinese-made diamond coated screwdrivers that test real well and I like them but I only see them now on eBay. I'm not going to bother with a link..

I also have demolition, screwdrivers and screwdrivers I can hit with a hammer, for those I have vessel and Klein.

Other screwdrivers that I use if I'm working around electricity. And you did not ask about ratcheting and screwdrivers which is probably just as well. Cuz I could probably rent for about 30 minutes on those.

Most of what you will see listed here will all perform well. It's just mostly a question of what feels best in your hand and will work best in your situation.

If I only had one set of screwdrivers and they would probably be the PB Swiss evil grip, but they're really expensive and they don't clean up well. If I was only going to have one set and I was going to work on cars I'd have the vessel. They're super resistant to the chemicals and are easy to clean...

Matt said the Williams that I linked I think will also clean up really well and I like the handle. It's all about preference. There are some screwdrivers. I just don't like the handle and I know I'm in extreme minority for some of them and with at least you may find that your preferences change.

In the unlikely event you live near the middle of Ohio, hit me up. I got a bunch of screwdrivers you can try.

One thing I forgot to mention and that's that the most flat tip screwdrivers are vaguely triangle shaped and if you use a lot of flats, the PV Swiss have parallel sides which means that they fit flatheads better. So if you're doing a lot of things like gunsmithing where you really are concerned about fitting for a slotted screw head, I would consider PB, Swiss or even better for gunsmithing probably Grace.

 

[Firstram]

Tekton discontinued their US driver line in favor of rebranded Wittes.

I just ordered this USA set on closeout

Long High-Torque Screwdriver Set (6-Piece) | DRV43017 | TEKTON

Includes: #1-#3 (Phillips), 3/16 - 5/16 inch (slotted/flathead) long 8-inch blade screwdrivers. High torque handle. Made in USA.

www.tekton.com

 

[Ohio Andy]

I just ordered this USA set on closeout

Long High-Torque Screwdriver Set (6-Piece) | DRV43017 | TEKTON

Includes: #1-#3 (Phillips), 3/16 - 5/16 inch (slotted/flathead) long 8-inch blade screwdrivers. High torque handle. Made in USA.

www.tekton.com

I really thought I was not going to like those handles... I was wrong...

 

[308guru]

I may check this Milwaukee set out at HD tonight. I was wondering what their warranty replacement process was and what I found required the user to send the tool into Milwaukee for review. Is that right? Not interested in paying to ship garbage a couple states away in order to get it replaced.

 

[Jeeper99]

I like my Williams hard handles though I'm not sure how warranty would work. Cat, Williams, and Snappy hard handle are the exact same driver, just different labels. You might be able to warranty the cat through cat. I do know snapon blades fit Williams handles and a snapon guy might swap out blades if you are a frequent customer.

 

[richfinn]

Vessel Japan

 

[lbhsbz]

Amazon.com

I just bought this set and it is excellent.

I refuse to buy normal phillips screwdrivers or any set that includes them....pretty much everything you'd use a hand screwdriver on is a JIS, not a phillips.

 

[Wamsutta]

Which screwdriver are you going to choose when you have to turn drywall screws into your fence?

The Klein 603-10 with its 10 inch blade. How do I know? Because I just now did it.

I was too lazy to go back to the garage to get my speed wrench with the #2 Phillips socket on the end.

I don't have a battery drill/driver. It was the Klein or nothing. The screws were only 6x1 drywall screws anyway.

If you ever have to turn #2 Phillips screws into wood, the Klein 603-10 is a badass muh-fuh.

 

[whateg01]

Which screwdriver are you going to choose when you have to turn drywall screws into your fence?

The Klein 603-10 with its 10 inch blade. How do I know? Because I just now did it.

I was too lazy to go back to the garage to get my speed wrench with the #2 Phillips socket on the end.

I don't have a battery drill/driver. It was the Klein or nothing. The screws were only 6x1 drywall screws anyway.

If you ever have to turn #2 Phillips screws into wood, the Klein 603-10 is a badass muh-fuh.

I have a couple Klein screwdrivers from work. The tips seem awfully soft. They no longer want to stay in the screw

 

[Wamsutta]

I have a couple Klein screwdrivers from work. The tips seem awfully soft. They no longer want to stay in the screw

Those are the old generation before they revised their manufacturing process.

 

[J.A.F.E.]

My absolute favorite is Snap-on Instinct hard handle. Looks like the soft handle but the insert is gray instead of the black rubber.

My next favorite is the old Snap-on handles now sold as Williams.

 

[lotus_esprit]

I use Snap On for flat and Philips,
Vessel for JIS
Vessel and Wera for Pozidriv (Snap On Pozidriv are absolutely awful and do not fit pozidrive screws properly!)

 

[Steve_P]

A million threads on this with the same 10+ recommendations

Project Farm has multiple tests if you actually want some data and to think for yourself.

 

[snickers muncher]

Tekton also used to be my recommendation until they changed. I really like my USA made Milwaukee screwdrivers, but for the price I'd just get two sets of the above linked Amazon Vessel screwdrivers and forget about warranty for a few years.

 

[liliysdad]

I just ordered this USA set on closeout

Long High-Torque Screwdriver Set (6-Piece) | DRV43017 | TEKTON

Includes: #1-#3 (Phillips), 3/16 - 5/16 inch (slotted/flathead) long 8-inch blade screwdrivers. High torque handle. Made in USA.

www.tekton.com

And once they are gone, they are gone. I tried those handles and didn’t care for them. The hard handles, on the other hand, are fantastic.

I refuse to buy normal phillips screwdrivers or any set that includes them....pretty much everything you'd use a hand screwdriver on is a JIS, not a phillips.

I have an entire shop and garage full of things that would disagree with that statement.

 

[Drunkonunleaded]

Williams hard handle. I love the Instinct handles but for something that sees constant use, I have more faith in the hard handle.

Vessel would be a second.

 

[LSU]

I have a bunch of "original" Craftsman screwdrivers that I bought in H.S. and college 50+ years ago.

The handles have deteriorated because they are the original "smelly" kind.

I've seen many post about the Cellulose Acetate Butyrate (CAB) problem - that's the stuff in the old handles that makes them smell. I've tried to get rid of the smell many ways and most of them work but my handles look like sh!t.

I'm not a tool polisher, nor am I a "wrencher". I only use my screwdrivers about every couple of weeks but I can find them in my tool box and I use them when I need them.

My 93 year old father in law recently gave me his Craftsman tool set (not a whole bunch of tools (and his screwdrivers don't smell - I can't explain it).

Anyway - I'm hanging onto my stinky screwdrivers because the metal in them is superior. I've shopped around and can't find anything to match it.

I don't need any new screwdrivers (sort of wish I could make an excuse to buy some of the ones shown above).

I appreciate the comments and will continue to follow.

 

[milky2k]

If you want something with an easy exchange, maybe look again at the new Craftsman at Lowes? They are nicer than what Sears used to sell and they look like the old familiar Craftsmans that you used for the past 20 years. The blades are improved over the old screwdrivers and they are made in Taiwan. If you want something else, then the top contenders are the Williams and Vessel screwdriver sets. The Williams are the same as Snap On hard handles, made in the USA, but only come in black but for a very reasonable $45 or so. The Vessel's are also very good, made in Japan, and come in about the same price. You didn't indicate if you preferred one handle type or material over the other but I found I prefer tri-lobe drivers with hard handles for mechanic work since it easier to clean oil and grease off of them and cushion grips for just about everything else. I have a set of OEMTools green handle drivers and a Mayhew set mainly for when I work on cars. I also have a Milwaukee set that use for everything else because they came with some square tip drivers. I also picked up a few older Stanley 100 plus drivers and Stanley Workmaster tri-lobe drivers that have really nice handles. The Stanley 100 plus are still made but come from Taiwan.

 

[JradM]

Vessel is probably the best screwdriver for the dollar - but I've no idea if you can warranty them. If warranty exchange is what motivates you, then Tekton might be the winner.

It comes down to what you're doing with the screwdrivers too. I use different ones for automotive, motorcycles, bicycles, household general maintenance, electric, electronics, etc. It's not line they can't be use across categories, but I like different styles for different tasks and if i was picking just one - it would depend on what I did most.

Other than just mentioning good screwdriver brands to consider, there's not much value in an opinion not tied to a category. E.g. I have screwdrivers from Felo, Wera, PB Swiss, Vessel, Tekton, Proto, Wiha & Bahco - they're all nice, but I'd tell you which one I like best depending on what task we're discussing.

 

[Ohio Andy]

I like my Williams hard handles though I'm not sure how warranty would work. Cat, Williams, and Snappy hard handle are the exact same driver, just different labels. You might be able to warranty the cat through cat. I do know snapon blades fit Williams handles and a snapon guy might swap out blades if you are a frequent customer.

I ordered a few sets of Williams hard handles and one of those large sets had a few extra drivers and was missing a driver. I contacted the seller and Williams was then involved. They sent me what was missing with a paid shipping thing to send it back.

I cannot say how Milwaukee handles it, but I have never been asked to pay to return a tool. No idea if that happens. SK just sent me a replacement tool and told me to toss the old one; your mileage may vary.

 

[Ohio Andy]

I have a bunch of "original" Craftsman screwdrivers that I bought in H.S. and college 50+ years ago.

The handles have deteriorated because they are the original "smelly" kind.

I've seen many post about the Cellulose Acetate Butyrate (CAB) problem - that's the stuff in the old handles that makes them smell. I've tried to get rid of the smell many ways and most of them work but my handles look like sh!t.

I'm not a tool polisher, nor am I a "wrencher". I only use my screwdrivers about every couple of weeks but I can find them in my tool box and I use them when I need them.

My 93 year old father in law recently gave me his Craftsman tool set (not a whole bunch of tools (and his screwdrivers don't smell - I can't explain it).

Anyway - I'm hanging onto my stinky screwdrivers because the metal in them is superior. I've shopped around and can't find anything to match it.

I don't need any new screwdrivers (sort of wish I could make an excuse to buy some of the ones shown above).

I appreciate the comments and will continue to follow.

You could learn how to replace the handles and either make your own or buy replacement handles. They won't feel the same, but if it is the shaft that you like. I considered doing this but decided that it is probably not worth my time.

 

[whateg01]

I have a bunch of "original" Craftsman screwdrivers that I bought in H.S. and college 50+ years ago.

...

My 93 year old father in law recently gave me his Craftsman tool set (not a whole bunch of tools (and his screwdrivers don't smell - I can't explain it).

Anyway - I'm hanging onto my stinky screwdrivers because the metal in them is superior. I've shopped around and can't find anything to match it.

I disagree. I have so many craftsman screwdrivers that are now awls because the phillips tip had rounded edges or the flat blade was a crappy pry bar. I have some flat blade screwdrivers that are twisted at the end from trying to loosen screws that were too tight to get by hand. Granted, they didn't slip from the screw, but they are no longer good as a screwdriver unless I straighten them. So far the Weras that I have haven't lost their edges and I haven't used any as prybars.

 

[PelicanPines]

I may check this Milwaukee set out at HD tonight. I was wondering what their warranty replacement process was and what I found required the user to send the tool into Milwaukee for review. Is that right? Not interested in paying to ship garbage a couple states away in order to get it replaced.

If you buy garbage... That's what happens. Buy Vessel or Wera or PB Swiss... You won't need to warranty them.

 

[whateg01]

If you buy garbage... That's what happens. Buy Vessel or Wera or PB Swiss... You won't need to warranty them.

I don't really understand the worry about warranty on stuff like a screwdriver. If it was crappy enough to need to be warrantied, I probably don't want another one like it.

 

[M.Jay]

Different countries have differing standards. Phillips is pretty universal, tho some brands make better ones and some worse. Flat screwdrivers can be the problem in a set from Germany for example. The metric std for a straight slot screwdriver requires a thinner blade for a given width. And metric widths are different, which can effect you.

The solution for this problem would be to own at least one American, German and Japanese set of screwdrivers.

That said, i would second PB Swiss. They probably have the best blades among all manufacturers.
Another option would be Wiha. They are pretty nice and good value for the money over here. But i heard they charge a premium in the US.

Since handles on screwdrivers are a highly subjective thing, I would recommend visiting a few stores and get a few different brands in your hands. Maybe even buy a single first and work with it and see if it fits you before buying a full set.

 

[Callelle]

Vessel and only Vessel. For how little I actually use screwdrivers, they're the only ones that haven't left me in frustration.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I don't really understand the worry about warranty on stuff like a screwdriver. If it was crappy enough to need to be warrantied, I probably don't want another one like it.

Because nobody uses slotted screws anymore but EVERYONE still sells their "sets" as phillips and slotted.

Slotted are used for EVERYTHING but screws. Cars barely use phillips anymore either. All torx because production lines necessitate it. So if someone buys a set they need the warranty to cover misuse. Plain and simple. I do it, you do it, we all do it.

 

[AEAdam]

Project Farm has multiple tests if you actually want some data and to think for yourself.

Wait, what? What does think for yourself and Project Farm have in common?

I can only imagine a project farm video on screwdrivers. "We tested screwdrivers ability to open paint cans. The harbor freight model broke at 600lbs while the Kabos3 held in to a whopping 673lbs".

 

[PelicanPines]

I don't really understand the worry about warranty on stuff like a screwdriver. If it was crappy enough to need to be warrantied, I probably don't want another one like it.

That's actually my point. OP seemed concerned about warranties.