recommend me some screwdrivers

[bad_religion_au]

My preferences are, in order of importance:
good fitment to the fastener
have a hex on the shank, for use with a wrench for added torque if required
preferrably through shaft.
prefer hard handles (soft isn't a dealbreaker though)
be decent value (i.e. snap-on, while being considered, are not worth the premium over weha/facom/whatever, as i don't wrench professionally)

 

[american lockpicker]

Wera chisel drivers.

 

[MrMark]

Snap-on or Wera Chisel Drivers.

 

[muibubbles]

im on the same boat.. im looking at the gear wrench screwdriver set... 20 piece on ebay for 75 shipped.... what do you guys think? im just a weekend diy...

 

[z28snksknr]

I'll 3rd the Wera Chiseldrivers.

I have the stainless steel set, the chiseldrivers, and the standard (green + black handle) set. All good pieces imo. Use the the right tool for the right job and they won't dissapoint, especially at their price point.

 

[muibubbles]

wheres the best place to buy wera?

 

[z28snksknr]

eBay: Hardware_sales_inc seems to have the best prices I could find when i bought mine. I've bought from them at least 10 times over the past year or so- highly recommend.

 

[Monte]

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[canuckian]

Bought a set of Wera chiseldrivers from Chads Toolbox a couple months ago and I seem to reach for those more often than I reach for my Snap On hard handles. Maybe it's because they're in my cart and the SO's are in the bigger box, I dunno but you can't go wrong with the Wera's. I'm thinking about picking up a set of the standard Wera's for my hand box as well.

 

[mrholeshot]

The Wera Chisel drivers for what you spec out. I wouldn't mind having a set.

 

[archirelic]

Like all the others have mentioned, Wera.

 

[zer0cell]

Nice video Monte

It really is hard to choose a brand of screwdrivers. I have some old kleins which are still good (though the new ones may not be), and I've had a good experience with felo so far but there are other good brands out there as well of course. I think those chiseldrivers would really be useful in situations where the screws are covered in paint or grit and you need a little force to get the blade of your driver into the recess of the screw head. I've run across that situation quite a few times and some sort of chisel driver like the wera ones or felo 550 series could have been useful.


If you are able to narrow your choice down to a few brands and still can't decide, maybe you should buy a PH2 driver from each of those manufacturers and give them a trial run and when you figure out which style you like better, then buy the whole set.

 

[Monte]

 

[Krokodil]

I've got a set of Wera chisel drivers and are very happy with them!

 

[airdale]

We use the Wera stainless at work. Overall satisfied and replaced with same. The handles get chewed up and have seen tip breakage but for home use shouldn't be an issue. Stainless isn't as tough as tool steel, and ours get used/abused by multiple people.
With any screwdriver, you really need to hold them to make sure you like the way they fit your hand. I think the idea to buy Ph#2 of multiple brands is great. Since that is by far the most common, here at least, and they do wear out.

 

[Elroy]

Klein makes a good screw driver

Elroy is fully aware they are primarily marketed towards the electrical trades. However, they are still fully functional in an automotive and general service environment. You may want to consider them.

 

[MrMark]

Klein makes a good screw driver

Elroy is fully aware they are primarily marketed towards the electrical trades. However, they are still fully functional in an automotive and general service environment. You may want to consider them.

I'm afraid Elroy is living on the past on that one. Klein screwdrivers have gone way downhill in recent years. A single camout will destroy them. MrHoleshot's recommendation is always the Husky Pro so maybe that is where the OP should go for a good value.

 

[Elroy]

I'm afraid Elroy is living on the past on that one. Klein screwdrivers have gone way downhill in recent years. A single camout will destroy them. MrHoleshot's recommendation is always the Husky Pro so maybe that is where the OP should go for a good value.

Be advised that Elroy purchased a Klein #2 Phillip less than a week ago. To date it has performed flawlessly on several dozen screws and displays no wear. We stand by the opinion that it will continue to serve Elroy well for a long time.

We stand by our recommendation as a viable option for the original poster to consider.

Sir

 

[Elroy]

Elroy would also point out that he has several Klein drivers of both recent and older vintage and there is NO degradation in quality with the newest editions.

 

[MrMark]

Elroy would also point out that he has several Klein drivers of both recent and older vintage and there is NO degradation in quality with the newest editions.

Well, that's contrary to my experience and the experience of many that have posted here. The phillips don't last long for me before they are deformed and don't grip well. I don't believe that many screwdriver addicts here think Klein to be a serious player. Their price is quite high as well compared to the German brands and other US offerings. We will just have to disagree on this one.

 

[HookWorse]

I'm not sure the Kleins have the hex on the shaft like the OP had for a requirement.

 

[trout]

I have one Klein, it has the hex on the shaft, but it's old, not sure if they're still like this.

 

[Hiball]

Im sure the Kleins are/Where made by Pratt Read, Ive been using my Wright Screwdrivers (Also Pratt Read) for around a Year now and havent run into any problems.

 

[MrMark]

The Klein journeyman have the hex. I have a set of them and they are no better, other than a better handle, than the regular Klein. I've had to warranty several of them for tips and the handle coming loose. Getting them warrantied is nearly impossible as well. Something else to consider.

 

[MrMark]

Im sure the Kleins are/Where made by Pratt Read, Ive been using my Wright Screwdrivers (Also Pratt Read) for around a Year now and havent run into any problems.

Klein makes their own screwdrivers as far as I know.

 

[Elroy]

I'm not sure the Kleins have the hex on the shaft like the OP had for a requirement.

Some do some don't

Well, that's contrary to my experience and the experience of many that have posted here. The phillips don't last long for me before they are deformed and don't grip well. I don't believe that many screwdriver addicts here think Klein to be a serious player. Their price is quite high as well compared to the German brands and other US offerings. We will just have to disagree on this one.

Very diplomatically stated. A counter response of the highest caliber. People should reference this as an example of "how to respond". Excellent.

 

[e3pres]

I'm a Klein fan myself. I've had my set for about a year now with no issues.

 

[MrMark]

Im sure the Kleins are/Where made by Pratt Read, Ive been using my Wright Screwdrivers (Also Pratt Read) for around a Year now and havent run into any problems.

Klein makes their own screwdrivers as far as I know.

Sorry for getting this off on the Klein tangent. Klein is a fine company and makes great pliers and other tools. I have many of their pliers. I've just given up on their screwdrivers when there are so many cheaper better offerings from Germany and even the US available.

Elroy and I disagree on this, but that is to be expected from time to time on matters of tools.

Thanks Elroy.

 

[Elroy]

Klein makes their own screwdrivers as far as I know.

Yes. Elroy believes this to be atrue statement

 

[muibubbles]

wow.. awesome video, looks like you review screwdrivers for a living as you covered pretty much everything without saying a word hahaha

so overall is seems like the concensus is wera are the best bang for your buck?
i read they come with lifetime warranty.. has anyone sent out a screwdriver to be warrantied? even tho everyone craps on craftsman i dont think anyone can beat the convenience to warranty their item like craftsman...

 

[MrMark]

I'd like to compliment that video as well. Those ProTop Plus with the flocking caught my eye. I did a search but nothing came up. Are they available in the US?

 

[Hiball]

Here is the Link to Pratt Read Distributor we had at GJ, He claims that PR made the Screwdriver Cushion Grips for Klein. You cant look at the Cushioned Grip Pratt Reads and tell me that they are not the OEM for the Kleins. After reading the Post it could be that they only make the Grips and not the Insert.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37512

Closeup pics of the Prat Read Cushion Grips

Kleins Nut driver version with the same cushion Grip

Pratt Read Nut driver set

 

[Gtamazing]

I'd like to compliment that video as well. Those ProTop Plus with the flocking caught my eye. I did a search but nothing came up. Are they available in the US?

Cornwell has them, but for all thats worth you might as well go to Germany and buy them yourself.

 

[MrMark]

Cornwell has them, but for all thats worth you might as well go to Germany and buy them yourself.

Yeah, although I did see a Cornwell truck on the street here not too long ago. First time ever. I was a little surprised.

Amazon usually is a good source for some Witte, but I don't see this nice model there.

 

[MrMark]

Here is the Link to Pratt Read Distributor we had at GJ, He claims that PR made the Screwdriver Cushion Grips for Klein. You cant look at the Cushioned Grip Pratt Reads and tell me that they are not the OEM for the Kleins. After reading the Post it could be that they only make the Grips and not the Insert.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37512


Kleins Nut driver version with the same cushion Grip

Pratt Read Nut driver set

Hiball, someone just posted a link to Klein showing a screwdriver factory

 

[Elroy]

Here is the Link to Pratt Read Distributor we had at GJ, He claims that PR made the Screwdriver Cushion Grips for Klein...... After reading the Post it could be that they only make the Grips and not the Insert.

Yes. Elroy believes this to be a true statement

Elroy is under the impression that Pratt-Reed makes their halmark fluted rubber grip over fluted hard plastic for a lot of manufactuers. Ace hardware is one example that comes to mind.

 

[MrMark]

Here. This link shows Klein's screwdriver factory. They must be doing something in there

http://www.kleintools.com/Made-in-USA/index.html

 

[Hiball]

Here. This link shows Klein's screwdriver factory. They must be doing something in there

http://www.kleintools.com/Made-in-USA/index.html

Im only basing my posts on the Previous Pratt Read Distributor that is a member here. Dunno? He stated that Pratt Read made the handles for Klein, Its very possible that Klein makes the inserts i suppose.

 

[nato]

Matco/Witte

 

[Gtamazing]

Yeah, although I did see a Cornwell truck on the street here not too long ago. First time ever. I was a little surprised.

Amazon usually is a good source for some Witte, but I don't see this nice model there.

You are right Cornwells version is one model below. Matco used to sell that style (Protop) but are now sell the MaxPro handle. The protop plus show in the video is by far my favorite to use.