Replacement screwdrivers

[juddspaintballs]

I have a set of SK Suregrip (green square handles) screwdrivers that I like a fair amount. They don't slip out of screws often and they don't roll across the table. The problem is, I was cleaning a carburetor the other day on my work bench and used copious amounts of carburetor cleaner. It soaked the towel I had on the work bench and I accidentally left two of my screwdrivers on the towel long enough to melt the handles of the screwdrivers a bit. That *****.


I have half a mind to just find the two individual screwdrivers and call it a day. But why go the easy route when I can upgrade?!


I like the Wera Kraftform 6 screwdriver sets. My only gripe is that they have 4 slotted drivers and two Phillips. I'd like a #3 Phillips in my set, but even my SK drivers doesn't have one of those. I'm still using a crappy Craftsman #3 on the rare occasion I need one. I guess the Wera set would actually work out quite well...

Any other suggestions? I only need 6 or 8 screwdrivers. I won't be throwing away my SK set, including the melted ones, but I like my frontline tools to not be damaged.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Wera is my personal preference because they are very cost effective. However, Wera sets are cheap but the singles can be pricey.

 

[cashishift]

I second Wera... my favorites.

 

[Indexmill]

Look for the green, square-handled SK screwdrivers that were Made in France. They are different from the Made in USA green handles and I like them much better. They come up on eBay. I love them.

 

[hasco]

Lifetime Guarantee ?

 

[jkesselr]

Look for the green, square-handled SK screwdrivers that were Made in France. They are different from the Made in USA green handles and I like them much better. They come up on eBay. I love them.

100% this. The only thing the French ever got right... other than fries, toast, and kissing...

 

[Parrothead]

I’d see if SK will send you new handles. I suspect they will, and that will solve your “problem”. Or buy some new screwdrivers, I have seven sets, what’s one more, right?

 

[IPFreely]

SO are my favorites. I cant go without the grips, the heads and lifetime warranty.

 

[SeisMec]

I'd like a #3 Phillips in my set, but even my SK drivers doesn't have one of those.

https://sktools.com/shop/p3-x-6-suregrip-phillips-screwdriver.html

 

[PhysicsDude]

If you're going to hop onto the Wera bandwagon, do it right and buy one of the 12-14 piece sets from the getgo. Like you noticed, the 6 piece sets are kind of lacking, and the PH3 driver is like $15-$20 if you try to buy it individually.

They have a few comprehensive screwdriver sets available. KCToolco doesn't always have the best prices on them, but they at least list in detail what's included in each set:

https://www.kctoolco.com/wera-347901-kraftform-plus-slotted-phillips-square-screwdriver-set/

https://www.kctoolco.com/wera-10563...otted-phillips-pozidriv-torx-screwdriver-set/

https://www.kctoolco.com/wera-347903-stainless-steel-slotted-phillips-square-screwdriver-set/

https://www.kctoolco.com/wera-34710...hillips-square-11-piece-screwdriver-set-rack/

According to GermanToolReviews on youtube, the stainless Wera drivers are supposed to be excellent.

 

[measuredtwice]

For Phillips drivers, I tend to favor German (Wiha, Wera, Felo, Witte) or Japan (Vessel) or Swiss (PB Swiss). Some high end USA Phillips are also good (Klein). At present, I probably use Vessel the most... closely followed by PB Swiss and Wiha and Klein.

For Slotted drivers, I favor USA (Klein) or Japan (Vessel) or Swiss (PB Swiss). German slotted drivers are often thicker at the tips and aren't always a good fit for American fasteners. At present, I probably use PB Swiss and Klein the most.

Here's a comparison photo of PB Swiss, Klein and Wiha driving a common countersunk screw. The PB Swiss 6.5 mm fills the slot perfectly. The Klein 1/4" also is an excellent fit but the corners do stick out because of the shape of the countersunk screw. The Wiha 5.5 just wedges in at the very tip and doesn't fill the slot. The Wiha 6.5 (not shown) doesn't fit at all. All these screwdrivers are good screwdrivers but they don't all fit the same. Standard screw sizes have a range so having lots of choices is a good thing.

 

[measuredtwice]

measuredtwice do you have a comparison for Phillips, Posidriv, or any others?

I only made a photo comparison of slotted in that old post. PB Swiss is really good for slotted, phillips and torx. I don't have any posidriv drivers (just bits).

Slotted often seems to be considered as if it is all the same so I wanted to demonstrated that there are some big differences in how they fit fasteners.

Phillips drivers are usually what gets the most attention on this forum. There are forum members who have collections of around 40 different brands/models of Phillips 2. "Jawsfit" (Vessel) and anti-cam serrations are really helpful for tough to remove fasteners but can damage screws. Having some with and some without ridges is helpful.

I only have PB Swiss and Felo torx drivers. I previoulsy only used torx bits but bought fixed drivers when they were on sale. I paid $15 for the Felo set which is crazy cheap. PB Swiss was bought on sale but cost more. Both are really good but I'd give PB Swiss the edge. Some companies have several variations of torx drivers. For example, Wera makes torx with holding function as well as regular torx drivers. The holding function drivers are much more snug fitting.

 

[neophyte]

The older SK Suregrip screwdrivers were made in one of the Facom factories in France, and you can still get similar screwdrivers made with similar tips from Facom.
I’m not sure whether the USAG screwdrivers are also made in the same plant, but probably they are.
Check Ultimate Garage in NJ, since he carries a lot of Facom and USAG.

 

[Hammer1963]

Witte

 

[visionguru]

The OP's application seems auto repair. I'd recommend Williams if Snap On is too expensive.

Snap On/ Williams seems designed with auto mechanics in mind. The Phillips tips are with ACR (anti-cam out) grooves. Williams is virtually identical at 1/3 the cost.

 

[sixfootfive]

Which 6 or 8 do you need? Wera does have a couple of 6-7 piece sets with some other tips than the typical Phillips/slotted. But if you just need the usual types, you can get quality drivers from lots of brands--several mentioned above. If you're looking for a different assortment of the usual types in a smaller set, that may be harder.

 

[sixfootfive]

Agreed, and none of the longer drivers come in a set with anything but other long drivers. One set I was thinking of has 7 pieces--P2, 2 PZ, 3 Torx, and a little slotted. The other one has 6 pieces--2PH, 2 slotted, and 2 Robertson. But we still don't know which types the OP is really looking for.

 

[Muttly]

This is my goto travel set, I've seen it aslittle as $28 on AWD or ebay

https://www.kctoolco.com/felo-53167-ergonic-6-piece-slotted-phillips-screwdriver-set/

These are very nice too, you can order individuals on KC easy.
They are OEM for current MATCO

https://www.kctoolco.com/witte-653831-6-piece-maxxpro-slotted-and-phillips-screwdriver-set/

 

[jeffmoss26]

Klein, Enderes, Felo, Tekton...all are good.

 

[eyeball]

The OP's application seems auto repair. I'd recommend Williams if Snap On is too expensive.

Snap On/ Williams seems designed with auto mechanics in mind. The Phillips tips are with ACR (anti-cam out) grooves. Williams is virtually identical at 1/3 the cost.

I have a set of these Williams screwdrivers and if I were to somehow lose them I would not think twice about buying another set.

I think they are probably one of my best bang for the buck purchase over the years.

 

[eyeball]

100% this. The only thing the French ever got right... other than fries, toast, and kissing...

According to Jean Girard the world famous formula one driver the French also invented democracy, existentialism, and ze ménage à trois.

Like my good friend Cal Naughton Jr. says, “those are three pretty good things...”

 

[juddspaintballs]

I thought I responded to this earlier today.


Lots to consider so far. I've looked at everything everyone has suggested so far and a few more. I'm thinking about these three kits:


Wiha 30297 - $74 on Amazon





Vessel Megadora 9006 - $72 on Amazon





Both 6-piece Williams 100P screwdriver sets - $101 total on Amazon

 

[visionguru]

Williams feels more heavy duty than the other two.
Vessel is ok, seems better suited for around the home.
Wiha, not sure who would like those ugly handles. German junk.

 

[measuredtwice]

Lots to consider so far. I've looked at everything everyone has suggested so far and a few more. I'm thinking about these three kits:

A lot of folks get hung up on sets. But you can buy screwdrivers individually to get exactly what you want. All of the prices that you've quoted are at the high end. So you probably aren't saving much by ordering a set. Deals on screwdrivers are common.

A lot of folks focus on handles and appearance but in my opinion it's the fit of the business end that is the most important. What about getting Phillips 2 and 3 from Vessel. And then the Williams set to get some American slotted.

 

[juddspaintballs]

You're right, I am a little hung up on sets.

What about the Klein Tools 85074 6 piece set? It's basic and has 3 of each. It also matches a multi-bit Klein screwdriver I have already. $50.









I'm not getting rid of my SK screwdrivers. I will relegate them to backup tools and tools I take other places to work on things. The handles aren't so messed up to use, but they have the imprint of a towel on one side of two of them now.

 

[General Geoff]

Another vote for Vessel. Their drivers are second to none.

 

[measuredtwice]

You're right, I am a little hung up on sets.

What about the Klein Tools 85074 6 piece set? It's basic and has 3 of each. It also matches a multi-bit Klein screwdriver I have already. $50.

Do you have a Fleet Farm near you?

There's 10% off today with coupon code LOVEU10. And you get a $10 gift card if you spend $75 total on hand tools.

https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/klein-tools-7-pc-cushion-grip-screwdriver-set/0000000037414

You might also try a 15% or 20% coupon on Zoro.

 

[lardy1]

I have that Klein set. Nicest drivers I ever had. Now I'm trying to figure out why I liked Craftsman screwdrivers after using decent drivers

 

[juddspaintballs]

I bought the Klein 6 piece set just now from Home Depot. I had a $20 gift card leftover from Christmas so about $30 for the tools out of my pocket is agreeable. We'll see how I like them compared to the SK screwdrivers. I may still have to get some of those Vessel drivers just to try them out.

 

[B_Bimmer]

Vessel can not be beat for working on Japanese bikes. This is an indisputable fact. If you have a bike buy them and see for yourself. Other than that I would go wiha but there are many good options. If you use screwdrivers enough to wear them out it is hard to beat snap on for the ease of warranty and quality.

 

[juddspaintballs]

Both of my bikes are Austrian and use torx fasteners

 

[German Satin]

Witte, Wiha. Great tips, comfortable handle which feels great in the hand.

 

[German Satin]

You're right, I am a little hung up on sets.

What about the Klein Tools 85074 6 piece set? It's basic and has 3 of each. It also matches a multi-bit Klein screwdriver I have already. $50.









I'm not getting rid of my SK screwdrivers. I will relegate them to backup tools and tools I take other places to work on things. The handles aren't so messed up to use, but they have the imprint of a towel on one side of two of them now.

You're right, I am a little hung up on sets.

What about the Klein Tools 85074 6 piece set? It's basic and has 3 of each. It also matches a multi-bit Klein screwdriver I have already. $50.









I'm not getting rid of my SK screwdrivers. I will relegate them to backup tools and tools I take other places to work on things. The handles aren't so messed up to use, but they have the imprint of a towel on one side of two of them now.

I would avoid Klein drivers as I think most are made in Taiwan now and it shows. Still expensive though!

 

[seber]

I wouldn't hesitate to get the Williams. I bought the Snap-on set about 45 years ago and have never used anything to compare including almost everything mentioned in this thread. Over the last few years they have all been warranteed out for the instinct as that is the replacement, but I liked the old hard handles better. I know the Kliens get a lot of love, but if you want to go that route, I suggest you try just one first. I never could get used to the squirrely feel of those rubber handles.