Screwdriver recommendations

[Midoriya]

Hi guys,

I stumbled upon this site a few days ago and have been reading up on screwdrivers here. Thanks for all the wonderful info.

I enjoy using nice hand tools and appreciate the craftsmanship. These tools will mainly be used for projects around the house, assembling things . I’m also trying to learn some woodworking. I plan to buy tools as I need them or a small purchase each month.

Some advice here that I liked was getting individual drivers in the most commonly used sizes and then a handle and bits as needed.

Using this advice I ordered Vessel Impacta Phillips #2 and 3. I’m assuming I should get a Phillips #1 as well, thinking of going for a Wiha. I’m also leaning towards getting a PB Swiss handle, undecided if I want the ratcheting version.

My questions are
1. What are the common size slot drivers I should get?

2. How do Champan and Silca bits compare to PB Swiss? Someone mentioned Chapman bits not fitting well with some driver handles and I couldn’t find anything about Silca

Thanks in advance for any help

 

[lardy1]

Welcome to GJ tool forums. Warning: The screwdriver hole is a deep, deep hole. Literally hundreds of options. Luckily, many of them are very good choices. Enjoy the research then enjoy your tools.

 

[Dave455]

Loads of choice for screwdrivers.

First off, where are you located?

If you are in the U.S. you will probably want inch sized slotted drivers, and Phillips. In Europe you will be better off with metric, and Pozidriv.

Common sizes are 3/16, 1/4 and 5/16 for slotted. These are pretty close to 5.5, 6.5 and 8mm. The same size screws with cross heads will be Phillips 1,2 and 3 in the U.S. or Pozidriv 1,2 and 3 in the U.K. and Europe.

These sizes come up so often I would want regular drivers in these sizes whatever else I had. Wiha are fine. Vessel Impacta are a bit specialised if you don’t have regular drivers yet.

If you only have one bit driver I’d make it a non ratcheting. They are inexpensive and give you the option of many bit styles. A ratcheting bit driver is a nice addition.

If you are assembling furniture you will probably find a need for hex bits at some point. Many folks keep a few popular sizes of screwdriver (as above) then a set of bits for hex (and Torx if needed). That’s what’s in my “road box”.

PB Swiss are about the best bits out there. Never come across Silca.

 

[BTL-A4]

Screwdrivers (and tape measures) seem to be about personal preference. I like the Vessel ball handles, but you might like another handle type. I have a Wera long-shaft Torx for changing the air filter on my truck and I don't care for the handle. Buy/borrow a few screwdrivers from various mfr's and try out the handles.

I use the #2 Phillips and 1/4" slotted all the time. #1 Phillips and smaller slotted are next. After that I find I need the smaller sized screwdrivers in the 000 range. I'd get a set of precision screwdrivers. Vessel has a kit that has various sizes that will fit their ball handle with inter-changeable bits.

Screwdriver set:

Amazon.com

Bit set:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0751K53BJ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Make sure you get bits that are long enough to fit in whatever screwdriver you decide to get.

I went down this rabbit hole when I posted about my Craftsman Phillips-head screwdrivers slipping all the time. The Vessels don't cam out and work great, and I discovered I really like the handles, even though I had my doubts.

You might also like a ratcheting screwdriver. I bought one at Harbor Freight to try it and liked using it in certain situations. I find myself using it it more and more.

 

[Ton ton]

The op's profile says he's a nurse from the USA. However nurses use screwdrivers is what I would go by for screwdriver recommendations.

 

[Qualitytools]

Welcome to GJ, you're on the right track.

 

[Retroman]

Silca makes specialized bike tools. They were an Italian company that an American bought the name. There mostly known for there tire pumps. I have no experience with there hand tools but there tire pump I have is excellent.

 

[Midoriya]

Thanks for the advice guys!

Dave455 it was probably your post in another thread that recommended getting the common sizes and filling in your collection with bits. You and another member named measuredtwice had a lot of valuable advice in the screwdriver threads.

I should’ve mentioned I live in USA. For the 3/16, 1/4, and 5/16 slotted what length would you recommend for each of those drivers?

I had wrongly assumed that the European toolmakers would offer standard and metric slotted drivers since they offered Phillips and pozidriv.

I choose the Vessel Impacta because I’ll be replacing the doors and hinges in my home sometime this spring. The hinges have several coats painted over them and the screw heads are mangled so I thought those drivers would help get them out.

BTL-A4, I ordered that Vessel ball grip this morning. Thanks for sharing that link.

 

[Ton ton]

As Lardy1 mentioned, screwdrivers mean different things to different people. I like vessel screwdrivers too. I like to go to pawn shops to see what they have available in screwdrivers.