Screwdriver set for automotive
- Thread starter Cantaloupeman
- Start date
Dave455
Well-known member
O.P. You have got a pretty good short list. None of these choices are bad. All will work well and are reasonable value. Some good advice so far too.
Some questions / observations.
What do you work on mostly? If it’s Japanese or European vehicles, any slotted screws will be metric sized, and you will be better off with metric sized screwdrivers.
If it’s European vehicles, you won’t find any Phillips at all, they will be Pozidriv. I hear a lot of complaints about badly fitting Phillips drivers, but wonder if some folks are trying to use them on Pozidriv screws! Although the screws are relatively common, many U.S. makers don’t offer the drivers, so you would have to buy European.
Handles. Another vote for the hard handles here, especially for automotive work. The soft ones get grubby too fast and are hard to clean.
My suggestion - get two sets. Most folks can’t manage with one, and I certainly couldn’t.
Get the hard handle Williams. This will give you hard handles, inch sized tips, and some decent Phillips tips. These are excellent quality drivers, and phenomenal value.
Back up with some European drivers. This will give you metric size tips should you need them. Get the European set with Pozidriv if you need them, or skip them if you don’t. I’d go Wiha, but whatever you like.
When you’ve decided what you like, get a set of Torx as well. Torx are everywhere now and screwdrivers with Torx tips are the best option for most screws.
Some questions / observations.
What do you work on mostly? If it’s Japanese or European vehicles, any slotted screws will be metric sized, and you will be better off with metric sized screwdrivers.
If it’s European vehicles, you won’t find any Phillips at all, they will be Pozidriv. I hear a lot of complaints about badly fitting Phillips drivers, but wonder if some folks are trying to use them on Pozidriv screws! Although the screws are relatively common, many U.S. makers don’t offer the drivers, so you would have to buy European.
Handles. Another vote for the hard handles here, especially for automotive work. The soft ones get grubby too fast and are hard to clean.
My suggestion - get two sets. Most folks can’t manage with one, and I certainly couldn’t.
Get the hard handle Williams. This will give you hard handles, inch sized tips, and some decent Phillips tips. These are excellent quality drivers, and phenomenal value.
Back up with some European drivers. This will give you metric size tips should you need them. Get the European set with Pozidriv if you need them, or skip them if you don’t. I’d go Wiha, but whatever you like.
When you’ve decided what you like, get a set of Torx as well. Torx are everywhere now and screwdrivers with Torx tips are the best option for most screws.
The big Williams sets can be had silly cheap .
I had 19pc set for 120buck which thought good but have seen as cheap as 100 .
the go-thru toptul are superb in auto work and cheap but great quality abusable design and handles hold up well to dirt and chemicals as not a proper soft grip composition .
Williams hard handles basically the traditional snapon for 3rd the price, lovely to use, last proper because made proper and proper sensible design without the modern BS .
I had 19pc set for 120buck which thought good but have seen as cheap as 100 .
the go-thru toptul are superb in auto work and cheap but great quality abusable design and handles hold up well to dirt and chemicals as not a proper soft grip composition .
Williams hard handles basically the traditional snapon for 3rd the price, lovely to use, last proper because made proper and proper sensible design without the modern BS .
chappys4life
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2008
- Messages
- 421
i mix between SO hard handles and icon's. I have some Vessel Megadora's and they are ok but I work mostly on older american cars and dont like the fitment. i keep meaning to pick up a set of the black hard handle williams.
Thanks for your support, Jtels85!
B_Bimmer
Well-known member
Vessel for motorcycles, snap on or proto get used the most for everything else.
Ton ton
Well-known member
SK has nice screwdrivers.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
People will laugh at me, but for DIY it is hard to beat Craftsman (red and blue) especially when they are on sale. For precision work, I use Wera.
I bought a Vessel P1 and P2. Nice but I would not say they are superior to the equivalent Craftsman.
Still looking for reasonably priced hollow ground screwdriver set.
I bought a Vessel P1 and P2. Nice but I would not say they are superior to the equivalent Craftsman.
Still looking for reasonably priced hollow ground screwdriver set.
anndel
Well-known member
I have SO hard handles, SO Comfort Grips, SK, Vessel and newer WF Craftsman USA-made stink handles which the tips bend after a while compared to '80s Craftsman.
macgee
Well-known member
The OP left the building with one post in 2020 
But since its still going, I have to reaffirm Vessel's for automotive, everything now a days is metric on them but Vessels still work better on old US stuff as well compared to American drivers. Most US drivers are made by Western Forge including the Snap-On's, I have Williams version (WF) like the ones shown above but found that they're soft metal, cant remember the last time I last used the PH ones, I keep using the slotted ones but I've faced grind them several times back to being crisp and useable. I only use them now for demo jobs, they're sacrificial. I use my Vessel's everyday as my primary, they have very hard steel in the tips and fit like a glove. Also have Felo and PB Swiss, both are very good.
Vessel have many different types of grips. Personally I like the #730 soft gel thru-tang drivers and 700; Pic of the 700 version below (PH1).
They just came out with a new grip that is priced very well called the ARMOR GRIP that feels something between a Williams and a Felo 552, grippier than a Megadora. The shape has a similar feel to the Williams but has more grip.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B093TYTYW5/?tag=atomicindus08-20
For absolute robust version that Vessell sells is the Vessel 4500 Power Grip with bolster and thru tang but they don't come cheap. They get really good reviews from mechanics. Come in slotted & PH1-4 large sizes.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001D32R6S/?tag=atomicindus08-20
But since its still going, I have to reaffirm Vessel's for automotive, everything now a days is metric on them but Vessels still work better on old US stuff as well compared to American drivers. Most US drivers are made by Western Forge including the Snap-On's, I have Williams version (WF) like the ones shown above but found that they're soft metal, cant remember the last time I last used the PH ones, I keep using the slotted ones but I've faced grind them several times back to being crisp and useable. I only use them now for demo jobs, they're sacrificial. I use my Vessel's everyday as my primary, they have very hard steel in the tips and fit like a glove. Also have Felo and PB Swiss, both are very good.
Vessel have many different types of grips. Personally I like the #730 soft gel thru-tang drivers and 700; Pic of the 700 version below (PH1).
They just came out with a new grip that is priced very well called the ARMOR GRIP that feels something between a Williams and a Felo 552, grippier than a Megadora. The shape has a similar feel to the Williams but has more grip.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B093TYTYW5/?tag=atomicindus08-20
For absolute robust version that Vessell sells is the Vessel 4500 Power Grip with bolster and thru tang but they don't come cheap. They get really good reviews from mechanics. Come in slotted & PH1-4 large sizes.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001D32R6S/?tag=atomicindus08-20
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measuredtwice
Well-known member
Snap-On screwdrivers are made in the Snap-On Milwaukee factory. Since the 1980s according to the video below. Also, Western Forge is gone.
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macgee
Well-known member
Well I guess I stand corrected. I was referring about the hard handle like the Williams version above not the sockets and new soft grip versions in the videos. Do you have a video of those?
WF closed in beginning of Covid by Ideal. There's still many screwdrivers in stock that were made by WF, so not long gone but they did close and moved production to SK Professional Tools plant in Sycamore, Ill. Thanks for the correction measured twice.
WF closed in beginning of Covid by Ideal. There's still many screwdrivers in stock that were made by WF, so not long gone but they did close and moved production to SK Professional Tools plant in Sycamore, Ill. Thanks for the correction measured twice.
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The handles look the same as the eco drivers 'Sepadora.'
VESSEL CO., 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
Interesting that Vessel has said previously that they cannot legally say that their drivers are 'JIS,' and then write it in large letters on the box. Maybe 'JisDrive' as a trademark is a way of getting round this.
Looks like they may be specifically for the US market.
macgee
Well-known member
Yes, they're are the same shape of handle but are fixed and probably different material and not recyclable. $30 for an 8 pice set delivered to door seems like a good deal?
Smart to jump on the JIS fad and market it them that way. I'm guessing since it's because it's the Vessel USA arm (US corp) and not Vessel Japan that they can legally call it JIS but I'm guessing. Would be interesting to find out if they're using some of the old JIS tip shape or they're exactly the same shape as their modern ISO tips?
for any larger driver, no wrenching fixture means no buy
Bubba Fett
Well-known member
I believe I read somewhere that the standard for Phillips was updated to conform more closely to J.I.S. somewhere around 2008. Compare a new and old Phillips #2, and you will see that the older ones have a slightly different angle, and come to a smaller point. From my experience, newer Phillips drivers fit J.I.S. screws really well.
That said, Vessel screwdrivers are excellent.
For automotive work, I think the Williams hard handle (same as Snap-on) are great, but some may not like the handle shape. They only come in Slotted and Phillips these days. I don't know why they don't offer Torx as common as that is now.
I've heard very good things about the Tekton hard handle drivers, which are made by Pratt-Read. Another option is the Stanley 100-plus line of drivers. They have deep fluting and are well made (In Taiwan now), but I found the newest ones to be pretty uncomfortable. However, this isn't a problem if you wear gloves. They can handle a lot of abuse.
Klein is my favorite screwdriver brand, but I don't like to use them for automotive work, since grease and chemicals can deteriorate the cushion grip.
That said, Vessel screwdrivers are excellent.
For automotive work, I think the Williams hard handle (same as Snap-on) are great, but some may not like the handle shape. They only come in Slotted and Phillips these days. I don't know why they don't offer Torx as common as that is now.
I've heard very good things about the Tekton hard handle drivers, which are made by Pratt-Read. Another option is the Stanley 100-plus line of drivers. They have deep fluting and are well made (In Taiwan now), but I found the newest ones to be pretty uncomfortable. However, this isn't a problem if you wear gloves. They can handle a lot of abuse.
Klein is my favorite screwdriver brand, but I don't like to use them for automotive work, since grease and chemicals can deteriorate the cushion grip.
i have many. WF craftsman, husky rubber gripped ones, some milwaukee demo drivers, felo, good old stanley from like 1990 (honestly the best material besides snap on), williams hard handle and vessels. the vessel is hands down the best b/c there are no more phillips screws on most things thjey are jis or whatever spec they claim now but they aint phillips.
i prefer the vessel or williams. ive snapped the tips on the husky and wf set b/c the material almost seems like its layered metal or something. snaps clean off. the vessel, older stanley, and wiliams look more like a solid piece of metal
i prefer the vessel or williams. ive snapped the tips on the husky and wf set b/c the material almost seems like its layered metal or something. snaps clean off. the vessel, older stanley, and wiliams look more like a solid piece of metal
Look at Chapmanmfg.com
~$25 will get you a screwdriver and ratchet with hollow ground bits as well as other bits that are great. They sell replacement bits for cheap as they wear out/break.
USA made and even comes with a little signature card by whoever inspected the kit.
jgromada
Well-known member
It may not be popular on here but i have a set of the Craftsman professional and i like them, they don't seem to slip as easily as plain Craftsman (all old US made craftsman) . But vessels are nice too!
jsmeece
Well-known member
I have old and new craftsman (all USA made), craftsman impact, some vessel 900 megadora, some wiha (soft finish grip), some king tony, some greenlee, some klein, Irwin demo, and a complete set of older German made NAPA (witte I think) I like these the best. If I was going to buy a set today, since the witte NAPA are no longer made, I would buy a complete set of the vessel 900 megadora, I think they are made in Japan. I have a few them, bought off amazon, and I am really impressed with them.
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They look very similar to these. . .
Hozan JIS Set
I wonder what the difference is between the new Armor Grip and their visually similar "Eco" line?
Vessel JIS Eco
Looking closer, the Armor line has hex shafts, the Eco line has round shafts. At least that's one difference.
Bubba Fett
Well-known member
I use some of the old Craftsman Professional (with the black handles) and they have taken a lot of abuse. They still work fine, and the handles are quite comfortable.
Dakotadadv8
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 30, 2021
- Messages
- 1,483
I have Craftsman Professional, black handles, and they work well. I would check CM again but may not be as good as the CM Professional. If $ is not an issue I may check out SO Instinct Hard Handle.