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Screwdriver Set

Vortaku

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Joined
Apr 15, 2015
Messages
317
Location
Sachse Tx
If you could only pick one set/brand of screwdriver who would it be and why?

I know I will get alot of Snap-On love.
I know I will get trolled, its all in good fun though right :lol_hitti


I know that some people have more screwdrivers then most people have tools. I want to know what is the go to. What makes it the go to.

Thanks,
V

PS: CoO is cool and all but it does not make a crappy tool better or worse. If it is crappy it is crappy no matter where it is from.
 
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oldldh

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Joined
May 22, 2012
Messages
3,700
Location
Fairhope, AL
Proto Yellow Handle Professional Classics...

Discontinued, however...

Epstein's still has some...

www.harryepstein.com/index.php/18-pc-proto-screwdriver-set.html

All for $ 64.00---or, less than $ 4.00 each...Epstein's only has 2 big sets left!!!

I started with the boxed set, added the Phillips set and the Torx set...

The drawer photo are mine...

Best screwdrivers I've ever used/owned/had!!!
 

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RatchetMan

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Joined
Sep 23, 2011
Messages
199
Count me as one who can't get worked up over screwdrivers. I bought a set of hard handled Snapons based on all the positive press they get. But I end up grabbing whatever is most convenient and, many times, that's just a cheap craftsman screwdriver. I can't tell a huge difference.
 

Brownsfan

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Apr 16, 2012
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5,974
Location
Cleveland Ohio
My Ideal set would be the Cornwell/Matco Witte made blades and the Snap on Instinct soft grip handles. But if I had to choose one set it would be Snap On because they are the most comfortable handles I have EVER used. That's important to someone who uses them daily. Now if there is a budget I say Klein. I use them in my service van tool set. Mainly because they are not very expensive and tools on the road = getting lost or stolen easy. Some say Kleins tips are soft but I have not had any tip failures in the 4 years I have owned them. The Snap On live in the shop box the Kleins are in the tool bag
 

jrobb316

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May 18, 2014
Messages
1,377
Location
WI
I just had a conversation at work today about why i'm using snap on screwdrivers. I recently flipped from auto mechanics to an industrial setting, so its what I have. I told them that here where you're not dealing with rusty stuff, you wouldn't notice a difference. They think its a regular screwdriver with a fancy handle, but the handle is what its all about. Deal with rusty stuff and you'll understand... they didn't. My pick is snap-on. However I just got my set of Witte insulated drivers in the mail today. They are my #2 pick.
 

sam.coll

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Joined
Oct 25, 2014
Messages
303
Location
Melbourne, Australia
Favorites are the 3K Drall from Stahlwille also like the older black handled drall 400's
 

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LXCam

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Apr 23, 2013
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19,094
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AZ
Klein. I love my Wiha's but the selection is very limited in comparison to Klein. After 30 years of doing electrical work where driver apex fitment means all the difference in the world, they get the nod by a long shot.
 

BMack37

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Joined
Aug 28, 2015
Messages
1,091
I really like my Witte maxxpro plus screwdrivers even over my new Snap-on instinct set. I don't like Klein because they roll off of everything but the quality of the blade seems to be one of the best on the market. haven't tried Wera or Wiha(at least their non-micro line) but they obviously have a huge following.

If you're a mechanic with greasy hands the Witte/Matcos might not be ideal with the scotch bright like grip. I imagine that gets nasty quick.
 

stihlntime

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Joined
Jun 2, 2015
Messages
603
Location
SW Missouri Ozarks
If I could have only one set it would be PB Swiss. After having and using Snap On, Klein,Wiha,Wera,Felo and the old USA made Craftsman Professional imho none has the quality of the PB Swiss. My second choice would be Felo 410 series or 500 series chisel drivers. Third would be Wiha. If you use screwdrivers extensively the PB s are worth every penny.
 

hautpot

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May 25, 2015
Messages
824
Location
California
PB swiss tips combined with Snap-on Soft Instincts or Felo soft hanldes.

Also those vessel wooden drivers.
 

ssdave

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Apr 11, 2015
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Eastern Oregon
My most used is the ratcheting hard handle Snap-on's. Beyond that, I like my old black and yellow handle Snap-on hard handles. Like my flat blade Klein's also, but use them almost exclusively for electrical work, they reside in my electricians tool belt. Might use them more if I had more of them scattered into my mechanics tool box. But, I use a snap-on Phillips in my electricians belt, I like the flat blade Kleins, but not phillips. I have quite a few Proto yellow handle, but do not like them as well as Snap-on. The phillips do not grip as well. I think that the Snap-on grip better than anything else I have ever used, particularly on rusty or deformed fasteners. I have a lot of odd brands, particularly in flat drivers. Most of them work okay, the ones that bend or break get relegated to use as tent pegs quickly. Some that have lasted well are old Vermont American, Dunlap, SK and Indestro. I really like a maroon/red handled Mac one in my box, but it's handle is essentially identical to the Snap on black handles, so I see why. Oddly, I like my Craftsman nut drivers better than the old square handle Snap-on ones I own. The handles feel better; the Snap-on ones are too small and give me blisters if I use them a lot.

There's two things in drivers that make them right: How well the tips grip and hold up, and how the handles fit your hands and your usage. In my case, those two things align best with Snap-on for most of my drivers.

Some brands, the handles that feel good are paired with blades that bend or break so they get thrown out. Some, like the common clear/blue/red handled Craftsman that are so cheap and easy to get have both bad blades and handles that raise blisters on my hands. The phillips ones of those I have owned have often stripped out on the very first fastener I tried them on. I only have one of those Crafstman left, it's a huge flat blade one I use for stirring paint in cans; it's also handy for opening those cans and hammering them shut. So, even the bottom of the heap have some usage!
 

martin666

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Apr 15, 2015
Messages
425
Location
New Jersey
For the price its hard to beat the black handles Williams, for around $50 for the 8pc set I think its best deal around
 
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lightning02

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Jul 29, 2013
Messages
2,677
Snap-on for me. They might not be the most conformable when using them for long periods but the tips have lasted the longest of all the other brands Iv used.
 
OP
V

Vortaku

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Joined
Apr 15, 2015
Messages
317
Location
Sachse Tx
What are the quality of greenlee drivers? also greenlee tools in general? I have a soft spot for them since my last name is Greenlee :thumbup:

My most used is the ratcheting hard handle Snap-on's. Beyond that, I like my old black and yellow handle Snap-on hard handles. Like my flat blade Klein's also, but use them almost exclusively for electrical work, they reside in my electricians tool belt. Might use them more if I had more of them scattered into my mechanics tool box. But, I use a snap-on Phillips in my electricians belt, I like the flat blade Kleins, but not phillips. I have quite a few Proto yellow handle, but do not like them as well as Snap-on. The phillips do not grip as well. I think that the Snap-on grip better than anything else I have ever used, particularly on rusty or deformed fasteners. I have a lot of odd brands, particularly in flat drivers. Most of them work okay, the ones that bend or break get relegated to use as tent pegs quickly. Some that have lasted well are old Vermont American, Dunlap, SK and Indestro. I really like a maroon/red handled Mac one in my box, but it's handle is essentially identical to the Snap on black handles, so I see why. Oddly, I like my Craftsman nut drivers better than the old square handle Snap-on ones I own. The handles feel better; the Snap-on ones are too small and give me blisters if I use them a lot.

There's two things in drivers that make them right: How well the tips grip and hold up, and how the handles fit your hands and your usage. In my case, those two things align best with Snap-on for most of my drivers.

Some brands, the handles that feel good are paired with blades that bend or break so they get thrown out. Some, like the common clear/blue/red handled Craftsman that are so cheap and easy to get have both bad blades and handles that raise blisters on my hands. The phillips ones of those I have owned have often stripped out on the very first fastener I tried them on. I only have one of those Crafstman left, it's a huge flat blade one I use for stirring paint in cans; it's also handy for opening those cans and hammering them shut. So, even the bottom of the heap have some usage!

Can you give examples of the ones that bent/stripped/broke etc. I don't want to accidently go with something in that category.

What type of work will you mostly do with them? That will play a factor in what u should buy

Everything my good sir, I plan on doing everything. However I do believe I will need a different set for electrical. Most people seem to have an electrical specialty set.
 
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Fedwrench

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Valley of the sun
Proto Durateks would be my choice today but, make sure you get the set with bolstered blades. They seem to be stronger.

Unfortunately, my favorite screwdriver of all time is no longer made. It was the Wiha microfinish series with hex shaped blades but, without their ridiculous striking cap. That handle could be covered in oil, coolant, atf, or assembly lube and I could still get a great grip. Blades and tips were tough too. German engineering at its finest.:beer:
 

Brownsfan

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Apr 16, 2012
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Cleveland Ohio
If USA made is important then GreenLee is not a good choice. Their drivers are Taiwan made and almost as expensive as Klein. They seem like Klein copies with green color instead of yellow. I have no experience with their quality. I had a 10in1 from them that I got cheap when Lowe's closed out their electrical tools. The rubber grip fell off after a few uses. I just threw it away.
 

1950mercury

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Mar 26, 2013
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2,246
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metro detroit
Everything my good sir, I plan on doing everything. However I do believe I will need a different set for electrical. Most people seem to have an electrical specialty set.


Hmmm originally you said if you could only get one set....

I like Kleins for electrical work..I'm a HVAC tech. And snap on instincts soft handles in the garage shop.
 
OP
V

Vortaku

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Apr 15, 2015
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317
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Sachse Tx
Hmmm originally you said if you could only get one set....

I like Kleins for electrical work..I'm a HVAC tech. And snap on instincts soft handles in the garage shop.

that is true, but it is looking like most people would suggest two different sets. My first set will be for everything and then get transitioned away from electrical i think. I am leaning towards snapon instincts because they seem to have one heck of a following. Was hoping to see some more german love as i know they can make some pretty quality tools
 

Brownsfan

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Apr 16, 2012
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What are the quality of greenlee drivers? also greenlee tools in general? I have a soft spot for them since my last name is Greenlee :thumbup:



Can you give examples of the ones that bent/stripped/broke etc. I don't want to accidently go with something in that category.



Everything my good sir, I plan on doing everything. However I do believe I will need a different set for electrical. Most people seem to have an electrical specialty set.

You really don't need 2 sets. I do it because I don't want to keep lugging tools in and out of the shop to the van and van to shop. If I could only have one it would be Snap On hands down. This being a tool forum I say screw it buy 2 sets. lol. I actually have 4 combo sets and 2 sets of torx. Only had 1 set of each before I joined this site. That said you will be buying 2. I actually should be using my Snap On set in the van because that's where I do most of my work out of but don't want to loose or get the expensive set stolen
 

sk farmer

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Mar 4, 2009
Messages
5,556
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nd
I have been eyeing the SK green hard handles. Are they good?


the older made in france sk drivers are very nice. they had a slight taper and a more rounded shape. the new us made ones not so much. a very square non tapered handle that seems oversized for the blade. think pry bar handles, not screwdrivers.
 

JonnyMac

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Dec 15, 2012
Messages
845
Location
Victoria, Australia
Ive got snap on hard handles, mac hard handles(which are almost identical to the snappys), wera stainless kraftforms and pb swiss..
Pb swiss are the best.
 

chillrich

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Feb 14, 2010
Messages
95
These Bahco are awesome screwdrivers
images
 
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V

Vortaku

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Sachse Tx
I wish there was a better way to test a style of screwdriver then spend say 20 dollars on one to see if i like it LOL
 
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