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Screwdriver vs. screw bits. Are premium screwdriver sets worth it?

GoodEnough

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I have some cheapo screwdrivers I've owned since the 1980s.
When people pay $50 for a screwdriver, what exactly are they getting?
For a weekend guy, are they 50x better than dollar store screwdrivers?

I also have a Craftsman 255 pc set with screwdriver bits and hex handle.
I mostly use this, since it has 3 different Phillips tips/

Do I need anything more for screwdrivers?
 
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DTB

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In my experience,using cheap screwdrivers I've ran into alot of old rusty screws that a cheap screwdriver would just spin in and when you thought you were SOL,you pull out a better one and it comes loose.I wouldn't spend alot on screwdrivers but a DECENT set is well worth it.The Craftsman Pro's are pretty nice for the money.
 

gagreen

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interchangeable bits in ratcheting/non screwdrivers are fine until the bit falls out and pings its way into the abyss. And yes expensive screwdrivers are better, but not necessary for everyone.
 

nicksnothereman

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I have some cheapo screwdrivers I've owned since the 1980s.
When people pay $50 for a screwdriver, what exactly are they getting?
For a weekend guy, are they 50x better than dollar store screwdrivers?

I also have a Craftsman 255 pc set with screwdriver bits and hex handle.
I mostly use this, since it has 3 different Phillips tips/

Do I need anything more for screwdrivers?

They're getting peace of mind (apparently).

There isn't a whole lot of use for screwdrivers (except as hammer or pry bars) in automotive mechanics. Posi-drive stuff sure if you work on import stuff but there are only so many sizes. I'd say 10 screwdrivers would be the maximum variety among philips, slotted, and posidrive (if you care about stripping the fasteners) in 99% of cars. The rest are security (torx), hex, or something super fancy that few manufacturers will ever make.

Most people won't have any issues with "disposable" quality drivers in just about everything including hex keys. Why? Because you don't use them too much and don't pay too much so it doesn't matter if they snap in half. Though good hex keys can be had for really cheap (eklind, bondhus), some quality tools that are reasonable in the cost department are hard to find at retail. The home depot husky will do their job just fine. If you don't use them all the time there are no real worries with the quality. You can go cheaper than that and still have no issues.

You can buy really good screwdrivers for fairly cheap on ebay or even at retail. My go to crescent slotted screwdrivers that I use for everything I got for around 10 bucks shipped FOR FOUR OF THEM! US made and brand new too.:bounce:

It is what it is. Some people are cray-cray with tools and they just end up sitting there.
 

CWP1616L

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Cheap screwdrivers are fine if you have the patience.

I don't have the patience. :headshake
 

basspro

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I have a 9pc Snap On Instinct set that I use for Industrial work, would probably been fine with cheaper ones but they have been very nice. I honestly use my Klein 11-1 the most. I have a Felo Multi-Insulated set and a set of Felo precision screwdrivers as well. This is all I use and need.
 

nanofrog

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It comes down to what's important to you/what you need IMHO.

If for example, stripping out a screw potentially destroying a very expensive piece of equipment, then a top quality (and price) tool is warranted.

But in instances where removing a damaged screw due to a poor quality screwdriver is not only possible, but as easy as possible, it may not matter so much. Just a matter of convenience and if the funds are available in such a case, which can only be determined by the person turning the tool.
 

nanofrog

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Most expensive I can think of, would be PB Swiss, which run ~$10 per in a set.
 

nicksnothereman

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You are exaggerating big-time with your $50 per screwdriver claim. Around $50 will net you a very nice USA made or European screwdriver set. I personally have never spent $50 on a smaller set of screwdrivers and I've bought some decent drivers.

Perform a search. There are a bunch of threads on this topic that recommend reasonably priced, good quality drivers. The basics that are always repeated are Williams, Wera, Wiha, Witte, Felo, Pratt-Read and some others.

Craftsman stuff ain't bad at all (despite what I hear on here). Never recommended but always a valid option when you're cheap. 10 bucks for a decent house set. 20 bucks for a set with more screwdrivers than you'll ever use. US made.
 

Kracin

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well there isn't much difference if all you are doing is light duty stuff where you take a wall plate off an outlet, or unscrew the bottoms of toys to put batteries in (damn batteries cost more than the tool to put them in!)

but if you have to deal with lots of different screw sizes and types, and you frequently have to come behind other people who either cheaped out and bought junk screwdrivers and partially stripped a head, or just didn't care and buggered the head up anyway, then yes having a quality set will be good.

i buy Wera, but any decent brand screwdriver will be good for the dollar, Wera, Felo, Wiha, etc. those companies put a lot of extra R&D into getting their bits to fit much better into screw heads, and their drivers are made of much better material, which means less screwing up screws with already screwed up tips. my little pocket size wera flathead can turn screws that have snapped other mechanics full size flathead tips off. there is a difference if you need it, but don't bother splurging if you don't have any heavy duty stuff to deal with on the regular.
 

gagreen

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Craftsman stuff ain't bad at all (despite what I hear on here). Never recommended but always a valid option when you're cheap. 10 bucks for a decent house set. 20 bucks for a set with more screwdrivers than you'll ever use. US made.

Craftsman screwdrivers are made in china now. I've been reading on here ppl saying they are still made in usa... They are not. You may find old stock made in the usa but you will not get a made in the usa craftsman screwdriver once stock rotates. If I'm buying made in china screwdrivers I'll step up from craftsman's current line and get the pittsburgh pro's from hf with a discount coupon.
 

foodgroup

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I also have a Craftsman 255 pc set with screwdriver bits and hex handle.
I mostly use this, since it has 3 different Phillips tips/

Do I need anything more for screwdrivers?

I'm kind of a fan of bits. As mentioned above, hex/torx are a necessity for automotive work and you can pick up high quality bit sets for cheap.

Here are some "needs" that I would put before fancy screwdrivers.

(1) I use the Felo T-Handle so often that it is a need:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000E62NIC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

(2) The Neiko ratchet-style bit holder is a need when you are in a tight spot:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XYOUS6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

(3) And you really need a good ratcheting screwdriver:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=675083&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

I got mine used 15 years ago (with tooth marks all over it) and it's still my favorite screwdriver. I'm sure other brands are just as good and < $.
 
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GoodEnough

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Why are cheaper screwdrivers more likely to strip a screw? I can see the advantage of having a variety of screwdrivers, so you use the one that fits the screw the best, and lowers the odds of stripping the Phillps head. But, if you had 2 of the exact same sized screwdrivers, but one was Wera/Wiha and the other was $1 store, why is the cheap one more likely to strip the screw (if the fit is the same)

It also sounds like the Wera/Wiha are stronger. But, I've never had a screwdriver break. My cheapo screwdriver is from the 1980s. Came in some cheapo toolkit.

The only screwdriver I've ever broken is a tiny precision one. Those, I can see it being worh getting a stronger better one.
 
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GoodEnough

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foodgroup,
I actually needed torque on a screw today, so I am going to order that $10 T-handle.
I also ordered a ratcheting hex bit thing. Better torque vs. a hex bit screwdriver, right?
$65 ratcheting screwdriver, I will pass on that.
 

foodgroup

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foodgroup,
I actually needed torque on a screw today, so I am going to order that $10 T-handle.
I also ordered a ratcheting hex bit thing. Better torque vs. a hex bit screwdriver, right?
$65 ratcheting screwdriver, I will pass on that.

The T-handle is nice when you have room because you can torque and apply downward force at the same time. It's a little hard to apply downward force with the mini ratchet, I usually press with one hand and torque with other.

I hope you like them.
 

gagreen

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Why are cheaper screwdrivers more likely to strip a screw? I can see the advantage of having a variety of screwdrivers, so you use the one that fits the screw the best, and lowers the odds of stripping the Phillps head. But, if you had 2 of the exact same sized screwdrivers, but one was Wera/Wiha and the other was $1 store, why is the cheap one more likely to strip the screw (if the fit is the same)

It also sounds like the Wera/Wiha are stronger. But, I've never had a screwdriver break. My cheapo screwdriver is from the 1980s. Came in some cheapo toolkit.

The only screwdriver I've ever broken is a tiny precision one. Those, I can see it being worh getting a stronger better one.

Fit will not be the same. The difference is pretty staggering once you get into a position where you are working with them on a daily basis. On a light use basis you may never notice a difference tho. In fields where hardware needs to be reused cheap screwdrivers are unacceptable. Aviation uses mil spec hardware and the cost adds up quick if your replacing hardware constantly. Automotive industry has a ton of different styles of hardware that I can only imagine makes it tough to replace when they strip with oe hardware. The screws used in commercial and residential electrical systems are also probably something an electrician doesn't want to have to lug extras of on a big job.

Quality screwdrivers pay for themselves for professionals, whether or not they are worth their cost to a light user is up to the user.
 
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sberry

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60$ is not bad. Half the price of Kleins and to tell the truth while the handles are great the durability is only fair at best.

In all fairness the common old Sears stuff we got in tool sets worked and considering the abuse they took early on lasted well.
 
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outdoorsman310

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The phillips tips in my set work great. no complaints but sometimes you need a screwdriver t fit in a hole or something and cheap ones wont cut it. also if you have a 1/4 impact, you can put those bits in a 1/4 socket with a bit of grease and use the gun to remove them!!
 

zer0cell

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I think its generally useful to have 2-3 good sets. One for work (if you use tools at work), one for home, and maybe a small set for the car/truck.

If you're trying to save money, get a few sets of the most commonly used drivers, and then get a couple 1/4" magnetic bit drivers and buy a decent set of bits so any unusual screws you may run into will not give you a problem.

Any of the major USA or German made brands should be good.

One thing to note however is that not all phillips head drivers are exactly the same. For example, my Wera PH2 tip is wider than my Wiha PH2 tip. The Wera tip is closer to a Klein tip. So you see, even when the driver itself is of good quality, you sometimes need a few different brands of the same item just to ensure the best fit for a particular screw.

When it comes to home remodeling/repairs/new construction projects, I use Square drive and Torx as much as possible and avoid Phillips - it saves you money as torx and especially square drive have a much longer lifespan when using decent quality bits.
 

kythri

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I've got a pretty comprehensive/complete set of Craftsman Plus, which I really like, and am not unhappy with at all, but I'm always amenable to more or better.

I've always liked the idea of the Wera Kraftform, but can't really seem to find a comprehensive set, only a couple 6-piece sets.

Also, what's the difference between them? There's the Series 900 and Series 300 Kraftfrom "Plus", the Kraftform Comfort, Kraftform Classic, etc.

I get that the Kraftform Plus Series 100 are VDE/insulated, but the rest of them? It seemed that there was some color coding going on with the various Kraftform lines, too.
 

cburnscrx

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Craftsman screwdrivers are made in china now. I've been reading on here ppl saying they are still made in usa... They are not. You may find old stock made in the usa but you will not get a made in the usa craftsman screwdriver once stock rotates. If I'm buying made in china screwdrivers I'll step up from craftsman's current line and get the pittsburgh pro's from hf with a discount coupon.

Must...see...pictures...of...China...screwdrivers.

Seriously? IF that's true...I am just not sure what to say. Wow.:dunno:

And I guess the more I think about it, I really shouldn't be surprised. The craftsman bottle opener (the plastic handled one), is now made in China so having the screwdrivers like it shouldn't be hard to believe.
 

uart

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Why are cheaper screwdrivers more likely to strip a screw? I can see the advantage of having a variety of screwdrivers, so you use the one that fits the screw the best, and lowers the odds of stripping the Phillps head. But, if you had 2 of the exact same sized screwdrivers, but one was Wera/Wiha and the other was $1 store, why is the cheap one more likely to strip the screw (if the fit is the same)

Because even if it fits the same to begin with, it wont necessarily fit the same after it's been well used, particularly after being used in high torque applications.

That's basically the difference between a good screwdriver and a poorer quality one. The heads tend to hold up to usage and suffer less distortion and deterioration (twisting marring etc) over time. They also may flex less and thus dynamically hold their shape better under high load.
 

gagreen

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Must...see...pictures...of...China...screwdrivers.

Seriously? IF that's true...I am just not sure what to say. Wow.:dunno:

And I guess the more I think about it, I really shouldn't be surprised. The craftsman bottle opener (the plastic handled one), is now made in China so having the screwdrivers like it shouldn't be hard to believe.

Next time I'm in the city I'll get pictures. They are sneaky as hell about hidiing the change, and you will not see it until stock rotates out to new. I don't get the surprise, why would they send 99% of their production to China and continue having screwdrivers made in the U.S.A.?


And yes I have a magnet but I'd rather not have to pull it out in attempt of retrieving a bit out of the belly of an airplane. I only use interchangeable bit drivers and speed handles on exterior and wide open interiors. A bit can do a lot of damage if it cannot be found, not to mention the time it takes to retrieve a lost one can be embarrassing. Time = money and I'm supposed to be putting money in my bosses pocket not taking it out lol. I've learned my lesson chasing hex bits in the military where time was kind of whatever, now in a small shop with an hourly wage it's not worth the risk.s
 

gagreen

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cburnscrx just noticed you were in indianapolis, I'm from indiana and the sears on the westside on 10th just passed raceway is where I saw the first set of chinese craftsman screwdrivers. IDK if your close but there you go.


The holiday season should clear the shelves out of most the nos and the true front of the chinese overhaul to craftsman will become apparent. It was over a year ago I bought swivel adaptors at the store in castleton and when I got home I realized they were made in China. Still use them and they work fine with tape around them to stiffen them up a little. But I definitely paid american made price for them if I recall correctly around 25 - 30 bucks for the set of three, hf would have been 1/3 the price.
 

rusjack

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This is my first post so I'm sure someone will have something to say about this.
I work in aviation - some days I'm doing hundreds upon hundreds of Phillips screws on access panels. Over torqued, filled with paint, always something. I have a supplied set of Bahco screwdrivers and a Bahco ratcheting screwdriver - and I'm ALWAYS reaching for the ratcheting one first. I'd take a brand new bit on a ratcheting drive over a standard Phillips screwdriver any day for a tough screw. I'd rather spend my money on bits that I can toss when they start to wear out over a whole screwdriver.

Pretty much the only time I use a standard screwdriver is if the shank of my ratcheting one is too wide to fit where I need it to...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002890YM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DZI2VK/?tag=atomicindus08-20
 
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ol'Red

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I second rusjack. I have a set of the SO hard handle drivers that see more use as pry bars. When I need a driver I tend to use a wera bit. When bits become rounded replace.
 
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GoodEnough

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I have this Craftsman tool set. It came with a hex bit screwdriver handle, and 3 Phillips bits, and some slotted bits. For basic screws, I have pretty much used this without any problems.

For Torx, I pretty much always use my 1/4" ratchet and Lisle Torx bits. Not the screwdriver. I have found the $18 Lisle bits are stronger than the Crasftman.

I posted this b/c I had a rusty screw that was frozen this weekend, and wondered if another screw driver would have worked better. As in a wider handle that has more torque? Should I buy a better wider handle with more torque? Should I buy better bits?

I also just bought this, so I can have sideways ratceting torque for screwdriver bits. See the bottom end with the hole. Was this a good purchase to use instead of a screwdriver handle for bits?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/231018430528?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
2re2rrn.jpg
 
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James_B

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For years, the only screwdrivers I'd use were the Australian made Stanley and the occasional Australian made Turner. These were pretty much the standard screwdriver that every decent handy man or mechanic in Australia would use. The same screwdrivers were part of the government issued tool box I got when I was starting my electronics trade training in the early 70s.

I bought a number of sets plus individual screwdrivers over the years, and the only ones I no longer have in my collection are not missing because they'd failed, but because I'd lost it, or it'd been "borrowed" (air traffic controllers were notorious for borrowing tools from open technician's tool boxes), or I'd modified it to do a specialized, one-off task, or the dog had decided that the handle was a wonderful chew toy. Even now, some of the chewed handle screwdrivers are still in my collection, although the handle has been cleaned up either in a lathe or by hand shaping.

Sometime, I'd guess it was in the 90s, they changed the design of the handles, and I never liked the feel of the new handled Stanley drivers, but they were still good tools. These days the Stanley drivers are Chinese junk.

My father, on the other hand, worked on the principle that any screwdriver that came close to fitting the screw was good enough. I'd buy him good sets of Stanleys, and yet everytime I'd see him using a screwdriver, it'd be some piece of junk with a really soft blade and a badly moulded and fragile transparent hard plastic handle. The good Stanleys were still in their packaging as he considered them too good to use.
 

j.c.whitney

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Treat yourself to a Snap On or Williams Ratcheting screwdriver and buy some accessory Philips, Torx, Allen, etc. bits for it. Those Screwdrivers and bits are superb and a tool force multiplier. Snap On bits are like $1.65 each.
Try some Williams hard handle or Wiha 530 series Screwdrivers and you wont reach for the Craftsman any more.
If you work on really small stuff, Wiha Microdrivers work here.
If you work on electronics, the discontinued Snap On SGRMINI was the one. Those can still be found new. Many Motorola Techs and Automotive electronics installers have one.
Inexpensive Hozan for JIS screws found on some Japanese MC's.
Good Screwdrivers that fit the fastener trump Craftsman.
 

oldldh

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People will spend a lot of money on tools they don't use very often, i.e.--3/4" drive socket sets...:dunno:

Using that frame of reference, less that a hundred bucks for these seems like a no-brainer...:evil:

Proto J9600C Classic Screwdriver Set from Amazon for $ 97.95...:thumbup::thumbup:

In my humble opinion, "Are good screwdrivers worth the money???"----

You bet your A--!!!
 

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sberry

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I only threw about 3 away, tossed another one the other day but got a good collection from my service cart I don't even use.
 

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d.mcfarland

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If you're trying to save money, get a few sets of the most commonly used drivers, and then get a couple 1/4" magnetic bit drivers and buy a decent set of bits so any unusual screws you may run into will not give you a problem.

This is what I did. Get real screwdrivers, but got the HF bit set and a Wera 1/4 bit driver for the specialty stuff!
 

Brownsfan

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Must...see...pictures...of...China...screwdrivers.

Seriously? IF that's true...I am just not sure what to say. Wow.:dunno:

And I guess the more I think about it, I really shouldn't be surprised. The craftsman bottle opener (the plastic handled one), is now made in China so having the screwdrivers like it shouldn't be hard to believe.

I have not seen any evidence of this yet. In fact look at the holiday displays of th screwdrivers. The cardboard displays in the middle of the department. The lower right corner has a made in USA logo on it. If they were mixing in china sets the would have never put made in USA on the display it self. Now that's not to say its not going to happen.
 
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