Stuey
Well-known member
What's your take on screwdrivers with steel striking caps vs. those without? Are two or so screwdriver sizes with said caps enough, or is it beneficial to have a whole set of such screwdrivers?
Screwdriver With Striking Caps?
- Thread starter Stuey
- Start date
chammyman
Well-known member
I like them, however just because they have a metal cap doesn't mean you can pound on them and they won't break.
If you can, have a full set, but tbh if your only a weekend warriior and onyl use a coupel of sizes then just get a couple.
They are worth it though, put the driver in, a good dint on the end it seats it properly and also shocks the screw and it generally comes out.
If you can, have a full set, but tbh if your only a weekend warriior and onyl use a coupel of sizes then just get a couple.
They are worth it though, put the driver in, a good dint on the end it seats it properly and also shocks the screw and it generally comes out.
malibu101
Well-known member
The screwdrivers that I use to specifically hammer on are in such bad shape from abuse that I don't think striking caps would have helped any. 
The other screwdrivers have never met Mr. Hammer
The other screwdrivers have never met Mr. Hammer
Frank Elson
Well-known member
I've just got a couple, picked up at flea markets. They do get used.
There is a good argument for tapping on a screwdriver to loosen a screw (like Chammyman says above) and why do it to one without a striking cap?
There is a good argument for tapping on a screwdriver to loosen a screw (like Chammyman says above) and why do it to one without a striking cap?
paramudduck
Well-known member
A screw driver is not a punch, chisel or prybar. With that mandatory statement being made.
Tapping a screwdriver to help jar corrosin welds loose will save your butts at times. Just remember the object is to jar it a little not to drive it out or chisel the head off.
Tapping a screwdriver to help jar corrosin welds loose will save your butts at times. Just remember the object is to jar it a little not to drive it out or chisel the head off.
Frank Elson
Well-known member
agreed, that's why I wrote "tapping".
If you want a chisel buy a chisel.
If you want a chisel buy a chisel.
paramudduck
Well-known member
I know what you meant Frank I was just trying to head off the tool nazis and the never strike a screwdriver crowd. A judicious tap can be very beneficial.
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
So why not tap an impact screwdriver instead and do it right, if that's what you're after?
Sorry, I think "striking screwdrivers" are 100% worthless, and I probably remove 100 screws/day easily. Some days, several thousand. The same goes for the other 500 mechanics at work, and I have NEVER seen somebody use one of these things.
If you're separating things, get a damn chisel and do it right.
If you're trying to "jar a screw loose", get an impact screwdriver and do it right.
wantedabiggergarage
Member Emeritus
I will use a Impact if it requires any tapping harder then hitting a screwdriver handle with a screwdriver handle. The only reason to buy the capped screwdrivers, in my view, is if you get them for a bargain ($1 find at a flea market for example).
paramudduck
Well-known member
I will use a impact as soon as they make one 18 inches long. You guy's have to remember different applications with different access.
Frank Elson
Well-known member
I think you and I were on the same wavelength there.
I can just see everyone faced with a screw with a bit of paint around the edges rushing off to the toolbox to get the impact out... not.
I can just see everyone faced with a screw with a bit of paint around the edges rushing off to the toolbox to get the impact out... not.
Well, sometimes a brand will add other 'heavy duty" features along with a striking cap, such as a hex collar on the shank for wrench torque support. But the other day I saw different sets whose only difference was the striking cap, and I wondered if it were really necessary, and whether people actually used that "feature" a lot.
Willbit, are you talking about Stanley's demo drivers?
Willbit, are you talking about Stanley's demo drivers?
Yup, me too!! I figured this would cover me (for now at least).
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have more that a few. I have the stanley demo drivers, Wera chisel drivers, and Wiha extra heavy duty. I don't go around beating the hell of stuff with them all of the time but, they have come in handy more than once. You can easily get by with a two piece set (flat and phillips). You could just as easily beat up your regular scredrivers. I've used them on fuel module locking rings, and similiar. They aren't designed to take the place of a punch or chisel but, when you need to do something quick and you don't feel like walking over to the tool box, they're handy. The wiha striking caps make their screwdrivers handle heavy. Your results may vary.
wantedabiggergarage
Member Emeritus
One size never fits all. But I have always used a pocket knife, old sharpened flat blade screwdriver (beyond use as a screwdriver), scraper, etc. to remove paint that the screwdriver wouldn't just lift (soft paint).
As for the 18", you can use impact extensions on them. You do of course loose torque, but as you point out, never forget options.
87ELC2
Member
Exactly! And not all of us tool users work in neat bays with fully-loaded toolboxes at arms length. I install and retrofit commercial door hardware for a living, and while I own more tools than I care to mention, my tools on the job are usually limited to what I can comfortably carry in my tool belt. The hand impact driver is just too much extra weight to carry for 8 hours.
When I need to seat a screwdriver tip into a screw head that has 20 coats of paint on it, you can bet I'm not going to walk off the jobsite to my truck parked 2 blocks away and dig for my hand impact driver; the screwdriver I'm carrying is going to get hit with the hammer I'm carrying! So maybe I have to replace a screwdriver or two every year, it's no big deal...
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
No, I go to the toolbox to get the pick to clean the paint out and do it right.
That's why they have extensions.
Each to their own, I guess. People will beat on screwdrivers, I'll use the right tool.
chammyman
Well-known member
nissan is it nice in that world you live in because frankly you don't live on planet earth.
I just love my Ko-ken attack driver. It's designed to be hammered on and has a cam action that loosens the screw. It's got 4 bits and it works every time. It the attack driver can't loosen it, then forget it, you'll have to drill it out!
If you have this tool, then you never need to hammer on a proper screwdriver unless it's a restricted space and you need to use a really long screwdriver.
So the best ones to buy with the striking cap are the long ones.
If you have this tool, then you never need to hammer on a proper screwdriver unless it's a restricted space and you need to use a really long screwdriver.
So the best ones to buy with the striking cap are the long ones.
My CatsPaw set has striking caps, but I have never hammered on them ..
speed bump
Well-known member
Depends on whats available at the time. If your working out in the field sometimes you don't have the luxury. I know I have had to beat on screwdrivers or improvise with tools becuase the right tool was an hour away in at the shop or you have to have it back up now and so the 25 minutes of driving to get the right tool equates to about $50,000 worth of lost productivity.
Now as a disclaimer when I am in the shop I generally do try to use the right tool if its available.
Nova72
Well-known member
ive been eyeing the toptul screw drivers... solid metal rod with cap. great for the occasional "percussion adjuster"
TejasBimmer
Well-known member
Wiha Micro-Finish Heavy Duty - that is what I own.
I love how it feels and how it will still grabs, even when your hands may have grease or oil on it.
MicroFinish Non Slip Grip Screwdrivers feature:
• Blades of Wiha exclusive CRM-72 tool steel, hardened to average 60RC.
• Heavy Duty Series with Hex Bolster & Steel Strike Plate on Handle
• Non Slip MicroFinish handle, Impact, oil, grease, solvent resistant
• Heavy Duty Series Features:
- Hex bolster Below Handle for increased torque
- Rugged Hardened Heavy Duty Hex Blade
- Steel Handle Striking Cap to Release Tight Fasteners
I love how it feels and how it will still grabs, even when your hands may have grease or oil on it.
MicroFinish Non Slip Grip Screwdrivers feature:
• Blades of Wiha exclusive CRM-72 tool steel, hardened to average 60RC.
• Heavy Duty Series with Hex Bolster & Steel Strike Plate on Handle
• Non Slip MicroFinish handle, Impact, oil, grease, solvent resistant
• Heavy Duty Series Features:
- Hex bolster Below Handle for increased torque
- Rugged Hardened Heavy Duty Hex Blade
- Steel Handle Striking Cap to Release Tight Fasteners
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