Screwdrivers with teeth - Do you like them?

[HanShotFirst]

So I've decided my 30 year old US Stanley's are ready for an upgrade. I've been eyeballing the Wera Kraftform 300 series with the "lasertip" blades. Just wondering how people like them.

I really want a set of screwdrivers that just grab and hold, and these look like they might be what I'm looking for.

Or should I be looking at something else? If so, what and why?

 

[ezriderga]

I done have any experience with that brand however I looked at them on Amazon and they got 5 star reviews and were reasonably priced.

I've been using the Vessel Megadora 980 Impacta P2x100 #2 Cross Point Impact Screwdriver I got from Amazon and it's now my go to. It does grip well and can be used as an impact.

 

[d.mcfarland]

If you're keeping them for 30 years, I'd buy the best I could afford and use them with pride.

 

[HanShotFirst]

If you're keeping them for 30 years, I'd buy the best I could afford and use them with pride.

Honestly, price is much less a concern as is quality. I have heard very good things about these, and that the quality is top notch.

If there are screwdrivers that grip screws better than these, I want to know about them!

 

[HanShotFirst]

I done have any experience with that brand however I looked at them on Amazon and they got 5 star reviews and were reasonably priced.

I've been using the Vessel Megadora 980 Impacta P2x100 #2 Cross Point Impact Screwdriver I got from Amazon and it's now my go to. It does grip well and can be used as an impact.

I have never seen one of those, but I just ordered one on Amazon. Looks like it may be just the ticket for my older motorcycles. And for $12.00, not much risk.

 

[turfgnome]

I have a set of the lasertips and they are the best phillips head drivers I have ever used... the flat head is just ok though you might want to look at a wood handled gunsmith set for that one.

 

[Dave455]

I'm not particularly a fan of Wera, but I've got a few with the lasertip blades and have to admit they seem to be quite tough. The Stainless ones are really nice. I use mine primarily on woodworking screws. I find the crappy / poor fitting heads on a lot of modern woodscrews can be tough on drivers, even decent ones, but the lasertips hold up well.

The teeth are not mega sharp - not like an ACR Phillips.

The weak point I find with these drivers is the handles. The soft panels pick up grease and grit so don't last well. Even using them for clean stuff they are not a long term proposition.

Consider also, the Wiha Classic drivers with the square red hard handles. They also have a textured tip (even gentler then the Wera) but the handles last much better.

Best bet for quality are the PB Swiss, again with the Classic handles. Different league from the Wera, and they will last you another 30 years, probably more!

 

[PureLeaf]

Never been a fan of Wera tools. I have a few of their screwdrivers and torx L wrenches.

My japanese Vessel Megadora screwdrivers with teeth are amazing. I've never used a better screwdriver in Phillips format. (they're actually JIS). Compared to my Felo, Williams, PB Swiss, Proto Duratreks, and Hazet screwdrivers. I reach for the Vessel JIS 2 every time when I need a phillips 2.

Definitely find PB swiss the best for flat blades.

 

[Rich+]

I love my Vessels, however the only alternative I've known are Harbor Freight screwdrivers. So... don't "buy" the free HF screwdrivers.

 

[firworks]

The lasertips are pretty nuts. I'm always amazed when I switch between screwdrivers just how well these things will grab and not let go. I've got a lot of good screwdrivers to go between but if I think a screw is going to be difficult I usually use the Weras.

 

[rlitman]

I done have any experience with that brand however I looked at them on Amazon and they got 5 star reviews and were reasonably priced.

I've been using the Vessel Megadora 980 Impacta P2x100 #2 Cross Point Impact Screwdriver I got from Amazon and it's now my go to. It does grip well and can be used as an impact.

Well, the Vessel P2 works in JIS screws, so that's another plus.

That same exact screwdriver is sold under the Craftsman name in a set of two. One P2, and one slotted. I've got two of those sets. If you have a use for both drivers in the set, the Craftsman branded set is a little cheaper than buying them individually on Amazon with the Vessel name on them.

 

[Dingleburry]

Ive got the weras and pb swiss with the swiss grips. I absolutely love the swiss grips. Both are good choices but like others have said, the wera soft rubber breaks down and crumbles. Ave has a vid about it.
Pb swiss are my go to. And the swiss grips are solvent resistant. I work in oil based coatings plant, and tools get washed down after almost every use with MEK. Dosent touch the swiss grips. Both the swiss grips and classic are oil resistant. But swiss grips are solvent resistant and dont get very slippery when you get oil on them.

Pb swiss handleshttp://www.pbswisstools.com/fileadmin/images/Werkzeuge/Quality_Hand_Tools/Schraubenzieher/screwdriver-assortment-overview_2017_EN-IT.pdf

 

[HanShotFirst]

I understand about the handles. My biggest need is a driver that GRIPS! If there is a screwdriver out there that grips the screw better, I want to know about it.

 

[rlitman]

I understand about the handles. My biggest need is a driver that GRIPS! If there is a screwdriver out there that grips the screw better, I want to know about it.

I think you may be better off with a grip enhancing paste, rather than a screwdriver surface treatment then:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VNZ2EXW/?tag=atomicindus08-20
or
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0017SZ4T6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

But the most important thing to keep in mind is that if your driver is slipping, you may not be using the right one. Between JIS and pozi screws, and all sizes of Phillips, there are many times where one driver will appear to fit, but will start to slip without lots of excess pressure, when the right driver will grip just fine.

Also, with Phillips in particular, I find that an impact driver really keeps me from stripping out screw heads. It keeps the torque in the right direction, rather than allowing the driver to jump out.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Recommendations: Slotted screwdrivers need to be hollow ground for best fit.

Phillips tips best fit would be the ACR style with the ribs.

 

[M6erfan]

If your working on Japanese motorcycles the Vessels are hard to beat. Those are what I use. Never saw a reason for "teeth" but I dont live in the rust belt either.

You might want to consider a good hand impact driver, I use mine (Ko-ken Attack) often on motorcycles

The ACR type bits, IMO, do grip but also leave marks in hardware, which I hate on motorcycles

 

[HanShotFirst]

d.mcfarland,

Are you aware that most slotted screws have a tapered slot? Using a hollow ground screwdriver on a tapered slot is why hollow ground screwdrivers have a reputation for breaking.

I have a full set of hollow ground scrrewdrivers, as well as many custom filed bits; I'm a gunsmith by trade, so screwdrivers and files are what I use all day long.

However, my questions about the Wera's are for when I'm working on cars and motorcycles.

 

[M6erfan]

Recommendations: Slotted screwdrivers need to be hollow ground for best fit.

Phillips tips best fit would be the ACR style with the ribs.

Agree on the hollow ground (also cabinet tip, PB Swiss are awesome slotted drivers), disagree on the ACR bits

 

[rlitman]

Agree on the hollow ground (also cabinet tip, PB Swiss are awesome slotted drivers), disagree on the ACR bits

Same here.

ACR bits were designed to have teeth that engaged matching teeth inside special ACR screws (which I have not seen in years, though admittedly, I haven't looked all that hard). When both came together, the screwdriver would lock into the screw as soon as torque was applied. But the ACR teeth really don't do much other than mar up the inside of regular Phillips screws.

 

[M6erfan]

d.mcfarland,

Are you aware that most slotted screws have a tapered slot? Using a hollow ground screwdriver on a tapered slot is why hollow ground screwdrivers have a reputation for breaking.

I have a full set of hollow ground scrrewdrivers, as well as many custom filed bits; I'm a gunsmith by trade, so screwdrivers and files are what I use all day long.

However, my questions about the Wera's are for when I'm working on cars and motorcycles.

Hollow ground cabinet tip (PB Swiss) are all I use these days on motorcycles. I find that they fit much better that chisel type, haven't had one break yet (See my post about hand impact driver...)

 

[66HertzClone]

I have the Wera drivers and really like them, They as has been said before have a life. I also have PB Swiss, so I reach for the PB Swiss first unless I suspect there is a corrosion issue that might cause a cam out. When I suspect that I use the Wera which has never let me down. I recommended them to a business associate, he said he has purchased seven sets of those to give as gifts to family when he discovered how well they work,

 

[ocloc24]

Jesus, you must have eagle eyes if you can see marks on the inside of a Phillips recess. I prefer ACR but all it takes is a few uses without proper pressure applied and it slipping and I find they start to lose their effectiveness. One reason why I never lend out screwdrivers. Snap On makes both ACR screwdrivers and Diamond tips. Screwdrivers are one thing where the Snap On warranty is great. Depending on your driver, mine will swap out even if just worn. I did just order some Wera from Chads Toolbox. Great prices. Very interested in trying them out.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[JohnDeere1]

Just bought the new Matco top torque 2 screwdrivers today I found a matco truck on the way to work i love them already way better than my snap on screwdrivers I got them in red I suggest them very comfortable.

 

[M6erfan]

Just bought the new Matco top torque 2 screwdrivers today I found a matco truck on the way to work i love them already way better than my snap on screwdrivers I got them in red I suggest them very comfortable.

Those Matco’s made by Witte?

 

[rlitman]

Jesus, you must have eagle eyes if you can see marks on the inside of a Phillips recess...

It's not quite that hard to see in the right circumstances. You're right in that on plain metal screws it's pretty invisible. But those marks can cause paint, coatings and plating to chip off screws. So, if you have chromed screws, or ceramic coated deck screws for example, you may end up with rust issues where the surface was damaged.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I agree that a well made Phillips screwdriver without the ACR feature will work fine on screws in great condition. Rust belt .... no such thing on a car older than a few years. I'm just generalizing.

 

[M6erfan]

Jesus, you must have eagle eyes if you can see marks on the inside of a Phillips recess.

Trust me, they can leave visible marks that look shoddy. Even without my reading glasses...

 

[gdocktor3]

I have Snap On, Wera and Vessel screwdrivers with "teeth." The Vessels are the best hands down.

 

[mowkep]

My Weras wore out way too quick. Not a fan.

 

[M6erfan]

i have snap on, wera and vessel screwdrivers with "teeth." the vessels are the best hands down.

+1

my weras wore out way too quick. Not a fan.

+2

 

[LXCam]

I've got over 30yrs as a hands on sparky. Tip fitment is everything when it comes to doing the job properly. I've always lived and died by the quality of a good screw driver. These laser tips ines I bought a year or so ago are simply amazing. I haven't experienced the wear these guys are talking about but I also am not using them day in and day out to make my living, but I could see this happen. The realty is screw drivers are a consumable as far as I'm concerned. So if and when these die on me, I'll replace them without hesitation. My only complaint is they don't make them in enough sizes and lengths, but I can live with that too.

Btw, I was sure the laser cut tip was nothing more then a gimmick. But I'll be damned, they really work. It's pretty impressive.

 

[B_Bimmer]

I love vessel drivers for old bikes, however the impact feature stopped working on both my #2 and #3 after some use, so I cannot recommend those as a even remotely comparable alternative to a good impact driver.

 

[cja245]

I like the Snap on instinct and Klein screwdrivers. Im not really a fan of the Wera grips. The "teeth" seem to help, but I'm not typically using a Phillips in an appication that it's likely to cam out.

 

[willjogervais]

I bought a set of the stainless wera's a couple years ago and was amazed how well they gripped the screw. The #2 philips bites into the screw better than any other screwdriver I have used. I have since bought 3 more sets to place in hog barns were almost every screw is rusted/corroded and I couldnt be happier. I don't use them everyday in the shop or the barns but the tips don't show any wear and I haven't had issues with the handles other than they are tougher to keep clean. I have used brake cleaner on them numerous times with no ill effect on the handle, but I always wash them down with water after. just my experience.

edit: The grips did take some getting used to when I first got them. Now I don't notice

 

[HanShotFirst]

I have no doubt that the lasertip will wear out eventually, but I too consider screwdrivers to be semi-consumable. And since a set of 6 is under $50.00, if I have to replace them in 10 years, big deal. I'm a gunsmith, not a mechanic. These screwdrivers won't be used on guns, they'll be used on my cars and motorcycles. So chances are, they'll go a good long while for me.

 

[Tonyuk]

I use the wera green handle laser tips, my set is about 2 years old and still work well. Used the standard solid black handle sets before them and they also worked fine.

If a screw looks particularly crusty i'll either break out the impact driver and bits or the left handed drill bits.