Screwdrivers?

[lakebilly]

I've been looking for a deal on a nice set of premium screwdrivers. The one that I keep going back to is the SK 21 piece set at Advance Auto.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...ion-screwdriver-and-pry-bar-set-sk_22989639-p


Regular price is $166.87 With code DOW51 price is $116.87. This is still a stretch for my tool budget.

I'm just not a fan of Craftsman screwdrivers. It seems that I'm forever returning them for new ones. The Philips heads are just plain wimpy.

Any ideas on a great deal for some quality screwdrivers?

I realize this is a highly subjective topic, but for the tool I use more than anything, I'd like something with some quality to it.

Thanks!!

 

[monomach]

Not premium, but super strong tips (no joke!) with comfortable grips at a dirt cheap price,
http://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-professional-screwdriver-set-94607.html

Cheap premium with a pain in the *** warranty:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001NQQCM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Or another cheap premium, everyone's favorite:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002NH5F30/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I'd get my precision drivers separately.

 

[stanford1621]

Wiha, I bought some of there extra heavy duty with the micro finish when they changed the color to purple they clearanced them.

http://www.wihatools.com/indexes/indx_MicroFinish.htm

The good thing about these are you will save money because you won't have to buy prybars, chisels or punches there that good.

They have hex bolsters so you can use a wrench to apply extra force if needed and the steel caps go all the way through the handle.

 

[EdJack]

I have the Williams from Amazon, they are great. The phillips head takes a lot of abuse and still holds a sharp point.

The only issue with the Wiha (or others) with striking caps, is if the metal shaft goes the full length of the handle and is physically attached to the striking cap, then you can't use it for any kind of household electrical work. The beauty of using a regular screwdriver to change light switches or work on wiring, is that the handle insulates you. If you use a striking cap screwdriver and touch a live wire, you get electrocuted. Because the juice flows through the shaft, to the striking cap, then through your hand and body.

So keep that in mind. If you buy a striking cap set for automotive and woodwork, then you also need a second set of non-striking cap screwdrivers for household work.

I'd also recommend going over to the tools subforum, and reading the "No BS Screwdriver Thread" (or something like that). It has a wealth of information and pictures and user reviews of all the different kinds of screwdrivers.

 

[pauls_workshop]

Not premium, but super strong tips (no joke!) with comfortable grips at a dirt cheap price,
http://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-professional-screwdriver-set-94607.html

X2 on the above HF ones. Cheap but really really good for the money. Can't probably get a better set for less. Buy these first then try others after if you want better than these. - Paul

 

[EdJack]

Here it is, check out this thread:

www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=194985

 

[lakebilly]

Awesome. I've got some homework to do now. I'll follow up and let you know what I decided. The Garage Journal rocks!

 

[cburnscrx]

Awesome. I've got some homework to do now. I'll follow up and let you know what I decided. The Garage Journal rocks!

Um...just so you know...the Craftsman Pro's and the SK cushion grips are the same screw drivers.

 

[brimorga]

These precision screwdrivers are awesome. I got them from Amazon for $24 a few years ago.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NZ5QG0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

If you look at CCC, they frequently drop into that price range if you can be a little patient, although it has been a while.

http://camelcamelcamel.com/Wiha-26199-Slotted-Phillips-Screwdriver/product/B000NZ5QG0

 

[Brownsfan]

If you want a big complete set I bought the 6pc slotted and 6pc Phillips Williams from a local industrial supply place. I compared them to a snap on hard handle on the truck and they are virtually identical. But you pay much less. Best bang for your buck in "premium" screwdrivers. You will not be disappointed.

 

[woodstockva]

I like the Wera Kraftform sets...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001NQQCM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[3rdbuttondown]

I doubt these meet peoples critiria for "premium" but it's a nice set.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Screwdriver-Set-24-Piece-246340240/204288365

Seems to be a seasonal(holiday) item.

Note all the screwdrivers have square shafts.

COO-Tawain

 

[catsass]

I bought the jegs set and am pretty happy with it for $20. It's just nice to have a matching set. I got it just for the torx hard handles

Sent from my GT-P5113 using Tapatalk 4

 

[Danglerb]

If you are an electrician, you will wear out screwdrivers. Everybody else, maybe the Phillips. What fits your hand, depends on your hand. I bought a bunch, some new, some used, to find out what I like best, and turns out I don't really have much of a preference as long as the tips are good.

Wiha has the heavy duty with striker caps and the regular microfinish without, I do like them both.

HF sells an insulated set for like $12, cheap insurance if I remember to use them.

 

[wrh3]

I love my Wihas but also have Craftsman Pro that are great and the Wera set mentioned above. I found the Wera I broke the tip on very easy to warranty, took a picture, emailed it to them, and they shipped me another- no hassle.

 

[lakebilly]

OK, I've read this entire thread and all other linked threads. It's coming down to either Wiha Microfinish or Williams.

I'm going to buy based on price and overall value.

Is Amazon the best place to buy either of these?

I'm glad you guys talked me out of the SK set.

 

[Davefr]

I'd get the Williams but I'd get both phillips AND slotted sets vs. the one mixed set.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NHI24E/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NHM77W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

You can find these new on Ebay too.

There are prettier and more comfortable screwdrivers out there but these are as tough as they get.

 

[Brownsfan]

That's what I did. When you buy both 6pc sets you end up with a very nice complete set of QUALITY screwdrivers for a really good price. One of the best values in any tools let alone screwdrivers. Very good quality to price paid ratio

 

[bcradio]

I have the Williams from Amazon, they are great. The phillips head takes a lot of abuse and still holds a sharp point.

The only issue with the Wiha (or others) with striking caps, is if the metal shaft goes the full length of the handle and is physically attached to the striking cap, then you can't use it for any kind of household electrical work. The beauty of using a regular screwdriver to change light switches or work on wiring, is that the handle insulates you. If you use a striking cap screwdriver and touch a live wire, you get electrocuted. Because the juice flows through the shaft, to the striking cap, then through your hand and body.

So keep that in mind. If you buy a striking cap set for automotive and woodwork, then you also need a second set of non-striking cap screwdrivers for household work.

I'd also recommend going over to the tools subforum, and reading the "No BS Screwdriver Thread" (or something like that). It has a wealth of information and pictures and user reviews of all the different kinds of screwdrivers.

I gotta disagree with this. If you are doing electrical, you don't do it on a live circuit. Invest the money in a multimeter to test the circuit and power down the circuit before doing any work.

I have seen way too many experienced professional electricians get injured working on live circuits... only in few specific cases will someone NEED to work on a live circuit, and those are usually highly trained professionals.

These are fine for electrical work.

 

[whyNick?]

I gotta disagree with this. If you are doing electrical, you don't do it on a live circuit. Invest the money in a multimeter to test the circuit and power down the circuit before doing any work.

I have seen way too many experienced professional electricians get injured working on live circuits... only in few specific cases will someone NEED to work on a live circuit, and those are usually highly trained professionals.

These are fine for electrical work.

You are correct, you should always work on a dead circuit so 99.9% of the time these will be fine, but why not take the extra precaution of using an insulated screwdriver (or at least one that doesn't provide a direct metal connection to your hand)? I'm usually pretty careful but accidents happen and even if you shut off the breaker for the circuit you're working on you never know, somebody might just click it back on while you are working. Happened to me once, my wife swears it was an accident and didn't know how that puddle of water got under the ladder .

I'm not usually one of those safety nannies so do what suits you but I've zapped myself before and I like to give myself a fighting chance against my own stupidity.

 

[lakebilly]

I'm now thinking Williams for the heavy duty set and Wiha for the precision set.

It looks like Amazon is about the best deal out there for Williams, both sets will be about $90.00

Any hot deals out there on a Wiha precision set?

 

[pauls_workshop]

I'd get the Williams but I'd get both phillips AND slotted sets vs. the one mixed set.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NHI24E/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NHM77W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

You can find these new on Ebay too.

There are prettier and more comfortable screwdrivers out there but these are as tough as they get.

OR, you can get exactly 10 sets of the HF good ones and try them first before getting these Wlliams for the same money as the two Williams sets!

Not saying they are as good as the Williams by any means, but I view screwdrivers as things that wear out so I want good ones but not perfect ones because I'm just going to wear them out. I used Western Forge Low Budget Sears Craftsmen since the 70's and only recently had to replace one of those that got messed up finally. Not daily use of course, but you see my point. The HF ones above are at least 2-3x better than those USA old WF Craftsman ones and lower price today for the set than those were back in the 70's or 80's. The best ones might wear a quarter as much as the cheaper ones, but you would still be 2.5x better off with the cheaper ones to wear them out many sets worth for the price of the better ones. Each tool lover has to make their own choices but for those on a budget, try those HF ones (note not ALL HF ones, those SPECIFIC HF ones in that set as some are junky). - Paul

 

[zeekh]

I see a lot of people mention the HF screw driver. One of my pet peeves with cheap isthat the Phillips usually fit screw heads terrible. To make matters worse Asian screw heads are sometime different than USA screw heads. I end up stripping the screw head. YMMV

 

[Brownsfan]

Sears has a craftsman precision set that is pretty complete. Not bad quality either. I have them and use them often. No issues to report. Had them for years. Here's a link. Don't count it out because it's craftsman. It's really good quality.
http://m.sears.com/index-g.html#/details/guest/00938836000P?source=online

 

[monomach]

I see a lot of people mention the HF screw driver. One of my pet peeves with cheap isthat the Phillips usually fit screw heads terrible. To make matters worse Asian screw heads are sometime different than USA screw heads. I end up stripping the screw head. YMMV

That specific Harbor Freight set doesn't have that problem. The fit is nice and tight. It's like...the only good set at Harbor Freight. That's why people on the forum keep mentioning them. We wouldn't lead you guys to a driver that strips screws.

Someone posted a magazine review recently that backed that up. They beat Craftsman and Craftsman Pro. They finished right behind those Weras I posted.

It's just one of those things. A real diamond in the rough.

 

[zeekh]

That specific Harbor Freight set doesn't have that problem. The fit is nice and tight. It's like...the only good set at Harbor Freight. That's why people on the forum keep mentioning them. We wouldn't lead you guys to a driver that strips screws.

Someone posted a magazine review recently that backed that up. They beat Craftsman and Craftsman Pro. They finished right behind those Weras I posted.

It's just one of those things. A real diamond in the rough.

Thanks for the info

 

[Digital4n6]

My favorite is the Wera ratcheting with hidden tips. Once the tips get worn out, easy to swap them out for fresh ones cheaply. The ratcheting feature actually does come in handy and the bits are concealed within the handle for easy storage where they won't get lost.

http://www.zorotools.com/g/00108610/k-05073661002/


For electrical work, I color coded my Knipex insulated screwdrivers with colored electrical tape around part of the shaft to easily tell which was slotted and which was phillips head. When reaching in a bag, the bright colors of the Knipex ones make them stand out from all others when you need the insulated ones. The Knipex insulated handle pliers are also top notch.

 

[paul2112]

Snap on screwdrivers are made by Williams,if I'm not mistaken,,,they also make the pry bar set ,craftsman brand

 

[FOCUS.FREAK]

I recently won an Ebay auction for a 12 pc set of Gear Wrench screw drivers. They work great. Paid 44.75 for them


http://www.ebay.com/itm/KD-TOOLS-GE..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item35c000f06a&vxp=mtr

 

[ls1dreams]

These precision screwdrivers are awesome. I got them from Amazon for $24 a few years ago.

I have the 4pc (#000, #00, #0, #1) version of those and they are amazing for small electronics work.

Wiha 26194 Screwdriver Set, Phillips With Precision Handles, 4 Piece

 

[nicksnothereman]

I'm now thinking Williams for the heavy duty set and Wiha for the precision set.

It looks like Amazon is about the best deal out there for Williams, both sets will be about $90.00

Any hot deals out there on a Wiha precision set?

That's kind of too much to pay for screwdrivers that will be hard to warranty. Just saying. I'm not even sure if that's THAT much cheaper than buying snap on.

Maybe get a bunch of dead stock crescent usa screwdrivers (from ebay or locally at a hardware store) for your main drivers (or the pittsburgh pro set mentioned) and a wiha or wera precision set (philips mostly, some slotted) for 20-30 bucks (haven't checked, but a guess). The tips on the precision are going to be more likely to strip, honestly that's where you want to spend your money.

The crescents (at least the slotted "mechanics" variety) aren't popular on here but they get my I don't know what you're using them for so I can't say off hand. For cars (if that's your purpose) you don't need a ton of screwdrivers, hell you don't really need them to be fantastic quality either because you'll be using the slotted as pry and striking bars anyways and they won't really hold up that great for that purpose. Might be worth it to get a set of striking screwdrivers up front (in addition) if you can find them.

 

[bimmerZ5]

No one has really mentioned the gearwrench master screwdriver set yet, nor any felo. I would definitely consider them too. I have a variety of brands, craftsman, cman pro old black handle, cman pro newer red black handle, wiha, wera, husky, gearwrench, HFT freebies, etc. I consider the gearwrench to be among my favorites. These are the red/black dual material handle ones with magnetic shafts. I would say worth considering.

I didn't know about the quality of the HFT/Pittsburgh pro screwdrivers... will check them out the next time i visit the store.

 

[monomach]

Snap on screwdrivers are made by Williams,if I'm not mistaken,,,they also make the pry bar set ,craftsman brand

Williams doesn't make tools for Snap-On. They ARE Snap-on. Snappy bought them years ago.

The regular CMan pry bars are made by Wilde. The Pro versions are made by Mayhew.

 

[pauls_workshop]

That specific Harbor Freight set doesn't have that problem. The fit is nice and tight. It's like...the only good set at Harbor Freight. That's why people on the forum keep mentioning them. We wouldn't lead you guys to a driver that strips screws.

Someone posted a magazine review recently that backed that up. They beat Craftsman and Craftsman Pro. They finished right behind those Weras I posted.

It's just one of those things. A real diamond in the rough.

Yes agreed with the above, except, the bolstered set at HF is also useful when you need the extra torque of putting your rachet on the end of the screwdriver. Those are the two sets I got from HF. They really are really good! The idea here is to try them! If you don't like the set, you are out about $9 with a good coupon!

I do also have some other bad ones like the phillips problem mentioned. Those problems are with a Stanley set a few years previous. Junk. So we aren't talking about junky ones. These mentioned are really good. In fact, it would be good to have someone who has the more expensive sets/brands to do a proper comparison using these for the forum. - Paul

 

[Davefr]

That's kind of too much to pay for screwdrivers that will be hard to warranty. Just saying. I'm not even sure if that's THAT much cheaper than buying snap on.

Not true. An equivalent set from SO would be approx. 2X the price. I could care less about warrantys.

That specific Harbor Freight set doesn't have that problem. The fit is nice and tight. It's like...the only good set at Harbor Freight.

One problem is that set only contains the smaller screwdrivers. They stop at #2 for Phillips!!

 

[dakotart1984]

Multiple sets.. Williams for the garage, Craftsmans / Husky USA for the house, Knipex for the electrical work, Grace for the Gunsmithing. Its all a matter of preference.

 

[Loscaldazar]

With all the positive reviews of the Harbor Freight screwdriver set, I wonder if I'm missing out on not owning them...

This site and my wallet....

 

[bmrisko]

Not premium, but super strong tips (no joke!) with comfortable grips at a dirt cheap price,
http://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-professional-screwdriver-set-94607.html

I find myself reaching for these screwdrivers the most. I have a few sets in the garage and house and all have worked well for all sorts of tasks. You simply can't beat the price!

 

[oldldh]

These---Proto Classic Yellow Handle ---$ 96.95 from Amazon, or basicly the same set, minus the Huge slothead/prybar for $ 65.00 from Epsteins...

I bought the set from Amazon, and I'm a happy camper...

 

[whyNick?]

I find myself reaching for these screwdrivers the most. I have a few sets in the garage and house and all have worked well for all sorts of tasks. You simply can't beat the price!

Every time I visit HF I wind up in the screwdriver aisle looking these over. After reading about them yet again on GJ I finally bought some today. I've got to admit, they are nicer than my Craftsmans by a lot, definitely worth the $9 I spent.