Snap-on screwdriver durability (comparison questions)

[vintagefan]

So, the Snap-on guy held a gun to my head today and FORCED me to buy a screwdriver set.

I'm a long time Wera user (well over a decade), but I just haven't really been happy with their durability since the switch to Czech manufacturing. I've stuck with them, but I'm getting tired of going through small flatblades and #2 phillips.

I decided to give the Snap-on drivers a try since I've heard really good things about them, and I was wondering if anyone could compare their durability to Wera, Wiha, etc.

 

[copterdoctor]

here we go.....................

 

[Syndicate]

Well at least your snap on will be easily warrantied off the truck. I never used any of the other brands you speak of, but can tell you from 20 years of use, snap on drivers kick ***!

 

[NinetyTwoFifty]

Mac screwdrivers are more durable than the new Snap-on. At least the Phillips tips are.

 

[copterdoctor]

like I said.. here we go... IBTL

 

[vintagefan]

here we go.....................

Here we go what?

It's a very simple question, and all I want is honest answers from anyone that has used SO screwdrivers as well as other "premium" brands.

I also plan on using them and making my own judgement. I am interested in seeing how other's experiences add up with mine.

 

[NinetyTwoFifty]

like I said.. here we go... IBTL

I do wish we all could have a polite discussion about this...

 

[NinetyTwoFifty]

Mac screwdrivers are more durable than the new Snap-on. At least the Phillips tips are.

Here we go what?

It's a very simple question, and all I want is honest answers from anyone that has used SO screwdrivers as well as other "premium" brands.

I also plan on using them and making my own judgement. I am interested in seeing how other's experiences add up with mine.

And I should elaborate on what I said a minute ago.

The newer Snap-on Phillips tip screwdrivers seem to be a bit soft. Let them cam out a few times, and they get rather well, boogered up.

My new Mac set has held up much better.

 

[vintagefan]

I do wish we all could have a polite discussion about this...

I don't see any reason why we can't. I'm not looking for controversey here.

I haven't been on a Snap-on truck for ten years, recently was my first time back and I decided to try out the screwdrivers today. I don't have any particular emotional investment in them, I just am curious how they are holding up for people.

My first impression is that they are overall very good quality, I like the ACR style phillips tips, but they could be slightly more precisely formed. The injection molding on the handles is quite good, and the plastic seems to be very high grade.

I prefer cabinet style tips to the traditional tips on the flatblades, but they should be fine for me.

And I should elaborate on what I said a minute ago.

The newer Snap-on Phillips tip screwdrivers seem to be a bit soft. Let them cam out a few times, and they get rather well, boogered up.

My new Mac set has held up much better.

Gotcha. Has it been a serial issue, or do you think there is a possibility of a bad run for a while? I know I had problem with about a years worth of their plier production, but I finally managed to get some good ones.

Is your mac set the hard handle style?

edit: Will my driver switch out the blade when the tip gets excessively worn?




edit2: The closest thing I've found to old-school Wera, durability wise, is the German made Wiha drivers. They seem to use a really high quality tool steel.

 

[Syndicate]

9250 which mac set you have? The red hard handle or the soft grips. I noticed the soft grip macs are quite different shank wise and tip wise than the red hard handles. Also the snap on I use are pretty old. I do have a green instinct set that has done good so far though. But I know stuff that is newer is different casting and different metal. I like matco hard handle too. Beat them up and they come back for more

 

[Scuderia-F1]

I´m nothing but happy with my Snappy drivers, my only gripe is that since I´m a black hardhandle guy I have to have them "custom built" by my Snappy man, but he gets me a good deal, so not a big problem there really...

 

[Scuderia-F1]

Mac screwdrivers are more durable than the new Snap-on. At least the Phillips tips are.

Have you tried the Snappy "diamond tips"?

 

[vintagefan]

9250 which mac set you have? The red hard handle or the soft grips. I noticed the soft grip macs are quite different shank wise and tip wise than the red hard handles. Also the snap on I use are pretty old. I do have a green instinct set that has done good so far though. But I know stuff that is newer is different casting and different metal. I like matco hard handle too. Beat them up and they come back for more

I used to have an older hard handle set, and it does appear that the blades are a bit different now.

I do rather like the instinct handles though.

My initial impressions are that the handles are a bit larger than average for any given tip size. The kit I got was the promo 6 piece with the free bottle opener and giant flatblade. I'm really wondering if the large flatblade is a screwdriver, or if it is actually a prybar in disguise. It's freaking huge.

At first the large handles felt a bit awkward, but once I spun them on some screws, they aren't really that bad. They transition pretty well from spinning grip to a torque grip. I can see how the larger triangle handles could really help auto techs with rusty/stuck fasteners.

 

[el tanque prohibido]

I've had my Snap-on screwdrivers since 1991 and I've never worn a tip out. I always make sure that I'm selecting the correct tip for the fastener. You don't want to have any movement between the tip and the fastener because if you do, that means you've selected the wrong size.

 

[MrMark]

Those red SO are nice. The yellow is the best though. What can you tell us about those two Witte's in the lower right. What are they, where did you get them, etc.

 

[el tanque prohibido]

Those red SO are nice. The yellow is the best though. What can you tell us about those two Witte's in the lower right. What are they, where did you get them, etc.

Those two Witte's are Cornwell branded Witte's. I've never used them because they have a "material deficit" in the handles.

 

[Monte]

Those two Witte's are Cornwell branded Witte's. I've never used them because they have a "material deficit" in the handles.

ahh the famous "hole in the handle problem"

 

[sdguy55]

Although i think SO's screwdrivers are entirely to expensive for just screwdrivers (i dont use them that often so that might have somethin to do with it) they do hold up extremely well. I have 'newer' ones they're about 4 years old and i have done everything from pry with them to hammer on the back ends. They look a lil worn sure but still dont look that bad.

 

[LGMechanical]

I've never used my drivers as punches or pry bars so the tips are like new. But If I know the screw is going to be a ***** coming out, I go for my hard instinct handle snap-on drivers because of the larger handle. If I'm working around the dashboard I go for my red hard handle mac drivers.

 

[Hawk321]

Let me give you some advice...some people (specially here) mean that Snap on or MAC or whatever made the best drivers but in the same sentence they post that they never used other brands....

I used MAC...Snap On, Cman and most important...all germans Screwdriver brands...

It's not hard to make a good US Screwdriver...simple there not much quality out there.

BUT compared to WITTE, WIHA, WERA they will all loose against the german stuff...totally TOP NOTCH BUNKER BUSTING Screwdrivers are FELO!!!!

I am a fan of USA Tools and I don't care about Hazet ratchets etc..no that is a snappy thing for me...but in case of screwdrivers are only german made or swiss made tools the best of the best...

I had so much issues with MAC and Snap On...never again a Screwdriver of them (except ratchening).

 

[vintagefan]

Let me give you some advice...some people (specially here) mean that Snap on or MAC or whatever made the best drivers but in the same sentence they post that they never used other brands....

I used MAC...Snap On, Cman and most important...all germans Screwdriver brands...

It's not hard to make a good US Screwdriver...simple there not much quality out there.

BUT compared to WITTE, WIHA, WERA they will all loose against the german stuff...totally TOP NOTCH BUNKER BUSTING Screwdrivers are FELO!!!!

I am a fan of USA Tools and I don't care about Hazet ratchets etc..no that is a snappy thing for me...but in case of screwdrivers are only german made or swiss made tools the best of the best...

I had so much issues with MAC and Snap On...never again a Screwdriver of them (except ratchening).

As I mentioned above, I'm not much of a fan of Wera's drivers nowadays. IMO they are very average as far as durability goes. I wouldn't say they're much more durable than just about any generic brand of screwdriver (referring to the standard green handle drivers).

Wiha have been very durable for me. I have tried Felo, and they seemed good, but I didn't keep them long enough to really find out, as the handle shape just didn't quite do it for me. That is strange because I really love Wera's handle shape, and Felo's is very similar.

I've heard quite a few accounts of Snap-on's drivers being very durable, but I wanted a comparison from people that have used other brands, so thank you very much for your post, your experience is certainly noted.

 

[monster1]

Here we go what?

It's a very simple question, and all I want is honest answers from anyone that has used SO screwdrivers as well as other "premium" brands.

I also plan on using them and making my own judgement. I am interested in seeing how other's experiences add up with mine.

Don't take it personal bro. For some reason some people feel they need to waste their time by replying to a post and let you know how you wasted their time even though the thread title indicated the content of the post.

 

[tronvex]

I have a set of Wera green and light blue screwdrivers plus a ratcheting verison. I didn't like their small handels, it felt very uncomfortable in my hands. Some of the other guys that I work with like and some don't. I prefer the Snap on instinct version but I'll jave to try out Whia and hopefully it will change my mind on German tools.

 

[ckadams00]

I've had my Snap-on screwdrivers since 1991 and I've never worn a tip out. I always make sure that I'm selecting the correct tip for the fastener. You don't want to have any movement between the tip and the fastener because if you do, that means you've selected the wrong size.

You have three overshadowed, overpowered, cowering, intimidated Craftsman Pros there in the back . . .probably should sell them to me and make room for more Snap Ons. . .

 

[copterdoctor]

Here we go what?

It's a very simple question, and all I want is honest answers from anyone that has used SO screwdrivers as well as other "premium" brands.

I also plan on using them and making my own judgement. I am interested in seeing how other's experiences add up with mine.

this is the biggest debatable topic on the forum. I'm not trolling, just stating the truth. 99% of the time these topics turn into a bunch of **** throwing arguments about who makes the best tools.

I do wish we all could have a polite discussion about this...

as do I.

Don't take it personal bro. For some reason some people feel they need to waste their time by replying to a post and let you know how you wasted their time even though the thread title indicated the content of the post.

you don't have to be a rocket scientist to know how MOST of these types of threads go.... someone is gonna say how they have a $2 #2 phillips from harbor freight that they've had since the day before jesus was born, and that it has out performed 99% of all snapon screwdrivers ever made...


while I do think the OP has the best intentions with this thread, and I hope he gets some answers. I just don't think this thread will last long. history has proven this time and time again.


my .02, get a snapon ratcheting screw driver with removable bits. then who cares how long the tip lasts...