So...how many screwdrivers is enough?

[ColdDuckTime]

I was looking at the sad, but giant pile of cheap screwdrivers that I own and it got me to thinking...let's say that I pitched them all (well, I'll probably just store them in a special place in case I *need* them) and started over. After all, since I'm a grown-up now, it isn't like I have to ask my dad for the money or get a summer job.

My thinking was along the lines of checking out the Wiha catalog and getting one of everything I might need and attempting to never buy any more. Everything would match and be purty and the quality of my mechanical work would improve dramatically due to new shiny tools.

Arrrgggh! My eyes! There's too many kinds. They have a giant set (38 things with handles) which is filled with stuff I'll bet I never use. I like the idea of the ACO (anti cam out) blades, I like the idea of the ones you can beat on (a different set), I hate the idea of having 100 screwdrivers when I only need probably 10 or so. It isn't like 1969 Z/28s (and their relatives) and Datsun 510s have a boatload of different screwheads.

The stupid thing is that all I probably really need is a couple of pry bars, and a one of those hex handles with a couple of extensions and a small case full of every bit in the world.

Rant over. Now I feel better.

 

[wythors]

You know, I was looking at my screwdriver drawer a while back and I realized that I could probably do 95% of what I do with screwdrivers with my two SnapOn ratcheting pieces. I've got one with a standard handle and a 6-inch shank and a stubby handle with a 2-inch shank. They have interchangable bits and they just feel "right" in my hand. I've got a nice 12-piece S*K set that I've used about ten times over the last couple of years, but I always seem to reach for the two Snappy ones. The other 5% would involve very small screwdrivers for things like eyeglasses, car remote batteries and such.

 

[dxdexter]

I prefer to have a dedicated screwdriver for each bit size rather than the interchangeable bit type screwdrivers. I keep losing the bits. They are however great to throw in the car for emergencies.

Screwdrivers of varying lengths from stubby to long come in handy as well as a set of miniature screwdrivers.

Does any one really have much use for a 1/2 dozen slot screwdrivers besides using them as prybars or wedges? I guess tightening hose clamps, and the occasional slot screw now and then.

I'm curious if Robertson (or square) screwdrivers are popular in the USA. Most wood screws and many after market machine screws here in Canada are Robertson head.

 

[markb1]

[QUOTE

I'm curious if Robertson (or square) screwdrivers are popular in the USA. Most wood screws and many after market machine screws here in Canada are Robertson head.[/QUOTE]

A lot of the electrical fittings, ground/ neutral bus bars, and most sheet metal type screws sold at electrical supply house are #2 sq. drive.

 

[george4]

I
My thinking was along the lines of checking out the Wiha catalog and getting one of everything I might need and attempting to never buy any more. Everything would match and be purty and the quality of my mechanical work .

I recently got two sets of small Wiha tools, very nicely made.

 

[brianpgriset]

Just spend the money and get a nice set of Wiha's. I would get a big set of the regular soft finish ones (red/black) and then a few "specialty" types in common sizes, ie ACO's and Striking Cap drivers in #2 phillips etc....

 

[george4]

Just spend the money and get a nice set of Wiha's. I would get a big set of the regular soft finish ones (red/black) and then a few "specialty" types in common sizes, ie ACO's and Striking Cap drivers in #2 phillips etc....

Wiha has a good web site but you can often get a better price elsewhere on sets.

 

[ColdDuckTime]

This whole thing is part of an argument I'm having with myself. What I'd like to do is to shrink the number of tools I've got and up the quality at the same time (I'm just thinking out loud here). Having one of those 2001 A Space Odyssey monolith sized boxes stuff with things I rarely use doesn't do a lot for me and makes it harder to work anyhow. I was poking through my stuff and was looking at drawers filled with things like coil spring and piston ring compressors, etc. and thought about how stupid that is.

I wonder if you couldn't put together a tool system that had no tool box at all. If your entire set of commonly used things came in those plastic cases, you could basically just grab the 3 or 4 cases you know you would need off a shelf or cabinet, stick them on a cart, and voila', less walking around. The lesser used things (at least for jobs that I have) would somehow be stored with power tools, etc. I know this wouldn't work with a line mechanic who is blasting through several cars a day, but us po' shadetree guys really do have different needs.

Hmmm, now if I could just find a medium sized Wiha screwdriver set that came in a molded case. Honestly, though, I'll bet a bigger ratcheting set would do the trick nearly all of the time.

 

[Dodgepu360]

over the years I have bought 3 differant sets of screw drivers I now have a drawer full of screw drivers and there are only 2 that get used 98% of the time a 3/16 slotted and #1 phillips when these 2 get worn out I plan to replace only those two with better quality screw drivers instead of buying another set

I dont find it important to have all the same brand as long as I have the size I need I couldn't care less if the handles all match

 

[Coach James]

Most of my screwdrivers are C-man but I also have a lot of other brands. #2 Phillips and 3/16 slotted get used most.

This set here would take care of 90% of my needs. Add a square drive and I'd be set.


http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...l=TOOL&subcat=Screwdrivers&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

Coach

 

[icnsltmfg]

I was wondering the same thing about screwdrivers.....The SK set looks good, even the Craftsman Pro's. I did look at the large 3K series Wiah's, but I may just take everyone's advice and buy the Snappy Soft Side set for about the same money...

Here is the thread http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10576

 

[ColdDuckTime]

I was wondering the same thing about screwdrivers.....The SK set looks good, even the Craftsman Pro's. I did look at the large 3K series Wiah's, but I may just take everyone's advice and buy the Snappy Soft Side set for about the same money...

Here is the thread http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10576

I hear what you are saying...I think I'll head a different direction though (maybe it's watching Rahsaan Roland Kirk on youtube that is doing it). My new plan is to pop for one of those more inexpensive ratchet screwdriver sets

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HBAHNC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

and buy a prybar set (which I need anyway) and stick all of my screwdrivers in a box somewhere. If the ratchet mechanism is really nice, I might buy their nutdriver set, if the idea works but the ratchet is bad I'll check out the Snap On. If I don't touch any screwdrivers for a year (exception being my Xcelite bitsy stuff)...then so much for the concept of a fixed screwdriver.

Hey, it's just a hobby. I can be as stupid as I want.

 

[wrenchr]

I hear what you are saying...I think I'll head a different direction though (maybe it's watching Rahsaan Roland Kirk on youtube that is doing it). My new plan is to pop for one of those more inexpensive ratchet screwdriver sets

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HBAHNC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

and buy a prybar set (which I need anyway) and stick all of my screwdrivers in a box somewhere. If the ratchet mechanism is really nice, I might buy their nutdriver set, if the idea works but the ratchet is bad I'll check out the Snap On. If I don't touch any screwdrivers for a year (exception being my Xcelite bitsy stuff)...then so much for the concept of a fixed screwdriver.

Hey, it's just a hobby. I can be as stupid as I want.

You might wanna check Ebay / fleamarket's for that gearwrench set, I have seen it new for $45. A thought to consider

 

[kidney]

My Craftsman Pro screwdrivers are my go to set, mostly. However, being a person who likes to fix everything (read: cheap), I really do need a good selection of screwdrivers. For example, I took apart my old stereo. In order for me to get the case apart I needed a thin and about 1 foot long phillips screw driver. Normally, I would not have a need for a screw driver like that, but having the right tool sure made it a lot easier to take apart. I guess I'm one of those folks who is silly enough to buy tools b/c of "Hey...You never know when you might need that". I just wish the Craftsman Pro screwdrivers came in a selection like the regular ones do.

When working around the house I normally use a 4-in-1 screwdriver. For example, when I was doing the electrical in my old house, a lot of the light switch covers were slotted, while the switch was put in with a phillips. It's a lot easier to just flip a bit around.

 

[SteveU]

I have the 21 pc set of SK screwdrivers which includes small sizes for glasses, electronics, etc along with long & short phillips & slotted. Pretty much covers what I need screwdrivers for. Several of them have hex's up by the handle that you could slip a gearwrench onto to keep from getting Popeye forearms if there is a lot to do. If there is room I usually go for the 3/8" drill with the appropriate driver bit.

 

[chad s]

For the automotive work I do, I have this set: http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=3446&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog and I rarely go to my ractheting drivers, unless I am going to remove a lot of screw, and in that cae, I usualy go to a screwgun anyway. You can buy a cheaper set of drivers, and Im sure they are fine, but the snappy's feel great in your hand, the ACR phillips are a real feature that does woek, and the tip are very sturdy.

However, on my day job (A/V and security install) I use my ratcheting screwdriver all day long. I dont want to get into a "snap on is better" war, but I have tried a lot of different ratcheting screwdrivers, and if your going to use it everyday, the snapon definately has many plusses.

 

[Kevin54]

...let's say that I pitched them all (well, I'll probably just store them in a special place in case I *need* them)

Bite the bullet, toss the trash ones and don't look back Nothing worse than a drawer full of mismatched junk screwdrivers. And spend the extra money of a top of the line set. Trying to save a dollar or two for something you use daily is not worth it.

 

[Piper]

I've just been going thru this same discussion in my head. The long and the short of it is I'm going to buy the hard, orange handled S/O set. I too have a fair number of drivers but what I find is that the phillips and slot heads seem to round off or don't grip after a while. I'd like to buy a set and know that if they stop working I'll just get a new one under warranty. Now the argument of "hey this driver is has just as good a warranty for 1/4 the price" works great until it's Sunday morning and it breaks due to poor quality. I'd rather buy once cry once (over the $$) and be done. That Mr. Murphy and his laws tend to get me into trouble at the most inconvenient times!

Piper

 

[ColdDuckTime]

For example, I took apart my old stereo. In order for me to get the case apart I needed a thin and about 1 foot long phillips screw driver. Normally, I would not have a need for a screw driver like that, but having the right tool sure made it a lot easier to take apart..

So I guess another way to look at that might be that you either

1) Own a hex driver handle, a couple of extensions of different lengths, and a box with a Phillips #1,#2,etc.

2) Own a screwdriver of every length and tip style.

Since I've never used those replaceable tip things very much (outside of power tools) I wonder how much you can really crank down on them.


What this reminds me of a little bit is the argument you could have between owning sets of nut drivers or just using a handle with various depths of sockets.

Where I'm coming from on all of this (beside just my idle amusement) is that I got sick years ago of getting up, going to a drawer, getting the thing that's longer/bigger/smaller, crawling under the car, getting up, etc. If you can deal with the combinatorial explosion of lengths and sizes and shapes by quickly snapping together something, I'm all for just having a box that goes to the car with you. I think I'm also getting an allergy to putting 50 bucks worth of tools into a drawer that cost 200 bucks.

The funny thing is that (for most people, professional mechanics...cover your ears) if you put all of your tools in a spare bedroom, went and got whatever you needed as you needed it and left it in the garage and put those things in a cardboard box, I'll bet that that box wouldn't be very full in a year's time.

 

[ColdDuckTime]

I too have a fair number of drivers but what I find is that the phillips and slot heads seem to round off or don't grip after a while.

Piper

That seems kind of weird. Why wouldn't the driver bit be the same material as a screwdriver?

I expect that a lot of the sets out there, mostly sold for the cordless drill guys, are pretty crappy really.

 

[kidney]

So I guess another way to look at that might be that you either

1) Own a hex driver handle, a couple of extensions of different lengths, and a box with a Phillips #1,#2,etc.

2) Own a screwdriver of every length and tip style.

Since I've never used those replaceable tip things very much (outside of power tools) I wonder how much you can really crank down on them.

This was the one I used, or at least an older version of it. That was pretty much the only way I was going to get the screws out, as the hole was about the same size as the screw head. Using any type of extension just wouldn't fit in the hole. For what it's worth, the regular Craftsman line isn't that expensive. The set I have was bought as a cheap Christmas Present. Granted, quite a few of the odd ones have never seen a screw, and end up in a plastic bin that is filled with tools I never use, or go into the tool drawer in the kitchen.

As for the all-in-one style, you get what you pay for. The cheaper ones will crack or the grip will spin off. I have an Irwin one that I got as a present and it's been alright, I did deform the hex end a little bit by putting the small end of an Allen key in there as a make shift t-handle. I also have a Stanley one that I keep in my tool box at work, it works just fine for the all the small machine screws I take off and put on.

 

[Vicegrip]

IMO Get a good set and keep it where you do the good work. Keep the junkers and singles around nearby for when you need to hammer a chunk of slag off, pry on something or poke the foil in a tube of caulk. Old and or cheap screwdrivers take up little space and can keep you from abusing the good ones. The junkers are also handy to have for loaners or to throw in the plumbing, electrical or tile work tool boxes. Keeps you from walking back to the shop or truck just for a phillips. I also take old drivers and heat and or grind them into tools as needed. Hooks for pulling seals and the like.

 

[kartracer55]

Matco sells an 8piece set (made by witte, says it right on them) and it will cover 95% of what you want to do. I use this set almost exclusively at work and I never say "Oh man I wish I had this one" or something like that. The only time I use another screwdriver is If I left one in the engine bay and I raised the car up and Need it on the bottom.

 

[Tscott]

I used to be a technician for a company that repaired and installed restaurant equipment. I used to do everything from electrical to plumbing. We used to do alto of work for Disney, and we would have to park our vans outside and walk through these huge hotels and of course I had to take my tools with me. I had only a small technicians tool bag and I learned to condense the tools I needed. When I first started I used to carry 4 or 5 screw drivers. As they broke I learned that I really only needed something like this (my current one is a husky, but it's the same idea) : http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=102164-75198-32477SEN&lpage=none

This type of screw driver will get you through 95% of your tasks and has some distinct advantages over its unitasking cousins.

For example, if you need to get in a tight place just pull out the bit from the screw driver and then place it in the closed end of a 1/4" wrench and you have a great tool to get into the tightest of places with all the leverage you will ever need. They are pretty resilient to beating if the need arises and if you break it you are only out a few bucks, (by the way I have never broken one and I am not nice to these things). You can also pull the bits out and use them in your drill in a pinch however they they tend to slip if you can't get the chuck tight enough.

One of those and a big pry bar type screwdriver is all I carried for several years and can't remember needing anything else.

Just my .02 worth

Tom

 

[ColdDuckTime]

Matco sells an 8piece set (made by witte, says it right on them) and it will cover 95% of what you want to do. I use this set almost exclusively at work and I never say "Oh man I wish I had this one" or something like that. The only time I use another screwdriver is If I left one in the engine bay and I raised the car up and Need it on the bottom.

Not to slag on tool truck items (well, maybe a little) is that this?

Matco SS08A
http://www.matcotools.com/Catalog/toolcatalog.jsp?cattype=T&cat=2533&select=&page=2

$118.35

Is that better than one of those $30 Wiha sets? Just asking...

 

[ColdDuckTime]

I used to be a technician for a company that repaired and installed restaurant equipment....

This type of screw driver will get you through 95% of your tasks and has some distinct advantages over its unitasking cousins.

....
One of those and a big pry bar type screwdriver is all I carried for several years and can't remember needing anything else.
...

Tom

You know, I'm thinking I agree with that. Since I waste money on other stuff, but I've always been a real tool miser, I think it would be fun to break down get one of those Wera bit driver + bit kits. The handle is so bitchin' looking that you know it just has to be good. Those tricky Germans.

What I'd really like to find (I'll see how good the GearDriver(tm) hecho en China accessories are) is a nice case filled with all sizes of hex->socket convertors and a boatload of different extension lengths.