SO Screwdrivers?

[trpearcy]

I purchased a set of new SO screwdrivers from my dealer last week, and
the first day I used the large Phillips, first screw, the tip snapped off. No big deal, I understand defects, and my dealer replaced the blade for me same day.

Today I used my small Phillips for the first time, and same thing. But this time it didn't snap, it just got all chewed and twisted up. I know my dealer will fix this for me, but I'm starting to wonder if SO screwdrivers are as good as they used to be.
Did I get a bad set? Or is the SO screwdriver quality going down?

Thanks

 

[toufue_yang17]

I beat the **** out of my set rebuilding transfer cases and they still hold up well. It's the newer hard red handle screwdrivers.

 

[countryroad82]

I haven't had any problems with my new cabinet screwdrivers.

 

[trpearcy]

I beat the **** out of my set rebuilding transfer cases and they still hold up well. It's the newer hard red handle screwdrivers.

Thats basically what I have. The instinct series screwdrivers.

 

[Farmall450]

I have green instincts that are a few years old, not a single problem. Maybe you got a bad batch?

 

[Dusty61]

I bought a set a few months back and both larger flat tips bent after less then a week of use, gave them back and bought a set of nice hard handle MAC screwdrivers, no problems so far, and its been about two months of heavy use.

 

[theknurl]

been using the same 3 sets of hard handles since '75......

I did have the "incredible shrinking handle problem" though and the half wit on the truck replaced them with mismatched (size wise) handles



oh and I use them as screwdrivers not chisels or pry bars

 

[oldldh]

GASP!!!!

Trouble in SnapOnLand!!!!

Who'da thunk it---

I vote for a bad batch...

SnapOn stuff is almost always first class...

But I have Proto Classic Professional Yellow Handles...

And my tips are as advertised...straight and perfect...

And. no I'm not pulling any SnapOn lover's chains...if I could afford it, that's all I'd have...if for no other reason, than to open the drawer and look at them...

But, I do love my Proto Screwdivers...

 

[Nanashi]

My instinct set purchased a little less than a year ago is holding up very well. I never beat on them but other assholes at work seem to think it's OK to pick up my tools and beat on them.

 

[theknurl]

My instinct set purchased a little less than a year ago is holding up very well. I never beat on them but other assholes at work seem to think it's OK to pick up my tools and beat on them.

NOBODY touches my tools without my permission.....

you put my tools on the floor?......you're out of here

no one even sees most of the good stuff.....

I've been using the same torch since I was 12, no one has ever touched it, I'm 66

you need to use tin snips? POS Wiss aircraft snips are what you use.....you'll never see my good ones

ever see a $549 pair of tin snips on Ebay????? I know who made them.....and it wasn't a factory

I loaned a Forum member a pair of Bluebird 212 'duckbills'......"oh my God so this is what tin snips are supposed to do!!!!"

yes......

 

[KEH]

Not a lot of experience here since my SO Phillips tip gives no trouble. The triangular black handle fell apart, replacement works fine.

Other SO drivers including a small SO Phillips, not trouble also.

I don't beat on them BTW. Have a collection of cheap one to beat on.

KEH

 

[wornoutoldman]

Just a thought. Are you using the phillips tip screwdrivers on pozidrive fasteners?

 

[trpearcy]

Just a thought. Are you using the phillips tip screwdrivers on pozidrive fasteners?

No, just normal Phillips head screws. Nothing fancy.

I hope it's just a bad batch. I'm going to ask my dealer to exchange my set.

Thanks for the input folks

 

[Ruger_556]

I purchased a set of new SO screwdrivers from my dealer last week, and
the first day I used the large Phillips, first screw, the tip snapped off. No big deal, I understand defects, and my dealer replaced the blade for me same day.

Today I used my small Phillips for the first time, and same thing. But this time it didn't snap, it just got all chewed and twisted up. I know my dealer will fix this for me, but I'm starting to wonder if SO screwdrivers are as good as they used to be.
Did I get a bad set? Or is the SO screwdriver quality going down?

Thanks

You got a bad set... Mine are a few months old and indestructible

 

[toddacimer]

I've never snapped a Phillips screwdriver except a Snapon instinct handled #2 blade, twice. My thought is the bits grab so much better than most others that I'm less likely to grab the right tool, an impact driver.

 

[DieselSaves]

You got a bad set... Mine are a few months old and indestructible

Most of the SO stuff I've warranties in the past few years has been broken in its first few uses, sometimes just the first use. Never had a problem with the replacements for the broken stuff. The rest of the stuff lasts and lasts. I've chalked it off to defects in the individual pieces more than total quality control breakdown.

 

[Conductor562]

Snap-On defects??? Blasphemy!

TheKnurl: A torch at 12? Man, those were the good old days. Just last night I told my mother she was a terrible parent because she bought me a set of yard darts for my 8th birthday.

 

[DSM21]

oh and I use them as screwdrivers not chisels or pry bars

I abuse the **** out of my screwdrivers, mostly as pry bars, but occasionally I use them as screwdrivers

 

[1950mercury]

When i first bought my instincts the #2 phillips chiped on the first screw had it replaced and its been good for a couple years now

 

[devilsnight]

I bought a set new 5 years ago, the phillips tips constantly stripped out. I switched to whitte and haven't had a problem since. It makes me wonder, SO T-handle torx wrenches never break far as I've seen. Why don't they use the same material to make their screwdrivers? Just my two cents.

 

[azhatchback]

Instincts soft & hard in an industrial setting for last 8 years with zero issues. Black handle SO's for 5 years before that. I love the soft grip instincts so much I bought a set of these for home. Instinct soft grip socket drivers 1/4 & 3/8 drive are flat out awesome. I quit using my nut drivers. You must have got a bad set. Call SO their coustomer service is awesome! I have never dealt with the truck as I work in an industrial plant not a shop.

 

[Badger 13]

I had one of my Phillips tip break apart years ago with the old black handle. Snap on replaced the driver, and never had any other issues. Never bent one, but I don't "abuse" then either. Like others have said, I'm the ONLY one that use the my tools..

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I love the instinct handles. Before they came out I was using sk and matco screwdrivers.

 

[trpearcy]

Just a quick update here; my dealer came by today, and I had him fix my second screwdriver that broke, and I asked him if he'd ever seen anything like this. He said he's seen a few sets over the years where it's like it was a bad batch or something.
Anyways. He said it's not at all common, but he has seen this before.