Some PB Swiss Goodness

[lipadj46]

I got these screwdrivers from Amazon at 70% off for a grand total of $53 with tax. They are pretty cool sets with only 2 repeats (flat #2 an #3) but you can never have too many flat heads. There is even a screwdriver with a bulb in the handle that you can use to test for live wires. I like the PB Swiss quality so much I just ordered a dozen more longer and larger sizes from Amazon (at more than 70% off). It really pays to scour amazon sometimes

 

[american lockpicker]

Very nice score.

 

[Monte]

lots of nice screwdrivers !

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Hooooooooooooooooly **** that's a lot of nice screwdrivers right there..

 

[Danglerb]

I like the metal the blades are made of, seems very high quality, handles stink a little, and I am unfortunately developing a preference for the SwissGrip vs the Classic handles. My next batch are due to arrive on the 20th, then I need to lay out ALL of my screwdrivers and sort them into working sets and various tool boxes.

 

[Theloniousmonk]

those are some great looking drivers - nice score!... due to all this raving about PB, I guess I'll pick one up, or two.

 

[lipadj46]

I like the metal the blades are made of, seems very high quality, handles stink a little, and I am unfortunately developing a preference for the SwissGrip vs the Classic handles.

Yeah the classic grips are not the most comfortable but still feel nice in the hand, for the price I'm not complaining. The fit and finish are the best I've seen. Putting them next to my williams USA screwdrivers is kind of like putting knipex pliers next to channellock pliers.

 

[Jack Olsen]

I recently did an Amazon run of my own. I wish they made all the included racks the same color, with allowances for more specific sizes. I had to make my own.

I also got some Wiha stubbies.

 

[volpster31]

ive got my amazon cart loaded with some swiss grips right now....i scour the 70% off section every day and find something new every time... i think im gonna check out some classic handles too now that i see your score

 

[spv]

I "have" to get myself some of those Swiss Grip. The hardest part is finding them from a seller that has reasonable shipping to Australia!

@Jack Olsen: I really like your storage solution. Simple and clean.

 

[apong23]

I have a few of the swiss grips, and they are my go to screwdrivers.

 

[Steve_P]

I bought some PB Swiss drivers from amzn a while back on clearance and returned them. The handles are way too small for even a normal sized hand, and, as said, they DO stink. I'm sure I'm going to get flamed for this but I think everyone is enamoured by the "swiss" part of the name. I'm not saying it's junk, I'm sure it is quality stuff, but I think it's overblown. If it was "PB Brazil" the bottom line is no one would care about them.

 

[Jack Olsen]

I'm not saying it's junk, I'm sure it is quality stuff, but I think it's overblown. If it was "PB Brazil" the bottom line is no one would care about them.

You're probably right about that, to some extent. It's the tips that impress me more than the handles. I like the way the flat ones have the corners slightly rounded and the wedge flattened where it meets the groove of the screw.

But then -- perspective check -- we're talking about screwdrivers, here. The one stamped out crudely by some poor peasant in China is still going to turn 99.99% of fasteners exactly the same as the one that some German quality-control inspector checked out under a microscope.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I bought some PB Swiss drivers from amzn a while back on clearance and returned them. The handles are way too small for even a normal sized hand, and, as said, they DO stink. I'm sure I'm going to get flamed for this but I think everyone is enamoured by the "swiss" part of the name. I'm not saying it's junk, I'm sure it is quality stuff, but I think it's overblown. If it was "PB Brazil" the bottom line is no one would care about them.

I can assure you that they're top quality and there is very little to rival them, let alone beat them. My dad's had some PB stuff for 30+ years and it still looks new.

I received some today and again it's excellent. Can't fault them for anything, fit, finish or quality.

As for country of origin ("PB Brazil") some of us are more worried about how the tool works than were it's made. I'm going out of my way to buy specific Wera screwdrivers that are made in, and only sold in, South Africa for me and a few other members. If those same screwdrivers were made in Brazil i'd be doing the same to get them.

 

[Monte]

The fitment of the PB tips is very good especially PH and PZ, i don´t think other screwdrivers fit better.

 

[MadMark]

the fitment on the PH1 longs, those over 100mm is not too good.
Had to return one to Amazon, a long Swiss grip ph1

 

[Vinko]

But then -- perspective check -- we're talking about screwdrivers, here. The one stamped out crudely by some poor peasant in China is still going to turn 99.99% of fasteners exactly the same as the one that some German quality-control inspector checked out under a microscope.

Hasn't been my experience, but perhaps I'm dealing with the .01%

As for the Brazil comment: I think that's an astute one, but the fact is they're not made in Brazil and the fit and finish of much of the PB Swiss stuff I've seen is amazing. And all the more amazing for the fact that's it's so inexpensive for the quality.

 

[blue dog]

The dude in the brown truck came by the house while i was home for lunch today. If you keep checking amazon, you will find good deals.

 

[lipadj46]

Nice I have 2 more PB orders coming in from amazon today I just can't seem to resist cheap screwdrivers. I will post up pics later.

 

[masya44]

I've been looking at these screwdrivers for a little over a week, but wasn't sure about the handle size. Seems kinda small. But after reading all the comments above gonna buy a set now. Thanks

 

[lipadj46]

I've been looking at these screwdrivers for a little over a week, but wasn't sure about the handle size. Seems kinda small. But after reading all the comments above gonna buy a set now. Thanks

They are skinny but they are the "classic" handles and that is how screwdrivers were when I was growing up so I kind of dig them. They do make more ergonomic handles but I don't know how ergonomic do you need handles to be? Maybe if you are a pro screwdriver turner and turned screws all day or if you need lots of torque. For me if I can get 30 top notch screwdrivers for $100 I can live with a "classic" grip.

 

[mkdive]

Very nice.....

Post em up in this thread!
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32787

After looking at those PBswiss drivers....I think I need to stumble over to amazon and make use of our amazon prime! I have a set of the PBswiss picks and a couple of their screwdrivers.....(I think I'm about to add to the assortment after seeing the ones you just picked up)!

 

[Bolster]

Wow we all got our tools about the same time!

My slotted/phil/tester/awl set showed up yesterday.

That yellow handled screwdriver tester is an odd thing. I've not owned one before and it freaked me out...it's going to use ME as a GROUND to test for current?!?

Say what?!?!

But I screwed up my courage and tested it out. Works, but very dim bulb, almost visible only in darkened rooms. Must really be geared more toward 220V.

...Still, feels odd to be sticking a screwdriver blade into an outlet...

Yes, the handles are trim...for me that's an advantage...my set is going into my travel box where space is at a premium...

 

[lipadj46]

Wow we all got our tools about the same time!

My slotted/phil/tester/awl set showed up yesterday.

That yellow handled screwdriver tester is an odd thing. I've not owned one before and it freaked me out...it's going to use ME as a GROUND to test for current?!?

Say what?!?!

But I screwed up my courage and tested it out. Works, but very dim bulb, almost visible only in darkened rooms. Must really be geared more toward 220V.

yeah i don't have the balls to stick it in a 220 outlet and I tossed the directions so I'm not sure if you are supposed to. I assume it is dull so it will last this side of forever.

 

[Bolster]

I think it's rated for up to 240...printed on the handle itself... so...stick your shaft in, and enjoy the ride!!

(Serously, I wouldn't be stickin' my shaft in a 220V either, I don't care what it says...I don't like being used as the ground.)

 

[dkroth]

yeah i don't have the balls to stick it in a 220 outlet and I tossed the directions so I'm not sure if you are supposed to. I assume it is dull so it will last this side of forever.

The hot lead on a 120V outlet is the same as either half of a 240V outlet.

 

[Bolster]

So the bulb would pretty much glow the same for 120 as for 240 then?

I can imagine some poor schlub using this voltage tester in a bright room, seeing no bulb light up in the handle, and then proceeding to work on a live circuit, thinking it's dead.

I'm skeptical about it as a tester. I think it'll work fine as a screwdriver, though.

 

[lipadj46]

The hot lead on a 120V outlet is the same as either half of a 240V outlet.

good to know, still not going unplug the drier to find out, it may come in handy one day at the camp so I tossed it in the truck tool box.

 

[lipadj46]

OK order #3 the Big ******* Screwdriver order even the stubby is big, total $26 with tax. I put a snap on ratcheting driver in for scale:

 

[pep]

dammit...I do *not* need any more screwdrivers.

But...the PB Swiss Pimp Set (tm) went into the $23.** range, so there you go. Plus, I'll pick up those same long screwdrivers as shown above.

This is getting ridiculous.

 

[lipadj46]

I only had 1 set of williams USA screwdrivers and now I have pretty much all I will ever need. Those long ones are the 500mm and 400mm models, the model number ends in 500 and 400. There are all kinds of out of reach screws on my truck that I always string together 1/4" extensions and use bit drivers, these are just the ticket.

 

[blue dog]

OK order #3 the Big ******* Screwdriver order even the stubby is big, total $26 with tax. I put a snap on ratcheting driver in for scale:

Can you give us the pb swiss numbers for the long drivers please.
It has become a sickness, i received 1 amazon pb order all ready, an other one is due tomorrow and the last one on the 26th.

It is all BOLSTER'S fault. I am hitting max density on my current rollaway, so many more things i want.

 

[lipadj46]

sure:

140/6-500 the really long one
140/5-400 the next long flat head
190/2-400 the long #2 phillips
100/8 the monster flat head

Yeah it is getting ridiculous. I have one more order with 5 more screwdrivers. Some pozidrives to fill out my sizes and some others

 

[Bolster]

It is all BOLSTER'S fault. I am hitting max density on my current rollaway, so many more things i want.

My evil plan is working.

 

[dkroth]

Can you give us the pb swiss numbers for the long drivers please.

In order, top to bottom, as best I can figure:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001D2ODRA/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001D2VJBI/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001D2VJ7W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[blue dog]

Thanks guys for the numbers, and Bolster, i am zeroing in on your home, closer and closer each week. I have been listening for the wife that is screaming, stop buying tools. I started at the 405 and am working my way west from there. It is only a matter of time before i find you, and when i do, i am going to buy you a cold beverage of your choice for turning me onto a couple of good deals at this point.
Hi , i am blue dogs dad and i have a tool addiction. It feels so much better to say it out loud, try it.

 

[blarf]

They are skinny but they are the "classic" handles and that is how screwdrivers were when I was growing up so I kind of dig them. They do make more ergonomic handles but I don't know how ergonomic do you need handles to be? Maybe if you are a pro screwdriver turner and turned screws all day or if you need lots of torque. For me if I can get 30 top notch screwdrivers for $100 I can live with a "classic" grip.

For me the Wiha handles are a bit bigger, and the SwissGrip handles fit my hands perfectly. Of course the compromise, the ones that never go on sale, are the Multicraft ones which are hard CAB handles shaped like the SwissGrips... with a bit of texture thrown in. Agreed that for the money I won't complain (but the classic handles do stink a bit).

 

[Bolster]

Thanks guys for the numbers, and Bolster, i am zeroing in on your home, closer and closer each week. I have been listening for the wife that is screaming, stop buying tools. I started at the 405 and am working my way west from there. It is only a matter of time before i find you, and when i do, i am going to buy you a cold beverage of your choice for turning me onto a couple of good deals at this point.

Damn, you're good. You musta been some kinda hunting dog in your previous life. I now realize it is only a matter of time before I feel your fingers squoozing my neck, as you pour a Fat Tire down my gullet, get me snockered, and hoodwink me into selling you all my fine tools for a dime on the dollar. So whilst I am still free and sober I am warning you: My mill is Chinese, I paid $900 for it, took me two weeks to tram it, and I'll not take less than $90!

 

[lipadj46]

For me the Wiha handles are a bit bigger, and the SwissGrip handles fit my hands perfectly. Of course the compromise, the ones that never go on sale, are the Multicraft ones which are hard CAB handles shaped like the SwissGrips... with a bit of texture thrown in. Agreed that for the money I won't complain (but the classic handles do stink a bit).

Yeah I smelled them for the first time today and they do smell a bit funky. That was the first time I have sniffed a tool glad no one walked into the garage and saw me.

 

[Bolster]

They smell funky but they taste pretty good.