Strongest 1/8" slotted driver?

[NoahG]

Hello GarageJournal, been lurking for a while, but I decided to finally start posting. General Tool Discussion is the best tool forum I've found on the web, so its probably where I'll be spending most of my time on this site. I joined this site during Wilde Wednesday, and have been enjoying such threads as Custom Handled Ratchets and Green Snap On ****. I'm not an auto mechanic by trade, rather I work in the entertainment industry. My day to day life is building theatrical scenery, setting up large scale AV systems, electrical repair and maintenance, and the various parts of other industries that we've connected to stagecraft.

So with that out of the way, I'm looking for opinions on the strongest 1/8" slotted driver you know of. I'd like something that is NOT pocket sized.

Some examples I already have:
Xcelite R181, solid but very pocket size.

Klein 612-4. I bought it because they advertised the tip as being "19% stronger than competitors", but I tweaked it on the first set screw I tried it on.

Craftsman Pro 47189. Liking it so far, but its keystone tip, and I'd prefer cabinet. Haven't really had to use it hard - yet.

I'm open to anything. PB Swiss or Snap On or Felo or whatever. COO isn't as important (of course I prefer American/Europe) but really, I just want strength. I'd prefer cabinet tip but keystone isn't a deal breaker.

Thanks

 

[Outlawmws]

Have you checked into a gunsmith's driver, those are typically about as strong as it gets for small slotted drivers. You do want to know exactly the slot width (Blade thickness) as well. Strength won't help if its not a good fit.

 

[oldldh]

Proto Classic Yellow Handle Professional will do what you want it to...

I've got them all, and they are as good as it gets...

Epstein should have what you want...

The model# is Proto 9646C...this screwdriver is a square shank...

 

[shockwave]

I like the Williams hard handle the goes a lot deeper than wittes. I prfer the hard handles they feel better in your hands than the snap on instinct or soft grip. I have not used cman pro before.

 

[ttpete]

I've gone over to mostly replaceable tip drivers, and the strongest bits of the type you want come from Apex. They make tools for assembly line work, and everything is made to last a long time.

 

[Shoebox Driver]

The Mac PN2B is a beast. Mine has seen lots of abuse. Square shaft, pocket clip (mine disappeared years ago), and nice hard handle. Unfortunately, it is likely an ebay item these days.

 

[Shoebox Driver]

 

[aptdweller]

I used to use 3/16" screwdrivers all the time for work. They stocked Kleins and some days I would go through two or three. I used to have my own Xcellites, but I found they were all over the map - some lasted a long time and some were as soft as the Kliens.

I am quite fond of Wera screwdivers in general, though the smallest full size screwdriver they make is 3.5 mm or 9/64ths. The upside is that they are quite cheap at about $4. They also make a chisel driver in the same size, though I have no experience with it.

The other brand I would reccomend is PB Swiss, who make a really wide variety of screwdrivers. The PB 8100.3-120 sounds like what you are looking for. They also make a short (50 mm) and long versions of it as well (200, 250 mm).

 

[MatBirch]

I have a Husky from. HD, and believe it or not, it is fantastic! Has a nice normal sized handle, well balanced and strong. I spend a lot of time landing wires in DIN rail terminal blocks and it sees a ton of use. The other electricians on staff are constantly swiping it from me. I think it cost me like 7$!

 

[zkling]

How about the wera chisle drivers or something from PB swiss? Where is Monte?

If you found a nice hard screwdriver you like you could always make one. It would be chisle cabinet or hollow ground style though.

 

[KamiCrit]

A crazy idea would be to make your own. Find a small chisel or drift punch and file that down to size. You'd have a screwdriver that would last till the end of time and would not qualify as a pocket screwdriver.

 

[Monte]

How about the wera chisle drivers or something from PB swiss? Where is Monte?

Here

What zkling said

 

[jeffmoss26]

Welcome aboard to the OP.
Just wondering what the use of this slotted driver is? Are you torquing down lugs or something similar?
I did sound/lighting/video work all throughout HS and college. Good times!

 

[bart1]

A crazy idea would be to make your own. Find a small chisel or drift punch and file that down to size. You'd have a screwdriver that would last till the end of time and would not qualify as a pocket screwdriver.

Not the right steel or hardness, don't do that.

I'd vote Wiha or Felo. Or find a good bit from those brands or SnapOn and a good bit holder.

 

[NoahG]

Welcome aboard to the OP.
Just wondering what the use of this slotted driver is? Are you torquing down lugs or something similar?
I did sound/lighting/video work all throughout HS and college. Good times!

Essentially, yes, but rather small lugs, typically with 12 gauge stranded wire and a ferrule sleeve. There are a bunch of Stagepin connectors out there that used a small brass set screw with a 1/8" slotted head. It seems that I deal with them in the field pretty regularly. Its not just torquing tight that will bend the head of a 1/8" driver, but often removing the set screw will too. The manufacturers have since switched to a phillip pan head screw, but the set screws are still in wide circulation.

Aside from that specific usage, DIN rails, small low voltage connectors and video equipment often need a 1/8" driver. In these situations, the torque required is less, but I would like to avoid fastener damage as much as possible. Since I work out of a tool bag, I'd rather not have a buggered up 1/8" driver, or have to carry 3 of them.


Right now I think I'm going to pick up a driver from PB Swiss and some bits from Apex.

 

[NoahG]

I have a Husky from. HD, and believe it or not, it is fantastic! Has a nice normal sized handle, well balanced and strong. I spend a lot of time landing wires in DIN rail terminal blocks and it sees a ton of use. The other electricians on staff are constantly swiping it from me. I think it cost me like 7$!

Their cushion handle one, or the one that looks like a Craftsman hard handle?

 

[jeffmoss26]

I've never seen stage pin connectors like that, just a pan head brass screw, slotted on the older ones, phillips on the newer.

Got a picture of the connector by chance? I always carried a tweaker with me for terminal blocks, never really had to torque down on much (euro blocks on audio equipment mainly)

 

[NoahG]

I'll try to find a photo/take a photo the next time I deal with one. They're odd to be sure. Some of the newest ones are starting to come with slotted/Phillips/square combo screws.

And yes, my Xcelite Tweaker always stays in the gig bag.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

 

[MatBirch]

Their cushion handle one, or the one that looks like a Craftsman hard handle?

Red plastic with cushion. In use today! Sorry, the part # is worn off

 

[bob from indiana]

At work we use a lot of Wiha 3.5mm or 9/64" drivers for terminals. mcmaster-carr sells them.
I have a Vaco 1/8"x6" blade driver that I like. It has a bigger handle than the Wiha.

 

[Deskmechanic]

I have a few Wera "Carburetor Screwdrivers" with ground tips that are amazing. I am not sure if they make them narrower, but you could look into that...

 

[Dave455]

Another vote for PB Swiss!

Strongest option would be to get the interchangeable bit driver and a 3mm bit! That way you get the biggest handle and strongest driver for the size of tip!