Stubby screwdrivers

[dink]

Do you guys use these alot or what? I have both phillips and flathead and I hardly use them

What are your guys takes on these screwdrivers

 

[kartracer55]

Rarely...

although They do make stubby roller clutch screwdrivers (the drive system with like 0 degrees ratchet arc) and I was thinkin about one of those, but then again, it wouldbe cooler if it was a 1/4 driver. Snap on makes a really nice 1/4 ratcheting scredriver type thing but I wouldnt pay 60 for one lol

Jim

 

[dink]

This is my baby in terms of my screwdrivers

http://www.wera.de/vshop/wera_pics/imgdb/pictures/380JPEG/98_4_380.jpg

clutchless 0 degree

 

[kartracer55]

No you mean pawless... Thats a roller clutch design

Jim

 

[dink]

Whatever....that is my baby....I use this more than any other screwdriver

 

[kartracer55]

Snap on has a driver with a1/4 square on it, and its a really fine ratchet on the thing. I love it but I dont need it enough to pay 60 for it

Jim

 

[dink]

Snap on has a driver with a1/4 square on it, and its a really fine ratchet on the thing. I love it but I dont need it enough to pay 60 for it

Jim

Yea MSC has the Wera for 48.04.....believe me its a much better product then the Snap-on....actually Wera makes the Snap-on.....I just remembered this from my last convo with my sales manager when I repped Wera

 

[kartracer55]

Once again... paying for than little snap on logo on thier

Jim

 

[dink]

Once again... paying for than little snap on logo on thier

Jim

That is why I wont buy Snap-on....you really never know what Snap-on makes and what they dont

 

[kartracer55]

yeah, snap ons regular hand tools are great, but thier welders arnt worth what they charge, thier taps are the same as craftsman... both made by vermont american. Thier drill bits are just overpriced hanson...

Jim

 

[dink]

yeah, snap ons regular hand tools are great, but thier welders arnt worth what they charge, thier taps are the same as craftsman... both made by vermont american. Thier drill bits are just overpriced hanson...

Jim

Eh whatever Snap-on doesnt care....they know there are plenty of suckers out there that dont know

 

[kartracer55]

Yup... and people still swer anythign snap on is the best... all i can do is laugh because they are gettin screwed

Jim

 

[dink]

Yup... and people still swer anythign snap on is the best... all i can do is laugh because they are gettin screwed

Jim

Unless its there Wrenches and sockets then its a different story...we all know Snap-on is a superior line in this category

 

[kartracer55]

Yup they have great hand tools, but I wouldnt buy anything from snap on besides thier hand tools and tool boxes... I cant see spending $80 on a hammer, I buy the cheapest USA made that I can find. I also cnat see buying snap on branded latex or nitrile gloves... rediculous. Also, Id NEVER buy something like an electric meter from them.

Jim

 

[dink]

Yup they have great hand tools, but I wouldnt buy anything from snap on besides thier hand tools and tool boxes... I cant see spending $80 on a hammer, I buy the cheapest USA made that I can find. I also cnat see buying snap on branded latex or nitrile gloves... rediculous. Also, Id NEVER buy something like an electric meter from them.

Jim

If its a hammer I am buying the most I would buy is Estwing....I wouldnt buy the Snap-on tool boxes....I can buy a decent car for what they charge for there boxes

 

[kartracer55]

lol yeah thats true... but I mean as far as like quality, there arnt too many better boxes out there.

Jim

 

[dink]

lol yeah thats true... but I mean as far as like quality, there arnt too many better boxes out there.

Jim

Lista....end of discussion on boxes

 

[Swift]

Yea MSC has the Wera for 48.04.....believe me its a much better product then the Snap-on....actually Wera makes the Snap-on.....I just remembered this from my last convo with my sales manager when I repped Wera

Hey dink, I'm pretty sure the Snap-on ratcheting srewdriver is not made by Wera, but instead made by JH Williams, a division of Snap-on, so it says on their website. Just Google JH Williams tools and you'll see. I have both the JH Williams and Snap-on ratcheting screwdrivers and both have the same patent number on the handles and both have interchangeable guts. The main difference is the Snappy has a section of knurl on the shaft and the Williams one doesn't. Makes a difference. Also the handle is shaped a little differently, tri-lobe on the Williams and the traditional four sided one on the Snappy. These are the older design plastic handled ratcheting screwdrivers from Snap-on, not the newer rubber/plastic handled ones, which I don't like as much. But even the older design one is still available from Snappy. I have a couple of roller clutch screwdrivers and they just don't feel right compared to the Snap-on ratcheting ones. The Snap-ons have a very smooth ratcheting action, with just the right amount of backlash and backdrag, unlike the roller clutch ones that have little or no feel to them while turning. All you have to do is hold one of the Snappys upside down and spin the handle on the shaft with your thumb and you'll understand. Also, the magnet in the shaft of the Snappy and Williams is the strongest of all 1/4' shaft screwdrivers that I have ever tried. They can easily hold two to four screws with the bit in the holder, with most other brands, you're lucky if it can hold one screw. This is very important if you're working in a deep crevice or upside down under a dash. But, this is just my opinion. Now, for the most used bit, the number two philips,(come to think of it, even the number one and three philips have this design) the Snap-on shine through again. These bits are made in the USA and have little flutes on the end of the tips. Those little lines or flutes really make a huge difference because they grab the screw much tighter, so it prevents cam-out or stripping of the screws. That's how I was sold on these ratcheting screwdrivers, roughly 13 years or so ago, a fellow mechanic saw that I was having difficulty in removing a philips screw and that it was starting to strip, he handed me his Snappy with the fluted tip and I didn't think it was going to make difference from using my Craftsman screwdriver. Boy was I wrong, the screw just felt like it grabbed on and came out easily. I showed this same thing to another mechanic years later when he couldn't remove a philips screw on his motorcycle and he said the say thing, if his high end screwdriver is working the Snappys not going to make a differenc. He ended up eating his words like I did after the screw came out first try and he had been on it for awhile. The Snap-ons are worth twice the price. Really if the Snap-on were double the price I'd still buy one. There aren't many tools you can say that about. Also, I think it's one of my favourite tools. Now there's two good new threads, tools that you'd really pay double for and what's your favourite hand tool.

 

[Swift]

Yea MSC has the Wera for 48.04.....believe me its a much better product then the Snap-on....actually Wera makes the Snap-on.....I just remembered this from my last convo with my sales manager when I repped Wera

Hey dink, I'm pretty sure the Snap-on ratcheting srewdriver is not made by Wera, but instead made by JH Williams, a division of Snap-on, so it says on their website. Just Google JH Williams tools and you'll see. I have both the JH Williams and Snap-on ratcheting screwdrivers and both have the same patent number on the handles and both have interchangeable guts. The main difference is the Snappy has a section of knurl on the shaft and the Williams one doesn't. Makes a difference. Also the handle is shaped a little differently, tri-lobe on the Williams and the traditional four sided one on the Snappy. These are the older design plastic handled ratcheting screwdrivers from Snap-on, not the newer rubber/plastic handled ones, which I don't like as much. But even the older design one is still available from Snappy. I have a couple of roller clutch screwdrivers and they just don't feel right compared to the Snap-on ratcheting ones. The Snap-ons have a very smooth ratcheting action, with just the right amount of backlash and backdrag, unlike the roller clutch ones that have little or no feel to them while turning. All you have to do is hold one of the Snappys upside down and spin the handle on the shaft with your thumb and you'll understand. Also, the magnet in the shaft of the Snappy and Williams is the strongest of all 1/4' shaft screwdrivers that I have ever tried. They can easily hold two to four screws with the bit in the holder, with most other brands, you're lucky if it can hold one screw. This is very important if you're working in a deep crevice or upside down under a dash and don't want the screw to fall off the bit. Very annoying. But, this is just my opinion. Now, for the most used bit, the number two philips,(come to think of it, even the number one and three philips have this design) the Snap-on shine through again. These bits are made in the USA and have little flutes on the end of the tips. Those little lines or flutes really make a huge difference because they grab the screw much tighter, so it prevents cam-out or stripping of the screws. That's how I was sold on these ratcheting screwdrivers, roughly 13 years or so ago, a fellow mechanic saw that I was having difficulty in removing a philips screw and that it was starting to strip, he handed me his Snappy with the fluted tip and I didn't think it was going to make difference from using my Craftsman screwdriver. Boy was I wrong, the screw just felt like it grabbed on and came out easily. I showed this same thing to another mechanic years later when he couldn't remove a philips screw on his motorcycle and he said the same thing, if his high end screwdriver isn't working, then the Snappys not going to make a difference. He ended up eating his words like I did after the screw came out first try and he had been on it for awhile. BTW, you can buy just the bits off the Snap-on truck and they're not very expensive, just make sure they have the little flutes on the end of them. My current number two philips bit has lasted more than eights years of hard daily use and now it's just starting to show signs of wear. I'll have to replace mine soon. Other than losing the bits, they'll be around a long time in your toolbox. The Snap-ons are worth twice the price. Really if the Snap-on were double the price I'd still buy one. There aren't many tools you can say that about. Well worth the 70 dollars Canadian, and I don't think the price has changed much in the last ten years. Seriously, I will agree that Snap-on tools are (sometimes) over priced, but not in this case. And for the most part, they are the best in their catagory and really only warrant those prices if you use your tools to make a living and want the best. Also, I think it's one of my favourite tools. Now there's two good new threads, tools that you'd really pay double for and what's your favourite hand tool. Sorry for the long post, but you know how it is, when you're talking tools, especially about one of your favourite tools. LOL!!

 

[dink]

I will stick with the Wera insert bits....bi-torsion...also you have the choice of diamond coating on the whole bit....not just the tip

here is a link to a standard bi-torsion bit...bi-torsion brings all the stress and flex to the middle of the bit so it turns in the middle and not on the end...allowing the big to last longer

http://www.wera.de/cgi-bin/vshop?ID...=wera_listtemplates/product_list_6fields.html

Here is what I use....diamond coated bi-torsion bit

http://www.wera.de/cgi-bin/vshop?ID...=wera_listtemplates/product_list_6fields.html

 

[kartracer55]

favourite

lol




I dont recall ever seeing one of the fluted screwdriver bits like you mentioned, but Ill have to keep my eye out. One thing that I really like are those impacting screwdrivers... Handy as hell. I dont have one but I have used them on many occasions. One hit loosens even the tightest of screws, and they wont strip as long as your applying a decent amount of downward pressure.

Jim

 

[dink]

lol




I dont recall ever seeing one of the fluted screwdriver bits like you mentioned, but Ill have to keep my eye out. One thing that I really like are those impacting screwdrivers... Handy as hell. I dont have one but I have used them on many occasions. One hit loosens even the tightest of screws, and they wont strip as long as your applying a decent amount of downward pressure.

Jim

Cant forget about exspensive exspensive exspensive....I would also like to have one for working on engines...for those bolts that require a not so tight torqueing...like valve cover bolts and nuts

 

[dink]

Also this is what he means by "flute" style insert bit

http://www.wera.de/cgi-bin/vshop?ID...=wera_listtemplates/product_list_6fields.html


But this isnt for anti cam....this is for a certain type of insert bit mainly seen in larger electronic components

Bits that have the anti cam out is either laser etched on the head in a side to side fashion or like what I have is diamond coated

 

[kartracer55]

I think Ive seen those!! I just dont know if I have ever seen a screwdriver like that, but I have def. seen bits.

Jim

 

[dink]

You can still use them in a standard phillips fastener screw....its just not for anti cam out

 

[Swift]

Also this is what he means by "flute" style insert bit

http://www.wera.de/cgi-bin/vshop?ID...=wera_listtemplates/product_list_6fields.html


But this isnt for anti cam....this is for a certain type of insert bit mainly seen in larger electronic components

Bits that have the anti cam out is either laser etched on the head in a side to side fashion or like what I have is diamond coated

No, the bits I'm talking about are from Snap-on and they came with the ratcheting screwdriver, and they are anti-camout. I said that they had flutes, like little lines at the tip, but Snap-on calls them ACR ( anti-camout ribs ). Check their website, they show a pretty good closeup of one. Like I said before, they work great and they don't cost an arm and a leg, a couple of dollars and they're made in USA. Those Beta bits look good, but it's not as easy to find a distributor for them and if the prices are correct in British pounds from a few websites, then they do cost an arm and a leg. Also, maybe it's just me, but I couldn't find a distributor for Beta in the US or Canada on the web, just in Europe.

 

[dink]

No, the bits I'm talking about are from Snap-on and they came with the ratcheting screwdriver, and they are anti-camout. I said that they had flutes, like little lines at the tip, but Snap-on calls them ACR ( anti-camout ribs ). Check their website, they show a pretty good closeup of one. Like I said before, they work great and they don't cost an arm and a leg, a couple of dollars and they're made in USA. Those Beta bits look good, but it's not as easy to find a distributor for them and if the prices are correct in British pounds from a few websites, then they do cost an arm and a leg. Also, maybe it's just me, but I couldn't find a distributor for Beta in the US or Canada on the web, just in Europe.

Here is the link for BETA USA

http://www.betatoolsusa.com/index.php

 

[davethorik]

Not really a stubby stubby, but I use this Sears one, just wish they also had it in phillips:

http://www.acehardware.com/product/..._clickid=edb75a31-8e7a-48c3-b29d-6d01c70f60df

You had to dig up an 11 year old thread to tell us this?

On the bright side, glad Dink isn't an active member any more, Wera makes Snap-on ratcheting screwdrivers? That's priceless,

 

[BillMoney]

Rarely used but great to have when you actually need them