Tekton Screwdriver's: Any Good?

[cole_CT]

Was just browsing on Amazon for a much needed set of screwdrivers and came across these: http://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-2757-Mechanics-Screwdriver-8-Piece/dp/B000NPXHPW/ref=sr_1_13?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1374547399&sr=1-13&keywords=screwdriver
I know they are probably Chinese and aren't great quality but the reviews seem generally positive.
If you have any recommendations for a medium duty screwdriver set that would be much appreciated. I am only interested in the sets where the majority of the screwdrivers have hex bolsters.

On a side note, I also would want a separate (perhaps) set of 1 or 2 extra heavy duty flat blade screwdrivers that I would use as a prybar more than anything else, therefore saving my other flat headed screwdrivers, for their intended purpose of screwdriving.

Thanks,
Cole

 

[gagreen]

Tekton has close to the best customer service in the industry... so they have that. I believe these are close to identical to a set available at hf, I have the hf set at the house for light use. I would not use them at work, but I have no real complaints about them, if they are the same. I found a lot of twins in tools between tekton and harbor freight, but being cheap I'd go with tekton as all it takes is a quick call or email and they put a replacement in the mail.

 

[Conductor562]

A member here named Dave R works for Tekton and is very good about fielding questions and answering honestly. I've got a few Tekton items. They have become my go to when I need a cheap solution. They have a lifetime warranty and they are fantastic in honoring it. For under $9 I'd say they're worth a shot.

 

[cole_CT]

Tekton has close to the best customer service in the industry... so they have that. I believe these are close to identical to a set available at hf, I have the hf set at the house for light use. I would not use them at work, but I have no real complaints about them, if they are the same. I found a lot of twins in tools between tekton and harbor freight, but being cheap I'd go with tekton as all it takes is a quick call or email and they put a replacement in the mail.

Are these the ones that you have?
http://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-heavy-duty-screwdriver-set-66173.html

 

[cole_CT]

A member here named Dave R works for Tekton and is very good about fielding questions and answering honestly. I've got a few Tekton items. They have become my go to when I need a cheap solution. They have a lifetime warranty and they are fantastic in honoring it. For under $9 I'd say they're worth a shot.

Yeah, what's the worst that could happen? I mean I'm not gonna thrash on them but I would like something that will last a while with some care, which this set seems to be capable of.

 

[Conductor562]

Yeah, what's the worst that could happen? I mean I'm not gonna thrash on them but I would like something that will last a while with some care, which this set seems to be capable of.

If they **** out Tekton will send you a new one without any kind of hassle. As stated previously, their customer service is probably the best out there. Their Tap & Die sets carry the lifetime warranty as well.

 

[gagreen]

Are these the ones that you have?
http://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-heavy-duty-screwdriver-set-66173.html

Yeah, I like them well enough to not be upset with the price. I really like the stubby's. Wish i'd have gone with tekton tho but they were an impulse buy while at the store.

 

[cole_CT]

Free shipping only makes it that much better

 

[TwoInch]

short answer - no, they arent very good.

but are they worth the small amount asked. probably, if you need cheap screwdrivers that will end up left in the rain. i personally dont need bottom barrel screwdrivers, as mid level decent quality drivers are dime a dozen.

 

[cole_CT]

short answer - no, they arent very good.

but are they worth the small amount asked. probably, if you need cheap screwdrivers that will end up left in the rain. i personally dont need bottom barrel screwdrivers, as mid level decent quality drivers are dime a dozen.

Do you have any recommendations for a set a step above Tekton that won't break the bank? (<$50)

 

[ilovevocs]

Good value in the felo wood handles..


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XDNSQ2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[stratman977]

If your'e looking for thin hard handled ones these are really decent for the money.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/URREA-Am...iver-Set-8-Piece-9600D/202797771#.Ue6uTNK-oog

 

[TwoInch]

Do you have any recommendations for a set a step above Tekton that won't break the bank? (<$50)

well, what type of set are you looking for? how many piece, and type roughly

 

[boosteddsm92]

For the price, these are tough to beat

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NH5F30/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[gagreen]

For the price, these are tough to beat

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NH5F30/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I agree but you are jumping from 6 bucks to 50... there are better deals on drivers out there for someone using them frugally. I'd say go with tekton as it sounds like you are going to beat them up. If you want a better quality i'd put pratt read as the next step up or a set of the economy wera's. I wouldn't spend 50 bucks on screwdrivers going in with the intention of using them as a pry bar. 50 bucks is the bottom border of expensive screwdrivers going up.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0032AMIV4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XITE7E/?tag=atomicindus08-20

good choices if you want to spend 3x the money, but for what you seem to need the tekton's will serve you just as well.

 

[Dave.R]

Was just browsing on Amazon for a much needed set of screwdrivers and came across these: http://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-2757-Mechanics-Screwdriver-8-Piece/dp/B000NPXHPW/ref=sr_1_13?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1374547399&sr=1-13&keywords=screwdriver
I know they are probably Chinese and aren't great quality but the reviews seem generally positive.
If you have any recommendations for a medium duty screwdriver set that would be much appreciated. I am only interested in the sets where the majority of the screwdrivers have hex bolsters.

On a side note, I also would want a separate (perhaps) set of 1 or 2 extra heavy duty flat blade screwdrivers that I would use as a prybar more than anything else, therefore saving my other flat headed screwdrivers, for their intended purpose of screwdriving.

Thanks,
Cole

Those are pretty good for around the house, but these are really pretty awesome. I've used them a lot at work and at home. If you're not a comfort grip guy I'd try these. http://www.tektontools.com/All_Products/27041

Couple more bucks, but you're getting a CRMO shaft vs High carbon, and the tips fit and "bite" really well.

Thanks for scoping our stuff out!

 

[TwoInch]

i use regular craftman red and blue screwdrivers as my beaters. you can find them on super sales all the time, and you can find them in every pawnshop across the country for less than a buck a piece.

do a generic tip hardening with a propane torch, quench in old motor oil(i use nondetergent)which cools the steel much slower than water, then a generic temper, and they hold up much better than the way they come new.

 

[cole_CT]

I agree but you are jumping from 6 bucks to 50... there are better deals on drivers out there for someone using them frugally. I'd say go with tekton as it sounds like you are going to beat them up. If you want a better quality i'd put pratt read as the next step up or a set of the economy wera's. I wouldn't spend 50 bucks on screwdrivers going in with the intention of using them as a pry bar. 50 bucks is the bottom border of expensive screwdrivers going up.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0032AMIV4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XITE7E/?tag=atomicindus08-20

good choices if you want to spend 3x the money, but for what you seem to need the tekton's will serve you just as well.

Those Wera's look nice I'll take those under consideration. I think I'll wait to spend a bit more money than the Tekton's and go with something in the price range that you've recommended. Thanks a bunch!

 

[cole_CT]

i use regular craftman red and blue screwdrivers as my beaters. you can find them on super sales all the time, and you can find them in every pawnshop across the country for less than a buck a piece.

do a generic tip hardening with a propane torch, quench in old motor oil, then generic temper, and they hold up much better than the way they come new.

Huh...never though of hardening the tips like that before. Maybe Ill try that technique on an old screwdriver.

 

[cole_CT]

Those are pretty good for around the house, but these are really pretty awesome. I've used them a lot at work and at home. If you're not a comfort grip guy I'd try these. http://www.tektontools.com/All_Products/27041

Couple more bucks, but you're getting a CRMO shaft vs High carbon, and the tips fit and "bite" really well.

Thanks for scoping our stuff out!

No problem, I mean this brand is hard to avoid!

 

[TOOL MASTER]

face it, tools will last as long as you don't abuse them..

 

[TwoInch]

Huh...never though of hardening the tips like that before. Maybe Ill try that technique on an old screwdriver.

takes a little practice, but i have it down enough to get a marked improvement over how those garbage standard Cman come.

just dont over heat them to an bright orange/yellow. seems best to heat them slow, to an obvious RED color, hold them at that temp for a minute, then cool them in oil. when oil quenching, be careful as you can leave the driver in the oil for quite a while and it still be hot enough to burn you when taking it out. figured that one out the hard way. i leave them in the oil for a good 2 minutes or so, and they will still be warm to the touch. temper them without quenching, setting them on a large steel or iron block or anvil. this allows them to cool slowly.

good idea to research it a little, so you see the process and know what color change to look for while heating. blue rings... etc..

 

[bobemmerich]

I'll throw my .02 in for what it's worth. I'm no cheap tool lover. Most of my stuff is U.S. made Allen or K-D.
Are there better drivers out there? Yes.
Are there cheaper one? Yes
Go with what you can afford.
I actually went to a tool place up in Windsor, Ct and checked out the Tekton tools. I've got to tell ya, a lot of the stuff I "played" with seemed to be of good quality, and some of the stuff seemed pretty heavy duty. If I was just building a set for the home garage, I would probably pick them up. For the price and warranty, you cant go wrong.

 

[Jawn]

I'm partial to these Pratt-Read drivers. Slim hard handle and they seem to be pretty decent quality. US made too.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001C00BYM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[crewchief]

I have these exact tekton screwdrivers which I too bought from amazon. They are my trash set at work and are great for situations I wont put my matcos on. I recommend them for light duty use or getting really nasty with.

 

[cole_CT]

I'll throw my .02 in for what it's worth. I'm no cheap tool lover. Most of my stuff is U.S. made Allen or K-D.
Are there better drivers out there? Yes.
Are there cheaper one? Yes
Go with what you can afford.
I actually went to a tool place up in Windsor, Ct and checked out the Tekton tools. I've got to tell ya, a lot of the stuff I "played" with seemed to be of good quality, and some of the stuff seemed pretty heavy duty. If I was just building a set for the home garage, I would probably pick them up. For the price and warranty, you cant go wrong.

Thanks for your input. I live near Old Saybrook, CT, but I'm headed towards Windsor today anyways. Do you remember the name of the store with the Tekton tools?

 

[cole_CT]

I have these exact tekton screwdrivers which I too bought from amazon. They are my trash set at work and are great for situations I wont put my matcos on. I recommend them for light duty use or getting really nasty with.

How are the tips of the drivers holding up?

 

[cole_CT]

I'm partial to these Pratt-Read drivers. Slim hard handle and they seem to be pretty decent quality. US made too.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001C00BYM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Those seem a lot like US craftsman drivers

 

[pfctblu]

Wow, I am suprised that nobody has mentioned Epstein's Craftsman set yet... a steal for $22 from a vendor that deserves your order. Do yourself a favor and grab the stubbies while you are ordering (41066 & 41067)

 

[fourtythree]

http://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-professional-screwdriver-set-94607.html

As far as cheap screwdrivers go, I've found these to be very decent. They've held up better than the regular craftsman and usa made stanley that I own.

 

[cole_CT]

http://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-professional-screwdriver-set-94607.html

As far as cheap screwdrivers go, I've found these to be very decent. They've held up better than the regular craftsman and usa made stanley that I own.

Im willing to spend a little more than that. I dunno maybe it's just that I avoid HF whenever my budget allows and on crucial tools like screwdrivers