The "Best" Cheap Screwdrivers?

[Bull]

Screwdrivers are not a high priority item for me...I have rarely been unable to remove a screw despite only having, at best C-man screwdrivers.

I need some new ones, though.

I found this "Thorsen" set on eBay...has nayone used these?
http://cgi.ebay.com/XL9D1-159683-Ne...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5ad52156e3

Then, of course, there is HF. They have a SO black handle knockoff:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=47770

or these
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=9577

or these
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=1847

or even these
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95114


So, based on your experience, are any of these good enough to buy? The criteria would be: somewhat comfortable grip, and the heads will be strong enough not to start deforming at the first twist.

 

[waterman28]

I have used the Harbor Freight and they are almost good enough for prybars or tent stakes. go with the "Thorsen"

 

[bmwpower]

Never used either. My Craftsman clear handles are my "cheapies". Is that what you have? Why go cheaper?

 

[Bull]

I have used the Harbor Freight and they are almost good enough for prybars or tent stakes. go with the "Thorsen"

Hahah, the tent stakes part killed me. Thanks for the laugh

Which style HF are you talking about?

Also, have you used the Thorsen pieces?

 

[Bull]

Never used either. My Craftsman clear handles are my "cheapies". Is that what you have? Why go cheaper?

I don't know, man. I just sort of don't like Craftsman tools or Sears anymore. I never seek them out.

Lemme see what a price of C-man screwdrivers goes for online.

 

[SO/PW newbie]

We bought a set of the HF amber colored cushion grip ones a few years back (second from the bottom of the list above), and on the first screw we tried then on (#3 phillips just applying by hand) the handle spun and the shaft didn't. Then we tried the #2 phillips in the same screw, and the handle spun on the shaft as well.
Complete junk imo.

 

[bmwpower]

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00941516000P

Best set I could find. $1 a piece.

 

[jteck75]

The old Stanley 100 Plus screwdrivers are pretty good drivers,and plenty cheap too. Last time I checked,they were still made in the states too. That kind of shocked me considering the road that Stanley has been going down for quite some time.

 

[Bull]

Hmmm...cheaper than the Thorsens, even. I guess I did not realize that C-man screwdrivers are so cheap to buy.

The handles aren't very comfortable to me, though.

 

[Merkava_4]

Screwdrivers are not a high priority item for me...

Good heavens ... that just doesn't compute.

 

[Snappy]

I'm hooked on Snap-on myself,especially the old SDD series.

IMO - I can't imagine getting anything more than dollar store stuff for .60 cents per screwdriver (new) here:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=47770

 

[Bull]

The old Stanley 100 Plus screwdrivers are pretty good drivers,and plenty cheap too. Last time I checked,they were still made in the states too. That kind of shocked me considering the road that Stanley has been going down for quite some time.

Never would have thought of them. Checked Wal Mart for prices on that series...seem to be two handle styles. They are quite a bit more expensive than Craftsman, though. Does not say "Made in USA" in the product info on walmart.com.

 

[tw33k2514]

I hate to see people short change themselves on screwdrivers

how about some alternatives Bull...

http://cgi.ebay.com/SK-EXPERT2-SLOT...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5881e6321e

http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-80051.aspx

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CW84SA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NZ7J1K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0017SV6Z2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://cgi.ebay.com/Wera-031280-6-P...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2ea9028fb9

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bondhus-Felo-Er...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item414a30adfd

all good options if you ask me.

 

[Bull]

Good heavens ... that just doesn't compute.

I knew you'd be in here, Merk.

I recently say a thread in which you wire brushed the tip of your screwdriver, so I know they are important to you.

But what can I say? I am not going to drop big money on screwdrivers when Craftsman or worse brands have nor failed me yet.

I just removed a screw with a STRIPPED head from a ratchet with a cheapo Asian screwdriver, for cripes' sake.

 

[Bull]

I'm hooked on Snap-on myself,especially the old SDD series.

IMO - I can't imagine getting anything more than dollar store stuff for .60 cents per screwdriver (new) here:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=47770

I sort of categorically just refuse to buy SO anything. The price point is for people with different means than what I am working with.

 

[bmwpower]

Hmmm...cheaper than the Thorsens, even. I guess I did not realize that C-man screwdrivers are so cheap to buy.

The handles aren't very comfortable to me, though.

Yea, they are cheap since they know when you walk in the store to pickup these screwdrivers, you will likely walk out with something that is NOT so cheap.

Yea, the handles are uncomfortable, but I've relied on them since I was 18 fixing my own car and could not afford anything else. The tips wear, but I have never had a problem with the handles breaking or spinning shafts. Just replaced a couple I bought many years ago since the tips were hosed..replaced by Sears without question.

 

[Bull]

Many of these are quite appealing looking, but I would have to pay for 6 or 7 what I could pay for a set of 20 of what bmwpower posted.

I hate to see people short change themselves on screwdrivers

how about some alternatives Bull...

http://cgi.ebay.com/SK-EXPERT2-SLOT...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5881e6321e

http://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-80051.aspx

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CW84SA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NZ7J1K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0017SV6Z2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://cgi.ebay.com/Wera-031280-6-P...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2ea9028fb9

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bondhus-Felo-Er...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item414a30adfd

all good options if you ask me.

 

[bmwpower]

I sort of categorically just refuse to buy SO anything. The price point is for people with different means than what I am working with.

Don't EVER touch a Snap On screwdriver... you will find it hard to touch anything else ever again.

 

[Bull]

Don't EVER touch a Snap On screwdriver... you will find it hard to touch anything else ever again.

You know, I HAD a black handled Philips up until a couple months ago. Was in an old box my uncle gave me. I did like it, but it didn't make my pants tight or anything, not like the guys who throw money at them on eBay. I sold it cheap to a member on here.

 

[Toolhorder]

I sort of categorically just refuse to buy SO anything. The price point is for people with different means than what I am working with.

Oh come on. You can flea market old SO screwdrivers for a couple bucks each... I have a whole drawer of hard handles that won't die.

I know there are members on the forum that don't want to buy SO stuff because of the price but there is a difference. I have an older hard handle that has a shank that can be removed and flipped over to access a flat or phillips blade. I grabbed that one and a flat blade C-man the other night when I was removing painted over 40 yr. old door hinges. The C-man didn't have as much cranking power and slipped before it would grip the screw's slot. The SO one never slipped. I planned on other using the SO for it's phillips end of the shank when installing the new hinges but in the end had to use it for removal of the slot headed screws and installing the new phillips screws.
The C-man was the old school red/blue/clear handled junk though, not the pro screwsdrivers.

 

[sanddrag]

I have a 6-in-1 Westward that's Taiwan-made and pretty decent quality. I've had some screws it wouldn't remove, but I don't hesitate to use it when it's convenient. They make a whole variety of screwdrivers.

I have a couple Husky sets that have performed fairly in usage. Over probably 6 years I've returned 3 phillips and 1 small flat. I've had a couple screws over the years that the Husky have stripped out. The current offerings are US-made from Western Forge.

I don't see any place in any toolbox for Harbor Freight screwdrivers unless it's they are to loan to people, take places they will get lost, pry things, or open paint cans.

For a good screwdriver, I like Pratt-Read. The fit and grip in many screws is better than my other screwdrivers by far. They are the oldest screwdriver manufacturer in the US, starting back in the 1700s. On some Craftsman Pro models you'll see a PR marking on the handle. These are Pratt-Read. Not exactly cheap, but sometimes found on clearance. For California folks, OSH also has a line of quality Pratt-Read made screwdrivers.

 

[Bull]

Oh come on. You can flea market old SO screwdrivers for a couple bucks each... I have a whole drawer of hard handles that won't die.

Granted, I only went to the flea market twice this year, but I sure as heck did not see any $2 black handled SO screwdrivers.

I also never see any on the classifieds here, or eBay, unless they have burned handles, pitted shanks, and poo stains.

 

[tw33k2514]

This is a 5/16 craftsman clear handle screwdriver of mine....

That happened from a screw....


You could also probably go the Toptul route pretty cheap.

 

[Merkava_4]

You could also probably go the Toptul route pretty cheap.

Yeah, that's what I was gonna say; their screwdrivers look pretty good, and no holes.

 

[bmwpower]

Yeah, that's what I was gonna say; their screwdrivers look pretty good, and no holes.

Not Made in the USA though, eh?

 

[Vinko]

I've used the orange handled USA-made greatneck drivers. They seem okay.

 

[Toolhorder]

Granted, I only went to the flea market twice this year, but I sure as heck did not see any $2 black handled SO screwdrivers.

I also never see any on the classifieds here, or eBay, unless they have burned handles, pitted shanks, and poo stains.

Well I'm in CA. and it's common here. Sorry I forget sometimes the world is bigger then just where I'm at. Here we have 3-5 flea markets within driving distance. I know about half are storage unit auction buyers who resale at the bigger flea market and I get many of the SO screwdrivers there. I got a soft grip #2 phillips for like $3 not to long ago.

 

[Bull]

Yeah, you California types have all kinds of access to tools, storage, and other products that are not so common out here.

 

[cashishift]

Klein has a new line of screwdrivers called "Journeyman".. i've had good luck with that brand in the past.

 

[jteck75]

Klein has a new line of screwdrivers called "Journeyman".. i've had good luck with that brand in the past.

While not the cheapest,Klein makes as fine a line of drivers as anybody.

 

[Danglerb]

I bought a set of the Orange and Green handle HF screwdrivers years ago, and haven't had an issue with them yet. I do like the few SO black handles I've found, but even at yard sales and swap meets they didn't cost me any $2, typically $5 to $10 regardless of condition.

I bought Wiha and Craftsman pro sets new a few months back, and I do use them, but haven't changed preference from the SO yet and the Craftsman Pro's had a few soft tips that gave out on the first screw.

 

[mcdtommy23]

I've got 2 sets of the Harbor Freight black hard handle SO knock-off's. GREAT BUY! I beat the heck out of them and have yet to break a handle or a tip.

They sit right next to my SO's and are my abuse drivers.

 

[Bull]

I've got 2 sets of the Harbor Freight black hard handle SO knock-off's. GREAT BUY! I beat the heck out of them and have yet to break a handle or a tip.

They sit right next to my SO's and are my abuse drivers.

Oh, really?

Any chance you could post some decent pics that really show the handles, shanks, and tips?

So far, you are the most positive review of any HF driver, so I am counting on you for the details.

 

[mcdtommy23]

Will post them in a few hours when I get to work

 

[Bull]

Will post them in a few hours when I get to work

Excellent, thank you. I will check them out in the AM when I wake up

 

[Merkava_4]

Bull, I get the feeling you don't intend on using these future screwdrivers as screwdrivers.

 

[autoace]

Bull, the best screwdrivers that harbor freight has, are the blue hard handle ones, with the bolster on the end of the handle.

If you want real good screwdrivers for a good price buy GearWrench ones, I have used GearWrench screwdrivers and torx drivers for almost two years, and they seem as good as any I have owned, including the truck tool brands.

 

[autoace]

These are the toughest drivers Harbor Freight sells, real tough.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=94899

 

[bobee77]

$19.97 http://www.bargainoutfitters.com/net/cb/20-pc-thorsen-screwdriver-set.aspx?a=395554&pn=3

BF1043 coupon code for $5 off

 

[Mickey O]

I see Craftsman has a line of screwdrivers that look like a ripoff of Klein's, probably at a decent price, I really like the Klein type design, try them if you haven't.