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Upgrading screw drivers

Dave455

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Mar 19, 2013
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Sussex, England
Dave, I remember we had a green one like that, maybe 2 that had good tips that last a long time and worked till someone broke the handle with a hammer. Even after that it hung on some tractor box for a long time. Did all kinds of stuff to try and kill it. Vise grip the handle.
I can also remember and probably got a couple Stanley, different models that hung around a while. A ****** driver was the old phillips cman. A computers aided some steel mfg the tips really got better. As it got cheaper to makeit got btter. I remember those orange flea specials, we did break them , we did less pry and hammer with our better tools but they were sharp till you busted them and the ones we been using now look like new after a fair bit of use? No breaks but I hammer less junk than I used to.

If it was a PB Swiss the old ones were really good. The new ones still are to be honest. I’ve never seen a PB with a twisted tip like the one shown earlier, but the chroming isn’t so good now.

Some of the old Stanley drivers, such as the 100 series, were really nice and quite under rated. I recently found 3 brand new 3/16 ones still in their box at a surplus tool shop. I bought all 3 naturally!
 
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hoffman912

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I think this has been touched on, but if the O.P. is working on German cars, he almost certainly needs Pozidriv drivers rather than Phillips.


I have a 52 year old 912. I dont think it has Pozidriv.

Let me ask this though.. I am looking at adding a newer Porsche to the stable in another year or so (I work in travel, covid has screwed my industry, I am not buying another car until this is long gone).

When did Pozidrive become common in german cars? are the common in new ones today? What about 80s, 90s or early aughts?
 
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hoffman912

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I don't think the OP's car has any Pozidrive on it.

The Germans love - I mean LOVE - Allens tho. Maybe a new thread on the best for those.

YES! Allen drive sockets and Allen wrenches. Do you want to start it, or should I? ;)

I am surprised this thread has been as active and popular as it has been.
 

measuredtwice

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Mar 17, 2019
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YES! Allen drive sockets and Allen wrenches. Do you want to start it, or should I? ;)

I am surprised this thread has been as active and popular as it has been.

This USA-made set for $10 (or less after 11% off) is a good deal. --> https://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=437221 I use them with my ratcheting screwdriver.

Also check out Wera's Hex-plus

Wera-Hex-Plus-Allen-Key-Set-9pc-Colour-Coded-3.jpg
 

Bubba Fett

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YES! Allen drive sockets and Allen wrenches. Do you want to start it, or should I? ;)

I am surprised this thread has been as active and popular as it has been.

When you think about it, screwdrivers are pretty universal. Mechanics, electricians, Telecom/IT, Plumbers, HVAC techs, hobbyists, and general handymen/women all use screwdrivers. It's my favorite type of tool.
 

Ralf11

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Pozidrive are common in new German cars. I had a 2000 Boxster S but never wrenched on it enough to see any.

Curious what you plan to get?
 
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hoffman912

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Pozidrive are common in new German cars. I had a 2000 Boxster S but never wrenched on it enough to see any.

Curious what you plan to get?


It's really about finding the right car.. Ideally i want to find an air cooled 911, impact bumper 75-89-ish. I really love the idea of finding a 2.7 or 3.0 thats been gone through. I know aircooled and am much more comfortable doing almost everything myself on them.

reality is i might not find what i want in my price range, and at that point it will ideally be a 997 or cayman, though I would settle for the right boxster or 996. It's all about maintenance and the right care.
 
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hoffman912

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Why not a '74? They never had thermal reactors!

Sorry that was a typo, should have been 74 instead of 75. Would love a 74. again its mostly about the right car.

Keep in mind most engines of survivors have been gone through and TR's tossed out, head stud issues fixed etc. 74 also did not have galvanizing, so thats a downside to it. But, again its mostly about finding the right car.
 

rick carpenter

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Jan 20, 2011
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Huntsville, East Texas
Vessel is getting good cheerleading here. After a loong bit of time I'm ready to buy me some of them. I have always liked traditional cylindrical handle drivers, not ergo or triangular etc. But the ball handle Vessel interchangeable set looks interesting. Question is: are the shank lengths good for automotive use or should I look at their dedicated drivers? Also, I'm not planning on doing any rotor work, so do I need an Impacta for other things and if so which one?
 

Ralf11

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I like having an Impacta for rusty areas on the chassis, etc.

A range of shank lengths is useful.
 

bmcneil

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Mar 2, 2021
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NE Nevada
Well, thanks to this thread and a couple of the other screwdriver threads I just purchased some new screw drivers for my dad as birthday present. He has large hands (he's 6'8") and so I went with the Vessel Megadora Set in Jawsfit and then a Vessel Ball Grip #2 in JIC. He also wanted some Torx and Robertson(Square Drive) screwdrivers. For those I ended up getting Felo 408's and 404's. Hopefully he likes them, if not I'll take them off his hands.

BM
 
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ZenkiS14

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Mar 24, 2021
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Reading through here, didnt see much mention of Witte stuff, what's the consensus there?

Looking for a nice comfort grip 6pc set, or so.
 

RoundedNut

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Witte flies under the radar because they make drivers for other companies like Stahlwille and Matco but their stuff is top notch. Getting their own branded drivers is usually the best deal.
 

ZenkiS14

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Witte flies under the radar because they make drivers for other companies like Stahlwille and Matco but their stuff is top notch. Getting their own branded drivers is usually the best deal.

I think that's what I'm leaning towards, although I cant seem to find a LONG Phillips #2 from them, seems like they are all just standard lengths
 

Bubba Fett

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For shiggles, I bought a set of the Taiwan-made Craftsman drivers in Slotted, Phillips, and Torx, from Lowe's. They are better than the WF drivers. They actually fit the screws, and fit well. Even the Slotted (keystone) drivers fit correctly. The WF slotted drivers were slightly oversized, with 1/4" being closer to 9/32". The handles on the new ones are pretty much the same, but with some slight differences, and reasonably comfortable. No vomit smell so far. :) The blue part of the handle is a nice color, a little more vibrant and transparent. It's eye-catching. Not a big deal, but it's a detail that I find appealing for some reason. The Torx drivers are plated instead of black oxide like the old Craftsman models. They seem to be well machined.

That said, the acetate Craftsman drivers are still best used for regular household duty, and not for high-torque applications. The tips are good enough that I'm keeping them in my small travel tool bag. If they get lost, it isn't such a big deal. I may bring them to work and try them out. They seem to be working well for PC/laptop work. I prefer Wiha precision drivers for that, but sometimes I need a bit more torque, and they (like the old ones) seem to be sized well for smaller projects.

If you like acetate-handle drivers, there's also Master Mechanic, sold at True Value. These are made in the USA by Pratt-Read. I picked up some of those as well, and I think they way are better than Craftsman (new or old). The handles are a bit larger (Craftsman Phillips handles are too small) and they are comfortable. The slotted drivers in the set are cabinet tip, so they will reach recessed screws. I like them, but they are not so easy to find if there isn't a True Value hardware store in your area.

Lowe's is now carrying Ideal Electrical tools, including screwdrivers, which are also made by Pratt-Read. They seem to be well made. The shanks/tips are pretty much identical to the Master Mechanic drivers, but the handles have the Klein-style cushion grip. They are blue, and the rubber grip feels more like the old Klein style, which I prefer. I certainly don't need any, but I might give one or two a try. You will find these over in the Electrical section, not with the rest of the tools.

Another brand that is often overlooked is Vaco. They are all acetate handles in a nice, bright, yellowish-orange color that makes them easy to find. The tips are basically the same as Klein (Vaco is a Klein subsidiary) but the handles are oversized (especially the bull drivers), so you get a lot of torque. The handles are deeply fluted, but the lands are wider, so they don't cut into your hands. Certainly not as comfortable as Klein, Wiha, or any of the more ergonomic brands discussed in the thread, but I think they might be a better option if you are wearing gloves.

Lastly, I picked up a set of Irwin demolition screwdrivers the other day at a discount ($10). The set includes a Phillips #2 and a Slotted 5/16". I wish the latter was 1/4" but for the price, I felt it was a good deal. I have used the Phillips as a quick way to get a hole in drywall, and the slotted has been used as a prybar so far. Not bad for beaters.
 

richfinn

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Jan 29, 2011
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Leeds, Yorkshire, England
Reading through here, didnt see much mention of Witte stuff, what's the consensus there?

Looking for a nice comfort grip 6pc set, or so.

Witte are good drivers, I've had a few over the years, currently using Vessel and they are all they are hyped up to be, just great value tools like Ko-ken sockets
 

macgee

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Jan 11, 2014
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Sepulveda Pass, CA
Witte are good drivers and agree, they fly under the radar however they have fairly unique handles that are not for everyone and handle feel plays a big part of what screwdrivers users prefer the most. The Pro Plus, MAXX Plus and Pro Nature have always looked good to me.

I'm still using Vessel drivers everyday and love with no plans to change them but Witte could be a good choice especially for the price (I've seen them on sale for good prices). I haven't looked at them recently and not sure if they're all still being made in Germany but I think so?
 
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ZenkiS14

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Mar 24, 2021
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All I've seen have been made in Germany.

Where do you see sales on them?

And where are you guys buying vessel screw drivers at?
 
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ZenkiS14

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Mar 24, 2021
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MO
Well, I went ahead and bit the bullet and bought $100 in screwdrivers this week hahaha

I got 4 of the Vessel screwdrivers, a 6pc set of Witte drivers, and some novelty American flag drivers haha.

I'll post up pics when I get them all, but I imagine this should have me set for a long time.
 

Bradc1989

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Oct 30, 2019
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Middle tn
Proto durateks are great drivers too, their handle allows you to really get ahold of it. Of course wera with the laser cut tips are great. I just brought my wera set home from work and got a set of the protos for work
 

ZenkiS14

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Well after many tries, I finally have the screwdriver set I needed to finish out the drawer. Should have me covered for a while.

https://scontent-den4-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/186027647_10165150144160043_5563563078658070778_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-3&_nc_sid=825194&_nc_ohc=XD8gQ3rgFmwAX_ntb1M&_nc_ht=scontent-den4-1.**&oh=04d30297a31124cf37b483bf619a1e58&oe=60C1D6D4
 

DonglordActual

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Dec 28, 2016
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Wichita, KS
That Kobalt set was on clearance for $9.99 at one point and it has been worth it. I got them in my tool chest. I got an SK multibit in my portable and a Felo/Anex precision set in my electronics gear. All of em are good.
 
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