Wera Goodness????

[mrholeshot]

Got my Wera screwdrivers today (man they shipped fast!) from Amazon. First they are the regular green color and not the extreme green as shown (was 99% sure that was going to be the case but honestly I can't see what all the hoopla is about on these. They are made in the Czech Republic (I guess thats Germany's Canada, lol) I'm not real crazy about how the handles feel (not real great for greasy hands). I also don't like the shafts as they look kind of cheezy as do the handles themselves. they arn't all bad though. They do grip well in a phillips or sloted screw but you hands need to be dry to use a good bit of force.

Cons
Slippery when wet
Ugly as hell
They don't look like quality screwdrivers
Would have liked to see another phillips in either direction
Pros
Grip at the screw well
Priced well
Not made in China
Established company

I think I'll give these a 50/50. I think they are geared more toward clean work than dirty jobs like Auto repair. Still a nice value even though not quite my speed

 

[tonydanzah]

you got hosed, both my set from amazon are germany

 

[Sterff]

You will love the laser tips and I agree about only using them in a clean environment. I only really use mine on stripped screws or on wood projects.

 

[MrMark]

You fall all over Duralast and Gearwrench but find problems with Wera? I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder but you have there probably the best gripping screwdrivers made with that laser tip. You might want to use them for awhile before condemning them too much. The handle shape takes getting used to but after awhile you will tend to reach for these first.

All of mine have been Czech except for one old stock electrical set.

 

[Krokodil]

They will grow on you!

 

[pacsguy]

Wow. I'm shocked you don't like the weras. They are the best screwdrivers I've ever used and they grip like no other.

 

[billymade]

I think they are kinda like German cars; many think they are ugly.... BUT when you get used to them, use them, etc.....you will learn to like, dare I say LOVE them?
They really are different; this isn't a bad thing..... the ergonomics, IMHO, are superior! Maybe you should have some bratwurst, german potato salad, a little purple cabbage to keep them company; once your properly introduced and have some good food in ya... you can bond with the superior teutonic goodness you just purchased! Give 'em a chance; german cars maybe ugly but when you drive them, you can fall in love!
Being different; isn't necessarily a bad thing!

 

[mrholeshot]

You fall all over Duralast and Gearwrench but find problems with Wera? I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder but you have there probably the best gripping screwdrivers made with that laser tip. You might want to use them for awhile before condemning them too much. The handle shape takes getting used to but after awhile you will tend to reach for these first.

All of mine have been Czech except for one old stock electrical set.

At least I'm giving them a try before condeming them, lol They just don't seem to be well suited for auto repair. One thin that brought me to that conclusion is I put some antifreeze on my hand and went to remove a screw. It takes quite a bit of grip to put down the pressure. Same thing with a little WD 40. I think it's a decent set of screwdrivers but they don't compare to Snap-On but you don't buy a set of Snap-On for 40 dollars either. I think they are OK at best. I've heard so many great things about them I think I had my expectations set way to high. They are good enough I'll keep them in my main box but when it comes to the tough stuff I'll grab my Snap-Ons.

As far as falling all over Duralast all I can say is sorry. They build/Built a killer ratchet for the money. I went in the Duralast camp with 0 expectations and was pleasantly suprised. I'll reserve the Wera for clean work. At any rate I certainly don't feel cheated out of my 40 dollars but I'm not jumping down about it either. Time may win out as this was just a first impression and my first experiance with them. If someone I knew was looking for a set of good screwdrivers and was doing anything but automotive I would point them towards these. I think they would be excellant for electrical component, appliance and general repair.

As far as Gearwrench goes, well they burned their bridges with me.

 

[billymade]

Oh, yeah; have you tried the new Snap-On Instincts? Another case of allot of people disliking them; after using them... they really did think about ergonomics and have probably the best grip of any screwdriver I have ever owned!

 

[mrholeshot]

They will grow on you!

I'm thinking they will. I think I was just over pumped about them. After I rebuild a few Vacuums with the #2 phillips I may have high praise for them.

 

[mrholeshot]

Oh, yeah; have you tried the new Snap-On Instincts? Another case of allot of people disliking them; after using them... they really did think about ergonomics and have probably the best grip of any screwdriver I have ever owned!

Yeah, I have a few in common sizes. I'm still a die hard Hard handle guy.

 

[trainwreck]

Please do tell how you like the lasertips after you've spent some time with them. I've been interested in trying them myself, but I'd prefer bits to drivers at this point. Does Wera offer any bits with lasertip? I found phillips and pozidriv ACR tips, but haven't been able to find any lasertip bits. Any ideas?

 

[MrMark]

I don't see why they would be any more slippery than Snap-on or any other screwdriver. I haven't found them to be slippery but I don't work on nasty stuff. Sure, they will get dirty looking in time, but you can clean them fairly well with WD-40. The SO hard handle get slick for sure but I still like them. If grease is really a concern to the point of slipping maybe you should try the Witte Maxxpro Plus with the flocking. I haven't heard other Wera users complain about slippage.

I really like the Wiha and the Witte too. All three of the Germans are great products and a great value. The Snap-on, hard handle and instinct are also top notch. If I could only use one I suppose I would grab a Wera Chiseldriver or the Instinct.

 

[mrholeshot]

Wow. I'm shocked you don't like the weras. They are the best screwdrivers I've ever used and they grip like no other.

I won't argue about the grip at the screw. really niice. It's not that I don't like them as much as I'm pretty neutral about them. I certainly don't regret buying them. Sometimes it takes awhile for a tool to grow on me

 

[mrholeshot]

I don't see why they would be any more slippery than Snap-on or any other screwdriver. .

Grip shape and they hold the liquid. hard handles are a little square so even wet they are easy to grip. I think it's more about what I'm use to. I can't see me using one for a prybar, lol

 

[Deskmechanic]

I like my Weras for bench work and electrical type stuff around the house. I agree they are a bit slippery when oily/wet, though I have used them for car stuff when needed. My favorite 'dirty' screwdrivers are still craftsman pro, but instinct hard is a good 2nd.

 

[MrMark]

Grip shape and they hold the liquid. hard handles are a little square so even wet they are easy to grip. I think it's more about what I'm use to. I can't see me using one for a prybar, lol

I can see that. Well, for most jobs unless drenched in oil (how often does that come up with a screwdriver when being used as a screwdriver, not a prybar) they should be "just fine" as they say on Gj. Don't work with greasy hands! Wear gloves.

It seems to me that for dirty auto work with oil all over that the Instinct can not be beat then.

 

[treasureseeker]

you got hosed, both my set from amazon are germany

I am guessing you have the yellow handle ones. I purchased my green handles years ago and there is no CCO on them.

 

[pacsguy]

I never use mine in a wet environment so that could be a factor. I use mine repairing medical equipment!

 

[mrholeshot]

I don't like gloves. I love the feel of oil in the morning

 

[mrholeshot]

I never use mine in a wet environment so that could be a factor. I use mine repairing medical equipment!

I think that would be a perfect place for them. I think automotive is a bit hostile for the Weras

 

[AficanToolman]

I am guessing you have the yellow handle ones. I purchased my green handles years ago and there is no CCO on them.

Even the Yellow handle ones have no COO on the handles lately in the sets.

When buying singles you get a little tag on them that says "MADE in CZ"
Have had this on Green Handles, ESD and VDE examples.
Havent gotten a yellow handle in singles yet

Only once got a "Made in Germany" green handle, but I think it was old stock

 

[archirelic]

Even the Yellow handle ones have no COO on the handles lately in the sets.

When buying singles you get a little tag on them that says "MADE in CZ"
Have had this on Green Handles, ESD and VDE examples.
Havent gotten a yellow handle in singles yet

Only once got a "Made in Germany" green handle, but I think it was old stock

My latest batch of chiseldrivers have 'Made in Czech Republic' on the handles. I honestly think it just depends on how old/new the stock you've gotten is.

 

[AficanToolman]

My latest batch of chiseldrivers have 'Made in Czech Republic' on the handles. I honestly think it just depends on how old/new the stock you've gotten is.

Havent quite figured it out yet.

I have some precision sets where half the drivers have a COO on the handle and half dont.

Also have some with the new WERA logo with a COO and some without.
But the same with the old wera logo aswell

 

[AficanToolman]

Here is a WERA with both Germany and CZ markings I got from Amazon this week

 

[mrholeshot]

Here is a WERA with both Germany and CZ markings I got from Amazon this week

I was hoping mine would be made in Germany. No such luck