Wera screwdriver broke on first use

[rust buster]

After 15 years of using sub-par screwdrivers, I finally bought some quality ones with an Amazon gift card. I read good things about Wera so I got the Kraftform Series 300 set for around $40. Finally got around to trying one yesterday and it snapped the head on the first try. It was a tight screw, but I am hoping these aren't THAT weak.

I fear I am in for a battle trying to get these warrantied based on some of the stories I have read on the web. Has anyone else had this issue or do you think it was just a bad batch of metal? I am afraid to use the other ones!

And I do not mean to bash Wera...just sharing my only experience (so far)...

 

[P_856]

How long ago did you order it from amazon they have a great return policy along with customer service.

 

[rust buster]

It was only about two weeks ago, so I can always do that. I'm just disappointed because I really like the grips on these...you either love them or hate them.

 

[ajchien]

Huh. I'm amazed you found the broken off tip.

 

[rust buster]

it was easy...it was left in the screw head! They really mean it when they say the laser etched tip really bites into the screw...it grips so well it snaps right off

 

[Farmall450]

it was easy...it was left in the screw head! They really mean it when they say the laser etched tip really bites into the screw...it grips so well it snaps right off

Wow, I guess.

It must be a manuf flaw, I mean, I haven't even snapped a cman off!

 

[rust buster]

That's what I am hoping...I want to get replacements, but not if this happens again.

 

[Hyd.Mechanic18]

Broke a snap on Phillips head off first time using it, but never broke a craftsman, hf, etc screwdriver..

 

[98ramtough]

Crazy. I bought two sets of wera screw drivers and have not had any issues at all. Love them! Just at lunch I was using a chisel driver model on a really rusted tight screw and it held up great and did not slip. I have to say for the money I really really like the cheap wiha blue and black handle though....

 

[tshetter]

I have stainless steel Wera, I think the 12pc set, and two sets of insulated Wera screw drivers, one with the thin insulation and the second with the thicker. All have held up really well doing maintenance work daily.

Somehow you got a bunk driver. That *****, but it does happen with mass manufacturing from time to time. Harbor Freight and Snap-On are both victims.

Return it to Amazon and get a new set. You should be fine for life after that.

But yea, they are really comfortable, thats why I kept buying them.

 

[Walter K]

Wow. What a odd coincidence. I just ordered a 6 piece set with the
lasertip from Amazon.com.
I hope I have a bit of better luck than that!

 

[larryq]

What is the Wera warranty, for those of us who have them? Anyone know offhand?

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

I had snap-on 10mm deep socket broke in first use. chunk of wall on socket fell off.

every manufactures make mistake. but it's all about how often and how they take care of it.

 

[Wamsutta]

With that part number - Wera 350 PH - some places are saying it's a #1 Phillips and some places are saying it's a #2 Phillips.

 

[paulsomlo]

Broke a snap on Phillips head off first time using it, but never broke a craftsman, hf, etc screwdriver..

The Craftsman is probably not hardened at the tip, so it would be hard to break. Might twist, or distort, but hard to break. Still, surprising that a good quality screwdriver would give up the ghost on it's maiden voyage.

Paul

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I've had mine well over a year and no problems. I've used them on some pretty rusty screws and they have always gripped the screw and turned them out.

My guess is that you just got a bad one.

 

[FriendOfYours]

Wiha

 

[rust buster]

I have a set of the yellow chisel ones on order as well, so if they are more durable I'll just rely on those for a while.

 

[e_d]

I should have taken a picture of it but just the other day I broke a craftsman Phillips#1. It was new (Christmas present). The break was right were the shaft meets the handle. Took it to ace and got a new one.

 

[Wamsutta]

Apparently, a Wera 350 PH screwdriver can be anything from a #0 Phillips to a #4 Phillips. It depends on the code number that accompanies the model number.

http://www-us.wera.de/product_detai..._kraftform_plus__series_300_350_ph&lang=en-US

 

[dogdad]

I was going to buy a set off Amazon also,,until I saw they were made in Czech ....not Germany .

 

[rust buster]

Wanted to follow-up. I wrote an email to Wera's "contact us" email on their main website and attached a picture of the screwdriver. I got a call two days later asking for my address. Two days after that a brand new screwdriver appeared at my door. No questions asked at all. So I will say that Wera's customer service is an A+ in my book and I'll definitely keep using their stuff. Hopefully it was just a bad piece of metal.

 

[Brownsfan]

Now that is how a warranty should be handled. If I didn't already have more screwdrivers than I will ever need I would pick up a set. I may look into a set of nutdrivers if they make them. I have not broken a tool in a long time but this stuff just can't be avoided. These kind of things just happen once in a while n

 

[1950mercury]

Ive had that happen with a snap on on a first use had it reaplaced and never had an issue with the new one in 3 years.

 

[oldldh]

Received a bent Torx driver from ZORO...sent them an Email, with photo, and they called me the next morning, to verify part number...

48 hrs later...new driver showed up on my door...

That was a Proto Yellow Handle Classic, however...

Just thought they deserved a "HooRay" for good customer service...

 

[Kracin]

that was just a fluke of a screwdriver, i've been using weras as prybars and chisels for a while now and hardly even marred a tip let a lone snap on. wera will honor any defects, you can do an exchange or return through amazon or wera can do a warranty. either works. but i wouldn't write them off yet, another set will show how good they can be.

 

[Veto]

Oh dang! I have about 7 different sets of Wera screwdrivers (3 'regular', 2 VDE, 2 chiseldriver) and some bitsets. NEVER have I broken a tip like that. I suspect a manufacturing flaw. That should not happen.

 

[Cryptic1911]

I bought a set of those laser etched tip wera's, and I wasn't all that impressed with the durability. They are very comfortable, and do grip like a mofo, but the tips wear very easily. We ended up getting one warrantied no problems, but I think their quality went down when they switched production to the czech republic, rather than germany, or wherever it was previously

 

[Kracin]

I bought a set of those laser etched tip wera's, and I wasn't all that impressed with the durability. They are very comfortable, and do grip like a mofo, but the tips wear very easily. We ended up getting one warrantied no problems, but I think their quality went down when they switched production to the czech republic, rather than germany, or wherever it was previously

pretty sure thats bs. the screwdrivers are still really high quality, and have been for a while i've got chiseldrivers from 5 years ago that have more of the striking cap in back missing and broke than the tip, their tips have always been top notch. the country of origin placebo effect takes over on a lot of peoples thoughts though.

 

[loranger]

Glad it worked out for you. I have a small flat head that I broke the tip off. I sent them a pic and they said it looked like I used it as a pry bar… You could barely see it, but there was a slight twist in the tip before it broke. Not sure how you twist a driver if using it as a pry bar, but I never heard anything back.

 

[Kracin]

Glad it worked out for you. I have a small flat head that I broke the tip off. I sent them a pic and they said it looked like I used it as a pry bar… You could barely see it, but there was a slight twist in the tip before it broke. Not sure how you twist a driver if using it as a pry bar, but I never heard anything back.

thats pretty odd. i purchased some vde with the laser etching, and sent an email complaining that the laser etching seemed to wear off after a couple of screws, they didnt even want pictures and asked if i wanted to have them warrantied for quality..

 

[submariner]

I bought the same set a couple of years ago. The laser tip wore off after a couple of uses. I thought it was a cosmetic issue, but without it you are continually slipping out of the screw head due to excessive slipping. I never bought any Wera stuff after that. I read that others also had the same issue with the laser tip models.

 

[Kracin]

I bought the same set a couple of years ago. The laser tip wore off after a couple of uses. I thought it was a cosmetic issue, but without it you are continually slipping out of the screw head due to excessive slipping. I never bought any Wera stuff after that. I read that others also had the same issue with the laser tip models.

honestly i wouldn't buy their laser tip again. it's a good idea but more of a gimmick, they would get more out of them if they would put the etching there with a tooling instead of laser etching the weaker tips.

other wera tips i have beat through sheet metal and not even knicked them. they definitely use different metals for different driver sets. if you get a wild hair up your a** at some point, try their chiseldrivers, they are by far their best screwdriver, hands down.

 

[bsaint]

I think Woodcraft maybe will warranty them.

 

[Deskmechanic]

I bought the same set a couple of years ago. The laser tip wore off after a couple of uses. I thought it was a cosmetic issue, but without it you are continually slipping out of the screw head due to excessive slipping. I never bought any Wera stuff after that. I read that others also had the same issue with the laser tip models.

I had the exact same experience. Bought a set, loved how the Phillips gripped for about 6 months, or until the laser wore off. After that they still work but certainly not my favorites.

Doubt I will buy another set though I love the handle shape.

 

[gpgab97]

I broke both a Wera insulated and a Wiha lasertip PH2 tip in the same day on the same screw. I wasn't really giving it that much torque either as it was already backed out somewhat. I used the Wiha after the Wera broke and then i sat down and counted sand grains for a while until my buddy came with a set of Vessel impact screwdrivers. Now those are bad ***! I did order another wiha because i love the fit of their handles in my hand but I don't go on service calls without my Vessel set anymore.