What I saw today

[race14race]

I never really knew how much better a snapon phillips screwdriver was, until today. While dissassembling 63 thunderbird headlights/parking lights a freinds craftsman screwdriver woudlnt get a partialy rounded screw out.... well the no. 2 snapon pulled it right on out...

Ok I have a question. I am fixing to place an order for more tools. Do I need the snapon short or standard wrench set first..... I have a set of craftsman profesionals and husky USA wrenchs in standard legnth. I also have a set of stuby mac wrenches, and some craftman profesional reversible ratchet wrenches... I am thinking up upping my quality, I have sae snapon standards and shorts already..

I was wondering how many sets of one "legnth" of wrench do most people have... becuase it seems i have 2 sets of standard legnth wrenches for sae, and metric... is this normal to most people?


Also...the "new" snapon screw driver handles, with the type on the head,do the soft grip handles hold up better than the 1st generation of soft handles?

 

[chadster1]

Also...the "new" snapon screw driver handles, with the type on the head,do the soft grip handles hold up better than the 1st generation of soft handles?

The new Instinct soft grips are a lot better than the old soft grip screwdrivers.

 

[Rickster]

I use my "long" wrenches more than any others. Not a pro, just work on my old car.

 

[treasureseeker]

I have a set of the long Snap-On double box(10 to 24mm) and combination short ones(8 to 19mm), not the really short ones. That isn’t a lot of wrenches but it has worked out well so far. In SAE I have a big set of the SK Superkrome combinations and Snap-on short double box. I also have a small set of the Snap-on SAE Long Double box 6 points, all other wrenches are 12 point. I go all the way back to when everything was SAE. Back then the long 6 points were a big deal to have. I just ordered some of the short double box 12 point SuperKrone. My favorite wrenches are the Superkrome standard length combination.

 

[Bull]

Just a question: is it possible that the Craftsman screwdriver simply had a worn tip, or was the wrong size?

 

[Hiball]

Just a question: is it possible that the Craftsman screwdriver simply had a worn tip, or was the wrong size?

No, Snap on Screwdrivers are just that good. Geez.. Dave.

 

[MattT]

Edit: Don't know how my post ended up in this thread

 

[Grigg]

No, Snap on Screwdrivers are just that good. Geez.. Dave.

A friend at work (antique auto restoration shop) had just bought a new Cornwell screwdriver set and proceded to disassemble a pretty rusty car not having much luck on the screws. I suggested he let me try with my Snap-On set, and wouldn't you know about every screw came out. He ended up borrowing the Snap-Ons and the next week turned in a pretty well broken set of cornwells to then buy snap-on.
I think I had one straight tip to get replaced from the snap-on set.

Grigg

 

[billymade]

The machining on the tips of the Craftsman are not well done and the tips are not heat treated as well as the USA pro or the German stuff. I had a brand new phillips break; the first time I used it! A professional screwdriver; really will get a screw out, where a cheap one won't. Its not rocket science; the tips are made to fit the screws... extra features like ribs that grip the screw, help as well! Thats what is amazing about a quality professional tool; it actually DOES what it is made to do! Go figure....

 

[lwlobo]

Just a question: is it possible that the Craftsman screwdriver simply had a worn tip, or was the wrong size?

Quality phillips screwdrivers/bits >> cheap phillips

Some things (hex, torx, etc) aren't as obvious, but it really makes on big difference on phillips.

Snap On and Wera are the best I've used. I haven't gotten to use PB Swiss yet.

 

[mrholeshot]

If you only own one Snap-On screwdriver get the #2 Phillips

 

[woody 73]

I like the williams hard handle screwdrivers made by snap-on,if you plan on working in any tight spaces I would look into buying the short wrench set.

Just my two cents...

 

[justinmc]

If you only own one Snap-On screwdriver get the #2 Phillips

Quoted for truth.

I'm certainly a member of the quality screwdriver club and just like most other tools its pretty amazing what a quality tool vs. a cheap tool will do (cheap doesn't always refer to price either). I've never had a S/O driver let me down but I also swear by my Facom's but you can't find them anymore from what I can tell. Damn shame too. I've got a couple that have lived 10+ years in my "junkyard" tool kit and they get used and abused and haven't given up on me yet.

 

[justinmc]

Oh and to reply to your other question.. or original question I suppose... I use the heck out of my standard length S/O's as well as my long handled stuff. The stubby's don't get a ton of use but when you need em you need em. From what you have so far I'd say spend your $$ on a good set of standard length's first and go from there.

 

[tonydanzah]

i think the wittes are also excellent

 

[Griff93]

If you only own one Snap-On screwdriver get the #2 Phillips

Yeah what he said...

 

[Quik208]

As far as wrenchs I would say the snap on regular lenght is a perfect start. I have a snap on short set, and a stubby ratcheting gearwrench set. You dont put a lot to torque on the stubbies, so I figure I would be fine with the gearwrench set. The only thing I dont like about them is that they are missing sizes. They go 8, 10, 12, etc. Also I dont really need the stubbies to often but when I do I am glad that I have them.

 

[bgott]

Rusty screw tip...dip the tip of your screwdriver in some valve lapping compound, Clover compound, before trying to unscrew the screw. The compound will give your screwdriver traction and can be the difference between a clean removal and a cam out with a rounded screw head.