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Which set of screwdrivers?

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elect

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Joined
Jul 18, 2008
Messages
315
Location
Florida
I have the six piece Wiha set comfortable handles,have not let me down in four years of industrial work.
 

Merkava_4

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Dec 26, 2007
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Location
Clovis, CA.
Dang that's a tough choice! They're both high quality!

I haven't had my hands on either one; so I couldn't give you a straight recommendation.
 

billymade

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Apr 2, 2008
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Location
New Mexico

Joe B.

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Jan 2, 2007
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2,752
I have a Wiha set. The quality is great but I don't like that style handle. (personal opinion) I know it is supposed to be more ergonomic but I find the handles too small to grip well. For some reason is seems like most insulated screwdrivers come in this style. It makes me wonder if electricians in Europe all have small delicate hands or maybe they have their women do all the high voltage electrical work for them. Or maybe I'm just clumsy need need something big to grab on to.
 

eschoendorff

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Joined
Feb 6, 2005
Messages
8,991
Location
Michigan
I don't have any insulated screwdrivers, but I have played with them in the stores...

Unless you are going to be using them everyday, I would think that the Pratt-Read would work just fine.
 

64merc

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Joined
Jan 24, 2008
Messages
2,816
Location
Texas
Do you guys think that the insulated screwdriver tips are as durable as standard screwdrivers of the same brand? In other words, could you buy the insulated type and use them for all applications? I'm guessing they are the same thing except for the black finish.
 

hamburglar

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Joined
Mar 10, 2008
Messages
523
Do you guys think that the insulated screwdriver tips are as durable as standard screwdrivers of the same brand? In other words, could you buy the insulated type and use them for all applications? I'm guessing they are the same thing except for the black finish.

You can certainly make that case, it's kind of like the idea of buying only impact sockets.

What you don't get is a hex bolster (I can't say I've ever used one, but they look nice) or the ability to really bang on the end of the screwdriver because of a capped end. There's also some chance you'll tear up the insulation if you use them for everything, but I doubt it.

I'll bet nearly everybody here (professionals, as usual, not included) could get by with a set of 5 or 6 insulated (or not) screwdrivers + a bit holder and a set of bits. I've got so much too much of the bit holder stuff that it's just plain embarrasing.
 

Wera Tools

Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2008
Messages
24
Location
Burlington, Ontario
Insulated screwdrivers should really be kept for the intended electrical applications, as they should also be insepcted (visually at least) prior to use, to ensure that the insulation is in good shape. If you use them for general use, and don't take proper care of them, then you run the risk of damaging the insulation, and eliminating the protection you bought them for in the first place.
Obviously I am biased, but since the question was asked, I'll throw in my two cents worth... Check this out.

http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT?PMPXNO=4371175&PMT4NO=46865590
 
Last edited:

64merc

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Jan 24, 2008
Messages
2,816
Location
Texas
Insulated screwdrivers should really be kept for the intended electrical applications, as they should also be insepcted (visually at least) prior to use, to ensure that the insulation is in good shape. If you use them for general use, and don't take proper care of them, then you run the risk of damaging the insulation, and eliminating the protection you bought them for in the first place.
Obviously I am biased, but since the question was asked, I'll throw in my two cents worth... Check this out.

http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT?PMPXNO=4371175&PMT4NO=46865590

Fair enough....I guess I was just wondering if the tips of the insulated screwdrivers were just as durable as regular screwdrivers.

The question really popped in my head because I had passed on buying a cheap set of quality insulated screwdrivers that were on clearance. I don't really have a need for an insulated set but I was considering buying them for general use since they were a good brand and were cheap.
 
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Coach James

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Jun 24, 2005
Messages
8,933
Location
Sandhills of North Carolina
Well I hit a road block. I went to our Sears store and they cannot get any of the Pratt Reed or Wiha sets. Ours is a dealer store and those items cannot be ordered for store pickup or by dealer stores. I would have to order them myself and pay shipping. The store employees tell me that not being able to order items like this really hurts their sales.

I checked fastenal down the street and they can order Wiha for next day delivery for twice the Sears price. I'll check Grainger's online store and the MSC website(Thanks for the link).

I missed out on the "Bring in an old ratchet and get 25% off a new generation ratchet" at Sears for the same reason. They're not a regular stock item and the dealer stores can't order them.

I'm not going to be using the insulated drivers a lot, but this is one item where you buy quality or buy nothing.

Coach
 

cruiser808

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Mar 9, 2008
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Location
Hawaii

Merkava_4

Banned
Joined
Dec 26, 2007
Messages
14,518
Location
Clovis, CA.
Insulated screwdrivers should really be kept for the intended electrical applications, as they should also be insepcted (visually at least) prior to use, to ensure that the insulation is in good shape. If you use them for general use, and don't take proper care of them, then you run the risk of damaging the insulation, and eliminating the protection you bought them for in the first place.
Obviously I am biased, but since the question was asked, I'll throw in my two cents worth... Check this out.

http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT?PMPXNO=4371175&PMT4NO=46865590


I'm glad you showed up Wera Tools. . .

I'm thinking how nice it would be if you were to put forth a survey inquiring the members of this board of what they look for in a screwdriver and then pick two survey participants at random for receiving a free set of Wera screwdrivers. . . :bounce:
 

kythri

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 3, 2007
Messages
6,330
Location
Lebanon, OR
Well I hit a road block. I went to our Sears store and they cannot get any of the Pratt Reed or Wiha sets. Ours is a dealer store and those items cannot be ordered for store pickup or by dealer stores. I would have to order them myself and pay shipping. The store employees tell me that not being able to order items like this really hurts their sales.

I checked fastenal down the street and they can order Wiha for next day delivery for twice the Sears price. I'll check Grainger's online store and the MSC website(Thanks for the link).

I missed out on the "Bring in an old ratchet and get 25% off a new generation ratchet" at Sears for the same reason. They're not a regular stock item and the dealer stores can't order them.

I'm not going to be using the insulated drivers a lot, but this is one item where you buy quality or buy nothing.

Coach

I can't comment on the screwdrivers, but I can tell you that I know of two different dealer/independent/franchise Sears stores, with different owners that regularly stock the Thin Profile ratchets, and who have offered to order me stuff in the past, when they didn't stock it.

I cannot believe that Sears would prevent a store from ordering ANY Craftsman product.
 
OP
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Coach James

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Joined
Jun 24, 2005
Messages
8,933
Location
Sandhills of North Carolina
Anything that is "Catalogue online exclusive" our Sears cannot get. Also some other items like the insulated screwdrivers and some other tools, etc they cannot get. The store owner gets mad as hell when he calls and is told that he can't order it or have it sent on the weekly truck from the big Sears 35 miles up the road.

He does carry the new generation ratchets in the 3 piece sets but not individuals. Also, they do always try to order what they don't stock. Sometimes they can get it and sometimes they are told they can't.

When he was told he couldn't order me the new generation ratchets for the C-man club deal he asked the guy on the phone how can Sears make this offer then not allow him to order the ratchet? The guy on the other end told him to call the Sears 1-800 number and ask them. When he did that, they told him that I would have to call myself and try to order them and send my "turn in ratchet" to Sears or drive to the big Sears 35 miles away and use the Club deal. Needless to say, he was mad and embarassed when he got off the phone, I didn't get to exchange an old ratchet for a new generation ratchet and Sears lost another sale.

Coach
 

billymade

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Joined
Apr 2, 2008
Messages
7,461
Location
New Mexico
Let us know what you think of the Wiha 'drivers! I LOVE MINE!!!!! http://www.wihatools.com/ If you end up being a teutonic tool fan; you might look at Wera line of screwdrivers, too! Their ergonomics are awesome! http://www.wera.de/cgi-bin/vshop?HTML=wera_us.htm
350_sk_ph.jpg
 

eschoendorff

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 6, 2005
Messages
8,991
Location
Michigan
Let us know what you think of the Wiha 'drivers! I LOVE MINE!!!!! http://www.wihatools.com/ If you end up being a teutonic tool fan; you might look at Wera line of screwdrivers, too! Their ergonomics are awesome! http://www.wera.de/cgi-bin/vshop?HTML=wera_us.htm
350_sk_ph.jpg

Man, everyone raves abut those screwdrivers. Never even held one, but I'm afraid that I would not be able to get past the ugly factor. Actually, it's just the handles. If Wera made an all black handle or something...
 
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