Who makes decent screwdrivers?

[f121]

Snap On soft-grip instinct handles.

The handles work for me, comfy and let you apply more torque than other handles I've tried. Overall I'm not convinced the quality is as good as it was 15 years ago, the tips seem to wear quicker than I would expect, but they are still great.

I found a no2 Philips in a junk yard, was an essential part of my toolbox for several years, until I left it in a junk yard. I felt a bit lost without it, so I bought a couple so I had a spare...

 

[mudflap]

In the day I would agree. They have cheapened them over the past 10 years or so. If you can get a good price, why not?
I got a set as a gift and stripped out the #2 Phillips the 1st time I put it to a difficult screw. There was something wrong it, clearly. Sears swapped it out with out any problems. That was a major attraction with Cman tools. Now that is all up in the air. I have to drive an hour now to get to the nearest Sears. It remains unclear how well Lowes will handle warranties.

Very good comments so far. Screw drivers are more complicated than the average person would think.
Features and things to think about.

How well does it feel in your hand and how balanced is it? Very subjective.
How well are the tips machined and how is the quality of the steel. Tempering etc.
Do you want magnetic tips?
Does it have a bolster for added torque?
What lengths to you need? Stubby, extra long etc.
Handle material?

Diamond grip tips? (past threads on this say it works great but it wears off relatively quickly)
Warrantee and easy of use.

There are a lot of good choices out there.

The best for one is not the best for another.

The community here is great for input, ideas, creativity, variety of view points etc.

Like someone else said. After reading threads on here I want to go out and buy more stuff........it is addictive.

Yea..eventually if he hangs around here he will own them all...but will have found his favorite...lol. Example.....This thread has me wanting some Felo's.. Do i need them...? Not in a million years...

 

[notlob]

Felo

Felo ergonics FTW! My favorites, and my daily drivers.




The best bargain in screwdrivers, and best bargain at HF (and vastly better than the standard Craftsman screwdrivers):

https://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-professional-screwdriver-set-94607.html

 

[jeffmoss26]

Felo are my daily use screwdrivers for the locksmithing bench. They hold up exceptionally.
For voice/data/electrical work, my bag is full of Klein.
At home I have a mix of Klein and Craftsman.
I also really like Enderes.

 

[toolmutt]

The proto duratek look nice, I will give them a try. Thanks.

Proto Durateks are my goto for torx. However, I've been disappointed in the phillips. For phillips I grab either Snappy or Williams clones.

 

[nadogail]

Wiha & Stanley Fat Max are my favorites.

I have fond memories of some wooden handle Irwin Screwdrivers and Tuffy screwdrivers from the Swallow Aircraft Company.

 

[SS5150]

Any of the Witte rebrands. Several handle styles. Excellent tips. Snap On's are good too, the handle is nice, but the tips are definitely not as good as they were 20 years ago. I've got a few styles of Craftsman Pro's floating around too.

 

[jshailor1871]

I don't care what anyone says, the old fashioned Craftsman clear, blue and red screwdrivers are "decent" and if you catch them on sale they are a bargain !

This was my first screwdriver set. Found a solid deal eBay for 10 drivers ranging in size and flat/phillip.

I have gone on to purchase a SK set as well that has held up extremely well.

John

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[tanukiboy]

IMO, S-o screwdrivers are way overrated.

PB Swiss for slotted (they're cabinet tip and hollow ground, in other words, the proper design for slotted)
Vessel & Wiha for cross tip

Thanks for the great tip [haha] about PB Swiss slotted drivers, M6erfan. Just ordered a couple from my pals at Amazon.

 

[NoMoreGreen]

Ill just throw this out there too. What about Klein?

 

[walrus]

The only good #2 Phillips is Snap On, Williams. Nothing else I've used measures up. Klien, Proto,Mac, Craftsman, PBSwiss, are all **** in comparison

 

[Fedwrench]

The only good #2 Phillips is Snap On, Williams. Nothing else I've used measures up. Klien, Proto,Mac, Craftsman, PBSwiss, are all **** in comparison

I used to think that the Snap on phillips #2 had no equal then, i tried a Toptul phillips#2 and realized i was wrong.

 

[Farmall450]

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=239689

 

[toolmutt]

I used to think that the Snap on phillips #2 had no equal then, i tried a Toptul phillips#2 and realized i was wrong.

Dang you, Fed! I don't need anymore screwdrivers but now I have to try Toptul!

 

[Dookie2122]

The other day, I bought this Home Depot/Husky brand set of diamond-tip magnetic screwdrivers for $15:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-D...+driver}:qu+nr:{husky+diamond+screwdriver}:nr

So far, I've only used the flat head to loosen two air intake hose clamps on my car. So far, I like them.

I saw the Craftsman, listed above, at Sears.
My rationale for getting the Husky was:
lower price that Sears;
lifetime warranty (Home Depot will be around longer than Sears);
I don't need a large set of screwdrivers;
magnetic tips reduces screws from falling of the screwdriver; and
reduce problems with stripping screws (that's my specialty, LOL).

I'd also like feedback from others about my choice.

I Have the same set, love them, great grip on screws.

 

[Fedwrench]

Dang you, Fed! I don't need anymore screwdrivers but now I have to try Toptul!

I'm sorry. I blame Dennis Schmidt for living a few miles from where i work. I would have been blissfully ignorant had he not sold them to me or had i not seen Eric O use them in his south main auto channel on You Tube.

It might also be Snap on's fault since they came out with the instinct handle that I just can't stand which has ruined many snap on tools for me.

On a side note, when buying the Proto Duratek screwdrivers, get the ones with the bolstered blades. There is definitely a difference in blade quality between the two versions.

 

[mudflap]

The only good #2 Phillips is Snap On, Williams. Nothing else I've used measures up. Klien, Proto,Mac, Craftsman, PBSwiss, are all **** in comparison

Lol...............

 

[Wamsutta]

PB SWISSGRIP

 

[toolmutt]

I'm sorry. I blame Dennis Schmidt for living a few miles from where i work. I would have been blissfully ignorant had he not sold them to me or had i not seen Eric O use them in his south main auto channel on You Tube.

It might also be Snap on's fault since they came out with the instinct handle that I just can't stand which has ruined many snap on tools for me.

On a side note, when buying the Proto Duratek screwdrivers, get the ones with the bolstered blades. There is definitely a difference in blade quality between the two versions.

That must be my problem with the Proto phillips I have. No bolster. I can certainly tell a difference between the Duratek and my older yellow handled Protos.

 

[jimmyin3D]

Pb Swiss! I’ve never felt a Phillips or flat be so securely inserted into the screw. And from what I hear they are super durable. Also the handles fit your hand nicely. I currently own them and have Williams + vessel.

 

[walrus]

I used to think that the Snap on phillips #2 had no equal then, i tried a Toptul phillips#2 and realized i was wrong.

Never seen one. I'd try one if Toptul was a common tool but they are like unicorns here in the east
I guess I should have bought the bolstered Durateks also. Broke every #2 philips I've used.

 

[ChevyEFI]

My hex bit driver TopTul handle feels like I could torque lug nuts with my bare hands.

If they were the right colors, I'd buy more.

 

[plinker]

I start by saying one screwdriver set isnt enough.

I prefer bit screwdrivers in general since bits are cheap (for the most part) and I can try several bits to get a better fit (mainly #2 phillips). Down side is they dont always fit.

My primary screwdriver is a hard handle ratcheting with a 3" bit shank. As for fixed shank drivers, I have a set of hard handle Snap-on's, I do think they arent quite as good as they used to be, blade wise, but still decent. The only instinct handles I like are the mini tip ones, the full size handles are too out of proportion (too big) IMO.

Witte/Matco drivers are pretty nice, I know a couple people that say they're the "best". I've been debating about getting one of the Carlyle sets but dont really need them per say. The Klein rubber molded handles are quite nice, I dont think they'd hold up well in an auto or truck shop though (chemicals & such).

Funny as it sounds, I actually like the Craftsman spinner handle style/size handle best in some ways.

 

[JBH]

I also like the Felo wood handle drivers.

+1. The only thing wrong with them is the limited range: only slotted, PH, and PZ available.

If I had to toss everything I have but one in each size, I'd keep the Felo woodies for PH and PZ, and PB Swiss for slotted. I typically use bit for square, hex, or torx.

 

[turnthewrench 2.0]

Witte, PROTO Duratek.

 

[Ben86]

I went with SO only because they were cheaper for me than PB Swiss and SO covers wear-and-tear, PB Swiss does not. I haven't used them a whole lot, but they've been nice to me so far. Night and day better than Craftsman, but I've heard nothing but great things about PB Swiss.

Of course there's always Wera, Wiha, and AvE seems to like Felo woodhandled.

 

[Jtels85]

The other day, I bought this Home Depot/Husky brand set of diamond-tip magnetic screwdrivers for $15:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-D...+driver}:qu+nr:{husky+diamond+screwdriver}:nr

So far, I've only used the flat head to loosen two air intake hose clamps on my car. So far, I like them.

I saw the Craftsman, listed above, at Sears.
My rationale for getting the Husky was:
lower price that Sears;
lifetime warranty (Home Depot will be around longer than Sears);
I don't need a large set of screwdrivers;
magnetic tips reduces screws from falling of the screwdriver; and
reduce problems with stripping screws (that's my specialty, LOL).

I'd also like feedback from others about my choice.

I’ll vouch for these! Apex makes these Diamond Tip screwdriver sets for Craftsman, Husky, Duralast (Auto Zone) and Gearwrench. I have sets from every brand and they are the best thing in screwdrivers to hit the market in awhile!

 

[Mr_B]

Another vote for toptul, they outstanding and cost is pretty low, the hammer thru are just perfect for my daily use .
I like the williams old snapon hard handle sets .
chih-tai do some quite decent screwdrivers too, I had a hammer thru set from them under premier brand and was good for low cost .

 

[Jtels85]

I don't care what anyone says, the old fashioned Craftsman clear, blue and red screwdrivers are "decent" and if you catch them on sale they are a bargain !

Also agreed. I have a full set of USA Craftsman clear handles and while not the best, they were a bargain and have help up great over the years. I still use mine for household and automotive tasks.

 

[crasher98]

The best bargain in screwdrivers, and best bargain at HF (and vastly better than the standard Craftsman screwdrivers):

https://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-professional-screwdriver-set-94607.html

[/QUOTE]

Agree! Those HF screwdrivers are so great I started to feel bad about how disgracefully I was abusing them. Still do it tho, because they can take it. I have one set in my car and one on the pegboard in an outside shop, because why walk all the way back to the toolbox when these are such a bargain?

Re what's in the toolbox: I can get a better grip on these Stahlwille 4892 handles than any other screwdriver I've ever tried, plus they don't roll around all over the place like round-handled drivers do:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0079274LU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

That said, I've also bought a few Vessels for the japanese phillips on my japanese car; I like these too:

https://www.vesseltools.com/handtools/screwdrivers/megadora/900jf-series-detail

 

[sberry]

I bought some straight ones from HF recently, about as good as any I ever use, I havnt worn them out yet but at 1.50 a piece they are disposable. I like the marking on the end of the handle, great idea.
At that price and quality I ain't fukkin with expensive ones.

 

[IdahoMan]

I prefer bit screwdrivers in general since bits are cheap (for the most part) and I can try several bits to get a better fit (mainly #2 phillips). Down side is they dont always fit.

Meaning they won't fit into a recessed hole?

 

[plinker]

Meaning you they won't fit into a recessed hole?

Yes. An example would be steering column trim on For trucks. Need a normal screwdriver for that.

 

[Professional Tool User]

The only good #2 Phillips is Snap On, Williams. Nothing else I've used measures up. Klien, Proto,Mac, Craftsman, PBSwiss, are all **** in comparison

Looks like you spend too much time turning screws by hand. For the amount of money you spend on a Snap on set you can get yourself an impact driver, some bits, and maybe have enough money for a halfway decent set that can handle messed up screws.

 

[nbpt100]

Never seen one. I'd try one if Toptul was a common tool but they are like unicorns here in the east
I guess I should have bought the bolstered Durateks also. Broke every #2 philips I've used.

Meyhew is a cousin to Toptul. Just a different color. Very nice go through screw drivers. You can beat the heck out of them.

https://www.nationaltoolwarehouse.c...MI0NiHt4vl4AIVK7azCh1REQR2EAQYAyABEgKXNPD_BwE

 

[NC Rick]

I really like Wera, they are WAY better than my snap on set I replaced. There may we’ll be Better, I haven’t tried everything. I have Vessel also, which are very good and the best fit for JIS.

 

[Mr_B]

That mayhew set don't look bad, toptul 6pc was around 35-40 bucks when likes of denis selling the brand, probably have be eBay import these days, They better than snapon imo and 1/4 the price, ideal mechanics/engineers style and hold up to abuse well, I had the long set and a 20pc along with 6pc go thru all of which holding up great and proving be top tools quite literally ...

 

[ATC]

Dave,
I dont think there is a set answer. There is a lot of difference in what type of handles different people like. I personally do not like cushioned handles at all and yet someone else might love them. I would be willing to bet that almost all of the blades are comparable unless you are buying real junk.

I agree. I don't give a damn about the handles...all I care about is the strength of the tips and shaft...you know, the whole point of a screwdriver!

 

[eschoendorff]

Never seen one. I'd try one if Toptul was a common tool but they are like unicorns here in the east
I guess I should have bought the bolstered Durateks also. Broke every #2 philips I've used.

I just gotta ask what the hell youre doing with screwdrivers that you break every #2 Phillips you’ve used?

I’ve never broken a screwdriver in my life. I’ve sheared a bit in a small impact and I’ve chipped a flat tip using it as a pry bar but I’ve never broken a screwdriver that I’ve used as... a screwdriver.

 

[kb1982]

The two that i like the best of the varying screwdrivers I have are the Wera Kraftform and Tekton. The handles on both allow you to get lots of gripping force. I keep the Tekton set at work and the running joke about them are that the handles look like an alien phallus. Oh well, the price was great and they work well. And are even made in the USA.

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