Who makes decent screwdrivers?

[metaldad]

it's been mentioned, new husky comfort grip, as being similar to old cman comfort grips.
epsteins has cman c.g. on closeout, decent price.
i have way too many drivers of various makes.
i usually reach for cman c.g. in the crypt.
masterforce (ideal - pratt reed) cushion grip on the job site, as they are readily available for replacement from menards
https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/craftsman-7pc-cushion-grip-screwdriver-set-nos.html

 

[themiller]

Channellock makes a great set IMO. I also have Snapon, craftsman, whatever Napa house brand is that everyone raves about, etc. but I reach for the channellock almost every time. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0029U2IOK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[walrus]

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.

Not every, every duratek #2 phillips. Which is 2 drivers, figured that was enough of a sample for me. Taking out rusty Phillips head screws is how I broke them.

 

[nbpt100]

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 ...

It is just like the Toptul go-throughs plus it comes with the case for your tool box.
Must be made in the same factory with the same machines.

To the Guy that says ONLY Snap On and Williams makes a good screw driver, I would say try some more brands before you make up you mind for good.

To the Guy that says he does not care about the screw driver handle, I would say try using a screw driver for 15 minutes on stubborn screws. Maybe a person only doing electronics work with nice clean #8 and #10 machine screws, it doesn't.

 

[eschoendorff]

Not every, every duratek #2 phillips. Which is 2 drivers, figured that was enough of a sample for me. Taking out rusty Phillips head screws is how I broke them.

Oh ok that makes more sense lol

 

[Ben86]

I was able to find a few rare complains and pictures from the past several years of Tekton and Wera screwdrivers having either their tips or shafts twisted, and complaints of Wiha's anti-cam tips wearing out and rust problems.

It is the internet, if you look for something, you'll find it. It very well could have been bad luck with a batch issue. I'd be more concerned about warranties around wear and tear. If Wiha's tips wear out quickly, they may not warranty it, but if a Wera or Tekton twists, they'll probably warranty it, especially Tekton.

 

[M6erfan]

I was able to find a few rare complains and pictures from the past several years of Tekton and Wera screwdrivers having either their tips or shafts twisted, and complaints of Wiha's anti-cam tips wearing out and rust problems.

It is the internet, if you look for something, you'll find it. It very well could have been bad luck with a batch issue. I'd be more concerned about warranties around wear and tear. If Wiha's tips wear out quickly, they may not warranty it, but if a Wera or Tekton twists, they'll probably warranty it, especially Tekton.

Screwdrivers are consumables, warranty is the last thing I consider when making a buying choice.

Bottom line is there are dozens of manufacturers that make "decent" screwdrivers.

Want your screwdrivers to last? Buy a hand impact driver. I have a #2 Wiha that is over 10 years old and is just getting worn out. Warranty? Nope.

 

[Mr_B]

It is just like the Toptul go-throughs plus it comes with the case for your tool box.
Must be made in the same factory with the same machines.

To the Guy that says ONLY Snap On and Williams makes a good screw driver, I would say try some more brands before you make up you mind for good.

To the Guy that says he does not care about the screw driver handle, I would say try using a screw driver for 15 minutes on stubborn screws. Maybe a person only doing electronics work with nice clean #8 and #10 machine screws, it doesn't.

No idea if same factory but both taiwan, handles on toptul better imo and the tray nice too if like mould try storage, think I seen 10pc mayhew set, all ones I seen been black and red handles and not keen on the handle inlay, still super nice screwdrivers at pretty cheap prices if hunt around .

 

[mrspeed]

Others have said if you stick around here long enough, you'll end up just getting them all. That's what happened to me. So far, I have screwdrivers sets from Wera, Felo, Witte, Facom, Beta, Wiha, Elora, Bahco, Hazet, Peddinghaus, Heyco, and Craftsman. The only ones I've put through their paces are probably the Wera, Craftsman, and Felo. The others are newer and so have had little use so far.

I haven't yet tried the Tekton, Toptul, PB Swiss, Vessel, or Snap On.

Of the ones I have and have actually used, I like the Wera laser tips best (I've heard they eventually wear out, but hasn't happened for any of mine yet), I like the Witte handles best, especially the Nature Pro handles, and the Facom handles a close second, the Felo wooden handles the best for strike through drivers but haven't yet tried the Wera chiseldrivers, and I think the Craftsman diamond tip drivers were probably the best value since they were inexpensive and their tips work really well until you compare them to the Wera laser tips.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[IdahoMan]

Screwdrivers are consumables, warranty is the last thing I consider when making a buying choice.

Bottom line is there are dozens of manufacturers that make "decent" screwdrivers.

Want your screwdrivers to last? Buy a hand impact driver. I have a #2 Wiha that is over 10 years old and is just getting worn out. Warranty? Nope.

Impact rated screwdrivers?

 

[Yarpo]

Screwdrivers are consumables, warranty is the last thing I consider when making a buying choice.

Bottom line is there are dozens of manufacturers that make "decent" screwdrivers.

Want your screwdrivers to last? Buy a hand impact driver. I have a #2 Wiha that is over 10 years old and is just getting worn out. Warranty? Nope.

I dont own Snap on Screwdrivers (yet) but this is one of the reasons I'm considering upgrading to them. Same with my picks. Both consumables and both warrantied by the guy at work, so it should be the last set I have to buy. Screwdrivers handles are personal preference, just like guns, everyones hand fits something different and for me, I really like the instinct grip and the fact they offer so many colors is a bonus, makes me feel like a kid again.

For 22 dollars I think the carlyle is a great buy OP. Otherwise the Felo drivers my old coworker had where awesome, quality stuff from them too.

Impact rated screwdrivers?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NPUJYE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[pstemari]

...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NPUJYE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Or Proto https://amzn.com/B002C5ONG8/ or Klein https://amzn.com/B000936R6E/

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[M6erfan]

impact rated screwdrivers?

 

[M6erfan]

I dont own Snap on Screwdrivers (yet) but this is one of the reasons I'm considering upgrading to them. Same with my picks. Both consumables and both warrantied by the guy at work, so it should be the last set I have to buy. Screwdrivers handles are personal preference, just like guns, everyones hand fits something different and for me, I really like the instinct grip and the fact they offer so many colors is a bonus, makes me feel like a kid again.

That's great if you have daily access to a tool truck...

Personally I don't care for S-o tips or handles so I'd pass even if I did have tool truck availability.

 

[Yarpo]

That's great if you have daily access to a tool truck...

Personally I don't care for S-o tips or handles so I'd pass even if I did have tool truck availability.

Yah it's only weekly access for me unfortunately, kinda ***** but I like the handles enough I might go for it. My current screwdrivers are fine tho, so maybe I should save the money and buy somthing else lol.

 

[IdahoMan]

Personally I don't care for S-o tips or handles so I'd pass even if I did have tool truck availability.

Speaking of tips: Is there a driver sizing standard?

From I see there is 1/8", 1/4", 4mm, 5/16"..

 

[M6erfan]

Speaking of tips: Is there a sizing standard?

From I see there is 1/8", 1/4", 4mm, 5/16"..

Unless your talking euro made screwdrivers, then you get into mm's.

There seems to be some common sizes offered in slotted, but of course it's best to use whatever fits best in the fastener.

 

[IdahoMan]

Unless your talking euro made screwdrivers, then you get into mm's.

There seems to be some common sizes offered in slotted, but of course it's best to use whatever fits best in the fastener.

I mean driver sizes for the bits. Ex: A ratchet is in 1/4", 3/8", 1/2".

 

[volpster31]

im partial to pb swiss swiss grips but i have a few of the craftsman made by vessel and i love them too....

 

[Jtels85]

I just picked up a 6 pc. set of the black handle Jobsmart Torx screwdrivers for $11.99 at Tractor Supply to use working on a buddy’s truck today. They’re comfortable and held up great. Anyone have any experience with Jobsmart screwdrivers?

 

[M6erfan]

I mean driver sizes for the bits. Ex: A ratchet is in 1/4", 3/8", 1/2".

I'm not really sure TBH, there are a lot of slotted sizes. Also, some manufacturers wont tell you the thickness of the tip, only the width. Euro manufacturers are better at giving you the tip width and thickness . I believe Snap-on gives the specs of their tips too, as do smaller manufacturers like Forster gun-smithing drivers.

Example of a hollow ground tip (as opposed to "chisel" tips) borrowed from Forster's website...



Common slotted sizes are 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8...

 

[ATC]

To the Guy that says he does not care about the screw driver handle, I would say try using a screw driver for 15 minutes on stubborn screws. Maybe a person only doing electronics work with nice clean #8 and #10 machine screws, it doesn't.

I have. I've used many Craftsman & Stanley hard handles. I still have a cheap hard handle Klutch set that I use for abusing, Irwin, CM pros, and SK. I do have Wihas for when I want to feel special...

Again, it's all personal preference. Some people go for looks. Others go for comfort. I don't care about either.

My screwdrivers have been collecting more dust since I got a M12 driver several years ago...

 

[MetricTech]

I have owned and sold Snap On sets from three different eras, classic hard handle, soft grip, and instinct. I still own some of the hard handle ones because I prefer them, but the precision of SO Phillips tips have never been the best imo. I had a Matco rebranded witte set that I actually liked but were difficult to clean. I had a couple felo sets. Right now I mainly only use PB Swiss. But I do like the vessel and wera drivers. As others have mentioned. It’s mostly about what feels good in your hand and how much are you willing to spend. Warranty is not a big deal to me because if I need a punch I use a punch. If I need a prybar I use a prybar. When I need a screwdriver I use it as a screwdriver.


Metric Tech

 

[M6erfan]

I have. I've used many Craftsman & Stanley hard handles. I still have a cheap hard handle Klutch set that I use for abusing, Irwin, CM pros, and SK. I do have Wihas for when I want to feel special...

Again, it's all personal preference. Some people go for looks. Others go for comfort. I don't care about either.

My screwdrivers have been collecting more dust since I got a M12 driver several years ago...

I don't spend much time with a hand driver on stubborn screws (and I deal with a lot of rusty/crusty screws, many in aluminum motorcycle cases). I break out the hand impact driver.

 

[brtsvg]

After using any German screwdrivers (Wiha, Wera) and / or the Vessel Megadore types you will never buy a big box store screwdriver ever again.

 

[M6erfan]

Warranty is not a big deal to me because if I need a punch I use a punch. If I need a prybar I use a prybar. When I need a screwdriver I use it as a screwdriver.


Metric Tech

Exactly

 

[IdahoMan]

I'm not really sure TBH, there are a lot of slotted sizes. Also, some manufacturers wont tell you the thickness of the tip, only the width. Euro manufacturers are better at giving you the tip width and thickness . I believe Snap-on gives the specs of their tips too, as do smaller manufacturers like Forster gun-smithing drivers.

Example of a hollow ground tip (as opposed to "chisel" tips) borrowed from Forster's website...



Common slotted sizes are 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8...

Thank you for that information.

And I am talking about the driver size(the hex-shank part of the bits). 1/4" seems common. I have an ACE "4-in-1" screwdriver with and extention, the bits are 5/16"dr..

 

[M6erfan]

Thank you for that information.

And I am talking about the driver size(the hex-shank part of the bits). 1/4" seems common. I have an ACE "4-in-1" screwdriver with and extention, the bits are 5/16"dr..

!/4" is more common

 

[anndel]

Love my Snap-ons (plain and soft grips), Craftsman Professionals and my Vessels.

 

[nbpt100]

From reading this thread the OP has lots of brands to consider. Lots of good comments.

The tip precision and material quality will be fine on most of the brands mentions.

I talked about a bad experience with a new Cman P2. But I would not say the whole brand is junk because of that one experience. It was an isolated experience. It was replaced with no hassle and the replacement was fine.

How does the handle feel? Well said by everyone. I personally like handles that are lobbed which helps give you a better grip with out having to squeeze the handle harder. Also they don not roll away so easily when you put them down. Soft or hard handles is not as critical to me if they are lobbed. If not lobbed I prefer a soft grip.

Let us know what you end up buying. It will be interesting to see what you decide on after reading 6 pages or more of input.

 

[theoldwizard1]

They stink.

The old ones smelled like vomit after a lot of use (something to do with the sweat in your hands ?). I have not experienced it on my new ones (only 10 years old).

 

[mikegt4]

As I get older I found that my old (1970) Craftsman screwdriver handles don't seem to fit my hands anymore and I can't get enough grip to apply a lot of torque. I purchased some really nice Witte screwdrivers but they don't seem to fit my hand well either. I appears that I will have to "try on" handles from many brands and styles to find one that fits my hand. It is sort of like trying on shoes sans the size labels. Fortunately there are many great screwdriver products out there but the packaging usually precludes trying the handle.

 

[kctyphoon]

EVERYONE makes decent screwdrivers..