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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Screwdriver preferances

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crazy8

07-30-2006 09:28:03




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I am in the market for a nice screwdriver set. I have craftsman now, and I get by with them, but really would like to find better. What brand do you fellas prefer?




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Craig in MO

08-01-2006 23:34:44




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 Re: Screwdriver preferances in reply to crazy8, 07-30-2006 09:28:03  
I like the plus (+) screwdriver. Never understood the minus (-) one. except i think it came first



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van robinson

08-01-2006 19:19:16




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 Re: Screwdriver preferances in reply to crazy8, 07-30-2006 09:28:03  
Crazy8, I believe Klein screwdrivers will be your best bet. I use them every day at work, maintenance, and at home on tractors and various things. Craftsman has a set that looks like Klien, but the screwdriver shank will pull out of the handle. BTDT.



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John Garner

07-31-2006 12:06:34




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 Screwdrivers in reply to crazy8, 07-30-2006 09:28:03  
crazy8 --

I consider the screwdrivers that P B Baumann makes in Switzerland to be "the cream of the cream" today. Their website is pbtools.ch

I also like a number of other European screwdrivers, including these:

CK (German)
Facom (French)
Wera (German)
Wiha (German)
Witte (German)

The US's second largest screwdriver maker, Pratt-Read, imports a line of Slovaking screwdrivers that have been highly recommended to me. I haven't tried any, though.

Of the US-made screwdrivers, Pratt-Read's top of the line drivers are excellent. P-R probably sells more of those drivers to other tool companies for resale under the other-company name than they sell under the Pratt-Read name. This particular series looks just like the Klein vinyl-sleeved-handle drivers that has already been mentioned. Stanley's lookalike is probably every bit as good as the P-R and Klein.

Ace Hardware sells a Taiwan-made lookalike to the P-R / Klein drivers that are also very good.

Incidentally, if you work on Japanese-designed equipment at all you should have screwdrivers that fit "Japanese Industrial Standard Crosspoint" screws. These are the so-called "Japanese Phillips" screws, and the US-made Phillips drivers don't fit them right.

P B Baumann and Wiha make Phillips drivers designed to fit BOTH the Phillips and JIS Crosspoint screwheads. I don't know about the other European makers.

John

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Matt from CT

07-31-2006 14:56:39




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 Well, I think we know who makes the Kleins now! in reply to John Garner, 07-31-2006 12:06:34  
If the pics on the Pratt-Read website is right, it's the tops from their "Professional Contractor" series, with the blades from the "Professional Mechanics" series.

The vinyl grips on my Klein's and the P-R "pro contractor" series are identical right down to the "Made in the USA" on the vinyl grip!

Just a change in whose name is printed on them.

Cool little things you learn.



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fepo

07-31-2006 08:17:49




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 Re: Screwdriver preferances in reply to crazy8, 07-30-2006 09:28:03  
it just so happens that I ended up with 2 Flat head screw drivers in my set made by Grey(or is it Gray) tools, and the rest are a mix, mostly Fuller, or craftsmen. I am finding it very grateful that my flat heads are high quality over my others because like it or not those flat heads are almost NEVER used to turn screws, more like small prying work, scraping, chipping and other uses like that, they just last and dont bend! I replace my other screwdrivers as needed, especially the phillips(I tried a higher end type and they will still get mangled as you try to torque out a stuck screw and then it jumps out).

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Fred Martin

07-31-2006 07:13:02




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 Re: Screwdriver preferances in reply to crazy8, 07-30-2006 09:28:03  
Sounds like we all have a bunch of cheap and expensive screwdrivers laying around...but if you have a decent beltsander, you might try to redo them...(note: try it on the cheap ones first) the straight ones are easy...just don"t let them get too hot and turn purple or you"ll ruin the heat treatment.
The Phillips heads can be spun around carefully and it sharpens up edges so they will grip again...just go lightly cause you can get them too far and they will have to be used in the next size bigger screw...but, that"s a whole lot better than laying in your toolbox for years doing nothing but occupying space. Or weld on a edged piece of tool steel for scraping gaskets with. The best screwdriver ever made is still the Irwin all steel/with the wooden handles riveted on...but, I think they have stopped making them and I"m sure someone else has taken it up. I first used them in the navy and decided that someday I would have a set of them...and years later I found them locally and they were made less than 30 miles away in Wilmington, Ohio...by Irwin Auger Bit Co. Fred OH

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Eddie in MI

07-31-2006 07:35:46




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 Then check this out... in reply to Fred Martin, 07-31-2006 07:13:02  
Link



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MarkB_MI

07-30-2006 19:49:31




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 Re: Screwdriver preferances in reply to crazy8, 07-30-2006 09:28:03  
The best screwdrivers I own are 20 year old MACs. I don't know if the current MAC screwdrivers are of the same quality, but I'm sure the price is out of sight.

I have a #2 phillips head MAC that will easily remove screws that have already been wrecked by a Craftsman screwdriver. I don't know why, it just grabs a lot better than my other screwdrivers.



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Charles (in GA)

07-30-2006 18:23:26




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 Re: Screwdriver preferances in reply to crazy8, 07-30-2006 09:28:03  
third party image

Someone below noted that they were partial to Klein Tools. I think think they are great. I especially like this new tool they came out with, very handy.

Link

Charles



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Slowpoke

08-01-2006 22:26:45




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 Re: Screwdriver preferances in reply to Charles (in GA), 07-30-2006 18:23:26  
I have the matching long handle burger flipper. Stamped "Made in Taiwan" on the blade. I think these were premiums given to dealers.



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Matt in CT

07-31-2006 05:38:11




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 Re: Screwdriver preferances in reply to Charles (in GA), 07-30-2006 18:23:26  
LOL!!!

If actually drank much beer, I'd be inkleined to get one :)

Actually, should run out today and get a couple cases of the last of the Rolling Rock made in Latrobe...haven't had beer in the fridge in like 3 months, and the three Sunday evenings in a row I've had a hankering for a beer...and you can't sell beer on Sundays in CT except to consume in restaurants / bars.



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Davis In SC

07-30-2006 18:14:28




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 Re: Screwdriver preferances in reply to crazy8, 07-30-2006 09:28:03  
About a year ago, I bought one of the Chapman Sets, that has the handle, shaft, ratchet, & all of the various tips. Those tips are hard, & will grip a lot of screws that a regular driver slips out of. The big set was around 30 dollars. I liked it so much, I bought 2 more sets like it, so I always have one handy...



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crazy8

07-30-2006 16:29:45




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 Re: Screwdriver preferances in reply to crazy8, 07-30-2006 09:28:03  
The craftsman phillips screwdrivers seem to be the problem for me ,either a poor fit of just plain tip failure. I have the standard clear and blue handled jobs. Years ago I bought one of there "professional" screwdrivers which seems to be holdin up pretty good, black with the gold lettering, I didnt see them any more when I went to sears recently, probably a design change. Needless to say I went home empty handed. Nuttin more agrevating then strippin out the center of a screw .

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the tractor vet

07-30-2006 15:50:05




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 Re: Screwdriver preferances in reply to crazy8, 07-30-2006 09:28:03  
Well like everyone else i have some craftman here at the house but in the truck there is only one craftsman and it is a stubby flat that i use for points instaltion and the rest are Mac with the exception of my phillips and it is and old one made by a company that use to be in the next town east of me , way back in 1970 while i was still working on cars i needed a long phillips and the cornwell man walked thru the door as i was cussen because i did not have a long phillpis he walked out to the tool wagon and walked in with just what i needed and i told him that ya had better give me two of them since phillips ware out , he told me that i would never ware it out and it would never round out a screw so i end up buying a standard one and the long one in #1-#2-#3-#4 and to this day they are still like new on the tips

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bradk

07-30-2006 15:48:44




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 Re: Screwdriver preferances in reply to crazy8, 07-30-2006 09:28:03  
I've Owned about every brand and Matco screwdrivers win.Fully warranteed,and not as high as Snap-on(which by the way in my opinion aren't any better than Craftsman).Snap-on drivers go dull pretty fast.S-K is pretty good.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Craftsman tools are for the "weekend warriors" at best,and don't belong in professional shops where down-time with broken tools is lost revenue. ~brad

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Fawteen

07-30-2006 15:33:45




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 Re: Screwdriver preferances in reply to crazy8, 07-30-2006 09:28:03  
I have a mess of Craftsman (doesn't everybody?) that have been good units, but when it was time to replace my mix-and-match set for my new job, I decided to try a set of Husky Profesional. Reasonable price, comfortable cushioned handles, and with a year's use on 'em, I'm still pleased with them.



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KEH

07-30-2006 15:06:25




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 Re: Screwdriver preferances in reply to crazy8, 07-30-2006 09:28:03  
I have had better luck with the Snap-on Phillips screwdriver than the other makes. S-K Phillips also good.

KEH



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Matt from CT

07-30-2006 13:50:22




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 Re: Screwdriver preferances in reply to crazy8, 07-30-2006 09:28:03  
I'm partial to Klein cushion grips for most stuff.

Of course, I also treat those as my "good set" and have an assortment of older screwdrivers including Craftsmen, that I use for scraping/prying/whatever else you're not really supposed to use a screwdriver for, or when I need to clamp a pair of vice grips on the handle for more torque.

Also have a nice 10-in-1 Klein I keep in the electrician's toolbag I keep in the trunk of my car with all my computer tools, test equipment, and label maker.

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Steve Crum

07-30-2006 13:30:29




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 Re: Screwdriver preferances in reply to crazy8, 07-30-2006 09:28:03  
I'm kinda' sweet on S-K screwdrivers. Local family owned auto parts store handles the S-K line. Little more expensive than Craftsman, twice as good, same warranty. 8 mile round trip to the auto parts store (and on the way to work) or a 65 mile round trip to Sears.



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Don L C

07-30-2006 13:13:43




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 Re: Screwdriver preferances in reply to crazy8, 07-30-2006 09:28:03  
Out in my shop I have a mixture of all kinds that I have bought over the years.....my Snap-on have always be my favorit.....Most of my hand tools are Snap-on...I have a small tool area at my house garage.....I bought some of Harber Freight better line ....works fine around the house.....but their Pittsburg screwdrivers with the black handles, much like Snap-0n have served me very well.....Don



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John A.

07-30-2006 12:45:25




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 Re: Screwdriver preferances in reply to crazy8, 07-30-2006 09:28:03  
crazy8, Craftsman only. I buy junk ones in the pawn shops for a $1.00 or less....drive to Sears and warrenty them, NO Questions asked. I have $200 to $250 worth of Sears screwdrivers that I have maybe $30 total invested in! The Warrenty I why I buy them. It has taken me between 4 to 6 yrs to accumulate this collection. and it is still growing.
Later,
John A.



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Hobo,NC

07-30-2006 12:28:10




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 Re: Screwdriver preferances in reply to crazy8, 07-30-2006 09:28:03  
NAPA line izz Evercraft, they have a 6 piece set for under $25 that has met my needs, they feel good and werk good. For my odd ball needs I git Olympia @ the local Mill supply house. I also like SK but kin not afford to loose a big buck screw driver. I cherish my Mac wood handle set what�s left of it that I have had for 30 years they don�t make�em like that enny more and the last ones I saw were way to much for me. Git ya a good 6 piece set then look for individual odd ball and longer lengths to add to yer collection.

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RJ-AZ

07-30-2006 11:33:52




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 Re: Screwdriver preferances in reply to crazy8, 07-30-2006 09:28:03  
I prefer Craftsman screwdrivers 5 to 1 over Snap-On. Just check the price!! I make my living as a full time field servce mechanic and go through a set of cheaper screwdrivers each year due to loss. I do have set of Snap-ON and Craftsman at home for my Tractor and Hot Rod work though.
All of my vehicles have a set of Craftsman tools in a small box for emergency if needed. I can set up a small box of Craftsman for a little over $300.00. Throw in a HF hammer and done.

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Cliff Neubauer

07-30-2006 11:25:48




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 Re: Screwdriver preferances in reply to crazy8, 07-30-2006 09:28:03  
I have mostly Craftsman tools but some of them don't hold up very well for us so I've been buying some Snap On stuff of Ebay for replacements. The Snap On stuff will often cost more used than new Craftsman but it is higher quality. Screw drivers are some of the Craftsman tools I've been disapointed in and so far the Snap On set I have is holding up better. I've also gone to mostly Snap On ratchets and allen wrenches.

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old

07-30-2006 09:59:03




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 Re: Screwdriver preferances in reply to crazy8, 07-30-2006 09:28:03  
Craftmans for the most part are top of the line unless you got there cheap sets. About the best you can get is Snap-on but you pay for them



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RustyFarmall

07-30-2006 11:21:27




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 Re: Screwdriver preferances in reply to old, 07-30-2006 09:59:03  
Old, I've got a bunch of Snap-on screwdrivers that I hardly use anymore because the tips are so worn that they just won't grip, both phillips and slotted. I've also got some Craftsmans, and some no names, that are just as old as the snap ons, and have recieved just as much use, but are in much better condition. I do like my snap-on tools, but the screwdrivers do not live up to the name.



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old

07-30-2006 11:27:50




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 Re: Screwdriver preferances in reply to RustyFarmall, 07-30-2006 11:21:27  
Yep know what your saying. For the most part most of the ones I have are wal-mart specials and for most of what I do they work well. But I also use them in ways that your not suppose to so I can expect them to brake. Plus now days things seem to be made cheaper but sell for higher and who know which will last longer the high price stuff or the cheap stuff. I know I have a few of the cheap ones that seem to hold up better then the high dollar ones do

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Charles Weyand

07-30-2006 09:54:41




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 Re: Screwdriver preferances in reply to crazy8, 07-30-2006 09:28:03  
I have a Craftsman 19.3volt, that has worked pretty good for me. My next one will be a Dewalt. I hardly ever use a regular screwdriver anymore.



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