The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Lets talk screwdrivers

I bought a set of WIHA brand a couple years ago. They are made in Germany and seem to be holding up well. Are there any other real favorites out there?

John

Klein or Snap-ON

The best screwdrivers are the cheap ones... you know, those plastic cases with 40 screwdrivers for $5.95? Those things are my choice for Tool-of-the-Century! You can use them for pry bars, scrapers, punches, chisels, ice picks, garden implements... and (if you're lucky) you can even turn a screw or two with a couple.

And then when they self-destruct, just toss 'em and buy more

I still use Craftsman screwdrivers,they are not the best,but on the other hand I can buy them on sale at a real good price.If you treat them like screwdrivers they will last for years.Screwdrivers are not meant to be used as pry bars,chisels,etc.

I have had set of Klein's in my toolbelt at work for years ...love em ...Did pick up a set of Kobalt for the shop a while back ...for fit of the hand and good tips they are VERY comparable to Klein's I really use them and like em ..best was they are half the cost.
Check en out at Lowes

The ones Cornwell sells are not so great, on stubborn screws they break or twist.

I really like Snap-On screwdrivers.
While I was working in the restoration shop I had a set, and most of the other guys had different brands, some better than others. When they could not get a screw to move they always came to borrow my screwdrivers, as more often than not the Snap-on screwdriver would hold onto it and turn it out.
On some really stubborn ones every now and then you twist the tip a little, but the Snap-on Dealer has no problem replacing it. they even have a hex on the shank so you can put a wrench on it for that extra oomph.

Another interesting fact on Snap-On screwdrivers, the small replaceable 1/4" hex screwdriver bits, they are guaranteed, and if one breaks they replace it. I thought they should not, as they seem like a consumable item to me, but they do guarantee them.
I have a Snap-On ratcheting screwdriver with a number of the bits in the handle, every few years I have the worn out bits replaced.

Grigg

Cheap screw drivers are nasty. Pull handle off - bent - broken - stripped driver and or screw.
Tried Kobalt. They work ok but the tip looses its grip after a short while.
I am starting to try some of the different driver handles that take the bits. Some of them work very well. Not sure which brand i am favoring yet.

I have pile's of different brands of screwdrivers, most I use for certain job's,When someone want's to use them I alway's ask what they want it for,that way they get the one that work's for what they are doing.Some think I'm nut's as a screwdriver is just a screwdriver,but they'v lasted a long time when used properly.Some are modified for different thing's.Same goes for most any wrench, used properly it'll last a long time...my 2cent's.Tom
While on the subjact, where do I get replacement tip's for my impact driver?(the kind you hammer on) yeah I used it wrong!!!

I have Husky screwdrivers. They've been holding up great so far. My favorite is this 15 in 1 driver that I got at work. I don't have to crawl out from under the truck because I got the wrong size. And when a bit breaks, I go to a hardware store and get another one. Its a lot cheaper than having to get a new screwdriver each time one breaks.

Craftsman, on sale. Their quality has not decreased over the years; they are lifetime warrantied; they readily honor their warrant; their stores are plentiful; they do not ask how you ruined the screwdriver (pry bars,chisels,etc).

Tim

That's not true. When you get a quality set, you'll see and feel the difference. I used to feel the same way until I used a Snapon. Then I bought a set and, instead of using them for prybars and chisels, went out and bought prybars and chisels!! I'm still not sure about their current version with the rubberized handles, though.

Damm... tough crowd, no sense of humor.

I use Mac, Matco, Snap-on and Craftsman. They have to have a lifetime warranty before I buy them. I like the newer Mac drivers with the big, soft, comfort grip handles for applying some real torque,
Scott

I have aquired about 4 sets of Stanley screwdrivers as door prizes at various cruisins. They are hanging in racks at different places in my shop. They seem to be OK,especially when they are free.

I've used Craftsman and the cheapies and I always go back to my Snap-ons. Brought them in my late teens when I was working at A Marathon Gas Station. Can't beat them! They grip better than any other stick in the box.

Snap On has the best tips, especially for stainless screws.

I use cheap screwdrivers for Tent Pegs....

Well, yeah. Who doesn't!

"Craftsman, on sale. Their quality has not decreased over the years; they are lifetime warrantied; they readily honor their warranty"

I am of the understanding that since K-rap bought Sears that their "lifetime" warranty was about 90 days. Or so it claims on the sales receipt I have.

Craftsman hand tools are still lifetime warrantee. And K-Mart did not "buy out" Sears, Edwin Lampert did. He just happens to have been the majority shareholder in K-Mart, too. That's why they merged.
Please don't misunderstand me. I work for Sears in the Auto Center, so I'm up on what the warrantees are. Also, many people get the merger thing wrong, they either think that they bought out us or we bought out them. That's just not the case.

I have used Craftsman tools my whole life with good results.Now I am talking hand tools I realize SnapOns are probably superior to Craftsman,but who the [censored]c can afford them.I will not buy anymore Craftsman power tools,because thats another story.I have used SnapOns at my 8 to 4 job and truthfully I cannot see any difference in quality.Its just like anything else,everyone has their own opinion of what is best.As for Sears merging with KMart,I have seen no difference in my local Sears store.They still honor the guarantee,etc.