SIGforum
High Quality Screwdrivers
February 19, 2018, 01:42 PM
ArtieSHigh Quality Screwdrivers
I am looking to buy a few high quality screwdrivers. Not necessarily for gunsmithing, but rather for woodwork, assembly, machine repair, etc.
I figure I need a couple of phillips heads, and a couple of straight heads. I have a number of old screwdrivers, some of them very high quality, hard tool steel, but many of them are wearing out, especially the phillips heads.
I can't complain, they made it through my dads shop, and now mine, but they really don't last for ever.
Please advise what brands are good. I am not interested in removable bits, I would like these to be solid, single purpose tools.
Thanks.
A
"I vowed to myself to fight against evil more completely and more wholeheartedly than I ever did before. . . . That’s the only way to pay back part of that vast debt, to live up to and try to fulfill that tremendous obligation."
Alfred Hornik, Sunday, December 2, 1945 to his family, on his continuing duty to others for surviving WW II.
February 19, 2018, 01:47 PM
isthatasiginyourpocketI've got a few sets of Wiha Torx, Allen and standard/metric drivers. They are a decent price on Amazon.
February 19, 2018, 01:50 PM
skyline009I have snap on set but Wiha are really nice too.
February 19, 2018, 01:52 PM
PowerSurgeIt’s tough to beat Wiha. They’re precision made and almost indestructible.
This is the set I own:
https://www.amazon.com/Wiha-53...duty+screwdriver+set
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The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Psalm 14:1
February 19, 2018, 01:52 PM
vandrvI have good luck with Pratt-Read screwdrivers.
http://www.prattread.comFebruary 19, 2018, 01:57 PM
Pale HorseI agree with WiHa. They make some of the best hand tools in the world IMO.
“Everybody wants a Sig in the sheets but a Glock on the streets.” -bionic218 04-02-2014
February 19, 2018, 02:21 PM
Excam_ManKlein, Snap-On, Mac...
Pick the brand which has the most comfortable handle.
February 19, 2018, 02:26 PM
PHPaul line is excellent.
Be careful when following the masses. Sometimes the M is silent.
February 19, 2018, 02:59 PM
maladatThe best fixed blade screwdrivers I have ever used are PB Swiss.
February 19, 2018, 06:03 PM
sourdough44Chapman manufacturing has been on this site, check them out.
February 19, 2018, 06:10 PM
vthokyI'll echo the votes for Chapman and Wiha.
God bless America. February 19, 2018, 06:11 PM
Skins2881I use Klein, perfectly happy with them. Not sure what I could possibly get more out any other screw driver.
Jesse
Sic Semper Tyrannis February 19, 2018, 06:13 PM
RichardCNo orange juice and vodka?
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February 19, 2018, 06:23 PM
9mmnutKlein. Lifetime warranty.
February 19, 2018, 06:24 PM
eltonrMost drivers wear out pretty quickly. over torque, mis-align either removing or setting the screw/bolt will cause wear, no matter how careful you try to be. using the wrong size drive destroys the screw or driver rather quickly. the new replaceable, bit drivers are the way to go.
wear them out, replace them.
ymmv
john
February 19, 2018, 06:52 PM
egregoreMy screwdrivers, especially flat-blade ones, are as or more likely to be used as pry bars, punches or chisels as actually driving screws, but the Greenlee brand has been holding up well for me. Lowes carries them (but in the electrical department), and so does Sears.
February 19, 2018, 09:10 PM
iron chefI second Wiha, Klein, and Snap-on. I would never pay full-price for Snap-on drivers though.
If you're OK w/ translucent acetate plastic handles, then Pratt-Read, PB Swiss, Xcelite, and Stanley USA Industrial are high quality. Pratt-Read used to make many of Craftsman's drivers decades ago.
Some brands not mentioned yet that use ergo rubber handles and are on par w/ Wiha and Snap-on are Wera, Felo, and SK. As Excam_Man posted, it comes down to what kind of handles you like and how much you're willing to pay.
Phillips screws are designed to cam-out, which means if you exceed their torque limit, the driver will pop out of the screw. Because of this, most Phillips head screwdrivers are prone to wearing out.
If you need hex screwdrivers w/ ball-heads to turn at angles, then Bondhus, Allen, and PB Swiss specialize in those.
February 19, 2018, 09:19 PM
sig operatorAlways carried Klein screwdrivers in the tool pouch.
February 19, 2018, 09:23 PM
maladatquote:
Originally posted by iron chef:
I second Wiha, Klein, and Snap-on. I would never pay full-price for Snap-on drivers though.
If you're OK w/ translucent acetate plastic handles, then Pratt-Read, PB Swiss, Xcelite, and Stanley USA Industrial are high quality. Pratt-Read used to make many of Craftsman's drivers decades ago.
Some brands not mentioned yet that use ergo rubber handles and are on par w/ Wiha and Snap-on are Wera, Felo, and SK. As Excam_Man posted, it comes down to what kind of handles you like and how much you're willing to pay.
Phillips screws are designed to cam-out, which means if you exceed their torque limit, the driver will pop out of the screw. Because of this, most Phillips head screwdrivers are prone to wearing out.
If you need hex screwdrivers w/ ball-heads to turn at angles, then Bondhus, Allen, and PB Swiss specialize in those.
PB Swiss "SwissGrip" screwdrivers have a grippy rubberized sort of surface on the handles, unlike the older clear ones.
February 19, 2018, 09:23 PM
.38supersigI've had only Snap-on tools for years.
One thing to consider, manufacturers tend to make Psudo-Phillips screws. While not a true Phillips (lawyers and stuff) and not a Posidriv, what shows up mostly is a Reed and Prince style screw. Snap-on is one of the only manufacturers that make a decent assortment of R&P screwdrivers. The anti-camout-ribs on their other screwdrivers are a significant plus.
I build an assortment of prototypes and various mechanical work. Somehow my OCD kicks in when I start with the wrong tool. $^*&%#