I'm looking for the BEST manual screwdrivers.

Walking Man

Walking Man

BANNED
Joined
May 28, 2003
Messages
9,606
Help me, Guys! I keep dulling and stripping my cheap screwdrivers. What's a good brand of screwdriver that's actually made out of decent steel and won't get messed up right away? I'm especially having problems with my phillips head screwdrivers. Thanks.
 
Try and find the older style Black handled Craftsmen with the square shaft. I have found it much better for actually working with then the newer model. I have had a set for about ten years and it is still going strong, even when used as a prybar.:thumbup:
 
MODERATOR!
OOPS..... I meant to post this over in Gadgets and Gear! I still have problems with Craftmen, they don't seem to be any harder than the cheap Champion junk I bought (because it was cheap)
 
ThreadMoving.jpg
 
I had the same problem with my screwdrivers no matter what the brand. I have found that the 1/4" insert bits normally used with drill drivers seem to be made of a harder steel than any fixed tipped screwdriver. I purchased a nice klien magnetic 1/4 insert screw driver and a handfull of different sized tips. It works great for me and when they do strip or break just dump a new tip in and whammo new screwdriver. And as for Craftsman tools they seem to be going down in quality over the years. I have some older 80's Craftsman screwdrivers that are still going strong but I can blunt out a new one in a week.
 
Craftsmen is a good choice with the lifetime warranty and with Sears so common all over the US.

SnapOn is harder to find. They mostly market to mechanics directly. But, it's great stuff if you can get it.

Wiha also makes professional screwdrivers. One may wonder what could possibly be "professional" about a screwdriver. But the fact is that screwdrivers are supposed to be a certain exact size and shape. Many of the cheapies are close... but not quite. This is especially true with Phillips. A correct Phillips head is actually not easy to make. Most of the cheapies are a simplified design which works ok, but not perfectly. This is why cheapie Phillips head drivers cam out easily and strip the screw heads. Of course, most cheap Phillips head screws aren't correct either which only compounds the problem.
 
Craftsman is a decent quality tool and of course they have that free replacement, so you can't go wrong there. Also they have different lines, or qualities, the better ones are well, better, so thats something to look for if you use them alot.

Jensen, makes a good screwdriver as well.

ders my .02

Jon
 
The older Craftsman screwdrivers work quite well. I agree that the quality has slid over the years.

The SnapOn ones are pretty good. I use a Snap On ratcheting screwdriver daily for work. My 1/4" bits are a mix of Dewalt, Snap On and certain tamperproof ones.

I have some Wiha Comfort Grip screwdriver in #1 and #2 Phillips. It works pretty good.

Make sure you are using Phillips fasteners and not Pozidrive. Also, use the right size screwdriver tip for the fastener. Dont try to use a #2 in a #3 screw.
 
Walking Man said:
Help me, Guys! I keep dulling and stripping my cheap screwdrivers. What's a good brand of screwdriver that's actually made out of decent steel and won't get messed up right away? I'm especially having problems with my phillips head screwdrivers. Thanks.
Click to expand...




Reed-prince made terrific phillips bits. As others have mentioned,older Sears drivers are excellent. Mine date back to the mid-70's & range from pocket clip-ons to what used to be called "oil pan " slotted one.[extremely large ]

Uncle Alan :)
 
I like Craftsman. Hard to strip IMO and if it does, they replace, no questions asked. During their sales, Sears usually has screwdriver sets at good prices.

I think both Home Depot and Lowes have store brands with the same sort of guarantee.

Note that fit matters. If you don't have a range of sizes and you're using a number 2 driver in a number 3 screw, you're going to get slipping and stripping.
 
I have a set of Magna-Tip gunsmithing screwdrivers from Brownells that I use for pretty much everything (except prying open paint cans). The flat bits are available in precise widths and thicknesses, and there are also Phillips, Torx, hex, square, and specialty bits available.
 
craftsman screwdrivers are garbage-yes they are easy to take back for another-but they still stink-

i have a set of snap ons that are over 20 years old and are like new-gone thru about 10 dozen other types over the years and still use my snapy's when i can find them-
i have this problem putting things back into the tool chest-i just leave them were i finished till the next time i need one cant find one so i buy one-20 minutes later i find it-


just keep an eye open for the big snap on truck-have cash he dont take plastic-lol
 
Klein makes some good stuff...

Glenn
 
craigz beat me to it. I do some gunsmithing, and it is very important to have the right driver for the right screw as well as having a tool that will hold up well. I have a magna-tip super set and a bunch of accessory bits. With this set, you always (99% of the time anyway) have the right bit. Brownells will replace any bits that you damage free of charge as well. I custom grind bits for specialty applications. I just can't say enough about the screwdriver set or about brownells as a company.....both are absolutely top notch.
 
Even with the ironclad warranty,I don't think the Craftsman screwdrivers,other than the black handled Professional line,are worth the hassle of constantly returning them.The steel is just to soft or something.With the right sized tool and no mistreatment,I have ruined both phillips and slotted.

I have had a set of Klein's for about a year and a half that seem to be holding up fine.
 
P. Baumann, a Swiss manufacturer is VERY good. Especially the ones with the 'Swiss' grips: slightly soft. Very grippy. I've got a bunch, slotted and Phillips. Can get them here:

http://www.toollady.com/

Site's a little clunky, but good.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top