I'm looking for the BEST manual screwdrivers.

Oh for crying out loud guys ... :cool: Craftsman is fine ... I have plenty of them, but try Snap On. They are a treat to your hand. No more said here. You'll see if you check it out. Mac & Matco compete with Snap On for slightly lesser prices.

Now ... :D The truly unadvertised Pro-level screwdriver bargain out there is done by Wiha. Check it out on Ebay. Buy their top stuff ... It's relatively inexpensive and super well done. Wiha manufactures in Germany.

Razz
 
Chapman Mfg doesn't make screwdrivers, but they do make bit sets, some of them specifically for gunsmiths and hobbyists. I have a set and the bits are all top quality (flat heads are hollow ground, very hard, and the fit on the philips heads and hex drives has always been perfect).

[edit to add]The other set of tools I use are Wiha. The torx and posidrives are top quality. Haven't used them much for anything else though.

Oh and make sure you're not mixing posidrive and philps screws and drivers. I've buggerred up a few too many jobs that way...
 
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...

Snap-on if you can get a calendar as well. Otherwise, and more seriously craftsman.
 
Razzierb said:
Oh for crying out loud guys ... :cool: Craftsman is fine ... I have plenty of them, but try Snap On. They are a treat to your hand. No more said here. You'll see if you check it out. Mac & Matco compete with Snap On for slightly lesser prices.

Now ... :D The truly unadvertised Pro-level screwdriver bargain out there is done by Wiha. Check it out on Ebay. Buy their top stuff ... It's relatively inexpensive and super well done. Wiha manufactures in Germany.

Razz
Click to expand...

Craftsman has it all over Snap-On for price and availability IMO. Warranties may be the same but how quick can you locate a Snap-On retailer to replace a broken tool. Sears and AAFES (who also sell Craftsman now) ask no questions and settle up now.

Never used Mac or Matco. Stanley makes good, cheap, and readily available screwdrivers and Excellite makes decent sets with interchangable blades for screwdrivers, nutdrivers, allens, Torx, and God only knows what else. Chapman makes great sets for hard to reach and offset requirements. Sets come with a ratcheting handle plus normal screwdriver handle with extension for all the bits. Wide variety of bits available as well. Replacement bits aren't cheap if you lose one so make sure the ratchet grips the bit tightly. Don't know about warranty on set.

Wiha however defines quality IMO - especially for electronic tech needs. Ergonomically sweet and designed for varying needs in varying industries. They are made from a Wiha special CRM-72 High Performance Tool Steel but I don't know what the specs on the steel are. They are a joy to own. Don't know how responsive they are for warranty stuff but here's what their site states:
All Wiha Products Carry a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Wiha will replace tools found to be defective providing the tools have not been altered or misused. Wiha Insert Bits, Power Bits and Tweezers are not warranted except for defects in workmanship and materials.

Wiha Tools Use and Warranty Guidelines:

- Use tools for their intended applications, screwdrivers should not be used to pry or chisel.
- Never modify or alter a tool from its original design.
- Do not use extensions or torque multipliers, this will achieve excessive torque levels.
and may result in serious injury and premature tool failure.
- Inspect all tools before use and discard tools that show any signs of visible damage.
- Do not use tools beyond their intended useful life.
- Work Safe - always wear appropriate eye and hand protection when using hand tools.
Click to expand...

E-Bay is still the best place to find them as specialty tool suppliers like Techni-tool, Digi-Key, and others are ridiculously expensive.




j
 
For me the better craftsman are good (black handle, hardened tip), because any screwdriver goes bad if you use it hard and craftsman can be exchanged for new ones. In the 70s Rigid made very good screwdrivers but I don't think they are still available.
 
I use Wiha, Chapman, Craftsman, and Stanley.

I think that Wiha and Chapman are best used in specialized jobs where the tips are not going to be beat up too much.

I like Craftsman for everyday household tasks. You simply cannot beat the combination of price and warranty.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
B00003030U.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.gif


I use S/K screwdrivers on my job. They`re the best I`ve used.
 
I appreciate the comments, but I simply do not wish to drive to Sears every six months to replace screwdrivers. I know it's not really a big deal, but I want a tool that will not give out 1/2 way through a job. Lately, I've putting together some furniture and other things around the house that require a little more torque on a screwdriver, and it seems that some of screws are pretty tough to turn so they slip every now and then. I make sure I'm using the right sized screwdriver too.
 
Walking Man said:
I appreciate the comments, but I simply do not wish to drive to Sears every six months to replace screwdrivers. I know it's not really a big deal, but I want a tool that will not give out 1/2 way through a job.
Click to expand...

If you'll notice, everyone pretty much said to get the Pro-grade Craftsman screwdrivers which are hardened. If you have to drive to Sears every 6 months to replace these, well, you're doing it wrong.:D

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Gollnick said:
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.
Click to expand...

Craftsman is a good widely available relative cheap choice. For a homeowner, their good screwdrivers should last a lifetime.

Snap On brand tools are better then Craftsman in my experience. Is the higher expense worth to you? Also, you need to hook with the driver that serves your area. Catch them at a mom an pop car repair place. In my case, I drove to their main distribution center for all their drivers and got mine there. Yes, it is inconvenient to get them, but you only do that once (unless you loose them of course ;))

Wiha and the other premium European makers build superior products. Wiha comes highly recommended from friends who work on electronics and bicycles. They seem priced fairly against Craftsman from Sears too.

Gollnick and I apparently share opinions on these tools. His words about dimensions and fit are worth rereading.
 
Snap-On ratcheting screwdriver all the way. You will not find a better tool anywhere. It holds 4-5 bits in the handle and one in the tip. I beat the crap out of one for many years and it finally started to exhibit play in the shaft. I flagged down a Snap-On truck...he took one look and handed me a brand new one. :) I also have the Stubby ratcheting driver. Totally outstanding.

For straight screwdrivers Snap-On is also fantastic. But I like Wiha a little better. Also, the Wiha 1/4" hex bits are way nicer than any others I have found.
 
Sid Post said:
Wiha comes highly recommended from friends who work on electronics and bicycles. They seem priced fairly against Craftsman from Sears too.
Click to expand...

DOH!!! Forgot about my Wiha cone (thin profile for non-bike mechs) wrenches and the other bike maintenance tools when I posted regarding electronics!! :o

Good points on dimension and fit. Reed and Prince drivers don't mesh well with screws designed to accept Phillips/cross points and look out if a Pozigrip shows up. Know what you're using em for. (Wihas fit like surgeons' gloves)

And for Pete's sake someone wake up the Chinese and make them stop supplying those soft cheap pot-metal bastard inbred-hybrid slotted/cross point spawn of hell spiral inclined ramp sort-of fastening devices in all their goods.:mad:
 
Walking Man said:
What's a good brand of screwdriver that's actually made out of decent steel and won't get messed up right away? Thanks.
Click to expand...

I do not have any problem with vermont screwdrivers. I even recently saw some at the discount store and they only cost fifty cents each. I would try the screw driver inserts that they use for power tools to hang drywall and so forth. They usually use hardened metal for them. It would be easy to find a handle to put them in. It use to be that snap on was considered to be the best tool. But I am not so sure of that anymore.
 
i prefer the Klein brand. they are readily available and are high quality. i also like their padded handles and the fact they mark the type of blade on the top of the screwdriver...that is a really handy feature. some of them also have a small metal rod at the base of the blade to assist in making perfect little j-hooks when doing electrical work.

their multi-function screwdrivers are some of the few i have ever used that function like a regular screwdriver (ie dont slip at all even when torqued hard) and they also have proper blades.

they have a lifetime warrenty but i have never had to use it...unlike craftsman, husky, kobald etc
 
Ive had them all, and i have to go with snap -on, and the ratching one is awesome, its more than you will ever need. Its the sebenza of the screwdriver world. Im sure if you check on ebay you could get your hands on some.:thumbup:
 
Walking Man said:
I appreciate the comments, but I simply do not wish to drive to Sears every six months to replace screwdrivers. I know it's not really a big deal, but I want a tool that will not give out 1/2 way through a job. Lately, I've putting together some furniture and other things around the house that require a little more torque on a screwdriver, and it seems that some of screws are pretty tough to turn so they slip every now and then. I make sure I'm using the right sized screwdriver too.
Click to expand...

Maybe use a different fastener, instead of a phillips or slot head. One that can take the extra torque. Something along the line of a hex head or square drive. Basically, something where both the driver and fastener can handle what you're doing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top