Screwdrivers

[jlm]

For years, I've been using a mixed bag of screwdrivers, but I only have a couple that I would consider "quality" tools. Most are from cheaper sets that have been gifts or sale deals. I'm tired of not being able to find the right size when I need it or having to use a cheapie that strips the fastener, so I'm looking for suggestions.

This is a tool that's often overlooked, but I have a couple of Husky Pro drivers (that I found laying in the middle of the road!) and I can say that they're head and shoulders above the cheap drivers. I never would have even considered that I need new screwdrivers if I hadn't found them and had my eyes opened at what a difference a well-designed screwdriver can make.

Any suggestions for good high-quality screwdriver brands? Sears has a set of Craftsman Pro drivers that looks pretty nice. Anyone have an opinion on those?

[Tom Slick]

Those husky pros and craftsman pros are pretty nice, I've used both. Kleins are my favorite.

[LCHIEN]

any number of tool makers offer nice set of screwdrivers, sometimes with lifetime guarantees. They usually cost quite a bit more so you get what you pay for. Try them in your hand and pick one that feels good.

[BTC3K]

quality...

http://www.hudy.net/xhudy/products/p...90249151b9f445

these are made from drill steel and are very precision grade

[billfrommich]

I have a bunch of Craftsman, Stanley, and a few Klein screwdrivers. I also have a number of ratcheting screwdriver handles that accept all types of hex bits. Yet it seems that 95% of the time I just grab a "four in one" screwdriver. Personally I wish that all screws were square drive so that a square drive version of the "four in one" tool would pretty much cover the normal range of screw sizes.

[Uncle Cracker]

Quality costs, but if you have ever reamed out a screwhead or busted a knuckle trying to use a driver with a worn-out tip, you understand the necessity of a good driver, and also one that fits the screws properly. I use Craftsman, and when the tips get worn, I swap 'em for new.

[LinuxRandal]

For HOME use, Craftsmen, Craftsmen pro, or Husky are all on my list.

From When I working in the Garage, and watching the pro's (various industries) I know, Snap~on, Klien, Craftsmen Pro line and a Cheaper Sunex (will hold up to moding), Wright, and the old smelly Xcellite.

[jlm]

Personally I wish that all screws were square drive...

I couldn't agree more. At the very least, for starters, I'd like to see a worldwide ban on slotted-head screws. Those might have been the "bee's knees" in 1920, but with the availability of several different kinds of screw heads that don't offer a 100% guarantee that you'll slip and gouge the **** out of something (workpiece, workbench, hand, etc), it's time to retire those things. Once we get rid of those, we can start working on the Phillips.

[cabinetman]

I've got screwdrivers up the gazoo. Some are from sets. But I have favorites that I keep going to for certain screws. I have one magnetic hex end about 10" long that I seem to use for most hand applications that I can insert a tip. Gotta love the magnetic tip. I think it's some hybrid, but I've had it for 25 years and have lost the screw cap on the end of the handle that caps off the spare bits. I have many tips that just go in and with a modified square handle, just feels right.

I think if a tool feels "right", that's the one you pick up the most.
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[messmaker]

I think the grip is the make or break on a screwdriver. I think Cabinetman is dead-on about "feels right". I Hate the regular Craftsman screwdrivers but the Pro line is very nice. I have always said I would get a Lee Valley set. I have heard many that heap high praise them. It is hard to force yourself to get a new set of something you already have dozens of.

[Uncle Cracker]

It is hard to force yourself to get a new set of something you already have dozens of.

I know what you mean. Here's how I did it... When I decided to get a full outfit of Craftsman Pro's, I created a "traveling bag" of tools that I could grab at a minute's notice when one of the family called and said "Can you come and look at this?". I put most of my existing screwdriver collection in this bag, leaving room on my tool racks for the Craftsmans. No "buyers remorse" this way...

(Stealth Gloat: I should add that I just upgraded the bag with one of those slick Kobalt bags that I just got at Lowes for $3.99)

[ejs1097]

My favorite driver is a cheap ratcheting bit driver I picked up when Ames went out of business. I find you can get tons more torque with the ratchet drivers and a soft rubber bicycle type grip really helps with this. When I use my Craftsman with much force, my hands get sore. Usually if I start with a regular screwdriver and start stripping the head, I grab my cheap ratchet and back out a screw no problem.

I've also been buying a screwdriver here are there for my 5 yo to build up his 'tool box' with harbour freight models. he likes the magnet tips, but when I’ve used them I’ve found them to be very comfortable...plus they look pretty cool. Kind of strange for a HF tool.

[Black wallnut]

I couldn't agree more. At the very least, for starters, I'd like to see a worldwide ban on slotted-head screws. Those might have been the "bee's knees" in 1920, but with the availability of several different kinds of screw heads that don't offer a 100% guarantee that you'll slip and gouge the **** out of something (workpiece, workbench, hand, etc), it's time to retire those things. Once we get rid of those, we can start working on the Phillips.

Torx, robertson, and square drive have thier places but with the properly sized driver I doubt that they will withstand even as much torque without stripping as a slotted. The problem with slotted is most drivers are tapered so with torque applied they cam out. Hollow ground drivers where the flats of the tip are parallel and if chosen to match the screw in width and thickness work great. Just ask any competent gunsmith! For general household shop and automotive use I use a set of Snap-on mostly but over the years I've ammassed several other brands as well. For fine work on either guns or furniture I use properly sized hollow ground. Some were purchased from Brownell's, some cmae in a gunsmithing kit, others come with the Snap-on ratcheting driver.

[Uncle Cracker]

You're right about the slotted bits, Mark. Most people have a couple three different sizes, and just grab the first one they can lay their hands on. Then they keep using the drivers after their edges have rounded off. A properly fit slotted bit should require a straight pull to get it out of the slot. Anything less, and the results won't make you happy.

[cabinetman]

(Stealth Gloat: I should add that I just upgraded the bag with one of those slick Kobalt bags that I just got at Lowes for $3.99)

We'll all take a vote and maybe dub you The Bag Man.
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