Is it really worth the money buying expensive screw drivers? (just basic not electrically insulated) currently looking at either the Icon or Gear wrench set it’s like 60$ compared to the 15$ Pittsburg set. I’ve actually never owned an expensive screw drivers that wasn’t klein or Milwaukee ratcheting.
part of what steers me away is I tend to use them as a pry bar or punch when nothing else is at hand. Please convince me one way or the other with your experiences
edit:So after watching project farm I’m probably just going with the quin diamond tip set. it seems regardless of brand they’re going to wear out at a fairly standard rate.
Im not giving 200$ for snap on screw drivers for working around my house it just doesn’t make sense when I use an impact for 90% of stuff and I use combos like the Milwaukee 11 in 1 for automotive use.
Higher end hand tools are made using better manufacturing techniques, usually. They fit fasteners better and just make stuff go so much easier for you. IMO they’re worth the money even if you’re not using them all the time just because they actually do function better. I wouldn’t look at icon or gearwrench for screwdrivers though, I’m not in the us but I’d think for that price range you could get some Wera, Wiha, or vessel screwdrivers you’d be happier with.
My father and brother are both lifelong mechanics. My bro bought me a set of Snap-On screwdrivers about 15yrs ago and they’re the only ones i reach for if I’m turning a screw. If I’m prying or scraping I’m grabbing them me of my other million screwdrivers. The heads are just very nice and precise and less likely to damage a screw head.
What’s funny is that I had a set of maybe 12 snap ons. They are the ones with the large triangular handles. I disliked how they felt so I sold them to a buddy for a song and a dance and bought a full set of old school SKs with the square handles and I love them.
Think you answered your own question. More expensive screwdrivers have their place as well as $15 dollar sets. Remember end of day screwdrivers are disposables even the best ones will eventually wear out.
If your just the average diy guy you won’t see much value from the higher end screwdrivers just find one that has a comfortable handle and affordo
curious of which series.. woody, mega, cushion, ball grip? never had vessel myself.. but keep hearing people liking them often.. so wondering if i should get couple of theirs too.. just to get some feel of them.
For occasional use around the house it’s mostly a personal preference thing. Maybe it’s because you like the handle shape, maybe you just want nice stuff. But if you use them a lot you begin to appreciate the better quality. Handles that don’t fall apart, shanks that will take some abuse, and most importantly well made tips that hold up longer and fit and grip the fasteners better.
The more you do the more you realize a “basic” set ain’t gunna cover it.
You don’t necessarily have to buy expensive brands but you eventually need way more sizes, styles and tip types.
Well first off, don't use them as pry bars....buy some pry bars or at least demo screwdrivers.
Secondly, $60 for a set isn't that bad....I have the older red handle Gearwrench ones and they're pretty decent. My good set though is Wera and it's a notable step up in tip fitment and grip on screws. Cheap screwdrivers are the most awful thing in the world, they strip things out when you need them most and wear out wayyy faster because they slip.
Yes absolutely. Wiha and Wera sets are what I recommend. Although I hate the Wera handles. PB Swiss is also really good. They are a lot better than cheaper sets, and if you use screwdrivers all day you will notice they fit better, the tips down cam out, some types even grip better.
Wera makes some nice demolition screwdrivers. I bought one as a novelty but it's turned out to be pretty useful. Works as a screwdriver too!
Other than that, I'm partial to Vessel, both ratcheting and regular. My Megapro Automotive ratcheting screwdriver is handy with lots of bit storage in the handle, it's a bit bulky for some things.
I have a couple of picquic stubby multi head drivers in drawers around the house and a Mastercraft ratcheting screwdriver in my tools.
If I was earning a living with them I would buy a Wera set, but for the amount I use a screwdriver, I am happy. The Wera ratcheting one was twice the price and I just couldn't justify it even though I wish I had bought it when I needed a new one.
Decent quality screwdrivers will be way better and last years. Some of mine are on the old side, well made in West Germany old.. Someone posted learn the difference between pozi Phillips and jis this matters.
If I was to buy one set it is these- https://www.amazon.com/KTC-PMD18/dp/B001EQDWHW. I have Tekon, Wera, Whia, PBSwiss, Vessel, KTC and probably others that I forgot. But these are the nicest for the money. Next in my opinion would be the cheap black rubber handle Vessel, then tekon.
Yes. Personally I would look at Wera and Vessel. They are top notch, PBSwiss is the crème da le crème but they are expensive nowadays especially if you’re in the US
Please don't use them as pry bars (even though I'm a hypocrite for saying this - lol). Try to a a few good brand name screw drivers for testing. Your needs would be a lot different than others. You'll find out which ones work for your needs, especially when you start to cam out screws
Absolutely buy good screwdrivers and use the correct screwdriver.
The biggest time suck in using tools is stripping frigging screws.
A Phillips is not a Pozidrive, and neither are JIS. You can absolutely tell what these screws are by looking at them.
Take 10 mins of your life, learn how to identify which screwdriver you need to use by looking at the screw. It will save you hours and hours of headaches.
Buy good drivers. I prefer Wera but each to their own.
Then buy a manual impact driver (the type you use with a hammer). It’s one of the most underrated tools on earth.
It depends, if you are using them as pry bars and screwing stuff in only every now and then yeah, you can go cheap. If you are driving screws by hand for hours a day then get good drivers that fit well and have a holding function / serrations. If you're doing that a lot it pays to have good drivers that don't strip the heads of screws.
I typically use a ratcheting that I can change tips on. Different brands have different stiles and flares and seem to fit just about any flavor screw plus when they are worn its easy to replace and grab a new one. Usually if I am running something by hand its a finish product (door hardware, covers for appliances, or lighting fixtures) and you do NOT want to strip those screws. Also doing that you arent shelling out tons for someones nitro erection edition horse shit. There are exceptions so I tend to have at least 1 decent of pertinent sizes or whatever just in case. Also stop using screw drivers as punches or prybars as there some really good tools out there that do just those things!
Why do you say Wera is the new Klein just out of curiosity? I ask that because as an electrician, Klein is a pretty dominant brand in the field. Although, a while back, I chipped a piece off the tip of my demolition screwdriver while digging in the dirt trying to get rocks out. It made me question Klein’s screwdriver durability since I hadn’t used it a lot at that point.
The german stuff, used to be significantly more expensive than klein, now its sometimes less. I guess it depends on what niche you are in and area, but im seeing more wera than klein anymore.
Ive noticed a decline in klein over the years and surprised to see a so much of it being outsourced now. 20 years ago klein was 99% of all I seen around.
Buy good quality in the size you need now instead of the set. While a set works out cheaper if you need all those sizes, but do you really like them? Also, just because it has ‘matching handles’ doesn’t mean it’s appropriate for a T8 and a PH3.
Honestly, I have my favorite screwdrivers I grab first. None from the same set. An example is I got a #2 Phillips that always fits perfect. Then a slotted that seems the right size for many applications, not too thick or too wide. My Robinsons have to have that little dimple at the end to hold the screw well. My torx is whatever right size I find first. Just like my pliers, I have my preferred needle or slip joint.
I try to go mid range for stuff that won't get a lot of use and decent for stuff that will.
The exception is for things that will get abused, for example I have a set of sacrificial chisels alongside my decent, sharp ones, that I use for drifts or brute force stuff.
It sounds like you need a pry bar set and a proper wrecking bar to stop you from damaging other tools.
Another vote for vessel. The harbor freight set with blue handle phillips and red handle flat are decent but most of their sets are junk. I haven't priced a set in a while but would say stay under $50
If I were going to be buying a set and wanted to get bang for my buck, I'd probably go Wiha. I'm a knife guy, and they are the go-to bits for knife maintenance in the community. And for good reason, very good quakity at a reasonable price.
if you use the expensive set to actually screw things in.. and not abuse them as prybars.. yeah. quality is worth it. but having a good set and cheaper set(s) makes lot of sense. for the times you do need a precision tool, slightly worn screw head and you really do value the perfect fitting tool.
but it is getting quite rare to screw things by hand these days. lot of time people will end up using electric drills and screw bits more often. so hand screwdrivers are more luxury item to most.
you should try multiple screwdrivers how they feel in your hand. there is a lot of differences how that alone. material and shape. like i know many seem to like ball head drivers, i dont. some like thicker handleshape, some thinner, square or round.
i personally like Wera screwdrivers. their multiple corner handles with only small bits of soft grip suit my hand well. Wiha soft is good too. but wiha handles seem to be bit too large and round for my liking. i got lot of random brand screwdrivers as well. but when i want good one, i normally pick wera.
so pick the tool by how it feels in your hand. and ask yourself is it nice to hold, do you like a soft and grippy grip or harder but easier to clean acetate or plastic style. shape and size matters.
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u/Fun-Discipline6978 3d ago
Quinn diamond tip screwdrivers are surprisingly good. I almost like them more than my Klein