Screwdrivers - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Inner10 · 10-05-2009, 10:51 PM

I'm sure many of us use them everyday, and the difference between a good one and a bad one can mean an hour of messing about with a stripped screw or a soar wrist or both.

I've always bought Klein cushion grip screwdrivers....well...because everyone else seems to buy them too. They were really all I ever used so I never put much thought towards their quality. Last year I bought a cheap mastercraft set of something like 30 screwdrivers for 20 bucks and I was really dissapointed to find that they were just as good as my Kleins!

The more I looked around the more I realized that the Klein screwdrivers (for the money) are crap! They fit OK they don't wear that great and they arn't all that comfy.

I only use hilti drives and they fit WAY better then the klein screwdrivers, I kept thinking if only I could get a screwdriver set that fit like my Hilti bits!

I tried Snap-On Instinct screwdrivers, nice grip, solid plastic base spins nice in your palm, nut on the shaft, knurled tips to reduce slippage. All in all nice screwdrivers, but a bit on the pricy side and NO ROBERTSON. Phillips and Slot only....dang.

So I've been eye-balling Wera, Wurth and Wiha any other suggestions?

PS the only Klein I really like is the 10-in-1 and its a chinese made look-alike to the american made cushion grips.

**Double-A** · 10-05-2009, 11:08 PM

Are you speaking of multiple bit screw drivers or regular screw drivers?

I find the craftsman brand with the blue and red plastic handles to be a good all around well made screwdriver and the warranty is great, so there is no hesitation to abuse them when the need arises.

I like the Klien as well, but I also use the Craftsman 6 in one multiple bit screw driver.

willworkforbeer · 10-05-2009, 11:15 PM

I only buy 4 in 1's. And thats from a former pro mechanic. If I was still a mechanic that would be a different story.

Inner10 · 10-05-2009, 11:19 PM

I'm looking for a set of plain old screwdrivers, not a bit set I'm very happy with my hiltis.

If there is a better multibit screwdriver out there too I'd love to hear about it, as of now I'm using a klein 10 in 1 and a Pic-quic 6 pack. I also have an offbrand version of the Festool Multibit driver with the clear plastic body, pull handle twist and push to change tips super fast. It has a good concept and accepts any type of bit, but it gets scratched up and tough to see what drive is where, and the shaft is short, fat and awkard.

Craftsman are on par with klein IMO. What bugs me about klein is that it performs just like a 3 dollar craftsman...why is it 10 bucks?

I'm willing to spend 10 bucks or 20 bucks on a good screwdriver if its actually better!

angus242 · 10-05-2009, 11:21 PM

I keep an eye out for clearance sales at Sears. Craftsman Professional, to me, are the best screw driver out there. Yes, Klein is very good too but for the price, no comparison. I got the 10 pc set for $20.

Inner10 · 10-05-2009, 11:21 PM

Quote:

I only buy 4 in 1's. And thats from a former pro mechanic. If I was still a mechanic that would be a different story.

Most of the time I'm fine with a multibit screwdriver, but I often encounter recessed screws and things too awkard for a multi screwdriver.

willworkforbeer · 10-05-2009, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inner10

Most of the time I'm fine with a multibit screwdriver, but I often encounter recessed screws and things too awkard for a multi screwdriver.

What sort of crazy stuff are you working on? Oh youre from Canada

WarnerConstInc. · 10-05-2009, 11:30 PM

Wera is how I roll.

Whia is pretty sweet too.

I think Wera is distributed out of Canada.

Inner10 · 10-05-2009, 11:32 PM

Quote:

What sort of crazy stuff are you working on? Oh youre from Canada

Igloos are always fastned together with recessed screws, by hand.

Taking flat pannel TVs apart, working on racks, working inside media cabnets, juntion boxes, fixtures. Lots of stupid awkard little stuff that having a good screwdriver can bridge the gap between getting a job done fast and being stuck of sh!t creak.

willworkforbeer · 10-05-2009, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inner10

Igloos are always fastned together with recessed screws, by hand.

Taking flat pannel TVs apart, working on racks, working inside media cabnets, juntion boxes, fixtures. Lots of stupid awkard little stuff that having a good screwdriver can bridge the gap between getting a job done fast and being stuck of sh!t creak.

Oops, sorry, didnt read your trade

Inner10 · 10-05-2009, 11:36 PM

Quote:

I think Wera is distributed out of Canada.

Gervais is the retailer for Ottawa....and anyone from Ottawa can attest to how dealing with them is.

....Double the price, oh and no returns or exchanges even if they sell you the incorrect part because their store is so disorganized and someone put the wrong transistors/belts/whatever in the wrong drawer.

angus242 · 10-05-2009, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarnerConstInc.

Wera is how I roll.

Whia is pretty sweet too.

I think Wera is distributed out of Canada.

OMG, you DO have a tool issue

I sure hope you are insured properly!

Kgmz · 10-06-2009, 12:15 AM

I have Kleins and mainly just use the 5 in1 and 10 in 1, just handy for anything. But I am another one that likes the Craftsman Professional screwdrivers. And you got to love that warranty, even if you abuse them by using them as a pry bar they still take them back.

BCConstruction · 10-06-2009, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inner10

I'm sure many of us use them everyday, and the difference between a good one and a bad one can mean an hour of messing about with a stripped screw or a soar wrist or both.

I've always bought Klein cushion grip screwdrivers....well...because everyone else seems to buy them too. They were really all I ever used so I never put much thought towards their quality. Last year I bought a cheap mastercraft set of something like 30 screwdrivers for 20 bucks and I was really dissapointed to find that they were just as good as my Kleins!

The more I looked around the more I realized that the Klein screwdrivers (for the money) are crap! They fit OK they don't wear that great and they arn't all that comfy.

I only use hilti drives and they fit WAY better then the klein screwdrivers, I kept thinking if only I could get a screwdriver set that fit like my Hilti bits!

I tried Snap-On Instinct screwdrivers, nice grip, solid plastic base spins nice in your palm, nut on the shaft, knurled tips to reduce slippage. All in all nice screwdrivers, but a bit on the pricy side and NO ROBERTSON. Phillips and Slot only....dang.

So I've been eye-balling Wera, Wurth and Wiha any other suggestions?

PS the only Klein I really like is the 10-in-1 and its a chinese made look-alike to the american made cushion grips.

Over the years i have found that Wera cant be beaten on drivers and bits. I have their diamond bi torsion posi drive bits that have lasted me over 2 years of hard use. They hold up in impacts very well but you got to make sure they fit the head very well just like any drivers or bits. I aint had a chance to get any philips versions yet but im sure they will hold up just as well.

tuffplay · 10-06-2009, 08:09 AM

No matter what the following will eventually happen:

1. You will lose the screwdriver
2. You will break the tip or strip the tip

I just buy cheap ones at harbor freight or wal mart and replace them as they wear out.

Or you can buy a higher end combo driver and replace the tips as needed if you tend to go through a lot of them.

WarnerConstInc. · 10-06-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angus242

OMG, you DO have a tool issue

I sure hope you are insured properly!

Tool issuses, me?

I update my insurance about once every month and a half, my agent must love me because it goes up every time.

Inner10 · 10-06-2009, 05:47 PM

Quote:

I just buy cheap ones at harbor freight or wal mart and replace them as they wear out.

I have a wal-mart set and the #2 robertson won't even fit in the screw, they are beyond junk. I also have a set of princess auto (our version of harbor freight) torx and they lasted about 12 screws befor they stripped...not gonna fly in my bag.

Quote:

Or you can buy a higher end combo driver and replace the tips as needed if you tend to go through a lot of them.

Combo screwdrivers work great 90% of the time but they are not a panacia.

Quote:

Over the years i have found that Wera cant be beaten on drivers and bits.

Time for me to get a few.

KillerToiletSpider · 10-06-2009, 05:58 PM

All of my screwdrivers are either Wiha, Snap On, or Matco, I used a couple SK's the other day that belonged to coworker and liked them as well.

TBFGhost · 10-06-2009, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angus242

I keep an eye out for clearance sales at Sears. Craftsman Professional, to me, are the best screw driver out there. Yes, Klein is very good too but for the price, no comparison. I got the 10 pc set for $20.

Matco Top Torque Screwdrivers are the best IMO....altho to carry around a set is annoying. When I worked in a body shop, I had Matco Top Torque Screwdrivers, but as a carpenter, I use a Kobalt 4 in 1...

WarnerConstInc. · 10-06-2009, 06:33 PM

I love this one:

http://www.contractortalk.com/f40/kr...kompakt-52295/