Screwdriver reccomendations

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RunningMan

1334 posts

Uber Geek

Topic # 106440 24-Jul-2012 12:54
I need to buy some new screwdrivers - Philips, Pozi and Flat - what brands do people recommend? Ones I have tried recently - Fuller tips have rounded off, and Stanley the tips have actually shattered. What brands are you using that you are happy with?

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448 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 660973 24-Jul-2012 13:05
Snap-on! Had mine since.... ages ago (so long I cant remember) Lifetime warranty. Buy the snap-on branded tips (philips, pozi, square etc) - They fit screws well, don't break and the magnet actually works. The cap twists off to store extra tips inside the handle. http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=643057&group_ID=681248&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

bener

161 posts

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Reply # 660976 24-Jul-2012 13:12
I have had one of these for a long long time, very solid and undoubtedly cheaper than the Snap-On model. If you have an issue with the Stanley tips you could get a set of Snap-On ones - the holder for the tips is also more user friendly than the Snap-On and it has a very handy ratcheting feature. Michelsen Computer Services Whangarei ----------------------------------------------------------- I was born in a cross-fire hurricane And I howled at my ma in the driving rain, But it's all right now, in fact, it's a gas... -----------------------------------------------------------

nickb800

1133 posts

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Reply # 661020 24-Jul-2012 14:07
bener: I have had one of these for a long long time, very solid and undoubtedly cheaper than the Snap-On model. If you have an issue with the Stanley tips you could get a set of Snap-On ones - the holder for the tips is also more user friendly than the Snap-On and it has a very handy ratcheting feature. +1 for the stanley rachet model, these are fanatastic, had mine for years. I haven't had any particular problems with their bits, but if you are using them a lot then you should probably consider them consumables much like you would a drill bit For the perfect setup, I do recommend having a set of fixed bit, non-rachet screwdrivers as well. They tend to have a narrower shaft so are better for taking apart electronics that have their screws recessed deep.

Jaxson

4196 posts

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Reply # 661023 24-Jul-2012 14:11
RunningMan: what brands do people recommend? Smirnoff and Simply Squeezed...

ubergeeknz

787 posts

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Orcon

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Reply # 661032 24-Jul-2012 14:23
This may seem obvious, but if you find yourself wearing out too many screwdrivers, make sure you are using correct size and type for the screws, ie, pozi vs philips, #1, #2, #3

Lias

706 posts

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Reply # 661052 24-Jul-2012 14:53
Wiha are REALLY nice, but painfully expensive.

lapimate

165 posts

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Reply # 661062 24-Jul-2012 15:07
ubergeeknz: ... make sure you are using correct size and type for the screws, ie, pozi vs philips, ... Note also that JIS cross-heads (used on some laptops at least) are not identical to Phillips although similar in appearance: http://www.instructables.com/id/When-a-Phillips-is-not-a-Phillips/step10/JIS-Japanese-Industrial-Standard/

mattRSK

804 posts

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Reply # 661110 24-Jul-2012 16:22
Lias: Wiha are REALLY nice, but painfully expensive. +1 I have a whole insulated set. They are not that badly priced if you buy a set.

RunningMan

1334 posts

Uber Geek

Reply # 661572 25-Jul-2012 10:59
Thank you all for your recommendations. I think Jaxson's may best be reserved for Friday nights only though ;-)

minimoke

305 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 661708 25-Jul-2012 12:54
My Sidchromes have lasted me over 20 years and still going strong - even the one that got run over by the lawn mower!

Daft

12 posts

Geek

Reply # 665858 2-Aug-2012 08:11
Jaxson: RunningMan: what brands do people recommend? Smirnoff and Simply Squeezed... I'd be more inclined to say Russian Standard and Charlie's =P. OnTopic: SnapOn tools are great. I've done plenty of work on cars and houses and good quality tools often do make the difference between a slow and a fast job.

spearsniper

25 posts

Geek

Reply # 665926 2-Aug-2012 10:11
Another +1 for the snap on tools. I have a few of their screwdrivers, and they are still all going strong after 20 years. They have not been wrapped in cotton wool and looked after - they all get used, abused, and thrown back in the toolbox. These tools are definitely a case of "you get what you pay for".

kiwi_64

54 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 665928 2-Aug-2012 10:15
I've been refreshing my entire tookit with Bahco gear as required... Their multi-tip screwdriver is also really nice..

wallop

325 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 665930 2-Aug-2012 10:19
Why has no one suggested "sonic" yet?

mattRSK

804 posts

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Reply # 666035 2-Aug-2012 11:51
illicit: Snap-on! Had mine since.... ages ago (so long I cant remember) Lifetime warranty. Buy the snap-on branded tips (philips, pozi, square etc) - They fit screws well, don't break and the magnet actually works. The cap twists off to store extra tips inside the handle. http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=643057&group_ID=681248&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog I just realised that this is ratcheting. They have 3 different ones listed there, is that purely just colour choices is it or something else? Must hide credit card from myself.

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