Screwdriver reccomendations

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Screwdriver reccomendations

RunningMan

5613 posts

Uber Geek

# 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?

1 | 2

553 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 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

249 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

# 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.

Stanley Dynagrip

nickb800

2318 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

# 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

6990 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

# 661023 24-Jul-2012 14:11

RunningMan: what brands do people recommend?

Smirnoff and Simply Squeezed...

ubergeeknz

3344 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Vocus

# 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

3914 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

# 661052 24-Jul-2012 14:53

Wiha are REALLY nice, but painfully expensive.

Information wants to be free. The Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it.

lapimate

310 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

# 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

815 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

# 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

5613 posts

Uber Geek

# 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

726 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 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

# 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

130 posts

Master Geek

# 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

190 posts

Master Geek

# 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

367 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 665930 2-Aug-2012 10:19

Why has no one suggested "sonic" yet?

mattRSK

815 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

# 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.

1 | 2