Screwdriver reccomendations

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RunningMan

8953 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?

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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

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#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

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#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

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#661023 24-Jul-2012 14:11

RunningMan: what brands do people recommend?

Smirnoff and Simply Squeezed...

ubergeeknz

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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

5589 posts

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#661052 24-Jul-2012 14:53

Wiha are REALLY nice, but painfully expensive.

I'm a geek, a gamer, a dad, a Quic user, and an IT Professional. I have a full rack home lab, size 15 feet, an epic beard and Asperger's. I'm a bit of a Cypherpunk, who believes information wants to be free and the Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it. If you use my Quic signup you can also use the code R570394EKGIZ8 for free setup.

lapimate

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#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/

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mattRSK

822 posts

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#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

8953 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

750 posts

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#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

133 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

261 posts

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#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

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#665930 2-Aug-2012 10:19

Why has no one suggested "sonic" yet?

mattRSK

822 posts

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#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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