Why care about the World&#;s Best Screwdrivers and Screwdriver Sets?
As machinist&#;s, we use screwdriver sets a lot. Many of us are also major tool junkies. So, when we get tired of the usual Craftsman or SnapOn options, where do we go for a better screwdriver set?
What about just wanting to try the world&#;s best of some product, and being able to do so for a type of product we use a lot and can afford to buy the world&#;s best of.
I thought it was worth some research and came up with 8 brands. What makes a better screwdriver set? Lots of things in common including:
- More comfortable ergonomic grip
- Easier to tell at a glance whether you have to right one
- Extra machine work so the tip is optimized for the job it has to do
- Overall quality of construction and materials
- Warranty
- Extra gizmos and gadgets
These are not a budget screwdriver set, some are quite expensive. But their features and quality are unparalleled.
Without further ado, here are some possibilities for you to consider:
Klein Tools
Electricians, in particular, seem to swear by Klein Cushion Grip screwdriver sets. But so do a lot of others. Their 8 piece screwdriver set is available on Amazon for $75.29 as I write this:
Klein Tools Cushion-Grip Screwdriver Set, 8-Piece
To my eye, this is one of the tamer grip designs of the bunch, but people do swear by them. One special Klein screwdriver I purchased is this one:
Klein 2-in-1 Interchangeable Rapi-Driv Screwdriver
The Rapi-Drive is a speed driver with interchangeable tip that looks like it&#;d be handy for rapidly installing or removing screws that don&#;t require a lot of torque&#;handy in the right situation. Only $15.97 on Amazon. I think the Rapi-Drive would complement any of the other sets if you don&#;t fancy Klein Tools for the World&#;s Best Screwdriver Set. It includes both 3/16-Inch (5 mm) slotted and #2 Phillips screwdriver bits.
Bondhus Felo Ergonic Screwdrivers
Now we&#;re talking about a more ergonomic grip, and they will certainly stand out with their modern design. Like so many of our choices, Bondhus are made in Europe. And a very fine screwdriver set they are:
Felo &#; Felo 6 Pc Slotted / Phillips Ergonic Screwdriver Set &#;
At $92.50, these lovely German-made screwdrivers are awfully expensive. I have seen listed in the past as cheap as $40, so I think it is a matter of who is supplying them.
PB Swiss Screwdrivers
These screwdriver sets are extremely popular in places like the Garage Journal where tool snobs like to hang out (it&#;s a great board, BTW, be sure to check it out some time!). And lest you think I&#;m being harsh, nothing wrong with being a Tool Snob. I know I&#;m one. It just means folks really care about their tools.
The PB Swiss 6 screwdriver set includes a nice wall rack:
PB Swiss Tools PB Slotted screwdriver/Phillips screwdriver set
That set is $77, which is about what I normally see them for. Not super cheap, but they are made in Switzerland, have ergonomic grips, and the grips are made of a special material that still gives traction if your hands are oily&#;that might be pretty handy. Plus, I love the way you can tell at a glance whether you have a Slotted or Phillips head tip by the end cap color. Notice also the tips are machined for better grip.
Wera Kraftform Screwdrivers
Wera are another German brand that gets mentioned in hushed tones by the aficionados. They certainly have a distinctive look to them:
Wera Kraftform Plus 334/6 Screwdriver Set with Rack and Lasertip, 6-Pieces
The Wera world&#;s best screwdriver set goes for $29.13 on a deal currently, regular $43.39. It&#;s neat that you can tell the type and size of the driver from the notations on the end cap. They also sell a step-up model whose main difference seems to be that it is made of stainless steel. What will the Germans think of next?
Seriously though, I cannot tell a lie, the Wera&#;s are what I purchased to upgrade my aging Craftsman screwdriver set. They have a lovely feel in the hand and their price is nice when you consider the competition.
Nepros Screwdrivers
As machinists, we know full well that the Japanese make some nice stuff. Check out this premium wood-handled screwdriver set:
Nepros Wooden Grip Screwdriver Set (6pcs.)
They&#;re absolutely gorgeous, but are priced at $197.50, so I might be afraid to use them very much. Perhaps only when changing the jets on the Weber carburetors of my vintage Ferrari. Um, assuming I had a vintage Ferrari, LOL!
Wiha Screwdriver Sets
Wiha is another great German brand, and I have had some experience with Wiha Torx drivers for changing inserts on my tooling&#;they&#;re nicely made. They have several screwdriver sets, but their best is really nice:
Wiha Screwdriver Set, Slotted and Phillips, Extra Heavy Duty, 7 Piece
They&#;re not cheap at $89.20, but they&#;re splendidly well-made, and you have to love the extra features like the wrench flats where the shank goes into the handle.
Related articles:How to Choose a Brushless Electric Screwdriver?
How Does Cordless Electric Garden Tool for Lawn Maintenance Work?ehimax supply professional and honest service.
Facom Protwist
Facom make great tools. In fact, if you attend any historic races sporting Formula One cars, you&#;re likely to see a fair number of Facom tools floating around the pits. They seem to have an &#;in&#; with that crowd. Their Protwist Screwdriver Sets are certainly lovely:
Facom Protwist Screwdriver Set 10 Piece
Normally, it&#;ll be $71.95 for these lovelies, but they&#;re currently unavailable from Amazon. These were my #2 choice for my personal World&#;s Best Screwdriver Set, but they were just a little too pricey when I was buying. If they hadn&#;t been, I might be sporting Facom in my garage tool cabinets.
Facom Protwist Stubby Screwdriver Set of 5&#;
When I first wrote this article I talked up the Facom Protwist Stubby Screwdriver Set of 5 too. Back then they were $60.76, but as I write this the set is unavailable on Amazon. Sometimes available there, sometimes not.
Vessel Ball Grip Screwdrivers
These Japanese-made screwdriver sets have the oddest shape yet, but I own some and I really like them:
Vessel Ball grip Screwdrivers
The ends are marked so you can see what type driver you&#;re getting. I am thinking that for certain situations, a palm-drive would be really nice.
Here&#;s a nice set at the great price of $37.61. However, I did find this neat little mini-set with interchangeable tips:
You can really see how comfortable the grip looks and how nicely made the tool is. This little Vessel Ball Grip set sells for $13.54, and it seems like an awesome way to try out this style grip (I really like mine!). Also seems like a great gift for the man that has every tool in his tool kit. I bought one, and for certain jobs, that palmy grip is really nice.
Precision Screwdriver Sets
Precision Screwdriver Sets come in handy for assembling and disassembling small screws. For example, when it&#;s time to open up your laptop computer so you can work on it. They&#;re so handy to have that I am including a special section that&#;s just about precision screwdriver sets.
Wiha Precision Screwdriver Set
Wiha makes great screwdrivers and these precision screwdrivers are no exception. This particular set can be had on Amazon for $27.35 as I write this.
Vessel Precision Screwdriver Set
I do love my vessel ball drive screwdrivers, and here is their precision screwdriver set:
These cost about $13.20 on Amazon as I write this. That seemed like such a good price that I went ahead and bought a set for my own toolbox.
Klein Tools Precision Screwdriver Set
This Klein Tools Precision Screwdriver Set looks extremely well made. They cost about $34.95 on Amazon as I write this.
Wiha PicoFinish® Electric Precision Screwdriver Set
Lastly, I present these Wiha Precision Screwdrivers set up with insulated tips for electrician&#;s to use:
Not cheap! About $123 from Amazon. But they certainly are very cool.
FAQs
The Phillips #1 screw is widely utilized as a fastener within the internals of "larger" electronic devices such as home theater systems, gaming consoles, laptops, desktop computers, and server racks.
This specific Phillips screwdriver size is alternatively referred to as Phillips 1, PH1, or PH #1.
Factors to consider when purchasing a screwdriver:
- Type of tip: Common types include flathead, Phillips, Robertson, Torx, and Hex-Head
- Tip size: Phillips and Robertson screwdrivers typically come in three or four standard sizes, whereas flathead, Torx, and Hex-Head have a broader range of sizes.
- Length of the shank: Shank lengths can range from a few inches to over a foot. Longer shanks offer greater torque, but limited space may require a shorter shank.
- Handle size: Handles with greater width can produce more torque but may be more challenging to grip.
- Handle grip: Handles coated with rubber are not only more comfortable to grip but also offer additional electrical insulation.
- Measurement standard: SAE uses imperial measurements while metric measurements are in millimeters.
- Price: Screwdrivers with shafts made from high-quality alloys are pricier than those with standard steel shafts, but their durability and reduced risk of bending or stripping screw heads often justify the expense.
These tools are straightforward but efficient, favored by engineers, electricians, hobbyists, DIY enthusiasts, and anyone frequently dealing with screws or small fasteners. They offer a quicker solution than traditional screwdrivers and are typically more ergonomic and comfortable to handle.
The comparison hinges on the specific screwdrivers in question; a long screwdriver with a thick shaft will undoubtedly accommodate more torque than a shorter one with a significantly thinner shaft. Additionally, longer screwdrivers afford the user enhanced control.
You may think that any decent screwdriver will suffice for gunsmithing work, but that's a misconception. Most screwdrivers are designed with a tapered tip, which can damage gun screws. What you actually want is a hollow ground scewdriver.
Note that gunsmiths may also use torque-limited screwdrivers that are much like torque wrenches.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Electric Screwdriver Accessories Manufacturer.
Comments
0