Screwdriver recommendations? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 02:40:53 pm
content: Possibly slightly off topic as this isn't totally electronics related, although they will be inside scopes occasionally....So it's time to buy a new set of big screwdrivers as I have almost completely knackered my Wera PH1 and PH2 and the other ones are nasty Stanley ones and give me blisters if I use them.Not too impressed with the Wera ones if I'm honest; the tips are brittle so if you get any wedged screws, your only hope is WD40 and praying. I have a couple of sets of tiny Wera Torx, philips etc and those are ok.A friend of mine has recommended the transparent Xcelite ones which certainly are an option but reading into it, whilst near perfect screwdrivers, apparently they smell of vomit. My father also swears by them but I never noticed the smell personally.Any recommendations? Pref something that RS stock.

author: Jay_Diddy_B
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 02:50:58 pm
content: MrSlack and the group,Werashouldbe o.k.You are aware that posidriv and Philips are not interchangeable?I like screw drivers with grooves in the tips for difficult screws.Here is a picture of a Snap-on ACR bit. They are quite reasonably priced (for Snap-on)Regards,Jay_Diddy_B

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 02:57:31 pm
content: What sort of kit are you working on? If you are dealing with corroded/seized screws (e.g. any situation with steel into aluminium + moisture), you really need a shaft that goes right through the handle (hammer through) so you can hit it while torquing it to break the screw free, and a hex section (bolster) just below the handle you can put a ring spanner on for more leverage.For *really* difficult large screws, I put a good quality long 1/4" hex bit in a carpenter's brace. You can easily and controllably apply torque all the way up to enough to shear the screw shank while applying enough pressure to stop the bit camming out of the head.Loctited screws - a 100W soldering gun or a pencil flame blowtorch is your friend.

author: orbiter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 03:00:57 pm
content: Look at Bacho, Stanley FatMax, Wiha brands. I've never tried Xcelite so can't comment on those. I've never had a problem with Wera tools though & I have loads of them. I just replace them singly when required.RS don't have these but if you've got, or can get in touch with your local Snap-On dealer.. Get Snap-On. IMHO as an ex vehicle technician they're the best and toughest toolsyou can get. Plus If you break them, wear them out etc they'll be repaired, replaced free.

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 03:10:02 pm
content: Thanks everyone. Will take a look at these.Aware of Philips and Pozi differences. Have different drivers, don't worry!I use these for anything from general DIY through test gear maintenance to vehicle maintenance. Seized screws usually get WD40 or heated and knocked with a crappy Stanley driver before I let anything nice at them.

author: Gribo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 03:25:10 pm
content: XCellite drivers with the transparent handle do smell bad, especially when put in a closed box, but these are top notch tools, so the smell can be forgiven

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 03:49:38 pm
content: Agreed once you get past the smell..........Good stuff..I have sense went to Snap-On for my screwdrivers, and haven't looked back.

author: jmsc_02
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 03:59:40 pm
content: I am wondered with this kit:http://www.proxxon.com/en/industrial/23107.php?listIt has a lot of different tips and extension shaft to reach deep places and a beautiful green metal case... Since i've got it I can disassembly anything because it has a strong screw to make a lot of torque.The handicap: It has not got PH00 and thin flat tips. I've got a set of wera to do that kind of tasks.

author: Mechanical Menace
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 04:45:39 pm
content: Quote from: MrSlack on January 11, 2016, 03:10:02 pmSignet and Facom aren't bad. Can generally take some real hammer in my experience.

author: dfmischler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 04:57:30 pm
content: WIHA all the way for me

author: Cubdriver
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 05:06:56 pm
content: On the bench I have a combination of Wiha and Xcelite, with some older (before they went to crap) Sears Craftsman drivers.-Pat

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 05:23:04 pm
content: Ok made my choice."Better the devil you know" as they say and it has to come from RS for VAT reasons *choke* and I don't want smelly ones. Went for a Wera set:http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/screwdriver-sets/8759198/Will see how long these ones last...

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 05:44:17 pm
content: I'm guessing you had the Wera Kraftform 300 series (green and black handles) . They also make a much more robust series the 900 series which is actually designed to be pounded on with a hammer (it has the yellow and black handles). The more robust style is designed for HEAVY HEAVY abuse. Literally you can use the straight edges as a chisel. They have metal end caps that go through the entire body to the screw head. Very robustly built from what I have read.Quote from: MrSlack on January 11, 2016, 05:23:04 pmDamn that set is inexpensive there. It is almost double the cost here.

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 05:52:10 pm
content: Yeah they were the black/green ones. There are two yellow ones in this kit which will be used for breaking bits of my Fiat offplus a couple of VDE ones for household. Was a pretty good deal!They're even cheaper on amazon but this is a business expense and they're an accountancy nightmare.

author: _Andrew_
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 06:07:07 pm
content: If I am abusing screwdrivers on badly jammed in screws then the bog standard RS engineers screwdrivers have always served me well. Even when i have had a set of mole grips wrapped around them to get more torque behind them. The set i have is over 20 years old.http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/screwdriver-sets/0539902/As for Wera yes they are a bit on the brittle side so on stuck screws I use the RS ones, and I also have a set of Draper insulated screwdrivers for abusing. I rarely use the Wera ones with out the torque driver handle.Although I do like the Wera drivers.http://cpc.farnell.com/wera/059291/1-2-3nm-torque-vde-screwdriver/dp/TL15581Draper set. current set 5 years old and only had to regrind tip the large flat head a couple of months ago as it had rounded of a bit.https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/DR05776.htmlAlso Wiha do a nice compact handle set that has narrower width at the insulation which is good for getting in to those terminals that the regular Wera insulated drivers will not fit in because the insulation sits out too far.https://cpc.farnell.com/wiha/38611/6-in-1-slim-vde-screwdriver/dp/TL16826?krypto=gQVn4B4vZ1o1eNZQihUfxGimz3q9ajxJ4Bot4hlGT3aU5CCwsBamZ%2BbmixRS7Wdw3UehBrr6yW87%0AWzO6JdM5gdaXTk5NsF%2Bk88e%2BILitx2BDakyfVJqC5XaEv3DcfuHkBahco, Facon and Roebuck tools are also worth a lookhttp://www.buckandhickman.com/find/category-is-L0HT+Hand+Tools/category-is-HT+Hand+Tools/category-is-HT21+Screwdrivers/category-is-HT2109+Sets

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 08:42:06 pm
content: Probably not what the OP is looking for, but:Many years ago, when -hp- still built test and measurement equipment, the salesman pointed out to me that the assembly screws were not Phillips head, but Reed and Prince. The difference between the two "+" shaped ends is subtle, but useful. Specifically, there is normally only one Reed and Prince size, covering a range of heads roughly equivalent to three Phillips drivers.I had a hell of a time actually finding the drivers, but finally located them on the Sears Craftsman website, although not in any Sears stores. The construction and handles were identical to more popular Sears screwdrivers, and the price was normal. I haven't looked recently, since the four I bought then are still going strong.Apparently, some Keithley and other brands also used these screws in the 1970s.In general, I have been happy with Craftsman screwdrivers in larger sizes, but their miniature ones are not as good as Wiha.American electricians swear by Klein screwdrivers, and they make the world's best beer-bottle opener on the same production line.

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 09:34:26 pm
content: Interesting however - thanks for posting! I've got some 70s HP kit (6236B) so I'll take a look at thatWera do a bottle opener too:And an umbrella:

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 12:25:48 am
content: Quote from: Gribo on January 11, 2016, 03:25:10 pmI have an XCellite multi tip screwdriver and a couple of Series 99 handles. I have never noticed a smell. I have a couple of ball head series 99 hex drivers that are used almost everyday and still work perfectly 10 years later.

author: lewis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 12:46:33 am
content: Having tried what seems like many hundreds of millions of screwdrivers in my career, I use Bahco Ergo series. They are fantastic.http://www.rapidonline.com/Search?query=bahco%20ergo%20screwdriver&filterSearchScope=1

author: Kleinstein
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 02:40:47 pm
content: For every day use I often use a screwdriver for excangable standard bits. This way a have a nice handle for all sizes and can exchange the bit if worn. For the phillips bits the diamond dusted versions are nice as they give extra grip.The classical srewdriver is something for the rare cases when the bit version is to thick.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 04:52:35 pm
content: FWIW, the Xcellites do smell when you first get them, but dissipate over time if you store them in open air. Not sure of the current quality, but the ones I grew up with were well made. Seem to recall the same smell issue with Klein too, specifically with the nut drivers they sold when they bought out VACO (Klein's screwdrivers have gotten too soft at the tips IMHO).BTW, the smell issue was the same with previous PB Swiss drivers, but now they add a vanilla fragrance to the plastic to combat that issue.So my older flat blades don't have an odor (manf'd before they etched S/N's so the stink has gone), while my more recent Philips all smell like something you'd want to eat (smells like desert = really messes with your head when you get hungry).

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 05:38:03 pm
content: Quote from: nanofrog on January 12, 2016, 04:52:35 pmI recently got rid of some Xcelite nutdrivers that still smelled bad after 30 years

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 10:48:51 pm
content: Quote from: edavid on January 12, 2016, 05:38:03 pmHow were they stored?

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2016, 11:56:27 pm
content: Quote from: nanofrog on January 12, 2016, 10:48:51 pmMostly in a (non-airtight) toolbox. For the last couple of years I left them out in the garage, but it didn't really help, so I gave up. I think the buytric acid just keeps coming to the surface.I'm hoping I'll be able to use the toolbox again in a few years.Edit: I just went and sniffed the toolbox, and it was fine - the smell dissipated in a few months, once I removed the source.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2016, 12:47:52 am
content: Quote from: edavid on January 12, 2016, 11:56:27 pmWow. That is a persistent stench.Hope it comes out of the toolbox, as that stink really does remind me of vomit.Shame really, as they really were good tools last I used one (not sure about current production).

author: kwass
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2016, 05:36:32 am
content: Quote from: edavid on January 12, 2016, 05:38:03 pmMe too! I had the PS-120 nutdriver and PS-88 screwdriver kits also stored in a semi open tool box. They just got to the point of smelling so bad I couldn't use them. I replaced them with the Xcelite 99PA50 set of nutdrivers/screwdrivers and a couple of handles.They don't look nearly as cool and they're not as convenient but they don't smell at all.

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2016, 06:41:59 am
content: Rather glad I didn't go with Xcelite now!

author: Cubdriver
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 13, 2016, 04:15:28 pm
content: Huh. I have both the PS-88 and PS-120 sets too. I keep them in their little plastic cases (makes it obvious if one has gone astray) and have never been bothered by the smell (which is undeniably there). I don't find it to be that terribly strong, and it's only really noticeable to me if I put my nose right up to them.I guess we all find different things objectionable, huh? (Or perhaps I fried my nose years ago at Nat Semi with acetone, xylene, IPA, developer, phototresist, etc...)-Pat

author: kwass
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2016, 05:59:09 pm
content: Quote from: Cubdriver on January 13, 2016, 04:15:28 pmHow long have you had them? When they were new, 25+ years ago, the smell wasn't bad at all. It gets worse with time.

author: Cubdriver
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 13, 2016, 07:51:50 pm
content: Quote from: kwass on January 13, 2016, 05:59:09 pmPerhaps two years at this point. There's a set at work that's probably 7 or 8 years old that's not bad (apparentlyyet) either. I have to admit, that's the opposite of what I'd expect - figured that any odor would lessen over time rather than increasing. Strange. I also have a 99PS40 type set that's pushing 30 buried somewhere; I'll have to dig it out and take a whiff - haven't seen it in a few years now...-Pat