I just spent a frustrating period of time removing a Phillips screw from my car (basically I needed a stubby screwdriver or a long tipped one–and the ones I have for that size were average length). Looking at my screwdriver collection it leaves a lot to be desired. While I have about 50 of them, there are large numbers of duplicates of average sizes and lots of missing options (for example in stubby screwdrivers). The tips of the screwdrivers several decades old are often in better shape than my more recent acquisitions.
So anyone have any advice to share about buying screwdrivers? While someone is going to recommend expensive sets, I just don’t have enough usage to justify the cost. Should one look for screwdrivers which use chrome vanadium?
you might not use off set screwdrivers as much but they might be the only solution sometimes. a fixed set of three sizes are cheap. better are screwdriver tips for your socket wrench (if you use these then a socket wrench extension might also be needed).
I buy screw driver bits. I have a large variety of sizes in different lengths. I keep them in a kit I made along with 1/4 ratchets, long drill bits, thumb drives for tight places, Dremel cutting wheels, drywall drivers, spade bits, hole gauges, adapters for sockets, starter punches,driver extensions…
Basically everything I need to support a cordless drill or manual screw driver. The bits themselves don’t take up much space without individual handles. I wanted to carry around the maximum number of tools in the minimum space.
Also note that all Phillips are not really Phillips.
I recently learned about JIS bits and screwdrivers and want to share this info with you and the board. If you have a lot of Japanese-manufactured vehicles, appliances, etc. you may want a couple of these in your tool box. The link above is but one link… there are other sources out there. And don’t just take my word for it; be sure to do your own research, too.
If you need links of places to purchase these jewels here in the USA, hit me back and i’ll give more info.
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IME JIS is only a major issue for extremely small screws in electronics, cameras, watches, etc. (size 0, 00, 000, etc)
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I’ll add #1 to that list. I’ve munged plenty of #1 JIS screws before catching on that there’s a little dimple on JIS screw heads.
The nice thing is if you have a Phillips driver with a slightly goobered tip, you can buzz off a bit with a grinder and have a very passable substitute. If you’re working with tiny JIS screws with any regularity, or if getting into something held together with tiny screws without damage is really important, you may be better off buying real JIS drivers.
To make a #1 sorta-JIS from a Phillips, take off about 1/16". If you need larger sizes (#2 and #3 JIS screws are commonly found holding Japanese motorcycles together) just take off more until the bit fits the screw without rocking around.
This pageshows the differences in tip lengths, angles and screw identification for Phillips, JIS and Pozidriv.
As for brands, if it’s something you plan to use forever, go with Craftsman, Snap-On or Klein. The main attraction to Craftsman is that Sears will give you a new one if you break it, but Klein and Snap-On are built for professionals who can’t tolerate the downtime of needing to drive over to Sears to replace a broken tool.
The tool I’ve used the most, of all my tools, is a cheap screwdriver with a ratchet mechanism and exchangeable bits.
Something like this…
Depending on what you do, you might want to buy a good quality one.
But with a ratchet mechanism.
And you can always find the bits you need.
It saves you a lot of time and effort.
If you don’t like bits, keep in mind that you will need to buy at least 6 different types of cross screwdrivers ( " + " , “Philips”), to cover the most common screws of this type.
And 2-3 “straight” screwdrivers ( " - ").
Additionally, a cordless screwdriver is “a must” these days, for any DIY fun, or professional.
One advantage to good quality bits is that you can use them with a ratchet- they fit into a 1/4" socket. If need be, you can lean on the wrench while turning it with a greatly increased torque compared to a regular screwdriver. Regular socket extensions allow for whatever needed length, and adapters let you go clear up to a 1/2" breaker bar if you choose.
My personal preference is to have a good comfortable handle with a selection of bits. Then when the bit wears out, replacing it is much cheaper than replacing a whole high quality screwdriver.
For the occasions where a bit holder is too large to fit into the hole to reach the screw I keep a quality set of long and stubby drivers. I just don’t use them for every day use to keep from needlessly wearing them out. That’s what the bit sets are for.
As far as good/affordable goes, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the Kobalt brand from Lowe’s.
Guaranteed for life, you won’t need to buy another one ever, unless you lose one somewhere. That’s why you get one or two of these. They’ve paid for themselves a hundred times in retrieving fallen screws, parts, and yes, tools. :smack:
I still have most of the Craftsman tools my Dad started me off with in 1975.
They’ll last ya.
I once found a set in a plastic box of about 50 tips and a driver with several extenders. Like a socket set, but screw drivers. And then besides that, a few cheapo standards, for the kitchen drawer or opening paint cans, or to loan to neighbors, made in Pakistan.
Kobalt is Lowes house brand, and most of their hand tools are made by Snap-On.
At home I use an couple interchangeable bit screwdrivers, and a power screwdriver or two, like this one or this one.
You of course have one of these. use it one handed and it’s a standard ratcheting screw driver. Grab the middle section with the other hand and it doubles the rotation of the driver and also works by twisting in both directions. So effectively it drives it 4 rotations for the same hand movement of one rotation with a standard ratcheting drive.
