Reply With QuoteMy mate is a joiner, says Stanley are the ones to buy
I've been guilty of wasting money over the year buying screwdriver sets that are basically barely fit for purpose. You know the type - made from softer metal than 99% of screws.
Now my needs are very much occasional so I am loathed to spend big money on a set but would like to be able to throw out the c**p that I have accumulated and have something of decent quality. A reasonable range of sizes of both flat and cross head/Philips.
I saw this on Amazon thinking Bosch, great - quality name:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bosch-Profe...dp/B0097DYZHK/
But then "Longevity" only scores 3.2/5 and "Durability" 4.3/5. Maybe that's still good value for the price - or maybe not?
Any thoughts on a set that might fit the bill?
FWIW, Which? magazine rated Stanley Fatmax Mixed Screwdriver Set, then UnitedLux Magnetic Screwdriver Set
And other ratings here: https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/diy-...ewdriver-sets/ and here: https://kit.honestjohn.co.uk/top-ten...ewdriver-sets/
Thanks
Last edited by David_D; 3rd March 2022 at 22:26.
My mate is a joiner, says Stanley are the ones to buy
I've got an odd one in my toolbox, Wera, doesn't look much but just works brilliantly.
Wera all day long, but Halfords Advanced are also very good
Snap-on and Halfords Advanced are in my toolbox. Halfords are arguably better value and have lasted well
I'd recommend Wera, Wiha, Proxxon. If you find cheap Hazet and Beta it's also great choice.
If it’s your only set
https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-tools/tool-kits/halfords-advanced-inpound-throughin-screwdriver-set-926378.html?istCompanyId=b8708c57-7a02-4cf6-b2c0-dc36b54a327e&istFeedId=367c5610-f937-4c81-8609-f84582324cd6&istItemId=xpixaw&istBid=t&_$ja=tsid:% 7Ccid:11902546034%7Cagid:113456751337%7Ctid:pla-394215112557%7Ccrid:487900199209%7Cnw:u%7Crnd:1087 0486150411562745%7Cdvc:m%7Cadp:%7Cmt:%7Cloc:904495 9&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6ObakfWq9gIVwoBQBh3kKw2kEAQYAS ABEgIV0PD_BwE
Otherwise snap on
I’ve become a Wera fanboy, lovely tools.Originally Posted by demonloop
I have used all the quality brands over the years at work, wera is my go to now, about the best you can get for sensible money in my opinion.
Depends how far down the rabbit hole you want to go... Wera are a good shout, as are Bosch and Milwaukee impact. I’ve owned all three and never had any complaints, though apparently PB Swiss are the ultimate in screwdriver bits. One thing I do notice, with the better bits, one has to be more careful with selection of [wood] screws, the harder bits will eat cheapo screw heads if not careful. Though a decent set of bits and some good screws are a joy to work with.
Wera are excellent. The laser tips grip the screw heads very well.
PB SWISS.
Stop messing about you lot😁
The Bosch set you linked to looks good. I have used Dewalt, Makita, Bosch and Wera. All good brands, if you are using them with a hand driver , or lower powered electric drill the standard bit sets are fine. But if using them with impact drivers or high torque drills then look to the torsion impact bits - Makita Gold and Dewalt Impact extreme for example if you are doing repeat drives over a short periods.
Another vote for Wera!
Thanks for all that input! Very helpful. Not even heard of Wera but they seem to have consistent support. I’m looking for strictly hand tool but useful to understand the different requirements.
As I said, my needs are sporadic but I just want to be able to get a screwdriver that works without disintegrating in the head of the screw!
Another vote for Wera, but also worth checking out Milwaukee. I bought a set of Milwaukee drivers last year and they feel well made
Sent from my iPad using TZ-UK mobile app
I bought a 12 piece set with magnetic tips from B&Q about 5 year ago. Still got them and use them with no complaint.
Interesting that Halfords and B&Q are rated. I tend to assume "own branded" products are inferior. Just goes to show!
Wera are sold by a company I used to work for, but I have a variety of different ones
I rarely use the Phillips as I prefer the Robertson screwdriver and screws when needed. Less striping
DON
Robertson are not at all common here in UK though have read are very popular in Canada.
Are they better than Torx? Even those aren't common here as wood screws, though used in automotive and other mechanical applications.
another vote for Halfords Advanced. Wait until there is an offer on as they are often reduced.
I'm a Wera fan as well. I prefer the yellow handled drivers to the green handled drivers. The laser tips are great.
Buy a set if you want, but a single PZ2 driver will probably meet most of your needs.
Wera interchangeable set, one handle 16 assorted blades, all you'd ever need.
Used these for years both at work and at home .
https://www.toolden.co.uk/brands/bah...-screwdrivers/
I have B&Q and Halfords spanners and they are both good. Surprising as it is, when it comes to tools, B&Q are higher quality than the rest of their stuff.
WRT screwdrivers, I use a Stanley ratchet screwdriver mainly mainly and mainly dewalt bits.
Another Wera fan here. Glad to see I'm not alone.
You can get sets on Amazon that are decent value. I am so impressed, I bought a load of spares when my local Bunnings had a fire sale when it changed back to being a Homebase.
I bought a set of wiha on offer from screwfix they are great hard tips so they don’t chew up and German made
Good advice here.
Wiha Topra is brilliant to use. Recommended.
Borderline toolGood advice here.
Wiha Topra is brilliant to use. Recommended.
Porn there.
Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app
Thanks again for all the input.
It's going to take some working through. I started looking at Wera options and the choice is bewildering.
I guess they are more professional tools which might explain the preponderance of "non-standard" (for me) heads - eg Torx (?), square/Robertson", etc.
In this kit, only 6 of 19 heads are cross or flat.
https://www.toolstation.com/wera-kom...ver-set/p82606
Moreso here:
https://www.toolstation.com/wera-kra...wdriver/p69112
Maybe I need to look at the more standard makes!
Last edited by David_D; 4th March 2022 at 22:51.
Not just me then!!
Lots of good suggestions here, Wera are excellent I woud also recommend PB Swiss
Wera, Wigan etc are all good makes. For me, lot of the choice is down to ergonomic of the handle, and Wera feels a lot different to Wiha.
Don’t think I’d get on with that Topra handle posted TBH.
Halfords advanced and Wera are both on my wall and work well after several years.
What is the point of "pound through" screwdrivers? It's always seemed akin to "tactical" gear to me.
If you have a stubborn screw to remove, giving it a little tappy tap tap can help loosen it.
tapping locked solid screws to shock them loose, rusty or painted over screws, there is a whole load of things you can use them for that would be abuse of normal screwdrivers.
Wera.
Watch enthusiasts understand screwdrivers.
I rate Vessel JIS screwdrivers.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Workzone huge screwdriver set in Aldi, £23
Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app
Although it's American and therefore includes several brands you can't get her, this Project farm video is interesting watching.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtZ2jh_J7XE
Seems like Wera are probably the best value overall.
I wouldn't buy interchangeable ones.
I have these sets:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wera-Kraftf.../dp/B0001NQQCC
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wera-Kraftf.../dp/B000297UEI
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wera-Kraftf.../dp/B000297U52
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wera-050736.../dp/B07B7XMYGF
That'll cover most things
I bought a snap - on ratchet screwdriver over thirty years ago with spare bits in the handle.
I am honestly still using the same bits and have never had to replace them... amazing quality and believe they will replace the bits under warranty if they are damaged, although never had to put that to the test.
Mike
Teng are like that with there tools, just take the broken one into a dealer and they’ll give you a new one.I bought a snap - on ratchet screwdriver over thirty years ago with spare bits in the handle.
I am honestly still using the same bits and have never had to replace them... amazing quality and believe they will replace the bits under warranty if they are damaged, although never had to put that to the test.
Mike
Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app
JIS screws aren’t that common are they? I bought a JIS screwdriver for adjusting derailleurs after years of chewing screws and not knowing about JIS.
I bought a snap - on ratchet screwdriver over thirty years ago with spare bits in the handle.
I am honestly still using the same bits and have never had to replace them... amazing quality and believe they will replace the bits under warranty if they are damaged, although never had to put that to the test.
Mike
I have the long non-ratchet version (SSDM80a) that's got to be 40 years old. Still going strong, and according to the internet it's 'Rare' and could be worth up to £25.
Yet another vote for Wera.
Have served me very well over the years and I have never had a reason to look elsewhere and therefore can't comment on the other brands.
I have often been underwhelmed by Stanley but then it's probably because I always opted for the cheaper end of their range, before I got to learn the hard way that you very much get what you pay for.
No they are not unless you own a Japanese car or motorcycle but I do find they work well on Phillips screws as well.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
They are if you work on Japanese motorcycles.
Vessel are beautifully made, and have incredibly accurate and hardened tips.
Top stuff.
I think it depends on the type of job so I have proper individual tools for heavier diy. I have this Wera interchangeable compact for just having easily to hand in a drawer without needing to lug out a toolbox https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wera-Kraftf.../dp/B000BK7AOS
Posting Permissions
