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Thread: OK, Who makes REALLY GOOD screwdrivers? Or, Apparently Craftsman is the new HF.

  1. #16
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    Jan 2008
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    Paradise PA
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    +1 for klein. all of the tools i use at home are klein bought from the supply house back when my stepdad worked for himself
    14x48 custom 2hp 9gear lathe
    9 inch pre 1940 craftsman lathe
    36 inch 1914 Sydney bandsaw (BEAST)
    Wood in every shelf and nook and cranny,,, seriously too much wood!

  2. #17
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    Jun 2006
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    The Hartland of Michigan
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    Hey, Matt;
    It's April. Garage sales have started up anew.
    That's where you can get the good ones.
    Never, under any circumstances, consume a laxative and sleeping pill, on the same night

  3. #18
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    Aug 2009
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    Cedar Park, TX
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    I'm a mechanic. And I agree Craftsman screwdrivers suck. Snap-On thinks way too highly of their tools as well. My personal preference are SK screwdrivers and ones made by Stahlwillie, a European tool manufacturer. I get mine from a dealer who stops by the shop. Not sure if they are available online or not. And on a related note, anyone looking for a great set of pliers, no matter what type, should seriously consider anything made by Knipex. Best pliers in the world, hands down.

  4. #19
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    Jul 2005
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    Cincinnati Ohio
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    I am amazed that you guys keep a screwdriver long enough to damage one. I bet I have 100 screw drivers in my shop. Most all purchased off the $1.00 clearance rack. A lot of Craftsman too. I can't ever remember damaging a screwdriver.
    I have a friend who is big on Snap-on tools. I tell him all the time I can only afford Snap-off tools.
    "Remember back in the day, when things were made by hand, and people took pride in their work?"
    - Rick Dale

  5. #20
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    Indianapolis
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    Check your local NAPA store. I'm not sure what they will have. If the one near you is like mine, they will tell you if you want one or not.
    ________
    Ron

    "Individual commitment to a group effort--that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work."
    Vince Lombardi

  6. #21
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    Jun 2010
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    Upland, CA
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    Quote Originally Posted by jason thigpen View Post
    I'm a mechanic. And I agree Craftsman screwdrivers suck. Snap-On thinks way too highly of their tools as well. My personal preference are SK screwdrivers and ones made by Stahlwillie, a European tool manufacturer. I get mine from a dealer who stops by the shop. Not sure if they are available online or not. And on a related note, anyone looking for a great set of pliers, no matter what type, should seriously consider anything made by Knipex. Best pliers in the world, hands down.
    Knipex pliars are excellent and so are their screwdrivers. Lowes around here has them in the electician's tool section.
    Wiha, Stahlwille also excellent. All three brands made in Germany.

    I only resort to Snap-On for Posi-Drive screwdrivers. They are excellent but way too much money. About Snap-On, I say "you can buy better tools, but you can't pay more".

    Craftsman has made a 50+ year journey from excellent to good to junk. Most people want junk. I have some 20 year old Craftsman screwdrivers and they are pretty good.

  7. #22
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    I prefer Klein screwdrivers Matt. It's the electrician in me I guess. I got in the trade in 1977 and to a large degree they are still made in the exact same sizes (and model numbers) now as they were back then.

    PHM

  8. #23
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    Jan 2010
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    LA & SC neither one is Cali
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    I love the small Wiha screw drivers but for "standard" size ones I prefer Wera, available at plenty of online places and Woodcraft.

    http://www-us.wera.de/catalog_us.htm...eries_300.html
    Of all the laws Brandolini's may be the most universally true.

    Deep thought for the day:

    Your bandsaw weighs more when you leave the spring compressed instead of relieving the tension.

  9. #24
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    Jun 2009
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    Klein make a pretty fine screwdriver. I have kleins that are pretty old, and still fit the screw they are designed for snugly. The handles are easy on my poor, beat up hands, too.
    Paul

  10. #25
    I've been kind of a screwdriver nut in the same way that other nuts collect plumb bobs ever since I was a kid. Everything about PB Swiss drivers is wonderful, esp. their electrical ones that are actually sized correctly for IEC components. Wiha, Stahwille, Wera, Bondhus, Felo, and SK are all great too. Carbideprocessors.com often has sales on Wiha and Bondhus sets and they are a great store too (no affiliation, just a satisfied customer).

  11. #26
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    Quote Originally Posted by ben searight View Post
    I think the Lie-Nielsen screwdrivers are made for specifically for working on planes. There's not much of a selection.

    And I agree, the Craftsman screwdrivers thouroughly suck.

    There's another use for screwdrivers?

  12. #27
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    Apr 2005
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    Central MA
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    Another vote for Klein. I will say though that the older ones I have (15-20 yrs) seem to be a little more durable than the newest ones. Could be the Home Depot factor or it could just be my imagination.

  13. #28
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    Jan 2006
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    Grand Forks, ND
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    Matt, If you have a Matco tool dealer in your area, they make a great screwdriver at a not so bad price. Lifetime warranty and the grips are nice also. I have a drawer full of Snap-on and Matco and choose the Matco everytime.
    A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. My desk is a work station.

  14. #29
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    Jun 2009
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    Salt Lake City
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    Purists may turn their noses up, but I really like this for general screw driving:

    http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/pag...411,43417&ap=1

  15. #30
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    Dec 2009
    Location
    Hill Country Texas
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    941
    USA made Stanley stuff is ok. I haven't had any issues with them. I have twisted the tips off my Craftsman stuff. Other than that if you want to turn your own handles the Lee Valley shanks are pretty good.

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