My 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 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
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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.
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
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/
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
Borderline tool
Porn there.
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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.
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.
Wera.
Watch enthusiasts understand screwdrivers.
I rate Vessel JIS screwdrivers.
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Workzone huge screwdriver set in Aldi, £23
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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.
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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.
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