O.T. ? Screw Drivers

Re: O.T. ? Screw Drivers

Chuck

I have a set of Matco that I bought years ago when I was working, Used them for probably ten years while doing Maintenance work and they are still like new. They were pretty pricy, but like most things, you get what you pay for. If you are using them to earn a living you need something you can count on. They are on Amazon. Klein is also a good brand and a little cheaper to purchase.

Screw driver recommendations

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

For slotted wood screws buy Grace drivers. The blade is parallel and fits the parallel screw slots perfect, in fact so well they will hold a screw. You can get them from Lee Valley or elsewhere. The other quality screw drivers from Lee Valley I have found to be excellent. The LV small ratchet driver that takes bits is handy for furniture building and other tasks. Klein makes an excellent screw driver too, available from Home Depot and elsewhere.

A 1/4 ratchet and bits is good for tight places.

Re: O.T. ? Screw Drivers *LINK*

Jack Guzman from Maine

Stuart,

I have drawers full of screwdrivers. I wanted a decent good looking quality phillips drive so I bought one from le valley. I love it. Gonna get a few more to have a full set.


screwdrivers

I throw slotted screws into the garbage

Re: I throw slotted screws into the garbage

TomD

Not shooting a deck with those for sure. Still the high end option, but not the most advanced. Funny thing is that they work pretty well if you have fitted drivers, which is most of the reason the other types, work, standardization.

I don't see them putting Torx on these guys any time soon.

Re: O.T. ? Screw Drivers *LINK*

John McGaw

And these will be used for? Some people swear by old-school flat-blade oval-handled drivers apparently hand made from magical iron meteorites by elves working in ancient trees, at least if the wild prices are justified. Me, for general and woodworking use prefer those made by Klein tools. Not a political thing with me but they are family-owned and manufactured in the US.


Klein

Re: O.T. ? Screw Drivers

TomD

I have several sets I picked up from Lee Valley, they may be showroom only.

I like to keep gunsmith sets around for slots in particular. These two are on my to buy list at some point, cheap and expensive. I currently use the classic Chapman set, though they are a little sparse, good starter set if you fit your own drivers.

At Amazon:

51 bits for 16 bucks, sized.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0057IO2B8/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_6?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

And then there are these, though if you are at that level you often make your own screws and drivers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsznGCtg-4U

Re: I throw slotted screws into the garbage

Jack Guzman from Maine

I also use slotted screws. I repair old chairs. They are the correct hardware for many old chairs. I have a slotted screwdriver bit installed in a brace with a long extension for removing and reinstalling these screws. I have several bins to collect all the slotted screws I come across that are reusable.

what I use

John K Jordan

My favorite screwdrivers for slotted screws are gunsmith tools. The screwdrivers are ground parallel instead of tapered so it is less likely to come out of the slot and mar the screw and gun.

I bought a set made by Grace with other tools including brass punches and such.

Here's a set with just the screwdrivers.

https://www.amazon.com/Grace-USA-Screwdriver-Gunsmithing-Screwdrivers/dp/B0030HL5O0

Of course you can grind them flat yourself if you have the capability.

For general work around the house and farm I like Klein, straight, Phillips, and multi. The driver with a variety of bits is what I use the most except for when I need a slim shaft for a tight place. These have straight, philips, torq, square, and several sizes of nut drivers. All tips are hardened and tempered steel. I have a half dozen like these, not too expensive.

https://www.amazon.com/Screwdriver-Industrial-Klein-Tools-32500/dp/B0015SBILG

Those who are only using screwdrivers on new work might never use slotted screws but those who work on existing things need them.

JKJ

Wera

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

Stuart, do yourself a favour and look at the Wera range of screwdrivers. They are superbly made, ergonomic, and relatively inexpensive. They come in a range of heads, steel shafts, and even diamond coated tips (called laser tips) as non-slip.

Here is a basic set ($25): https://www.kctoolco.com/wera-105650-kraftform-plus-slotted-phillips-screwdriver-set-rack/

Wera Kraftform Plus 334/6 Lasertip Slotted and Phillips Screwdriver 6 Piece Set + Rack

There is also a stainless steel shaft set: https://www.kctoolco.com/wera-347903-stainless-steel-slotted-phillips-square-screwdriver-set/

I have a combination set (the kraftform kompakt), which is fantastic. It has a spring-loaded handed containing 6 heads, and these may be used in a drill as well ...

https://www.kctoolco.com/wera-073240-kraftform-kompakt-28-sb/

There is a video on this link as well (for the rapidator) ...

https://www.kctoolco.com/wera-051482-rapidaptor-bitholding-screwdriver-handle/

So many that it will blow your mind. All excellent quality.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: Screw driver recommendations

TomD

Thanks for recommending those Grace tools Bill, they seem well designed, as they are specifically designed for slotted wood screws. I knew of the gunsmithing sets, but sets for woodworkers are a nice idea. That will be interesting as I didn't realize there was any standardization in those screws. I think I will pick up the LV set and give it a try.

https://www.popularwoodworking.com/materials/highly-recommended-grace-usa-screwdrivers/

Not if...

David Yoho

Slotted head screws are a must when restoring and repairing antique furniture. When I did this in my shop years ago it would have been wrong to replace a slotted head screw with anything else, since it wouldn't have been period correct. I used a set of the Grace screwdrivers for the task.

Vessel (JIS) *LINK*

Virgil Johnson

Get a couple of Vessel JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) drive from Ebay just because some screws that look like Phillips drive are actually JIS drive and cam out easily when using a Phillips.


https://www.instructables.com/id/When-a-Phillips-is-not-a-Phillips/

Re: Screw driver recommendations

Joe in a Cleveland suburb

I bought a set of these screw drivers a few years ago after reading Bill T recommend them here at WC.

They are great.

You should be happy with them.

Should have been more specific

Bill Howatt

OK, OK, I fully appreciate using them for restoring old things to keep them original and for machine screws but I still stand by it for regular-use wood screws.

Bill

Re: O.T. ? Screw Drivers

Larry Clinton At Frankfort, (Central) Indiana

I use Klein for general use, but have 2 full sets of Gunsmith screwdrivers when appearance is an issue. I have also found I can remove screws that are "stuck" using my small Milwaukee impact driver and my gunsmith bits. The impact drivers also allow you to drive screws into wood that won't drive by hand without damage of screw breakage!

If I can't find a bit that fits the screw exactly, the gunsmith bits (I have extra's) can be easily ground to fit as they have parallel sides.

I collect firearm so don't want ANY marks left on screw slots!

Re: Vessel (JIS)

Rum

The Vessel impact JIS drivers are also super handy for getting stuck phillips or JIS screws undone.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07797HZ1W