Quality Screw Driver Set recommendations please

[TSS]

Can anybody recommend a really good quality screwdriver set? I’m fed up with buying sets from the DIY stores which are made out of monkey metal and last about 2 weeks before all the nibs are twisted/burred and the handles are falling apart. The local Homebase, B&Q, etc all seem to sell cheap £20 ish sets but nothing that is actually made to last.

I’m doing up an old Victorian house and dismantling a lot of old stuff with very tight screws. A lot of Victorian screws have very narrow slots in the top so modern flathead screwdrivers with an appropriate nib width are too thick to fit. Thus you have to use a smaller flathead which then twists/breaks.

Any recommendations would be great.

Thanks,

TSS

[Mag1calTrev0r]

The Halfords Professional range are meant to be very good and have a guarantee that means they will often replace there and then in the store if something goes wrong with them.

You can often get a good deal in one of the regular sales

[Liszt]

+1 on the Halfords pro.

Also consider an impact hammer type device to loosen screws a bit first

[B17NNS]

Stanley's FaxMax range is good.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fatmax-12-Piece-Screwdrive...

[jon-]

Halfords Professional. (Surprisingly) great tools.

[D1bram]

Not screwdrivers but I have a small halfords pro socket set and it's excellent. Their pro range seems to be generally well rated

[mik.ross]

TSS said:

Can anybody recommend a really good quality screwdriver set? I’m fed up with buying sets from the DIY stores which are made out of monkey metal and last about 2 weeks before all the nibs are twisted/burred and the handles are falling apart. The local Homebase, B&Q, etc all seem to sell cheap £20 ish sets but nothing that is actually made to last.

I’m doing up an old Victorian house and dismantling a lot of old stuff with very tight screws. A lot of Victorian screws have very narrow slots in the top so modern flathead screwdrivers with an appropriate nib width are too thick to fit. Thus you have to use a smaller flathead which then twists/breaks.

Any recommendations would be great.

Thanks,

TSS

I am no expert but if it's a Victorian house and the screws are original(ish) then they probable have an "imperial" slot profile. (Slightly V shaped for flat and Star for crosshead) Most of the DIY shops only sell square profile screwdriver tips (for flat) or Posidrive (for cross) so that may be the problem.

Stanley does a good range and they have pretty good tips, I usually buy screwdrivers in ones and twos as opposed to sets.

HTH

[neenaw]

I'd recommend the Halfords Professional as well!

Ask your mates and see if any of them have got a Halfords Trade Card, if they have and they'll lend you it, you get a reasonable discount on tools :-)

[Dr John]

My father was a joiner and taught me that to remove stuck woodscrews place a strong screwdriver in the slot, apply some torque then hit the top of the screwdriver with a hammer while turning. If that fails do the same while tightening the screw, this will often loosen it.
More tips here:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2180502_loosen-stuck-screw...

John

[Laurel Green]

Another vote for Stanley here. Go to a decent tool shop where they can be purchased singly.

[Green Fly]

Snap on tools, life time guarentee. A little dearer but last for life.

[mackg]

Wera are very good screwdrivers, very tough and usually diamond coated for extra grip

[B17NNS]

mackg said:

Wera are very good screwdrivers, very tough and usually diamond coated for extra grip

I've got a VDE set of Wera's. Quality kit.

[Fort Jefferson]

B17NNS said:

mackg said:

Wera are very good screwdrivers, very tough and usually diamond coated for extra grip

I've got a VDE set of Wera's. Quality kit.

Like these.

[Simpo Two]

I have a Snap-On screwdriver that was left in my father's car by a mechanic in about 1984. It's seen a lot of use since then and is completely unscathed - as are his wooden-handled screwdrivers from about 1955.

Axminster Tools are worth a look: www.axminster.co.uk

Edited by Simpo Two on Thursday 20th May 21:43

[retrorider]

Wera is top notch German kit.Draper Expert range is good too and has a lifetime warranty.Halfords pro range is well regarded also,and is actually rebranded Draper Expert...

[AMSAMS]

mackg said:

Wera are very good screwdrivers, very tough and usually diamond coated for extra grip

The best screwdrivers out there in my opinion.

[AMSAMS]

mackg said:

Wera are very good screwdrivers, very tough and usually diamond coated for extra grip

The best screwdrivers out there in my opinion.