Back for buck/good screwdriver set | The Garage Journal

Where to start? There are tons of really good screwdrivers out there by any number of manufacturers. If you like domestic, it's hard to go wrong with Williams. Felo, Wera and Wiha all have sets within your budget if you like a European flare. KC Tools has a set of Heyco on sale for forty bucks that I keep reminding myself I simply don't need. I think I'd throw forty bucks at them if I did justto try them.

6-8 commonly used ones. Budget would be around 100 bones

Ok, you've got a good budget then.

Screwdrivers are a very personal choice, ask 100 people you'll most likely get at least 50 answers. It also depends on what you're working on.

For example, I don't like Williams or Wera because of the handle shape, but YOU might.

I like PB Swiss, Wiha, Witte, and Vessel Megadora, for automotive/motorcycle work. For around the house I generally use Klien but I dont really care for their handles either and Milwaukee has a 3 piece set of insulated screwdrivers that includes an EXC tip with is great for electrical connectors, which I plan on picking up in the near future. Proto Duratek are another option but I don't own any, they're hard to find and relatively expensive.

I also have this JIS Sunflag screwdriver set in my motorcycle 'track box', they're very nice.

Lots and lots of choices within your budget. I have a set of williams hard handle at work, I've broken one of the flat heads using it as a pry bar and the #2 phillips putting a wrench on it. My snappy guy but a blade on the #2 for me. The williams hard handles are exactly the same as the snappy hard handles.

A couple years ago I bought a set of soft handle Kobalts for home and they have held up extremely well, they have the black tips you are after. I haven't lived in an area with a Lowes for 3 years so I don't know if they still offer them.

One advantage of Tekton or big box store screw drivers is easy warranty when you do break them. Some of the other brands are a little harder to warranty. What about getting some sort of handle that accepts screwdriver bits? You could be slotted tips in bulk! Ha! How are you breaking them? Are you using the screwdriver for a prybar, or twisting screws that are stuck, or something else?

I've also found that using the right size slotted driver helps. Too loose and it can cam out and ruin the slot; too tight and it will also ruin the slot.

Find out if the tips are hardened, painted or not. I think Harbor freight paints the tips black to fool people.

Another vote for Vessel. They have hollow ground tips instead of wedges/angles.

I have this set and like them.

Are those trilobular?

What about getting some sort of handle that accepts screwdriver bits? You could be slotted tips in bulk! Ha! How are you breaking them? Are you using the screwdriver for a prybar, or twisting screws that are stuck, or something else?

I've also found that using the right size slotted driver helps. Too loose and it can cam out and ruin the slot; too tight and it will also ruin the slot.

Find out if the tips are hardened, painted or not. I think Harbor freight paints the tips black to fool people.

Another vote for Vessel. They have hollow ground tips instead of wedges/angles.

Maybe it is a magnetic coating?

The best all-around screwdriver for the toolbox or kitchen drawer should be a ratcheting, multi-bit screwdriver with easily accessible bit storage.

For more information, please visit Probuilt.

Ratcheting screwdrivers are faster and easier to use than regular screwdrivers. With a ratcheting screwdriver you can tighten or loosen a screw while your hand and the screw remain in contact with the tool they allow you to turn the screwdriver (handle and stem) one way, and then turn just the handle back to reposition and reset it, and then turn the handle and stem again. A toggle, usually up at the base of the stem, moves the ratcheting mechanism from clockwise to counterclockwise depending on whether you’re tightening or loosening a screw. Most also have a third position that locks the stem into place, making the tool behave like a traditional screwdriver.

Because there is no need to keep resetting the screwdriver in the screwhead or to release your hand from the tool, ratcheting screwdrivers work much faster than traditional screwdrivers. They’re also better in tight, awkward spaces, especially those where you can’t really see the screwhead, like at the back of a cabinet or on the underside of a table while tightening a leg.

Multi-bit: For the utmost convenience, a screwdriver should be able to accept multiple bits. Typical tasks such as minor home repairs and furniture assembly can require a wide array of bit shapes and sizes. Keeping a supply of individual screwdrivers for all of these uses gobbles up valuable space and leads to you owning tools that rarely get used.

We think there are at least 10 bit types you need in order to feel confident that you could tackle any task around the house. This includes a selection of Philips, slotted, square drive (Robertson), and Torx bits. With these in hand, nearly every screwdriving task in a home can be handled, from tightening a stair rail to installing a hook, to adjusting a lockset.

An added bonus of a multi-bit screwdriver is that the screwdriver tip without a bit in it can be used as a ¼-inch nut driver, a size found in electrical work and larger appliances, among many other places.

Convenient bit storage: For a multi-bit screwdriver to be successful, it needs to have effective onboard bit storage, especially considering the grab-and-go nature of the tool. the best storage systems allow you to quickly identify and access the bit you’re looking for.

Overall quality: A ratchet is a precision mechanism, and some companies do it better than others. Stuart Deutsch, editor of ToolGuyd told us that the ones to look for have “better materials and smoother, better fitting gearing.” He continued, “You can usually tell immediately how well a ratcheting screwdriver is made by holding the handle in one hand and turning the drive end with the other.” Better ratchets tend to have finer gears, which gives more control over the tool, especially in an area where space is limited and you may not be able to fully twist your hand.

Top pick

This manual screwdriver combines smooth ratcheting action with excellent bit storage and a uniquely comfortable handle to be the most well-rounded, capable tool of its kind.

In side-by-side tests, the Channellock and Megapro performed identically. Other than the color, they’re exactly the same tools. Get whichever costs less.

The Megapro 13-in-1 (and the identical Channellock 13-in-1) is the one screwdriver we found that does everything right. There are other tools that have additional features or a finer ratchet, but for the best combination of a solid ratcheting action, fantastic bit storage, a useful selection of bits, and an oddly comfortable handle, the Megapro 13-in-1 is the one to beat. It has been our pick since , and has maintained this top spot after multiple rounds of new testing against over 20 screwdrivers.

The bit storage is exceptional and is one of the many areas where the tool stands apart from the pack. The butt end of the handle pops out and slides straight back revealing a stem surrounded by six bit holders, each of which houses a double-sided bit, sort of like a six-shooter. The carousel spins, and there is plenty of room around the bits to easily find the right one and remove it. Even though it extends out of the rear of the handle, the carousel itself has hardly any wobble to it and the bits stayed secure even when we dropped the tool, something we can’t say about many similar competitors.. When closed, the carousel mechanism holds tight, yet can be easily opened with one hand using the thumb and forefinger.

The rear cap spins independently from the rest of the body. With this feature, you can press the tool into the screw with your palm and still easily rotate the screwdriver with your other hand. This is particularly useful when dealing with partially stripped screws.
Because the cap spins, the pressure from your palm won’t be fighting against the twist of the handle. Also, because your palm is pressing against a stationary piece instead of a twisting one, you won’t “rug-burn” a fiery hole into your palm.

The handle of the Megapro 13-in-1 is another high point. Even with the roomy storage capacity for the six bits (which really are 12 different driver tips), the comfort of the grip far exceeded that of any of the other screwdrivers, even those that cost more than twice as much. The teardrop shape tapers at the neck, providing a nice groove for the thumb and forefinger. The gripping area of the handle is mostly rubberized and has a series of nubs in it for better purchase. It’s a very comfortable design, and it felt natural no matter how we held it.

The ratcheting mechanism of the Megapro 13-in-1 has 28 teeth, which is about in the middle range of the screwdrivers we tested. Some had as low as 10 teeth, while most of the better ones had around 40, yet some had as many as 72. So the Megapro 13-in-1 may not have the subtlest most responsive ratchet, but it’s very quiet and we think the high-quality feel to it is undeniable. In all of our years using it, we’ve never had it slip once.

The Megapro 13-in-1 has a comprehensive bit selection. It comes with six double-headed driver bits, totaling 12 bits and should be able to handle just about every standard screwdriving task in a home. The 13th function is the ¼-inch hex end of the stem. This can be used for hex-headed screws like the kind you might find holding the rear panel of your washing machine or on a pipe band clamp.

The bits included with the Megapro 13-in-1:

• Phillips #0, 1, 2, 3
• Slotted #4, 6
• Robertson (square drive) #1, 2
• Torx #10, 15, 20, 25

It’s available in two versions. We found through our research that MegaPro also manufactures Channellock's 13-in-1 Ratcheting Screwdriver on a private-label basis. The two tools are identical except for the color pattern, with Channellock’s being more of a blue and red superhero combination. We recommend whichever is least expensive.

I’ve been using the same Megapro 13-in-1 for the past 13 years, four of which I spent in a construction site setting. It served as my main screwdriver through a full house gut and renovation, as well as a house move and the screwdriver-heavy tasks that are involved with getting settled into a new home.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit screwdriver manufacturer.

After years of constant use, the tool still works great, and aside from a couple of paint splatters and a scratch here and there, the Megapro is exactly as it was when it came out of the packaging. I’m still using the original bits, which show zero deterioration. Even the Phillips #2, the most-used tip, has maintained its shape with no rounding over of the edges.

I’ve found that the success of the storage system makes it very difficult to lose a bit. With the convenient storage carousel of the 13-in-1, there is a spot for each one of the bits. A lot of screwdrivers use the screwdriver tip as one of the storage spaces, meaning that one of the bits is going to live in the tip of the screwdriver. This isn’t ideal because they’re more easily lost this way, for example, if you have to set a bit down somewhere to use the empty end of the tool as a nut driver.

Runner-up

Nearly identical to our main pick, this automotive version takes universal 1-inch bits. But it typically costs a little more, and the bit selection isn’t as good.

If the 13-In-1 and the Channellock are not available or if you feel strongly that you will eventually need a wider selection of bits, Megapro also offers the 211R1C36RD 13-in-1 Ratcheting Automotive Screwdriver. This is the same screwdriver as our main pick, but it’s compatible with 1-inch driver bits and not the double-sided ones like the 13-in-1. These smaller bits are not only easier to replace if lost, but also allow you to customize your bit selection. The tip of the screwdriver is also magnetic, so they won’t fall out during use, and the stem is just a little bit longer, but in all other ways it’s identical to our main pick.

This automotive version is designed for the mechanic, so the initial bit selection isn’t as well-rounded as our pick. It’s missing the smaller square drive and the #0 Phillips, replacing them with a wider selection of Torx sizes, which are less likely to be used in a home setting. We feel that most will be happier simply buying the 13-in-1 (our pick) knowing that it already comes with the best selection of bits. This automotive version also tends to be more expensive, typically costing over $40.

Best for...

Compared with our top pick, Megapro’s precision screwdriver has a similar handle, spinning cap, and bit storage. But it’s smaller, and the 24 bits can handle everything from tightening eye glasses to taking apart a computer.

For dealing with smaller screws like those you’d find while tightening eyeglasses, replacing the battery on a laptop, or repairing a drone, we recommend the Megapro 24-in-1 Multi-Bit Precision Screwdriver. Like the larger Megapro screwdrivers we recommend, this model offers an excellent combination of bits, ergonomics, and convenience features not found on the competition. The in-handle storage system is the same design and holds 12 double-sided bits that cover all the basics and then some, including Apple’s pentalobe bit. In use, the teardrop handle is comfortable and stylish (for a screwdriver), and the spinning cap moves with almost no resistance. The Megapro 24-in-1 is not a ratcheting screwdriver, but we didn’t miss that feature much considering the delicate nature of a precision screwdriver and the smooth action of this model’s spinning cap.

The downside of the Megapro 24-in-1 is that, like any multi-bit screwdriver, it has a thick stem to accept the bits. This means you can’t use it with deeply recessed screws—it can’t reach anything deeper than about a half inch. Although such conditions can arise, in our experience they’ve been few and far between in regular, day-to-day situations. The real solution for recessed screws is a set of individual precision screwdrivers, which have long, thin stems—but to get the overall functionality of the Megapro 24-in-1, you’d need 24 different screwdrivers.

We dismissed the majority of the other screwdrivers we tested based on either their overall quality or how they managed bit storage. Note, too, that we’ve been testing screwdrivers for eight years, and many of those we’ve looked at are no longer available; this group includes models from Craftsman, DeWalt, Irwin, Kobalt, Milwaukee, and Stanley.

As part of their new line of Defender insulated tools, MegaPro has released the 6-in-1 Insulated Multi-Bit Screwdriver. It has many of the characteristics we admire in other MegaPro screwdrivers like the carousel storage and the teardrop handle. It is not a ratcheting screwdriver and does not come with any Torx bits. It is insulated up to -volts, so for an electrician (or serious DIYer), it might be worth the $90 investment, but otherwise, we recommend sticking with the 13-in-1.

The Ideal 35-688 21-in-1 Multi-Bit Ratcheting Screwdriver is another good-quality screwdriver that suffers from weak bit storage. The bits are in a carousel, like the Megapro 13-in-1’s, but the cap has to be unscrewed to access them. Compared with our pick, it just takes too much time. We do like that the rear of the cap can be used to twist wire nuts, but that’s a fairly specialized task that most will never have to deal with.

For roughly $70 we were expecting great things from the Snap-On 8¾ Standard Ratcheting Screwdriver. It has a fantastic ratchet mechanism that just oozes quality, but the bits are stored loose in the handle. To get a new one, you need to unscrew the cap, dump the bits on your hand, sift them around with a finger until you find the one you want, funnel the rest back into the handle with your hand, and finally screw the cap back on. Even the top-tier ratchet doesn’t offset this level of tediousness.

The same can be said about the Electriduct Ratcheting Screwdriver. It has a telescoping stem, which sounds neat, but not something we’ve ever felt we needed. Worse, though, is that the storage is underneath a screw cap. Also, the handle isn’t that comfortable.

The Husky 12-in-1 Quick Loading Ratchet Screwdriver stores the bits on the exterior of the handle. It's a fiddly system and nowhere near as simple as the Megapro’s storage.

The DeWalt Max Fit Telescoping Ratcheting Multi-Bit Screwdriver has no onboard storage and doesn’t feel very high quality.

The Wera 27 RA Ratcheting Screwdriver has a very odd, yet comfortable handle with three concentric concave areas for the hand to grab. It’s a very nice screwdriver, but it only holds six bits.

Another class of ratcheting screwdrivers that exists is the two-speed style, like the Klenk SAB710. These tools have a ring on the handle that can be held stationary in order to gear the ratcheting mechanism to a higher setting, which delivers four times the turning speed to the handle (but only for low-torque applications). These tools are well-received and do offer speed, but when compared with the Megapro, they come up short in other areas like bit storage and general ergonomics.

Finally, there are quite a few very nice screwdrivers that we dismissed because they don’t have a ratcheting feature, which we believe is essential. These include the Picquic X-7 SixPac Plus, and the original Megapro 151NAS 15-in-1.

Aside from our picks above, Megapro manufactures about 20 other screwdrivers. Of these models, the majority of them come with specialty bits designed with a specific trade or task in mind such as elevator maintenance, HVAC, and RV repair, just to name a few. Only the 13-in-1 combines a useful selection of bits with the ergonomic handle and a ratcheting function.

The company is the world’s best hammer manufacturer supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.