Thread: screw driver thoughts??

Go for the set with the straight through tangs. There will be that one time when you have to use one like a chisel, you still have it intact after the abuse.

The imbedded tang in plastic ones just don't cut it when it comes to that sort of treatment.

Square shanks are another good feature as you can use a shifter on them and put weight on the end so they don't cam out of the screw face.

Stamp or engrave your initials on them as they are among the first tools to be "borrowed"

I have some Japanese screwdrivers as described,I bought from the tool man when kitting up as an apprentice., They have lasted 44 years and still going.

Grahame

Hi,
I have a set of through tang sidchromes and i like them. They are a lot better than the new stanley crap. I have broken the tips of a few stanleys over the years, but the new ones tend to bend, they are not really all that hard. The only thing that these sidchromes lack is parallel ground tips on the straight blades, but having never used a parallel tip i can't comment on the difference in use.

Look at some Stahlwille screwdrivers before you make up your mind. The grips on them seem much better than the rest and the quality is excellent.

Something to consider getting with the set is a non ratcheting, hex shank driver that takes the 1/4" hex bits. Only ever need to replace the bits as they inevitably wear out which can save money down the line. My reference to non ratcheting may well be personal, but I've always preferred a fixed driver as they tend to feel better in the hand and there's no mechanisms to fail inside them. They wont do everything, but it's by far that driver I use most at work.

Cheers, Tom.

i just brought a similar crescent set. they were on special i think there a fair bit cheaper than the sichrome set. I like them.my brother mainly buys snap on. there screw drivers are very impressive.

Originally Posted by Grahame Collins

Stamp or engrave your initials on them as they are among the first tools to be "borrowed"
Grahame

In addition to what Grahame said, its a really good idea to mix up some oil based enamel paint in an unusual colour (get a few almost empty cans and mix em all together is a good way) and paint all your tools. By doing this you can tell at a glance, from a distance, if it is your tool. Can save possible arguments. I know that from my own experiences. eg if you are the only bloke in the shop/on site etc who has baby poo brown or pink (what ever colour) tools its a bit hard for someone else to argue that that tool is his (or hers).
Make no mistake, there are a lot of dishonest people out there in the trade who won't hesitate to pinch a nice tool from a workmate if they think they can get away with it. Something else I learnt the hard way very early in my apprentiship.
regards
bollie7

bollie great advise. lust as long as you can see the paint through the grease and oil.

Best practice would be to try and keep the amount of grease or oil from hand tools or any tools in general due to the safety hazard of them slipping.
I used to get into any ar-e that used my tools and left crap on them,same as some of those idiots that wouldnt clean parts before replacing.

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