Which set of screwdrivers to choose: choosing a high-quality and reliable gift for home craftsmen

Updated: 03/07/2021 15:40:23

Expert: Andrey Nikolaevich Kuznetsov

*Review of the best according to the editors of expertology.ru. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

One of the most popular tools is a screwdriver. It becomes an indispensable assistant for electricians, computer technicians, car mechanics and home craftsmen. But each area requires a model with special parameters. Today, manufacturers offer potential buyers different sets. They differ in the number of items, tool sizes, type of working part and price. Expert recommendations will help you make the right choice.

How to choose the right high-quality and reliable screwdriver set

It is not necessary that the set be from a leading brand, although this also matters - famous manufacturers usually care about their reputation and do not skimp on quality. But their products will also be more expensive. It is best to choose German ones; if the budget does not yet allow, then products of the Russian brand. You should absolutely not look for something cheaper on Chinese websites - as a rule, the buyer will be disappointed. Unknown products of dubious production break down, if not after the first, then after the second or third repairs.

The first thing you should focus on when choosing is the purpose of what you plan to do with these tools. These can be impact screwdrivers, magnetic or for precision work.

The second important point is the alloy. It is preferable to choose tools with a chrome vanadium rod with a rubberized two or three-component handle that does not slip in the hand.

Video - How to choose a set of tools for the car and home

Which screwdriver is better to buy

When choosing a screwdriver, you should pay attention to the shape of the tip. It must match the type of slot of the fasteners that are to be screwed in. In everyday life there will be enough screwdrivers with straight and Phillips tips, but to solve some professional tasks you may need compatibility with Torx, Robertson, HEX, etc.

Incorrect sizing may result in tool breakage or slot damage. Ideally, the operating parameters of the screwdriver and the fastener should completely match. The best solution for your home would be to purchase a model that supports the most popular sizes. These include SL3, SL5, SL8, PH2.

The material used to make the rod determines the strength and durability of the tool. For comfortable and long-term operation, the hardness value should be in the range from 47 to 57 HRC. This indicator is typical, for example, for high-alloy chrome-vanadium or chrome-molybdenum steels.

Don't forget about the tip coating. For productive and convenient work, its reliable fixation in the slot is required. It can be provided by magnetization, the application of special notches or spraying with a high coefficient of friction.

Hand screwdrivers in everyday life are often used as substitutes for other tools: chisels, chisels, chisels. Such handling may result in damage to the tip, destruction of the handle material, and deformation.

Voting for the best screwdriver set

Which screwdriver set would you choose or recommend?

WERA Kraftform Kompakt VDE Torque 16 pieces WE-135906

3.17 % ( 2 )

Stanley Fatmax FMHT0-62627

3.17 % ( 2 )

KVT Profi NIO-08

7.94 % ( 5 )

MATRIX PROFESSIONAL 13355

1.59 % ( 1 )

KVT NIO-07 mini

4.76 % ( 3 )

AtuMan Mini-X (24 in 1)

6.35 % ( 4 )

Gigant 6 items GSS 6

1.59 % ( 1 )

Inforce 06-09-71

4.76 % ( 3 )

Top Tools 6 pcs. 39D104

0.00 % ( 0 )

Bison Master Universal 27

25.40 % ( 16 )

CUSHION GRIP 8 pcs. Stanley 0-65-011

1.59 % ( 1 )

ProsKit 8PK-SD002N

3.17 % ( 2 )

Jonnesway D70105SC

7.94 % ( 5 )

KNIPEX KN-002012V01

9.52 % ( 6 )

Gross 12164

11.11 % ( 7 )

Felo Ergonic (5 pcs.)

4.76 % ( 3 )

comparison table

For a more clear comparison of the models presented above, we use a comparative table of characteristics.

Stainless steel

Let's move on to more specific models, which at first glance do not seem to differ in anything except the color of the handle.

However, be aware that if a screwdriver is light blue in color, it means it is made of stainless steel.

Such tools are usually used either when working outdoors or near water sources. For example, for plumbers, this will be an indispensable tool.

The hard materials from which the handle is made will not allow it to stick to the palm, even when it is damp and wet.

Such devices are made using ice-hardening technology, so there is no limit to their use.

SplinedPZ PhillipsTorxSquarePH Phillips

Insulated models are also available in case you work with electricity near water.

Also, “stainless” screwdrivers are useful for work in other places. The most observant and curious of you may have noticed that for some reason traces of rust often begin to appear on screws or screws that were originally made of stainless steel.

Where do they come from? Do fastener manufacturers really produce low-quality products?

This is explained by the fact that you once unscrewed or tightened these screws with a tool made of ordinary steel. This is what led to the appearance of traces of corrosion.

When using special Wera stainless steel screwdrivers, nothing like this will happen to you.

Therefore, make it a rule - screw stainless steel only with stainless steel.

This will rid you of contact rust forever.

Malfunctions

Screwdriver malfunctions in their basic form are limited to broken handles or dull metal slots.

• If the handle is replaceable, it is replaced with an analogue one. Models with solid handles must be recycled. However, craftsmen fix broken plastic by heating or using superglue.

In this case, the durability of the repaired handle is not guaranteed; the tool is no longer suitable for screwing in self-tapping screws and tight bolts.

• A dull screwdriver is sharpened using a grinder and a cutting wheel, a Dremel or a needle file. The last option is the most labor-intensive. Sharpening a screwdriver with a disc requires fixing it at an angle of 90 degrees to create correct bevels.

Self-repair is only possible if the battery is dead or the ratchet is clogged. If the mechanism becomes clogged, the tool is disassembled, cleaned of abrasives and lubricated for prevention.

Models with complex mechanics are more often subject to repair under service conditions.

Problems

Disadvantages that complicate operation are also associated with the set of functions. The fewer additional options a screwdriver has, the higher the chance that the tool will last a long time.

Problem areas:

• Rechargeable type - requires constant changing or charging of batteries. In conditions of major renovation of the premises, it quickly breaks down. More often this feature is found in Chinese technology, the quality of which does not always meet the needs of Russian conditions.
• Ratchets are sensitive to abrasives and dust. The mechanism fails when used in dusty areas or at a construction site.
• Drums are unsightly due to their metal casing; ergonomic models of this type are rare.
• Indicator - the main problem is the indicator light burns out, after which the model turns into a regular screwdriver. An audible indication requires changing batteries.

The current charge is not displayed on the case, so at the right time it is easy to find yourself without the corresponding functionality.

Models with reverse are not included in the list of problems, since the mechanism rarely fails. Dielectric variations are similar to ordinary ones, the only difference is in the coating, so their operation does not cause problems.

Equipment

The features of the splines are discussed in detail above, so we will focus on the remaining components of the kit - the handles and rods.

Handles

Handles are made of plastic or polycomposite. To reduce slipping, a rubber coating, recesses or notches are used. The coating makes the tool ergonomic and comfortable.

• The ratchet mechanism is an attachable ratchet handle similar to those used in compound socket wrenches. During operation, the rod and tip rotate freely, and the handle remains motionless in the hand.

The model does not require unnecessary movements, therefore it is optimal for large-scale work.

• T-shaped - Swivel type models with a curved or solid top that supports the installation of an auxiliary arm.
• With a heel - most often found in impact screwdriver sets. Instead of recessing into the handle, a through stroke is used. The rod at the end free from the nozzle has a thickening - a heel, which softens the load from blows with a hammer.

Modified handles make screwing/unscrewing easier or increase torque. Most often, functionality is set by a button or reverse switch on the handle.

Rods

Shaft modifications allow you to add additional functionality to the tool.

• Non-standard length - elongated or shortened models of screwdrivers. Length restrictions apply to the shaft and handle. Suitable for processing hard-to-reach places. More often found in combo or flexible models.
• With a tip change function - the tool in this configuration is equipped with a ratchet mechanism or a standard handle. The option without a mechanism involves the use of a universal combo rod. For splines of such models, the kit includes replacement bits.
• Faceted rod - option with a square or hexagonal cross-section (standard - round). Supports the use of leverage to add torsional force. The lever is the tool at hand.

Bits and sockets are typical bit attachments.

There are magnetic models that support the grip of fasteners in inconvenient conditions. External parameters correspond to standard types of splines.

Principle of operation

The design of the tester screwdriver includes a resistor and a metal tip. The latter is necessary to supply electricity to the instrument from the wire under test, and the resistor converts the current parameters . In the circuit, as an indicating element after the resistor, there is an LED or neon light bulb, which is connected at the end of the handle to a conductive patch.

The operating principle is simple. The tip of the screwdriver (probe) must be applied to the powered contact , and on the handle a finger is applied to the patch. This results in a closed circuit finger-LED-resistor, through which the passage of the converted current leads to the glow of the neon light bulb.

Tool for electrical installation activities

For a tool needed for electrical installation work, important parameters are high voltage protection, that is, a special coating that can withstand current, and the presence of a tester, which is necessary to locate the wiring.

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The tool is designed so that when wiring is detected, the indicator emits a sound or light signal.

Guarantee

Hand tools come with a warranty that ranges from 12 months to lifetime service.

• The need to exchange goods or return money arises if the purchased screwdriver turns out to be defective, deteriorated or broken due to the fault of the manufacturer.
• Refusal to receive warranty service occurs in case of non-compliance with the rules for using the tool or in case of mechanical damage.

The budget segment allows people not to contact service centers, but to buy a new tool.

Accessories

There are no individual accessories for screwdrivers. They are complemented only by kits that combine diverse types of attachments or screwdrivers.

Such a kit often consists of a housing with recesses for convenient placement of basic and spare parts.

• Small or budget kits are small plastic cases.
• Professional models - a suitcase with a handle for comfortable carrying, plastic or rubber-coated.

Inside contains a set of screwdrivers, replaceable heads or bits.

The larger the set, the more variations there are for different types of work, sizes and shapes of marks.

There are models supplemented with protective agents - anti-corrosion liquid, oil for lubricating metal elements, and a cleaning brush.

Rechargeable models are complemented by a charger and a replaceable battery. Household variations often do without these accessories - the buyer independently takes care of timely charging.

Exploitation

The greatest danger when working with a screwdriver comes from improper use of the tool.

• Before starting work, select the appropriate type of screwdriver and make sure that the size of the working area matches the size of the fastening profile.
• When working, you must use it only for its intended purpose, do not heat it to temperatures higher than permissible, and do not use a screwdriver whose tip is damaged.
• The handle must be insulated and free of chips if work is carried out under voltage.
• The screwdriver shaft must be positioned along the axis of the fastener.

Spline size

The correct tip size is the key to long service life of the screwdriver. The easiest way is to take with you a sample of the fasteners with which the work will be carried out, and select the appropriate tool for it on the spot when purchasing. If this is not possible, you will have to be guided by the markings.

For a cross-shaped tool, there is a table where each screwdriver is assigned a serial number, and depending on the number, the dimensions of the fasteners to which it fits are indicated, as well as the diameter and length of the shaft of the screwdriver itself. PH2 screwdrivers are the most popular, as they fit most screws and self-tapping screws.

With flathead screwdrivers it’s quite easy. The markings indicate the width and thickness of the blade, as well as the length of the screwdriver and the length of the working part. The most popular are SL3, SL5.

Tip modifications

In addition to the usual slot and Phillips blade, Wera screwdrivers can be found with an unusual hexagonal ball head. What is it for?

Thanks to the hemisphere, such a tip can unscrew and tighten screws even at an angle in hard-to-reach places.

And if you need to tighten a screw that is completely impossible to reach with your hands, use special clamps for a screwdriver.

Here's how they work.

By the way, they can be used not only with screwdrivers, but also with L-shaped keys and bits.

In general, Wera has a lot of sting modifications. Don’t want unauthorized personnel to be able to unscrew any elements in your equipment, for example, in electrical panels?

Use special fasteners with a protruding pin. It will no longer be possible to unscrew such a screw either with a simple Torx or with any other tool.

Here you will need a Torx BO screwdriver with a hole in the middle of the tip (see the link to it in the tabs above).

Provide only trained personnel with such a device and you will be assured of safe operation.

Some types of screwdrivers have a hexagon at the handle, which allows you to use a spanner or open-end wrench if you come across a really stubborn screw.

This handle design is almost universal among all other Wera models.

Scope of use

An indicator screwdriver, which is popularly called a tester, or a probe screwdriver , has a fairly simple operating principle and design, but at the same time performs one of the most common functions required in electrical installation - checking the functionality of devices or a network.

For example, it is inappropriate to use multifunctional and expensive equipment to solve such a task as checking the operation of an outlet - using an indicator screwdriver, this can be done in a few seconds without the need to disassemble the device. In certain situations, it may be necessary to determine the phase conductor in order to connect electrical equipment without the risk of burning it out. In this case, a tester screwdriver will also be the best assistant.

Peculiarities

The features of screwdrivers are considered in relation to the type of tool slot.

By slot type

• Flat - the tool tightens standard screws and screws, markings are marked along the width of the tip. Suitable for fastening with cross marks. Flat models are used for household and electrical installation needs.
• Hexagonal - for fasteners with hexagonal notches. Variants of a non-standard type are common, representing an L-shaped rod with edges, bent at the top.

The thickness of the rod corresponds to the slot of the fastener for which it is suitable.

Used for repairing electrical equipment and assembling furniture.

• Star-shaped - used in the repair of household appliances and mobile phones. They are rarely used in everyday life, as they require special skills.
• Cross-shaped ones are the most convenient for household and professional needs. There are models that support combination with a flat slot. Optimal for tightening all types of self-tapping screws and screws of suitable shape.

There are special models for narrow applications, adapted for use with only one or several types of fasteners:

• Spanners are two-pin variations for elevators with anti-vandal protection.
• Trefoils (Tri-Wing) - for aviation and complex electronics.
• Asymmetrical (Torq-Set) - aircraft industry only.
• Clutch - for Chevrolet and GMC trucks.
• Pentalobe is a pentagonal version for Apple technology.

These models are not used in everyday life, but without knowledge of their existence, repairing complex equipment is not always possible.

Characteristics

The characteristics of a tool can be read by its full markings. For example, SL1*80 is a flathead screwdriver with a 5mm diameter blade, 80mm long, suitable for fasteners with a diameter of less than 3mm.

In combination with the type marking (SL, HEX, PH, etc.), the table gives a complete picture of the characteristics and application features of a particular tool. Sometimes the marking is supplemented by an indication of the metal alloy from which the slot is made.