Hi Folks,

 

I am not the most practical person in the world but do have the odd go at DIY etc. Over the years I've had fairly basic cheap and cheerful Stanley screwdriver sets etc but they don't really seem to be all that good. I am looking to but a screwdriver set together with bits for torx bolts etc. I'm not too worried about the cost, I'd like to buy something that will essentially last me a lifetime (or many years).

 

Many Thanks

Stephen Elliott

I'd recommend a Makita set  a blue box at about £20. They are so⁸ good that peiple"borrow" bits and hence I have 3 partial sets.

I like these Bosch sets for their quality and compactness. You'll need a separate driver handle or a battery-driven  driver. The 'cased' sets take up too much room in my book. Quality is a good thing in itself but screwdrivers and bits are a bit of a consumable these days.

 

https://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-1-4-hex-shank-mixed-screwdriver-bit-set-32-pieces/6810t

Thanks folks... The space aspect of a full traditional handled screwdriver set doesn't bother me. Of course for torx and other special bits, you normally have one of those driver handles and numerous other bits.

 

I guess names like Bosch and Makita are well known staples... I know in the motor trade Snap On have a very good reputation although expensive.

 

My next follow on question is as to whether I should also purchase an electric screwdriver or impact driver. I understand there are some circumstances where particularly impact drivers can cause issues. It may sound odd but I've always liked manually screwing into wood (as painstaking as it is) because for somebody inexperienced like me, you know when something feels right and can correct it before causing damage. That said when hanging a load of hooks in the shed on the studs, I drilled pilots and then used my drill with a screwdriver attachment but went slowly...

Edited June 13, 20233 yr by steveoelliott

I'd only get an impact driver if you see yourself having to put in 100s of screws in at a time. A cordless drill will give you more control and less likely to snap a head, drive too deep etc. I've both and will use my cordless drill over the impact driver for any light work or anything that will be visible. 

I won an impact driver, so otherwise wouldn't have one. Seldom used.

I think maybe it is for use under the car,more than for building

 

3 hours ago, Conor said:

I'd only get an impact driver if you see yourself having to put in 100s of screws in at a time. A cordless drill will give you more control and less likely to snap a head, drive too deep etc. I've both and will use my cordless drill over the impact driver for any light work or anything that will be visible. 

Wise advice gratefully received. I'll continue with my drill.

 

I used an impact driver once when hanging a TV bracket with my electrician; he passed me it to drive the screws into holes in a block wall. A few pulses and they were in, made it seem very easy but I can see that it would be easier to overdo it!

Edited June 13, 20233 yr by steveoelliott

5 hours ago, steveoelliott said:

I've always liked manually screwing into wood (as painstaking as it is) because for somebody inexperienced like me, you know when something feels right and can correct it before causing damage.

In that case maybe you should take a look at a gyroscopic driver. Don't have one myself (yet), but I like the look of them. For example this Dewalt: https://youtube.com/watch?v=1s6wZqNZ_34

 

17 minutes ago, Mike said:

In that case maybe you should take a look at a gyroscopic driver. Don't have one myself (yet), but I like the look of them. For example this Dewalt: https://youtube.com/watch?v=1s6wZqNZ_34

 

That looks so cool.

On 12/06/2023 at 11:16, steveoelliott said:

I am not the most practical person in the world but do have the odd go at DIY etc. Over the years I've had fairly basic cheap and cheerful Stanley screwdriver sets etc but they don't really seem to be all that good. I am looking to but a screwdriver set together with bits for torx bolts etc. I'm not too worried about the cost, I'd like to buy something that will essentially last me a lifetime (or many years).

 

Look at the following brands for high-quality screwdriver sets.

https://www-uk.wera.de/en 

https://www.wiha.com/gb/en/

 

The challenge is working out which set makes the most sense..!

I do love the Wera stuff, however, i do have some stuff that is Wiha. I want a lottery win now that i have been looking at the Wera site.

9 minutes ago, Big Jimbo said:

I do love the Wera stuff, however, i do have some stuff that is Wiha. I want a lottery win now that i have been looking at the Wera site.

 

Did you look at the 412-page "compact" catalogue yet?  It'd keep you busy for a couple of weeks...  https://www-de.wera.de/fileadmin/pdf/catalog/EN-Compact-Catalogue-2023.pdf

17 hours ago, Dan F said:

 

Look at the following brands for high-quality screwdriver sets.

https://www-uk.wera.de/en 

https://www.wiha.com/gb/en/

 

The challenge is working out which set makes the most sense..!

Although these are overkill for a pleb like me, at least I know I would be using good quality kit. I can't blame my tools Each have got 3-4 sets that will cover everything I need.

Edited June 14, 20233 yr by steveoelliott