Which brand new Insulated screwdriver set is worth buying

[LukeD]

Must include the pozi type that is great for Fuses etc . Fancy a treat but not wanting Kleins etc !

 

[telectrix]

wiha or wera are popular. best i've ever had for reliability is irazola, now bahco, but they are quite long and awkward to fit into some toolbags.

 

[littlespark]

You can get a wiha pack of 6 or 7 on offer from wholesalers at times.
Try and get one with a +/- driver for CU terminals,

 

[Dustydazzler]

wiha or wera are popular. best i've ever had for reliability is irazola, now bahco, but they are quite long and awkward to fit into some toolbags.

Ive had 4 sets of Wiha (Tel is about to receive all my spares this week and they have been brilliant. Pound for pound they are the best insulated drivers on the market in my opinion. If you want to spend a bit more you can try kleins or Irazola which are equally as good but twice the price of wiha

 

[Dustydazzler]

This dude has a pretty extensive set

 

[nicebutdim]

This dude has a pretty extensive set

You have a youtube channel?

 

[Mike Johnson]

If you are carrying out board instals make sure whatever you buy has the insulation on the blade far enough up the shaft to allow the blade to reach the terminal screw.

 

[nicebutdim]

If you are carrying out board instals make sure whatever you buy has the insulation on the blade far enough up the shaft to allow the blade to reach the terminal screw.

Plenty available with slimline shafts that are fully insulated, but sufficiently narrow to allow blades to get where they need to be.

 

[Mike Johnson]

PZ/SL1 and 2 + and - blades are generally full width of the terminal screw and have a difficult time accessing the small opening if the insulation is close to the end of the blade, doesn't happen on all units, but some RCBO's have deeply recessed terminals.

 

[Dartlec]

I would get a cheap set from one of the sheds when they are on offer so you have one of everything,

If you're really lucky you'll get a neon screwdriver for free - which makes a good bradawl for poking holes

Then see which ones you use most and spend a little extra on good quality versions of those. I try and colour code the types so that I can tell them apart easily - (better ones do also have markings on the top of the handle to make finding them in the bag a whole lot easier).

A good flat head for faceplate screws is a must - many of them don't properly fit the cheap screws on some cheap fittings. The Klein one I bought for that has more than paid back its value in time saved...


Alternatively, buy two sets as otherwise when you are on a job, the one you need will always be at the other end of whatever circuit you're working on!

 

[littlespark]

(better ones do also have markings on the top of the handle to make finding them in the bag a whole lot easier).

I’ve rubbed the markings off of my well used Wiha’s

 

[loz2754]

I’ve rubbed the markings off of my well used Wiha’s

Me too.
And also the markings I made with a "permanent" marker!

 

[Timbo]

I've got 3 sets of Wera interchangeable blade drivers.
The last one I bought was a torque driver set at Elex 2017, slimline blades, and also added extra PZ+/- blades
For about £5 each. Set was about £120 I think.

 

[telectrix]

set in LIdl's . stupidly cheap. maybe not the best quality but as a starter for an apprentice, no brainer.

having said that, i bought a set 5 years ago, £6.99 for 6 or 7. been used and abused but still in decent shape.

 

[Dustydazzler]

A few years ago I once bought a set very similar to this...

Silverline 11pc Insulated Magnetic Soft Grip Screwdriver Phillips Flat Set | eBay

Silverline 11pc Insulated Soft-Grip Screwdriver Set. Silverline 5pc Plastering Brick Jointing Gauging Hand Trowel Tradesman Tool Set. Saw Blades. Jewellery Making Mini Pliers Extra Long Bent Nose Side End Cutter Beading Tools.

www.ebay.co.uk

For about a tenner to see if they were actually any good, and to my surprise are ok. They don't come out very often other than the small flatheads I sometimes keep in my pouch.
But considering the cheap price have lasted quite a while.
My Wiha set is still the one I use most but the cheapo ones are handy as back ups or to poke plasterboard etc

 

[Moley]

I use a cheap Lidl set for general use. Had them a few years and still good. Got a Wera/Wiha (can never remember which) set for the "posh stuff".
Grab yourself a set or 2 of the Lidl ones and you won't regret it.

 

[littlespark]

I use a cheap Lidl set for general use. Had them a few years and still good. Got a Wera/Wiha (can never remember which) set for the "posh stuff".
Grab yourself a set or 2 of the Lidl ones and you won't regret it.

Are they yellow and red, look very much like Wera or Wiha and are maybe called "Widl" ?

 

[telectrix]

with the likes of wiha and wera. you're paying over the odds for the name. like our new kettle. it's a smeg. bleeps and farts with pretty lights. water boils no better than a £15 cheapo from aldi.

 

[nicebutdim]

I've got 3 sets of Wera interchangeable blade drivers.
The last one I bought was a torque driver set at Elex 2017, slimline blades, and also added extra PZ+/- blades
For about £5 each. Set was about £120 I think.

This set is usually a pretty good start with Wera - 15 blades (inc PZ/S) & 2 handles for £40 odd.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00I8N2FP4

Of course Amazon price is fairly high today.

 

[Zerax]

I've got a "Wickes Professional" branded screwdriver that's great for plate screws/terminals... I've been using it for years and years... and still going strong. I think I grabbed it quick somewhere as I was without the van/tools and someone needed something fixed.

 

[telectrix]

This set is usually a pretty good start with Wera - 15 blades (inc PZ/S) & 2 handles for £40 odd.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00I8N2FP4

Of course Amazon price is fairly high today.

nice bitof kit there/, mjy

 

[nicebutdim]

nice bitof kit there/, mjy

Usually around £42 - £45 from Amazon.

Wera Kraftform Kompakt VDE 17 Universal 1 Interchangeable screwdriver set with twin handle, 17PC, 05059030001 (B00I8N2FP4)

Amazon price tracking & price history for Wera Kraftform Kompakt VDE 17 Universal 1 Interchangeable screwdriver set with twin handle, 17PC, 05059030001 (B00I8N2FP4)

uk.camelcamelcamel.com

 

[Timbo]

Lidl weekly offer ends today. May still be some in your local store.

 

[littlespark]

I dont think they should advertise that they "allow you to work on live parts up to 1,000v"

Thats just going to give Joe Public false confidence in DIY electrics

 

[Dustydazzler]

I've got a "Wickes Professional" branded screwdriver that's great for plate screws/terminals... I've been using it for years and years... and still going strong. I think I grabbed it quick somewhere as I was without the van/tools and someone needed something fixed.

I think the Wickes jobbies

Wickes VDE 8 Piece Screwdriver Set | Wickes.co.uk

Wickes VDE 8 Piece Screwdriver Set

www.wickes.co.uk

are Draper just rebranded

 

[Dustydazzler]

The only real issue I have found with the cheapo £5-10 vde sets is the pozi2 tip tends to round off very quickly. the flat heads seem to last a bit longer. But for a fiver what do you really expect

 

[Mike Johnson]

But don't give any good screwdriver to my wife, she managed to cam out and ruin a SnapOn.

 

[Dartlec]

The only real issue I have found with the cheapo £5-10 vde sets is the pozi2 tip tends to round off very quickly. the flat heads seem to last a bit longer. But for a fiver what do you really expect

I find a cheapo PH2 works very well for making holes for 6mm plugs in plasterboard ceilings...

 

[Mike Johnson]

I find a cheapo PH2 works very well for making holes for 6mm plugs in plasterboard ceilings...

I use my impact driver for that, fitted with whatever was used last.

 

[Dustydazzler]

I think I have tried most brands of vde screwdrivers and never really had a favourite , I think the only big name brand that I haven't had a set of is Facom

 

[nicebutdim]

I think I have tried most brands of vde screwdrivers and never really had a favourite , I think the only big name brand that I haven't had a set of is Facom

Only recently learned that Facom is a Stanley Black and Decker brand. Not sure why, but this surprised me.

 

[LukeD]

Only recently learned that Facom is a Stanley Black and Decker brand. Not sure why, but this surprised me.

Only recently .

 

[Dustydazzler]

Only recently learned that Facom is a Stanley Black and Decker brand. Not sure why, but this surprised me.

I might be wrong but I was told Draper is also a stanley brand as well

 

[nicebutdim]

I might be wrong but I was told Draper is also a stanley brand as well

Apparently not - here's the current line up in their stable.

There are several other brands when industrial acquisitions are included.

 

[Zerax]

My favourite trousers are 'Stanley' branded... if that helps with anything.

 

[nicebutdim]

My favourite (work) trousers are rather appropriately branded 'Scruffs' ?

Comfort combined with reasonable prices.

 

[telectrix]

My favourite (work) trousers are rather appropriately branded 'Scruffs' ?

Comfort combined with reasonable prices.

mine still have the security tags on them. (Scouse humour again ).

 

[Timbo]

I dont think they should advertise that they "allow you to work on live parts up to 1,000v"

Thats just going to give Joe Public false confidence in DIY electrics

I don't think they should include a neon screwdriver and call it a voltage tester as well.

 

[telectrix]

I don't think they should include a neon screwdriver and call it a voltage tester as well.

why not. every other maker includes one. wiha, wera, draper et al.

 

[Lister1987]

set in LIdl's . stupidly cheap. maybe not the best quality but as a starter for an apprentice, no brainer.

having said that, i bought a set 5 years ago, £6.99 for 6 or 7. been used and abused but still in decent shape.

I have my set I started college with, moved on to Wera but they still get use at home.