Which brand new Insulated screwdriver set is worth buying

[Dustydazzler]

Just picked up a set of Bahco Ergo Vde drivers (the ones with the black handles) to try out this summer.
Only used the PZ2 so far (today in fact) but the grip is nice and the tips seem strong.
Paid £13.50 for the set off an Ebay re-seller as the box was damaged so sold me cheap. Think they retail around £25 normally.

 

[rapparee]

----ing about with Lidl and Aldi own brand tools

Frig sake lads, treat yourselves with something decent.

 

[telectrix]

----ing about with Lidl and Aldi own brand tools

Frig sake lads, treat yourselves with something decent.

don't knock it if you've not tried it. i have a few aldi cordless tools. e.g. a 18V SDS drill , OK fot the smaller jobs. up to 10mm, my go to tool for drilling for wall plugs. £50 with 3 year warranty.and if i drop it off a ladder, not a fortune lost.

 

[Dustydazzler]

I'm with Tel , sometimes its not worth spending much. When I did lots of re-wires I had a crappy old drill 240v made by dirt devil which i paid about £9 for in woolworths. I used it and abused it for drilling 20mm holes in joists and threw it around with wreckless abandon. It lasted years and years.
I often buy the packs of Aldi drill bits again to use and abuse then throw away

 

[ruston]

don't knock it if you've not tried it. i have a few aldi cordless tools. e.g. a 18V SDS drill , OK fot the smaller jobs. up to 10mm, my go to tool for drilling for wall plugs. £50 with 3 year warranty.and if i drop it off a ladder, not a fortune lost.

I had a Parkside drill for years and years, it was was a good drill for the money . At first it was one I used that I would not care if it got nicked . I ended up respecting it, I still have it , but the batteries are done in.

 

[timbobelfast]

Wiha with slim tips get my vote. 3 sets later and only broke one head.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Wiha with slim tips get my vote. 3 sets later and only broke one head.

Pound for pound they are imo the best vde drivers on the market, I have a set and they get used and abused and still going strong. £20 a set you can't go wrong really...
I am going to try Bahco for a while to see how they compare the next few months

 

[pc1966]

Oddly enough I was just in Lidl and they have a VDE set quite cheap (forget number, decided to resit yet another set).

Something like that is handy for either stuff you hardly use (e.g. odd tools in the car just in case), or a tool bag that others tend to "borrow" stuff from and then don't return it in the best condition.

 

[LukeD]

Ended up With "slim" Wiha that arrived today .Found a deal that included what i wanted .Then added a pair of SL/PZ1/2 Zeno's . £41 all in next day delivered etc .

 

[Pete999]

Ended up With "slim" Wiha that arrived today .Found a deal that included what i wanted .Then added a pair of SL/PZ1/2 Zeno's . £41 all in next day delivered etc .

I'LL go out on a limb here why all the who ha about insulated drivers when you aint allowed to work live anyway , tin hat on awaiting the onslaught from tool tarts every where

 

[nicebutdim]

Because mistakes happen?

 

[Pete999]

Because mistakes happen?

Should be testing for dead before any work is undertaken, but I see your point

 

[LukeD]

I get the debate .But how many of us will work on live lighting etc ? I do !

 

[Dustydazzler]

The only tool I’m glad I always made sure was Vde insulated was croppers / cutters when you accidentally cut through a live cable

 

[Dartlec]

There are also times when its necessary to check the tightness of MCB terminals (busbar end), for example, without wanting to isolate the entire board. Might not be "by the book" but we've all done it I expect, and I wouldn't ever do it with a non vde- screwdriver

 

[Dustydazzler]

Why Vde screwdrivers might be a good idea

 

[Pete999]

Why Vde screwdrivers might be a good idea

Why Vde screwdrivers might be a good idea

The idiot is doing that on purpose gets what he deserve the dipstick

 

[Dartlec]

The idiot is doing that on purpose gets what he deserve the dipstick

Took him quite a few goes to do it too! not sure if that's a sign of poor earthing, or the coating on the metal...

 

[Pete999]

Took him quite a few goes to do it too! not sure if that's a sign of poor earthing, or the coating on the metal...

None Mate just some Moron trying to make a name for himself on U tube

 

[LukeD]

Jesus ...Found that a bit mental .

 

[Dustydazzler]

I once was on a site once when one of the young apprentice touched a live meter tail onto a bit of earthed mental trunking to see what it would do

the flash bang was rather impressive and it took out the 100a fuse

he was sent home to think about his actions

 

[Dartlec]

I once was on a site once when one of the young apprentice touched a live meter tail onto a bit of earthed mental trunking to see what it would do

the flash bang was rather impressive and it took out the 100a fuse

he was sent home to think about his actions

nothing wrong with "Experience-Based Learning". Possibly a time and a place though ?

 

[GBDamo]

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

Not strictly a screwdriver set but damn sexy nonetheless.

 

[LukeD]

I thought about sets. Then as most of us learn , we only use 2-3 drivers on a daily basis . And If i had a set i would spend time messing around putting the bits back in the wrap and wanting another handle so i can have at least 2 drivers "On da go" .

 

[Mike Johnson]

@GBDamo What is the red thing in the elastic retainer at the crease on the right at the end of the row of sockets?

 

[GBDamo]

@GBDamo What is the red thing in the elastic retainer at the crease on the right at the end of the row of sockets?

Apparently a screw holder, not tried it in anger so jury is out. The rest is very nice though.

As for only needing two screw drivers, I think most of us 'get away' with two drivers and chowder screws in doing so. Having pretty much every driver in such a small package means I'm much more likely to change the bit that struggle.

I use it as a grab bag, with a small pair of side cutters and pliers, on reactive jobs and rarely need to go back to the van.

Saves hauling the 20+kg back pack round.

Works for now, until I add to it and add to it and it ends up the same as the 20+kg back pack.

 

[Mike Johnson]

I have the VDE 17 as you say very nice, but way over the top for what you need for any job, I suppose thats what small carry bags are for.

 

[LukeD]

Apparently a screw holder, not tried it in anger so jury is out. The rest is very nice though.

As for only needing two screw drivers, I think most of us 'get away' with two drivers and chowder screws in doing so. Having pretty much every driver in such a small package means I'm much more likely to change the bit that struggle.

I use it as a grab bag, with a small pair of side cutters and pliers, on reactive jobs and rarely need to go back to the van.

Saves hauling the 20+kg back pack round.

Works for now, until I add to it and add to it and it ends up the same as the 20+kg back pack.

ON a typical domestic .The chances are 3 drivers will be the most you will be needing on average I think ?

 

[nicebutdim]

ON a typical domestic .The chances are 3 drivers will be the most you will be needing on average I think ?

2x slotted & PZ2.

Many sets will provide 2 handles, which means swapping blades, but they also provide PZ/S and several Torx blades that might save you carrying a fourth driver and running to the van for that small socket set. Nothing to stop anyone adding an extra handle or swapping out blades for more useful alternatives - maybe a popular size of hex (or #2 Robertson for those in NI).

 

[LukeD]

I missed a good deal on Ebay .2 x handles Wiha the lot . very very nice condition ;£30 !!!!

 

[nicebutdim]

A little patience and @Dustydazzler would have offered the perfect deal on here ?

 

[Dustydazzler]

A little patience and @Dustydazzler would have offered the perfect deal on here ?

I have pretty much trimmed my tool collection down to what I need now so unfortunately DD deals of the week are a bit thin on the ground now