#2 screwdrivers -- UPDATE: Lowe's withdrew their product!

[moto]

Screwdrivers are like opinions -- everyone has one, and probably has an opinion on it too. That said, following on from a recent thread about tool brands in general, I offer my observations about some competing Phillips #2 screwdrivers.

Here's the background. Ten years ago I dropped my #2 Phillips Ace Hardware screwdriver off a pier, never to be seen again, though I tried to retrieve it. I popped an old Craftsman into its place on the rack.

Recently I was working on a difficult screw with the lost screwdriver's companion, a 5/16 slotted. I suddenly realized that I was exerting a great deal of force with my thumb, engaged on the protruding flange. It occurred to me that I really liked that set of screwdrivers, especially because I could easily exert that force, and I began to look again for a replacement for the lost Ace, which are no longer sold.

I decided to collect several candidate Phillips #2 screwdrivers, buying some separately just to compare them. The winner would fill that empty place on the rack, and I would also buy one or two sets of the winning type so I could throw away a couple of other sets (Bovidex and Duracraft). Phillips #2 drivers seemed like a good thing to focus on since they need a precise tip, are always heavily used, and typically wear out first.





The contenders, left to right in the photo, are:

1) Ace Hardware chrome vanadium (no longer available, a 5/16 slotted standing in for the lost #2)

2) Kobalt model 525817, $3.98 plus $5.99 shipping, from Lowes

3) Stanley "100 Plus" series, model 64-102-A, $5.81 plus $5.00 shipping from Zoro.com.

4) Klein, model 603-4, rubberized handle, $9.49 plus $5.00 shipping from Zoro.

[I wish I had gotten a non-rubberized Klein, model BD122, $7.55 plus $5.00 shipping from Zoro, instead. It has a plain acetate handle.]

5) Craftsman, model 41295, that I purchased new maybe 45-50 years ago.

6) Craftsman, model 41295, from about 12 years ago, worse of course than the older one, though also still U.S.-made at the time.

Obviously this is a limited selection that omits some higher-end alternatives that are inherently unsuitable for a true Guzzista.


Here are my observations.




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1) Thumb flanges. I prefer a handle with large flanges for my thumb to press upon. The Ace Hardware model wins this category, as this photo suggests. Not only is the profile of the ledge that the thumb presses into more abrupt, but the number of flanges (and ridges) on the handle is four, not the usual six, which makes them that much beefier. Among the others, the Stanley is next-best, with more useful flanges than the Kobalt. The Klein BD122 that I did not purchase appears to have similar looking flanges to the Stanley.

2) Handle size and type. I prefer what I call a full-size handle in hard (acetate) plastic. The Craftsman screwdrivers are under-sized, providing limited torque. The Klein is a full-size handle, available with or without a rubber grip. I found a number of believable testimonials from "professional mechanics" praising the size and utility of the Stanley "100 Plus" series screwdrivers, commenting often on the size of their handles. After my survey I now think the full-size acetate handle is the hallmark of a proper "mechanic's screwdriver." Rubberized handles now seem to me to be more suitable for electricians (who are said to prefer Kleins).





3) Tip fit. I have grown to hate screwdrivers as a race, because they often fit poorly and I don't know whether the screw or the driver is to blame. For this comparison, though, I hit on the idea of using the #2 Phillips screws on the backs of my kitchen cabinet doors as my standard for fit. They are unmolested, and must have been there for 40 or more years. Maybe back then quality was higher, I figured. It turned out that both the Klein and the Stanley screwdrivers fit extremely well -- I found I could let the screwdrivers hang by their tips in screws that were installed at 90 degrees from the vertical. Both brands had the same amount of droop while hanging. The Craftsman drivers were both undersized and fell out, even though the 12-year-old version had little wear on it. The shocker was the Kobalt, which was too big to insert all the way into the screw!

Who won? In the end I think the Stanley "100 Plus" screwdrivers are the best. They have a lot of "professional mechanics'" testimonials that say they have never changed over many years (except for new tips) and are the go-to drivers in the toolbox. (These are of course not the lesser Stanley screwdrivers you tend to see in stores.) There is a very wide variety of screwdrivers in the "100 Plus" series, and they are available in sets and individually for good prices at Zoro.com, who next-day ship any driver or set for $5.00. I forgot to mention one feature unique to these in the comparison group: the flat-tip drivers have a hex fitting at the top of the shaft for a wrench, a nice bonus.

The #2 Craftsman drivers, looking back now, were never very good. They fit poorly and were under-sized.

Kobalt was a huge disappointment. "If the driver don't fit, you must omit," as might be said.

Klein seems to be embarrassed to offer the plain-acetate-handle drivers (the one I didn't buy). You can order them on Zoro.com, but Amazon makes it a bit hard. They are only offered by their affiliates, with the lowest price for the #2 Phillips being $17.54, including shipping. Reviews note that these are branded as Vaco "Bull Driver" screwdrivers, rather than "Klein." I expect they are about equivalent to the Stanley "100 Plus" driver I preferred.

As a hard-(screw)driving Guzzista, I prefer a rugged, large screwdriver that fits well and doesn't have a rubbery handle to get dirty and gummed up. Hand me the Stanley.

Moto

[guzzisteve]

I just go in the tool truck. There is also a Phillips for Japanese screws that works better on some than others.

[AJ Huff]

Wow. This is more thought about screwdrivers than I've ever had. Pretty awesome. Thanks!

-AJ

[lucian]

size matters

[nc43bsa]

Keep in mind that Phillips screwdrivers are not the same as JIS or Pozidriv, even if they do look similar.

https://bike.bikegremlin.com/10583/phillips-vs-jis-vs-pozidriv/

[SIR REAL ED]

I just go in the tool truck. There is also a Phillips for Japanese screws that works better on some than others.

Yep.  JIS, IIRC Japanese Industry Standard.  HUGE difference between those and Phillips screwdrivers.

Get some JIS screwdrivers and you will VERY tempted to throw all your regular Phillips head screwdrivers away. 

But don't. 

[twowheeladdict]

I hate soft screws and ill fitting drivers.   

My wife has issues with grip so I got here a ratcheting driver that has kind of a wing down one side so you are using the lower part of your thumb to grip and turn.  Works well for her. 

[balvenie]

Wow. This is more thought about screwdrivers than I've ever had. Pretty awesome. Thanks!

-AJ

Rotary engine airplanes, Single malt scotches and now screwdrivers. It reminds me again that this Forum knows everything

[Tom H]

If your working on an old Asian bike, JIS is the way to go. I wish I had JIS many years ago with a Honda. Never could find a star bit to fit properly. But the old impact driver with a hammer did help a bit.

Also if your working on small fishing reels made in Asia, miniature JIS bits are the only way to go.

Tom

[kballowe]

my go-to is a beat-to-crap magnetic ratcheting screwdriver with one or the other drywall bit.    There's a whole herd of screwdrivers in the 4th drawer, but this one gets the most use.  The larger screwdrivers are great for pry bars or alignment tools.

[Perazzimx14]

Why do we all have that screwdriver that is worn out, end chipped or broken off but we cannot seem to throw it away or replace it. The worst part is we periodically try and I use it. I mean it didn't work last 50 times we tried it why shouldn't it work now?

[Rough Edge racing]

 My opinion is JIS tips work better than any  Phillips...

[Chuck in Indiana]

Very nice, Moto.  When I was a pup, an old aircraft mechanic told me to buy the best screwdrivers I could afford. Aircraft have to be disassembled all the time, and cheap screwdrivers booger up the screw heads. He recommended Stanley then.  Of course, I am rich beyond my wildest dreams when I was a (really poor) kid, and have Snap On and Matco for aircraft work, now.

[chuck peterson]

Could you please come clean my garage?

 

[kingoffleece]

yep.  Gotta have JIS drivers in the tool box.

[DougG]

 

Yup, JIS is the way to go.  In fact, I've taken to grinding the tip off my old Phillip bits to act more like JIS.  They are better, but not identical.  I'm sure you know that Phillip bits were designed to 'cam out', rather than strip the screw.  This property can become annoying when trying to tighten stubborn screws.

Be well, stay well,
DougG 

[SIR REAL ED]

I take great satisfaction from replacing Phillips screws with S'STL Allen screws.  Technically, they are S'STL SHCS in the machine design world.

One of the easiest things you can do to improve and personalize your bike.

It also doesn't hurt to have one of those cool little impact drivers about the size of a highlighter that uses a 1/4" hex drive.

[SIR REAL ED]

Rotary engine airplanes, Single malt scotches and now screwdrivers. It reminds me again that this Forum knows everything

It's what Think Tanks do!   

[John A]

http://navyaviation.tpub.com/14001/img/14001_39_3.jpg
This is throwing a monkey wrench into the screwdriver drawer
Reed Prince anyone?

[Ncdan]

I’m for doing away with all Phillips and straight head screws and the drivers needed. Star head type only.

[nc43bsa]

I’m for doing away with all Phillips and straight head screws and the drivers needed. Star head type only.

Torx?

[guzzisteve]

Keep in mind that Phillips screwdrivers are not the same as JIS or Pozidriv, even if they do look similar.

https://bike.bikegremlin.com/10583/phillips-vs-jis-vs-pozidriv/

There you go, thanks. Most do not know this till fasteners are jacked up.

[twowheeladdict]

Why do we all have that screwdriver that is worn out, end chipped or broken off but we cannot seem to throw it away or replace it. The worst part is we periodically try and I use it. I mean it didn't work last 50 times we tried it why shouldn't it work now?

I take those to the grinder and make staple pullers and other useful tools out of them. 

[SIR REAL ED]

the other sexy tools you gotta have is offset screwdrivers and those super small ratchets that use a female 1/4" hex drive.

[AJ Huff]

I’m for doing away with all Phillips and straight head screws and the drivers needed. Star head type only.

Agreed. Seems like automotive switched to predominantly torx at least 20 years ago. I know that's true on my Dodges.

If everything was torx or hex head I'd be happy. I see zero need for phillips and even less need for slotted.

-AJ

[Murray]

Why do we all have that screwdriver that is worn out, end chipped or broken off but we cannot seem to throw it away or replace it. The worst part is we periodically try and I use it. I mean it didn't work last 50 times we tried it why shouldn't it work now?

They move to the drift/small podge bar section.

[Ncdan]

Torx?

Yea either one over the other two. Wrong picture 👍

[Tom]

Working on Japanese motorcycles....hand impact driver and a small sledge.   

[Dave_NWTrophy]

Reed & Prince, Posidriv, and JIS appear to be very similar, if not different names for the same.  Gearwrench makes a good set of Posidriv screwdrivers.  Most cross-head screws on older British cars are Reed & Prince/Posidriv, and many have been stripped by using a Philips screwdriver with them.  Once I figured out how much better the "PZ" stamped bits in my driver set fit over the "P" ones way back when, working on my British MGs (vs. our Italian ones    ) became much easier.

Dave

[Bulldog9]

A great review.

I discovered Klein screwdrivers when I moonlighted/part time as an electrician during my final years of college and first couple years of working.

I find them to be extremely easy to handle durable and always get a good bite whether it's Phillips or slotted. after 30 years my original set was starting to get a little worn so 5 years ago I bought a new full set with everything from small Jewelers set all the way to their large. I also have one of their mult i-bit screwdriver sets that has three different hex drivers torx head square as well as large and small Philips and slotted. Very often this is the only screwdriver I'll bring under the hood or when working on a project.

The old Craftsman set I inherited from my grandfather from his days as a New York City Police Department mechanic (20 years as a motorcycle and beat cop and then the last few as mechanic due to some injuries) are still going strong as well but I don't like to use them regularly  for nostalgia's sake.