10:50 I think they’re called cabinet screwdrivers because they fit down in the holes where cabinet screws are recessed, so you can fully drive in the screw without the screwdriver flair catching the side of the hole.
I've been a heavy equipment mechanic for 23 years now and I never knew those were called "cabinet screwdrivers". I've also been referring to them as carburetor scredrivers due to the fact that they're the only thing that'll take a pilot & main jets out of a kehin carburetor. You learn something new every day
I have the Williams set as well. Fun fact, some CAT branded hand tools are also made by Snap-On. Simply rebranded. Matter of fact, the pliers set says CAT, with yellow handles, but the “S” logo remains as the pivot. 🤘🏼
Got quite a few old, old JH Williams wrenches I’ve gathered from scrap yards over the years. Those things are very well made, much better than most of today’s tools. They can be a little bulkier, but they’re the bigger sizes so no big deal. I started off just collecting them as antiques, but have found they serve a better purpose in the tool box. The best part is I got them for pennies on the dollar.
I'm not a big fan of soft handles either. Eventually they'll get sticky, rot, and just fall apart. With a splash of the wrong kind of solvent or lubricant, that can happen really fast. I'd rather have wood even. I'll make an exception with pliers, because you'll rarely get a big comfortable handle otherwise, and you want all the squeeze you can get. Otherwise, gloves with a thicker foam type coating is great for comfort, both with gripping and with vibrations. Those are disposable items anyway, so wear isn't an issue.
Life time warranty at harbor freight, craftsman, husky or snap-on means none of them are disposable, or if they are it's not your problem it's the company's that sold it to ya
When I worked for Channellock (back in the last millennia) they made some of Snap-On's tools. Quality processes all the way from forging hammer to assembly/gripping.
@@DLBeatty it's a small world. My late grandparents were born in Turnersville, over on the west side of Crawford county. Crawford and Mercer counties are some pretty countryside.
Bahco is the brand that makes the adjustable spanners . I've been using those spanners for years and singing their praise and then I found out they were bought out by snap on . So far I haven't seen a rise in price so hopefully it won't change .
I've heard nothing but good things about Bahco! Right now the only Bahco I have is for yard work -- a bow saw and some pruners -- and they're both good stuff.
The tekton mini pry bars are super nice. They're a step between the pocket pry bar and a proper 8" pry bar. Feel really well made, similar handles as their screwdrivers.
I just don't like pry bars to have round shanks because it's just not proper. I love the Tekton picks and screwdrivers though. I also love the little Mayhew picks which happen to match these pry bars, I love the handles. There's pros and cons to both so it's a toss up, but they're inexpensive though so I say get them all.
Cabinet screwdrivers -- for the kind of woodworking (say, cabinets) where they like to drill deep holes at a shallow angle, and you need a narrow screwdriver to get down in that hole in the wood to be able to turn the screw.
@@paddymotard I went looking for answers and found a lot of strong opinions on both sides. But the type of shallow angle hole I was thinking of was pocket hole joinery, which predates radios and electrical anything by a few centuries.
@@theundergroundlairofthesqu9261 Pocket hole jointery isn't that old. Wood screws aren't even that old, let alone the jigs and drill technology. (Yes crude spoon drills are very old, but the sort of bits and mechanical drives needed for pocket holes are very modern.)
I've bought, I think, three nice sets of screwdrivers in the last year or so. A set of those nice Felo wooden handled ones, a set of the Craftsmen Professional ones, and a set Witte stainless bladed ones. Witte used to be sold as Matco screwdrivers, and I love their handle shape, and the Phillips ones will remove a screw when no others will, but I hadn't had any in 25 years, so I bought a set. They are all still residing in their boxes, as I have a thing for new tools. Not to mention, I literally have a five gallon bucket overflowing with perfectly good ones that I have lost a few of the set, and they wind up there ! Same thing with sockets and wrenches ! I guess losing one of a set gives me a good reason to spend money on a new set ! No wonder I stay broke !
I've always just been a fan of the hard, plastic, Craftsman screwdrivers. No clue on the ones they make now, but I bought a set some 25 years ago that have been beat on, spilled on, and everything else and are still just fine. Have some that were my dad's as a kid, so a good 45 years old, that are still just fine, if a bit discolored. They feel good in the hand and are not all bulky like a lot of screwdrivers these days. I do have a set of SK I use pretty often these days that I inherited, and those are also nice and they grip a little better on the fastener, but the old craftsman ones have never let me down.
When I decided to sober up and do something with my life, I started adding some credibility to my toolbox every payday. Williams was a great brand to pick I thought as well. Not as pretentious as Snap-on, with all the functionality. People who know will know what they are, and I get to spend less for the same thing. The only reason I tried to keep those chintzy little sleeves they came in was because my dad always seemed to keep them. You're right, they're crap. This is the first long form video of yours I've watched and I really enjoyed it. Like wranglestar had climbed down from the clouds to revisit 2018 again. Perfect length and information with the video content, and excellent choice with the Williams. I have the same JH Williams adjustable too. Still works like it should. That's all I have to report... There you go!!
I have a bunch of screwdrivers and one that I suggest that everyone tries is the Vessel JIS driver. I have 2 of them and haven't had any problems stripping Philips #2 screws sense I've started using them. They grab better then any #2 drivers IMO. I've got 2 that have the impact technology and help on real tight screws. (and yes I do know how to use tools) lol I suggest you pickup one and see for yourself how good they work. Later
I just checked them out per your comment. They look nice. Japanese make good tools. I'm a Klein guy but I might just check out that $100 set for my truck
The JIS design beats the hell out of the Phillips design in every possible way. Don't know why theyre so hard to find stateside. At least in Oregon... Excellent comment.
I love those tool collectors, gave me the info to build a set of tools from various ole folks yard sales in florida. my stuff will probably last another 50years. my favorite is a 1920 "boys axe" thats been refurbished into a hammer hatchet
Found out a few years ago that the parts store brake cleans will melt the hard plastic handles. Had my Snap-on screwdrivers many years without issue when we used Kimball Midwest brake clean until one sat in a puddle of some other brands of brake clean.
The Amazon brake cleaner made my matco soft grip turn super hazy and white from safety orange. Looked at the msds and it’s just aerosol acetone propelled with propane. Don’t get acetone on your matco stuff either!
I had a set of snap on screwdrivers and "somehow" broke the tip on the large flathead. When the snap on lady came next in her truck I handed it to her, she just sighed and said "you know, we sell pry bars" as she rifled through a drawer and got me a new one. Edited to emphasize the "somehow"
I upgraded my old set of Craftsman screwdrivers to the Wera insulated set with laser etched tips. They hold onto screws really good and protect me whenever I’m poking around running equipment.
I used a 4 in 1 driver and never looked back. I had bought a classic 12 pc set from craftsman in the 80s and was happy for quite a while. In the 90s I needed to pare it down for a new job and wound up with the 4-in-one. Extremely common. When I lose one, it's easy to get another for $5. Just make sure to get the same brand so you can swap bits. Ace hardware sells one that is knocked off everywhere. It's probably made by someone else and my pov is if it looks the same, it probably is.
I'm a new subscriber to the channel, I have used numerous brands of screwdrivers from the 80's era Craftsman, Proto, Klein, MAC, SNAPON, Wera and Wiha, I currently have a company provided Proto set that I keep in the company truck and SNAPON and Klein sets in my tool cabinet and tool bag that I keep in my POV, I personally liked the old 80's era made in the USA Craftsman screwdrivers and the Proto, I gave my Craftsman set to my brother 20+ years ago and replace it with a SNAPON set, I too prefer the hard handle over the soft grip handles.
Hey Wes, Love watching your videos and I enjoyed this little showing. Previously when you got your new service truck about a year ago you mentioned you'd eventually do an update on how you set things up over time or how its worked out. Any updates on that soon? Just excited to hear is all.
Thanks for the humor and review… One must also consider the factor of tool that won’t disappear because it looks expensive.. these aren’t too flashy ..
I have 2 set of the Williams. I inherited a set of snap-ons with two missing from my father when he passed away. I use those things growing up from the early '90s right until he passed away in the early 2000s. When I got older I wanted to buy a set of screwdrivers I found the Williams cuz I refused to buy snap-on. Those hard handles are the best screwdrivers ever made a full stop
3 or 5 years ago picked up a 6 piece set of Irwin for 10$ from Menards. Have not busted one yet. They have really surprised me. I am not the easiest on screwdrivers.
It's interesting that you put Klein in the middle class. When I got into the IBEW in the early 90's Klein was considered the best you could buy, with Ideal coming in a distant second. Klein also had a niche with electricians, linesmen, and iron workers. Once the Big Box stores started carrying their tools the quality has been declining, and with everyone and their grandmother making hand tools with lifetime warranties, guys are opting for the cheaper alternatives.
Experience in different trades. Klein was great for electrical. The rubber grips didn't work in automotive or millwright. Rubber grip and oil, grease, antisieze is a problem.
@@kevinhewitt1428 You are supposed to cut the rubber off and replace it with klein-koat grips. I think they will survive anything short of a train running them over.
Love those shape handles.Retired GM tech here, have a few snap on stuff. If I was to start over in the trade I would have less snap on tools. You have to be crazy to buy a Snap on tool box.
I broke down one day and purchased a Snap on screw driver set many years ago when they first offered them with bright yellow handles thinking I would keep better track of them. At the time I had a large shop dog who liked to hang out with me while working under vehicles, before I knew it I lost track of the #2 philips, it apparently made a good chew toy.
I still have a set of the "snap-on" screw drivers that I bought in '94 when I started my mechanical career. Orange still looks awesome and I use em everyday! Never felt the need to replace them with anything else, simple reason being, nothing else felt decent in my hand. ❤
I only needed a 1/4" and a #2 because I have multiple other complete screwdrivers sets, but I really love the handles and the quality is great.( they're also rebranded for CAT too ) As far as I know most of the William's stuff is actually just retired or semi retired Snapon designs, and not the other way around. The Superatchet and round heads are original Williams designs, but the pear head ratchets and these screwdrivers are all old Snapon designs.
Williams actually closed shop in the late 80s, both factories were gone. Williams gets hand me down designs now like this shape of screwdriver and the 36T ratchets. They're made in Snap-on facilities for a lot of the USA stuff. Taiwanese stuff comes from wherever they source Blue-Point from.
Endurogrip. Love the Williams drivers they were my favorite handle but my new favorite is the felo wood handled screwdrivers I think I got a set for about $45-50 I wanna try the Mayhew and tektons new USA made screwdrivers, way prefer hard handles over all the soft grip stuff companies keep Pushing. I miss the old clear acetate handles too
Klein ....buddy is a master electrician, bought me a set after he tried using my set when. he was visiting. Never will have any thing else. Hey I bought a little rachet screw driver you recommended. .
I take my flared screwdrivers to the bench grinder to fix them. They're getting carried with how wide these flares are getting. Thanks for sharing the word about Williams.
I have a Williams ratcheting screwdriver that has been with me for years its my favorite by a lomg shot and it never skipped a tooth, actually got it from the snap on truck and even the salesguy said it was better than the snap on one for less than half the price
I'd add a Fourth Tier: Garage sale tools that were really good back in the day, and somebody is letting them go for like 5 bucks. Usually able to find one or two lurking among the cheap stuff. I got my old S-K breaker bar and a couple old Thorsen wrenches that way. (To say nothing of the vintage Craftsman socket set.) My old boss got a decent set of Matco box wrenches that way.
I absolutely agree, those soft grip drivers are horrible. They get slimy when wet and the rubber grips get sticky when they start to degrade. Most of mine have been replaced at least twice, with the latest trick being the hard plastic beneath the rubber crumbling from age. The only reason I have the set I do one is because they came with a package deal that included a shop cart and screwdriver rack. Neither do I still own. I bought that same orange set off the SO truck 30 years ago, they were somewhere around $240 or so back then but the gimmick was they came with a leather motorcycle jacket and a hat. The jacket was pretty decent, with a 4" long embroidered SO logo in red on the front left, and a ghost image of their logo across the back. The had was black denim. I still have the hat but the jacket disappeared years ago. I still have the screw drivers, as well as four or five other sets. I also have a full set of the older square handle screwdrivers which I like better. Over the years SO has made several other lines of tools, one that was very short lived was WRENCH FORCE tools, which I believe was marketed to bicycle mechanics to compete with Park Tools, but it never took off, they had a pretty complete line of tools but bike shop mechanics don't make enough money to afford SO tools. I bought a bunch of them when they were closing out the line about 15 years ago, among their items were screwdrivers, which were in effect a 1986 set rebranded as WRENCH FORCE. All were warranted by SO. the screw driver shanks were bronze in color, and were the same as the ANNIVERSARY sets they sold for the 60th Anniversary year. They blew them sets out wholesale for $22 as 7 pc sets, 3 philips, 4 flat. they also color coded the sets, red for philips and black for flat. Among the line were a pliers set, torque wrenches, combo wrenches, and various specialty tools. I think I bought about 8 sets of the screw drivers getting them at an even lower price, as well as 9 or 10 of the pliers sets and cable cutters. The only torque wrench I got with that logo was a 1/4" drive dial type. I bought two of the larger combination wrench sets, which went form 8mm to 21mm, they originally listed for $230, I got them for $40 per set. My thought was to make up complete sets of good tools to carry in each vehicle and to have spares on hand for life. I spent maybe $250 or so but will never need to buy them again. The only drawback to the screwdrivers is that if you broke one of the original bronze colored tips they only replaced them with chrome.
I have Williams and Wright tools, both used to same tool different name that's all. I have never broken one. Been using them about 30 years now. I like um!
Great video, ive picked up a couple of the snap on ratcheting drivers, 6" & 10" and also gotten a williams 6". For 50 to 60% of the cost, and actually a smother operation, pick the williams every day.
Funny to see this today when I’m looking to buy a full matched set for my new box. As low budget as my original Craftsman set was it had a lot to love about it that’s hard to find in “quality” brands. Mainly color coding for quick identification, reliable acetate handles that don’t turn to mush over time, and a decent variety of lengths.
Williams is the rebranded Snap-on screwdriver. I own both black sets. My 40-year snap-on dealer was shocked by the price difference and seeing them side by side. My William ratcheting magnetic screwdriver is also 3x cheaper and comes with Snap-on branded bits.
I also hate the soft handles. CAT sells snapon hardhandles with the cat logo for about half. They sell a bunch of wrenches and sockets too, ive even seen them in snapon packaging.
At 10:10, I didn't know that was called "vapoblasting" that makes drivers grippy. The more I use screwdrivers the more I appreciate that for preventing cam-outs. For example, the Phillips driver on Swiss Army Knives is widely liked but I think it's very slippery and have to be careful using it. Conversely, the driver tips on the "Cybertool" line of Swiss Army Knives are the grippiest drivers I have and I love them.
I really do like the set of those kobalts I have. They remind me of a wera srewdriver set. I wouldnt trust them around much solvent, but good for interior work on old fastners. Good bite and decent handle grip for a sweaty hand.
I have an orange snap-on set with that handle, I got around 30 years ago. Right when they switched from the square handles. They are still my favorite handles for mechanic work. Because grease and hydraulic fluid clean off easily. I prefer Wiha and Wera slimline for electrical work.
I have multiple sets of screwdrivers. I have a set of klein for clean work. A set of Williams for engine and garage work. I have a set or two of Doyle for truck/ work / loaners. So yea. Sometimes it makes sense to have more than 1 set.
Yep. Williams has been around since dirt. I have a few of them WWII era from my Dad, used to work on big radial piston aircraft engines. They made a bunch of Craftsman's stuff over the years too. All those goofy numbers that used to be on Craftsman's tools would indicate what company actually made them.
I have the ratcheting screw driver that Williams sells on the Amazon, on the carpentry/woodworking side of the trades Wera makes a ratcheting screw driver everyone raves about. I didn't care for the design of the Wera and I think the bits it uses are non standard size if I recall, so I went looking for something else and found the Williams. Liked it so much I bought a second one for my automotive tool box.
I have that set or the bigger one , can’t remember. The cabinet one I think I saw was called an electrician screw driver. It’s the only one I reach for out of the set love the feel can put a lot of torque on it.
I am simply happy to see someone using normal screwdrivers instead of a darn cordless drill on every little thing. There is no substitute for a hand tightened screw. A real mechanic with a screwdriver never strips threads.
I like the Stanley sets they sell in Australia and the crescent sets of acetate handle screwdrivers I order them and have them shipped to the USA off eBay. They’re expensive but they’re my favorite
Thank you! I just warrantied 4 of my old 1996 Snap-on Orange screwdrivers and they sent me the soft grip as replacements (We don't have a Snap-On truck in the area I live so its all done over the phone) and I don't like them at all! I'm going to get me a set of the Williams.
Endries manufacturing out of Albert Lea Minnesota in the 70's used to advertise their phillips screwdriver being punched through plate steel. Their claim was the phillips tip was CAST into it's final shape, not cut , so the grain structure was unaltered. And hardened as needed. I believe they are still in business
I have a couple really old Williams tools, a couple merely old tools, and a few older SuperWrenches although they are still offered mine have been around a while. These are some heavy duty wrenches.
Keystone tip screwdriver is in reference to the style of it which is Keystone was used on arches made out of brick or stone and it’s tapered to lock it together. Cabinet screwdriver it’s the size of the slotted screws that used to be on the old hinges for the cabinets now they’ve everybody’s gone to European style hinges not much use for it
Yes, those Williams screwdriver sets are hard to beat at their price. Vessel is also a good one that you actually do need if working on Japanese vehicles such as motorcycles. JIS heads are different than phillips!
Williams is great stuff highly recommend they also make some very nice old school spanners if you need any of them still. I wish the internet was around when I bought all my tools back in the day probably could have saved ten grand. Bahco is the maker of the adjustables.
Those Kobalt grips on their screwdrivers are the bomb. I dont know how long the driver will last but i got a set to keep in the car and they dont slip , digging them so far
Mayhew makes a demo driver that the shank goes all the way through and gives a striking cap. Pretty sweet set. Wish I could get different colors with the Williams set though.
Wiha is a brand I really like that is priced similarly to these Williams brand. They have a few different lines of screwdrivers and some of them are soft finish, the 53075 set is like these though and they are great. I really like this brand for their smaller “precision” sets and their insulated sets, they are very high quality for the prices.
As an aviation mechanic I also hate the soft grips. I’ve used both and the soft grips get nasty when covered in hydro or oil. Even after cleaning them they are never the same
I have a williams ratcheting screwdriver, bang/buck is good. Same action as the snap-on different grip design, doesn't have knurling on the shank. Less than half the price
I still have a set of hard orange handled screwdrivers. I much prefer the hard handles too. The soft always go shit. I'm missing a couple of screwdrivers I'll be checking them out
I did the same thing about five years ago. Have a set of $20 Milwaukees from HD for the wood shop that work just fine and wanted to replace a set of old Craftsman for the garage. Spent a bit more and also bought the Williams set after viewing all the Euro brands. The PH2 gets most of the use and its really not hold up much better than anything else I own. Also bought some JIS bits and a hex driver handle that really do work better on the Japanese stuff. I wonder if that's why the PH2s are always wearing out?
Have you ever owned a JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) tip screwdriver? They look very similar to phillips tips, but they're specifically made to fit "asian" screws...which I imagine you see the majority of the time, working on forklifts. JIS screwdrivers will change your whole life! They fit so well, the screwdriver will hang horizontally from the screw head. I bought a set of Vessel screwdrivers about a year ago, and they're fantastic!
Back in my wrench bending days I spent a small fortune on Snap-On, MAC and Matco tools. I can honestly say if it wasn't for the convenience of the truck coming to the garage, for small hand tools, they weren't really worth the extra cost.
That mayhew straight makes a good control screwdriver My favorite pry bar has been the ontario knife company quick access breacher Use it every day, snapped the tip and found out they dont make it anymore 😭
I have a few Snap on Screwdrivers, they're fine but too expensive. So I buy Wera sets. I was brought up never to use a screwdriver as a chisel so they last ok ! The best, toughest, cabinet type screwdrivers are I have found the old red handled Stanleys, the grip's not fantastic but the steel is.
Didn’t even know snappy was rebranded Williams. I never have bought a set of them but everyone i work with has a set, and absolutely hates them. I’ve slowly converted them to vessel, good results so far.
Interesting. Three screw drivers and five pry bars.
🤣🤣🤣 Fucking Truth!
Our Snap On guy calls them pry drivers, he warranties just about anything
The Mayhew dominator is definitely the way to go.
Which one is the punch and which one is the chisel?
😂
10:50 I think they’re called cabinet screwdrivers because they fit down in the holes where cabinet screws are recessed, so you can fully drive in the screw without the screwdriver flair catching the side of the hole.
Man i love your dry sence of humor 😅 you absolutely make my day when i watch your videos. Keep it up your great
Thanks bud 😎👍🏻
Sense
I've been a heavy equipment mechanic for 23 years now and I never knew those were called "cabinet screwdrivers". I've also been referring to them as carburetor scredrivers due to the fact that they're the only thing that'll take a pilot & main jets out of a kehin carburetor. You learn something new every day
Haha sounds like we’re from the same place 😜
We all had the 1 flat head in the parts washer. We kept it filthy so the bosses wouldn't take it upfront
Think I have some old sk screw drivers that look just like those. I have a mutt collection of craftsman sk vilchek Bonney Armstrong Wright Mac etc.
I have the Williams set as well. Fun fact, some CAT branded hand tools are also made by Snap-On. Simply rebranded. Matter of fact, the pliers set says CAT, with yellow handles, but the “S” logo remains as the pivot. 🤘🏼
Got quite a few old, old JH Williams wrenches I’ve gathered from scrap yards over the years. Those things are very well made, much better than most of today’s tools. They can be a little bulkier, but they’re the bigger sizes so no big deal.
I started off just collecting them as antiques, but have found they serve a better purpose in the tool box.
The best part is I got them for pennies on the dollar.
I'm not a big fan of soft handles either. Eventually they'll get sticky, rot, and just fall apart. With a splash of the wrong kind of solvent or lubricant, that can happen really fast. I'd rather have wood even. I'll make an exception with pliers, because you'll rarely get a big comfortable handle otherwise, and you want all the squeeze you can get. Otherwise, gloves with a thicker foam type coating is great for comfort, both with gripping and with vibrations. Those are disposable items anyway, so wear isn't an issue.
Grab yourself a set of the Felo Wood Handle screwdrivers. Won't be disappointed.
Life time warranty at harbor freight, craftsman, husky or snap-on means none of them are disposable, or if they are it's not your problem it's the company's that sold it to ya
Still have my green hard handle set,first buy off the truck in 1992.
$7.35 per hr at an independent, cost was around $70 I think.
Damn you made 10 cents above today's federal minimum wage back then. You were killing it! 😂😂
When I worked for Channellock (back in the last millennia) they made some of Snap-On's tools. Quality processes all the way from forging hammer to assembly/gripping.
Made right in Meadville, PA. I had friends that worked there years ago.
@@itatane Yes, exactly. My home town. I worked there from 1987 until 2000.
@@DLBeatty it's a small world. My late grandparents were born in Turnersville, over on the west side of Crawford county. Crawford and Mercer counties are some pretty countryside.
@@itatane My ex was from Titusville. We lived in between -- Troy Township. Yes, small world.
Bahco is the brand that makes the adjustable spanners .
I've been using those spanners for years and singing their praise and then I found out they were bought out by snap on .
So far I haven't seen a rise in price so hopefully it won't change .
I've heard nothing but good things about Bahco! Right now the only Bahco I have is for yard work -- a bow saw and some pruners -- and they're both good stuff.
nah man he meant baka (hes been learning Japanese)
The tekton mini pry bars are super nice. They're a step between the pocket pry bar and a proper 8" pry bar. Feel really well made, similar handles as their screwdrivers.
I just don't like pry bars to have round shanks because it's just not proper.
I love the Tekton picks and screwdrivers though.
I also love the little Mayhew picks which happen to match these pry bars, I love the handles.
There's pros and cons to both so it's a toss up, but they're inexpensive though so I say get them all.
Cabinet screwdrivers -- for the kind of woodworking (say, cabinets) where they like to drill deep holes at a shallow angle, and you need a narrow screwdriver to get down in that hole in the wood to be able to turn the screw.
👍🏻👍🏻
Electrical cabinet fellas. You even unconsciously eluded to it. Just makes sense.
@@paddymotard I went looking for answers and found a lot of strong opinions on both sides. But the type of shallow angle hole I was thinking of was pocket hole joinery, which predates radios and electrical anything by a few centuries.
@@theundergroundlairofthesqu9261 Pocket hole jointery isn't that old. Wood screws aren't even that old, let alone the jigs and drill technology. (Yes crude spoon drills are very old, but the sort of bits and mechanical drives needed for pocket holes are very modern.)
@@TheDuckofDoom.combination bits one pass bits to make a bore and pilot hole have been around 300 years commercially in the western world.
I've bought, I think, three nice sets of screwdrivers in the last year or so. A set of those nice Felo wooden handled ones, a set of the Craftsmen Professional ones, and a set Witte stainless bladed ones. Witte used to be sold as Matco screwdrivers, and I love their handle shape, and the Phillips ones will remove a screw when no others will, but I hadn't had any in 25 years, so I bought a set. They are all still residing in their boxes, as I have a thing for new tools. Not to mention, I literally have a five gallon bucket overflowing with perfectly good ones that I have lost a few of the set, and they wind up there ! Same thing with sockets and wrenches !
I guess losing one of a set gives me a good reason to spend money on a new set ! No wonder I stay broke !
I've always just been a fan of the hard, plastic, Craftsman screwdrivers. No clue on the ones they make now, but I bought a set some 25 years ago that have been beat on, spilled on, and everything else and are still just fine. Have some that were my dad's as a kid, so a good 45 years old, that are still just fine, if a bit discolored. They feel good in the hand and are not all bulky like a lot of screwdrivers these days. I do have a set of SK I use pretty often these days that I inherited, and those are also nice and they grip a little better on the fastener, but the old craftsman ones have never let me down.
When I decided to sober up and do something with my life, I started adding some credibility to my toolbox every payday.
Williams was a great brand to pick I thought as well. Not as pretentious as Snap-on, with all the functionality.
People who know will know what they are, and I get to spend less for the same thing.
The only reason I tried to keep those chintzy little sleeves they came in was because my dad always seemed to keep them.
You're right, they're crap.
This is the first long form video of yours I've watched and I really enjoyed it.
Like wranglestar had climbed down from the clouds to revisit 2018 again. Perfect length and information with the video content, and excellent choice with the Williams.
I have the same JH Williams adjustable too. Still works like it should.
That's all I have to report...
There you go!!
I have a bunch of screwdrivers and one that I suggest that everyone tries is the Vessel JIS driver. I have 2 of them and haven't had any problems stripping Philips #2 screws sense I've started using them. They grab better then any #2 drivers IMO. I've got 2 that have the impact technology and help on real tight screws. (and yes I do know how to use tools) lol I suggest you pickup one and see for yourself how good they work. Later
I just checked them out per your comment. They look nice. Japanese make good tools. I'm a Klein guy but I might just check out that $100 set for my truck
The JIS design beats the hell out of the Phillips design in every possible way. Don't know why theyre so hard to find stateside. At least in Oregon...
Excellent comment.
I have 2 of the Vessel Megadora JIS as well. They’re my favorite. Never used a better “Phillips” and the handles are very grippy.
The vessel impacta drivers are my favourite. The #3 works amazing in taking those tight and corroded jis fasteners off dirt bike engine cases
@@WadeKentoppshould be readily available on Amazon usually if that helps
I love those tool collectors, gave me the info to build a set of tools from various ole folks yard sales in florida. my stuff will probably last another 50years. my favorite is a 1920 "boys axe" thats been refurbished into a hammer hatchet
Found out a few years ago that the parts store brake cleans will melt the hard plastic handles. Had my Snap-on screwdrivers many years without issue when we used Kimball Midwest brake clean until one sat in a puddle of some other brands of brake clean.
The Amazon brake cleaner made my matco soft grip turn super hazy and white from safety orange. Looked at the msds and it’s just aerosol acetone propelled with propane. Don’t get acetone on your matco stuff either!
That "Warning, not a pry bar" was really funny.
I had a set of snap on screwdrivers and "somehow" broke the tip on the large flathead. When the snap on lady came next in her truck I handed it to her, she just sighed and said "you know, we sell pry bars" as she rifled through a drawer and got me a new one.
Edited to emphasize the "somehow"
Except they totally are pry bars 😏
Years ago Pelican Products (dive lights and such) had a limited lifetime warranty*
*does not cover shark bite, bear attack, or children under 3
I use all my screw drivers as prybars
Piss me off my Mac screw driver was used as pry bar 😮wtf lol
I upgraded my old set of Craftsman screwdrivers to the Wera insulated set with laser etched tips. They hold onto screws really good and protect me whenever I’m poking around running equipment.
That Williams style handle is top drawer. I owned one Snap-On that I received by sending in promo coupons from a part manufacturer many years ago.
I used a 4 in 1 driver and never looked back. I had bought a classic 12 pc set from craftsman in the 80s and was happy for quite a while. In the 90s I needed to pare it down for a new job and wound up with the 4-in-one. Extremely common. When I lose one, it's easy to get another for $5. Just make sure to get the same brand so you can swap bits. Ace hardware sells one that is knocked off everywhere. It's probably made by someone else and my pov is if it looks the same, it probably is.
I'm a new subscriber to the channel, I have used numerous brands of screwdrivers from the 80's era Craftsman, Proto, Klein, MAC, SNAPON, Wera and Wiha, I currently have a company provided Proto set that I keep in the company truck and SNAPON and Klein sets in my tool cabinet and tool bag that I keep in my POV, I personally liked the old 80's era made in the USA Craftsman screwdrivers and the Proto, I gave my Craftsman set to my brother 20+ years ago and replace it with a SNAPON set, I too prefer the hard handle over the soft grip handles.
Hey Wes, Love watching your videos and I enjoyed this little showing. Previously when you got your new service truck about a year ago you mentioned you'd eventually do an update on how you set things up over time or how its worked out. Any updates on that soon? Just excited to hear is all.
I will do that sometime soon 😎👍🏻
Thanks for the humor and review… One must also consider the factor of tool that won’t disappear because it looks expensive.. these aren’t too flashy ..
and they don't have the $$$$nap on name!
If I leave a tool on a forklift with the Snap-On name on it I’m probably not going to get it back 😁
@@FunkFPV it would be an offering to the tool vultures
I have 2 set of the Williams. I inherited a set of snap-ons with two missing from my father when he passed away. I use those things growing up from the early '90s right until he passed away in the early 2000s. When I got older I wanted to buy a set of screwdrivers I found the Williams cuz I refused to buy snap-on. Those hard handles are the best screwdrivers ever made a full stop
3 or 5 years ago picked up a 6 piece set of Irwin for 10$ from Menards. Have not busted one yet. They have really surprised me. I am not the easiest on screwdrivers.
It's interesting that you put Klein in the middle class. When I got into the IBEW in the early 90's Klein was considered the best you could buy, with Ideal coming in a distant second. Klein also had a niche with electricians, linesmen, and iron workers. Once the Big Box stores started carrying their tools the quality has been declining, and with everyone and their grandmother making hand tools with lifetime warranties, guys are opting for the cheaper alternatives.
Experience in different trades. Klein was great for electrical. The rubber grips didn't work in automotive or millwright. Rubber grip and oil, grease, antisieze is a problem.
@@kevinhewitt1428 You are supposed to cut the rubber off and replace it with klein-koat grips. I think they will survive anything short of a train running them over.
Klein screwdrivers are trash. I constantly twist the blades on the flat heads, and of course (oh there is a mark on the back warranty void)
@@JM-hf9tvwhat do you do for a living. I’m an electrician and in 8 years I have never broken a Klein screwdriver. Just wondering.
Klein is junk now
Totally agree with not liking the soft grips on screwdrivers and ratchets!!
Love those shape handles.Retired GM tech here, have a few snap on stuff. If I was to start over in the trade I would have less snap on tools. You have to be crazy to buy a Snap on tool box.
I broke down one day and purchased a Snap on screw driver set many years ago when they first offered them with bright yellow handles thinking I would keep better track of them. At the time I had a large shop dog who liked to hang out with me while working under vehicles, before I knew it I lost track of the #2 philips, it apparently made a good chew toy.
I still have a set of the "snap-on" screw drivers that I bought in '94 when I started my mechanical career. Orange still looks awesome and I use em everyday! Never felt the need to replace them with anything else, simple reason being, nothing else felt decent in my hand. ❤
I only needed a 1/4" and a #2 because I have multiple other complete screwdrivers sets, but I really love the handles and the quality is great.( they're also rebranded for CAT too )
As far as I know most of the William's stuff is actually just retired or semi retired Snapon designs, and not the other way around.
The Superatchet and round heads are original Williams designs, but the pear head ratchets and these screwdrivers are all old Snapon designs.
Williams actually closed shop in the late 80s, both factories were gone. Williams gets hand me down designs now like this shape of screwdriver and the 36T ratchets. They're made in Snap-on facilities for a lot of the USA stuff. Taiwanese stuff comes from wherever they source Blue-Point from.
Endurogrip. Love the Williams drivers they were my favorite handle but my new favorite is the felo wood handled screwdrivers I think I got a set for about $45-50
I wanna try the Mayhew and tektons new USA made screwdrivers, way prefer hard handles over all the soft grip stuff companies keep Pushing. I miss the old clear acetate handles too
The vessel ball grip is great in the hand
Ladies you know the procedures
Klein ....buddy is a master electrician, bought me a set after he tried using my set when. he was visiting. Never will have any thing else. Hey I bought a little rachet screw driver you recommended. .
I take my flared screwdrivers to the bench grinder to fix them. They're getting carried with how wide these flares are getting. Thanks for sharing the word about Williams.
Great video, Funk! I have the Snap-On version. I don't like the soft grip S-O, either. Good to know Williams is a good substitute. Awesome!
I have a Williams ratcheting screwdriver that has been with me for years its my favorite by a lomg shot and it never skipped a tooth, actually got it from the snap on truck and even the salesguy said it was better than the snap on one for less than half the price
I'd add a Fourth Tier: Garage sale tools that were really good back in the day, and somebody is letting them go for like 5 bucks. Usually able to find one or two lurking among the cheap stuff. I got my old S-K breaker bar and a couple old Thorsen wrenches that way. (To say nothing of the vintage Craftsman socket set.) My old boss got a decent set of Matco box wrenches that way.
I absolutely agree, those soft grip drivers are horrible. They get slimy when wet and the rubber grips get sticky when they start to degrade. Most of mine have been replaced at least twice, with the latest trick being the hard plastic beneath the rubber crumbling from age. The only reason I have the set I do one is because they came with a package deal that included a shop cart and screwdriver rack. Neither do I still own.
I bought that same orange set off the SO truck 30 years ago, they were somewhere around $240 or so back then but the gimmick was they came with a leather motorcycle jacket and a hat. The jacket was pretty decent, with a 4" long embroidered SO logo in red on the front left, and a ghost image of their logo across the back. The had was black denim. I still have the hat but the jacket disappeared years ago. I still have the screw drivers, as well as four or five other sets. I also have a full set of the older square handle screwdrivers which I like better.
Over the years SO has made several other lines of tools, one that was very short lived was WRENCH FORCE tools, which I believe was marketed to bicycle mechanics to compete with Park Tools, but it never took off, they had a pretty complete line of tools but bike shop mechanics don't make enough money to afford SO tools. I bought a bunch of them when they were closing out the line about 15 years ago, among their items were screwdrivers, which were in effect a 1986 set rebranded as WRENCH FORCE. All were warranted by SO. the screw driver shanks were bronze in color, and were the same as the ANNIVERSARY sets they sold for the 60th Anniversary year. They blew them sets out wholesale for $22 as 7 pc sets, 3 philips, 4 flat. they also color coded the sets, red for philips and black for flat.
Among the line were a pliers set, torque wrenches, combo wrenches, and various specialty tools. I think I bought about 8 sets of the screw drivers getting them at an even lower price, as well as 9 or 10 of the pliers sets and cable cutters. The only torque wrench I got with that logo was a 1/4" drive dial type. I bought two of the larger combination wrench sets, which went form 8mm to 21mm, they originally listed for $230, I got them for $40 per set.
My thought was to make up complete sets of good tools to carry in each vehicle and to have spares on hand for life. I spent maybe $250 or so but will never need to buy them again.
The only drawback to the screwdrivers is that if you broke one of the original bronze colored tips they only replaced them with chrome.
Table salt or valve grinding compound adds traction to a worn or damaged Phillips screw head.
I have Williams and Wright tools, both used to same tool different name that's all. I have never broken one. Been using them about 30 years now. I like um!
Great video, ive picked up a couple of the snap on ratcheting drivers, 6" & 10" and also gotten a williams 6". For 50 to 60% of the cost, and actually a smother operation, pick the williams every day.
Funny to see this today when I’m looking to buy a full matched set for my new box. As low budget as my original Craftsman set was it had a lot to love about it that’s hard to find in “quality” brands. Mainly color coding for quick identification, reliable acetate handles that don’t turn to mush over time, and a decent variety of lengths.
Williams is the rebranded Snap-on screwdriver. I own both black sets. My 40-year snap-on dealer was shocked by the price difference and seeing them side by side. My William ratcheting magnetic screwdriver is also 3x cheaper and comes with Snap-on branded bits.
I also hate the soft handles. CAT sells snapon hardhandles with the cat logo for about half. They sell a bunch of wrenches and sockets too, ive even seen them in snapon packaging.
At 10:10, I didn't know that was called "vapoblasting" that makes drivers grippy. The more I use screwdrivers the more I appreciate that for preventing cam-outs.
For example, the Phillips driver on Swiss Army Knives is widely liked but I think it's very slippery and have to be careful using it. Conversely, the driver tips on the "Cybertool" line of Swiss Army Knives are the grippiest drivers I have and I love them.
I recently bought a williams socket set off Amazon, it's a very nice set
I really do like the set of those kobalts I have. They remind me of a wera srewdriver set. I wouldnt trust them around much solvent, but good for interior work on old fastners. Good bite and decent handle grip for a sweaty hand.
I have an orange snap-on set with that handle, I got around 30 years ago. Right when they switched from the square handles. They are still my favorite handles for mechanic work. Because grease and hydraulic fluid clean off easily.
I prefer Wiha and Wera slimline for electrical work.
I have multiple sets of screwdrivers. I have a set of klein for clean work. A set of Williams for engine and garage work. I have a set or two of Doyle for truck/ work / loaners.
So yea. Sometimes it makes sense to have more than 1 set.
Funk FPV... I love the hard handle screw drivers. I will definitely be looking for them.
Yep. Williams has been around since dirt. I have a few of them WWII era from my Dad, used to work on big radial piston aircraft engines. They made a bunch of Craftsman's stuff over the years too. All those goofy numbers that used to be on Craftsman's tools would indicate what company actually made them.
I've got the big set of williams and I love them. I've had them for 5 years now, and my snapon guy warranties them for me.
Bahco is the company you were referring to re the adjustable wrench. Bahco adjustables are very nice. I recommend you try them. You will like!
I have the ratcheting screw driver that Williams sells on the Amazon, on the carpentry/woodworking side of the trades Wera makes a ratcheting screw driver everyone raves about. I didn't care for the design of the Wera and I think the bits it uses are non standard size if I recall, so I went looking for something else and found the Williams. Liked it so much I bought a second one for my automotive tool box.
I’ll have to check that out 👍🏻
I enjoy your perspective and humor.
i got this set a couple years ago after the Project Farm video. great buy.
They make a great ratcheting screwdriver, its been a toolbox gem.
I have that set or the bigger one , can’t remember. The cabinet one I think I saw was called an electrician screw driver. It’s the only one I reach for out of the set love the feel can put a lot of torque on it.
I like my matco blow mold handles. I beat stuff with the handle end all the time 😂 The new ones with grip tape I’m not big fan of.
I am simply happy to see someone using normal screwdrivers instead of a darn cordless drill on every little thing. There is no substitute for a hand tightened screw. A real mechanic with a screwdriver never strips threads.
I like the Stanley sets they sell in Australia and the crescent sets of acetate handle screwdrivers I order them and have them shipped to the USA off eBay. They’re expensive but they’re my favorite
You'll wind up using those little pry bars as screwdrivers. :)
Haha 😜
Thank you! I just warrantied 4 of my old 1996 Snap-on Orange screwdrivers and they sent me the soft grip as replacements (We don't have a Snap-On truck in the area I live so its all done over the phone) and I don't like them at all! I'm going to get me a set of the Williams.
Endries manufacturing out of Albert Lea Minnesota in the 70's used to advertise their phillips screwdriver being punched through plate steel.
Their claim was the phillips tip was CAST into it's final shape, not cut , so the grain structure was unaltered.
And hardened as needed.
I believe they are still in business
Still have a green square handle set of S-K screwdrivers I bought 40+yrs ago. I use screwdrivers for turning screws! Not as pry bars or chisels.
I have a couple really old Williams tools, a couple merely old tools, and a few older SuperWrenches although they are still offered mine have been around a while. These are some heavy duty wrenches.
I love this set. It’s the same as the square handle snap on screwdrivers I have for 1/10 the price.
Keystone tip screwdriver is in reference to the style of it which is Keystone was used on arches made out of brick or stone and it’s tapered to lock it together. Cabinet screwdriver it’s the size of the slotted screws that used to be on the old hinges for the cabinets now they’ve everybody’s gone to European style hinges not much use for it
Nice! I did not know that 👍🏻
Love the videos. Thanks for the laughs and honest information!
I really like your straight-forward approach to your video--great job!
I was at the store there and they had this set in the gifts for dad section and I thought 'heck i'm a dad' and I went and bought em
heh
Yes, those Williams screwdriver sets are hard to beat at their price. Vessel is also a good one that you actually do need if working on Japanese vehicles such as motorcycles. JIS heads are different than phillips!
HIGHLY recommend trying out the Vessel Megadora series. They’re the nicest screw drivers I’ve ever used and have replaced my snap ons with them
Williams is great stuff highly recommend they also make some very nice old school spanners if you need any of them still. I wish the internet was around when I bought all my tools back in the day probably could have saved ten grand. Bahco is the maker of the adjustables.
Those Kobalt grips on their screwdrivers are the bomb. I dont know how long the driver will last but i got a set to keep in the car and they dont slip , digging them so far
I’ve had them a couple of years and I was very disrespectful to them 😜
1:30 I have one that color. From late 90’s I believe.
When my snap on guy replaced the tip, he said he’d never seen one that color lol
Do they come in alternate colors? I just feel like black is going to be left laying in an engine bay.
Yeah, black is kind of a non-starter for me.
You can get them in any color as long as it’s black 😜👍🏻
Mayhew makes a demo driver that the shank goes all the way through and gives a striking cap. Pretty sweet set. Wish I could get different colors with the Williams set though.
Vessel makes those, too.
Wiha is a brand I really like that is priced similarly to these Williams brand. They have a few different lines of screwdrivers and some of them are soft finish, the 53075 set is like these though and they are great. I really like this brand for their smaller “precision” sets and their insulated sets, they are very high quality for the prices.
I like the Vessel set with the strike caps. Megadora Impacta is what they call them.
As an aviation mechanic I also hate the soft grips. I’ve used both and the soft grips get nasty when covered in hydro or oil. Even after cleaning them they are never the same
I have a williams ratcheting screwdriver, bang/buck is good. Same action as the snap-on different grip design, doesn't have knurling on the shank. Less than half the price
Man, thanks a million. I am missing a couple of my old Snap On black screwdrivers
I still have a set of hard orange handled screwdrivers. I much prefer the hard handles too. The soft always go shit. I'm missing a couple of screwdrivers I'll be checking them out
All of my favorite screwdrivers are Japanese; particularly Vessel, but Engineer makes my favorite driver for pulling cammed-out Phillips screws.
I did the same thing about five years ago. Have a set of $20 Milwaukees from HD for the wood shop that work just fine and wanted to replace a set of old Craftsman for the garage. Spent a bit more and also bought the Williams set after viewing all the Euro brands. The PH2 gets most of the use and its really not hold up much better than anything else I own. Also bought some JIS bits and a hex driver handle that really do work better on the Japanese stuff. I wonder if that's why the PH2s are always wearing out?
Have you ever owned a JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) tip screwdriver? They look very similar to phillips tips, but they're specifically made to fit "asian" screws...which I imagine you see the majority of the time, working on forklifts. JIS screwdrivers will change your whole life! They fit so well, the screwdriver will hang horizontally from the screw head. I bought a set of Vessel screwdrivers about a year ago, and they're fantastic!
I’ve heard of them but I’ve never used them. I might get a set and try them out 👍🏻
Back in my wrench bending days I spent a small fortune on Snap-On, MAC and Matco tools. I can honestly say if it wasn't for the convenience of the truck coming to the garage, for small hand tools, they weren't really worth the extra cost.
I’ve used Williams tools since the 70’s they aren’t fancy but they are real heavy duty
That mayhew straight makes a good control screwdriver
My favorite pry bar has been the ontario knife company quick access breacher
Use it every day, snapped the tip and found out they dont make it anymore 😭
I swear only internet personalities put Christmas lights indoors as a decoration.
I have a few Snap on Screwdrivers, they're fine but too expensive. So I buy Wera sets. I was brought up never to use a screwdriver as a chisel so they last ok ! The best, toughest, cabinet type screwdrivers are I have found the old red handled Stanleys, the grip's not fantastic but the steel is.
Didn’t even know snappy was rebranded Williams. I never have bought a set of them but everyone i work with has a set, and absolutely hates them. I’ve slowly converted them to vessel, good results so far.
Fun fact go to your local Caterpillar Dealer the caterpillar branded tools are made by Snap-on and sold a lot cheaper than the Snap-on branded stuff
I just found you recently and you crack me up. Mostly because you remind me of me , and I'm hilarious .
I found one of those old black snap on flat head screw drivers on Friday in the grass =]. A little wd-40 and it's back in action