 A good set of screwdrivers is a primary component of any well-stocked toolbox. And there is a tremendous difference between a good screwdriver and a cheap one. The biggest difference is in the manufacturing process. The basic components of all screwdrivers are the steel bar, or shank, and handle. Screwdriver shanks are drawn and formed from huge wire spools and then annealed at roughly 1,350 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 hours to achieve proper tensile strength. After the manufacturer cuts the tip and shapes the opposite end to fit a handle, the shank is again heat-treated at more than 1,500 degrees before hitting an oil quench for cooling. Here’s where cheap screwdrivers, which often strip at the tip, miss the mark. Most commercial-grade screwdriver shanks are simply plated in nickel, inserted six at a time into handles and then shipped. Most professional-grade shanks are sent to a grinding department, where the tip is hand-ground to size. They are chemically milled and polished, flash-coated in nickel and, finally, electronically plated in chromium. The handles of most professional-grade models are attached, individually, by hand.
How do you tell which is which on the store shelf? Usually, the price is a good measure.
A good screwdriver simply costs more. The better brands—Klein, Mac, Snap-on, Craftsman, and the pricier line of Stanley screwdrivers—will not likely fail within your lifetime, provided you use them correctly. A screwdriver with a longer shank is typically easier to turn than a stubby, just as a screwdriver with a rubber handle or similar type of comfort grip offers a noticeable difference over a less-grippy handle such as one made of plastic. The handle’s diameter should be left to an individual’s preference: what feels most comfortable? Men with big mitts need fat-handled tools, just as women with more delicate hands probably prefer something smaller. One of the best improvements on the standard screwdriver design is a screwdriver with multiple tips. Klein’s 10 in 1 screwdriver and nut driver has two sizes of slotted, Phillips, TORX, and square-recess heads, as well as two sizes of nut drivers. This all-around tool will cover most of your basic screwdriver needs. And at a cost under $20, it’s well worth the investment. Another excellent improvement on the standard screwdriver design is the ratcheting driver, which immensely cuts down on wrist fatigue. This addition allows the user to keep turning a screw without having to continually replace the tip into the screw head. As expected, Snap-on offers one of the best and most expensive ratcheting drivers, while Sears offers an excellent Craftsman model for substantially less. Most ratcheting drivers come with multiple tips, making them an excellent all around tool. But don’t skimp. The poor ratcheting motion of less-expensive models makes them better suited for the garbage can than your toolbox. A standard screwdriver, whether it costs $1 or $10, will always come in handy. But quality is always recommended over savings. As long as your kids don’t lose your nice screwdrivers, you’ll never have to replace them. Rob Sabo is a journalist with ten years experience in the construction industry Klein’s 10 in 1 screwdriver and nut driver. Courtesy photo
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