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Comment by walrus01 | Hacker News Reader

Or Wiha, which is also a very reputable German-manufactured steel hand tool company. Similarly named to Wera but a competitor.

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=wiha+scre...

they make some excellent torx, security torx, hex, precision screwdriver sets. in addition to the larger stuff they make for 600/1000V insulated electrical use.

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Personal story, I ordered https://www.wihatools.com/products/precision-phillips-screwd.... On the plus side, the Phillips screwdrivers are hardened and almost impervious to camming out/slipping (but can still strip on bad screws if you don't apply any pressure), unlike my cheap Amazon screwdriver kit which chewed up Phillips screws for a living. On the downside, the PH0 screwdriver's endcap wasn't spinning freely (until I cut a bigger gap and it spun freely but had increased plastic-on-plastic friction when I pressed down on the screwdriver), and I went through support to get a replacement PH0 screwdriver; I'm not sure whether to feel better or worse about the company. Shape-wise, the screwdrivers are not suited for applying large amounts of torque, but that's not a design defect but a result of being precision screwdrivers and the shape chosen. Next time I might try a Wera screwdriver, or an iFixit kit (https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/Minnow-Driver-Kit/IF145-4... is the cheapest multi-bit kit but not the most popular one).

I wish electronics were built with Torx screws. Those are practically impervious to stripping if fully inserted, even with the cheapest steel possible (though cheap steel drivers can probably still deform and strip). I've heard mixed things about using JIS (looks like Phillips, isn't Phillips) screwdrivers on Phillips screws, and good things about using them in JIS screws.

are you quite sure you weren't trying to use a pozidriv bit in philips screws/bolts, or vice versa?

The cheap Amazon kit I was cursed with looks identical to https://www.amazon.com/Syntus-Precision-Screwdriver-Electron.... The product is advertised as S2 tool steel, but I think this is a lie since reviews complain of soft steel, eg. "my T6 stripped right away with no resistance" and "I don’t have much use for either set".

I think the Phillips tips are both too soft, and misshapen and too tapered so they cam out easily (often stripping the steel in the process) rather than locking solidly onto the screw socket. I do not see any Pozidriv bits with diagonal ridges in this kit, though some older screwdriver kits I have contain them.

Just beware - this iFixit’s set, I assume by the looks of end cap on the photo, it comes with a plastic handle. Bigger sets come with screwdriver made fully out of aluminium. Much better quality, feeling, lower friction.

I second Wiha screwdrivers. I have been using them for years. In fact I am still using the set I purchased (Wiha #30299) that has every type of screw driver I you could come across in normal US products Slotted/Phillips/Torx/Pozidrive and Square). I keep them in my tool chest - been there for 21 years and still going. Bought $120! - https://bit.ly/3B7FtCn

I addition I am using the Wiha 26-IN-1 Tradesman multi bit screw driver - love it. Has every bit you would commonly need - I keep one in the office and one in the kitchen drawer. Fantastic tool - $36 - https://bit.ly/3q1sYCa

Can't see the point of spending this kind of money on this.

And Wiha actually came out better than Wera in some project farm tests. After I went all in on wera screwdrivers and bits. Even though I rarely need them, it hurts.

My brother gave me one. It’s really quite a nice driver. The insulation is nice and the bits work really well. I find the grip quite comfortable.

Much better than the “mr ratchet” driver set I got in the 90s..(one oddly wasn’t. Ratchet driver)

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