Modern Vespa

I am trying to upgrade my Vespa toolkit with good quality tools. I've already replaced and added a few items. The screwdriver that came in the kit is a joke IMO. I've put a cheap multi-bit screwdriver in there, but don't really like it either.
To me, a good screwdriver should be comfortable to grip. It should have precision ground tips so as not to damage the screws. The tips need to be properly hardened/tempered so they will last, not break or bend.
So, what multi-bit screwdrivers do folks here like and why? What bits, other than a single flat and Philips, should it have? I don't mind paying well for good tools, but don't want to just "pay for the name."
Model numbers and/or pictures, as well as where to buy, would be appreciated.

I have a set of precision ground gunsmithing screwdrivers. I rarely use them, cause I don't want to screw them up. Don't even have a brand name on them. But I would look in gunsmith catalogs.

If you're looking for multi-bit tools, I like my Leatherman best.
A lot of multi-bit tools made for home use are not very high quality. The Leatherman is. I have one called the "Kick," which is a pretty simple version.

http://www.amazon.com/Leatherman-830018-Pocket-Multi-Tool-Leather/dp/B0002H49CG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1282502852&sr=8-1

Not a multi-bit tool by itself, but you can purchase an extension kit that turns it into one:

http://www.amazon.com/Leatherman-830045-Removable-Driver-Blast/dp/B0002H49CQ/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1282502852&sr=8-6

This give you a lot of quality tools in a very small package.

The one that's mostly vodka, not so much orange juice...

^^^^^^ LOL!

I like plain-jane craftsman screw drivers. They aren't over priced and they last very well. I don't care for any of the "multi-bit" type tools unless it's part of an emergency repair kit. But never would use them for every day work.

-Craig

Grey Goose and a *very* little minute maid orange juice.., we SO could have a drink together.

snap-on as the tips are the best out there IMO. The phillips #2 fit the best in the phillips head screws and theydon't pop out when turning like alot of screwdrivers. They are treated as well for long life and wear unlike some others.

Something else to think about it is nice to have a magnetic tip one as well. can be very handy at times

I've been using Wera for the last 15 years: http://www-us.wera.de/

I gotta admit, my most used, next to the socket bits, is a Snap-on ratcheting screw driver

I have a set of "felo" brand screwdrivers I bought in Germany years ago. They have held up great and were very sharp and precise in their tips. It was my impression that they were not the Snapons of Germany but maybe the Craftsmans.

I like a high quality multi-tip for the road kit because it takes up less room, but because the shaft is larger diameter sometimes they won't fit into a close clearance like down a hole in body plastic. I have several and the Snapon is good. You can make sure you have every tip you need like a torx or odd size phillips and throw out the sizes you never use. Most ratchet too and that is handy.

Yeah that's my favorite too. While Snapon tips are the best, you can use any tips and they are available everywhere to fit that 1/4 inch hex.

You can get a hex-to-1/4 inch socket drive bit for it that with a few sockets make it a useful ratchet wrench. I string the sockets on a piece of boot lace to keep them together.

With angle drives and other accessories you can build a pretty useful and very compact tool kit around one of these.

One and a half shots of Stolichnaya, three shots orange juice and a half shot Grand Marnier. Serve with a mint leaf.

Drink while using a combi-driver.

I need one to attach my new cup holder.

Thoughts ?

Bill X

You can't fool us Bill! you've got that one sussed

Dammit I've been found it.

Could anyone suggest a good make of Gaffer Tape ?

Birreh XX

I got my first Craftsman tool box when I was aroung 10. I've added more screwdrivers and everything else off course, but one thing about Sears and Craftsman- When you tear one up or wear one out they replace it free no questions asked- including the ratchet I once used as a hammer cause I was too lazy to climb back out for the right tool.

Phillips heads wear out the easiest, and I just keep taking them back. Been doing this for 44 years. Gotta love 'em.

This one:



It must be over 25 years old, comes from my last Golf I had back in the old country, and I'm still using it today. It has never let me down. I can even chuck it in my power tool to reach deep screws like those of the airbox.

The grip shows a felo brand, is patented and made in Germany. The "bit" only has a number stamped in.

The only other screwdrivers I use are smaller or significantly larger size flat (? non-philips) ones, probably the same age as this one.

For more repetitive jobs, I use the Makita and I have tons of bits for it.

DSD-4 electronic torque screwdriver, anyone have one?

Nah, I have a calibrated forearm!

I've seen a couple references now to the Felo brand. I had never heard of them before, so I did a little looking. They get excellent reviews.
I'm currently looking at one of these from Amazon.com.



http://tinyurl.com/2f88zyz

Or

http://tinyurl.com/26ymdag

I'm kind of favoring the one on the left because I think it might fit better in my Vespa toolkit, but I might actually try both. I can always use more tools in my workshop.

Picquic by a wide margin. While my Snap-On ratcheting driver is a very well made and useful tool I find it is a pain to change bits and when really trying to 'put the torque to a screw' the removable top can turn loose. The ratcheting feature is nice but the Picquic is a simple, extremely well made tool. I doubt you'll find a multi-driver with better quality bits anywhere.

BTW, I've never had a bit fall out of it's place in the handle and I've had these things rattling around in my tool boxes and toys since 1982...

I carry the 'Multique' in my Vespa tool kit but also own all the rest except the 'Teeny Turner'





Dave

I prefer a Phillips Screwdriver: vodka and Milk of Magnesia.

That looks like a good option, too. Funny that Lowes and Home Depot carry them in Canada, but not US.

I found them on Amazon, though.

http://tinyurl.com/2534mbn

Pile Driver: Vodka and prune juice


Dave

Back in the old days all screwdrivers were cordless screwdrivers.

When I do electrical work my favorite is the Klein Tools crank screwdriver. Available in flat or phillips. Never runs out of battery power either.

Oh, those things are great for those looong fine thread screws on receptacles and switches, as well as for removing and replacing cover plates. I have them at work and at home. We use them a lot for plates when painting apartments.

Interesting. Thanks for that...

(On the alcohol tangent... When I lived in NYC, there was a bar around 23rd and 8th/9th that served a "Blood-driver." Fresh squeezed blood orange and plumb, vodka and a splash of bitters(?), IIRC. Dear god that drink bordered on perfection.)

the Klein 32500 11-in-1 Screwdriver and Nutdriver Tool w/ Cushion Grips is pretty good.

Klein is the industry standard in my job.

Snap-on

I was in Sears a while back asking the kid about a ratchet screwdriver. I said, "Do you know what a ratchet is?". He looked blank so I said, "It is a little bigger than a mouse $#it".




(Q: Can this guy ever be serious?
Ans: Nope)

I hope not Rap. Two reasons I'm here, to get/give help, and to share a joke.

So keep 'em coming

I'm very happy with my snap-on screwdriver set with one or two pieces that I might upgrade. The tools I'm thinking about adding to my x-mas list are the Facom. A few years back, an acquaintance of a friend bought an Ex-Ferrari F1 car. I want and poked around while they were getting that car prepped to run (very cool experience BTW). The tools that come with a multi-million dollar Ferrari F1 car are Facom and they pay for them, it's not a sponsorship. That says to me that I should use them when turning screws.

I dislike multi-bit screwdrivers a great deal. The bits are a pain, they get lost, and the diameter of the shaft makes it impossible to use the screwdriver in some applications. For instance, the recessed screw that holds the turns signal lens in place on the MP3 500 cannot be reached with a multi-bit screwdriver.

My solution to this is a multiblade screwdriver, where the entire shaft gets swapped out. In my on-board toolkit, I carry one screwdriver handle and a wide assortment of what are called "power driver" bits -- long shafts meant to work with a drill or cordless screwdriver, with a positive-lock mechanism at the bottom. The shafts slide into the screwdriver handle and are held in place with a spring-loaded collar.

All of the bits are quite generic and available wherever drill accessories are sold. You can get hex power drivers as well for the numerous allen-head screws on the bike.

The screwdriver handles themselves (with the locking collar) are a little harder to find, and I'm currently using a very inexpensive one I bought at Sears (which came with some bits). Ignore the "ratcheting" feature listed on the package, it's incorrect -- this handle doesn't ratchet.

Those look nice too. I'm going to have to check that out.

There's another high-quality screwdriver on my radar as well, but one that I haven't yet invested the money in: Wiha Drive-Loc Screwdrivers.

They are interchangeable blade (like the ones I was speaking of earlier) but the length of the blade is adjustable. The blades have detents on them which allow them to be locked in place at a particular recess in the handle.

And, since it's Wiha, there are a whole bunch of blade types available, including nut drivers. Spiffy!

This one came with my H-D ElectraGlide. It works pretty well. But you can probably find the exact same thing without the H-D name for much less. They inflate the price whenever they put that Bar & Shield logo on it.

H-D 8-in-1 screwdriver

Never had a favorite screwdriver but I do have a lot of worn out ones. Maybe I should get a clue and buy something decent. Good ideas here.

Oh and once you have a proper moscow mule you will never want another screwdriver.

So I decided to do a little searching, and I found these carried at the local Fry's Electronics (off 17 @ Hamilton Ave., in Campbell). They've got almost all of the lineup in-stock, but I found a 2-pack composed of the Six-Pac Plus and a "Stubby" for the whopping sum of...

...wait for it...

$8.90. That's right, eight dollars and ninety cents! For the record, the Six-Pac Plus they had in-stock sold by itself was priced just under $10, so for less money, you get 1 more screwdriver...

Insanity.

Needless to say, I bought one. Just thought I'd share the details with any other locals looking to add some new tools to the box.

I just picked up one of these on a recent trip... luckily, haven't had to use it yet.

of you are looking for a multi=tool...this one is tip tip. Mine is pink and my favorite hand tool. Its almost twenty years old. Never can lose a pink tool.

If you are looking for for one to buy in a store, the Craftsman tools are great...

when the day is done... a well made one with a little ice and a tall glass.