Anyone Know Why These Are So Expensive?

Originally Posted by sawmilleng

The difference between dollar screwdrivers and 15 dollar screwdrivers is subtle. I'll probably get flamed by everyone, but I like to buy the best I can afford....which sure as H*ll ISN'T Snap-on!! More like mid range stuff.

Its all about the fit of the blade into the particular hole in the screw. A well made Phillips screwdriver properly fits the screw and takes a lot less pressure to hold it in place against camming out of the hole. Same with a properly made slotted screwdriver.

When I'm working on my guns, a well made slotted screwdriver avoids the damage to the screwheads from slipping out. I try to keep a quality set around that hasn't seen much use for this kind of work. The hardening and decent tool steel used in a good screwdriver isn't obvious until you're really into a screw with the torque. The ones made out of chinese cheese are usually give up on you at the wrong time.

I've got old Craftsman no. 2 phillips screwdrivers I bought 40 years ago. They've been with me on just about all my motorcycle rebuilds and not a complaint. But they are showing wear on the flanks from doing gazillions of screws and it is about time to retire them. Decent quality, decent steel...last a long time.

Maybe its because they are made with Canadium. Although I think they reserve that stuff up here for the Robertson screwdrivers...you guys south of the 49th don't know what you're missing by not using that screwhead!

Jon.

Yeah my bro-in-law just told me about that the other day and I almost didn't believe him! That's almost all we ever use at my work is Robertson. Best thing about them is with some patience and a grinding tool, you can make almost anything into the square shape of a Robertson.

He told me when volunteers would go down to help with disasters in the US from Canada, the contractors would bring their own tools and hardware so they could use Robertson bits and all the Americans would ask "where did you get those?"

Originally Posted by AdmiralAluminum

Yeah my bro-in-law just told me about that the other day and I almost didn't believe him! That's almost all we ever use at my work is Robertson. Best thing about them is with some patience and a grinding tool, you can make almost anything into the square shape of a Robertson.

He told me when volunteers would go down to help with disasters in the US from Canada, the contractors would bring their own tools and hardware so they could use Robertson bits and all the Americans would ask "where did you get those?"

You see, I don't understand this. All I have used for the last 25 years or so is Robertson screws and bits. In the cabinet trade, it is the standard. It is starting to catch on with carpenters because they have discovered how well they hold up to an abusive installer. It takes some serious abuse to round one of them out. Phillips heads are for drywall and machine screws, slotted screws are for the steel bin...