[Skoothondjie]

What is seen as a good screwdriver set for sax users/technicians?

1) What size screwdrivers is an absolute must-have in such a set?
2) Any particular brands that you can recommend?
3) URL's to sites that you frequent to purchase these sets?

 

[jbtsax]

The very best value for the money I have found are these screwdriver sets from Votaw Tools. 8 piece set and the 12 piece set. If you get the 12 piece set, you will never need to buy another screwdriver for any size woodwind.

 

[saxphil]

I have a set of 8 slotted Wiha screwdrivers, which look the same as those in the Votaw link.

They are on ebay in a green pouch for under $27.
I use the 1.5 driver frequently.

 

[abadcliche]

I have tried many different types and for me the only ones that don't break are the ones from Kraus. Expensive, can be a PITA to order from, but you only do it once. http://krausmusic.com/handtool/screwdri.htm

I have tried the Wiha ones, the Ferree's deluxe style, and nothing evens comes close to the quality of the Kraus ones.

 

[Saxaholic]

Do yourself a favor and get the ones from Kraus. Nothing else compares.

- Saxaholic

 

[simso]

Ferees set are nice and comfortable, votaw set I dont think are very comfy in the hand, music medics set are very nice and comfortable but soft tips, jl smith's are nice, havent tried the kraus. But the rest are good,well there all good for there price,howeverb I now make my own as we go through them to fast

 

[swperry1]

Chronically out of stock? Don't want to waste company resources making more product? Are they a subsidiary of WWBW??? Oh no I didn't!:yikes!:

At least they are honest, and offer an alternative.

 

[Skoothondjie]

Thanks for the many suggestions. Much obliged.

Will have a more in depth look at your suggestions, but are you sure I can't rather buy these:
http://shopforband.com/store_screw_drivers.shtml

They cost only $4.95 :twisted:

 

[riFph]

the Votaw set are fine, I have a set, My main screw drivers are the Ferees handle with a Kraus blade for most pivot screws, a small Kraus handle and blade for adjustments screws, and a wide blade Ferees old style for pivot screws.

 

[Dog Pants]

The MusicMedic set is fine for occasional use but as Simso said above, the soft tips are a major let down on what are otherwise good drivers. Hopefully Curt will speak to the suppliers and either get this addressed, or change supplier.

 

[Gary59]

Thanks for the many suggestions. Much obliged.

Will have a more in depth look at your suggestions, but are you sure I can't rather buy these:
http://shopforband.com/store_screw_drivers.shtml

They cost only $4.95 :twisted:

You get what you pay for. Those might damage screw slots.I like Wiha myself

 

[jbtsax]

I agree that Kraus supplies the very best screwdrivers, but it is important to note that Kraus only sells to professionals in the repair industry. From his website:

We are a wholesale supplier only to music repair businesses. Sorry, but we will not sell any products to individual schools, teachers, or musicians.

That is why I recommended the Votaw set to the OP.

 

[Skoothondjie]

Well, that's a shame. But it's actually incredible good news. It makes my choice a little bit easier! :lol:

 

[simso]

The most important thing for a good screwdirver, is a positive fit into the head, inserted to the base of the slot. If its loose or ill fitting then you risk damaging the screw / rod, if you damage a rod with a poor quality screwdriver, then this can and does lead to having posts desoldered to remove broken / damaged rods, so to save a couple of bucks buy buying a cheap useles screwdriver set, you could be out of pocket the cost of the top of the line screwdriver set to fix the damage done.

As I mentioned before, Im okay with everyones screwdrivers listed above, Ive bought them and used them, but there even not up to the standard that I want my screwdrivers to be, hence why I make my own.

Screwdrivers are the tools we use the most, I have sitting next to me on my work bench when I strip a sax no less than 6 screwdrivers at any one time

 

[Gordon (NZ)]

Thanks for the many suggestions. Much obliged.

Will have a more in depth look at your suggestions, but are you sure I can't rather buy these:
http://shopforband.com/store_screw_drivers.shtml

They cost only $4.95 :twisted:

They have nowhere near the necessary diameter in the handle for the torque often needed. OK for light work, but the cheap versions of these watchmakers screw drivers are much more likely to chip or bend at the tips. Good ones, like Starrett, Grobit, Burgeon are likely to be considerably more expensive. Replaceable blades systems are good.

I have not used Wiha. But that hex part of the handle, where the torque is applied, seems to be rather small diameter.

Ferrees ones aren't bad.

Kraus are in a league of their own, IMO. I reserve them, keeping them really sharp, for the toughest screws.

 

[shmuelyosef]

I have had very good luck with the Wiha screwdrivers. I used to do some work in a shop that had the Kraus on the bench, but I like the Wiha handles better. There is also a large choice of handles...I have never had any failure of the tip, or failure of screws that I could attribute to the Wiha screwdrivers and they are freely available to anyone (unlike the Kraus). You can see the different handle types available HERE

 

[simso]

Thanks for the link, Ive actually got the 260 tech series, which have not failed but are just uncomfortable, this is the onl;y reason I dont use them, having just perused there website I like the look again of the 260 series but in the soft grip handle.

Placing an order today. Good to see they have handle options becuase the blades are good quality thats for sure

This is a nice set, tempting, very tempting

http://www.wihatools.com/900seri/92190Rack.htm

 

[clarnibass]

I also really like the Screwdrivers from Kraus, but I keep them to use only ocassionaly on more problematic screws. For normal work I actually prefer other screwdrivers. I don't like the small usual screwdrivers like shown in one post, with very thin handles. I think I use mostly Wera and Wiha screwdrivers and also have a few from Music Medic (with the MM I haven't used long enough or for "harder" screws to find about the soft tip). I think a total of about ten of my most used ones are on the table (any stand would be too slow for me).

I prefer to have specific size/shape handle depending on size of screwdriver and purpose. Both Wera and Wiha have several types of handles I think. I prefer a smaller handle for the smaller screwdrivers I use often. A slightly thicker handle for slightly bigger screwdrivers (longer shaft and tip). A bigger handle for ones using to remove harder screws. For example the smaller tip screwdrivers from Music Medic have too big handle for me. I like the Wera ones I have for that, but all are relatively short shafts. Wihas are also good, but the ones I have are slightly too small diameter for bigger longer sizes (I think other handles are available).

I've tried those newer Ferree's screwdrivers, they have a hex swivel which I don't like at all, too big and uncomfortable in my hand (I prefer round swivel end).

BTW I heard that J.L. Smith is coming out with new screwdrivers that at least according to one person who has tried them, are very good. I think should be up on their website in a few weeks.

 

[jbtsax]

I have had very good luck with the Wiha screwdrivers. I used to do some work in a shop that had the Kraus on the bench, but I like the Wiha handles better. There is also a large choice of handles...I have never had any failure of the tip, or failure of screws that I could attribute to the Wiha screwdrivers and they are freely available to anyone (unlike the Kraus). You can see the different handle types available HERE

Also thanks for that great link.

 

[JLSco]

Thank you for the mention, Nitai. We now have the screwdrivers up on our website: http://www.jlsmithco.com/JLS-GOLD-GRIP-SCREWDRIVERS.