Engineers/Mechanics Screwdrivers

[Welderpaul]

A couple of years ago i worked with a fella who had a set of engineers screwdrivers. They were one of the best types of screwdriver i've come across.

They had really bulky orange handles - not the see-through plakky type, almost square in shape, which splayed out at the end of the handle closest to the tip. The tips lasted forever, and were virtually unbreakable.

I've searched high and low for these but can't remember for the life of me what the make was.

Long shot, but can anyone hazard a guess? I can't ask him cos he's dead

 

[Archie]

I Think I know the type. A friend has a big one (no comments! ) which gets used mostly as a prybar. It's his and my favorite tool hence I'm always pinching it (definitely no comments ). It's a Snap-On.

 

[Hitch]

Beta?
Snap-On?


Snap on did square shaped orange handles for a while, think they still do them in certain tools....
Like this one?



Great handles, most of my stuff had them before it all got taken away
Replaced with the new design handles, they are good, but not as good imo.

 

[Welderpaul]

Thats them! - The old type Snap on.

Success! Thanks boys

Does the lifetime guarantee apply to the tool, or to the person that bought it?

 

[brightspark]

Beta?
Snap-On?


Snap on did square shaped orange handles for a while, think they still do them in certain tools....
Like this one?



Great handles, most of my stuff had them before it all got taken away
Replaced with the new design handles, they are good, but not as good imo.

i used them. the phillips and pozzidrive no 2 the drivers are 15 quid each and u can replace the blades for a fiver each . if u snap one. snapon replace for free. if its just worn they wont. mine lasted about 6 month and were worn out due to the hardness of dry lining screws+ the handles arent ergonomicaly designed for prolonged use. fine for mechanics though in oily situations

 

[Shox Dr]

Thats them! - The old type Snap on.

Success! Thanks boys

Does the lifetime guarantee apply to the tool, or to the person that bought it?

I could be wrong but don't think they have a lifetime warranty on them. You can however replace the blades on them

 

[brightspark]

I could be wrong but don't think they have a lifetime warranty on them. You can however replace the blades on them

even if u didnt buy it off them/ bought mine from carboot sale took it to the agent worn out with one lug of the tip snapped he replaced it free the other was justplain worn so not lifetime warranty. if u break a socket they replace due to either the steel being to brittle or whatever but fair wear and tear they dont

 

[Shox Dr]

Which is fair, is it not. I've had sockets crack before and they have changed them but if you have used them in a windy gun, then you've no chance, unless you're well in with the dealer.

 

[Drains]

Does the lifetime guarantee apply to the tool, or to the person that bought it?

I could do with a lifetime guarantee. Bits keep breaking and falling off. I should take myself back.

 

[tigler]

I can vouch for those Snap-On drivers , I have various sets of them. They were available in various colours. My favourite type are the ratcheting version , I have 4 in varying lengths , each a different colour for easy recognition in the tool box. Bought one of my best mates one for his 40th birthday and he still refers to it as his favourite tool in the world ever !! He doesn't get out much though !

 

[lincoln17]

Snap on drivers

I think these are the drivers, although they have red handles in this photo.
Cheers James

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Snap-on-Hard-...tZUK_Hand_Tools_Equipment?hash=item3ca8eb7c8c

 

[Shox Dr]

My favourite type are the ratcheting version

Halfords do a "version" comes with a load of extension bars etc, for £19.95. Priced it up from Snap-off and it was more than 140quid.

Had one for 2yrs now and it gets a lot of stick and stills worked a treat

 

[Hitch]

The warranty is on the tool.
Certain things have a limited warranty, screwdriver blades are guaranteed, but not the handles. Ratchets, the body is, but the mechanism isnt.

But you have the backup of the brand, spares are easily available for almost anything.
Depends how well you get on with the dealer, dont think i've ever had a claim refused.
Me mate even got a new tape measure out of him after some of the numbers wore off! Only did it once mind

My dad has a few screwdrivers from the 60s, still going strong.

 

[tigler]

Halfords do a "version" comes with a load of extension bars etc, for £19.95. Priced it up from Snap-off and it was more than 140quid.

Had one for 2yrs now and it gets a lot of stick and stills worked a treat

No bragging rights with Halfrauds though

 

[Shox Dr]

Me mate even got a new tape measure out of him after some of the numbers wore off! Only did it once mind

Stanley warranty there tapes against this, never had one replaced as I lose it, or break it well before the bloody numbers wear off

 

[Shox Dr]

No bragging rights with Halfrauds though

True, but I'd rather have the 120quid in my pocket

 

[Hitch]

Stanley warranty there tapes against this, never had one replaced as I lose it, or break it well before the bloody numbers wear off

Only need to but one more tape then?
They wear off on just about every one i have ever had.

 

[Shox Dr]

Just bearing mind it's only on one model the name eludes me at the mo. Fatmax or sum'art

 

[SC_BK]

Yeh Fatmax is Stanley's "premium" brand, they're nice strong tools usually with a very comfy rubbery handle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKMD5fq1aZU

 

[Welderpaul]

I used to buy 5m/8m Stanley tapes, but they tend to loose their numbers over the first 1.5m or so very quickly. The ones that live on the saw loose numbers even quicker cos they are in contact with oil/cutting fluid which seems to help eat them off.
I buy cheapy 5m tapes now, we have maybe 10 or so kicking around in the shop, tool bags, front of the vans, overall pockets. Ironically, the cheap ones seem to last longer and never get lost!

Snap on....went into a car garage the other week, while i was waiting i wandered into the bays and had a look round - each one of the lads had a huge snap on tool box - the top of the boxes were a good 6' high - each drawer with maybe 10 tools in, all lined up, in order and shiny. Labels on the front to say what the contents are. I like tools, but hell, have to make a living out of them...
I have a second hand tool cabinet, tools are vaguely seperated so i know where things are, but generally shoved back in dirty/greasy and unloved. I feel a 'show us you tool storage system' thread coming on.