A screwdriver is an essential piece of kit for a sparky, but what’s the best screwdriver for an electrician? Our panel of experts put three of the best to the test.
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| HAMER – HSDSET8 Screwdriver set | WATTMASTER – 6-Piece insulated slimline Screwdriver set | KLEIN TOOLS – 6-Piece Insulated Screwdriver Set (A-32316-INS) |
| RRP $78.76 | RRP $141.52 | RRP $101.74 |
| THE LOWDOWN: This range of 1000V insulated screwdrivers sits on flat surfaces without rolling. The high-strength Molybdenum hardened steel construction helps prevent wear on the tips. Slim design enables easy access to deep terminals. | THE LOWDOWN: This 6-piece 1000V insulated screwdriver set is individually tested in water up to 10,000V to ensure safety. Made in Germany, the easy-grip soft zones provide maximum torque. | THE LOWDOWN:The slimline profile enables access to recessed screws while ergonomic handles provide greater torque and comfort. Clearly marked with a 1000V rating symbol. |
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| Ben Dyerfrom Watters Electrical Experience: 16 years | Gary Cassarfrom Hilux Electrical Services Experience: 33 years | Jamie Fawcettfrom Norvec Electrical Contractors Experience: 25 years |
| “Nice Price” – Jamie |
| Ben:Not for meThe slimline design made getting into small terminals easy. The inclusion of the Phillips head was handy for pulling apart PCBs and small fiddly equipment. The grips weren’t very comfortable for extended use and seemed slippery. They were cheap, but felt cheap. Good for a home handyman, not for a tradesman. | Gary:Good BackupGreat for the lighter tasks that require little finesse as the handles are quite small. The magnetic tips are a plus, particularly with finer work. Good for someone with petite hands. Not suitable for heavy work with screws that require a significant amount of torque. Too small for everyday use. Great as a second set. | Jamie: Nice PriceGood size selection with a small handle if you want to fit it into a toolset, and a good price point, too. Felt like a good starter set. Not for high torque load or bigger flat or star.Felt too small on the grip. |
| VERDICT: I’ll passRATING: 5/10 | VERDICT: Keep in ReserveRATING: 6/10 | VERDICT: Not for everyday useRATING: 7/10 |
| “Positive Impression” – Gary |
| Ben:Good QualityFeels comfortable in the hand, and offers a good selection of sizes. The type of screwdriver stood out well on the handle, making selection easy. The smaller screws didn’t have a lot of grip and could get slippery. I think they priced themselves out, being 40% more expensive. | Gary:Positive ImpressionThe handles have a positive feel to them and fit well in my hands, and it also has a larger flat blade. Could do with more variety of sizes. | Jamie: Long-LastingThis product has firm handles and is the best-feeling set out of all of them. Good terminal and small piece in set, with a shorter shaft on the larger size star plus flat.It is a bit expensive. Best all-round feel, and it would last longer. |
| VERDICT: PriceyRATING: 7/10 | VERDICT: My choiceRATING: 8/10 *TOP PICK* | VERDICT: Up to the job!RATING: 8/10 |
| “Comfort wins out” – Ben |
| Ben:Comfort Wins OutThe most comfortable of the three, and the grooves in the handles give the best purchase and grip on the driver. The Possi driver plus square driver set it apart, although I don’t think they’d get enough use to justify it being in the tool belt – the lack of a small Phillips head and a big flatty are a big setback. | Gary:Value for MoneyGood-sized screwdrivers, and nice that it comes with a square drive, albeit at the expense of a Phillips. The grey rubberised plastic feels good in your palm. The orange part of the handle is a hard plastic that extends too far up. Could do with a greater variety of sizes, particularly larger ones. | Jamie: Firm FeelI liked the larger handles, as they had a good firm feel on larger screws. I have had this set for 12 months.However, I could feel the plastic on the handles, and this could be improved. The handle sizing is good, and the price point is okay. |
| VERDICT: My pickRATING: 8/10 *TOP PICK* | VERDICT: Lacking VarietyRATING: 7/10 | VERDICT: It’s the winner!RATING: 9/10 *TOP PICK* |
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