The Panel Decides: Screwdrivers Tool Review

HAMER – HSDSET8 Screwdriver set

WATTMASTER – 6-Piece insulated slimline Screwdriver set

KLEIN TOOLS – 6-Piece Insulated Screwdriver Set (A-32316-INS)

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.

Ben Dyer

from Watters Electrical
Experience: 16 years

Gary Cassar

from Hilux Electrical Services
Experience: 33 years

Jamie Fawcett

from Norvec Electrical Contractors
Experience: 25 years

“Nice Price” – Jamie 

Not for me

The 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.

Good Backup

Great 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.

Nice Price

Good 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.

RATING: 5/10

RATING: 6/10

RATING: 7/10

“Positive Impression” – Gary

Good Quality

Feels 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.

Positive Impression

The 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.

Long-Lasting

This 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.

RATING: 7/10

RATING: 8/10 *TOP PICK*

RATING: 8/10

“Comfort wins out” – Ben

Comfort Wins Out

The 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.

Value for Money

Good-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.

Firm Feel

I 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.

RATING: 8/10 *TOP PICK*

RATING: 7/10

RATING: 9/10 *TOP PICK*