Used for turning, driving and removing screws, a screwdriver is fundamental to most DIY tasks. A screwdriver is a length of shaped metal designed to fit into a specific screw size and shape, attached to a long shank and handle. However, it’s not quite as simple as it may seem.
When tackling DIY projects, it’s vital to use the right size and shaped screwdriver for the task so as to not damage the screwhead, if the screwhead becomes too damaged it will be very difficult, or impossible, to remove. So it’s important to make sure you get the right set of screwdrivers for your home, whether you’re planning a garden DIY project or looking to do some general maintenance.
With any garden DIY project, it’s important that you have the right tools to make the task easier. If you’re working with hardwood and tough materials, take a look at our test of the best electric screwdrivers. If you’re looking to drill into materials, consider our review of the best cordless drills and our guide to the best drill bits. If you’re considering driving nails as well as screws, consider our review of the best hammers.
The best screwdriver sets at a glance:
- Best large screwdriver sets
- Best basic screwdriver sets
- Best ratchet screwdrivers
- Best mixed drill bit & screwdriver sets
Best screwdriver sets in 2023
Best large screwdriver sets
Guild 60 piece screwdriver set
A 60 piece screwdriver set with 14 screwdrivers, a screwdriver bit holder, and 25 screwdriver bits, all in a helpful carry case. This is a good set of screwdrivers and bits, and would be great for someone looking for a set for the home and the garden. It also comes with a flexible screwdriver extension to help you turn screws, even in awkward positions.
Price: £30
Magnusson 54 piece standard mixed screwdriver set
This set offers a decent quantity of screwdrivers and has a lifetime guarantee. The screwdrivers are tipped with black oxide, which makes them tougher and more rust resistant. The handles also have a soft grip, which improves comfort without sacrificing grip. Finally, this set comes with a helpful stand, for organisation and storage.
Price: £8
Draper 70 piece screwdriver set
The Draper 70 piece screwdriver set features a comprehensive range of drivers, accessories and a moulded case to keep them organised and stored. Each screwdriver is sand blasted to ensure a smooth finish with no jagged edges, and has a satin chrome finish, giving it a rust-proof coating.
Additionally, this screwdriver set has a flexible screwdriver extension, which helps with driving screws in awkward places or angles, and it also includes a magnetic pick-up tool for lost bits or screws.
Price: £42
Best basic screwdriver sets
Wera Kraftform 7 piece screwdriver set
Built for comfort, the Wera Kraftform Screwdriver Set has several design features which help set it apart from other sets. The hexagonal handles are designed to not roll when placed on a flat surface.
The handle’s surface is patterned with alternating soft and hard surfaces, with hard surfaces for high-speed turning, and soft surfaces for low speed, high-torque turning. The screwdriver head is also ‘laser tipped’, which means it’s slightly jagged for a better grip on screws and to prevent slipping.
Price: £43.19
Stanley 10 piece multi-colour cushion grip set
This pack of 10 screwdrivers is useful for those looking for a magnetic, ergonomic screwdriver set, with a case for storage. The drivers all have magnetised black oxide tips, making the tips rust resistant and especially good at performing precise tasks, as the screw will stay attached to the head until you want to pull it away.
Each screwdriver in this set has a handle moulded to its shank, increasing its durability. This set is also covered by a limited lifetime warranty from Stanley.
Price: £21.71
Milwaukee set of 12 tri-lobe screwdrivers
Each of the Milwaukee set of 12 tri-lobe screwdrivers is magnetic and has a wrench-ready shaft, which makes them good for getting screws very tight on tough material. Tri-lobe refers to the triangular, rounded shape of the handle, which helps give leverage without sacrificing comfort.
This set’s shaft is wrench ready, meaning it’s strong enough for you to grip it with a wrench, then use the wrench for extra leverage to drive the screwdriver, so it can comfortably drive screws into dense material.
Price: £49.99
Best ratchet screwdrivers
Stanley FatMax 13 piece ratchet screwdriver set
Offering a compact storage solution, the bits in this screwdriver set can be stored in the screwdriver’s hollow handle. It can also be set for use clockwise and counterclockwise, with the ratchet mechanism offering increased torque.
In cases that require less torque the ratchet can be locked, so that it can be used like a regular screwdriver. This set has a range of 13 bits, making it a good starter screwdriver.
Price: £28.95
Draper 40 piece screwdriver set
This comprehensive set of 40 screwdriver bits ensures you can be prepared for a variety of different screwdriver tasks. The ratchet screwdriver itself has a soft grip to help you turn without straining.
Price: £14.99
Bosch 45 piece mixed screwdriver bit set and handle
A set of 44 heat-treated screwdriver bits, these are ideal for those looking to drive into tougher material. Offering a good variety of sizes, and a case for storage and organisation, this set also offers eight power bits, which can fit into power tools and nutsetters, which is used to fasten self-tapping screws. It is also covered by a one-year guarantee.
Price: £28.99
Best mixed drill bit & screwdriver sets
Makita 101 piece straight shank accessory set
A 101 piece kit including 50 screwdriver bits, 21 drill bits, a case, and a variety of accessories. To help make some bits better suited to high speed drilling, six of these drill bits are made with HSS, while the rest are made with alloy steel. Including a spirit level, countersink and magnetic bit holder, this is a good set for those looking for a starter kit.
Price: £26
BLACK+DECKER 109 piece mixed drilling and screwdriving accessory set
Including a mix of brad point drill bits for woodworking and HSS steel bits for masonry, this screwdriver set would be good for gardeners looking to work with wood, but also tougher jobs, such as installing a wall-mounted water butt into brick. The set of 109 pieces contains 67 screwdriver bits, 25 drill bits, and a number of accessories. It has a 12 month guarantee against failure.
Price: £25
Dewalt screwdriver drill bit set
This 85 piece screwdriver set comes in Dewalt’s Toughcase, a clear case designed to slot in with other Dewalt Toolkits, which helps to keep all of your DIY accessories organised and accessible. This particular set contains 64 screwdriver bits, 16 drill bits, and 5 accessories, including a magnetic drill bit holder. It should be noted that it doesn’t come with a screwdriver, meaning it’s best for people who already have a ratchet or electric screwdriver, and are looking for extra parts.
Price: £154.00
How to choose a screwdriver set
When choosing a screwdriver set, you want a tool that will reliably and comfortably do the gardening DIY tasks you have in mind, and without causing extra clutter. However, some of these factors will be more important to some people than others.
Some might happen to have a lot of room on their workbench, but need an ergonomic screwdriver to avoid strain, others might only need a screwdriver for a few gardening DIY tasks, but want a set they can use in the house too. It’s important that you evaluate your needs, and get the screwdriver set which best suits them. For gardening DIY, realistically the majority of your screwdriver’s use will be driving and removing screws from soft and hardwood.
What is torque?
Torque is turning power, a screwdriver with high torque can drive screws into tougher material such as hardwood, while a screwdriver with low torque will struggle to do so.
Common screwdriver head types
Phillips: Phillips screwdriver heads are a pointed cross shape, and are the most common screwdriver head types.
Flathead: Flathead screwdriver heads are a pointed singular flat line. These fit into slotted screws, which often require minimal torque.
Hex screwdriver: Hex screwdrivers are often accessed using special screwdriver tools called allen keys, which are often used to drive fasteners.
What is a ratchet screwdriver?
This type of screwdriver has an internal mechanism, which allows it to turn freely in one direction, but not the other. This means that the screwdriver can entirely turn a screw without needing its position to be adjusted. This allows the user to work much faster. Ratcheting screwdrivers often have changeable bits, which saves on storage space as bits are smaller and easier to store than full screwdrivers.
Is a ratchet screwdriver better than a normal screwdriver?
Ratchet screwdrivers save on space and are convenient to use, however they do have their disadvantages. Unlike regular screwdrivers, they can’t be used for prying up light material such as paint can lids, and they are more vulnerable to dirt and grime, meaning if the ratcheting mechanism gets obstructed by grit, it might not work.
Screwdriver treatment and materials
Black Oxide: This is a treatment for steel, which toughens it and gives it better rust resistance. This is ideal for screwdrivers.
Heat treatment: Through treating tools with heat, you can improve their flexibility, and wear resistance.
Sand blasted: The process of blasting an object with sand so as to wear away any blemishes, jagged edges, or unwanted bits. Leaving only a smooth, clean finish.
Laser tipped: This treatment makes the surface of a screwdriver’s head rough, like a file, meaning that it can grip onto screws easier.
Screwdriver accessories
Countersink: A countersink is a conical drill bit, which drills a small, shaped hole in material, typically after a hole has already been drilled into said material. This conical shape helps flathead screws or fasteners sit flush against the material.
Spirit level: This is an accessory used to determine how level something is. A spirit level looks almost like a ruler, with one or more vials of coloured liquid in it. Through observing whether the bubble is in the centre of its vials, you can tell whether or not a surface has a slight tilt or angle.
Flexible screwdriver extension: This fits on the end of your screwdriver, and its other side attaches to a screwdriver bit. It is flexible by design, and makes it easy to reach awkward, or obstructed screws.
Magnetic pick-up tool: This is usually a telescopic pole about the size of a pen, with a strong magnet at the end. It’s good for picking up lost screws or screwdriver bits with its magnetism.
Stub screwdriver: Stub screwdrivers are screwdrivers with a smaller handle and shorter shaft. This allows it to reach into tight areas.
Precision screwdriver: A precision is a smaller, thinner screwdriver meant for driving small precision screws or fasteners.
Hex key: A piece of hexagonally-shaped metal, often with a 90 degree curve at one end. Hex keys are used for turning hexagonal bolts and fasteners
This Product Guide was last updated in July 2023. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.
from BBC Gardeners World Magazine https://ift.tt/FQBODXP
