Just chasing recommendations as I'm about to have a couple of flat packs delivered and I'll need some better screwdrivers! Probably prefer manual ones compared to a cordless or drill as there's more control. Do people splash out or is it just standard stuff or…?
Recommended Screwdriver Set
spackbace on 15/02/2022 - 11:44
Last edited 15/02/2022 - 11:44
Last edited 15/02/2022 - 11:44
Comments
Yep does the job - I think everyone gets this when they first need screwdrivers.
I have bought these a few times, very strong plastic smell but good tools.
Try licking the handles….. very strange sensation on the tongue…. Don’t ask me why….
Bought this set 14 years ago - still going strong!
Ikea?
I want to buy a few items however my husband refuses to even consider flat packs - ptsd from the last time we put together a TV cabinet 10+ years ago!
2x Ikea chest of drawers, 2x Amart bunk beds
Yeah… not looking forward to it lol I told the Mrs I'd likely just do it myself and get her if it was heavy and needed 2 people
The IKEA cordless one is actually pretty damn good. It's intended for flat pack assembly work so doesn't have enough torque to damage stuff but more than enough to build effectively. Highly recommended. Pop in and grab one, it'll change your mind.
https://www.ikea.com/au/en/p/fixa-screwdriver-li-ion-7020325…
I've got an Ozito cordless screwdriver already hmm
Then put it in the bin and get the Worx WX240 one. I work at a school doing volunteer work and helping out the maintenance guy and whenever there is things to assemble (like every second week and LOTS of it, tables, book cases, tote tray holders), I always use my Worx driver. It feels like a screwdriver and takes all the standard 1/4 hex drive bits. Has 3 torque settings, so you just set it to one of 3 settings and drive everything in at that.
The Ozito cordless screwdriver is pretty good. Especially for $35.
The Worx WX240 is great too, and is a bit smaller, has a higher no load speed and uses USB-C. The waterproof case is nice. And compared to basic electric screwdrivers, it has digital torque settings. The forward reverse setup is nice compared to drill style ones.
But the Ozito has a proper torque limiting clutch (with 9 settings), which is super useful IMO and rare on a cheap cordless screwdriver. You also get a few other nice things, such as adjustable pistol / straight grip, slightly higher torque, a charging base (micro USB), torch in the rear. 3 year replacement warranty at Bunnings is also handy, plus the ability to order spare parts. .
As a DIY'r the 2nd cheapest set always does me well.
All you'll need is a 6.5mm flat and a #2 phillips and perhaps a hammer if it includes a back that needs to be nailed in. A mallet won't hurt for the wood dowels but you can use the hammer with a bit of care. Given these are very common tools I'd recommend buying semi decent stuff and keeping them in the junk drawer as you will use them again.
A lot of flat pack stuff uses Allen keys I think, so consider grabbing some of them too.
The included ones are usually adequate, but you may wish to get a set with T-handles for comfort, or with a ball end so the alignment isn't so critical.
This set is phenomenal overkill for flat pack furniture but they are nice: https://au.rs-online.com/web/p/hex-keys/8757965
TIP - Most IKEA stuff has Tons of building videos on youtube so skip to your step if you are stuck/confused in the middle.
Havent got an OZITO Cordless so cant compare but agree with HYBROID above- IKEA Cordless screwdriver is really good for flatpacks. May I ask why you dont like using Ozito?
After the 20th screw its a pain you can easily avoid with the cordless ones- v ergonomic design and super light. Especially if you happen to join it incorrectly in one of the steps and have to undo and redo!!!
TBH I love putting most of IKEA stuff together- like a grown up Lego- most of the times very clear instructions.
Good luck with the AMART though. Although to be fair the last thing I put together from Amart was a loong time ago- considering they are selling so much they must have improved. Worst is probably Kmart or Aldi ones - put together a $15 bedside stand from KMart and it will probably cost me few thousand in therapy one day- my personal PTSD.Get a Wiha 26:1. It will do everything that Ikea will throw at you and then some. Good size. Lots of drivers all in the one place (inc: allen and torx). I hammer mine at work and use it daily and just cant kill it. The tips are still as good as the day I bought it. As I have said before, If it was legal to marry your screwdriver, this would be the one for me.
I just use my Bosch driver. You can control it depending on pressure applied to the trigger. Your wrists and forearms are going to hate you if you have a lot of screwing to do by yourself otherwise…
If you do and plan on doing more hand screwing in the future, try and get rubber handles.
No need to pay a fortune. I had crescent set for years but all the flat blade ones broke doing stupid things levering stuff - after about 20years. I recently got a simile set from Stanley. Seems OK so far. About $30 I think.
I’ve also got a few big w screw drivers floating around that are still OK from time to time.
As for assembling flat packs, definitely get a powered driver of some sort. I just use a drill mostly. And don’t forget you’ll likely need Allen keys too so a couple of Allen bits for the drill save time.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/stanley-fatmax-pistol-grip-ratch…
I have found this interchangeable one to be handy as it has all the main heads in 3 diff sizes. Can also turn into a pistol grip
I use my Ryobi One+ cordless drill, with both screw and hex bits, but I had it on hand. With the adjustable torque settings you can dial it down so it won't over-bite.
Quicker than a cordless "screwdriver", too.Get a cheap set with a ratchet so it is faster to turn the millions of screws.
Second Dejaar's suggestion for a ratchet driver.
Was after a portable and versatile ratchet driver and was almost going to get a Wera when I came across a recommendation in a cycling forum.
Prestacycle Pro T-Handle Ratchet. Strong, smooth ratcheting and super versatile with an extension that can turn it into a T-handle or L wrench.
I've used it to assemble countless flat packs and all sorts of jobs around the house.
Currently on Amazon but the pricing is out of whack. The set with pouch costs less than the bare driver.
The Stanley set recommended above is good to have (but I'm sure wasn't too long ago they were only $20, now $45 a set)
Also get something to take hex bits, even if its just a manual handle. Beats trying to use an Allen key to assemble furniture. An electric drill driver with torque setting can rip through the job in no time.
Are you joking… is this a joke
Judging by the dozens of serious replies, I would say, nahhhhhh, probably not.
All my expensive tools are in the secured garage but I need some basic tools in the shed where it's good target for burglar. So I got this very cheap 6pcs Craftright screwdriver set and oh boy what a surprise it's comfy, very ergonomic and most importantly the Philips tips is formed correctly. It mates very well with most screws unlike the screwdrivers from the dollar store which slips badly. The tips are also harden which seems to have very little wear.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/craftright-6-piece-soft-grip-scr…
They have been in the shed for more than 2 years now, seems holding up quite well. I have abused the flat bit a lot as a pry bar and etc. I'm expecting the soft grip to delaminate or melt in the future but time will tell.
At this price it's really hard to compare to my Wera and Swisstools set but the cheap Craftright does the same job in terms of what a screwdriver should do.
I’m going to point to this comment in future if I remember.
I read this question and rolled my eyes a bit. Assembling flat pack is really simple. You do need a Philips head screwdriver, but you’ll get grumpy if you don’t also have a cordless drill ($25 special is fine) with a no.2 Philips bit and probably a few hex bits too.
All up, maybe $40 investment that will mean a good job and save an hour or two of bother.
To me, having put together flat pack while living at home with my parents, assembling it when I moved out, a few more times over the years, and most recently as my eldest moved out of home, this is all second nature.So i almost was snarky in posting a response. And I bet a lot of the people up thread thought the same.
But the person who asked the question is somebody who posts heaps and heaps of answers, is a genuine expert helping people in their area of expertise, and a valued member of the site.
Have a look at the responses when they posted a bit of a “dumb” question. Lots of people going out of their way to help.
Everybody has bits and pieces they are a bit dumb about. I’m useless with engine mechanics, but pretty handy with computers or wood. My son is a really talented artist, but doesn’t get “simple” to me ideas about how you can’t write an NTFS drive on a Mac without installing an extra bit of software.
If you want people to be respectful and helpful when the time comes when you post your “dumb” question, it pays to have built up a vault full of social capital from being helpful and respectful yourself.
If you have 1 post to your name, you won’t get, and frankly don’t deserve, the same sort of effort from members of the community.Anyway, sorry I called your question dumb, Spackbace, you are welcome to preface every response to me in car threads from now on with “The motoring imbecile says” and I promise to laugh.
This one is good - https://www.bunnings.com.au/stanley-20-piece-acetate-screwdr…