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Thread: Which slotted screwdriver tips: Cabinetmaker or Keystone?

  1. #1

    Which slotted screwdriver tips: Cabinetmaker or Keystone?

    I'm going to pick myself up a nicer set of screwdrivers (probably Wera's). I'm curious if people prefer Keystone or Cabinetmaker profile for the slotted screwdrivers? Keystones seem like they'd be stronger, but I can see the Cabinetmakers being better for some recessed situations.

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    I'm looking forward to the answers from folks, Bruce...I can't even remember the last time I used a slotted screwdriver for anything other than prying something apart. LOL Welcome (back) to SMC!
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  3. #3
    Buy both! Just kidding. I like Stanley 100's. If I was getting a set of Wera's, I think I'd get the cabinet tip. Think precision, not strength. I'm doubt you'll have a issue with them twisting.

    Stan

  4. #4
    My preference is to avoid slotted screws at all cost. But if you foresee using counterbored slotted screws, then get the cabinetmaker tips.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
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    LA & SC neither one is Cali
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    I have several sets of Wera screwdrivers and use their diamond bits. I have all keystone drives and honestly never wanted for the cabinet bits. BTW I have never heard them called cabinetmakers bits just cabinet bits and the cabinet it comes from is radio cabinets back in the day. While I have most of the "standard" sizes of slotted Wera screwdrivers in the Kraftform Stainless, 300, 900 and 100 VDE series I usually only use slotted for electrical work and occasionally the 900 series demo versions.

    BTW Amazon.de (German) is an excellent source for Wera socket sets, screwdrivers and bits. The only place I do better is Zoro when I get a 20% or 25% off coupon. Sometimes Chad's Toolbox is good during the holidays but you need to sign up just like Zoro. Anyone that does not shop Zoro for tools is missing out. If you sign up and buy from them they send 20-25% off coupons on a regular basis. I buy tons of stuff from them when I get 25% coupons, including a Tormek and jigs, lots of Starrett stuff, Wera (some is still cheaper on Amazon.de mostly ratchets/socket sets and the bit sets), Knipex and lots of other high-end handtools.


    One of my favorite items they have is the Kraftform Kompakt 25 Screwdriver. The bits can be used in any 1/4" drill driver and so can the bayonet when it is removed. The Rapidaptor is also very cool.

    Of all the laws Brandolini's may be the most universally true.

    Deep thought for the day:

    Your bandsaw weighs more when you leave the spring compressed instead of relieving the tension.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
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    Toronto Ontario
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    I always buy cabinet tipped slot screwdrivers because the only thing I use slotted screwdrivers for is electrical stuff like terminal blocks.......Rod.

  7. #7
    Join Date
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    Modesto, CA, USA
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    I have a few smaller keystone screwdrivers that I ground the sides off so they fit into a electrical breaker screws which are often recessed into a plastic guard. Based on that get keystone style and if the need ever arises grind the side down. Grinding takes maybe a minute or two if you want it to be nice and smooth with round overs.
    The reason for the keystone design is that if you need to grind the tip off, as it wears, the width increases correctly so the new tip thickness matches the screws with a thicker slot.
    Bill D

  8. #8
    Does your finish come in plastic or metal cans?

  9. #9
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by johnny means View Post
    Does your finish come in plastic or metal cans?
    The most salient and concise reply in the thread!

    It occurred to me I had misspoken earlier in the thread when I said I had all keystone tips, this is not correct as all my VDE screwdrivers are obviously cabinet tips.
    Of all the laws Brandolini's may be the most universally true.

    Deep thought for the day:

    Your bandsaw weighs more when you leave the spring compressed instead of relieving the tension.

  10. #10
    Quote Originally Posted by Bill Dufour View Post
    I have a few smaller keystone screwdrivers that I ground the sides off so they fit into a electrical breaker screws which are often recessed into a plastic guard. Based on that get keystone style and if the need ever arises grind the side down. Grinding takes maybe a minute or two if you want it to be nice and smooth with round overs.
    The reason for the keystone design is that if you need to grind the tip off, as it wears, the width increases correctly so the new tip thickness matches the screws with a thicker slot.
    Bill D
    That's interesting about thickening and widening if you grind the tip back. I always thought keystones were made that way so you could put a crescent wrench on the flat part and use that the turn the driver while you put pressure downward on the top of the driver. At least I've used them that way. Some of my older big screwdrivers have square shanks specifically (I think, and I was told by an older machinist) so you can put a wrench on the shank.

    You can't do that with cabinet screwdrivers, especially if they have a round shank.

    Mike
    Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good.

  11. #11
    Join Date
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    Speaking of wrenching screwdrivers Wera's 900 series Chisel Drivers have a large hexagonal bolster for just that purpose. They are one of the few slotted screwdrivers built for the way a lot of people use them...


    Of all the laws Brandolini's may be the most universally true.

    Deep thought for the day:

    Your bandsaw weighs more when you leave the spring compressed instead of relieving the tension.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
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    E TN, near Knoxville
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    12,298
    For relatively small screws? My favorite screwdrivers are made for gunsmiths. I have this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004TABWYU This set also has some other tools like soft brass punches good for working on guns.

    The flats on the tips are ground parallel so the right size of screwdriver holds better and less likely to slip. Many screws on a gun are slotted and gunsmith does not even want the screwdriver to slip and mar the gun. I don't know if they come in larger sizes but I've made my own similar tips on a standard screwdriver by grinding the flats on parallel.

    JKJ

  13. #13
    Lots of great wisdom shared - thanks for the insights!

    I think I'm going to get the cabinet tips and if needed, augment with a 900 series or two.

  14. #14
    I recently tried to put together something of a survey of hardware fastener sizes and screwdriver sizes:

    https://wiki.shapeoko.com/index.php/....28Imperial.29

    largest ones got up to 1.375″ diameter/width and 0.149″ thick.

    The chisel/keystone shape seems to've been a conscious decision to allow a limited number of screwdrivers (typically 9) to fit a wider variety of hardware sizes (#1--30)

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
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    Quote Originally Posted by John K Jordan View Post
    For relatively small screws? My favorite screwdrivers are made for gunsmiths.
    I have a set of the Grace woodworking screwdrivers that work well for me. But when I need a really precise fit, I go to the Brownell's Magna-Tip screwdriver bits. The largest in my kit are 0.360" wide, in six thicknesses.
    Brett
    Peters Creek, Alaska

    Man is a tool-using animal. Nowhere do you find him without tools; without tools he is nothing, with tools he is all. — Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881)

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