Scott wrote in with a heads-up that this Husky 3pc insulated screwdriver set has dropped in price, from $10 to $7.
I bought a set of these drivers from Home Depot’s holiday tool gift center, but had not put them to use yet.
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Scott wrote:
I just skimmed through my daily HD SALE email (that I’m sure you received as well) and it looks as though several items are starting to drop in price. I was looking for an inexpensive VDE driver to more safely tinker around the house and had my eye on the husky$10 set- it just dropped to $7. I opted for a ~$12 Felo bit holder instead and the grip is amazing. Again, Felo would not have been on my radar had it not been for your site and I am appreciative as always.
I haven’t spotted any other notable holiday tool gift center items that dropped in price, but might take a trip to Home Depot later to see if new signs are up.
I actually own a Felo Ergonic insulated screwdriver set, currently $26 and change on Amazon, that I bought a few years ago when I noticed a price drop. I haven’t used it much, so why did I buy the Husky set? I wanted to get a feel for Husky screwdriver quality, and the price is too good to pass up. Besides, this allows me to keep one set in a portable tool box, and the other at home for more regular use.
The Husky set seems to at least be worth its $10 price. $7 is an even better bargain.
The Husky drivers have very grippy handles, and each has a built-in wire stripper, with 14 and 16 gauge slots.
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You get a slotted screwdriver (1/4″), a Phillips (#2), and a square (#2). The sizes are clearly marked on the ends of the handles.
Price: $7
Buy Now(via HD)
See Also(Felo Insulated Bit Holder, via Amazon)
Sorry, you’ll have to foot it to the store, online shipping isn’t available for these drivers right now.
Remember: Insulated screwdrivers like these are designed to provide a level of protection when working on electrical components that have been de-energized. Sometimes a situation is not as safe as expected. Insulated drivers like these are generally not designed for use on or around live equipment. Maybe I’m mistaken, but this is what I’ve been repeatedly told.
Bolt
I picked up a set and they seem ok. Haven’t really gotten a chance to use them but it seemed like a good deal. The slotted bit is actually hollow ground which I wouldn’t have expected on a budget set like this.
I do expect that they’ll go down in price again in the future since on Saturday when I picked mine up they had only sold one set out of the display.
Stuart
Thanks f ok r mentioning that! Yes, the slotted driver is hollow ground, I too was surprised. I was then distracted by a search for what the square drive can be used on.
Jerry
I recently replaced a receptacle in the kitchen, and the new one had terminal screws that included a square drive recess. I think (hope) that this will become more and more common in the future.
Adam
Electrical panel and on the breakers have roberston/square. Though I don’t recall which are 1 or 2 sizes. It also seems like on switches if they don’t have a Plus-minus or ecx screws, they take a #1 square. Much better than flat or Philips.
I just bought a Wera Plus-minus interchangeable blade, and there seems to be so much more transfer of force to the screw. Much better contact than previous bits I’ve used
Steve
Receptacles and switches – green robertson ( or #1sq).
i find ecx never fits as snugly as a robertson
Bolt
The other tool I’m waiting on for the price to drop is the ryobi bench grinder. Home Depot still has a huge stack of them and I’d probably get one if they drop it down some.
Will
I bought one last year to use as a wire wheel machine. It turned out to be robust enough that I now also use it with a grinding wheel for sharpening lawn mower blades and other similar tasks. Really solid machine for the price.
Jerry
The last time I was in Menard’s they had their house brand 2 piece insulated screwdriver set for free after rebate. Keep in mind the rebate is in the form of a Menard’s gift card and not cash.
Nathan
I’d buy one. I don’t have any specifically insulated so I might as well pick up a set
Marty
I was interested in this set too. I currently use the Milwaukee insulated screwdrivers, but like these Husky drivers, the insulation comes to an end above just above the bit tip. This causes issues when getting into tighter areas and the insulation is severely frayed on my set.
I think that I’m going to pick up this Wiha set
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007HGNYOY/
The insulation comes down into the shank of the driver to eliminate the edge of the insulation getting caught in narrow areas. I’ll probably still pick up the Husky set because it’s a good bargain for $7.
Jman
The disclaimer that they are not meant for live circuits is probably to prevent amateurs from killing themselves because they think insulated tools make them invincible. The website descriptions says they are rated up to 1000v. Most electricians don’t frequently work on anything above 277/480, so they are more than adequate for common live work.
fred
Your right and good design would have the conductor terminations phase to phase and phase to ground separation adequate enough that the screwdriver tip can not inadvertently strike an arc.
We worked on hi-rises where 13.8kV came up in risers to switchgear on upper floors. Naturally our plumbers, carpenters and installers stayed clear and minded their own business. At higher voltages – you don’t need to touch a live conductor to strike an arc – all you need to do is to come within the flashover distance – which can vary depending on voltage, atmospheric conditions etc.
Stuart
Yup. I learned that the hard way once.
I was showing a new physics lab instructor an electron beam demo, and got zapped by the high voltage low current power source – through a 3/4″ wooden box enclosure and a couple of inches of air. I was pointing to the box, finger got too close, and ZAP.
The voltage might have been 10KV, the current maybe in micro-amp range, but it was still a jump-up-from-the-floor kind of jolt.
fred
More deadly are the flashovers that happen when folks strike an arc with higher voltage (4kV and up) lines that sometimes cross their properties. We owned a property in a rural area where there was a 345kV transmission line that nipped across one corner. The fences around the towers and warning signs were there for a reason.
Jay
Wonder how long those are? Mox nix. The Milwaukee 48-22-2202 three piece insulated set I picked up last year included a straight, phillips and ECX screw driver. Really like the ECX, fits the Leviton terminal screws on outlets and switches perfectly.
Stuart
I’ve got the slotted in my hand. 8-3/4″. The others should be the same length, or close enough.
Nate818
If they work up to 20 amp 230 volt you can do alot