Stanley has a new diamond-tip screwdriver set coming out, model FMHT0-62064. This isn’t their first, but looks to be a significant refresh, with different looking handles than the Stanley Diamond Tip screwdriver set that came out 2 years ago.
Come to think of that, that older handle design looks to have heavily inspired SBD’s Dewalt MaxFit screwdrivers that were reviewed here last year.
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This new screwdriver handle design looks to be coming to several Stanley style lines, as suggested by this stubby non-diamond-tip screwdriver.
It has a soft overmolded grip with golf ball-like divots, and a hole for hanging or applying added leverage.
As for the Diamond Tip screwdriver set, it’s said to deliver 100% more torque transfer and 50% longer life, compared to “standard Stanley FatMax” screwdrivers. You can also expect for a better grip on fasteners and reduced cam-out.
Stanley says these screwdrivers: provide best-in-class grip on fasteners to reduce cam-out and prevent damage to the screw head, although there’s no indication as to which screwdrivers or types of screwdrivers they are referencing.
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When done right, diamond or diamond-like particles can definitely improve screwdriver-fastener engagement, such as when dealing with Phillips screws or damaged fasteners.
They do provide more “bite,” and so there might sometimes be application-dictated limitations as to where these screwdrivers could or should be used. Don’t ask me for a special example, I can’t think of one at the moment.
The set comes with 4 slotted, 3 Phillips, and 3 Pozidriv screwdrivers.
The 10-piece set is currently available for purchase (but not yet in stock for delivery) at Amazon, with high pricing I can only hope is simply inaccurate. It’s priced lower overseas, via Amazon Germany.
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There’s a 6-piece set of the older style of Stanley FatMax Diamond Tip screwdrivers, currently at $16 at Amazon. That newer screwdriver handle style looks like it could be more comfortable, but the older style presents a much better value.
See Also(6pc set for $16-20)
The yeti
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Stuart
Some users really like abrasive-coated, laser-etched, and micro-gripped screwdrivers.
Chris
The old set has overall good reviews. Anything that adds grip for Phillips/flat heads screws are a good thing in my opinion.
Raoul
I tried some Craftsman Professional scredrivers with a grippy texture about 20 years ago. They worked good for a short while but when they all lost their ability to grip they all went back in exchange for no grippy ones. Not saying they’re the same but I wouldn’t buy grippy tools again.
Adam
I imagine it would be for finish screws that you don’t want to use diamond tipped drivers. While looking at the Wera stainless steel set, it specifically mentioned using on stainless steel fasteners in order to prevent rust transfer. So not exactly the same thing, but you probably wouldn’t want to use these on a fastener with a nice finish or protection, to prevent surface abrasion. I probably wouldn’t use these on wall plate coverings, that might be the only thing I can think of.
Mr. B
Photo from Amazon shows 11 pieces in this 10 piece set and for some reason it has 2 slotted 5.5×125’s and 2 pozidrive 2×125’s.
To make it even weirder, Stanley UK shows a slightly different photo and says there should be a tamper torx (TT)20.
Better luck next time.
Gary T
That handle style is from previous sets. I have an Expert set with those handles. They also put those handles on SK, Blackhawk, and KTC screwdrivers in the past.
They are nice and remind me a little of the Wiha soft finish handles. The one thing I did not like about them is that they are a little smaller than I prefer.
fred
I suspect that one of their factories or an OEM in China invested in a piece of process equipment to apply the coating. Now they have to use it to pay back the investment.
My snide remarks aside, I do like the Wera SS drivers with laser etched tips. And – in a prior post we talked about using valve lapping compound or no-bleach scouring powder as (being in a rhyming mood today) a “tip-dip to add grip”
T
These are old skool BOST (formerly a Facom company) drivers, rebranded as SK, Expert, Britool…and probably a few others over the years, now Stanley. Lol. They were French made when I purchased my SK branded ones (from the days of Facom/SK partnership before Stanley gobbled up Facom) – easily a decade ago now.
johnny utility blade
These look good but, being a joe homeowner I’ll keep my craftsman set. Very serviceable and with a lifetime warranty you can’t go wrong. Oh, ya Sears is almost bankrupt….. ops!!!….
Koko the Talking Ape
If you use square drive or Torx bolts and screws, you don’t need drivers with diamond or “simulated diamond” coatings. Just sayin’. Sure, they are a little more expensive and a little less available, but that is a chicken-and-egg thing.
fred
Yes – but there is another “chicken and egg” conundrum, That is: Manufacturers make and sell hardware (like hinges, handles and latches) and supply them with Phillips head screws. In part, that’s probably because they think that most folks have Phillips head screwdrivers and likely don’t have Robertson or Torx drivers. Then folks buy more buy more Phillips head screwdrivers and the circle continues.
Matt
Indeed. Make it stop!
That said, I’ve seen a huge increase in availability of torx screws available at homeowner-level prices. Just a few years ago, you could really only get the GRKs and some deck screws at the orange box, but now there’s a whole section of Grip-Rite’s that’s priced just above drywall screws, so hopefully the pendulum will start to swing that way. At least I haven’t seen anything other than electrical plates packaged with slotted for years…I suppose that’s something.
Hilton
I would NEVER pay nearly $100 for Stanleys as opposed to either Wera or Wiha.
Before I clicked on the link, I thought the price would be not more than $30.
Mark
Everyone’s already said most of what I was going to say, that these are the French-made screwdrivers marketed as different brands. I have a set, they’re top quality steel, better than Snapon (I was trying to pry a lock open and used a Snapon screwdriver and then an SK [this same type] screwdriver as pry bars and the Snapon tip broke off but there wasn’t a mark on the SK one and I beat the hell out of both of them). But, even assuming that these new ones are even still French-made, $100 is just ridiculous. I can go to eBay and get the genuine article without the diamond-tip (cheap industrial) for a much lower price, even with shipping and everything else, from overseas.
harry
Except they’re not french made screwdrivers, they’re chinese made copies of French made screwdrivers.
Having seen the Blackhawk versions without the tip coating, the handles are smaller and the blades thinner than the original French made screwdrivers.
with all of the fine German made options out there, i don’t know why anyone would get these but, that’s just my opinion.
Rob
Say it ain’t so. When I saw the Stanley screwdrivers on uk/euro websites, I sighed a relief that they were keeping the Bost factory cranking.
I’d be sad to find out they’re just legal knockoffs.
dave9
Doesn’t make sense to me, to have that (supposed) extra torque capability but not have a bigger square upper shank for wrench assistance.
Then again I’m thinking in terms of someone who already has fair quality screwdrivers, at least good enough to get done anything I’ve needed them for, which I expect is the case for practically everyone reading this article.
voodoo
Facom had their version of diamond tip screwdriver earlier this year. I guess they are made in the same facility.
Paul
Tip just broke off my small pozidrive screwdiver, wasn’t even undoing a stuck screw?. Not really impressed with the quality of this product.