Over at Amazon, they still have a couple of decent deals on Wera screwdriver sets. Wera tools are awesome, and discounts are always nice.
This Wera 12pc screwdriver set isn’t quite at its lowest price ever, but you save a few bucks. In other words, buy them if you need them, but they’re not anywhere near “buy them and then figure out how to use them” pricing.
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I believe I spotted this set for less last week. I didn’t have time to discuss the prospects of the set, but I felt compelled to discuss it now. Plus, we’ll be prepared the next time the deal comes around.
You get a selection of Phillips, slotted, Torx, and hex screwdrivers, and a convenient canvas pouch to store them in.
- Phillips #00, 0
- Slotted 1.5, 1.8, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 mm
- Torx T5, T6
- Hex 0.9, 1.5, 2.0 mm
Not all the sizes will come in handy. For example, I have yet to use 0.9mm, at least that I can remember. Have I ever used a T5 screwdriver? I’ve used T6-T10 and up, but I’m not quite sure about T5. I’m pretty sure I’ve used all of the other sizes though.
I’d say the set is a good value if you could anticipate using maybe 8 or 9 of the driver sizes. Maybe the others might come in handy for unanticipated needs – this has certainly happened to me before. For example, my 0.050″ hex driver (not from this set but a Wiha hex set) didn’t earn its place in my kit until I needed it.
Now to answer the title question – this Wera 12pc precision screwdriver set is on sale. Should you buy one? YES, if you think you need most of the screwdriver sizes and styles in this set. If you’re not sure if they’ll be handy for you, then you should probably pass on the deal. A smaller set will serve most users’ needs just fine, and if you need another size in the future… I guess you’ll figure something out.
If you’re on the fence, maybe a look at the user reviews will help. Right now there are 84% 5-star ratings and 11% 4-star ratings.
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Price: $35 as of the time of this posting
Buy Now via Amazon
See Also: 6pc Set (Smaller Sizes – I bought this set in 2009)
See Also: 6pc Set (Larger Sizes)
Shown here is my Wera 6pc screwdriver set. It’s not as good a value, but if it’s all you need it’s probably the better choice.
If you want to hear more of my thoughts on precision screwdrivers, most of what I said in my Best Precision Screwdrivers post is still valid. Since then, I’ve tried PB Swiss’s updated precision screwdrivers and that’s about it.
I like Wiha precision screwdrivers for most things, but that didn’t stop me from also buying this 12pc Wera set back when it was on sale for Prime Day 2018. Wera’s precision screwdrivers are great quality, and I’m happy to see that they’ve expanded their size and style selection.
Wera also came out with a 25pc precision screwdriver assortment, although it’s priced a little high unless you’re specifically looking for a set that size. I do wish this 12pc set had similar color-coding (they might, I don’t know if the set has been updated), but the current style of markings is still pretty clear.
One thing I find curious is that the soft case is described as a belt pouch. Yes, it has a large belt loop, but it’s much too large for belt carry. You *could*, but the case measures 9-1/4″ x 4″ and the loop only allows for horizontal carry. That could be awkward.
The belt loop is also Velcro-backed and comes with a self-adhesive mounting strip, which allows for flexible mounting, such as to a tool cart.
I bought my set for $32 a year and a half ago for Prime Day 2018 when Amazon had it for $39.90 minus 20% in-cart, and haven’t regretted it one bit.
$35 is a good price. As mentioned above, I believe this set was less expensive last week. It’ll probably be more expensive next week.
MattF
These are nice. I wish the would include the color coded bands from the 25 piece set in the rest of the line.
I like the standard Wiha ones a bit more. That may be just out of habit from years of use though. I think the Wera handles are a bit skinny in the larger drive sizes. Wiha ups the handale size on the larger sizes, which is annoying to store, but nice when turning a screw.
Wayne R.
At my bench, I’ve been using the Wiha Precision set (canvas sleeve) for quite a while, and have the Torx set too. They’re primary go-to tools for little stuff, and also seem to use an iFixit set every time too, if one set’s out, so are the rest. Just added the Wiha Precision nutdrivers finally.
In my Veto bags I’ve added the Klein 4-in-1 Precision drivers- which is pretty much a smaller version of the “normal” 5- or 6-in-1 drivers, which also get a lot of use.
Anyone who’s used those cheapo “eyeglass” drivers and still owns a set could put them in the recycle bin and get a better set. At least, have the Klein around too.
ktash
@Wayne R. Is the iFixit set decent quality? I was looking to replace my keyboard, and they had the types and sizes I needed. It’s still on the list of “maybe to do’s.” I also looked at some Wera and Wiha sets, but none of them had enough of the right ones. I’d rather buy them by the piece as I need them.
Wayne R.
The iFixit Jimmy gets 98% of the use out of my (small) kit, and that triangular guitar pick thing is useful too. And a dead few credit cards are good to keep things separated.
The most useful tools are YouTube videos showing how to open things up.
Brian A
I gave in and bought one on Cyber Monday for $28 as well as the bit ratchet screwdriver set, xmas gifts for myself. Micro screwdrivers help when you have broken kids toys or for the screw on every battery cover.
Rod Wolfy
I got the set on Monday, too for $28.
matt
Use these all the time at work. The 0.9mm is a standard size for a 2mm set screw, The T5 is also used in some common set screw- I just can’t remember right now.
It took me a while (years) to come around to preferring the small wera handle to the small wiha handle, but now I find it hard to go back to the wiha- and I find the wera tips hold up better on the smaller sizes.
At under $3/driver I may pick up some of these kits for gifts this year.
Frank D
Would need more torx and phillips, less slotted.
ktash
That’s what I thought, too.
schill
I go back and forth between using the Wera and Wiha drivers and like both. I did find that the Wera handles took a little getting used to after using Wiha for years.
I have this set, but I’ve swapped some of the drivers out for a wider range of Phillips.
I’ve needed T5 drivers to open a number of laptops and other electronic devices.
Ken Bean
I believe I have used T5 extensively on Kershaw leek dissassembly for cleaning. I want to say it is T5 and T7 for all the fasteners on my two leeks.
Koko The Talking Ape
A 0.9 mm hex driver? Yeesh. I’d be nervous about stripping out the screw, or twisting the driver into spaghetti, or both.
Smaller Torx drivers are handy for disassembling computer hard drives. But often you have to put a fair amount of torque into it, so these little drivers with their slim handles wouldn’t cut it. I’ve used standard hex-shaft Torx bits in a full-sized driver handle.
Incidentally, if you’ve never seen the inside of a hard drive, you might find it interesting. Lots of super-precision, shiny bits inside, including a few powerful magnets.
TheTool
This is a pretty bad set for what’s included. No T7, T8, T9 and no smaller Phillips or Phillips #1. That’s a pass.