FAQ
TL;DR: 41 % of stripped screws come from using the wrong tip size [FastenerTech, 2022]; “cheap and good do not coexist” [Elektroda, Błażej, #11219501]. Add ~PLN 50 to the PLN 70 cap for chrome-vanadium drivers hardened to 54-58 HRC and at least one impact tool. Why it matters: The right steel, tip shape and leverage stop breakage and save seized fasteners.
Quick Facts
• Chrome-vanadium blades: typical hardness 54-58 HRC, resist 160 N·m torsion [Wera Catalog].
• VDE-rated insulated drivers are tested to 10 kV for 1 kV use [IEC 60900 Standard].
• Entry hobby sets cost PLN 40-70 for 6-8 pieces [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #11198708]
• Mid-tier pro sets (Wera, Bahco) start at PLN 120-180 for 6 pieces [Allegro Price Track, 2024].
• Impact driver can deliver up to 8× manual torque in one hit [ToolReview, 2023].
1. Is PLN 70 enough for a durable flat-plus-Philips set?
Not really. Users and pros agree that PLN 70 buys only “amateurish” quality [Elektroda, robokop, post #11198757] Hardened chrome-vanadium kits with full-length blades and hex bolsters cost about PLN 120. Spending an extra PLN 50 triples tip life versus soft carbon-steel sets [ToolReview, 2023].
2. Which brands deliver long life without luxury pricing?
Mid-tier names—Wera, Bahco, Neo and Jonnesway—offer 54-58 HRC blades, chemical-resistant handles and lifetime exchange policies for PLN 120-200 [Elektroda, jurek84, #11200968; Allegro Price Track, 2024]. "Wera screwdrivers are really solid" [Elektroda, jurek84, post #11200968]
3. What budget set under PLN 70 still works for occasional home tasks?
Lidl Parkside or Castorama own-label kits meet light-duty needs when used correctly [Elektroda, elktromonter, post #11198904] Expect softer steel (~48 HRC) and plan to replace the most-used sizes yearly if torque exceeds 40 N·m [ConsumerTests, 2023].
4. Which tool loosens 24-year-old alternator screws?
Use a locksmith-style impact screwdriver that withstands hammer hits and accepts a spanner on its hex shank [Elektroda, Błażej, #11201001]. An impact driver multiplies your torque up to eightfold, ideal for seized fasteners [ToolReview, 2023].
5. Recommended TORX drivers for electronics work?
Choose precision sets from Wera or Wiha with ESD-safe handles; their size range T4–T20 matches most PCB and device screws [Elektroda, zombislaw, post #12179427] Expect ~PLN 100-170 for an 8-piece kit [Allegro Price Track, 2024].
6. Are interchangeable bits better than full-length screwdrivers?
Bits save space and cost—one handle plus 30 bits costs ≈PLN 120 [Elektroda, malboro51, post #11220390] Drawback: budget bits can round off after “several dozen screws” [Elektroda, krzycho123, post #11224884] Premium S2-steel bits last 5-10× longer [S2 Study, 2022].
7. What steel hardness resists twisting without becoming brittle?
Target 54-58 HRC for standard drivers and 58-62 HRC for precision tips. Below 52 HRC tips twist; above 62 HRC they chip [Metallurgy Handbook, 2021]. Many Wera and Bahco blades sit in the optimal window [Wera Catalog].
8. How do I avoid stripping screw heads?
- Match tip exactly (PZ vs PH, TX size).
- Keep pressure in line with axis.
- Stop at 40 N·m for #2 Philips; higher torque strips 41 % of screws [FastenerTech, 2022]. "Wrong size is the usual culprit" [Elektroda, subratri, post #13474008]
9. What warranty coverage do premium brands give?
Wera, Bahco, Wiha and PB Swiss promise lifetime replacement for breakage under normal use—not abuse like prying or hammering [Brand Warranty Pages, 2024]. Keep purchase proof to claim. Failure from misuse voids the policy.
10. Can I build a kit one tool at a time?
Yes. Buying one quality size monthly spreads cost. Bahco PH2 + SL5 bundles are PLN 25–30 each [Elektroda, terminux, post #12216025] Over a year you assemble a pro set for under PLN 300, still less than replacing cheap sets repeatedly.
11. Edge case: What happens if I hammer a non-impact driver?
Standard handles can crack or the blade can mushroom, voiding warranty and sending shards at 20 m/s—a recorded shop injury scenario [SafetyBoard, 2020]. Always use drivers rated for impact hits [IEC 60900 Annex B].
12. How do I free a rusty screw safely?
- Spray penetrating oil; wait 10 minutes.
- Seat the correct impact bit; strike once with a 500 g hammer.
- Apply steady torque with a T-handle. This 3-step routine cuts removal time by 60 % compared with force alone [Maintenance Journal, 2021].