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Screwdriver Sanity; Same Length Sets?

avalonthas

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Dec 11, 2023
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I was cleaning out my tool storage and trying to shed some of the duplicate odds and ends and do a general tidy up. It was driving me nuts that I have dozens of different miss matched screw drivers from years of accumulation. I figured I would just donate them all and start with a fresh set; so I went looking for a set that were all the same length but came up with nothing. Every set I look at online has different lengths in the same set. The only ones I can find that are in the same length are sets of Torx but not your every day Robertson, Philips, Flathead, etc. Has anyone come across a supplier that offers a standardized set of the same lengths; worst case I suppose I can find a supplier who sells individuals and just piece together something that works for me, I just find it strange you can't get that off the shelf?
 
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lolaetype

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Dec 11, 2019
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Often times you need a shorter screwdriver to access a fastener in close quarters. Other times you need a really long one to reach a fastener that sits in a recess your hand won't fit in.
 

Cruzan80

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Why would you want this? The shank size is usually related to the size of the tip. Smaller flatheads have a smaller tip, larger flatheads have a larger tip. P1 is shorter than P3 for a reason. The "middle of the road" P2 comes in stubby, normal and XL...
 

nicks78camaro

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90% of the time a 4" shank will do whatever job you need. Obviously there's one offs where you need a stubby or extra long but I'd say 4" is a good all around length.
 
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avalonthas

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Why would you want this? The shank size is usually related to the size of the tip. Smaller flatheads have a smaller tip, larger flatheads have a larger tip. P1 is shorter than P3 for a reason. The "middle of the road" P2 comes in stubby, normal and XL...

Would fit better with my organization style and different tool kit arrangements.

Nick is aiming right up my alley, as I am in a boat where 4" shanks serve the majority of my use cases. Would be fine with 6 inch too
 
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avalonthas

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Dec 11, 2023
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The Wiha Drive-Loc is tickling me for my mobile road kit. Didn't think a multi would be up my alley but I may give it a go, lots of customization on the shank size with their system and packs down tight in the tool kit.
 

Wamsutta

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Jan 8, 2014
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Amarillo, Texas
I would never want all my screwdrivers the same length. The longer screwdriver tells me it has a wider tip. (straight slot)

And for Phillips, I gotta have more stand-off clearance than 4 inches. I have 4 inch Phillips screwdrivers but rarely use them.
 

oldschoolcraft

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Bay Area, California
I share your frustration when I want something, and I do a ton of research, because it doesnt exist, and the use case makes perfect sense to me, but no one else seems to want it or at least no manufacturers want to make it.

As already mentioned, serious tool users won't want what you're describing because of the fact different sized screwdrivers are used on different sized fasteners. A Phillips 00 which is for eyeglasses, very small, will require much less torque than a Phillips #3 which is a huge size screw. So manufactures make the make the handles different sizes because for actual using them, having different sized handles makes it better to use the tool.

It sounds like you want to optimize for aesthetics in storage versus optimizing for use. You might be able to find some cheap crappy Chinese screwdriver sets that all look the same. They will be terrible screwdrivers, but you're optimizing for looks, not function, maybe that's a way to go.

One option to consider might be 1/4" bits. Maybe an X-in-1 Screwdriver with reversible long shank bits.

For example these Tekton 6 in 1, and they sell individual bits so you can get all of the different bits, which are all the same length and come up with some visually nice storage solution for that:


If you want something super high quality and custom, you might be able to get snap on screwdriver shanks that be customized into the same size handles.

The problem is that each diameter shank of tool, like Philips 3 will be much larger diameter than P00 because P00 head is so small, and they mill the shaft to match the head. Which means the hole at the end of the shank will need a different sized hole in a screwdriver handle.

Personally I think you should come up with a different organization solution if the physical appearance bothers you, maybe one where the shanks are hidden, like a in a "sheath" and the front is hiding all of the shanks. Like a rectangular shaped storage box, with holes on top and the screwdrivers all sit in there, pointed down. and you can't see the shanks at all. Different sized handles sticking up may bother you though.
 

KnurledNut

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The Wiha Drive-Loc is tickling me for my mobile road kit. Didn't think a multi would be up my alley but I may give it a go, lots of customization on the shank size with their system and packs down tight in the tool kit.
This is where bit systems really shine.
One nice feature of the Wiha is the bit length is adjustable within the handle. But be aware sometimes these full length hex shanks won’t reach fasteners down in a hole.

I regularly work out of a kit I assembled of 6” bits. A variety of driver handles make it quite versatile.
 
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