Nut Drivers versus...

[cheechi]

So I was looking for something totally different, saw this set of nut drivers and it caught my eye. Then I realized I effectively have most of this set already. They have T handles too, basically I have that too. And that's where I'm wondering if it's really that simple.

Between the several GW ratcheting driver sets I have, I can take a handle, shank, & 1/4" socket and have pretty much whatever nut driver I need, deep or shallow. And I have fixed, ratcheting, and ratcheting T handles tho choose from depending what I need. Without comparing side by side are they any thinner wall than 1/4" sockets? allow for better clearance?

So let me say, I don't need nut drivers, at least right now. But it got me thinking. What am I missing? What's the downside to using what I have in this way? I see a lot of mechanics whose drawers have a full set of nut drivers, while most electricians I know carry 2-3. Are they one of those 'sometimes you need it and only it' tools or are they just more for convenience? I'm guessing either way they're used more often than I've needed them regardless.

Basically it all comes down to this. I don't need them. I really don't want them but for a 'set completer' and you know how that goes.

 

[NoahG]

Its several things. Convenience is a big factor. I find the one piece design of a nut driver very useful in the sense that it won't fall apart in a pouch, bag, or up in the air. Also no socket and extension can replace a 6" long nutdriver with a full hollow shaft. Magnetic nutdrivers are also really helpful in tough spots or in weird angles.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

It's a covenience thing. I can open a drawer and grab the proper nut driver or I can open 2 drawers to do what you have proposed. Also, a hollow shaft might be super handy in some instances. I put nut drivers in the same boat as T handles.

..........and nut driver sets are pretty cheap.

 

[ADSR]

I wonder if those bits fit my snappy driver?

 

[Ruger_556]

I don't own a single nut driver... 1/4" drive handle with a socket works great for me.

 

[Wamsutta]

With a nut driver, you can grab one tool and it will be ready for use.

With a spin handle and a socket, you have to grab two tools and assemble them together before using.

 

[ajchien]

I've got more size choices with my 1/4" spinner + sockets than I have with nut drivers.

For me, I spend more time trying to figure out if it's 1/4" nut or 5/16"nut or if it's 7/16" vs, 1/2". Rather than putting on a socket on a spinner.

However, the hollow shafts do come in for convenience. Annoyng when you put on a short socket, only to realize you need a deep socket. You put on the deep socket to realize it isn't deep enough in 1/4" drive, and only your 3/8" drive deep socket will work. Now I've got a 1/4 spinner with a 1/4-3/8 adaptor and then a deep socket? Crud, that combo doesn't feel right at all.

I've also experienced a rarely dropped socket. ***** when it falls into the cobweb filled corner. Or the occasional time the socket sticks to the nut and comes off the driver.

Some sockets seem to want to wobble a little on the driver which can be annoying,

 

[wvrailroader]

It is the same price on Amazon with prime shipping. None of the local Sears stores have it in stock. I would jump on this deal if I knew for sure that these would work with the Snap On ratcheting screwdriver handle.

 

[cgv69]

I have a Snap On TMR4 ratcheting driver and that is all I have ever needed. I do not own nor have I felt the need for any other type of nut driver.

 

[Fcvapor05]

I like nut drivers for doing certain tasks, specifically plumbing or electrical, where it's nice to have a tool for hose clamps or panels or whatever that won't come apart when you're pushing and pulling it out of a loaded up pocket a zillion times, and also there's no wobble between the shaft and socket when you're trying to reach a hose clamp buried inside a wall or whatever.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I have the regular old sae and mm nut drivers. I use them all the time. I know I could just use a ratchet, but I like the driver. I get more control and it fits it tight spots where you can't swing a ratchet. I have a ton of coin mechs on my washers and dryers at the stores and use these to take them apart and clear the lint build up. A ratchet just wouldn't fit.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

That set is what it is; and may work ok for many folks..... When you come to the fork in the road that separates the need for a true nut driver; you will appreciate the true thin wall, hollow shaft nut driver set akin to SnapOn.

 

[Hootbro]

I wonder if those bits fit my snappy driver?

They will. I have used that set with my Snap On ratcheting driver quite frequently.

 

[Larey]

I purchased my two sets of GW items when O'Reilly's clearance them off a few months ago. I then went on to sell my craftsman set of nut drivers. I like the interchangeability of the handles including the flexible extension and the T handle as it ratchets also.

Hope it helps,
Larey

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I'm not really into nut drivers, but the small assortment I got many years ago with my craftsman mechanics set have stayed in a drawer so I can use them on a ratcheting 1/4" screwdriver handle or in my Bosch ps21-2a when I need a specific size. Using a 1/4" adapter and socket sometimes ain't convenient.

 

[franzdom]

I'm not really into nut drivers, but the small assortment I got many years ago with my craftsman mechanics set have stayed in a drawer so I can use them on a ratcheting 1/4" screwdriver handle or in my Bosch ps21-2a when I need a specific size. Using a 1/4" adapter and socket sometimes ain't convenient.

I am not following what you are talking about, hex nut bits or ??

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

These. But craftsman brand.

 

[cheechi]

Larey, is the handle that comes with the nut driver set the same as that stubby one or is it longer? hard to tell in the photo. Thanks.

 

[warmpancakes]

Hose clamps and Dashboard screws, That 99.9% of what I use mine for, 5/16 and 7mm in cart all the time

 

[Farmall450]

My brother has that set, I think he's used it once since he got it years ago.

 

[Larey]

Larey, is the handle that comes with the nut driver set the same as that stubby one or is it longer? hard to tell in the photo. Thanks.

The stubby handles are the same in the kits, but with the bit driver set I wanted it just for the t-handle. I use the t-handles when I am using the nut drivers anyway not the stubby.

Hope that helps,

Larey

 

[cheechi]

That's what caught my eye actually. Having the shafts to use with the T handle I already do have. The reason I asked is I can't see how a stubby handle is more or less useful in the set, I assume it's just what they could fit in the box.

 

[ADSR]

They will. I have used that set with my Snap On ratcheting driver quite frequently.

Awesome! Thanks you, bro

 

[Fcvapor05]

I did get a little surprise when I ordered my set of nut drivers from Snap-On. I had only ever seen the ones that are color sleeved all the way down the shaft, like this:

But when mine showed up, I got these:

Seems like S/O is currently manufacturing two different nut driver designs. Not really sure why. It looks to me like if you order the 9 piece set, they look like mine, but the 7 piece set is the other design... maybe one or the other is older and being phased out?

Either way I think I prefer the type I got, since I think they have an advantage in clearing obstacles since the shafts are slightly smaller in diameter, and they look nice. Was just surprised when they showed up. The only down side is I'd like to get a metric set in the near future, and it looks like all the metric ones are sleeved. It only matters because I'm **** and would like for them to match.

 

[NoahG]

I wish more companies would color code their Metric nut drivers instead of making them all black.

 

[48RON54]

I struggle with nutdrivers in most applications. Always seems like the nut is on there with more torque than i can reasonably squeeze out of the nutdriver without my hands slipping. I have a cheap set, but they see very rare use. I do really like that rainbow colored set of nutdrivers about though. I would buy those if for no other reason than they look nice lol.

 

[NewEdgePerf]

Hose clamps and Dashboard screws, That 99.9% of what I use mine for, 5/16 and 7mm in cart all the time

I agree, I use nutdrivers for hoseclamps more than any other use.

 

[greasemonkey44]

I wish snap on color coded the metric nut drivers, til then I have been using kliens
Very handy for hose clamps, light dash work, silly engine covers

 

[Premium08]

I use nutdrivers alot, i have a standard set of kleins and cheap set of metrics from auto store I use at work. For home I have a complete standard and metric craftsman set. The 10mm gets used most at work. I always try to use nut drivers on hose clamps, I hate using a straight blade screwdriver on hose clamps

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[stage20]

I've acquired a full set of cman husky and hf set over the years and several kleins. Hardly ever use them. Have several t handles ratchet handles and 1/4 dr driver ill put a socket on. Wasting a drawer in my toolbox but I don't throw toools away

 

[pfbz]

I use my metric Wiha nut drivers all the time...

But I also use my SO 1/4" extension handle and 1/4" deep sockets a bunch as well, usually if something needs more torque than I can get with a screwdriver handle. They don't seem to make those extension handles any more, current versions don't have the 1/4" female on the top so you can plug a ratchet into them... Real shame, one of my favorite tools!

Also use Motion-Pro metric T-handles, but mostly when working on motos...

 

[bon3s]

Came across these the other day...

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-SAE-HollowCore-Nut-Driver-Set-7-Piece-48-22-2507/204456640

Might be nice if you do any work with all thread or any longer bolts where a box wrench will need to come out.

Interesting none the less..

 

[nicksnothereman]

So I was looking for something totally different, saw this set of nut drivers and it caught my eye. Then I realized I effectively have most of this set already. They have T handles too, basically I have that too. And that's where I'm wondering if it's really that simple.

Between the several GW ratcheting driver sets I have, I can take a handle, shank, & 1/4" socket and have pretty much whatever nut driver I need, deep or shallow. And I have fixed, ratcheting, and ratcheting T handles tho choose from depending what I need. Without comparing side by side are they any thinner wall than 1/4" sockets? allow for better clearance?

So let me say, I don't need nut drivers, at least right now. But it got me thinking. What am I missing? What's the downside to using what I have in this way? I see a lot of mechanics whose drawers have a full set of nut drivers, while most electricians I know carry 2-3. Are they one of those 'sometimes you need it and only it' tools or are they just more for convenience? I'm guessing either way they're used more often than I've needed them regardless.

Basically it all comes down to this. I don't need them. I really don't want them but for a 'set completer' and you know how that goes.

They have their place I just don't have much of a place for them!

On recessed fasteners (usually interior bolts) sometimes a socket won't fit if it's not 1/4" (or it won't be straight on the fastener) even then there might be swing issues with the ratchet (I'm thinking of a radio mounting bolt). Nutdriver=much faster though you can work around things with extensions or stubby ratchets or whatever you choose. It's just another weapon in your arsenal pretty much. Never something I'd pay high end prices for (this set is kind of expensive in my opinion especially if it's chinese but looks complete). If you find yourself using a specific size all the time then might want to grab a good one, people usually recommend klein and I see no reason not to continue that recommendation. Of course, cheaper stuff does the same thing. I have craftsman usa ones, they're fine but not "klein comfortable". I also have a clearance husky set with interchangeable blades (sae sizes though). My sae nutdriver set is companion (sears consumer grade) and the handles are actually better than the regular craftsman ones in my opinion but the steel is obviously not so hot but workable.

These are once in a while tools for most guys like t handle hex and t handle torx. Sometimes nothing else is going to work without disassembly you don't want to do which is why if you buy hex sockets they should always be extra long and ball end. Ball end torx is somewhat more difficult to find especially in extra long. Or using bits. I hate bits but much cheaper to deal with odd situations that way.

 

[Biomed]

They will. I have used that set with my Snap On ratcheting driver quite frequently.

Wonder why Snap-on does not make nut driver shafts like those? Sure would make the SO ratcheting screwdriver more versatile.

Sometimes I wonder who makes product decisions at Snap-on. They sell 1/4" hex bits but no non-ratcheting bit driver (they are all discontinued.) They sell ratcheting screwdriver handles but then discontinued the slotted, torx and phillips shanks for some time (fortunately they are available again.)

It's pretty ironic that folks (me included) buy the GearWrench nutdriver shafts and then use the GW shafts with Snap-on ratcheting handles.

 

[Fcvapor05]

Wonder why Snap-on does not make nut driver shafts like those? Sure would make the SO ratcheting screwdriver more versatile.

Sometimes I wonder who makes product decisions at Snap-on. They sell 1/4" hex bits but no non-ratcheting bit driver (they are all discontinued.) They sell ratcheting screwdriver handles but then discontinued the slotted, torx and phillips shanks for some time (fortunately they are available again.)

It's pretty ironic that folks (me included) buy the GearWrench nutdriver shafts and then use the GW shafts with Snap-on ratcheting handles.

Well, how is a screwdriver where the whole shaft comes out to change the tip superior to one where just the tip needs changing? Serious question.

 

[NoahG]

Well, how is a screwdriver where the whole shaft comes out to change the tip superior to one where just the tip needs changing? Serious question.

Clearance can be an issue with the insert bit style drivers. I know I've had that issue with fasteners in deep recessed holes before.

 

[Fcvapor05]

Clearance can be an issue with the insert bit style drivers. I know I've had that issue with fasteners in deep recessed holes before.

Fair enough. That's pretty obvious but I didn't think of it. I've never had that problem but I can see the need if you run into it a lot.

 

[franzdom]

I like the whole shaft dedicated style to have one set up always for PH2. Also have one set up for 1/4" hex bits and another for 1/4" square drive.

 

[48RON54]

I use nutdrivers alot, i have a standard set of kleins and cheap set of metrics from auto store I use at work. For home I have a complete standard and metric craftsman set. The 10mm gets used most at work. I always try to use nut drivers on hose clamps, I hate using a straight blade screwdriver on hose clamps

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I'm ashamed to admit I've never used the nut driver for hose clamps and that is a good use for them. I also hate using a screwdriver for them. Usually I'm fumbling around with midget wrenches or a combination of socket/extension etc to get in there. Thanks for the tip.

 

[NewEdgePerf]

I use my metric Wiha nut drivers all the time...


But I also use my SO 1/4" extension handle and 1/4" deep sockets a bunch as well, usually if something needs more torque than I can get with a screwdriver handle. They don't seem to make those extension handles any more, current versions don't have the 1/4" female on the top so you can plug a ratchet into them... Real shame, one of my favorite tools!

I like the looks of that! Does any other tool company offer such a handle with the 1/4 drive opening in the top of the handle?

Tony D