As the title says is anyone only using ratcheting screwdrivers? I recently got a couple of Snap On and Williams ratcheting screwdrivers and find myself using my regular screwdrivers less and less. I don't really expect them to replace all of my screwdrivers. I have about 60+ screwdrivers. I have a mix of Craftsman Pro, Craftsman, Snap On, Klein, Wiha etc. I don't turn wrenches for a living but I am working on cars or other projects 4 or 5 days a week in my home garage. Here is a pic of the Snap On when I 1st got it and the Williams.
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Anyone only using ratcheting screwdrivers?
- Thread starter mopar66
- Start date
rlitman
Well-known member
I use them more than I use their fixed blade friends. There are times when a hex bit just doesn't fit right, or I need something really long...
rburke65
Well-known member
No, I do not. Ant think they would be any faster.......IMO.
Zrexxer
Well-known member
I've got a three or four ratcheting drivers, and I can't remember ever using one. I always reach for a conventional screwdriver.
n8n
Well-known member
I use 'em for space savings... sometimes you need a regular one though, usually a #2 Phillips for a screw recessed in a hole. Not often on automotive apps but around the house.
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Uncle_Charlie
Well-known member
I have one of the cheapies from Lowes or Home Depot that carries multiple bits in the handle. For a long time, I've carried it in a motorcycle tool kit for emergency type situations- more for the multiple bit aspect of it than the ratcheting function. Fortunately I've never needed it in an emergency situation. But if I'm at home, I'll use a fixed handle over the ratcheting version every time.
I use one http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-68-010-Multibit-Ratcheting-Screwdriver/dp/B00009OYGWat work almost everyday. I need to use torx a lot. Being able to swap bits is important to me. It is a pain when using it and it is turned the wrong direction or your only able to get one hand in the area and it's turned wrong.
Vegaman_Dan
Well-known member
Can't use them as a pry / lever tool, nor can you tap them on the end with a hammer without risking damage to the mechanism.
Nope. No need for them in my garage.
Nope. No need for them in my garage.
Jarhead0408
Well-known member
I've got one or two, but I prefer regular drivers to be honest.
koondog
Well-known member
I think they have their uses. I find I use mine quite often in the garage. Works very well for me especially on interior jobs. It is magnetic so that may be why it seems so useful to me. But it isn't a replacement for all the other drivers.
RVDan
Well-known member
I use mine constantly. I only use a conventional when the screw is in a recessed hole that the multi screwdriver won't fit into. I don't carry the whole kit with me, just the basics in the handle, and I do get annoyed sometimes having to dump all the bits out into my hand to get the correct one but it beats the uncomfortable handle of a Picquic.
quattroJoe
Well-known member
Most of the time I use standard drivers, I find that the bit holder on the ratcheting deals often make it difficult to get into tight spaces. Mainly only use the ratcheting driver if I'm going to be sitting disassembling something with several of the same fasteners. They're great for bench work.
Onefastgsx
Well-known member
My gearwrench set with ratcheting handle and T handle is typically my go-to set for most cases. It has alot of bits and 1/4 drive sockets as well. But my regular screwdrivers definitely have their place, and are still often used.
sonvolt
Well-known member
I have the snap on and williams versions and love em use them everyday
ihateminimumwage
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2012
- Messages
- 3,963
Besides my impact driver, I used the hell out of my ratcheting drivers (Snap-On hard handle and Williams T-handle) my last couple of shop jobs and for automotive side work. Only pulled out the regular drivers for scraping or prying anymore.
Current place of employment; I mostly work out of my field service bags whether out on site or in the shop. I learned fixed handle versions are needed, as most people seem to think the area on their property with the deepest mud (usually under a drip line) is the best place to install their backup generator. Bits and 2"+ deep mud (or 4"+ deep snow) don't mix, and I'm not going to be held up on a job losing one stupid bit. Fixed blade screwdrivers, Torx, and nut drivers it is now.
Current place of employment; I mostly work out of my field service bags whether out on site or in the shop. I learned fixed handle versions are needed, as most people seem to think the area on their property with the deepest mud (usually under a drip line) is the best place to install their backup generator. Bits and 2"+ deep mud (or 4"+ deep snow) don't mix, and I'm not going to be held up on a job losing one stupid bit. Fixed blade screwdrivers, Torx, and nut drivers it is now.
nicksnothereman
Well-known member
As the title says is anyone only using ratcheting screwdrivers? I recently got a couple of Snap On and Williams ratcheting screwdrivers and find myself using my regular screwdrivers less and less. I don't really expect them to replace all of my screwdrivers. I have about 60+ screwdrivers. I have a mix of Craftsman Pro, Craftsman, Snap On, Klein, Wiha etc. I don't turn wrenches for a living but I am working on cars or other projects 4 or 5 days a week in my home garage. Here is a pic of the Snap On when I 1st got it and the Williams.
I always end up stripping bits when using a ratcheting screwdriver (but not a bit socket on ratchet setup oddly) so I try to avoid them at this point. Depends on what you're doing/how long the screws are to be honest.
I hate ratcheting screwdrivers. Doesn't save me any time and drives me nuts when they are on the wrong direction.
You're using them wrong, using the wrong brand, or both.
I have a few snap on ratcheting drivers and the beauty is how little drag they have and the round, knurled shaft. I spin my shafts while applying light pressure on the handle to quickly run in or out a machine screw. Then torque them. It's the spin that saves time and effort. I can usually apply the pressure and spin the shaft with the same hand.
Some of the guys at work listened to my preaching but are cheap and bought kobalt or other brands. Tons more resistance, difficult to spin shafts, defeats the purpose. I agree, THOSE **** and don't save time.
Jarhead0408
Well-known member
Gotta say though. I've got a Kobalt ratcheting 1/4" bit driver that is the bee's knee's when it comes to spinning out screws and bolts during HVAC repairs. Especially with the super logn extensions that came with my kit.
Ridge Runner
Well-known member
My ratcheting screwdriver is my go-to driver. It drove me crazy having to check it every time to see which direction it was set on, but I took a sharpie and marked I and O (on and off) at the detents. Now, using it is a snap. I've never had an issue with putting too much torque on it. The only time it doesn't work well for me is when the shank is too wide to fit into a screw hole.
Mine is the hard-handled Craftsman that Mac also sells/sold.
Mine is the hard-handled Craftsman that Mac also sells/sold.
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shampoop
Well-known member
I have one. I use it every once and a while and try to find it a purpose, but realize that unless you can't have a cordless drill around, there's not much use for one. A cordless drill for doing 90+% of the long screws and a standard non ratcheting screwdriver for the last bit is the most effective and preferable. Fastest, least repetitive strain, still have full power/grip with the standard driver.
vincentshumai
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2014
- Messages
- 86
Dont own any ratcheting screwdrivers yet but the Williams and the Wera one is in my amazon wishlist. Just trying to decide which one to get between the two
rlitman
Well-known member
You're using them wrong, using the wrong brand, or both.
I have a few snap on ratcheting drivers and the beauty is how little drag they have and the round, knurled shaft. I spin my shafts while applying light pressure on the handle to quickly run in or out a machine screw. Then torque them. It's the spin that saves time and effort. I can usually apply the pressure and spin the shaft with the same hand.
Some of the guys at work listened to my preaching but are cheap and bought kobalt or other brands. Tons more resistance, difficult to spin shafts, defeats the purpose. I agree, THOSE **** and don't save time.
Yep. you understand!
As for Kobalt, they did sell a ratcheting screwdriver that was the equal to the Gearwrench. Still not SnapOn quality, but a decent second. They also sell some ****.
Dave455
Well-known member
I own some ratcheting drivers, and use 'em a lot, but they don't replace a conventional driver!
Like any ratchet, I wouldn't like to apply a lot of torque, so it's always a conventional driver I use for loosening a tight screw. Likewise if I've got really big or really small screws to deal with!
As soon as I've got any volume of screws to tackle I go for the ratchet! Love the Snap On T handle style - good tools and really well thought out! The hard handle stubby is nice too!
Like any ratchet, I wouldn't like to apply a lot of torque, so it's always a conventional driver I use for loosening a tight screw. Likewise if I've got really big or really small screws to deal with!
As soon as I've got any volume of screws to tackle I go for the ratchet! Love the Snap On T handle style - good tools and really well thought out! The hard handle stubby is nice too!
warmpancakes
Well-known member
if I used them they would get dirty,
When ever there is a post that poses the question "What is the best tool purchase you have ever made" or something similar the Snap On ratcheting screwdriver is always top runner. That speaks volumes I would say. They don't replace every screwdriver everytime but they are probably the most reached for tool if a guy owns one.
You're using them wrong, using the wrong brand, or both.
I have a few snap on ratcheting drivers and the beauty is how little drag they have and the round, knurled shaft. I spin my shafts while applying light pressure on the handle to quickly run in or out a machine screw. Then torque them. It's the spin that saves time and effort. I can usually apply the pressure and spin the shaft with the same hand.
The assembly/dissaembly of bits itself is a hassle. I have a good one and like it for the purpsoses you outline here, but that is not the only purpose of a driver. Alot of use cases don't involve a complete threading of a fastener, like spot checks for loose fasteners, and for these applications, and for adjustments using flat heads, etc...the speed and precision of a standard driver wins the day.
So I say horses for courses with this...neither is a perfect substitue for the other.
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Todd.Brock
Well-known member
I use my ratcheting screwdriver for everything. Only thing I use a smaller flathead is for switch plates and outlet covers. I like the storage in the head of the driver and the fact you can choose a locked position if you don't want it to ratchet. I have six of them for some reason.
Cope
Well-known member
Snap On Stubby ratcheting driver is probably my most used.
I use mine a lot also. Use it and my regular shank SO on things like dashboard Phillips head screws. For most work I use standard drivers.
This is the right answer. I feel like a toolbox is incomplete without it if what you do involves hand tools at all. But it isn't a replacement for standard drivers.So I say horses for courses with this...neither is a perfect substitue for the other.
By that logic turning a standard driver with a hex bolster you sometimes need a rat wrench and sometimes a standard wrench.
The same way you don't always use a power driver. You need different tools for different solutions. For instance, when I do work on my interior car, I can remove anything with the impact driver but I put it all back together with a standard or rat driver so I don't destroy all the old plastic.