LTT Ratcheting Screwdriver

[KnurledNut]

Linus Tech Tips is releasing a new ratcheting screwdriver.
Their goal was to build the best one on the market.

They seem to have invested considerable time and development into this project, with significant attention to detail.
There was a live stream yesterday of an event show where buyers could get early product access, give feedback, as well as technical info and a teardown from the engineer, and a really cool torque test challenge with participants. The abuse it took was impressive.
The screwdriver is geared (no pun intended) toward computer building, but seems well suited for general use.

I have my own impressions and criticisms, but ill reserve them for now.
Any feedback from those that already got their hands on one?
I hope this driver does well for them, and its great to see innovative competition going up against the big brands.

The screwdriver:
https://www.lttstore.com/products/screwdriver

The teaser:

The live stream:

 

[Professional Tool User]

The market for screwdrivers, even ratcheting ones is already overcrowded. This seems to be a case of an influencer selling his own product. Very few people who know about all the options out there would pay $70 for this particular ratcheting screwdriver. This is Snap on level pricing. I doubt he will ever be able to spread out his fixed costs (R&D, tooling etc.) enough to bring his unit costs down enough to compete with most of the options out there. Not once in the video did he show any new and practical design features that make it stand out from the competition. And even then, sometimes keeping things cheap and simple makes more sense when you are trying to generate sales. My Snap on ratcheting screwdriver is gathering dust in my tool box while I'm using my Rolgear gearless ratcheting screwdriver most of the time. If I were him, I'd be selling cordless precision screwdrivers and power grade precision bits that meet my standards instead of a ratcheting screwdriver.

 

[Fedwrench]

I didn't watch the linked video but, does the driver offer the ability to change blade lengths like some snap on and Gearwrench provide for?
The screwdriver I use most is an old Snap on CT761 7.2V really small cordless driver.

 

[KnurledNut]

I didn't watch the linked video but, does the driver offer the ability to change blade lengths like some snap on and Gearwrench provide for?

No.

 

[DadsTools]

I worked in the PC computer service, building and repair business for many years. Never once had I ever a need for a ratcheting screwdriver. The problem is that there is very little torque tension on a PC screw to require a ratchet. Always used long shank screwdrivers--once you break the screw loose, you can grab the shank with the fingers of the other hand and just twirl the screw right out. Some laptops have sufficiently recessed screws where a bit holder is not going to fit down. When you're working inside a case, a large screwdriver like a ratcheting one can also serve as both a visual and operating space obstruction. From a PC perspective, it's a solution in search of a problem. Perhaps it may find a home in mechanical or carpentry work, but as already mentioned, that's a flooded market with recognized brand names selling for much cheaper. Good luck.

 

[scooby074]

Linus is a tool all right.

 

[neersighted]

I'm interested in this as I use a lot of screwdrivers in low torque applications and backdrag is a issue with most ratcheting drivers that keeps me from using them as much as I like. It has been claimed that this screwdriver has less backdrag than Snap-On or PB Swiss, which makes the price palatable to me as I would love a competitor to the two backdrag top dogs, which are priced similarly.

Also, the bit storage looks nice. PB Swiss's storage is okay, but unbalances the tool and makes half of the soft-grip handle hard plastic. Snap-On's solution is awful as you have to dump the bits out and they rattle. There are cheaper competitors with better bit storage like Wera and MegaPro, but the back drag of the Wera is very high and I don't like MegaPro's handles at all.

 

[Bubba Fett]

Watching the first video I noticed him say "We collaborated with Megapro...for the ratcheting and bit storage..."

I thought as much. Just get the Megapro Ratcheting Automotive (magnetic version) and save yourself some money.

 

[KnurledNut]

Watching the first video I noticed him say "We collaborated with Megapro...for the ratcheting and bit storage..."

I thought as much. Just get the Megapro Ratcheting Automotive (magnetic version) and save yourself some money.

If you are implying they are one and the same, im afraid you are mistaken and uninformed. Do a little more research before firing your gun.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

The best computer, ratcheting screwdriver I ever used/found, was a $7.99 thing from an autoparts store. Similar features to above, plus the magnet was on an extension inside the shaft, so the inevitable dropped screw, could be retrieved from tight spots, easily.

 

[Bubba Fett]

If you are implying they are one and the same, im afraid you are mistaken and uninformed. Do a little more research before firing your gun.

I'm implying that they are using Megapro's ratcheting mechanism, and bit storage system, which is what the guy said at 1:34 in the first video.

 

[Jsf721]

I have a bunch of different ratcheting screw drivers.

Williams

Snap On

Husky

All of them work OK my favorite is the snap on which it equal the the williams - less the knurled shaft. I use that a lot to get the screw started.

Now that I have spent time with the above I have to say that I prefer a regular driver or a 4 in 1 because I have dropped too many bit to keep count of

 

[CallumRD1]

I'm implying that they are using Megapro's ratcheting mechanism, and bit storage system, which is what the guy said at 1:34 in the first video.

It is not as simple as that. Dig a little deeper and you'll find very substantial differences, some positive and some less so that make them very different products despite licensing Megapro's intellectual property.

 

[neersighted]

I'm implying that they are using Megapro's ratcheting mechanism, and bit storage system, which is what the guy said at 1:34 in the first video.

To be clear, they are using the licensed bit storage only, but with their own molds/iteration on the retention system. They are also using their own ratchet mechanism that was derived from the Megapro, but has a much lighter backdrag and has the direction ring reversed to match Snap-on/opposite of Megapro.

 

[4xdog]

If you are implying they are one and the same, im afraid you are mistaken and uninformed. Do a little more research before firing your gun.

You seem to know more about the Megapro "collaboration" than the information presented in the video, @KnurledNut. Do enlighten us, please.

From a casual observer's point of view, @Bubba Fett seems to make a reasonable point. Help us understand what about the ratchet mechanism and bit holder is unique to LTT.

 

[Professional Tool User]

I'm interested in this as I use a lot of screwdrivers in low torque applications and backdrag is a issue with most ratcheting drivers that keeps me from using them as much as I like. It has been claimed that this screwdriver has less backdrag than Snap-On or PB Swiss, which makes the price palatable to me as I would love a competitor to the two backdrag top dogs, which are priced similarly.

They are also using their own ratchet mechanism that was derived from the Megapro, but has a much lighter backdrag and has the direction ring reversed to match Snap-on/opposite of Megapro.

At the end of the day, even if LTT reworked Megapro's ratcheting mechanism, it's still a geared system. This is the equivalent of trying to reinvent the wheel and arriving at a dead end. Snap on's ratcheting screwdriver mechanism is already pretty smooth, so anything beyond that is chasing after diminishing returns. If the goal is to eliminate backdrag, getting rid of the gears like Rolgear did is the logical solution.

4″ Ratchet Bit Driver – Rolgear

www.rolgear.com

Multibit Ratchet Screwdriver 8 Tips (Power Bits) – Rolgear

www.rolgear.com

If LTT had to write up a business plan and go ask the bank for financing, this project would be a non starter.

 

[neersighted]

At the end of the day, even if LTT reworked Megapro's ratcheting mechanism, it's still a geared system. This is the equivalent of trying to reinvent the wheel and arriving at a dead end. Snap on's ratcheting screwdriver mechanism is already pretty smooth, so anything beyond that is chasing after diminishing returns. If the goal is to eliminate backdrag, getting rid of the gears like Rolgear did is the logical solution.

4″ Ratchet Bit Driver – Rolgear

www.rolgear.com

Multibit Ratchet Screwdriver 8 Tips (Power Bits) – Rolgear

www.rolgear.com

If LTT had to write up a business plan and go ask the bank for financing, this project would be a non starter.

By that logic Koken's low backdrag ratchet and years of R&D before competing in the fine tooth ratchet space were a waste because a F80 is good enough and gears are a technological dead end...

The Rolgear is alright, but having used a (well-used sample) from a coworker I prefer my PB Swiss to it, or even a Snap-on, because the tool reverses accidentally, the bit storage is clunky (I dislike Picquic-style drivers as using regular 1/4" hex bits is cumbersome) and the bits are poor quality (my coworker had half the bits remaining due to breakage).

I'm not sure if I'm going to like this LTT driver, but the my hopes for it are something similar in feel/quality to PB Swiss or Snap-on, but lower backdrag. If it can meet those expectations it will be my new daily driver.

 

[dukefx]

It's my first post here and I have to criticize already...

I imagine this screwdriver is meant for the LTT folk who mostly do PC building. The handle design is for high torque applications and faster rotation would be preferable, so a total miss. Ratcheting mechanism on screwdrivers is personal preference but I absolutely hate using it for small screws/low torque, you know... the ones you need for PCs. The knurling will be used once every blue moon due to lack of space which is the case most of the time. Besides, if you can't feel it, just buy a torque screwdriver. I have no idea about the handle material, but it looks to be fully plastic which is yet another turn off.

The only positive thing I can say is the bit storage. It looks sturdy.

I would absolutely not buy it, especially not for the price of 2 Wiha 26-in-1s.

 

[KnurledNut]

You seem to know more about the Megapro "collaboration" than the information presented in the video, @KnurledNut. Do enlighten us, please.

From a casual observer's point of view, @Bubba Fett seems to make a reasonable point. Help us understand what about the ratchet mechanism and bit holder is unique to LTT.

Im not here to do your homework.
If you are actually interested, watch the livestream.
They review all the details.

 

[m6z]

Looks nice. I'm not a guy who buys $70 screwdrivers though..

Nice to seen new products. Hope it's a successful venture.

 

[4xdog]

Im not here to do your homework.
If you are actually interested, watch the livestream.
They review all the details.

So you make an original post to tout their offering, but won't say more? Odd.

I'm outta here.

 

[BillMoney]

For $70 I might as well just buy a Snappy then

 

[neersighted]

Interesting to see that people are more skeptical of this than the MetMo Driver Kickstarter, given this product is self-funded, developed with an experienced manufacturing/engineering partner, and differentiates itself well against like-priced competition.

I will be ordering one day one and will be happy to report back how it compares against my Snap-on, PB Swiss, Wera, and Klein.

 

[Professional Tool User]

By that logic Koken's low backdrag ratchet and years of R&D before competing in the fine tooth ratchet space were a waste because a F80 is good enough and gears are a technological dead end...

The Rolgear is alright, but having used a (well-used sample) from a coworker I prefer my PB Swiss to it, or even a Snap-on, because the tool reverses accidentally, the bit storage is clunky (I dislike Picquic-style drivers as using regular 1/4" hex bits is cumbersome) and the bits are poor quality (my coworker had half the bits remaining due to breakage).

Your analogy is problematic. You are talking about R and D efforts done long before a competitor came along and started a new trend. This tool is an example of a naive person failing to bring any practical innovations to the table that go beyond nitpicking. As for Rolgear I'm unsure of what you did to make it accidentally reverse. I never had any issues with the mechanism. Problems that I did encounter include the handle not being chemical resistant and the markings wearing off. In regards to the bits, I would say that they are at least halfway decent though obviously not as nice the expensive German bits out there. At the end of the day, bits are consumables. If you don't like the bits that come with the tool, you can always buy other bits separately. I initially purchased the model without bit storage for that specific reason before adding the model with bit storage.

 

[Bubba Fett]

I wish them the best of luck, but I still don't think the features are worth the asking price. Considering a MegaPro (a known quality product, from which this is derived) is half the price, and a Snap-On is the same price while being a proven product with an excellent warranty, this is a hard sell.

It's a cool driver, but there's nothing here that I don't already have. I used to build and repair PC's for a living (still do occasionally) and I've always preferred a non-ratcheting (and sometime non-magnetic) driver for that. Most of the time the screws are not long enough to necessitate such a feature, and I like to "feel" the threads. A wall-plate or something with a long, finely threaded screw is where a ratcheting driver is best, but even then, I can spin a regular one just as fast.

 

[KnurledNut]

Interesting to see that people are more skeptical of this than the Metmo driver Kickstarter, given this product is self-funded, developed with an experienced manufacturing/engineering partner, and differentiates itself well against like-priced competition.

I will be ordering one day one and will be happy to report back how it compares against my Snap-on, PB Swiss, Wera, and Klein.

Ive been using the hard handle Snap-on for years, and would be hard-pressed to convert. But I have a love/hate relationship with it.
This new driver seems like a solid product and appears very user friendly.
Their attention to minimize backdrag is huge in my book, and love that they took the time and steps to ensure quality.
There are not many drivers on the market that will withstand the abuse Snap-on does. This one seems to handle its own.
Im interested to see how it does when Project Farm tests it.

I just found out about it yesterday, but apparently its been in the works for quite some time.
I like MegaPro and am glad they partnered with them. I was actually the one who helped their team name the current TrueGrip screwdriver years ago.
LTT's refinements are well thought out and I'm glad he kept a simple form factor. I do wish it came in other colors, as we all know what happens to black tools. Orange would be awesome.

 

[mike93lx]

The people watching LTT aren't snap on customers and most probably don't even know snap on exists.

He'll sell a ton because his fans are enthusiastic and numerous.

 

[KnurledNut]

The people watching LTT aren't snap on customers and most probably don't even know snap on exists.

He'll sell a ton because his fans are enthusiastic and numerous.

He has been using a Snap-on ratcheting screwdriver for a long time, something his fans are well aware of.
Thats what prompted this idea for one better suited to his use.
He has sold over 20,000 of his $250 backpack. Thats $5M.
And with 14.8M channel subscribers, the clientele base is there.

 

[AirMech#406]

It looks like a nice driver. But not PB Swiss or Snap-On-price-range-nice.
I like the bit storage.
I hate that he went with the Tri-lobe design but that is becuase I hate all tri-lobe drivers.

I think there is a good chance he will be successful despite what anybody here on GJ may think. Not because the driver will be the best thing since sliced bread, but because he probably has quite a few dedicated followers who are interested in the driver. He may not appeal to the average auto tech, DIYer, or even electronic repair tech, but the guy's channel has 14.8 million subscribers. Even if only 5% of his subs are interested in the driver, that is still over 700,000 customers.

Additionally, it looks like Project Farm will be doing a test video comparing the LTT to name brands. Love him or hate him, a lot of folks use PF videos to inform their purchasing decisions, so that is a factor that could either help or hurt the LTT driver's popularity as well.

 

[Ton ton]

Is it going to be available in brick and mortar stores in the USA?

 

[AirMech#406]

Is it going to be available in brick and mortar stores in the USA?

Doubt it, but i'm unsure.

 

[Ton ton]

Doubt it, but i'm unsure.

Thank you.

 

[Professional Tool User]

He may not appeal to the average auto tech, DIYer, or even electronic repair tech, but the guy's channel has 14.8 million subscribers. Even if only 5% of his subs are interested in the driver, that is still over 700,000 customers.

This is the problem with influencer marketing. A lot of influencers, especially the desperate ones are willing to sell out their integrity by advertising a questionable product for a few thousand dollars. The products/services they advertise have a tendency to exhibit one or a combination of the following characteristics including low quality, overpriced, impractical, dishonest/misleading etc. This is why I automatically skip parts of youtube videos where the youtuber is introducing the sponsor.

 

[neersighted]

This is the problem with influencer marketing. The products/services they advertise have a tendency to exhibit one or a combination of the following characteristics including low quality, overpriced, impractical, dishonest/misleading etc. This is why I automatically skip parts of youtube videos where the youtuber is introducing the sponsor.

I'm still really baffled by where all this kneejerk dislike comes from. This seems to simply be a daily tool user redesigning and then selling their dream screwdriver after being dissatisfied with the state of the market. Maybe it's a mediocre tool, but outside the professional tool users leaving reviews on the store page, the tool simply hasn't made its way out to many demanding users yet.

It seems like people are usually inclined to give the benefit of the doubt, especially with a passion project like this. The pricing is high but not unreasonable compared to their stated direct competitors, and they clearly want to get this right and have improved on an established, respected design.

I see this as no different to the titanium/carbon fiber ratchet that a forum member is working on -- it may not be for all people, but some of us are excited about it and willing to take a risk on an unproven manufacturer as the engineering and product design look compelling enough to give the product a shot. More competition will be good, and even though ratcheting screwdrivers are not as niche as a ultralight ratchet made from exotic materials, it's still a small market where the options are generally all well-known and there is room to stand out.

It's also worth noting that while they're not claiming Made in Canada for this driver, the split of components made overseas vs in Canada is the same as MegaPro (and assembly is all in Canada), who does claim MiC -- so maybe they will in the future? Regardless, it's a new tool at least partially made in NA.

Anyway, I'd love to see people wait for the tools to ship and share their actual impressions here, instead of bellyaching about how they don't like Youtube. For those that like Project Farm, evidently he has already been sent several sample drivers as well, and will be including them in an upcoming video.

 

[mike93lx]

I'm still really baffled by where all this kneejerk dislike comes from. This seems to simply be a daily tool user redesigning and then selling their dream screwdriver after being dissatisfied with the state of the market. Maybe it's a mediocre tool, but outside the professional tool users leaving reviews on the store page, the tool simply hasn't made its way out to many demanding users yet.

It seems like people are usually inclined to give the benefit of the doubt, especially with a passion project like this. The pricing is high but not unreasonable compared to their stated direct competitors, and they clearly want to get this right and have improved on an established, respected design.

I see this as no different to the titanium/carbon fiber ratchet that a forum member is working on -- it may not be for all people, but some of us are excited about it and willing to take a risk on an unproven manufacturer as the engineering and product design look compelling enough to give the product a shot. More competition will be good, and even though ratcheting screwdrivers are not as niche as a ultralight ratchet made from exotic materials, it's still a small market where the options are generally all well-known and there is room to stand out.

It's also worth noting that while they're not claiming Made in Canada for this driver, the split of components made overseas vs in Canada is the same as MegaPro (and assembly is all in Canada), who does claim MiC -- so maybe they will in the future? Regardless, it's a new NA tool manufacturer, however limited the product line.

Anyway, I'd love to see people wait for the tools to ship and share their actual impressions here, instead of bellyaching about how they don't like Youtube. For those that like Project Farm, evidently he has already been sent several sample drivers as well, and will be including them in an upcoming video.

You seem really invested in defending Linus. You his buddy? A shill?

I watch a lot of YouTube and agree on all the merch and device/tool pushes. These are generally people whose sole qualification was buying a smartphone. They all push the same ****, whatever the flavor of the month is

 

[neersighted]

You seem really invested in defending Linus. You his buddy? A shill?

I'm hardly defending LTT -- I just find it bizarre how unwilling people are to give a product like this a shot (especially in light of how little of this criticism has been leveled at the MetMo Driver, a Kickstarter from a manufacturer of desk toys that brings back a vintage ratcheting screwdriver design that is much more toy than serious tool in modern usage) when clearly a lot of effort has been put into differentiating from the competition and solving complaints real tool users have.

I have no affiliation whatsoever with LTT, I merely am a professional tool user, and I own a good spread of the competing products: Snap-on, PB Swiss, Wera, Klein, and electric screwdrivers from Milwaukee, Dewalt, and whoever rebrands for the current batch of Craftsman.

I've already stated upthread why I'm interested in giving this a shot -- they've expressed many of the same issues I have with existing ratcheting screwdrivers, have demonstrated in hands on product tests (much less hokey than Milwaukee, even) that they have improved, and have talked about the engineering and product design decisions/compromises they made at length.

I've taken a leap of faith before on expensive products in this space (see: Snappy, PB Swiss) and while I haven't been exactly let down, I haven't found the tool I was looking for yet either. Given these people both share my concerns/pain points and can intelligently talk about designing a tool to address them, I'm wiling to give them a chance.

 

[neersighted]

Also worth noting that none of this hostility existed for the xDrill, a product made by people who were clearly not tool users, Kickstarted, and that remains vaporware several years later.

 

[mike93lx]

Also worth noting that none of this hostility existed for the xDrill, a product made by people who were clearly not tool users, Kickstarted, and that remains vaporware several years later.

A search yields not even a single post on it.

Yes, you are defending LTT

 

[neersighted]

A search yields not even a single post on it.

Yes, you are defending LTT

That's my point -- it was much more aggressively marketed, including via Youtube ads and Toolguyd at the time, and there was not a mention of it here.

If saying "give people who clearly use and can talk about designing tools a shot, and judge their tools by their tools" is defending them, sure. I would say that for any new manufacturer who is able to project similar credibility when talking about their new product. However it appears that most people in this thread would rather write off any tool that comes from a manufacturer they have some prejudice against (e.g. a company better known for Youtube videos).

 

[mike93lx]

That's my point -- it was much more aggressively marketed, including via Youtube ads and Toolguyd at the time, and there was not a mention of it here.

I am puzzled at why that is relevant. It isn't like there has been thread after thread on the screwdriver...this is the only one.