Ultimate Interchangeable Blade Screwdriver Set?

pizza · Dec 8, 2020

i'm interested in a nice interchangeable blade screwdriver set because it presents an attractive compromise of features (in theory):

inexpensive
compact
can hit recessed screws
blades could be used in electric driver (if they're "power bits")

wera makes several nice looking sets (some of them based on power bits) in the kraftform kompact line:
https://products.wera.de/en/kraftform_kompakt.html

but my experience with their Rapidaptor bit holder is that it suffers from bit wobble as shown in this vid:

this T-handle set looks cool, but it's got the wobbly rapidaptor:
https://products.wera.de/en/kraftfo...rchangeable_blades_kraftform_kompakt_400.html

here's an interesting set featuring a ratchet and double-ended blades:
https://products.wera.de/en/kraftfo...n_work_kraftform_kompakt_vario_ra_sb_sis.html

it doesn't seem to use the normal rapidaptor. has anyone used it? wondering how much wobble it has.

i think my wish list for a handle would be:

accepts power bits
minimal bit wobble (axial deflection)
nice ratcheting mechanism that can also be locked (with minimal play)
good ergonomics
T-handle option possible?

i have this bit holder from wiha, and it checks a lot of boxes:
https://www.wihatools.com/wiha-centrofix-1-4-power-blade-handle

it's not ratcheting, but its centrofix bit holder is the best i've used. there's virtually no wobble, which is important for longer bits. i think it's the same as wiha rapidfix, but it also seems similar to festool centrotec. anyone know the history/connections?

so, with all that said, i'm thinking of building a set around that wiha centrofix handle, pbswiss E6L bits, and sticking them in a tool roll, maybe like what i currently use for my wiha precision drivers:

^ see top of first pic

is there something as good as that wiha centrofix handle that also ratchets?
what about something with a T-handle?

do you guys have a setup you like more?

i know pbswiss makes some interchangeable blade sets (215 and 225 series), but how's the wobble? and unfortunately, unlike their E6L bits, 215/225 couldn't be used in my electric drivers i think.

215:

225:

nelstomlinson · Dec 8, 2020

Snap On makes a set of six blades for their ratcheting screwdriver, but that's not exactly what you're looking for. It is a nice ratchet handle, though.

jptbay · Dec 8, 2020

I like the Felo smart set.

measuredtwice · Dec 9, 2020

The Wiha Clickfix is for insert bits whereas the Wiha Centrofix is for power bits. I'm not sure about the Rapidfix.

Wiha makes the Festool Centrotec. IIRC there's 2 versions of the Festool. The old requires an adapter. The new one is the same as the Wiha and is shown in the video.

I agree that the Wiha holds bits much more securely than the Wera. The Wera is a bit wobbly.

A set with the Wiha handle and PB Swiss bits would be very nice. You might also look for deals on the Felo bits as a more economical set. I've gotten LOTS of deals on the bits from retail clearances and/or coupons. I like the PB Swiss bits but the Felo bits are very good and I've paid 1/3 the price for them.

One thing nice about the 215 is the knurling on the shafts. I wish that was available on their fixed drivers. Dave455 (?) posted some comments about the wobble on the 215. IIRC he had an old one that was pretty solid and a new one that was a bit more wobbly.

RoundedNut · Dec 9, 2020

Ya the Wera Rapidaptor is NFG due to the excess wobble with long bits. I haven't tried the wiha Centrofix but the Malco CONNEXT quick releases are hard to beat for a stable hold and low cost.

For firmer hold, spring/friction holders like those found on Vessel and Anex handles are good.

For the most firm hold, you'll have to go to collet mechanisms like Lee Valley's Veritas handle. This is my best bit driver.

I prefer 1/4"/6.35mm hex bits over the brand specific 6mm hex bits used by some Euro and Japanese brands.

I don't get too attached to bits as they are consumables that I share with my power tools but Vessel, wiha and some industrial brands like Vega are my "good" bits.

I don't like kit boxes/wallets because they are too bulky so I just stick them into an available pocket in my tool bags. They are not eggs so I'm not sure why they need all that padded protection.

username2 · Dec 9, 2020

jptbay said:
I like the Felo smart set.

I've got a couple of those (screwdriver blade, nutdriver) in my cool-stuff-I-dont-really-use-much hoard and they really do work pretty well. The handle has that hex fitting in the middle thing which strikes me as a good idea.

Dunno how you would use their blades in a power tool though.

I just checked, and the Felo blades wobble about 1/32 of an inch at the end, quite a lot less than the Wera bit-holding handle...which to be fair is intended for a different use. Obviously, there's a limit to the size of the business end of the Felo set (it's reversible) so you aren't going to have a great big flat-blade end on it.

macgee · Dec 9, 2020

Its a good question and recent pet peeve of mine.

I've been trying to find more room in my mobile tool box, the idea of saving lots of space having multiple compact bits/blades would save lots of space but the all the play/wobble drives me crazy, especially the drivers that use 1/4 extender and then you add another 1/4" bit to it. It's not just wobble it's also increased runout. For the occasional brainless non-important stuff its totally fine and for those weird rarely used bits that you may or may not ever use.

Like above, I too went into my the cool-stuff-I-dont-really-use-much hoard box to see my options a lot of them have the small play mentioned above.

I would think the dual end blades with a driver with a long metal female hex, well machined receiver that u can tighten up (**** up play, like a hex pin vise) would be the best but receiver has to be long enough or something to wedge the tip inside to avoid the pivoting play that plagues all the compact designs like the rapidadaptor. I found an old driver in the kitchen drawer that surprisingly worked well is the inexpensive Picquic driver but its not **** but its recently been getting lots of praise.

In this post in another thread I made about my old Wera candy apple modular kit and it actually worked much better than the current fancy ones. It was able/designed to handle real use and larger projects unlike a lot of current designs. You might be able to find them used and you can still buy new the blades.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8818057&postcount=40

I also recently bought the Wiha 62 piece microbit kit and combined it with a 1/4" dual end Vim ratchet and a Felo 50723 4mm hex 7 Piece Slotted, Phillips, & Pozidriv Reversible Precision Blade Set. It all fits inside the Wiha box. I'll take a photo but its only solves the smaller lighter duty work. There' no good 4mm hex blade for #2 phillips tips because you need 6mm section for that.

username2 · Dec 9, 2020

macgee said:
Its a good question and recent pet peeve of mine.

I've been trying to find more room in my mobile tool box, the idea of saving lots of space having multiple compact bits/blades would save lots of space but the all the play/wobble drives me crazy, especially the drivers that use 1/4 extender and then you add another 1/4" bit to it. ...

In this post in another thread I made about my old Wera candy apple modular kit and it actually worked much better than the current fancy ones. It was able/designed to handle real use and larger projects unlike a lot of current designs. You might be able to find them used and you can still buy new the blades.

You can definitely make the argument for having a couple sizes of bit holder (ie. no extentions) plus bits instead of additive wobble. The coupler, especially the locking varieties, take up a bit of room of course.

I've got a couple of those old-school Wera sets (Apex branded with Apex bits) and they're really well made. Don't need a ratcheting screwdriver much, but they are nice sets.

M6erfan · Dec 9, 2020

I don't know if they're the "ultimate" but I have some of those Wiha Powerblades. They're very nice.

macgee · Dec 9, 2020

My Wiha 4mm hex micro bit set combined with my Felo 280 4mm hex blade set and a mini Vim dual reversible ratchet (1/4" hex & 1/4" socket), all fits pretty well in the Wiha metal case.
This takes care of the small stuff. Only thing that doesn't fit the OP's wish is that the double end 4mm blades do not work in a cordless driver.

Much prefer the Felo handle over the Wiha by quite a margin, better ergonomics (personal preference) and smoother. Durability for both of these sets TBD.

Next step is find an acceptable setup for the larger sizes that is durable and solid like what the OP (Pizza) is asking about.

pizza · Apr 24, 2021

i still haven't put a set together, but this vid from bzeug demos some nice case options from wiha and wera.

food for thought.

fyi, he also has some other relevant vids up.

lardy1 · Apr 25, 2021

I've been seriously considering the Felo Ergonic K. I've never heard from anyone that has one though and I have so many bit drivers now.

jptbay · Apr 25, 2021

dnschmidt · Apr 25, 2021

Well, these well regarded global brands being recommended are all well and good but believe it or not Lowes sells what I believe to be the best ratcheting screwdriver that can handle any type of hex bit: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Rat...tcheting-Multi-Bit-Screwdriver-Set/1000033271

Only downside is that it doesn't have in handle bit storage but if you're going to put it into a roll anyway who cares? This thing has a pullback sleeve that does an amazing job of holding bits super firm of any variety. Whatever their length. And all for the princely sum of $11.98.

Zewnten · Apr 25, 2021

I use the Pittsburgh 26 pc ratcheting screwdriver set just the bits though the screwdriver is horrible but the bits hild up well to screws just dont use them to build a deck.

bonneyman · Apr 25, 2021

I, too, have tried over the years to employ multi-tools in order to keep carry weight as low as feasible in the tote tools. I never liked the inherent "wobble" of ratcheting tools - it seems to me that was just part of the price you paid for ratchet action.
So, I carried a ratchet ball for 1/4" bit tips, and long shafted solid screwdrivers deep reach ability. I have a 24" #2 phillips Pratt and Reade driver that really gets the buried screw jobs done with no wobble, and I just grab it as necessary.

Though I'm watching this thread to see if any options might be doable for me now.

macgee · Apr 25, 2021

bonneyman said:
I never liked the inherent "wobble" of ratcheting tools - it seems to me that was just part of the price you paid for ratchet action.

I know what you mean and it bugs me as well, especially when working on sensitive adjustment items. I think a big issue that exasperates the wobble you speak of is the play in hex bit in the holder making it feel twice as worse.

Recently, I've been going through a lot of different items, testing tools & combo's out and searching for ones that I can live with. Lately I've been working on a lot of microscopes and had to rebuild two apple laptops (replace/repair motherboards) which were good candidates to test on.

I customized two Vessel ratchet drivers, one was the small stubby (TD-6700) and the other was the longer handle (TD-680*) that can hold bits inside. With both, I drilled and tapped the bit holder with a set screw to remove any play in the bit (I also knurled both of them), they now hold solid like a fixed driver but easy to swap out bits when needed or just use without. I flushed out the orig. oil in both of them with rubbing alcohol and used a very low viscosity oil (Blue Creeper). This really helped the action and back drag. The longer handle TD 6800 had a much tighter mechanism and when in fixed mode they was no play.
It's the closest ratchet hex driver I have to feeling like a fixed driver but I'm sure it various from driver to driver due to assembly and how tight they set the ratchet. The TD-6800 is not bad, I prefer in general not to hold bits in my driver but it feels much better/balanced loaded with bits than when empty. The TD-6800 is harder to change directions than the TD-6700 and the stubby is ultra smooth but is does have noticeable wobble compared to the TD-6800.

Previously had I had S-O and Bahco stubby ratchets in my go box which has really good ergonomics but pretty sloppy. I prefer the Vessel. I also modified this small Wera bit driver with a set screw, I like it; its tiny but too small to apply good torque on #2 bits

The Wiha Micro set above works really well and happy with it, the bits are holding up well, great selection and the yellow handle makes for a really good technical stubby driver (better than I orig. thought). The Felo set is also good but longer. I find I'm reaching for Wiha Micro set a lot, it does a lot of jobs for the size.

Between the Vessel's and Wiha/Felo set up, I'm covered in the random hex bits needs while on the road.

KnurledNut · Apr 25, 2021

Nice modifications Macgee.

I am very fond of the Klein drivers.
The original one was best, but discontinued.
The second gen allows the bit length to adjust inside the handle.
Their is no play in either.

macgee · Apr 25, 2021

Awesome set KnurledNut,

You definitely look well covered for anything that may come your way with that set and thanks for mentioning the Klein driver, I was not familiar with that Klein. Is there any side play in the adjustable Klein driver with long bit 1/4" hex only at the top?

Question: Where did you get those long length set of ball hex's from?

I see that you also have the same Vim 1/4 socket - 1/4 hex ratchet as mine above.

EDIT: I also modified a Vessel Ball grip with a set screw in a Helicoil inset. It now can hold all types of hex bits and adapters, long or short. No play and really nice feel.

I really like the long PB Swiss bits in it and older Vessel bits. Also really like with the PB Swiss E6 100 hollow ground slotted bits, it makes it an awesome stubby slotted driver especially in the wider widths. Although the ball grip is pretty big for a small go bag but use these daily in the shop

pizza · Apr 25, 2021

very cool, macgee and KnurledNut!

the set screw is a pretty good idea. not as convenient since blade change isn't toolless, but it's not a hard mod, and it's probably an option for any bit holder. it opens up a lot of options in handles.

KnurledNut · Apr 25, 2021

Macgee, i changed the pic. It should be easier to see what is what.
There is no side play in the Kleins, regardless of bit style used.
The ball hex are Genius, and i have yet to break one.

Really liking the set screw idea, but would possibly prefer a fillister head knurled bolt.

macgee · Apr 25, 2021

Thanks for the info Knurled.

I'm now out $17, Klein handle has been ordered to try out.

I thought about using a small fillister but didn't like the idea of it getting in the way or prevent my fingers in that area while using. I noticed my fingers hitting the setscrew protruding out so I ground them down flush; was much better and worked/felt like a traditional driver.

Having a hex key to unlock has not been any issue (so far), it only takes a half a turn. I leave a dedicated hex on the hex bit tray, painted in bright red. It's no harder keeping it around as a hex bit. The hassle has not outweighed the performance and feel; I hate loose bits.

HenryAZ · Apr 26, 2021

I use regular length and stubby length magnetic bit holders. Mine are Felo, but there are other brands (like Wiha) making the same thing. Then just buy the bit sets I need to go with them. I have other bit-holding drivers that come with bit storage in the handle, like a Vessel model, but for quick and easy, the regular magnetic bit holder, with bit sets close by, works well.

tdkkart · Apr 26, 2021

Cheap, reliable, use one of these every day at work and have several close at hand on the homestead as well.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015SBILG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

macgee · Apr 26, 2021

Question to Pizza, Knurled and others:

Who else is making long 1/4" hex size shafts with ball hex tips (SAE or MM) like Genius?

I found the Genius blades thanks to Knurled but they're pricey, about $80+ for a metric (9) set in 6" length (160mm). There's no COO listed (probably Taiwan?) and wondering if anyone else makes ones like these that are good? Any old world or USA made ones?

Bubba Fett · Apr 27, 2021

I had a couple of spare barrels from cheap 6-in-1 screwdrivers, so I placed .25" by .5" cylindrical magnets in the 1/4" nut driver end of each. On one, I used a spacer, so that magnet sits just right for 1" insert bits, and the other was a deeper set magnet for power bits. It's not snug fit, since the original bits used ball detents, but it's a great way to extend the life of a tool, and I can use these with a Klein 10-in-1, resulting in a versatile driver kit. I just swap the barrel for one of these if I need to use security bits, etc.

bonneyman · May 1, 2021

pizza said:
very cool, macgee and KnurledNut!

the set screw is a pretty good idea. not as convenient since blade change isn't toolless, but it's not a hard mod, and it's probably an option for any bit holder. it opens up a lot of options in handles.

10-4 You guys really have the hex bit idea wrapped up! :bowdown:

KnurledNut - what would you estimate your set of bits and adapters is worth? I'm gritting my teeth expecting $$$.

submariner · Aug 19, 2021

I just find it odd that besides the Wera Kraftform Kompakt 60/62, no one makes a decent interchangeable blade screwdriver (complete) set that can be used with an electric driver.

Surely there's a big market for it

Bubba Fett · Aug 19, 2021

submariner said:
I just find it odd that besides the Wera Kraftform Kompakt 60/62, no one makes a decent interchangeable blade screwdriver (complete) set that can be used with an electric driver.

Surely there's a big market for it

I reckon most people just use insert bits in a magnetic bit holder.

submariner · Aug 20, 2021

Bubba Fett said:
I reckon most people just use insert bits in a magnetic bit holder.

True but the issue with these is not being able to get into tight spots with a short bit due to the necked-up shaft, so having long bits/blades would be crucial for me.

Bubba Fett · Aug 20, 2021

submariner said:
True but the issue with these is not being able to get into tight spots with a short bit due to the necked-up shaft, so having long bits/blades would be crucial for me.

I do agree that such a kit would make a lot of sense for a field technician, or anyone who does service calls, and the lack of options is frustrating.

I basically made my own kit using a Klein locking handle (which is no longer made) and some Wiha power bits. It works great. Since the Klein handles isn't available, you can use the Malco Connext handles, which come in different sizes. Ideal also makes a collet-style driver that works very well with power bits.

TJMtl · Aug 20, 2021

I like my Wiha 28191 Drive-Loc VI kit. 47 different tips in the kit. I like the dimples allow me to determine the length of the screwdriver depending on how much space I have available. And no magnetic tips getting stuck in the fasteners.

mhejl · Aug 20, 2021

I bought a Veritas Magnetic Screwdriver Handle a few years ago. It has a stainless steel clutch to lock the bits in. It has become my go-to with PB bits. The handle is my favorite tri-lobe design, too.

https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/tools/hand-tools/screwdrivers/drivers/75948-veritas-magnetic-screwdriver-handle?item=05K0201

snowblindb · Aug 30, 2021

mhejl said:
I bought a Veritas Magnetic Screwdriver Handle a few years ago. It has a stainless steel clutch to lock the bits in. It has become my go-to with PB bits. The handle is my favorite tri-lobe design, too.

https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/tools/hand-tools/screwdrivers/drivers/75948-veritas-magnetic-screwdriver-handle?item=05K0201

This looks so nice. Someday I might find a way to buy one.

In meantime I made something myself.
OK, I just took two best and combined them together

More info here:
Post in thread 'Tools from the old world'
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/tools-from-the-old-world.28952/post-9210671

Ultimate Interchangeable Blade Screwdriver Set?

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