I've tried several small pocket screwdrivers of the 1/8" variety and they always seem to either snap or twist in the handle as the cheap freebies often to. I've seen several threads already on this topic but they mostly discuss the handiness of them verses the actually quality. So far I've tried craftsman and kobalt, but they both snapped rather quickly. The snap on pocket screwdrivers I see have rather large handles according to the pictures. Is there any that you guys have tried that have stood the test of time and don't end up being a pain to carry day in and day out? Most of the ones I find online or cheap off brands. Preferably looking for one with a hefty shank that wont bend or break easily and of course has a pocket clip. Thanks fellas!!!
any pocket screwdriver that's worth mentioning?
- Thread starter mech-tech
- Start date
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Although the handle might be a little large & it lacks a magnet on top of the handle, the SK two in one pocket screwdriver is pretty durable.
FMC1959
Well-known member
I have the PB 6460 on the link below
http://www.shop.pbtools.us/Pocket-Tools_c230.htm
I find it is excellent; great bits, bit holder and shaft are very good, and the handle is excellent also. The only negative is the price!
I am quite confident their other pocket tools are very good, just all their products are top notch.
EDIT, it does not have the pocket clip
http://www.shop.pbtools.us/Pocket-Tools_c230.htm
I find it is excellent; great bits, bit holder and shaft are very good, and the handle is excellent also. The only negative is the price!
I am quite confident their other pocket tools are very good, just all their products are top notch.
EDIT, it does not have the pocket clip
frugalscotty
Well-known member
This Enderes pocket driver seems sturdy. Have to find them at retail though, The webstore is not available currently.
I've got the Stanley double ended pocket driver in my backpack but I wouldn't say it is strong enough to pry anything with. Handles standard duties fine.
Home Depot / Husky has a pocket driver with multiple bits in the handle that I think is a great value. Handle might be bigger than you want (and no pocket clip)
(I see Bonneyman and I were typing at the same time
)
I've got the Stanley double ended pocket driver in my backpack but I wouldn't say it is strong enough to pry anything with. Handles standard duties fine.
Home Depot / Husky has a pocket driver with multiple bits in the handle that I think is a great value. Handle might be bigger than you want (and no pocket clip)
(I see Bonneyman and I were typing at the same time
)
Last edited:
mikebaker1129
Well-known member
^ This ,I carry the SK 2 in 1 everyday in my pocket and it works great and has held up. I purchased a few extras for my friends from Harry J Epstein.
They are well worth the couple bucks that they cost!
Jim_No_Garage
Well-known member
This Enderes pocket driver seems sturdy. Have to find them at retail though, The webstore is not available currently.
A local HW Store carry's Enderes so I bought matching Orange 2-in-1 and an 8-in-1 screwdrivers form my son for X-Mas.
Sad note - I just heard this local 3 store chain is closing after 30 years. It's not clear if they were bought out or not.
Cheers
Jim
LB-1911
ALLIANCE MEMBER
As previously mentioned-
2-IN-1 POCKET SCREWDRIVER
SK85112
http://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/screwdrivers-combination-27203.html
2-IN-1 POCKET SCREWDRIVER
SK85112
http://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/screwdrivers-combination-27203.html
stonesfan68
Well-known member
Last edited:
shockwave
Well-known member
My 3 favorites which I keep on me at all times
Snap on sdd214 clear hard handle distributor screwdriver https://store.snapon.com/Spark-Test-chrome-Flat-Tip-025-Spark-Test-Clear-Screwdriver-P634044.aspx
Free Alexander pocket screwdrivers with magnet on top
And Matco pocket screwdriver made by witte strongest beam of any pocket screwdriver on the market
Snap on sdd214 clear hard handle distributor screwdriver https://store.snapon.com/Spark-Test-chrome-Flat-Tip-025-Spark-Test-Clear-Screwdriver-P634044.aspx
Free Alexander pocket screwdrivers with magnet on top
And Matco pocket screwdriver made by witte strongest beam of any pocket screwdriver on the market
Then there's the Snap-on SDDM1AR. GJ member stonesfan68 beat me to it and provided a link. I have attached a photo. Although SO only sells the one reversible bit, I have purchased a number of different bits from McMaster that work great in the handle. The handle is also available in several colors.
Attachments
Bobcat753
Well-known member
I second the Witte made Matco. I have the orange hard handle and it is small and very strong. I've used it for prying,and the normal uses and it has held up very well. The only difference is the black on the tip is starting to wear off.
SweetD
Well-known member
Our company always has a supply of pocket screwdrivers that we include with engineering workshops we provide. This is one of the "old" ones - it's USA-Made as indicated on the top of the chromed pocket clip. It's 4.75" LOA, and reverses from Philips to slotted. Company website printed on the handle on the other side.
At one point we switched suppliers, and the product was way cheapened out.
We are now back with a USA-Made product as far as I know. The handles are black now. The pocket clip is now molded in plastic as part of the handle I think...
I also have this "vintage" Snap-On slotted pocket driver, LOA 5 3/8", no pocket clip:
Dave
At one point we switched suppliers, and the product was way cheapened out.
We are now back with a USA-Made product as far as I know. The handles are black now. The pocket clip is now molded in plastic as part of the handle I think...
I also have this "vintage" Snap-On slotted pocket driver, LOA 5 3/8", no pocket clip:
Dave
Last edited:
shockwave
Well-known member
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
I prefer Enderes.
lilcraigford
Well-known member
The unmarked one looks really similar to the current Wright pocket screwdriver (#9181):
Comparing images, the pocket clips appear to differ slightly in shape. Aside from that the handles have very similar (if not identical) details as do the reversible blades. I'd like to grab a Wright as well as an SK for... well, no good reason at all (not that seems to stop any of us).
I used Mac (flat tips) for years, and then they changed and the pocket clips kept coming off.....real PITA. For a while I just super glued the tips before I used them, and it did help. Eventually I went with the Witte made Matco. So far I've warrantied one because the clip came off. It was at minimum 20x lifespan of the newer Mac's (older Mac's gave acceptable service life. Disappointing.) They are a good value.
Sine Swept
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2014
- Messages
- 440
Proto 9821C
anndel
Well-known member
lilcraigford
Well-known member
Ah, the elusive pocket size Proto Classics. I have never been able to find the smaller phillips (J9682C) or slotted (J9649C) drivers.
Last edited:
vartz04
Well-known member
Thanks. My wallet does not thank you though. Just ordered one of these. $39.99 on Amazon for any handle color besides blue
I use a pocket screwdriver everyday. First choice is Lutz 2 in 1 followed up by SK, if you need a full size bit the Snap on will hold various sizes. As you can see I have a lot to choose from.
Yikes! Looks like you have a different one for every day of the month!
Here's a family shot of my Enderes drivers with the pocket pal on the top.
Last edited:
Perhaps I should take one of my spare Betrgrip handles and make a 2-in-1 pocket driver out of it?
Sine Swept
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2014
- Messages
- 440
http://www.zoro.com/proto-screwdriver-cabinet-18x3-in-square-j9646c/i/G2407307/
Search bar found it ^
Search bar found it ^
Done! Makes a nice addition to the 6-in-1 Proto I made last year.
Last edited:
Sine Swept
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2014
- Messages
- 440
I've got 2 of the Proto 9821C's, started with 3 and I am really hoping to find it under a couch cushion because I love these, seem very durable for what they've already been into.
My local electronics part store has a small collection of small hand tools, seems like surplus stuff, but they've had some great hidden gems. I picked up 4-5 Proto's, a few Whitte screwdrivers (Torx and #0 Phillips) and keep popping in from time to time to look for other scores.
My local electronics part store has a small collection of small hand tools, seems like surplus stuff, but they've had some great hidden gems. I picked up 4-5 Proto's, a few Whitte screwdrivers (Torx and #0 Phillips) and keep popping in from time to time to look for other scores.
mikebaker1129
Well-known member
Find a suitable "donor" driver for the guts, and remove them.
Take the driver you want to use the handle on, and pry off the handle by holding the blade in a vise and prying it off the shank. (I really like the old Proto Yellow Handle shape, so I take my spares and mod them into styles Proto didn't offer back then).
Some careful drilling in the new handle to accept the guts, and press together. (On larger drivers I epoxy the guts in. The pocket one was just a press fit).
I finish the job by cleaning the handle with polishing compound and then a buff coat of car wax.
Here's the 6-in-1 I made this way.
Attachments
Last edited:
Thanks!
Another forum member actually came up with the process - I've just appropriated it. I am really a novice compared to what he can make the tools look like.
vartz04
Well-known member
This just showed up today
lilcraigford
Well-known member
I got really excited for a moment... but I wrote the wrong part number in my previous post. I actually own the one you linked (J9646). It is J9649 that I am looking for. Thanks for trying though!
The classic pocket drivers also came as a pair, part number J9902C (the "C" is important - J9902 will lead you to a Proto "structural foam" toolbox
).I have not ordered from either of them, but these two sites seems to have some decent styles available.
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/12891
http://www.countycomm.com/1x4deluxdriver.html
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/12891
http://www.countycomm.com/1x4deluxdriver.html
Sine Swept
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2014
- Messages
- 440
I think the C stands for Cabinet tip, but I've been wrong before
spectre6000
Well-known member
Only photo I could find, and the link downloads the image for some reason:
https://store.mcguckin.com/inet/storefront/store.php?mode=showproductdetail&product=48359
I bought one of these a few years ago because it seemed like it would be able to get into a tight place and apply some torque. I figured it would probably be good for one go from the picture, but it's a pretty high quality piece. Very small, very versatile, good quality, capable of getting into tighter spots than any other screwdriver I own while also being perfectly capable in a more standard capacity. I kept it in the glovebox for a while, but it kept migrating out to the shop. I'm not affiliated in any way, just a really strong recommendation if it fits the definition of 'pocket screwdriver'.
https://store.mcguckin.com/inet/storefront/store.php?mode=showproductdetail&product=48359
I bought one of these a few years ago because it seemed like it would be able to get into a tight place and apply some torque. I figured it would probably be good for one go from the picture, but it's a pretty high quality piece. Very small, very versatile, good quality, capable of getting into tighter spots than any other screwdriver I own while also being perfectly capable in a more standard capacity. I kept it in the glovebox for a while, but it kept migrating out to the shop. I'm not affiliated in any way, just a really strong recommendation if it fits the definition of 'pocket screwdriver'.
SuzukiGS750EZ
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2012
- Messages
- 3,273
I personally carry ones I made a good 17 years ago in shop class or a snap on. I rarely use them for driving screws though lol. But it's one if the most useful tools in my pocket besides my knife
bart1
Well-known member
Not really what you're asking for, but I have this in my pocket:
Well thanks to the economy the local klein distributor has closed down and so has the local proto distributor...so after looking at the pocket screwdriver from craftsman and not liking how easily the pocket clip comes off, I went to the pawn shop of all places and found a nice small screwdriver marked Stanley USA which has a nice pocket clip that is attached all around the handle instead of just over half the handle like on the craftsman. I was also able to find one of those larger promotional type of screwdrivers with the magnet, and on the pocket clip was stamped "Alexander". Why are these little freebie screwdrivers so hard to find these days? I checked online and the ones I found were priced around $5 a piece. I suppose people can't afford giving away these things anymore? Might order the proto when these two give out.