Anyone else NOT like ratcheting screwdrivers?

[oldschoolcraft]

I never owned a ratcheting screwdriver until GJ when a few years ago, everyone talked them up so heavily. I bought the Snap One one that everyone raved about. And... I hate it. I've had it for a few years now, and every time I use it, I dislike it.

I'm trying to articulate exactly why, because maybe I'm using it wrong, or maybe I need a different one, or maybe it's for different use cases than what I'm doing. So I thought more about it, and here's the specifics I think of:

I dont like that the hollow handle bit storage rattles around as I use it. Of course, I could add more bits or some cotton or remove all of the bits all together. But one of the benefits is for a mobile toolkit, I can store some bits in there to change around. It just annoys me to feel them rattle around.

I don't find it all that more efficient compared to a regular screwdriver. With this, I can twist backwards in the opposite direction to reset my grip. With a regular screwdriver, I do the exactly same motion except I'm loosening/releasing my grip on the screwdriver. Doesnt seem to save me any time or any hand movement.

There also seems to be a bit of play, maybe backdrag is the right concept, where I'm wasting some motion with slop where the fastener turns back the wrong direction slightly each time.

This will sound petty, but I also dont like the extra 3 seconds of effort each time I use it to set and determine if it's in forward, backward, or fixed positions. I also dont use it often so I forget which direction is which and the 3 seconds turns into 5 seconds because I have to test twist it to confirm.

I did buy a ratcheting super long-shanked t-handle grip bit screwdriver that is meant for gunsmithing work, and I like that for its intended purposes. Especially on a flat head gun screw, you get to exert constant downward pressure into the fastener so it doesnt slip off. Maybe it's just for very specific tasks and not meant for general purpose screwdriver-ing?

I admit I'm kind of retarded sometimes so I want you all to correct me on how to love the ratcheting screwdriver as much as all of you do, OR maybe some of you want to shake your fist at clouds alongside me and tell me you hate them too.

 

[finn]

I hate them. My wife loves them and uses the one Menards used to give out as a birthday present for free all the time.

I have a Mac and, I think a Lennox, and don’t even remember where I put them.

 

[IndyGarage]

I don't like them either. I've bought a few over the years. They just sit in the toolbox.

 

[LWB]

I'm not a fan. I'd rather just grab a screw gun.

 

[u2slow]

The snap-on one is my goto for when i have to use the stubby bits. I dont use that driver often, mainly automotive interior screws.

Rolgear makes one thats more like a pic-quic.

 

[gatewaysysop]

I admit I'm kind of retarded sometimes so I want you all to correct me on how to love the ratcheting screwdriver as much as all of you do, OR maybe some of you want to shake your fist at clouds alongside me and tell me you hate them too.

Count me in the group that doesn't get the hype. I've used a few, never owned one, probably never will. I have more screwdrivers than a person probably needs, but ratcheting screwdrivers are not for me.

 

[unslow1]

I have a couple somewhere but I don't use them. My grandfather told me he used to feel the same way until arthritis changed his mind.

 

[NoahG]

I don’t think I hate them but I rarely reach for one. Now, a bit driver handle with a spinner cap, that I love. Big fan of bit ratchets too.

 

[Dave455]

Ratcheting screwdrivers do have a role. Any fastener that’s difficult to see / locate your driver in is frustrating to remove without a ratcheting driver.

Totally agree about the bits rattling around. Can’t stand that. The few hollow handle drivers I have, I store the bits in a tiny plastic bag to prevent that.

My preferred ratcheting drivers are these, neither of which have the hollow handles anyway.


A lot of times, when someone carries a Snap On ratcheting bit driver they don’t need or want the ratcheting feature. Snap On used to cater for this market by offering these non ratcheting drivers, but they no longer do.


Personally, my favourite bit drivers are these PB Swiss. Non ratcheting, solid handle, and relatively inexpensive. You need to carry the bits separately, but end up with more of a selection than you would fit in a handle anyway!


The traditional Snap On “hard handle” is to be preferred in greasy environments though,

 

[Ditchdigger]

About 10 years ago I bought the Snap-on hard handle ratcheting because everyone raved about it, and it went with my hard handle standards

I have used it maybe 4 times, I dislike it. Waste of my time, drawer space and money.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

Ratcheting screwdrivers do have a role. Any fastener that’s difficult to see / locate your driver in is frustrating to remove without a ratcheting driver.

I might be misunderstanding or maybe I've been using screwdrivers wrong, but it sounds like you're saying with non-ratcheting screwdriver, you unseat the screwdriver tip from the fastener end each time you twist your hand and thus might have an issue re-inserting the tip of the driver into the fastener head.

Is that right?

Because I what I think I do with screwdrivers is I keep slight downward pressure into the fastener as I loosen my grip slightly so I can rotate my grip around the screwdriver handle. The screwdriver doesnt move out of the fastener. The screwdriver stays stationary and I rotate my grip around it.

That seems to work fine for Philips head and Torx, but for flathead, it's not in there as well and can slip. Which is why for flathead gunsmithing where you dont want it to look like poo poo, the ratcheting t-handle make a lot of sense to me because then you can keep constant strong downward pressure to keep it from unseating.

Maybe I'm wrong I dont know. Please help me learn.

 

[LXCam]

Big nope here as well.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

About 10 years ago I bought the Snap-on hard handle ratcheting because everyone raved about it, and it went with my hard handle standards

I have used it maybe 4 times, I dislike it. Waste of my time, drawer space and money.

Everyone so far in the thread seems to hate it... I swear six years ago when I started coming on GJ everyone was raving about them. Maybe it was BIG RATCHET infiltrating the forum with bots. And this whole time I thought I was stupid for not liking mine...

 

[Dave455]

I might be misunderstanding or maybe I've been using screwdrivers wrong, but it sounds like you're saying with non-ratcheting screwdriver, you unseat the screwdriver tip from the fastener end each time you twist your hand and thus might have an issue re-inserting the tip of the driver into the fastener head.

Is that right?

Because I what I think I do with screwdrivers is I keep slight downward pressure into the fastener as I loosen my grip slightly so I can rotate my grip around the screwdriver handle. The screwdriver doesnt move out of the fastener. The screwdriver stays stationary and I rotate my grip around it.

That seems to work fine for Philips head and Torx, but for flathead, it's not in there as well and can slip. Which is why for flathead gunsmithing where you dont want it to look like poo poo, the ratcheting t-handle make a lot of sense to me because then you can keep constant strong downward pressure to keep it from unseating.

Maybe I'm wrong I dont know. Please help me learn.

I try to do what you do, but sometimes it’s difficult. Maybe you are working at arms length, or upside down, or only have room for one hand. There are definitely times when a ratcheting driver is useful.

As usual, there is no one right tool for all applications, so it’s best to have a selection available.

Increasingly now, although I have mobile boxes built around but drivers and lots of bits, I find that 1/4” bits are too easily lost when I’m away from base. I’ve pretty much gone back to individual drivers for my road box, with maybe one ratcheting driver if needed.

 

[FigN⋅m]

I picked up an 11 in 1 ratcheting unit for a small "jic" tool kit. With a 1/4" socket adapter as the 11th, I can tackle quite a few tasks.
I probably should have gotten the fixed version, but I'm a sucker for center console/junk drawer-type multitools...
It works pretty well, but the fit is kind of sloppy and it will never ever replace the dedicated drivers etc. wedged in it.

 

[darkzero]

I'm not a ratcheting screwdriver guy either. When I worked at a shop in the late 90s/early 00s I tried coworkers' hard handle Snap-ons, I don't understand them. Tried others as well, brand doesn't make a difference to me. They don't make a task any easier or faster for me. Plus I don't like the repeated twisting motion using them. I do have a stubby cushion grip Snap-on ratcheting screwdriver for the reason that I got it cheap on ebay, I never use it.

Same goes for ratcheting tap handles, they are useless to me also.

 

[Rabid Badger]

I've never been a fan of ratcheting screwdrivers.

I picked up a Vessel electric screwdriver recently and have been using the hell out of it.

 

[seber]

I don't use it often but there are times when it speeds things up. If the screw head is hare to see, you only have to get on it once.

 

[VolvoRyan]

I love bit ratchets (Wera tool-check?)..... but never got into ratcheting driver handles.

-Ryan

 

[M635_Guy]

Another in Camp Nope

 

[Komet]

I have this stubby Armstrong:

Armstrong 66-582 Gearless Ratcheting Screwdriver Handle 2-3/16" Long USA

Armstrong 66-582 Gearless Ratcheting Screwdriver Handle, 2-3/16" Long 1/4" Female Hex Hole USA Magnetic No neutral gear Gearless (turns smoothly and silently, no teeth to make a clicking sound) Aeronca x 20 55weiser w7b1

www.cripedistributing.com

And I like it because I'm typically in a limited access area where releasing my grip might be a problem. I consider it a problem solver and not a regular use item.

I don't think I'd care for a full size one, I prefer the direct connection and minimal weight of a fixed handle screwdriver.

 

[908Jim]

I also hate them. I wish I could get the mythical non-ratcheting version of the Snap-on. Like a new SSDM41 or a standard 1/4 hex bit version of the SDDD101.

 

[pizza]

i'll take a stab at it.

first of all, this has no bearing on your argument, but i believe the SO tool you're describing is more precisely a ratcheting bit driver with in-handle bit storage.

piece by piece:

the main reason why i like this tool type is convenience. you can keep it in your glovebox or throw it in your pocket, and you can tackle most fasteners. it's a lot of functionality in a small package. the main drawback is it can't hit fasteners recessed in holes. dedicated, solid shaft drivers are what you need there.

you're right, the bit storage on your SO ***** ***. the pbswiss insider 3 has much better bit storage:



as for the backdrag, idk what to tell you. unless you have a dud, that SO's backdrag is about as good as it gets (better than the insider 3). maybe only the rolgear mechanism has less backdrag.

i think your critique of a ratcheting driver is spot on. it's fiddly, and you can end up wasting more time than you save by using it. however, i like them. i like the feel. it's a tactile thing, and i prefer it when i'm feeling lazy and uncoordinated. i can just keep my hand clamped on there and go to town. however, you can sidestep the whole issue if your driver has a 'lock' position.

 

[Bubba Fett]

Megapro Magnetic Automotive is my favorite. It has on-board bit storage, it's easy to switch directions, good magnet, ergonomic handle.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I have a few ratcheting screwdrivers. I do not use them every day, but, when i need one of them, they work well.
I have SnapOn ratchet screwdrivers and the most expensive is my SK with a reversable sprag clutch. 25 years ago I paid $176 for the SK. I used the SnapOn electric on road-calls.

 

[finn]

I have a couple somewhere but I don't use them. My grandfather told me he used to feel the same way until arthritis changed his mind.

That’s when you learn to love power tools.

 

[kudakev615]

i got a SO ratcheting screwdriver in my apprentice tool set back in 2004 when graduated tech school. ive been professionally working on cars for the past two decades and i can honestly say i have never used it. its been moved from tool box to tool box as i have upgraded and will more than likely be a tool that i have for no reason but cant bring myself to get rid of it. as for SO electric screw guns, i have three 14.4 of those, two at work and one for around the house

 

[Steve_P]

I don't own one and never understood why they exist. I've never said, "this would be easier with a ratcheting screwdriver". I personally don't get the fascination with them.

 

[39 LaSalle]

Around 30+ years ago I was gifted a Snap On ratcheting screwdriver. Thought it was neat, but didn't fully appreciate it at the time. That being said I seldom used it and eventually just more or less forgot it in the back of the drawer. That being said, I won't go so far as to say I "hate" them, but I don't care for them though.

 

[AEAdam]

Had to pull a panel off the tail gate of my F150. Probably 12 torx or Phillips head screws. In my automotive box, I have instincts, which I like but they are not fast. I cracked each screw loose, then, with the ratchet handle between my palms, I ratcheted those screws out as fast as an impact driver could. They were fine threads and longer than they needed to be. Imagine lighting a fire with a pointed stick. Same motion.

Under the hood, same deal with torx heads, replacing the (plastic) PCV valve on a VW. Don’t like using guns on low torque automotive stuff. Don’t need the speed, and don't want to risk cross threading or over torquing.

The ratcheting screwdriver really excels at offering the feel of a normal screwdriver, but with way more speed. one place they really shine is straight slot screws you find in household electrical boxes.

I agree the soft handle Snap On’s bit storage cap leaves a bit to be desired. It’s a quarterturn and I find mine falls off at in opportune times. Maybe better to just carry the bits separately and glue that thing shut.

End of the day, it’s a tool like any other. You have to learn to use it. They function and can be helpful. FWIW, I have, but do not use ratcheting wrenches. Same kind of deal. Can’t say they don’t work or aren’t helpful.

 

[Wamsutta]

The Williams screwdriver has the exact same shank and ratcheting mechanism, but with a different handle. I actually prefer the Williams handle over the Snap-on version because I don't like the way the gasket sticks out past the handle on the Snap-on. The only time I use the Williams is if I want to use the special reduced diameter Phillips tip or if I need to use a Torx bit. So what I'm trying to say is that I own the screwdriver so that I can use screwdriver bits; the ratcheting feature is not something I need all that much.

 

[yellowbox]

Never cared for them , got a snap on one maybe 15 yrs ago , never use it

 

[Bearded_Dragon]

Another vote for disliking ratcheting screwdrivers but somehow I've acquired a few. Just the other day at work I was using one and when trying to tighten the ratcheting mechanism kept slipping, what a pain.

 

[goldtang]

I was given 3 different snap on hard handles ratchet screwdrivers they were taking up space and never used , was a good my score for free, I don’t dislike then and they get used occasionally 90% of the time I use a 40 year old SK screwdriver for my bits

 

[AreBeeBee]

Put me in the Meh category. I have four: two are the T-handle kind (one's a no-name and the other's by Vessel) and two "regular" ones which means a fatter handle but otherwise much like the common 6-in-one non-racheting kind.

For me the ratcheting control, whether a collar or a sliding button, always seems to be in the wrong setting from what I want at the moment. So I have to fiddle with it, and check that it's going the right direction, and only then can I get down to driving a screw.

Turns out that it's just faster to use a regular screwdriver (or the 6-in-1 combo) with my off hand pressing down on the back end. That keeps the driving point in place and the job goes faster, probably because it's not trying to make it easier for me, if that makes any sense.

If you love 'em, you love 'em — and if you don't....

Edited to add: And if the job means driving a lot of screws, especially if hardwood is involved, I use a driver bit in a 10-inch sweep brace where I have great control over the torque and can lean on the brace's palm pad.

 

[zendriver]

I don't remember if I've used one in the last 50 years.

 

[FigN⋅m]

Seems to be an awful lot of Snappy ratchet drivers taking up space in an awful lot of folks' toolboxes.
Happy to help make space - PM anytime, I know a guy who knows a guy...

 

[danielbuck]

I have 2 ratcheting screwdrivers (williams), have had them for a few years now... so far I don't like them. I only grab them when I can't find my regular screw drivers. I really want to like them, but they just seem sloppy and fiddly.

 

[dnschmidt]

To me they are a tool that was useful prior to drills having clutches. I have small Milwaukee (3.6V)and Metabo (12V)battery powered screwdrivers that do what a ratcheting screwdriver would typically be used for. As a super lazy person the less I have to turn my wrist the better.

 

[AJHD]

Another vote for "Nope".
I've owned a few, but sold them. I forced myself to use them and tried to like them. I share many of the same experiences others have posted.