Bit holding screwdriver

[Jmonnty]

I use a lot of security bits in a bit holding screwdriver, at work, presently I have a Matco SBD6 and I was looking to upgrade to more comfortable.
-I'd prefer a western democracy as a COO.
-Budget isn't much of an issue.
-some kind of retainer beside magnetic is prefered

Thanks,
Montgomery

 

[tjpavlov]

Check out the wera models. They have ratcheting and regular. Some telescope and have locking bit holders.

 

[Keyrick]

Check this link.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DZI2VK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[AV tinker er]

I have this one in my tool bag. I prefer a SO ratcheting driver but to expensive to leave in my tool bag. Anyway, great quality driver. Feels good in the hand and didn't hurt with a lot of torque.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001B...+multi+bit&dpPl=1&dpID=21yHGaE9DML&ref=plSrch

 

[Jmonnty]

I have never had ratcheting driver I liked. The Bahco looks nice, I'll order one to try.
The wera drivers don't fit my hands well.

 

[LeeG]

I don't care for the handles that have the bit holders. I have been very happy with this one from Felo Amazon Link

 

[dnschmidt]

I have one from TOPTUL up on EBay that I think is fantastic. Once the collar slides forward to hold the bit you can't pull it out. This is made in Taiwan but it's the best screwdriver of this type I have ever used and that includes anybody's. Here's the link:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/121872173382?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

 

[exmaxima1]

Not sure of COO, but I like this bit driver very much:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004QO9GWY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[rlitman]

I don't care for the handles that have the bit holders. I have been very happy with this one from Felo Amazon Link

The OP says he doesn't like the fit of the Wera drivers.
The Wera and the Felo handles (which I happen to really like BTW) are very similar, so if he doesn't like the Wera, he is probably not going to like the Felo.

 

[d.mcfarland]

In this situation, I'd vote Snap On.

 

[DSLTRK]

I use a lot of security bits in a bit holding screwdriver, at work, presently I have a Matco SBD6 and I was looking to upgrade to more comfortable.
-I'd prefer a western democracy as a COO.
-Budget isn't much of an issue.
-some kind of retainer beside magnetic is prefered

Thanks,
Montgomery

Hi,

Now I know you don't prefer magnetic, but the Megapro is THE pro's choice when it comes to multi-drivers.
Made in USA, bunch of bits available, and they store neatly in the handle.

http://www.megapro.net/

I don't care for anything else besides these.

 

[rlitman]

In this situation, I'd vote Snap On.

Their ratcheting drivers are my favorite too, but they have not offered a non-ratcheting bit holder in a long time.

I've heard good things about the PB Swiss drivers on this site, but haven't had one to play with.

 

[rlitman]

Interesting, I stand corrected. I didn't realize Snap On resurrected their fixed bit drivers.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Interesting, I stand corrected. I didn't realize Snap On resurrected their fixed bit drivers.

Well, yes, and no. The one linked won't accept the standard 1/4" bits most of us have. It would have to be the quick disconnect style like the OP is asking for.

I use the magnetic and fixed shank style drivers because that's my preference. But the quick disconnect system works also. Price is $90 for the one linked. A little above the normal magnetic style also.

Just the driver: https://store.snapon.com/Pop-up-Scr...wdriver-Pop-up-Shank-with-Collet-P650176.aspx

 

[zkling]

Wiha or felo. Wiha makes a few nice offerings, hex shank is great to put a wrench on. T handle is nice as well as their stubby. Can get all 3 for under $40

 

[bart1]

Well, yes, and no. The one linked won't accept the standard 1/4" bits most of us have. It would have to be the quick disconnect style like the OP is asking for.

I use the magnetic and fixed shank style drivers because that's my preference. But the quick disconnect system works also. Price is $90 for the one linked. A little above the normal magnetic style also.

Just the driver: https://store.snapon.com/Pop-up-Scr...wdriver-Pop-up-Shank-with-Collet-P650176.aspx

The SO linked above accepts standard 1/4" bits. It's also made by Wera. Check out the members/parts and Specification tab. From these you can see normal bits are included in the set and COO is Czech.

 

[d.mcfarland]

You're right. It does also say that it has the magnet to hold bits. Didn't know that, so good points Bart.

 

[bart1]

You're right. It does also say that it has the magnet to hold bits. Didn't know that, so good points Bart.

That bulky tip also locks the bit in though. I have the wera version.

 

[Pantsfall_McFixit]

The Wera 05051830003 has a locking tip with a hex shank and hex bolster. It turns any bit into a proper driver.

There are a lot of very nice ratcheting bit drivers out there, but the bit will always pop out for me in tight screws, so I've turned my attention to only ones that lock.

 

[rhandwor]

I have an Apex I like but I could only find used magnetic on ebay.

 

[Vvmvbb]

PB Swiss 8510R100 is probably the best in class.

 

[Jmonnty]

Hi,

Now I know you don't prefer magnetic, but the Megapro is THE pro's choice when it comes to multi-drivers.
Made in USA, bunch of bits available, and they store neatly in the handle.

http://www.megapro.net/

I don't care for anything else besides these.

I got to use a Megapro last friday, I've ordered a Security1, Hex, and an original for my install bag, it felt great

Thanks for all the suggestions, I've ordered one of each of these: felo, bacho, and the mega pro. I'll stop the snap on guy next chance I get, I send a lot of my time out of the office and rarely see him.

 

[Wamsutta]

 

[Engine]

I got to use a Megapro last friday, I've ordered a Security1, Hex, and an original for my install bag, it felt great

Thanks for all the suggestions, I've ordered one of each of these: felo, bacho, and the mega pro. I'll stop the snap on guy next chance I get, I send a lot of my time out of the office and rarely see him.

I recently bought one of the Megapro 13 in 1 and it's a very nice driver for the price. Very smooth action, the bits hold in well, and the in-handle storage works like it should. Seems to be well made.

 

[skunkape1]

Hi,

Now I know you don't prefer magnetic, but the Megapro is THE pro's choice when it comes to multi-drivers.
Made in USA, bunch of bits available, and they store neatly in the handle.

http://www.megapro.net/

I don't care for anything else besides these.

The Megapro bears alot of similarities to the Craftsman 41796, the ratcheting ready-bit screwdriver. Do you know if it's the same manufacturer??

 

[DSLTRK]

The Megapro bears alot of similarities to the Craftsman 41796, the ratcheting ready-bit screwdriver. Do you know if it's the same manufacturer??

Very intuitive. You are correct, craftsman sources the ready bit driver from Mega Pro. I have one but the gearless ratchet binds up some times.

Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk

 

[IUEC Medic]

Hi,

Now I know you don't prefer magnetic, but the Megapro is THE pro's choice when it comes to multi-drivers.
Made in USA, bunch of bits available, and they store neatly in the handle.

http://www.megapro.net/

I don't care for anything else besides these.

Another vote for megapro here. Tamper proof and job site models are always in my bag with several extra assorted bits.

 

[n8n]

Snap-On SSDMR4B and SSDMR1

I use them for darn near everything. I loved the knockoff Craftsman version but the ratchet in the SO has so much less backdrag that it's a joy to use.

If you haven't tried one, you should. I can't guarantee it's perfect for your use, but for me I use one or the other of the above for darn near anything except for recessed screws where only a purpose made screwdriver will work.

 

[rick carpenter]

One bit driver I recently picked up (that is now one of my favorites) is a Klein Switch Drive. US made. It uses mechanical holding for the bits, and the holding mechanism is very positive and tight. When looking down inside the hex bit holder there are actually three separate steel balls used to lock the bits in place, not just one. Even with a 6" long bit in the end there is minimal rotational play, and basically zero in and out play. A simple press of the ring drops out the bit, no magnetic tip, etc. The handle is also very large (the size of most common P3-P4 Phillips screwdriver handles) and completely rubber so it grips very well. The black rubber is also easy to keep looking clean. The bit handle has no shaft at all though, so it won't work if you need a shaft unless you are willing to use a bit extension shaft with it or else regularly pay more for long hex bits. It is designed to hold power bits, but it will hold reagular hex bits as long as they have a long shaft or a bit head larger than the hex shaft. A standard small tipped 1" hex bit will push all the way into the handle and you will have to swing the handle around a bit to get it back out. Something like 1" square drive adapter bit works great. The bit is too large in diameter to push all the way into the handle and it locks in place firmly. This adapter (along with some 1/4" drive deep sockets) works well as a compact and comfortable nut driver set.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-To...Phillips-and-2-Square-Drivers-32700/205506502

I'll second Jeremy's review of the Klein Switch Drive. I got one a little while back and only really used it today on a ceiling fan install. Although I'll always prefer a dedicated driver, I like it. The positives are the solid engagement & feeling of trust that gives you, the ease of changing bits (one push seats the bits), and the flexibility to use any medium+ length power bit. The downsides are that the bits-on-a-shaft are more expensive than short bits, the handle is bigger & heavier than I'd like for electrical etc work, and the care you'd need to store and place it back in a pouch. But the downsides are not nearly enough to outweigh the positives so as soon as I buy some torx bits for it I think I can finally toss out all my short bits except my deckscrew short bits.

Maybe version 2.0's bit engagement will be like an impact driver. That and a smaller handle would put it barely in second place for me behind a dedicated driver.

 

[rodsnratfinks]

I generally don't use bit drivers as I prefer individual drivers, but I am really impressed with the Mac bit driver my friend has. It has almost no backdrag and a nice precise mechanism that feels like good quality. Here's the kit he has:

I really like the old Snap On hard handle one as well, but they're expensive and people like to walk off with them.

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