Decent Ratcheting Screwdriver

[JoeyMitch]

Hey guys. I'm looking for a decent ratcheting screwdriver. I have a Husky but it is really bulky and the action isn't smooth. This is the one I have now:http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-25e...ng+screwdriver&storeId=10051#customer_reviews

I am considering this one. If anyone else has any better ones, please let me know!
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-25e...&keyword=ratcheting+screwdriver&storeId=10051

Which one do you guys like?

 

[jeffmoss26]

Snap-on ratcheting screwdriver. Warning, buying one leads to starting a whole collection!

 

[buffalobill]

SO. you will think it costs way too much, but its built to last, and will quickly become your favorite screwdriver, if not one of your favorite tools. 70 bucks isn't THAT much, anyway.

 

[metaleltr]

Most people on here are avid truck brand fans and are going to recommend snap on. If you want to drop some dough it's not a bad choice.

For a decent ratcheting screwdriver that is similar to and cheaper than snap on I would recommend Gearwrench.

This is one of their more basic sets.

Gearwrench ratcheting screwdriver

Edit: What did i say, two Snap On fans beat me to the punch!

BTW I myself an a Snap On fan but I also realize when people are on a budget.

 

[JoeyMitch]

I've been looking at the Snap On screwdrivers. $70 seems a little steep to me. If I see one cheaper I will probably consider it. If you guys see any cheaper ones, please let me know.

 

[cascivic]

im in the same boat ive used the snappy and its awesome and probably worth the money

closest ive seen style wise and way cheaper though

 

[Vibrolux]

Matco makes nice ones! But Snap on is good too.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Take a look on eBay. There are usually deals in the classified section here too. The price is 62 bucks on the SO website.

 

[franzdom]

Ok they are cheaper, $61.95 free shipping straight off the website. It really is a no-brainer. You may find new ones here occasionally for $50 or so.

 

[Trucky]

Williams. Cheaper and almost as great as the SO version.

 

[Altec]

Any of these (My collection) will do!

Top left, to bottom right.

1. Cornwell. Pricey, but a nice set. The ratchet is smooth, but got a more course clack to it.
2. Gearwrench. Not the same as a Snap-on like some will say. Not rebuilable, and not as smooth. The handle is also too bulky. A nice ratchet mechanism though. For under $30 for the set, it is worth the money.
3. Cornwell. This is sold under a few names. Like Bahco, Blue-Point, SK, and more. A great ratchet driver. Smooth, can be turned into a pistol grip, built in magazine, and the Cornwell model has a built in light. It also uses removable shanks. So you can use Gearwrench, and Snap-on shanks.
4. Mac. A lot like the #1. A bit more clunky, but has a very comfortable handle, and works good. The metal selector is nice.
5. New style Snap-on (No O-ring). Smooth, comfortable, and reliable. The perfect ratchet driver for me.
6. Old style Snap-on (O-ring). Like the new one, but has the mojo, and is broken in already. Buttery smooth.
7. Same as #5, but with a 1/4 sq-dr.

I have also just gotten the Master Mechanic Swift Driver (Same as the Kobalt). A cool ratchet. Bulky, and not the greatest construction but a handy driver. The collar works great, and doubles as a place to put your off hand for extra support. And the ratcheting mech is amazingly smooth. It feels more like a clutch then gears.

Other brands to consider.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BAHCO-MAGNE...724?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e674e263c

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BAHCO-MAGNE...194?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e674e2bfa

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wera-Tools-..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item4cf6c4e7c2&vxp=mtr

 

[Big Johnson]

Snap-on ratcheting screwdriver. Warning, buying one leads to starting a whole collection!

Im pretty sure this is a young kid. $70 is a lot for someone tinkering in school. I had the Mac set $65, was real nice until POS tweeker took it and pawned it. Go to Harbor Freight and get a good Taiwan made for $9. Save your money for SO ratchets, and wrenches, but not this.

 

[Brownsfan]

I have the gearwrench and the Snap On. For 35 bucks you get the t-handle,the regular driver,1/4 socket attachment and bits and sockets. You really cant go wrong at that price for what you get. I use the gearwrench in my on site install box.

 

[mtnkrake]

The red Craftsman one is pretty nice.

 

[JoeyMitch]

Thanks for the replies. Has anyone used the Husky Pro?

 

[biscuit141]

im in the same boat ive used the snappy and its awesome and probably worth the money

closest ive seen style wise and way cheaper though

I have this one and like it. That Husky Pro looks nice, but doesn't hold any bits in the driver does it? That would be a deal breaker for me.

 

[rmsg0040]

check out ebay from time to time, I picked up a soft grip SO ratcheting screwdriver mint condition for 33.

 

[cascivic]

yeah ...as much as im a somewhat believer in harbor freight....they really dont have anything comparable that ive seen to these..they have like the REALLY crappy ribbed handles and a decent feeling t handle ...but no straight handle.

the craftsman is as close in design to the snappy, and is like 16.95 when its on sale...has a nice hard handle also(not as nice as snappy though...one day i will have one,or a collection like some of the boys here have!)

 

[Bull]

My dad has one that I was playing with a couple weeks back...made in Canada. The name is escaping me right now, but it was very nice and smooooth. It had an end-cap that popped up, and inside was like a carousel of bits.

Maybe someone else here can help me...I can't imagine there are many Canadian-made ratcheting screwdrivers!

EDIT: The name came to me as soon as I stopped typing: Megapro!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012J3PFK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Very nice.

 

[Altec]

My dad has one that I was playing with a couple weeks back...made in Canada. The name is escaping me right now, but it was very nice and smooooth. It had an end-cap that popped up, and inside was like a carousel of bits.

Maybe someone else here can help me...I can't imagine there are many Canadian-made ratcheting screwdrivers!

EDIT: The name came to me as soon as I stopped typing: Megapro!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012J3PFK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Very nice.

I knew I was forgetting something! High on my want list!

 

[chris6278]

snap on or pb swiss

 

[Bull]

Megapro makes top notch products.

And look at how cheap that one is, too! Under $30 shipped for me as a Prime member. How much smoother and more effective can the 2x+ the price Snappy be?!

Also, the pop-up bits carousel is just plain sweet.

 

[magova1104]

I hardly use ratcheting screwdriver, I'm always use cordless impact. But when I need to do something manual,I have my Snap on. I also own Matco, Felo and some other brands. In my opinion, the most beautiful (but expensive) is the PB Swiss. Some day.

This is just for share,not a recommendation: I purchased this on eBay for $4 shipped. I bought it just for use the shaft in another tool, but when I got it, I was amazed for the quality and functionality. I purchased another for give to my friend and he loves the tool.

 

[canuckian]

I'm partial to the snap on hard handled ones. They can be had for good prices from time to time. A close second for me is the Wera driver. The PB Swiss is one I'd like to try as I've heard great things about them. Hopefully toollady will put them on sale at some point.

 

[b225]

I have this one and like it. That Husky Pro looks nice, but doesn't hold any bits in the driver does it? That would be a deal breaker for me.

I have the husky Pro, it's a decent driver, but there is no storage for bits. I picked up the stubby gearwrench set from Cripe for $17, and really like it. I have the full size handle too, for $4 I had to, but it's a bit bulky.

 

[3 at 8]

I have this Wera. Its like turning the bezal on a fine watch. I was a little standoff-ish of the funky handle shape, and thought the bit starage was gimmicky, but after holding it, I love it. If I didnt get this one I was going to get the Williams. My only turnoff to it was no knurling on the shaft like the SO version.

WERA:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004VMWYCU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

WILLIAMS:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NI1LZK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[JoeyMitch]

Hmm... they're all very nice screwdrivers. Gonna have to think about this one!!!

 

[sdguy55]

The SO's nice, i've the got the newer soft-grip model got it with my school set and ill be honest, for the amount i use it (which is virtually never, i bet in the last 6 months i have used it maybe twice) it definitely not worth the price. I always reach for a regular screwdriver. That 70 dollars could go towards something that is worth the SO name and reputation, like their FDP wrenches or their ratchets.

 

[IndyGarage]

Wera Zyklop 1/4 ratcheting set.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004KLOS4O/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[RedFordTruck]

Hey guys. I'm looking for a decent ratcheting screwdriver. I have a Husky but it is really bulky and the action isn't smooth. This is the one I have now:http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-25e...ng+screwdriver&storeId=10051#customer_reviews

I am considering this one. If anyone else has any better ones, please let me know!
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-25e...&keyword=ratcheting+screwdriver&storeId=10051

Which one do you guys like?

I like those Husky Pro USA made Cushion grip screwdrivers, So I'd bet you'll like that one! The Screwdriver itself is made in USA, but the bits are Taiwan(Grrrrr).

 

[jegg]

I've owned a few ratcheting screwdrivers before I gave in and bought a SO version. It's now my favorite driver and I use it on a daily basis. I don't even reach for the other ones any more and it was the first SO tool I've ever purchased. ~$70 wasn't gonna put a dent in my wallet...

If price is an issue... Here's a Bluepoint one

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=682654&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

I also got one of these to pair with the SO driver...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000Y8Y31K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[powertrip]

im in the same boat ive used the snappy and its awesome and probably worth the money

closest ive seen style wise and way cheaper though

This one. Usually around $20.

 

[454ragtop]

I'm not a Snap On guy, but I do like their ratcheting screw drivers. Have 4, first one was an old almost stubby I found under the seat of a car I was working on for a used car dealer, Then bought an orange handled one used. Then, in what I think was a great score, I bought 2 Dale Ernhardt's, a regular and an extra long one, like new, at a swap meet for $15.00 each. They are very nice to use, although I'm a little scared of the white handled DE ones.
Jim

 

[Eric Nordstrom]

I Love my so But if price matters, just get the Williams. It's got the same guts as the more costly so-But 1/2 the price, And the handle shape. The red Craftsman is good also- I'll take the Williams if the price is close.

Eric

 

[JoeyMitch]

Thanks for the answers guys. I'll shop around. I'm also going to a huge community yard sale Saturday, so I'll see what's there.

 

[concealer404]

I use Gearwrench, not a single complaint so far other than that the normal ratcheting driver is HUGE. I find myself using the stubby more often. If you shop around you should be able to get the full set with a shitload of bits, the driver, the stubby driver, and a ratcheting t-handle with a shitload of extensions for all under $60.

Stubby set with extensions and bits: http://www.cripedistributing.com/gearwrench-8915-15-piece-stubby-geardriver-set.html

T-handle set: http://www.cripedistributing.com/gearwrench-8906set-6pc-ratcheting-t-handle-screwdrive-set-ro.html

Regular geardriver handle: http://www.cripedistributing.com/gearwrench-eht890001-standard-geardriver-handle.html

All for $35 + shipping.


Or this set with a bunch of extra stuff thrown in for $65 shipped: http://www.ebay.com/itm/230564736391?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Or the blue/yellow with both normal and stubby for $28 shipped, add a t-handle from cripe for $4.50 more: http://www.ebay.com/itm/160745583589?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649


If i had more money, i'd probably do a Wera or Snapon, though.

 

[pipsters]

I have the Willliams it's around $35 shipped from Amazon or Ebay...made in the US. If you aren't concerned about where it was made, the Craftsman and Gearwrench models would be a fine choice.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Thanks for the answers guys. I'll shop around. I'm also going to a huge community yard sale Saturday, so I'll see what's there.

If the C'man is your pricepoint, which is around $20, I'll suggest the Ivy Classic Model no: 17073.

I picked one up from my local True Value hdwre store under $20 and it's identical to the Mac. Heavy with a good grip. Comes with 10 bits in a cage in the screw cap handle. I'm a true Snap-On ratcheting screwdriver snob, but the Ivy Classic is pretty far up there for what you pay for one.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0030CWHLA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Roots]

My favorite ratcheting screwdriver is the Matco labeled Witte with the bit magazine stored in the handle. Followed closely by Snap-On's new soft grip, although it's a bit "big" sometimes.

I've had a few Kobalts, Gearwrench, and Matco/Gearwrench ones that I've been quite disappointed with.