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Do you often use a 1/4" nut driver screwdriver?

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Jacobson

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Jan 11, 2014
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What is it about the nut driver do you prefer over the ratchet?
Space limitations?
Somehow a ratchet on a screw just does not feel right.

All my tools are for auto DIY.
I was taking apart an appliance today.
1/4" screws
The ratchet was a minor hassle.
Use bit driver on drill?
Or get 1/4" nut driver with screwdriver handle

1705450405659.png

Hollow shaft?

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Hollow Shaft SAE Nut Driver Set, 7 Piece

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SAE Nut Driver Set, 7 Piece

Amazing deals on this 7Pc Sae Nut Driver Set at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
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Bubba Fett

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I just used one to fix my dryer.

I like nut drivers. I run across screws that are both Phillips and 1/4" external hex, which is nice in case someone has striped the Phillips recess. It provides a second way to remove the screw, and it can take more torque. Cordless/electric drivers have their place, but sometimes can be too bulky, or are prone to slipping/stripping. I have found that nut drivers are quite useful for certain automotive fasteners (like headlight brackets), HVAC maintenance, appliances, some electronic components, computers, etc. They can be faster than a socket/ratchet, and not as easily lost (looking at you, Mr. 10mm socket!). Magnetic nut drivers can also be a great option for starting screws or bolts in places even if you need a socket/ratchet or wrench to finish up.
 
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saltwater4life

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I like them but hardly use them. Every down and then a hose clamp in the bulge of the boat. Like others have said bit set and drill work better
 
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Snapped-off

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Not very often at home. For an appliance I'd use a bit with a ¼ hex impact.

At work I carry 1/4, 5/16, 11/32, 7/16, 3/8, 8, and 10.
 
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gleman

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I just dissembled my dishwasher door this weekend.

IMG20240116172728.jpg

It was 10 or 12 torx screws to get it apart. Normally I'd use my trusty Klein but I bought a subcompact driver with adjustable torque. It might be a honeymoon phase but I really like that driver.

I had a real first-world dilemma choosing between that and the M12 installation tool. I couldn't find a coupon for the Milwaukee kit and I have Ridgid batteries.

I'd look for a small impact if you're going to do a lot of appliance repair.
 
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CoogarXR

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I use nut drivers all the time. But I do a lot of electronics work, and appliance work where an impact can strip self-tapping screws set into thin sheet steel.

I use both actually, now that I think about it. Many times I'll use a 1/4" bit in an impact for disassembly and a nut driver for reassembly.

Wait, I need all three- a magnetic nut driver, a hollow nut driver, and a 1/4" bit in an impact. Oh, and a spinner handle, a ratchet, and unlimited extensions, wobbles, and universal joints.
 
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ItsNemo

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DCF601 screwdriver with a set of nut drivers...or if I need more torque, I'll use an impact driver instead. Either way, 99% of the time I'm using a nut driver on a cordless tool.
 
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J

Jacobson

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CoogarXR said:
I use nut drivers all the time. But I do a lot of electronics work, and appliance work where an impact can strip self-tapping screws set into thin sheet steel.
Click to expand...
Exactly. a Drill or impact can seem like overkill for a little screw.
So I used a 1/4" ratchet and 1/4" socket
 
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Steve_P

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I have 3-4 sizes in both inch and metric. The 5/16 gets the most use for things like HVAC repair. There are multiple threads on this topic and it's a tool for certain trades like HVAC repair, industrial electricians.... and not so much modern auto repair.
 
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Shocker

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Same as many here. I use them all the time for light duty. I hate it when I strip out a self tapping screw/bolt.

Otherwise I use my M12 screwdriver. If there is a lot of screws that is what I go with. Just a few, grab the nutdriver.
 
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sparky 1971

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Nut drivers are kind of a niche tool. As an electrician, I have a full set from 3/16 through 5/8 and use 1/4 and 5/16 quite often. 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, and 1/2 get used once in a while while 9/16 is used just often enough to have it.

I have a 1/4-5/16 magnetic combo that doesn't get far from my side while all of the others sit in the truck.

www.kleintools.com

2-in-1 Nut Driver, Hex Head, 1/4-Inch and 5/16-Inch - 65064 | Klein Tools

Carry two in one convenient handle with Klein's 2-in-1 Hex Head screwdriver. Features the popular 1/4-Inch and 5/16-Inch hex sizes most tradespeople need. Magnet in hex keeps screws in place. Great for HVAC, Plumbing and Electrical jobs or any DIY job around the house.
www.kleintools.com www.kleintools.com

I don't have any nut drivers for shop use, if the need arises I use the 1/4" drive socket on a spinner handle. As far as the combo screwdrivers with nut driving capability, I don't like them.
 
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KnurledNut

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6" magnetic flip-tip 1/4x5/16 impact nutsetter, would be what i'd grab for that.
Goes in my impact driver, ratcheting handle, fixed handle or bit ratchet depending on what im doing.
I like options.
 
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JradM

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I use nut drivers a lot - but not the normal style. I have the Felo Smart M-Tec nutdriver kit - it's great. Handle converts to a t-handle for more torque, so it is handy for auto and motorcycle work too.

The nut drivers fit in a drill just fine too. They're also hollow-shafted with a spring loaded magnet.

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bb29510

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klein has a nice nut driver 1/4 on one end and 5/16 on other, great for hvac, pretty long too, i think six inches. I bought three of them, one for shop, one for house and one in the truck
 
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johninct

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One of the first tools I bought off of the Snap-On truck 30 years ago were a set of nut drivers. I still use mine a lot. To me, the solid one piece design has a good feel to it so I don't strip out small bolts. I also think the O.D. is less than a socket on a driver.
 
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Buster21

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Nut drivers for me, as others have eluded to I come from a electronics background, my dad used them so I use them, it's just what I was brought up using. I've known the color code since I was little, I knew if my dad asked for a 1/4" I grabbed the red one. I used a 1/4" today to remove a broken bracket on my snow blower.
 
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J

Jacobson

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What is it about the nut driver do you prefer over the ratchet?
Space limitations? Somehow a ratchet on a screw just does not feel right.
 
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Dig Doug

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I have 2 or 3 of these

also have a bunch of 5 in 1 and 11 in 1 screwdrivers
IMG_9385.jpeg
 
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Hannahranga

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Meursault74 said:
I've used something like this one to drive 1/4 sockets quite a bit.

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Click to expand...
Blue point do a 3/8 one that's handy cos I don't tend to have a 1/4" set all the time. Nut drivers over a bit driver are nice cos you can start the fastener with them. Depending on what/how you're working the larger tool over a socket means they're more convenient to grab.

I've got a couple nut drivers for low torque fasteners I check all the time at work. Kinda on the fence about grabbing a full set for home cos I'm not sure if I'd use them over a spinner plus socket
 
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