Good, Relatively Inexpensive Ratcheting Screwdriver?

[Jackman]

Looking to get my brother some tools for Xmas. He works with computers and I would like to get a few things related to that, bit set, needle nose pliers, ect.. And a nice ratcheting screwdriver. Not looking to spend a ton, as he has very few tools and I would like to get him a bunch of stuff, but not looking for **** either. What is out there that is of decent quality? Craftsman? Kobalt? Are they any good? I looked for the SK, but it does not appear to be available anywhere.

Realized now that I again, forgot the search function. Thanks in advance.

 

[billymade]

Here are three options that I think you should take a look at: Williams, Craftsman and KD/Gearwrench:

Basically the williams is the same as the snap-on hard handle ratcheting screwdriver; slightly different shape and color.

J.h. Williams WRS-1 Ratcheting Screwdriver - 9 in

http://www.snaponindustrialbrands.com/Prod-21-1-4225-214/Williams_Ratcheting_Screwdriverr.htm


http://www.google.com/products/cata...a=X&ei=KM_DTsiQJsqusQKG4fihCw&ved=0CFcQ8wIwAA


Craftsman ratcheting screwdriver; basic, inexpensive.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947144000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1



Gearwrench ratcheting screwdriver kit; ratcheting mechanism is based on the snap-on, licensed through them. Very similar design to the newer style soft grip ratcheting screwdriver with removable shanks and bit set.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM5784521801P?prdNo=20&blockNo=20&blockType=G20

Any of these would be fine; I think the williams is excellent for the price and isn't much more then the craftsman. If you willing to spend more; the gearwrench kit has more options and a carrying case.

 

[Jackman]

Wow thanks for the info. The Williams seems like a great option. Looks to be about $30 on Ebay. Better pricing elsewhere?

 

[canuckian]

the Williams ones are great. I just picked up a CAT branded one and love it. Another nice option is the Wera ratcheting screwdriver.
http://www.amazon.com/Wera-Tools-Kraftform-Ratcheting-Screwdriver/dp/B004VMWYCU/ref=sr_1_29?ie=UTF8&qid=1321456553&sr=8-29

 

[jeffmoss26]

I love my Snap-on ratcheting SD. A bit expensive but well worth it.

 

[Jackman]

Discussing with my wife right now whether or not to get Williams Ratcheting Screwdrivers for everyone on the list. I have a Snap On myself and love it, but too pricey for gifts. The Williams seems like a great option. Might end up buying 5 or 6 of them. Year of the screwdriver. Hahaha.

 

[byoungblood]

Those of you who use ratcheting screwdrivers, do you find yourself using them all the time vs. your normal screwdrivers, or just for specific tasks? I have a Kobalt one that I received as a gift last year and I've used it maybe once since then. I just always find myself grabbing my regular screwdrivers when I need one, I guess I find changing the tips out tedious sometimes.

 

[Jackman]

I use mine all the time. Very rarely use the regular ones. But it is my orange Snap on and it it is my favorite tool I own.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I use mine a lot more often now. However when working in panels and computer cases, a regular screwdriver is often the only thing that fits.

 

[JLee1469]

I used to work on computers, still do as a hobby. Does he have a cordless driver? I'm able to tear PC cases down in no time and my wrist doesn't hurt from constantly screwing. Otherwise the suggestions above are good, I'm nit impartial to any specific brands.

 

[powertrip]

Gearwrench/kobalt from cripedistributing.com

 

[Jackman]

Wife loves the idea. Where would be the best place to order 5 Williams?

 

[Stuey]

I love Channellock's ratcheting screwdriver, it's a Megapro clone. Currently <$30 via Amazon.

If you don't want to have to bother reordering double-sided bits, there's one that takes standard 1" bits - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004VJY1FQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20 .

 

[j.c.whitney]

The JH Williams is awfully hard to beat on price/value quotient.

 

[Subyroo651]

Another nice option is the Wera ratcheting screwdriver.
http://www.amazon.com/Wera-Tools-Kraftform-Ratcheting-Screwdriver/dp/B004VMWYCU/ref=sr_1_29?ie=UTF8&qid=1321456553&sr=8-29

I would recommend the Wera as well. It is built very well and has a very High-Tech look which would fit in perfectly in an IT environment.
I have one and I love it, I work in IT as well.

*A bit cheaper at ToolTopia

 

[KermitFrog]

My favorite is my Easypower.

 

[tyndall]

I love Channellock's ratcheting screwdriver, it's a Megapro clone. Currently <$30 via Amazon.

If you don't want to have to bother reordering double-sided bits, there's one that takes standard 1" bits - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004VJY1FQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20 .

X2

They have a better feel than SO/Williams.

 

[Danglerb]

I like the ratching drivers, but cordless kicks its ****. Gearwrench IMHO has handles that are too large, and the quality is a bit lacking, feels sloppy to me.

Most people have particular ideas on what they like in their work tools, but can't seeing going too wrong with Williams ratchets. I would not get everybody the same thing though.

 

[Jackman]

Thanks for all of the input. I ended up getting the Williams. I bought several more for gifts for my Dad, other brother, ect.. I own a Snap On and it is an amazing tool. Would love to check out the Wera though.

My brother has hardly any tools. So I figured a a good ratcheting screwdriver, bit set, some pliers and some other tools would be a good start.

 

[Stuey]

I like the ratching drivers, but cordless kicks its ****. Gearwrench IMHO has handles that are too large, and the quality is a bit lacking, feels sloppy to me.

Most people have particular ideas on what they like in their work tools, but can't seeing going too wrong with Williams ratchets. I would not get everybody the same thing though.

I don't know about yours, but all of my ratcheting drivers are cordless too. =P

 

[Danglerb]

I don't know about yours, but all of my ratcheting drivers are cordless too. =P

I got to move a 160 foot long assembly table once with a steel frame held together with 1.5" sheet metal screws. Something like 800 screws all came out, and all went back in. I think I did about 10 screws before buying a Milwaukee screwshooter.

If your having fun, by all means use a manual tool and enjoy its fine craftsmanship.

If your getting paid use a power tool.

 

[Stuey]

I got to move a 160 foot long assembly table once with a steel frame held together with 1.5" sheet metal screws. Something like 800 screws all came out, and all went back in. I think I did about 10 screws before buying a Milwaukee screwshooter.

If your having fun, by all means use a manual tool and enjoy its fine craftsmanship.

If your getting paid use a power tool.

Sorry, I was reminded of Snap-on's cordless but but not really worklight and made a [bad] joke. I completely agree with you that for more than a few fasteners, a cordless driver is called for.

800 Fasteners?!! Any assembly project that requires more than a couple of long/large fasteners or more than 20 or so short fasteners and I pull out a power driver.

 

[saturdaymechanic]

I love my GW set. Smooth ratcheting mechanism and multiple shafts in a case make it a great buy.

The Husky Pro set ($20) is pretty decent as well for the price. GW wins though.

I use my ratcheting drivers alot. Regular drivers are still in rotation. I asked my wife for the SO one for Christmas. I think I'm addicted to them now.

 

[fvfvsix]

Wife loves the idea. Where would be the best place to order 5 Williams?

toolsdelivered.com

If they don't have them in stock, then you get inventory direct from Williams' Columbus (GA) warehouse in about a week.

 

[Jackman]

toolsdelivered.com

If they don't have them in stock, then you get inventory direct from Williams' Columbus (GA) warehouse in about a week.

Thanks. Ordered from Industrial supply which was comparable. Have you done business with them before? I worry sometimes about companies that offer super cheap. Was thinking I might get the smaller T handled for myself.

 

[ToolsDelivered.com]

The JH Williams is awfully hard to beat on price/value quotient.

Agreed.

 

[jjjrmx5]

If your having fun, by all means use a manual tool and enjoy its fine craftsmanship.

If your getting paid use a power tool.

LOL.

I worked in a manufacturing environment building $250,000 to $500,000 vehicles and was reprimanded weekly for using power drivers vs. using a Snap-On or manual style ratcheting screwdrivers due to fastener stripping and time and money to repair damage done by misuse of said power tools.

I guess to someone with only a hammer, every problem is a nail.
Keep hammering my brother.

 

[ishiboo]

LOL.

I worked in a manufacturing environment building $250,000 to $500,000 vehicles and was reprimanded weekly for using power drivers vs. using a Snap-On or manual style ratcheting screwdrivers due to fastener stripping and time and money to repair damage done by misuse of said power tools.

I guess to someone with only a hammer, every problem is a nail.
Keep hammering my brother.

It all comes down to intelligence. If you're using a power driver on something you shouldn't, or the wrong power driver - i.e. one without torque control applicable to the task at hand, a normal person would stop... if you're working for someone make it clear to your superior there's an issue and you need to take another route. Why would you continue using power drivers if you were reprimanded weekly, when it clearly was not appropriate for the task at hand and you were stripping screws? Seems like a blatant lack of common sense to me.

The opposite is if you're wasting time using a manual driver when you could save time and your wrists/fingers by using a power driver, you're also making an ignorant mistake and wasting time, money and your health.

There's a local manufacturer who makes similarly priced vehicles (up to about $1 million per unit), and I can tell you that almost the entire vehicle is assembled with electric and air tools without issue... selecting the right tool for the job works every time, no matter power or manual.

 

[jjjrmx5]

My apologies ishiboo.

I failed to see that you knew how it ALL works in every manufacturing sector in every segment of industry .

My bad.
It is all that simple.
Duh. I should have just Googled wikipedia. My bad.

:

 

[ishiboo]

My apologies ishiboo.

I failed to see that you knew how it ALL works in every manufacturing sector in every segment of indusy .

My bad.
It is all that simple.
Duh.

Just offering a differing viewpoint! The other guy seemed to say if you're getting paid use a power driver, you seemed to say that on high-end items you repeatedly used a power driver and stripped screws and were reprimanded... I'm simply saying use what's appropriate