Hey reversegear- SK ratcheting screwdriver

[MAD]

Hey reversegear-

This SK ratcheting screwdriver set was just too cheap for me to resist.
(these were less than 12 dollars at the time of the post)
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00998671000P

If this is your baby then

My fist impression of this tool is that this is the nicest ratcheting screwdriver I have used.

What I like:

You pick it up and it feels like a real tool, not a cheap toy. The selector is metal, I really expected it to be chrome colored plastic. There is a comforting weight to the handle when you pick it up.

The shape feels good in my hand and the textured rubber over hard handle is very easy to grip without feeling squishy.

The selector is easy to operate one handed but the settings are distinct and firm enough that you do not accidentally skip past the center locked position if that is what you intended. The selector stays where you put it. It does not seem like it will switch accidentally like my Gearwrench ratcheting screwdriver sometimes does.

The ratcheting mechanism is excellent. Just as silky smooth as my Bahco/Snap-on but with more teeth for a finer action.

It is very fast and easy to remove the bits from the plastic bit holder/organizers that come in the kit. They almost seem too loose but the bits seem to stay in them just fine.


What could be better:

The case is not as nice as the Gearwrench kit I have. Specifically, I like the real hinge and the clear window on the Gearwrench box.

The short shaft feels a little tight when you insert it in the handle and pull it out. The longer flex shaft and the shafts from the Gearwrench set felt perfect so it must be the shaft.

There is no country of origin listed anywhere on the tools, case, or the packaging. None at all

What I don't know yet:

I have not used this set yet other than playing around so I can't judge the durability of the driver or the bits yet. The screwdriver itself seems very solid and well made. The bits are Nickel plated which doesn't really impress me. I guess the plating is a cosmetic detail in order to match the metal selector and SK trim badge.


Overall I am very impressed.

 

[wilbilt]

Thanks for that review. It seems like excellent quality for the price.

I just ordered one, dammit! We'll see if sears.com can actually deliver.
I will be looking for a country of origin, but that's just me.

 

[Sunrise]

possibly made in oversea?

 

[JayL]

I ordered one and it was already delivered.

 

[wch]

I got mine the other day and I agree that it's really nice. I think it has the same number of teeth as my Gearwrench screwdriver, but the ratcheting action is more refined, quieter, and it seems less "rattly," if that makes any sense.

 

[wilbilt]

I ordered one and it was already delivered.

Comments? Do you like it?

 

[biggsean]

Wow, thanks for the link. I'm definitely picking one of these up.

 

[JayL]

Comments? Do you like it?

All my tools purchases are still stashed up in Illinois. I would probably receive these in a months time after these are shipped to me here in Manila. I will give my comments when I receive the set. None the less I have no doubt that this is a good set. Its best to strike the iron while its hot.

 

[eschoendorff]

Thanks for teh review, but....

The short shaft feels a little tight when you insert it in the handle and pull it out. The longer flex shaft and the shafts from the Gearwrench set felt perfect so it must be the shaft.

:

Is there something you aren't telling us???? I though that Merkava was the only one here who confused tools with ***. Oh, and also:

 

[eschoendorff]

Wow, thanks for the link. I'm definitely picking one of these up.

At the price, I would pick one up too, based on the detailed review. But, I already have a bunch of GearWrench ones and with the S*K, I'd be afraid that I might ******** assault myself. Seems to be a problem with the shafts....

 

[MAD]

Thanks for teh review, but....




Is there something you aren't telling us???? I though that Merkava was the only one here who confused tools with ***. Oh, and also:

Seems to be a problem with the shafts....

I might have to try some of that or perhaps some other lube designed for inserting a thick shaft in a tight hole.

I called SK and asked about the 2" bit holder. They do not have any individual parts for this kit so my only option was to return the whole kit for replacement or a refund. They even offered me a prepaid shipping label but given the likelihood that they are all the same and the fact that I really like the screwdriver, I decided to just live with the tight fitting bit holder for now. It is not really that bad and all of my other attachments including the ones from the gearwrench kit fit perfectly

 

[bchee]

thanks for the review. I feel more confident about my purchase. I ordered this set last week sometime, with some other wrenches, using the current $10 off $50 online deal. The screwdriver has not shipped yet, although the wrenches did ship. I was concerned they might be out of stock. I ordered the set based on this review here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22046

My gearwrench driver has 45 teeth, which the SK is also supposed to have.

 

[JayL]

The same with me here. I ordered some craftsman wire strippers together with the screwdriver. The order came in two separate shipments. I've been dealing with Sears online now for over six months and have yet to encounter a problem. So far so good. Hopefully your screwdriver will ship.

 

[bchee]

I've been dealing with Sears online now for over six months and have yet to encounter a problem.

Is the person you are having your stuff shipped to checking all the packages to make sure everything is there?

When are you going to get all the stuff you have been ordering? I haven't been keeping up, so maybe you already mentioned it somewhere else. Are you coming to the US, or are they sending to you?

 

[JayL]

Yes my cousin is checking all my Sears and non Sears orders as these arrive to him in Illinois. Later on he ships them to me here in Manila. It usually takes a month before I received what he sends.

I already received quite a few Craftsman Tools I bought online and so far so good. Of course warranty will be another issue because I have to send back items to the US, which might not be economical to do. For this reason I am very careful with my purchases and the board has helped a lot on this aspect.

 

[bchee]

I can't imagine being a tool addict and having to wait a month to get my hands on some shiny, brand-new tools...........

 

[JayL]

Yeah but trust me the high is different when you receive them all in one go ... its almost like an overdose.

But sometimes when its unbearable I do some local purchase here too. Vise Grips are my favorites since a lot of old US Made pliers still available though a bit pricey.

 

[bchee]

Yeah but trust me the high is different when you receive them all in one go ... its almost like an overdose.

just be careful. Tool OD is a tragic way to go

 

[JayL]

LOL ...

 

[reversegear]

Sorry to come late to this. I was in Shanghai last week. Glad you like the driver. I agree that the box is kind of lame, but we were trying to keep the packaging costs down. The short shaft sounds like it is out of tolerance, which is a no-no. Any way you could check the dimensions with a micrometer and let me know?

 

[bchee]

????? I must have had my head up my ***. Reversegear you work for SK?

 

[wch]

Sorry to come late to this. I was in Shanghai last week. Glad you like the driver. I agree that the box is kind of lame, but we were trying to keep the packaging costs down. The short shaft sounds like it is out of tolerance, which is a no-no. Any way you could check the dimensions with a micrometer and let me know?

Mine had the same issue with the short shaft being a tighter fit than the long flexible one.

According to my micrometer, the dimensions were:
- Short: .252" x .252"
- Long: .249" x .249"

Eyeballing it, I also noticed that the detent ball stuck out a little further on the short one. Measuring on that axis including the ball, I got:
- Short: .284"
- Long: .273"
Of course, the ball will go all the way in for both, but I'd guess that the greater spring compression on the short one probably means there will be more friction.

After some use, the short shaft feels less tight -- tighter than usual, but not so much that it seems wrong.

The short shaft also makes a subtle "popping" sound when it's removed. I think this is because the round part of the shaft fits more tightly. Measuring in a bunch of different places, I got this:
- Short: .325"
- Long: .321"
The measurements were consistent in all the locations I measured, varying by at most .001".

What are the tolerance ranges for these things?

 

[MAD]

Sorry to come late to this. I was in Shanghai last week. Glad you like the driver. I agree that the box is kind of lame, but we were trying to keep the packaging costs down. The short shaft sounds like it is out of tolerance, which is a no-no. Any way you could check the dimensions with a micrometer and let me know?

I will check it and let you know.

The funny thing is, it fits tight in the SK driver, perfectly in one of the Gearwrench handles I have, but it will not even start to go into the other Gearwrench handle that came in the same set.

Love the driver

I will probably order this one this week even though I really don't need another ratcheting screwdriver.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200338075_200338075

 

[MAD]

????? I must have had my head up my ***. Reversegear you work for SK?

I believe he works for the OEM that makes the screwdriver, not SK.

 

[wilbilt]

Mine is supposed to arrive tomorrow.

 

[bchee]

I got my set today. Oh my GOD, the tiny box is SOOOO CUTE!!!!

1) Anyway, I'm having the same problems you guys are having. I put the short shaft in, and now it won't come out. I havent' tried the other extensions because I still can't pull out the short shaft.
2) the magnet is strong enough that I'm unable to pull out the bit (at least the smallest torx bit)
3) I like the nickel plating on the bits
4) the ratcheting action actually feels smoother than my gearwrench. It was weird, because when I first opened it, it was freewheeling for a second.
5) I noticed it can be opened for maintenance (see pict)
6) the handle is not completely round all the way around, it is more oval, if you look at it in cross section. I don't dislike that, just an observation.
7) there is no country of origin markings on the package, like you guys said. I looked everywhere.

Overall I'm pleased with it, and a good deal for the price, but I'm not in love with it.

What should I do about the short shaft? What have you guys done?

 

[bchee]

I got mine the other day and I agree that it's really nice. I think it has the same number of teeth as my Gearwrench screwdriver, but the ratcheting action is more refined, quieter, and it seems less "rattly," if that makes any sense.

I agree completely.

 

[bchee]

4) the ratcheting action actually feels smoother than my gearwrench. It was weird, because when I first opened it, it was freewheeling for a second.

duh, I didn't have the shaft inserted all the way. It's slightly thinner on the male square end. The short shaft fits the 2 GW drivers, and the GW shafts fit the SK driver.

 

[MAD]

you could check the dimensions with a micrometer and let me know?

OK- measurements at the handle ends of the shafts:

The longer (good) shaft - The square (not including the retaining ball) is 6.28 - 6.32 mm. The round portion of the shaft is 8.13 mm

The short magnetic bit holder (tight fitting) was between 6.33 -6.41 mm on the square which flared out at the tip. The round part was 8.27 mm.

I had an almost worn out sanding disk on my belt/disk sander which was just the thing to gently polish the short shaft down to fit all of my handles just right. After some consideration that seemed like the easiest way to handle it and be done since I wanted to keep the driver. One should not have to do that with a new tool but now all is good. Sometimes if you want something done right...

 

[bchee]

I had an almost worn out sanding disk on my belt/disk sander which was just the thing to gently polish the short shaft down to fit all of my handles just right. After some consideration that seemed like the easiest way to handle it and be done since I wanted to keep the driver. One should not have to do that with a new tool but now all is good. Sometimes if you want something done right...

I think I'm going to do the same thing.

 

[MAD]

What should I do about the short shaft? What have you guys done?

Maybe a tool from these guys will help you loose that feeling of inadequacy.

http://www.kingdicktools.co.uk/

I think I'm going to do the same thing.

It beats waiting for the slow boat to bring some proper fitting ones over.

 

[DiStOrTiOn]

I was trying to buy this, and then when I clicked proceed to checkout, it tells me

"We are sorry, the following item(s) and/or quantity are no longer available for delivery. See more information below.

This item is no longer available for delivery. It has been removed from your cart. You can see similar items.
Only 0 of these are available for delivery. You can update the quantity or select store pick up (if available) in the shopping cart below, remove the item or see similar items.
This item is no longer available for delivery. It has been removed from your cart. You can see similar items.
This item is no longer available for delivery. You can select store pick up (if available) in the shopping cart below, remove the item or see similar items.
See Similar Items 21 Piece Stubby Ratcheting Screwdriver Set
Sears Item # 00998671000 Mfr.model # 73676

It says to click on the item I was trying to buy, and then does the same thing? Are they out of them? What's the deal?

 

[MAD]

I was trying to buy this, and then when I clicked proceed to checkout, it tells me

"We are sorry, the following item(s) and/or quantity are no longer available for delivery. See more information below.

This item is no longer available for delivery. It has been removed from your cart. You can see similar items.
Only 0 of these are available for delivery. You can update the quantity or select store pick up (if available) in the shopping cart below, remove the item or see similar items.
This item is no longer available for delivery. It has been removed from your cart. You can see similar items.
This item is no longer available for delivery. You can select store pick up (if available) in the shopping cart below, remove the item or see similar items.
See Similar Items 21 Piece Stubby Ratcheting Screwdriver Set
Sears Item # 00998671000 Mfr.model # 73676

It says to click on the item I was trying to buy, and then does the same thing? Are they out of them? What's the deal?

Maybe the problem with the fat bit holder caused SK to pull the plug. Mine was drop shipped directly from SK.

 

[DiStOrTiOn]

Argh, I knew I should've jumped at it sooner. I honestly don't even care about that problem, for 12 bucks, I'll work around it. Maybe next time...

 

[MAD]

With sears you never know. You might want to try again later.

 

[wilbilt]

Mine arrived yesterday, shipped from a Sears warehouse.

No problems with the fit of the shanks, and it appears to be a quality tool with an excellent ratcheting mechanism.

No country of origin listed anywhere on the tool, the case, or the cardboard sleeve. If it is imported it must have this info listed somewhere. Bad form.

I have sent an inquiry to sears.com regarding the origin of this product. I expect they will refer me to S•K.

Nothing personal, but rules are rules.

 

[bchee]

you lucked out without having the shaft fit problem. I guess it wasn't that big of a deal.

 

[reversegear]

That's not to say someone here doesn't deserve a boot up their *** for this. I'm still looking into it.

 

[PowderKeg]

Mine arrived beginning of the week - no problems at all with shaft fit. Shaft from my Snappy comfort grip driver fits the stubby SK, albeit not quite as tightly as the SK shafts. Interestingly, the flex shaft will fit in the Snappy, but is tight so the ratchet drags. The short SK shaft won't fit thru the cap hole on the Snappy at all (without really trying to force it) - so it looks like there is something to there being a slight difference in the SK shaft diameters after all - just not enough with my set to cause problems with the stubby handle.

 

[wilbilt]

I used mine extensively today.
I got to spend a day pulling cable and removing/installing faceplates. It's great therapy.

The S•K stubby is not as fast as an old Yankee when driving flathead screws, but it's damn close. If they would standardize on Phillips screws, I would just use a cordless drill.

Oh, well.