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kobalt double drive

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Skin

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 24, 2010
Messages
11,713
Location
Boston
the screwdriver came out for the holidays last year and was around $20, it looked kinda neat for long screws with the double action tightening/loosening but to be honest i probably wouldnt ever reach for one as my tool of choice. Just seems bulky and awkward to use. Get a stubby ratcheting screwdriver and a pocket screw gun instead.
 

MikeNZ

Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2012
Messages
9
Just grabbed one of these today (not Kobalt but i believe is the exact same thing just different brand, looks exactly the same, local house brand)
I've got ordinary screw drivers, an ordinary ratchet screwdriver, and a cordless screwdriver, this new double drive one will replace my ordinary ratchet screwdriver, but will get barely any use.
That being said, for $25NZD it's not too bad of a tool, the driver bits it comes with seem ok quality.
If it wasn't on sale i wouldn't have bought it though haha.
 

Chadwilliam1

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Joined
May 13, 2012
Messages
2,788
Location
Cincinnati
these gimmicky tools come out before Christmas. I told my wife don't buy me any tools unless it says USA on it. this way I can avoid these gimmicks.
 

MikeNZ

Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2012
Messages
9
I wouldn't say its a gimmick, though it could do with better build quality.
Black and Decker Gyro cordless screwdriver, now that is a gimmick.
 
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Redex

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Sep 6, 2012
Messages
107
Location
Iowa
I bought one recently to try it out. I bought the two pack that came with the smaller driver as well for $20 bucks.

The double drive gimmick only work if you're screwing in something that requires little to no torque. If it does, then it just becomes a bulky ratcheting driver at that point.

I wouldn't recommend them, especially if the Kobalt ratcheting driver kit is still on sale for $15.
 

vhol5

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Joined
May 24, 2011
Messages
358
Location
West Texas
I bought one. I decided it was a mistake. I used it at work, on side jobs, and at home. I came with a good selection of bits, and a flexible extension. It's bulky, and the bits rattle around in the handle. Very annoying. To make matters worse, the double speed doesn't work if the screw you're trying to remove or install has any kind of torque on it. It works great if it's a loose fitting screw. I tried real hard to like it, maybe if it could use double ended bits, to make quick changes between flat and phillips, that would be a plus. Otherwise, it's a no-go.
 

MikeNZ

Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2012
Messages
9
The double drive gimmick only work if you're screwing in something that requires little to no torque. If it does, then it just becomes a bulky ratcheting driver at that point.

Hmm yea just found that out, bit of a ****** but ohwell. Ill still use it occasionally
 

cheechi

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Joined
Feb 29, 2012
Messages
4,384
Location
Triad, NC
the older version of the screwdriver with the metal housing isn't bad. let me put it this way, its not amazing but it hasn't ever made me mad at it.

the new one with more plastic on it feels ok on the display model and i was specifically looking at the smaller handle in the 2 pack. probably willl pass on it anyway but it's again 'not bad' enough that im thinking about it.

The double drive ratchet is probably the worst ratchet head i've ever seen. it feels like it has an 8 tooth gear and 7 are worn. try the display next time you go, then check the handles on all the ones in stock; rough doesn't even come close really.
 

Stuey

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Joined
Jan 8, 2008
Messages
11,034
Location
28m above sea level
I previewed the new DD screwdriver set and ratchet when they first came in.

http://toolguyd.com/kobalt-double-drive-screwdriver-set/
http://toolguyd.com/kobalt-double-drive-ratchet/

New screwdrivers have more plastic and less metal than mentioned. Even though this seems to cheapen them a little bit, I find them better balanced and smoother than last year's edition. I like the precision driver but it's not something I will reach for ahead of my Wihas. The larger one is okay, and does come in handy when I have to spin, spin, spin long drivers, but its ergonomics still leave quite a bit to be desired.

The DD ratchet is a neat idea, but I don't like the execution. I tried to use it a couple of times since previewing it, but it's coarse, bulky, and not very well balanced. I really wanted to like it, but the design has too many compromises.
 
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