LTT Ratcheting Screwdriver

[FuzzyTiger]

Wow. I'm kind of surprised how many comments this thread has evoked. I decided to look into this Linus character a little more, since I'd never heard of him or his LTT. Apparently, this fellow's pretty popular in the online tech community. Wiki reports he has 22 million subscribers between his four youtube channels. That's a ton of fan boys. With that many followers, you can sell almost anything. I haven't looked into it far enough to learn why he's so popular--it's sufficient to know that he is. I didn't really understand all that was behind this when I read OP's starting post.

His target audience is the PC gaming and tech enthusiast community. They're an odd breed. It's nothing for a gamer to spend many hundreds of dollars (or more) on the latest video card just to get even the tiniest advantage in speed over the card they already have, which for most of us would already be mega-overkill. I recall a customer who was looking for a gaming video card that cost $1700 at the time, which was intended for graphics work like CGI in feature films. Just to play a game? It's a mentality that's far beyond that of a mechanic who owns nothing but Snap-on--not even in the same universe. "Normal" human beings can't even relate to this. It's almost like an addict that obsesses on achieving bigger and better highs, or someone seeking more exotic ****** experiences because normal *** no longer stimulates them. Kind of like building up a tolerance to a drug and so needing higher and higher doses just to feel it.

Back in my PC days, I knew of a client who was an ex-Navy pilot and wanted to set up his gaming room as a flight simulator. He actually had a jet cockpit seat (for real), and wanted it set up and wired so that all the gaming controls would imitate the controls in a real jet cockpit. Money was no object--I suspected he might have even been willing to mortgage his home to achieve it.

In my post #3, I spoke about how impractical a ratcheting screwdriver is for computer work, a vaild, qualified opinion that as been echoed by other posters who have PC industry experience. After looking into what this Linus and his LTT is all about, I have now come to realize this has absolutely nothing to do with the appeal of his screwdriver. The product isn't even intended for 'normal' PC repairmen or service techs. It's certainly not targeted to auto mechanics! He's selling to gamers a 'video card' or 'processor' that is more 'powerful' than any other. Who cares if it's $70? Even if it only has a 2% edge over other products, the gamers will gladly pay that just to have that fractional advantage, or even just the psychological perception of it. Based on his website, he's already found at least 60,000 of these boys--with 22 million subscribers, I imagine he'll find many more.

Linus knows his customer base, and it's not the GJers. As a result, most of the posts on this thread--including much of my post #3--are completely meaningless and irrelevant. Doesn't matter what Snap-on or Wera might sell. Doesn't matter what other products are out there, or how they might compare functionally to the LTT driver. Doesn't matter how practical it might be for real-world PC work. Completely irrelevant. Even OP's original question is marginally pointless. It's intended for intravenous mainlining for gamers.

As a gamer I resent your insinuation that we have more money than sense.

- Written from my computer powered by a $2000 GPU cooled by a $1500 custom hardline water cooling setup I made to squeeze an extra couple percent of performance out if it and my $1000 CPU all of which I use to play 20 year old games my cellphone can run just fine...

 

[FuzzyTiger]

Even if you dont buy the screwdriver, the 20mm stubby bits are a deal a-la-carte especially the specialized sizes, and should work in other magnetic bit drivers like SO.

$7 for any of the LTT 12 pc. stubby bit sets is reasonable.
All six sets of bits (72 bits) would only be $42.
Mac charges $5 each for their 16mm bits.
Snap-on's 17 pc stubby bit set is $83; $4-6 depending on bit.
The Klein 5 stubby bit ratchet set is $16.
VIM's 77 pc half-cut bit set (73 bits after subtracting extensions and wrench) is $130.

I think they thought this out really well.
A set of insert bit style mini nutdrivers would be cool.
And PZ might not hurt.
And I think they should offer the whole set of bits without duplicates in a well designed case.

Careful putting those stubby bits into a regular screw driver. There's a very good chance they'll go in too deep and you'll have a hell of a time getting them back out.

 

[macnugget]

Careful putting those stubby bits into a regular screw driver. There's a very good chance they'll go in too deep and you'll have a hell of a time getting them back out.

That's what the magnet is for!

 

[KnurledNut]

Careful putting those stubby bits into a regular screw driver. There's a very good chance they'll go in too deep and you'll have a hell of a time getting them back out.

No worries. My Klein bits are 19.2mm and work just fine in my magnetic drivers.

 

[DadsTools]

As a gamer I resent your insinuation that we have more money than sense.

- Written from my computer powered by a $2000 GPU cooled by a $1500 custom hardline water cooling setup I made to squeeze an extra couple percent of performance out if it and my $1000 CPU all of which I use to play 20 year old games my cellphone can run just fine...

Yep, that's the ticket! That's the market this LTT driver was created for. It's candy for that particular kind of eye. Linus and friends have that kind of eye through which this driver was envisioned. It also can be a very elitist kind of eye (an attitude which I repeatedly had to deal with as a project manager on a large IT job where some of the techies interacted with the client's employees as stupid morons beneath their highfalutin computer intellect). Mere wrench-turning mortals need not apply--move along, nothing to see here. As OP reminded us in post #48 (you know, the member with the computer keyboard key avatar): "The baby boomer wood handle screwdriver grease monkeys of Garage Journal are not his target audience." This screwdriver is not for you.

 

[n8n]

The market for screwdrivers, even ratcheting ones is already overcrowded. This seems to be a case of an influencer selling his own product. Very few people who know about all the options out there would pay $70 for this particular ratcheting screwdriver. This is Snap on level pricing. I doubt he will ever be able to spread out his fixed costs (R&D, tooling etc.) enough to bring his unit costs down enough to compete with most of the options out there. Not once in the video did he show any new and practical design features that make it stand out from the competition. And even then, sometimes keeping things cheap and simple makes more sense when you are trying to generate sales. My Snap on ratcheting screwdriver is gathering dust in my tool box while I'm using my Rolgear gearless ratcheting screwdriver most of the time. If I were him, I'd be selling cordless precision screwdrivers and power grade precision bits that meet my standards instead of a ratcheting screwdriver.

I dunno about overcrowded, in my mind there is absolutely no competition for the Snap-On SSDMR4 and SSDMR1. I used to have the look alike red Craftsman one and thought it was a cool tool, but when I bought the stubby Snap-On I immediately replaced it with the regular Snap-On for two reasons - 1) the Craftsman and Snap-On ratchet ring thing work opposite from each other, so going from a Craftsman full size to Snap-On stubby and vice versa leads to confusion and 2) the backdrag of the Snap-On is so much less than the Craftsman, it's almost worth the price of admission.

I am skeptical that this new screwdriver is actually better than the SSDMR4 but am willing to be proven wrong.

 

[Professional Tool User]

I dunno about overcrowded, in my mind there is absolutely no competition for the Snap-On SSDMR4 and SSDMR1. I used to have the look alike red Craftsman one and thought it was a cool tool, but when I bought the stubby Snap-On I immediately replaced it with the regular Snap-On for two reasons - 1) the Craftsman and Snap-On ratchet ring thing work opposite from each other, so going from a Craftsman full size to Snap-On stubby and vice versa leads to confusion and 2) the backdrag of the Snap-On is so much less than the Craftsman, it's almost worth the price of admission.

I am skeptical that this new screwdriver is actually better than the SSDMR4 but am willing to be proven wrong.

Go look at the list of options available someone else posted earlier in the thread. The Snap on ratcheting screwdriver isn't amazing enough to justify paying twice as much as say the Megapro ratcheting screwdriver. It even has some obvious shortcomings like bit storage. I have a hand me down and I wouldn't be willing to pay full price for it with my own money. I bought a Rolgear gearless screwdriver to see what it was like to completely eliminate back drag altogether.

 

[John McA]

Rolgear gearless screwdriver. I have two. Bought another as a gift. They work pretty good.

 

[KnurledNut]

I bought a Rolgear gearless screwdriver to see what it was like to completely eliminate back drag altogether.

Rolgear gearless screwdriver. I have two. Bought another as a gift. They work pretty good.

As with ratchets, backdrag feedback can be useful when working blind. The clicks let you know whats happening. Dont have that with silence. I quit using my gearless ratcheting screwdriver for that reason.

Thats the great thing about so many ratcheting screwdriver options on the market. Different strokes for different folks. Choose what works best for you and your needs.

 

[SyluxGuy28O3]

Can’t wait for the LTT 16” cushion handle double adjustable jaw wrench.

 

[Professional Tool User]

As with ratchets, backdrag feedback can be useful when working blind. The clicks let you know whats happening. Dont have that with silence. I quit using my gearless ratcheting screwdriver for that reason.

Thats the great thing about so many ratcheting screwdriver options on the market. Different strokes for different folks. Choose what works best for you and your needs.

To each to their own. If you feel that the click of a gear is more reassuring, more power to you. I on the other hand don't have a problem feeling the mechanism engage silently. Being able to spin the handle with almost no resistance is awesome.

 

[visionguru]

Look at the bits! Garbage quality.

As someone who have been assembling dozens of desktop computers/workstations since 1990s, I can say that ratcheting screwdriver is almost useless on a computer. Why? Most screws don't have enough friction to allow ratcheting action. Also, the handle is too bulky, the shaft is too thick and sometimes too short. With a strong magnet on the tips? Not a good idea when doing the screws on the motherboards.

The video is mostly BS, but the thing is: suckers are easy to find with the help of today's social media. At least 1 tool company is borderline doing the same.

 

[KnurledNut]

@visionguru
If your talking about the silver bits, they dont come with it. The short black ones do. And I see nothing wrong with them in that picture.

 

[n8n]

Look at the bits! Garbage quality.

As someone who have been assembling dozens of desktop computers/workstations since 1990s, I can say that ratcheting screwdriver is almost useless on a computer. Why? Most screws don't have enough friction to allow ratcheting action. Also, the handle is too bulky, the shaft is too thick and sometimes too short. With a strong magnet on the tips? Not a good idea when doing the screws on the motherboards.

The video is mostly BS, but the thing is: suckers are easy to find with the help of today's social media. At least 1 tool company is borderline doing the same.

If you're working on computers (or stereo gear, or Japanese cars) you don't want to use the stock bits on any screwdriver anyway, you want Vessel JIS bits. Took me way too long to discover them, but now I can't live without them. I have the stock Snap-On Phillips and slotted bits, Vessel JIS, and PB Swiss Pozidriv for my ratcheting screwdriver. Also have the Lang ratcheting bit wrench set, for all my screw driving needs. Had to use them the other day on of all things an antique stovetop percolator, there's no other way to remove the Bakelite handle and I wanted to send it through the dishwasher.

 

[vwpieces]

 

[SledDriver]

So absolutely crushes the Snap-on, second only in total rating to the $144 P.B Swiss, and if you remove the massive outlier bit retention score of the PB Swiss (at which LTT did well, second in magnet strength) then the LTT is rated the best.

A few red faces in here perhaps…..

 

[dnschmidt]

Is it made from titanium and can it leap tall buildings on a single bound? Few people even like ratcheting screwdrivers (Personally, I don't) and I can buy a Bosch, Milwaukee or Dewalt cordless screwdriver for less than what this thing cost. Is this guy nuts? Why ratchet when I can have the tool spin the fricking screw for me? Also, all the above have clutches that can be preset for a specific repeatable torque. To me this is complete madness but spend you're money however you chose. Here's my favorite NON-RATCHETING SCREWDRIVER: https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Power-Tools/Fastening/2101-20

 

[vwpieces]

While I already have a Hazet and SO ratcheting screwdrivers I rarely ever use, I personally would opt for the Megapro from that list. Also would not be surprised if Megapro spends a couple pennies to upgrade the magnet on future production. That alone would change its position on the list. Perhaps if price or value were to be considered?

This is a not very well known electric model from Wiha China. Not marketed in USA. Had one for many years and love it.

• Wiha Electric Screwdriver with 8 Precision Bits, for Home Use, 11-Piece Battery-Operated Screwdriver Set with Adjustable Torque, Magnetic Bit Head and LED Light for Accurate Lighting
• €44.99

 

[F-22]

Disappointed on PF, I feel like he was biased. He did not include the test of failure torque in the results which never happened before on his reviews. Justified it by saying they're strong enough, but I can't help to assume it's just to prevent the LTT screwdriver from diving down his ratings. This mechanism just isn't nearly as strong as some of the others. As he said, nothing wrong with that but omitting it from the results made him loose a lot of respect from my side. Results should be all presented and the buyer should understand what he needs, but what he did is just swaying buyers towards the LTT screwdriver more.

And then in the end when he blacks out another section saying how it's irrelevant to "some people" I also think it's obvious just to bring the LTT on top.


Also, the PB Swiss is 46€ on Hoffmann. It's 90$ on Amazon but ships from Japan.
And the model with storage is 75€.
He picked the way more expensive set with the box and a bunch of bits and no bit storage (though I prefer that handle).


Edit: Also that video thumbnail! Made it look like the Wera costs the same and that they're in the middle of the price range, and an LTT sign next to it... Not that nearly all decent screwdrivers are around 40$. In my opinion, this is a sponsored video.

 

[teagueo]

Are guys actually out there breaking ratcheting screwdrivers? I've had the same gearwrench screwdriver since '09 and it's never had an issue. I use an impact screwdriver if it really needs some torque...or a vessel with a hex built into the shank.

I think this fascination with torque specs is from YouTubers making videos about it. If this guy designed it for computer service, I don't think it needs to be incredibly strong anyway. I'm not in the market for one, but surprised how much criticism LTT got

 

[KnurledNut]

This is a not very well known electric model from Wiha China. Not marketed in USA. Had one for many years and love it.

Will that handle take any long 1/4 bit?

 

[vwpieces]

Will that handle take any long 1/4 bit?

Yeah, handle is 1/4in hex. Has extension included with a good magent too. Non removable 18650 batt and USB C charge port.

 

[Grokew]

Disappointed on PF, I feel like he was biased. He did not include the test of failure torque in the results which never happened before on his reviews. Justified it by saying they're strong enough, but I can't help to assume it's just to prevent the LTT screwdriver from diving down his ratings. This mechanism just isn't nearly as strong as some of the others. As he said, nothing wrong with that but omitting it from the results made him loose a lot of respect from my side. Results should be all presented and the buyer should understand what he needs, but what he did is just swaying buyers towards the LTT screwdriver more.

And then in the end when he blacks out another section saying how it's irrelevant to "some people" I also think it's obvious just to bring the LTT on top.


Also, the PB Swiss is 46€ on Hoffmann. It's 90$ on Amazon but ships from Japan.
And the model with storage is 75€.
He picked the way more expensive set with the box and a bunch of bits and no bit storage (though I prefer that handle).


Edit: Also that video thumbnail! Made it look like the Wera costs the same and that they're in the middle of the price range, and an LTT sign next to it... Not that nearly all decent screwdrivers are around 40$. In my opinion, this is a sponsored video.

Yeah, the PB Twister long handle version is $76.88 at Toollady or if you use the labor day code you can get it for $57.66. The version with bit storage (insider 3) would be $99.94 or $74.95 using the code. The LTT screwdriver seems fine but by going with the more expensive PB toolset istead of the single screwdriver they made the comparison look dishonest. That was unnecessary, as the LTT has enough features to justify its existence, and even it's price.

 

[F-22]

Are guys actually out there breaking ratcheting screwdrivers? I've had the same gearwrench screwdriver since '09 and it's never had an issue. I use an impact screwdriver if it really needs some torque...or a vessel with a hex built into the shank.

I think this fascination with torque specs is from YouTubers making videos about it. If this guy designed it for computer service, I don't think it needs to be incredibly strong anyway. I'm not in the market for one, but surprised how much criticism LTT got

That screwdriver is fine, what bothers me is that they omitted some results to make it look better. PF usually tests for strength to failure and he did test it here, he just did not include the results.

 

[FuzzyTiger]

Yeah, the PB Twister long handle version is $76.88 at Toollady or if you use the labor day code you can get it for $57.66. The version with bit storage (insider 3) would be $99.94 or $74.95 using the code. The LTT screwdriver seems fine but by going with the more expensive PB toolset istead of the single screwdriver they made the comparison look dishonest. That was unnecessary, as the LTT has enough features to justify its existence, and even it's price.

Does that mean Project Farm needs to update every review on a daily basis as prices change and new sales pop up?

I think he goes with MSRP or what a normal price would be for the item on a random day of the year. Not necessarily the best possible price. Which is the correct approach for what he's doing.

Also keep in mind that the PB Swiss screwdriver is available at those lower prices but it includes NO bits unlike the rest of the competition. PB Swiss's bits are extremely expensive and if you're buying a set you quickly end up at the price point that Project Farm showed. You could say that it doesn't matter because you can use the PB Swiss with any other bits but isn't the quality of their bits a big part of what makes them special?

Anyways the PB Swiss got a great score inline with their reputation and if you can get their screwdrivers for cheap then it sounds like they're the real winners here.

 

[F-22]

Does that mean Project Farm needs to update every review on a daily basis as prices change and new sales pop up?

I think he goes with MSRP or what a normal price would be for the item on a random day of the year. Not necessarily the best possible price. Which is the correct approach for what he's doing.

Also keep in mind that the PB Swiss screwdriver is available at those lower prices but it includes NO bits unlike the rest of the competition. PB Swiss's bits are extremely expensive and if you're buying a set you quickly end up at the price point that Project Farm showed. You could say that it doesn't matter because you can use the PB Swiss with any other bits but isn't the quality of their bits a big part of what makes them special?

Anyways the PB Swiss got a great score inline with their reputation and if you can get their screwdrivers for cheap then it sounds like they're the real winners here.

No, the second version he talks about, for 99$, comes with bits and bit storage in the handle as all other screwdrivers. I think PF buys stuff off of Amazon for the most part - but with the set he got a bunch of those pricey PB Swiss bits, I don't think it's fair to compare the price of a whole set to screwdrivers with just 6-12 bits. But okay, he did this often on his previous reviews too. The fact he removed results bothered me more.

 

[dukefx]

Does that mean Project Farm needs to update every review on a daily basis as prices change and new sales pop up?

I think he goes with MSRP or what a normal price would be for the item on a random day of the year. Not necessarily the best possible price. Which is the correct approach for what he's doing.

Also keep in mind that the PB Swiss screwdriver is available at those lower prices but it includes NO bits unlike the rest of the competition. PB Swiss's bits are extremely expensive and if you're buying a set you quickly end up at the price point that Project Farm showed. You could say that it doesn't matter because you can use the PB Swiss with any other bits but isn't the quality of their bits a big part of what makes them special?

Anyways the PB Swiss got a great score inline with their reputation and if you can get their screwdrivers for cheap then it sounds like they're the real winners here.

The Insider 3 has everything the others have, including internal bit storage and bits, even a long shaft. It costs 49€

 

[Bubba Fett]

Watched the video. I maintain that the Megapro is by far the better buy. He demoed the ball detent version, which is a great driver, but I think the magnetic version is better. (I have both.)

The LTT is good, but is it better than having two Megapros for the same price?

Nope. The improvements are tiny, and not likely to be noticeable in reality.

 

[ItsNemo]

Look at the bits! Garbage quality.

As someone who have been assembling dozens of desktop computers/workstations since 1990s, I can say that ratcheting screwdriver is almost useless on a computer. Why? Most screws don't have enough friction to allow ratcheting action. Also, the handle is too bulky, the shaft is too thick and sometimes too short. With a strong magnet on the tips? Not a good idea when doing the screws on the motherboards.

The video is mostly BS, but the thing is: suckers are easy to find with the help of today's social media. At least 1 tool company is borderline doing the same.

Yup, having built my fair share of computers back in the day...they are all machine screws that you would never use the ratcheting part and you'd want a long shaft or very thin handle to get into the right places.

 

[dukefx]

If you're working on computers (or stereo gear, or Japanese cars) you don't want to use the stock bits on any screwdriver anyway, you want Vessel JIS bits. Took me way too long to discover them, but now I can't live without them. I have the stock Snap-On Phillips and slotted bits, Vessel JIS, and PB Swiss Pozidriv for my ratcheting screwdriver. Also have the Lang ratcheting bit wrench set, for all my screw driving needs. Had to use them the other day on of all things an antique stovetop percolator, there's no other way to remove the Bakelite handle and I wanted to send it through the dishwasher.

If you need a JIS bit for Japanese stuff use it, if it's Philips use a damn PH bit! They've been designed so your gorilla arms won't kill the thread (unlike JIS). The only time you should use JIS on PH is when it's slightly damaged. It's easier to extract with a JIS.

 

[SledDriver]

Disappointed on PF, I feel like he was biased. He did not include the test of failure torque in the results which never happened before on his reviews. Justified it by saying they're strong enough, but I can't help to assume it's just to prevent the LTT screwdriver from diving down his ratings. This mechanism just isn't nearly as strong as some of the others. As he said, nothing wrong with that but omitting it from the results made him loose a lot of respect from my side. Results should be all presented and the buyer should understand what he needs, but what he did is just swaying buyers towards the LTT screwdriver more.

And then in the end when he blacks out another section saying how it's irrelevant to "some people" I also think it's obvious just to bring the LTT on top.

Edit: Also that video thumbnail! Made it look like the Wera costs the same and that they're in the middle of the price range, and an LTT sign next to it... Not that nearly all decent screwdrivers are around 40$. In my opinion, this is a sponsored video.

That is an appallingly poor take, and doesn't reflect at all on the quality of the video and the testing. The real problem is that you didn't see the results you wanted, and now you're desperately scrambling for reasons to discredit the results.

If the Snap-On driver put up the results that the LTT driver did then you'd all be high-fiving, with patriotic tears running down your face. There's several posts in this thread, upvoted numerous times, talking about how the Snap-On is the only option and anything else is a poor imitation.

Then along comes the LTT driver - which is cheaper than the Snap-On, and grinds it into dust, and now you can find nothing but problems with it?

Here's the fact of the matter;

- Arc Swing - LTT best in class.
- Weight without bits - LTT joint second best in class, missing out minutely.
- Weight with bits - LTT joint best in class.
- Back drag force - LTT best in class by a HUGE margin. 3 times better performance than the Snap-On.
- Shaft wobble - LTT joint best in class.
- Magnetic strength - LTT second best in class.

As for failure torque, I can only imagine that anyone complaining about that has never used a tool in their life. The LTT driver failed at 295 inch pounds. 33nm. That's an absolutely biblical amount of force to put through a screwdriver. It is absolutely pointless to include that destructive force in any kind of rating of the driver.

To make a ratcheting driver with 9.1g of backdrag force (which is unbelievably impressive), which is practically impossible to destroy by hand is objectively superb.

 

[Grokew]

Does that mean Project Farm needs to update every review on a daily basis as prices change and new sales pop up?

I think he goes with MSRP or what a normal price would be for the item on a random day of the year. Not necessarily the best possible price. Which is the correct approach for what he's doing.

Also keep in mind that the PB Swiss screwdriver is available at those lower prices but it includes NO bits unlike the rest of the competition. PB Swiss's bits are extremely expensive and if you're buying a set you quickly end up at the price point that Project Farm showed. You could say that it doesn't matter because you can use the PB Swiss with any other bits but isn't the quality of their bits a big part of what makes them special?

Anyways the PB Swiss got a great score inline with their reputation and if you can get their screwdrivers for cheap then it sounds like they're the real winners here.

Ratchets & Sets

Look at this. No discounts or anything. USA Distributor. He could have shown the Insider3 short or long handle version for close to 100, Or the Twister (the one on the video) on its own for 77 dollars no discounts.

There is no excuse for going with a set that will make it look like the price is up there in Everest.

He used the same technique used for selling subscriptions and stuff. You set multiple offerings, a low priced one that doesn't offers much beyond basics, one that has everything that you could want but is heavily overpriced, and then one in the middle that looks like it offers a better value (the one you are actually pushing to sell). That's what he did.

Edited: Removed vulgar language.

 

[Rabid Badger]

Look at the bits! Garbage quality.

 

[F-22]

That is an appallingly poor take, and doesn't reflect at all on the quality of the video and the testing. The real problem is that you didn't see the results you wanted, and now you're desperately scrambling for reasons to discredit the results.

If the Snap-On driver put up the results that the LTT driver did then you'd all be high-fiving, with patriotic tears running down your face.

Where did I talk about Snap On? I'm not even from USA or Canada, and the only snap on tool I ever saw in real life is an old 1/2" ratchet. They hardly exist in central Europe, I couldn't buy it without high shipping costs and a crazy import tax.


I did talk about the Wera and the PB Swiss, which I have also held. But I think you only saw what you wanted to see.

 

[KnurledNut]

MegaPro made a smart decision collaborating with LTT.
This has drawn much attention to their company and products as well.
I expect both of them to benefit greatly.

Project Farm will make a killing off of his video.
Its only been out 3 days, has 878k views currently, close to 8,400 comments, and is #28 on trending. Add to that his 2.55M subs.

Personal opinions aside, the facts show this has been a successful venture and the product is quality.

Also, unless I missed it, we are four pages deep and still no comments from anyone that has actually handled one, right?
Looking forward to getting feedback from actual owners as these become more available.

 

[BlackHorseSaga]

That is an appallingly poor take, and doesn't reflect at all on the quality of the video and the testing. The real problem is that you didn't see the results you wanted, and now you're desperately scrambling for reasons to discredit the results.

If the Snap-On driver put up the results that the LTT driver did then you'd all be high-fiving, with patriotic tears running down your face. There's several posts in this thread, upvoted numerous times, talking about how the Snap-On is the only option and anything else is a poor imitation.

Then along comes the LTT driver - which is cheaper than the Snap-On, and grinds it into dust, and now you can find nothing but problems with it?

Here's the fact of the matter;

- Arc Swing - LTT best in class.
- Weight without bits - LTT joint second best in class, missing out minutely.
- Weight with bits - LTT joint best in class.
- Back drag force - LTT best in class by a HUGE margin. 3 times better performance than the Snap-On.
- Shaft wobble - LTT joint best in class.
- Magnetic strength - LTT second best in class.

As for failure torque, I can only imagine that anyone complaining about that has never used a tool in their life. The LTT driver failed at 295 inch pounds. 33nm. That's an absolutely biblical amount of force to put through a screwdriver. It is absolutely pointless to include that destructive force in any kind of rating of the driver.

To make a ratcheting driver with 9.1g of backdrag force (which is unbelievably impressive), which is practically impossible to destroy by hand is objectively superb.

I've owned three Snap-on ratcheting screwdrivers for close to 15 years now. They're the hard handle black models. One of them has a shank twice as long as the other two. I didn't pay anything for them, so I'm not biased. They were used on computers, and just about everything else. You can't strip a computer screw with a ratcheting screwdriver unless you have no business using a screwdriver in the first place.

I took one look at the handles on all these ratcheting screwdrivers, and I wouldn't use any of them. The feel in the hand would be straight up awful - particularly the LTT.

My Snap-on's have no backdrag. The weight is irrelevant. The Snap-on bits are the best I've ever seen, and are lifetime warranty. They never cam off. The magnetic strength is fine. The shaft doesn't wobble.

What are you looking for? An improvement of 5%? Considering the Williams outperformed the Snap-on by a large margin, I'll say the replacement shank Snap-on isn't really that great --- but I don't own them. The hard handled Williams ratcheting screwdriver isn't nearly as good as the actual Snap-on.

Obviously, you're biased. Seriously biased. As is this thread since it's purpose, apparently, to advertise for LTT.

Whole thing seems shady. I wouldn't order one anyway.

 

[ArcReactorKC]

This just in:
Youtuber contracts company to make a very nice ratcheting screwdriver.
GarageJournal shits all over it because they don't want to buy one.

 

[seber]

I find it interesting that the Sanp-on and Williams test so different in every category since they are essentially the same screwdriver. Does not give me confidence in his methodology. But I've seen clear evidence of bias in other videos he has done. That really stands out when he tests oils.

 

[teagueo]

What are you looking for? An improvement of 5%? Considering the Williams outperformed the Snap-on by a large margin, I'll say the replacement shank Snap-on isn't really that great --- but I don't own them. The hard handled Williams ratcheting screwdriver isn't nearly as good as the actual Snap-on.

Obviously, you're biased. Seriously biased. As is this thread since it's purpose, apparently, to advertise for LTT.

Whole thing seems shady. I wouldn't order one anyway.

I actually would take a 5% improvement in anything. I don't understand this anti-innovation viewpoint, especially on a tool forum of all places. There doesn't need to be a "problem" with existing designs in order to create new tools.

If this was the attitude everywhere, there'd be no high tooth count ratchets because, "those 24t ones are working fine!".

Whether the LTT is good or not, I like seeing new stuff come out. Most basic hand tool designs have been stagnant IMO.

This just in:
Youtuber contracts company to make a very nice ratcheting screwdriver.
GarageJournal shits all over it because they don't want to buy one.

Classic . Just what this thread needed

 

[CallumRD1]

I've owned three Snap-on ratcheting screwdrivers for close to 15 years now. They're the hard handle black models. One of them has a shank twice as long as the other two. I didn't pay anything for them, so I'm not biased. They were used on computers, and just about everything else. You can't strip a computer screw with a ratcheting screwdriver unless you have no business using a screwdriver in the first place.

I took one look at the handles on all these ratcheting screwdrivers, and I wouldn't use any of them. The feel in the hand would be straight up awful - particularly the LTT.

My Snap-on's have no backdrag. The weight is irrelevant. The Snap-on bits are the best I've ever seen, and are lifetime warranty. They never cam off. The magnetic strength is fine. The shaft doesn't wobble.

What are you looking for? An improvement of 5%? Considering the Williams outperformed the Snap-on by a large margin, I'll say the replacement shank Snap-on isn't really that great --- but I don't own them. The hard handled Williams ratcheting screwdriver isn't nearly as good as the actual Snap-on.

Obviously, you're biased. Seriously biased. As is this thread since it's purpose, apparently, to advertise for LTT.

Whole thing seems shady. I wouldn't order one anyway.

While I agree that the Snap-on is a great screwdriver, I almost immediately got rid of mine because I couldn't stand the bit storage. I vastly prefer a captive organization system that doesn't allow the bits to rattle around in the handle and makes switching between bits fast and easy. My personal favorite is the 10 bit holder in the PB Swiss Insider Pro but the 12 bit Megapro style carousel is also fairly good.