Megapro Defender: newly released 1000v insulated multi-bit screwdriver

[KnurledNut]

https://megaprotools.com/en-us/page...312&utm_content=322190485&utm_source=hs_email

 

[Grimm_the_Grey]

https://megaprotools.com/en-us/pages/defender-launch?utm_campaign=VDE Launch&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8sR5Ko8A7kdKGD0YJcOHRPVIgDfWL2K-2YZncOGmoUemxNX77ORAeGxUlPG6bTxUI7ngI-YKbcnvPAEK07melHJ2T-_aHbzJEbfpMi3qHy4lDCO7o&_hsmi=322735312&utm_content=322190485&utm_source=hs_email

If those are standard power bits it could be something I'd buy. I HATE their double ended quasi-proprietary bits and aluminum shafts. Ratcheting mechanism doesn't feel great, but it is low back-drag which is nice. I tried to find their automotive one awhile back and it was impossible to find it in stock anywhere so I gave up on that. It just started to seem like they didn't want my money

 

[rlitman]

Is that yellow paint on the bits, or are they actually VDE rated insulated up to the tips? There is absolutely no way I'd be reaching into a situation that called for an insulated driver, where I would accept the chance of it dropping a conductive component (such as a driver bit) into live equipment. Even if the handle protects me from contact with live power, I'm at least as worried about large pieces of metal creating an arc flash. On a lot of equipment I work with (NOT live, but there are plenty of capacitors and batteries), an inch long driver bit is plenty big enough to short phase to phase between 480V bus bars, or bridge an insulator from a bus bar to ground.

I'm sticking with insulated bits that have no more than 1/2" exposed metal on the end of a well insulated stick (be it an insert, or the handle itself). They're not going to cause a flash anywhere.

 

[yatg]

Wanted to see more info on this so followed the link above and clicked "see driver"

Most of their links are busted.

How hard is it to TEST your f-ing website?

 

[Grimm_the_Grey]

Wanted to see more info on this so followed the link above and clicked "see driver"

Most of their links are busted.

How hard is it to TEST your f-ing website?

I was able to find more information at their Canadian website which was working fine. Like you said, most links on US site were broken. WTF Megapro, do you hate money?

To Rlitman: it's hard to tell from the picture but these are overmolded with plastic insulation nearly to the tip just like all modern slim insulated drivers.

 

[Hakeem]

Is that yellow paint on the bits, or are they actually VDE rated insulated up to the tips? There is absolutely no way I'd be reaching into a situation that called for an insulated driver, where I would accept the chance of it dropping a conductive component (such as a driver bit) into live equipment. Even if the handle protects me from contact with live power, I'm at least as worried about large pieces of metal creating an arc flash. On a lot of equipment I work with (NOT live, but there are plenty of capacitors and batteries), an inch long driver bit is plenty big enough to short phase to phase between 480V bus bars, or bridge an insulator from a bus bar to ground.

I'm sticking with insulated bits that have no more than 1/2" exposed metal on the end of a well insulated stick (be it an insert, or the handle itself). They're not going to cause a flash anywhere.

I agree for anything more than 220v, but sometimes you need to use insulated tools for low voltage situations to prevent unintentional shorts that could damage delicate circuitry. These could be good for that, in theory.

 

[rlitman]

...it's hard to tell from the picture but these are overmolded with plastic insulation nearly to the tip just like all modern slim insulated drivers.

Ok, that's exactly what I needed to hear. So they're reduced shank insulated cabinet tip bits compacted to the point that they store in the handle. Sorry Grimm, the bits are positively incompatible with standard 1/4" bits, but I see that as a feature, not a problem.

It looks like their e-tail shop has come online too, so more pictures there and I think I can make out the over-molding in several zoomed in shots as well as in their intro video. So, I'd be comfortable swapping out several of my VDE drivers for this, but unfortunately, the included bits don't overlap well with what I tend to use. If they sold more bits separately, so I could choose my load-out, that might sway me.

Right now in my VDE tool-bag, I've got handles for
PH2
PZ2 (not something people universally need, but this one's a big deal for me)
R2 (square)
ECX1 (I despise using a PH2 on cheese soft screws when I have better options)
PH2 plusminus (see above)
7/16" slotted (aka 5.5mm, this perfectly fits switchplate screws)

I also keep a 1/8" slotted handy for terminal screws, but I've yet to find an insulated one I like.

I agree for anything more than 220v, but sometimes you need to use insulated tools for low voltage situations to prevent unintentional shorts that could damage delicate circuitry. These could be good for that, in theory.

I use insulated tools around batteries and capacitors at all sorts of voltages, so I'm with you, but the "long metal" issue still applies at low voltages. Anything that can bridge the contacts on a car starter solenoid for example is going to throw sparks, even at nominally 12VDC. I'm not saying car mechanics need VDE tools, but even a cheap composite HF ratchet handles take away a lot of risk when using a socket on a battery clamp.