Multi-Bit Driver

[Ford Farmer]

Hi All,

Looks like my job is taking me from my 3 car garage and detached one car work shop to a small apartment in Hong Kong. I'm putting together a tool box to take with me and to save space I wanted to pick up a regular length and a stuby multi bit driver. I was just going to grab a couple of Kleins but I've been reading some complaints about soft tips. Search turned up lots of screwdriver recommendations but not a lot specific to multi-bits. Ideas? Thanks for your time folks!

 

[jeffmoss26]

Enderes!

 

[lbgradwell]

Picquic.

 

[kctyphoon]

milwaukee - ive never bought anything from them that has not exceeded my expectations, amd most of their hand tools are available at home depot.

 

[CNGsaves]

That sounds like a giant garage sale . . . .
. . . . . could I have dibbs on Ford in your avatar ??

I'll buy any kind of screwdrivers you want in exchange for the ride !!

 

[balrog]

I have a Wera Kraftform Kompakt 25 in a secondary tool pouch at work. Comfortable grip and keeps the bits inside the handle. Can remove the shank and use it with a cordless driver.

Somethings to consider; is to find a driver that uses standard 1/4" hex bits rather than a proprietary bit. In case you lose a bit, it would be much easier to find a replacement abroad. And sometimes the multibit drivers have clearance issues with fasteners in blind holes.

 

[tool_scrounge]

+1 Enderes

 

[8comm13]

Megapro.

 

[Ford Farmer]

That sounds like a giant garage sale . . . .
. . . . . could I have dibbs on Ford in your avatar ??

I'll buy any kind of screwdrivers you want in exchange for the ride !!

That's going to be one hell of a screwdriver! The Bronco and most of the tools are going into storage, we'll be back in a few years. I do however have a few other project Fords that I'd be happy to let you borrow as long as you follow Dad's golden rule for borrowing stuff.....return it in better shape than you found it!

 

[Ford Farmer]

Somethings to consider; is to find a driver that uses standard 1/4" hex bits rather than a proprietary bit. In case you lose a bit, it would be much easier to find a replacement abroad. And sometimes the multibit drivers have clearance issues with fasteners in blind holes.

Yup, solid advice. I'll be bringing a power screwdriver with 1/4" drive for the wife and interchangeability will help keep the toolbox small.

 

[geojag]

Milwaukee makes a stubby ratcheting driver that I have been impressed with in the few weeks I have had it, got it at Home Depot. The bits are 1/4, and with an extension it can do double duty as a long driver.

 

[balrog]

Yup, solid advice. I'll be bringing a power screwdriver with 1/4" drive for the wife and interchangeability will help keep the toolbox small.

Don't forget to check for voltage compatibility with your electrical devices. I think Hong Kong is 220v 50Hz and uses the UK style plug.

 

[donvito]

Another + to Enderes, heavy duty and American made. I've also had good experience with Megapro and the new Channellock 6 in 1, the later for only a few months, but it held up well.

What are your requirements? Type of bits, nut driver option, ratcheting (my least favorite) etc.. ?

 

[Ford Farmer]

Another + to Enderes, heavy duty and American made. I've also had good experience with Megapro and the new Channellock 6 in 1, the later for only a few months, but it held up well.

What are your requirements? Type of bits, nut driver option, ratcheting (my least favorite) etc.. ?

Not a fan of ratcheting, never had a good one. That could be because I've never bought one myself, receive crappy ones for gifts every so often.

Slotted, Phillips and 1/4 inch drive are the basic requirements. Trying not to talk myself into more tools than I need. General household tasks (picture hanging and such)' bicycle maintenance and probably some furniture assembly. I know the latter will involve Allen head fasteners but I have some 1/4 inch bits for that. Basic 6 or 8 in 1 would likely cover most of my uses.

 

[gj67stang]

Custom is always an option.....

 

[nicksnothereman]

Hi All,

Looks like my job is taking me from my 3 car garage and detached one car work shop to a small apartment in Hong Kong. I'm putting together a tool box to take with me and to save space I wanted to pick up a regular length and a stuby multi bit driver. I was just going to grab a couple of Kleins but I've been reading some complaints about soft tips. Search turned up lots of screwdriver recommendations but not a lot specific to multi-bits. Ideas? Thanks for your time folks!

If you can find the bit sockets cheap enough I say make your own set in 3/8 (because I don't see bit sockets less than this) and use a spinner with an adapter and bring a ratchet along.

I like using bit sockets with a ratchet, very handle if there's room also get way better torque application off and on. My opinion.

 

[Champo]

I have a klein 5 in 1 And love it. I honestly haven't had any trouble with the tips, I'd actually say they're very good. If your worried just get a couple of extra replacement tips.

I also have a wera which is an engineering masterpiece, but I always have trouble with clearances around screw heads, so I don't use it anymore.

 

[tjpavlov]

+1 on enderes. But shouldn't the real question be what tools are you going to buy in Asia?

 

[BFHtime]

You will still need thin screwdrivers, for holes that the business end of a bit driver will not fit into. Definitely need a thin Philips, long thin philips bits can be purchased for these situations.

I suggest a used snap-on ratcheting screwdriver, there is a reason people go nuts for them.

There are all types of adapters to go from hex to square and back. I would definitely have some, for things I might need.

A roto ratchet can be used for a ratchet and a ratcheting screwdriver with a hex adapter. Make sure it can be tightened, because a floppy tool, is just not fun to play with, pun intended.

I would suggest a tool bag to hold these tools for you.

You could consider buying cheap tools while you are there, or maybe find some deals on some tools from Japan. Maybe setup a group buy, nudge nudge. Maybe tools from Taiwan are cheaper there, I do not know. This would be a good time purchase Asian high performance parts for your car.

 

[n8n]

You will still need thin screwdrivers, for holes that the business end of a bit driver will not fit into. Definitely need a thin Philips, long thin philips bits can be purchased for these situations.

I suggest a used snap-on ratcheting screwdriver, there is a reason people go nuts for them.

There are all types of adapters to go from hex to square and back. I would definitely have some, for things I might need.

A roto ratchet can be used for a ratchet and a ratcheting screwdriver with a hex adapter. Make sure it can be tightened, because a floppy tool, is just not fun to play with, pun intended.

I would suggest a tool bag to hold these tools for you.

You could consider buying cheap tools while you are there, or maybe find some deals on some tools from Japan. Maybe setup a group buy, nudge nudge. Maybe tools from Taiwan are cheaper there, I do not know. This would be a good time purchase Asian high performance parts for your car.

+1 on the snap on ratcheting screwdriver. If you are going to Asia you'll want some JIS bits as well, mine are Vessel on the recommendations given here when I asked. I haven't had any call to use them yet however which is OK, better to have and not need than need and not have

 

[n8n]

Not a fan of ratcheting, never had a good one. That could be because I've never bought one myself, receive crappy ones for gifts every so often.

Slotted, Phillips and 1/4 inch drive are the basic requirements. Trying not to talk myself into more tools than I need. General household tasks (picture hanging and such)' bicycle maintenance and probably some furniture assembly. I know the latter will involve Allen head fasteners but I have some 1/4 inch bits for that. Basic 6 or 8 in 1 would likely cover most of my uses.

The $20 Craftsman ratcheting one that looks like Snap-On isn't bad, really. The real Snap-On one is obviously way nicer but 3x the price.

 

[BFHtime]

Good call on JIS bits, I wonder what place would be best to get them? I bet they are common in Japan, but I could be wrong.

 

[n8n]

I have no idea where to actually purchase them as I don't speak Japanese, but I remember when visiting that it seemed like Yokohama had a pretty good car culture going.

 

[Ratchet Guy]

I seriously don't like multi bit driver, bec. I always end up findng the shaft is too big to fit into a small deep hole, before you reach the screw head, Picquic Muiltique was the closes that I can use that works for me, when I'm opening a lot of small appliances casing that has a deep small hole, the only thing that I dont like about it is that the bits are polished that you have to put pressure on it to make sure it doesn't slide againts a stuborn screw head, other than that it was nice, down side for the multique is the bits size is hard to find once you loose it, I like the flexibility of the 1/4 inch size, bec the bits are available everywhere, but I don't like the shaft, only way is to get a longer bits with rounded body like the Milwaukee shockwave. best probable suggestion is to get the 1/4 inch handle plus a set of the impact grade bit like the shockwave from Milwaukee because I find that in Asia, they don't have much selection of impact grade bits like we do here in North America. Btw, you will find a lot of nice unique tools also there but majority would be for Appliances application.

 

[Ford Farmer]

Does SnapOn make their ratcheting screwdrivers, and if they do, do they make the Williams version also (or vice versa)? They look very similar, maybe not. As far as the long screwdrivers are concerned, I've thought about that too. Many of my sons toys have screws that wouldn't be accessible with a multi-bit. I have this awesome old Craftsman Phillips that I picked up at an estate sale. I dont know how old, but it still has the Phillips patent info etched into the shaft. The screwdriver is well aged but the business end looks brand new. Sharper and somehow more precise than my modern Cman screwdrivers, it NEVER fails to grip the screw. It's comming with.