Ratcheting screwdriver advice

[dcoleman88]

I’m looking for advice on choosing a ratcheting screwdriver. I’ve read several other threads here but none have hit on my most important qualifier - a slim shaft. The options with a large diameter shaft or large bit adapters are not appealing to me. I’m flexible on most other features like bit storage, single vs double ended bits, etc.

What are your thoughts and what would you recommend?

 

[mwebb2002]

Well... You know, and i hate to be that guy... but snap-on makes the best ratcheting screwdriver i’ve ever used. With that being said however, i’ve only used a handful of them, most of them being cheapo ones... but the snap-on one is incredible. i have a hard handle one in red racing edition from the 80s/90s. but yeah... this is my first post btw

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

I have used the snapon and cheap ones. Still not a fan of ratcheting screwdrivers

 

[Dave455]

I know what you mean.

I like interchangeable bit drivers and I use them a lot, mainly when I’m working with poor quality screw heads, as even the best bits are cheaper than a replacement driver.

If you are in the U.S. the classic hard handle Snap On are good but pricey. The Williams are similar for much less money. Both have a relatively slim blade. My favourite Snap On shown below.

If the slim shaft is important, and I understand it is in some applications (there are times a bit driver just won’t work) have you considered an interchangeable shank driver, rather than interchangeable bit? Some PB Swiss shown below, but there are many.

 

[dcoleman88]

I know what you mean.

I like interchangeable bit drivers and I use them a lot, mainly when I’m working with poor quality screw heads, as even the best bits are cheaper than a replacement driver.

If you are in the U.S. the classic hard handle Snap On are good but pricey. The Williams are similar for much less money. Both have a relatively slim blade. My favourite Snap On shown below.

If the slim shaft is important, and I understand it is in some applications (there are times a bit driver just won’t work) have you considered an interchangeable shank driver, rather than interchangeable bit? Some PB Swiss shown below, but there are many.

If the PB Swiss ratcheting driver with the 30mm shaft had the ability to lock bits into the driver (rather than just a magnet) it would be ideal. I could use 2" - 3" bits in whatever flavor and not have to worry about the shaft size. I'm worried that the 3" long bits would detach from the handle when pulling the driver from a toolbelt or similar.

 

[oldwino]

Vote here for Wiliam’s. Same mechanism as SnapOn for half the price. Only thing that make the Snappie a bit better is the knurled shaft which William’s doesn’t have

 

[measuredtwice]

I don't think it is possible for a magnetic bit driver to be slimmer than the Snap-on or Williams (also branded CAT, New Holland, Case IH). If that's too thick then you might consider using long bits or blades like Dave455 and DColeman88 suggested.

Snap-On also has blades that can be used with their ratcheting screwdriver. They can be easily swapped with the soft grip Snap-on. They will also work with the hard grip Snap-On if you make a small modification. There are posts here and videos on Youtube demonstrating the modification. Similarly, the blades should also work with a small modification of Williams/Cat/New Holland/Case IH.

 

[BTJHP]

I like MegaPro and Vessel. I've used Rolgear but I'm not a huge fan of the clutch.

 

[d.mcfarland]

How much thinner do you want?

They are just barely larger than they need to be to hold the 1/4" bit.

 

[Dave455]

If the PB Swiss ratcheting driver with the 30mm shaft had the ability to lock bits into the driver (rather than just a magnet) it would be ideal. I could use 2" - 3" bits in whatever flavor and not have to worry about the shaft size. I'm worried that the 3" long bits would detach from the handle when pulling the driver from a toolbelt or similar.

You mean something like this?

I quite often use this sort of combo if I just need to grab a handful of tools to wire something up.

In practice, the magnet on the PB Swiss is fairly powerful. I don’t think you would leave one behind in a toolbelt.

Another alternative is Wera. These do lock. They use the power style bits to achieve this. I like this because it’s stainless. They offer a nice set including 4 Phillips, 4 Pozidriv, hex and Torx. If I’m doing electrical work I tend to carry a few conventional drivers in the sizes I know I will use, a couple of bit drivers, and the Wera set. That way I know I can handle anything I find.

 

[measuredtwice]

PB Swiss also offers non ratcheting drivers like those without a magnet. I think the retention is a spring. It's not as bulky as the quick release drivers like the Wera. Another non ratcheting driver like that Wera is made by Wiha for power bits. It holds bits more securely than the Wera. The Wera wobbles a little.

 

[Ralf11]

PB Swiss ratcheting screwdriver has high backdrag; best bit storage and a nice handle - you only need one hand to change bits

my old Snappy has best backdrag; lousey bit storage and an ok handle

Vessel has pretty low backdrag; good bit storage and an ok handle - just feels cheap somehow

I've got all 3, and there ain't no perfect one.

 

[RoundedNut]

The standard for say a PH2 screwdriver is a 6mm shaft, while 1/4" insert bit drivers have shafts 9mm or more thick. So even the slimmest can pose problems.

I use insert bit drivers where possible, but I always back them up with long bit drivers and reduced shaft bits, like 4.5mm PH2 long bits. These really help in tight situations, better than fixed shaft screwdrivers.

Now locking AND ratcheting long bit drivers are hard to come by. I have this Malco, which is not too bad: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005NO2JDO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Japanese bit drivers don't usually lock, but the bits are recessed deep enough that its pretty secure. My next amazon Japan order will include this ratcheting handle: https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B07KYL2TLN/

 

[JBH]

PB Swiss ratcheting screwdriver has high backdrag; best bit storage and a nice handle - you only need one hand to change bits

my old Snappy has best backdrag; lousey bit storage and an ok handle

Vessel has pretty low backdrag; good bit storage and an ok handle - just feels cheap somehow

I've got all 3, and there ain't no perfect one.

That’s not my experience. My two PB Swiss (short nose and long nose) and one Williams (T-handle) have similarly low backdrag. If anything I’d rank PB Swiss a quarter step better, but both are better than the others. (New Felo “K-handle” is close but not quite there. More teeth though.) My Vessel is a notchy mess.

I agree that Vessel’s handle feels cheap though.

For thin non-magnetic, Facom/USAG is the best bet I think.

 

[Ralf11]

that's based on two PB Swiss long nose purchased in the last 4 months or so

how old are yours?

 

[glenng]

Wera 816RA ratcheting allows you to use power bits and the Rapidaptor locks the bits in place. Probably one of my favorite ratcheting screwdrivers. There is a tiny wobble with the Rapidaptor, but it's not that bad. Highly recommend.



https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082ZT6K1P/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Dzmax77]

Williams SnapOn variant is the way to go.

Williams WRS-1 Magnetic Ratcheting Screwdriver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NI1LZK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[richfinn]

How much thinner do you want?

They are just barely larger than they need to be to hold the 1/4" bit.

Sometimes steering column cowl screws (on Euro cars at least) can have very little clearance when using a conventional short 1/4" bit driver

I just use regular screwdrivers or extended bits in a stubby bit driver or screwgun

I agree though not a massive issue is it??

 

[bushmechanic]

I know it's a tiny picture, but I have one of these older Husky units, with the switch on the larger portion of the shaft. That stupid thing must be twenty years old now, and it still works like new. It was always really nice.

If I ever need another ratcheting screwdriver, I'll be searching for one of these old units.

 

[M6erfan]

I rarely use a bit holder anymore, ratcheting or otherwise. Too many instances of not enough clearance (the airbag example above is a good one). Plus, I prefer the superior positive feel that a solid handle/shank interface gives.

 

[Ralf11]

OTOH, I love the ratcheting speed, and will use one unless there are clearance problems.

Horses for courses.

Eventually, power drivers will be smaller than the ratcheting screwdrivers we have today, but I don't expect to be around that long.

 

[ChevyEFI]

a ratcheting screwdriver. I’ve read several other threads here but none have hit on my most important qualifier - a slim shaft. The options with a large diameter shaft or large bit adapters are not appealing to me.

If the PB Swiss ratcheting driver with the 30mm shaft had the ability to lock bits into the driver (rather than just a magnet) it would be ideal. I could use 2" - 3" bits in whatever flavor and not have to worry about the shaft size. I'm worried that the 3" long bits would detach from the handle when pulling the driver from a toolbelt or similar.

Find a Chuck for power bits. Someone just posted Lennox versions; Menards, or HomeD available. Shave it and press into a gear for a ratcheting SO driver. Or broach the gear for hex. 6" power bits are cheap, slim, lock in, and I think this meets all your goals. All these threads are gonna drive me to make one!

 

[measuredtwice]

Find a Chuck for power bits. Someone just posted Lennox versions; Menards, or HomeD available. Shave it and press into a gear for a ratcheting SO driver. Or broach the gear for hex. 6" power bits are cheap, slim, lock in, and I think this meets all your goals. All these threads are gonna drive me to make one!

Is the Wera 816 RA Ratchet screwdriver similar to what you describe?

 

[n8n]

Well... You know, and i hate to be that guy... but snap-on makes the best ratcheting screwdriver i’ve ever used. With that being said however, i’ve only used a handful of them, most of them being cheapo ones... but the snap-on one is incredible. i have a hard handle one in red racing edition from the 80s/90s. but yeah... this is my first post btw

What he said. Plus, the Craftsman version that looks like the S-O has the ratchet operate the opposite way of the S-O so if you have a Craftsman screwdriver and S-O stubby version, you get all confused with your muscle memory. Just buy the Snap-On, you will not regret it, yeah $60 for a screwdriver is insane but you'll spend more than that trying three or four others none of which will be as smooth.

 

[hammlm]

Won't be popular, but I bought a gearwrench 56 piece ratcheting screwdriver set (screwdriver handle and T handle) more than ten years ago. It's not my favorite tool, but it's def. in my top 15. I love it. I don't have a snap on, I'm sure I'd love it, too. I do like the softgrip handle and the ratcheting mechanism is smooth and comfortable. the bits are all decent quality, and I just like it for an import.

I also got it for $12, so that proabably has something to do with my love affair with it. To be honest, I bought 3 or 4 and gave the other 3 away. Most of the guys I gave them to, still occasionally say, mandude -- that was a great find -- thanks for that I just used it for blah blah. Yeh, we're old have nothing else to talk about.

Suprirsed, but you can still find it on amazon. I had no idea.

I did see you can get just the screwdriver for about $14 on AMZN. Maybe you want to check it out?