Ratcheting Screwdriver or Standard Screwdriver?

[vibblueser]

Just wondering what you guys use as your go to screwdriver? Ratcheting Screwdriver with bit set or Standard fixed blade screwdrivers? I use both but I would guess I reach for the ratcheting screwdriver first. Just looking to see some input on the matter. Look forward to hearing from you guys.

 

[wellpoison]

it depends on what i'm doing. basically if i need a driver at that second ill grab a fixed blade or use the 11 in 1 at work. but if i know the job is going to require a lot of screws ill grab a ratcheting.

 

[jimjj211]

I think that ratcheting are more efficient but there is just something about a traditional screwdriver that makes it my go to tool. Don't think anything can really replace it.

 

[wellpoison]

I think that ratcheting are more efficient but there is just something about a traditional screwdriver that makes it my go to tool. Don't think anything can really replace it.

i'll agree with that. if i have to go back to get a ratcheting driver why not grab the cordless.

 

[metaleltr]

At school I have both, reg screwdrivers are in drawer number three, ratcheting set is in drawer number 5, I usually don't reach for the ratcheting unless i need more reach or I am driving a lot or long small screw/bolts. The last time i used it i was assembling Willwood brake rotors, used it with a socket adapter to run down the 8mm 12pt bolts-12 per rotor.

 

[vibblueser]

I agree I also make use of a couple 6 in 1 and 10 in 1 drivers as well. Of course it varies based on the job as you all have stated.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Ratcheting with an extendable magnet, when working on computers (really small screws). For everything else, I generally grab a regular screwdriver. (construction/house stuff, an impact driver)

 

[dragonballz]

Either a regular screwdriver or a cordless drill.

I work in an hourly fleet shop now and almost everybody uses one of those Stanley ratcheting screwdrivers. I'm kind of still in flat rate "mode" from the dealership so I just grab my drill.

 

[mayhemman]

depends on the job. but i find i use my ratchet screwdriver that is set to take 1/4" sockets alot. my ratcheting screwdriver that has hex bits gets used but not as often, when i do interior work it comes out and gets used alot.

for my travel box im looking to buy another ratcheting screwdriver so i can replace some of my drivers and carry less of them in that box.

 

[jsaw]

i'll agree with that. if i have to go back to get a ratcheting driver why not grab the cordless.

Same thought here

 

[greasemonkey44]

an electric impact driver - 99% of the time
if im feeling nervous or bored ill use a normal screw driver taking apart a dash or what have you
i use a ratcheting screwdriver alot at home though

 

[jjjrmx5]

Just wondering what you guys use as your go to screwdriver? Ratcheting Screwdriver with bit set or Standard fixed blade screwdrivers? I use both but I would guess I reach for the ratcheting screwdriver first. Just looking to see some input on the matter. Look forward to hearing from you guys.

Both.

Access in some cases only allows you to use a fixed blade screwdriver so you need both.

Bosch small hand battery driver is some cases, but having worked in floor mfgr for some time, in the wrong hands, a battery drive will strip the head off a fastener faster than the douche-bag user can stop it from happening. BTDT x 1000. Dumb *** is bumb ***.

For woodwork, battery/cordless is accecptable. In assembly work, it can can cause havoc in the wrong hands. They are NOT a kind-for-kind type of tool.
Cordless is good for speed. But bad for sensitivity and anything requiring any finesse'.


Once you get into riv-nuts, u-nuts, v-nuts, nylon screws, nylon inserts and things that strip easily, helllz no. Hand driver only.

Mainly Snap-On ratcheting unless micro or tight access.

 

[GortonsFisherman]

As an electrician, for me it's either an impact driver or a quality traditional screwdriver, with nothing in between. Don't care much for ratcheting screwdrivers, 10-in-1 type, etc.

 

[Dieselbutterfly]

electric whenever possibe

 

[FiendFX]

i would rather use a gun if possible, if not, just regular screw drivers.

 

[buffalobill]

i like my snap on ratcheting screwdriver a lot, and use it whenever i can. however, there are a lot of times when I cant, because its too big, or the shaft is too thick. so i fall back to my regular old mac hard handles.

if i had to pick one, i would definetly get the regular screwdrivers before hand, they can do anything a ratcheting one can, and they can fit more places. ratcheting screwdriver is more "neat" than must have.

 

[zer0cell]

A ratcheting screwdriver has not been high on my priority list of something to buy. I think a traditional screwdriver is the best thing to use when worried about over tightening a screw or for accessibility or practicality's sake. Due to the way I use a screwdriver I can probably put a screw in place faster than if I had a ratcheting driver. For every thing else a screw gun or impact driver is the way to go.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

My go-to screwdriver is a Bosch 1/4'' impact. If I can't use that I go for my ratcheting SO screwdriver with interchangable shanks (SGDMRC11A). Makes quick work of the hard to get fasteners and is very adaptable to any situation.

 

[Armed Bear]

for regular screws I like to use good old fashion screwdrivers but if I am dealing with torx and other weird screws I use a multi function ratcheting driver.

 

[FiendFX]

im selling my snap-on ratcheting screwdriver new if interested.

 

[shoturtle]

I find ratcheting ones annoying to uses most of the time, they do not fit into tighter places as well, and are a bit more cumbersome. They have their places where they are better suited then non ratcheting. But my first choice is always standard before a ratcheting one for normal uses, but my ratcheting one is used when the job dictates

 

[Maexle]

got a ratcheting, tried it and never used it again, prefer my Wera fixed blade set, it's quicker to grab another screwdriver than change the bits and for turning action i don't see a big advantage...

 

[buffalobill]

to be fair to ratcheting drivers, quality makes a huge difference. snap on might charge 60 bucks for their ratcheting screwdriver, but since its not a pos, you will use it, probably frequently. one of those tool bin specials for 5 bucks is not even comparable, as they are cumbersome, flimsy, and break frequently.

 

[tweedlestan]

I use regular ones most of the time, but I like my Snap on ratcheting drivers too.

 

[nev]

Pretty much always a Insulated driver if at work. If messing around in the workshop then a standard or a ratcheting. However for most applications it's a impact ;-)

 

[crewchief888]

at work, i grab a hard handle SO screwdriver.

around the house/DIY a snappy ratcheting driver.

 

[SC-AW11]

at work, i grab a hard handle SO screwdriver.

around the house/DIY a snappy ratcheting driver.

great way to put it. I think I will use same philosophy.

I will add, in my school box I have a craftsman 1/4 ratcheting handle, I also use a 1/4 drive to 1/4 hex adapter to make it a screwdriver if need be. I really like the ability to use it as both nut driver by default and a screwdriver. Although it makes your hand feel weird after a bit of use. It makes it a little bit easier but a traditional screwdriver I think, might still be faster by just spinning the shank

 

[Jure]

wiha regular screwdrivers

 

[Boiler]

I use my Snap On ratcheting screwdriver all the time around the house (which is the only time I use tools). Got my stepdad one for christmas last year for home / DIY purposes and I looked this year and its seen some pretty good use.

Head and shoulders above the cheap ones. The ratchet action is so light that you need almost no resistance to ratchet, and the knurled shank is great for spinning a screw and doing the job even faster. Easier to spin than a standard screwdriver.

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

Regular screwdrivers. If I need ratcheting, I'll grab my Wiha Topra pistol-grip-hand-driver-ratchety-thingy and use that with a bit set. If I need to put a lot of screws in, or it's a really long screw, well, that's what battery-op drills are for.

 

[dirtmister16]

depends on the job. lots of small jobs i use a ratcheting driver, if i have lot of screws that are long and tedious ill grab the cordless. but most often i have standard driver in my hand due to the shank fitting in a hole or something like that.

 

[crewchief888]

great way to put it. I think I will use same philosophy.

I will add, in my school box I have a craftsman 1/4 ratcheting handle, I also use a 1/4 drive to 1/4 hex adapter to make it a screwdriver if need be. I really like the ability to use it as both nut driver by default and a screwdriver. Although it makes your hand feel weird after a bit of use. It makes it a little bit easier but a traditional screwdriver I think, might still be faster by just spinning the shank

i work on const eq for a living,
i very, very seldom even need a screwdriver, i keep a 1 good straight and 1 good phillips in my service truck.
rest of the straight screwdrivers are great for mini prybars and chisels

 

[zakmartin]

I was using a ratcheting screwdriver last night doing an emergency fix on my mailbox. I got sick of how long it was taking, so I used my Hilti cordless drill and got the job done about fifty times faster. Generally, in a tight space, when I'm working on my car, I use a standard screwdriver since the heads are generally much harder to destroy than those little driver bits that get held in magnetically on the ratcheting drivers. Come to think of it, it's pretty rare for me to use the ratcheting driver at all.

 

[ddo]

For mobile work, ratcheting multibit screwdriver. Small size compared to drawer of screwdrivers or cordless driver. Don't use the ratchet function much one handed - only for initial loosening or final tightening. When you want to speed something off, you just hold the handle with one hand and spin the shaft with your other hand. Similar to having a large version of the spinning end cap often seen on instrument screwdrivers. Most of the time savings comes from having the tool on you when you need it.

 

[Acosi151]

I know the law of averages says it should work out to 50/50 but I find any time I pick up a ratcheting driver it's going the wrong blooday way.

The handles are too fat, I don't like the disconnected feeling I get from bits slopping in the keeper and shafts are never long enough to hold onto it with one hand so it will ratchet back around when the torque is totally off but I still can't get my fingertips on the fasteners...

whew.. good thing it's almost quitting time or I might tell you guys how I _really_ feel... lol!

 

[Danglerb]

I like the feel of a conventional screwdriver, so maybe that is my first and most used, but I use a ratchet (sq drive with a bit socket), impact, power tool, and ratchet handle depending on the job and if I feel even a twinge in my elbow.

 

[acdc73]

Bosch Li-Ion impact, and then standard hard plastic grip S-O

 

[JerseyBoatBuilder]

I only ever need my snap on ratcheting screw drivers between different length shanks and changeable blades that allow them to do what a standard screw driver will do for me where clearance is a problem.
I am good 99% of the time with the ratcheting or off set ratcheting..

Other than the remaining 1% of the time The only times my standard screw drivers get used is for doing things that they were not intended for

 

[I van putski]

I like to use my ratcheting driver when I am holding the work piece with one hand. That way I can use the driver with one hand and do multiple turns.
I would recommend everyone get a ratcheting screwdriver (snap on) but it will never replace a traditional screwdriver.

 

[Farmall450]

I think that ratcheting are more efficient but there is just something about a traditional screwdriver that makes it my go to tool. Don't think anything can really replace it.

I agree. My ratcheting snap-on with the "pistol" grip it pretty nice though...especially if you want to zip stuff off fast.