Ratcheting Screwdriver - suggestions?

JeeperAz · Feb 17, 2006

Just like the title says, I'm looking for any suggestions on a ratcheting screwdriver. Not interested in Craftsman as that is what I need to replace.

Any suggestions on what brands to look at?

Canadian Charlie · Feb 17, 2006

I like the Snap On pistol grip ones but they are a little expensive for me, I'll try to get one off E Bay

Uncle Buck · Feb 17, 2006

I guess the best one I ever used was a Snap On. I hate their warranty, but I do indeed love most of their product line, especially their non warranted screwdriver handles! Have you seen the new Cman ratcheting screwdriver that looks and feels like a Snappy? You may want to rethink that Cman deal, at least theirs is lifetime backed!

dink · Feb 17, 2006

Here is mine....its a Wera pistol grip...clutchless

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e93/dinkjs/IMG_1355.jpg

SuperKid · Feb 17, 2006

Yeah, I bought a Craftsman one a few weeks ago. I like it, it's comfortable to hold and use, it has a smooth operation, it has a lifetime guarentee, it came with a whole mess of bits, and it was only $20. It is however, made in Taiwan. And honetly, I probably wouldn't have bought it if I had know that. The only other one that I've used that I like as much is the Snap-Ons. But, like others have mentioned, they're expensive. Good luck with your purchase.

rdnkjeeper · Feb 17, 2006

I vote for Snap on, have used most of the other brands out there and the only one that has held up and still feels good are my snap ons.

wythors · Feb 17, 2006

I have these two:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=13204&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=13204&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

The small one is surprisingly useful. Both are very nice quality. I highly recommend them, even given the price.

Rickster · Feb 17, 2006

What do you guys think of the larger one? Do you reach for it more than a regular screwdriver?

wythors · Feb 17, 2006

Rickster said:
What do you guys think of the larger one? Do you reach for it more than a regular screwdriver?

I do unless I need a long reach. The shaft of it is only about 8 inches long and the handle is quite bulky. But if there's unobstructed access, it's a great tool.

Fast Orange · Feb 17, 2006

I've got 5 of various style Snap-Ons.If I were to pick my favorite,I'd say I like the 5 position handle the best.The handle can be configured from straight to a pistol grip,and it has in handle bit storage.My next preference is the hard plastic T handle.It's a nice comfortable grip that you can get good leverage on and apply pressure to when starting wood screws.
One of the best things about the Snappies is that you can get different length shanks to fit the handles that you have-there's even a 1/4" drive shank for use with sockets.
The Snappies aren't cheap,but they're tough-the first one I bought(over 10 years ago) is still going strong after much hard use-others I've tried only lasted a few months.
Anybody remember that ball handled thing that everyone got for Christmas about 15 or 20 years ago? Mine only lasted a day or two-great leverage from the softball sized handle,but no "guts" inside.

George :lol_hitti

dink · Feb 17, 2006

$50.00 for the stubby????????? you have got to be kidding me....that is outrageous...no thanks

motorheadjohn · Feb 17, 2006

I'll second the Snap-On. I liked my first one so much I bought a second for the other tool box.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...ore&dir=catalog

The shanks are interchangable, and 1/4" square drive. So if you want longer and shorter shanks, or 1/4" socket/nut drive, whatever, you can add them.

rdnkjeeper · Feb 17, 2006

Snap on

dink said:
$50.00 for the stubby????????? you have got to be kidding me....that is outrageous...no thanks

I looked at it, either spending 5-10 every few months/years/whatever or spend 50 for a lifetime of use.....money saved in my opinion.

dink · Feb 17, 2006

rdnkjeeper said:
I looked at it, either spending 5-10 every few months/years/whatever or spend 50 for a lifetime of use.....money saved in my opinion.

Free and its German made

eschoendorff · Feb 17, 2006

I have a Snap On, and three GearWrench sets (one is a Matco branded set). Granted, the SO is very nice, but the GearWrench versions have suited me very well. I like them because you can interchange the shafts to suit the job at hand. Here's the Matco version:

Also, Sears was selling a Cman Pro ratcheting screwdriver that was a dead ringer for a MAC tools model. And it was made in Germany. They were selling these off for about $19.99 before Christmas... I haven't seen them around lately. You might get lucky and find one, though.

wythors · Feb 17, 2006

dink said:
Free and its German made

Free is nice, but German-made means what?

As far as price goes, I'm at the point in my life where I'm not concerned about the cost anymore. It's the quality that counts. rdnkjeeper has it right. With a quality tool it's not about the initial purchase cost, but the long-term durability. That's why SnapOn dominates the professional tool market. Try a SnapOn screw driver along side your "German-made" one and you will undoubtedly see and feel the difference.

KeukaDan · Feb 18, 2006

I hate to say it but I would be sure that the German screwdriver is better made and would last longer. I have used both Wera and Wiha German screwdrivers and they are both very nice screwdrivers that have served me well.

The implication that German quality is low but I think you would be hard pressed to find the same quality in some American made tools (even Snapon), at least in screwdrivers. I am not saying that the Snapon is of lesser quality just that you should be more open to buying the best tool from the best manufacturer and if that means buying a Wera screwdriver then that is what you do even if you think Snapon is the best overall tool manufacturer.

rdnkjeeper · Feb 18, 2006

dink said:
Free and its German made

What is the standard cost for each screwdriver?

dink · Feb 18, 2006

For the clutchless ratcheting its around $35.00

wythors · Feb 18, 2006

KeukaDan said:
The implication that German quality is low but I think you would be hard pressed to find the same quality in some American made tools (even Snapon), at least in screwdrivers.

My implication is not that German quality is low, but that just because it is German made doesn't automatically mean that it is better built. The knee-jerk reaction that just because something is built in a particular place automatically makes it good or bad is starting to irritate me a bit. While I would never be caught dead driving a Hyundai or a Kia, I will acknowledge that they are starting to build a decent quality car. Conversely, I have friends that own late-model Mercedes' that are huge piles of Teutonic **** and their quality issues are well documented in the media. However, most of the general buying public, if asked, would tell you that Hyundai's are junk and MB's are what they aspire to.

Simply put, you can't sell me anything by telling me it's "German-made". Tell me why it's better than what I already have or what I'm already shopping for. In the end, I'll do my best to support an American company and it's American workers. If I can't do that, I'll buy what I consider to be the best quality product for my dollar.

Luckydevil · Feb 18, 2006

Personally I hate ratcheting screwdrivers. I have never found a job where a normal or electric screwdriver couldn't do it better.

I prefer the small battery powered screwdrivers over the ratcheting. They don't put out enough torque to really hurt anything, so they are great for small stuff.

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.htm...849382-6963039?_encoding=UTF8&asin=B000B8N41S

kartracer55 · Feb 18, 2006

Haha target sells some crazy stuff! Engine cranes? Welders?!? ATV jack?!?!?

Tx Firefighter · Feb 18, 2006

I have Snap-On brand ratcheting screwdrivers and they've been well worth the price in my opinion. I use them for in car trim work, like under dashes and such.

eschoendorff · Feb 18, 2006

If you click on the link and scroll down about half way, you'll find the Craftsman ratcheting screwdriver that moves the handle (sorta like a pistol grip). It's made in Germany, and I'm kicking myself for not picking one up for cheap when I had teh chance.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_improvement/tools/1273921.html?page=2&c=y

dink · Feb 19, 2006

eschoendorff said:
If you click on the link and scroll down about half way, you'll find the Craftsman ratcheting screwdriver that moves the handle (sorta like a pistol grip). It's made in Germany, and I'm kicking myself for not picking one up for cheap when I had teh chance.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_improvement/tools/1273921.html?page=2&c=y

Yea its the exact same one as SK's....most likely comes out of the same factory

eschoendorff · Feb 19, 2006

dink said:
Yea its the exact same one as SK's....most likely comes out of the same factory

And MAC, IIRC.

Senorpablo · Aug 29, 2006

eschoendorff said:
If you click on the link and scroll down about half way, you'll find the Craftsman ratcheting screwdriver that moves the handle (sorta like a pistol grip). It's made in Germany, and I'm kicking myself for not picking one up for cheap when I had teh chance.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_improvement/tools/1273921.html?page=2&c=y

I have one of those, and don't like it at all. It's got a very coarse ratchet inside, and it's ergonomically funky to hold.

I have one of the new craftsman straight, red handle models that look similar to the Snap on version, and like it much better.

dink · Aug 29, 2006

eschoendorff · Aug 29, 2006

Senorpablo said:
I have one of those, and don't like it at all. It's got a very coarse ratchet inside, and it's ergonomically funky to hold.

I have one of the new craftsman straight, red handle models that look similar to the Snap on version, and like it much better.

I hear ya... I finally picked one of those funky Cmans up on clearance. I've used it a few times, but in all honesty, I use my Matco GearDriver and my Snap on ones alot more. I found my Snappy ratcheting at a pawn shop for $10 IIRC. The Matco set I found was at the same pawnshop for $15.

wantedabiggergarage · Aug 29, 2006

I looked a couple of years back at Sears. A "friend" (at the time), had "got free with purchase", a Snap~On one. It was OK, not great, as the bits weren't warrantied, and are traditionally weaker then a regular screwdriver. So one day when I was at Sears, picking up a tool (duplicate of something that transfered from my home box, to my work box), I noticed that they had THREE versions of the ratcheting screwdrivers. I thought it of interest that two were made overseas, and one was made in America.
Never did buy one, as a ratcheting screwdriver, just didn't seem that usefull, to justify the expense. If I need something quick, I'd put a bit in a socket, or use something like an electric drill.

TNToy · Oct 25, 2006

hholmberg said:
I guess the best one I ever used was a Snap On. I hate their warranty...

What do you hate about it? Is it because if Snappy-man doesn't have one on his truck you have to wait a week - or because something's not covered on it?

Down Under Bloke · Oct 25, 2006

I thought the battery drill had done to the ratchet screw driver, what the spade drill bit did to the brace and bit. Ok maybe it’s the fact that I’m a chippy, but if I have more than one screw to tackle I chuck a bit (Screw tip) in my battery drill go for it.

eschoendorff · Oct 26, 2006

Down Under Bloke said:
I thought the battery drill had done to the ratchet screw driver, what the spade drill bit did to the brace and bit. Ok maybe it’s the fact that I’m a chippy, but if I have more than one screw to tackle I chuck a bit (Screw tip) in my battery drill go for it.

I do the same thing... but I like a ratcheting screwdriver because you can feel how tight things are in real time.

wantedabiggergarage · Oct 26, 2006

TNToy said:
What do you hate about it? Is it because if Snappy-man doesn't have one on his truck you have to wait a week - or because something's not covered on it?

While I wasn't the one you asked, I do have a question for you. How do you get the warranty honored, when you don't have a snapman?

TNToy · Oct 26, 2006

Gotcha.

Checked for 'Snap-On' in the phone book? :lol2:

eschoendorff · Oct 26, 2006

wantedabiggergarage said:
While I wasn't the one you asked, I do have a question for you. How do you get the warranty honored, when you don't have a snapman?

piece of cake.... http://corporate.snapon.com/display/termsofsale.nws

Marxx · Nov 5, 2006

I have used this old school snap on ratcheting screwdriver at work everyday at work for the last 12 years and it still works like brand new. I just picked up the newer style cushioned grip stubby one also. With certain tools, Snap On is the only way to go in my opinion, but for home use in the garage, any will do....

Ratcheting Screwdriver - suggestions?

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