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Ratcheting screwdrivers: yah or naw?

Ratcheting screwdrivers? Yah or naw?

  • Yah

    Votes: 104 69.8%
  • Naw

    Votes: 45 30.2%

  • Total voters
    149

Badgerstate

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 15, 2020
Messages
484
Location
Columbus, OH
Im thinking about picking up a ratcheting screwdriver. The only day I had to fix my wife's little space heater and the only screwdriver that was handy at the time was her cheap little no-name ratcheting screwdriver and after I fixed the heater, I was like, "this little screwdriver is pretty slick".
So, now Im thinking about picking one up the next time I make a Menards trip.
 
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msharley

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 20, 2021
Messages
14,091
Location
Central Pennsylvania
Hey Badger,

I have had a "clutchless" screwdriver for years.

Absolutely FANTASTIC for a wide variety of things....body/interior panels, electrical work...etc.

Youngest son gave me a KLEIN for my birthday....

Don't know how I ever lived without it! It is my new "GoTo"!!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005FQDHBI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

1/4" & 5/16" nut drivers. Small & larger straight blades. #1 & #2 Phillips!

You may just order two or three now...great stocking stuffers. One for house. One for garage...etc....LOL

Later, Mark
 

Tools4Me

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 22, 2021
Messages
546
I like ratcheting screwdrivers, but my preference is for a t-handle ratcheting driver. It allows you to break loose and unscrew tight fasteners, one after another without wearing out your hand grip. I use Williams rebranded Snap-on. The only drawback to the t-handle style is there's no handle bit storage.

I have the WRST4 and the WRST8. Internal rebuild kits (if needed) are available from Snap-on.

 

cherrybomb

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 18, 2016
Messages
892
Location
Near Madison Wi.
I have the Stahwille stubby,takes all the 1/4 bits,very strong magnet,got a extension and I also have a adapter to use 1/4 sockets.Just another great tool to have and use.
 

4xdog

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 18, 2012
Messages
5,617
Location
Santa Fe, NM
I really want to like ratcheting screwdrivers. Really, I do.

But in the end, I almost never reach for one. My Snap-on -- a superbly made tool -- is the one I use most, but standard screwdrivers get used at least 99% of the time.

I have my grandfather's Millers Falls ratcheting slotted screwdriver from probably the 1930s, which is a tool I treasure but never feel like using.

In the end changing bits and dealing with what's always a bit bulkier and sloppier than a standard screwdriver, just doesn't do it for me.

But I'm still tempted by a T-handle...
 

Qualitytools

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 30, 2014
Messages
2,852
Location
SOCAL
I like ratcheting screwdrivers because it allows me to keep the tool on the fastener without having to reposition it while turning, plus they are very handy to have. I do own 2 different color Snap-On ones but one was a gift and I am stopping at the 2 because one can start down a rabbit whole with the various colors and specials

On the other hand I also have a WERA that I use for work and love that one too. I find that the only draw back to those type of drivers is if you are trying to reach a recessed fastener then you are ristricted by the larger diameter of the receiver for the bit end of the shaft.
 

XJSuperman

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 26, 2018
Messages
3,088
Location
Central Iowa
Cordless driver folks: I am not grabbing a powered driver for outlet covers and other low-torque uses. Get outta here with that.

Williams/Snap-on for me 99% of the time I need a screw/nut driver.
Changing a bit isn't so bad when you realize you have a variety on hand everywhere you go all in one screwdriver.
 

RAS61

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 14, 2012
Messages
538
Location
Low Country, SC
A T handle seems a lot like a small ratchet with a hex bit holder, is there any advantage? The ability to use variable length extensions seems like a plus for the later. A ratcheting thumbwheel with a hex bit holder seems like another option
 

slowtwitch73

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 18, 2019
Messages
5,876
Location
Hellgate
They are nice to have.

You're high as a giraffes' gonads if you think you can get a cordless so and so in where a stuby ratchet will just fit.
 

Leaflessshadetree

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 1, 2013
Messages
7,165
Location
Don't ask.
I'd go so far as to say I mostly hate ratcheting screwdrivers. For me they always seem to either switch direction inadvertantly or have too much drag once the screw gets loose.
I can usually spin a plain screwdriver in my fingers while maintaining enough pressure to keep it engaged.
I have used yankee screwdrivers and offset screwdrivers that work well in certain situations (like outlet covers).
 

Hychika Tools

New member
Joined
Nov 15, 2021
Messages
1
Location
China
Ratcheting screwdrivers are nice to have, but I think that the cordless power drill or impact driver is better than the ratcheting screwdriver.
 

Tools4Me

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 22, 2021
Messages
546
Ratcheting screwdrivers are nice to have, but this is where your money could be better spent on a cordless drill or impact driver in terms of productivity.
I use power tools to speed things up when it comes to disassembly, but jobs are usually faster with hand tools if things are cramped or if the job involves various fasteners screwed into different materials. Any time I'm threading screws back into wood or back into thin sheet metal after repairing something, I only use hand tools. It's too easy to strip threads or cause other issues if I don't, even with modern slip clutches. Also, for things like metal license plate clips, hand tools only every time.

With power tools it's also hard to feel for, find, and reuse the original thread grooves in plastics, or to feel exactly how tight I am torquing any fastener screwed into plastic. It's easier to avoid a crack than it is to fix one, and if you make new threads each time you screw into plastic you will only be able to take things apart once or twice before the holes start stripping out. If you keep reusing the original thread paths you can usually take things apart many times without issue.

I also agree with 4xdog, I don't use my ratcheting t-handles a lot. Probably 15% of the time and that's it. For any fasteners that become super easy to turn after popping loose I prefer a regular screwdriver. For rusty fasteners that remain hard to turn the entire way out, I prefer a ratchet or a speed handle.
A T handle seems a lot like a small ratchet with a hex bit holder, is there any advantage? The ability to use variable length extensions seems like a plus for the later. A ratcheting thumbwheel with a hex bit holder seems like another option
Thumbwheels are really for low torque situations only. They will wear out your fingers fast for anything more. All the ones I have tried also had too much backdrag for them to be useful for tight area work, so I don't own any anymore. Small ratchets are great for things like torx or hex head fittings. Anything that has a deep positive connection, because that connection won't be lost if the bit or socket tilts a little bit while ratcheting. A ratcheting t-handle is easier to keep aligned with the fastener head for things like slotted fasteners. Some phillips heads can get messed up pretty fast as well if the bit doesn't stay firmly aligned while turning. Ratchets also don't have a fully locked setting like my ratcheting t-handle does. Everything is the best option for certain situations and not the best option for others.

For dealing with light switch/outlet covers, use a Klein crank screwdriver. Nothing better.
 
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RTM

Well-known member
Joined
May 13, 2019
Messages
13,189
Location
SF Bay Area
I have a bunch of ratchet screwdrivers, but the one I use most is equipped with the 1/8” mini bits. Disassembled many appliances, computers, etc with it, can’t image bringing a big battery powered driver in.

I have many changeable but Yankees, a ball driver like Bonneyman, a mini version somewhere, plus regular fixed blade ratcheting screwdrivers. They all are priorities for gentle work, antique repairs, etc. The impact comes out for assembling or disassembling fences, disassembling furniture, etc.

there is also a Milwaukee screwdriver which comes out for things like dozens of outlet cover screws.
 

Jlarson

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 27, 2015
Messages
738
Location
AZ
Ratcheting screwdrivers are sweet and I have more than a few but, a compact cordless bit driver or power screwdriver is much sweeter :beer:
Yeah I use my snapon ratchet drivers a lot but like my M12 impact driver way more, no twisty twist lol. You just have to know how to use the trigger, but then again I start bolts and nuts with an impact just to watch the world burn.
 

MarvinBerry

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 21, 2018
Messages
817
Location
Enchantment under the sea - NJ
Never tried a fancy pants ratcheting driver like a snap on but I've really disliked the ones I've owned and used.

I'm sure there's a practical use I haven't discovered where they might be amazing? Mostly I just struggle with self reversing & moving screws in the wrong direction.

Have a ratcheting kit in my travel bag that sees action but it's always locked into non-ratchet position and used as a standard bit driver.
 

Mallen

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 11, 2021
Messages
649
I've had cheap ones and they of course break. Presumably a good one would last. I don't particularly like them anyway. But if you do, that's all that matters. Go for it.
 

Ton ton

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 16, 2019
Messages
4,592
Location
Page County,VA
I received a decent piece of advice on garage journal when it came to ratcheting screwdrivers. That piece of advice was buy brand name. You can get them @ tractor dealers sometimes.
 

lardy1

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 17, 2019
Messages
3,406
Location
Michigan
I bought the Husky from Home Cheapo just to see if I would like it before I invested in a good one. I liked it so I gave it to her for her shop and bought both sizes of Stahlwille (same as Bahco). I don't use them very much but when needed they are nice to have. Certainly not the first screwdriver I grab.
 

tyyost

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 14, 2009
Messages
804
Location
Tunkhannock, PA
I’m in the nay camp too. I have several, including the easy driver shown above, the Williams T handle, a nice DeWalt t handle hex set and numerous others scattered about. I even just bought 2-3 Makita ones to keep in my drill boxes. I guess I either already have my muscle memory dialed in for regular drivers that the ratchet seldom makes the job easier and seems less tactile.
My main positive for keeping them is the flexibility of having multiple driver bits with one handle, like in my work go bag I have a #1 and #2 Phillips, one straight, a handle and a bit assortment so I’m covered for others like torx or square.
 

mogandave

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 4, 2021
Messages
3,052
Location
Bangkok
I might change my naw to a yah if the ratcheting screwdriver had an auto-shift (like a Tiburon SST) whereby it doubles the speed when there is little resistance, and reduces speed when there is heavy resistance, something like a screw-gun.....oh wait, never-mind, still a naw....
 

Bubba Fett

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 11, 2018
Messages
1,516
Location
Eastern NC
I have a few. Most of them I hate, and I can used a regular driver faster than what a ratcheting driver allows.

The only one I do like is the Megapro automotive. High tooth count, easy to switch back and fourth, and the handle is ergonomic while still holding a bunch of bits. It's a little heavy, so it's not the best choice in some situations.

I also like drivers with spin-caps, which allow me to grip the cap with my palm, effectively creating a ratcheting action.
 

CoogarXR

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 11, 2016
Messages
6,856
Location
Ohio
Back in the day I had the craftsman ratcheting bit holder screwdriver. I loved the ratcheting action, but I kept breaking/stripping the cap on the end because when I would really lean on it for max torque, the cap would turn, and I'd either strip it or crack it. Eventually I just dumped it out and used it without the cap. But then it was uncomfortable. It was like this one (pic stolen from google):
1637075192707.png

I never really tried another until I got into collecting xcelite/vaco drivers. I have a vaco ratcheting screwdriver that is almost identical mechanically to the old craftsman, except the cap is much more stout. I don't use it much, but it doesn't feel like it would break easily:


IMG_20210111_122258206.jpg

I also have had several versions of the Xcelite 99-1-R and 99-4-R ratcheting handles.

But as others have said, as I got older, and cordless technology got stronger and more compact, I almost always reach for my impact anymore.
 

JradM

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 4, 2019
Messages
1,817
Location
Alberta
I don't use my ratcheting screwdriver much, but I still like having it.

One of the aspects I find handy is being able to hold the handle with one hand to keep the screwdriver straight and quickly spin the shaft with my other hand - then finish up with torque. This is handy on machine screws like you encounter installing electrical outlets and switches because they use flat-head screws and being off-center makes it easy to slip out of the head.

Often if I am doing a lot of rapid turning, I would rather use a cordless screwdriver - but a ratcheting driver still has a place (especially as a kitchen drawer, tool bag or belt multi-bit driver).

I like my Rolgear ratcheting screwdriver a lot. Almost non-existent back drag means it ratchets even on machine screws that have very little resistance. It's also a clutch-style ratchet mechanism, aka a "zero" degree ratchet. It uses the longer-style bits that are better for access. Made in Canada. Very nice grip.

The Rolgear replaced my Picquic multi-bit screwdriver in my mobile tool bag - which I consider high praise, because space in that bag is at a premium.

On the otherhand, I don't use it in my shop basically ever. I'd rather grab a Bahco/Irazola, Felo or Wera fixed-blade driver from my tool chest (or reach for a cordless driver if there's a lot of low torque spinning to be done).


Edit:

I was obviously typing my post while LukeOrest was doing his too. I am seconding that Rolgear recommendation. Very nice ratcheting screwdriver.
 

Cope

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 8, 2013
Messages
2,067
Location
Houston, TX
Cordless driver folks: I am not grabbing a powered driver for outlet covers and other low-torque uses. Get outta here with that.

Williams/Snap-on for me 99% of the time I need a screw/nut driver.
Changing a bit isn't so bad when you realize you have a variety on hand everywhere you go all in one screwdriver.
I bought a DeWalt battery driver. It is low torque and works like a gyroscope. It's great for low torque applications.
 

Jswa

Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2020
Messages
8
Location
New York
I am not really sure how everyone is saying to just use a cordless driver in place of a handheld screwdriver. They are for two very applications. They will also produce very different results, depending on the application.

I use my Snap On ratcheting screwdriver about daily and really love it. The drag is very minimal and never really a problem. I have given many for gifts and people always seem to really like them. I have never used a different brand. I am sure there is other good ones and some bad ones out there too.

I vote yes.
 
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