Ratcheting screwdrivers: yah or naw?

[anndel]

I have 6 Snap-ons plus 1 stubby ratcheting and 2 Made in Canada Rolgears so yay.

 

[nicks78camaro]

I didn't grow up with ratcheting multi bit drivers, my dad always had individual regular screwdrivers.

I bought one of the Milwaukees and gave it to the wife to keep in the kitchen junk drawer thinking I wouldn't use it.

I use it all the time.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I love them. Good ones that is. Bad ones make a person hate them real quick.

 

[ecotec]

I have a lot of them. I use them sometimes. Mostly I use regular screwdrivers.

I do not use them for electrical work. If you do… and a bit falls into electrical equipment and causes a flash… you introduced the extra danger into the situation… and it is absolutely your fault.

Screwdrivers for electrical work should be one piece.

 

[AreBeeBee]

This thread, and my response to it (#114, Nah), prompted me to head out on a scavenging run to the several ReStores in my area. There, for 50 cents each, I picked up five Enderes non-ratcheting screwdriver handles and tubes for swappable bits. Then I ordered fill-in bits from Tekton to outfit all of them. I'm going to scatter these about: basement workshop, hardware drawer in the utility room, one in the garage stepstool with the storage compartment, one each in both cars.

Ecotec's point (just above) is a good reminder however not to use these things in electrical work, however well the bits stay in place.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I have two ratcheting screwdrivers. I like them both. One is a green SnapOn. the other is an SK with a sprag clutch. The SK was made in Germany. I bought the SnapOn in a secondhand store. The SK came off a tool truck. It was over $150.00

 

[M6erfan]

Can't stand the things. Regular screwdriver, or. . .

 

[cgv69]

I love my Snap-On ratcheting screwdrivers and have ever since I got my first over 30 years ago. I finally worn out that first one so I called SO and they sent me a brand new one no questions asked.

I love them so much that I won't use anything else and even my first wife who wasn't into tools (and cheap) begged me to get her one after trying mine.

I also have the Williams version, not quite as nice but close enough if you're on a budget

 

[tamaraw]

Good ones are nice to have, crappy ones are pretty awful and will make you hate them.

For ratcheting, I prefer T-handle or ball grip vs a straight handle.

I have also never seen a carousel type bit holder/handle that I liked. Just makes the handle super bulky and heavy plus they are normally a pain to pry open.

Neither ratcheting nor fixed drivers can replace each other but they both have strengths. Fixed is better for stuck fasteners, precision adjustments, and engagement feel. Ratcheting is good for speed, reducing fatigue on a job, and can often be more compact/versatile as a bit driver set.

 

[duneslider]

I really liked having one in my tool bag that I keep in the back of the jeep, unfortunately, the ratcheting screw driver didn't work very well as a prybar, so I no longer have one...

It was convenient to have though mostly for the bit storage in the handle. I have a couple in the tool box in the garage and I never use them at all.

 

[old_smokey]

The Vessel options are nice as the ratchet mechanism is very light, and the bit storage system doesn't let the bits just rattle around inside. I have the regular and stubby models and usually grab them when i'm doing something up on a ladder and don't want a pile of tools to rustle through.

Generally I prefer a standard driver. But it's nice having a couple standard bits and socket bits when doing electrical or HVAC in awkward locations/positions. I also grab them when working on appliances, as often there are fasteners threaded into plastic/pot metal. The impact drivers make it too easy to strip out plastic threads.

Ratchet Screwdriver No.TD-6816MG(w/ 16 bits) | PRODUCTS INFORMATION | VESSEL CO., INC

full range of information on product groups ranging from tightening tools such as drivers, bit sockets and air tools to anti-static products in the factory

vessel.co.jp

I have this model, with the standard bit cartridge and the torx cartridge.


Tried a Rolgear option but was not a fan at all. The clutch would regularly snag up and reverse direction. I got a second one and the same thing happened. Too bad, as it was a nice idea.

 

[BlackHorseSaga]

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.

Most of the time I use a powered driver instead of a ratcheting screwdriver.

That being said, you can use a ratcheting screwdriver for just about anything.

I just had to disassemble my Hobart N50 mixer, and there are 6 long screws that hold the transmission casing to the motor. Well, you don't really want to drop those screws (or their tiny washers) into the induction motor --- so a magnetic ratcheting screwdriver is the exact right tool.

Sometimes you just need to own a bunch of different tools. Buy one, and you'll find uses for it.