Thoughts on a newly patented screwdriver?

[magtl]

I am not soliciting to sell this item, as a mechanic and inventor I am asking for your impressions of this tool.

The AERO DRIVER is A LOCKING TURNAROUND BLADE SCREWDRIVER.
Patent # US 9539719 issued Jan. 10 /2017

The AERO DRIVER combines two of the most used tools in your tool box. A tough flat blade screwdriver and a magnetic bit holder screwdriver allowing you to carry one tool saving time and space.

The AERO DRIVER is designed for the professional mechanic. The blade ball locks into the handle and will only come out when you release it with a slight rotation of the lock ring.

Under the handle end you will find four drive bit storage tubes, each tube holds two drive bits, rotate the selector to the desired tube and empty the needed bits.

The handle incorporates a flat end cap allowing you to set it on its end to load a drive bit when you have only one hand free.

At the moment, there is no commitment from a manufacturer to build the tool.

When it is built, like two of my other patents, the MAGRAIL TL socket rail and STRIDE/MILBAR REVERSIBLE WIRE TWISTER, it will be of professional quality.

Thank you for taking the time to look. Attached are few prototype photos. Also thought you might enjoy a photo of a few Aero Driver accessories for the different trades.
Ron G

 

[thesilverone]

meh, undecided

 

[bczygan]

"Release the blade with one hand?"

What is the point of that?

Don't you still need the other hand to catch it and insert another one or turn this one around?

Now, if you had a handle where the blade slid through the other end and locked in place with a one handed button press and pushing on the blade...That would be a feature.

In fact, consider that my first description and publication for patent purposes!

Bill Czygan 1/26/2017

 

[kwoswalt99]

I don't see it as being much of an improvement over the ball detent ones.

 

[Jake40]

What's your price outlook? This Irwin 9 in 1 is only $10 and they are very nice screwdrivers.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HB1ELQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[American Locomotive]

It looks like a nice piece, but as mentioned, I'm really not sure how necessary the locking mechanism is? I've never had an issue with the ball-detent ones coming out.

It would be more useful for me if the magnetic end was much shorter, and the included driver bits of the very long variety. The standard bits are just too short to reach into deep holes where the magnetic barrel prevents the screwdriver from going in.

 

[magtl]

The turnaround blade, ball locks into the handle. There is no "good old abused flat blade" out there that you can turn around have your bit driver in the same screwdriver.

 

[Olafur]

"Release the blade with one hand?"

What is the point of that?

So you can use the other one to remove the blade and turn it around.

 

[magtl]

You can’t pry open a cowl latch on an AIRBUS or BOEING with the IRWIN.
The price ?

 

[TK-421]

I don't see any benefit to this over the normal ball-detent ones. And if I was going to be in a position where I'd be worried about not having a hand free to change the bit on a ball-detent one, then I'd just have two regular screwdrivers handy.

Personally, I wouldn't try to make it, or market it, or spend any time/money on the idea, as I personally view it as a solution to a problem that simply doesn't exist.

However, if you're set on spending time/money on it, then I'm not going to try and stop you.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Thank you for showing us your product.
I have way too many screwdrivers all ready, so I don't think I would buy it, if it was marketed. You didn't say where the price point would be. I do wish you luck, just don't see the market for it. You said some thing about the air craft market, Maybe that is where you should be marketing it to. Good Luck and thanks again. Richard

 

[bczygan]

So you can use the other one to remove the blade and turn it around.

They're trying to make it sound like a feature or improvement.

 

[American Locomotive]

The turnaround blade, ball locks into the handle. There is no "good old abused flat blade" out there that you can turn around have your bit driver in the same screwdriver.

Yeah I get that, and it's a neat feature. Is it really worth it for me to buy, if I already have a switchable ball-detent screwdriver?

I feel like it needs a little more to be a really "wow" tool.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I like the idea, but does it solve a problem? Not much of one.

 

[four.cycle]

magtl:
After looking at your two photos above and the schematics on the patents, I'm still a bit puzzled.
Does the "bit tube selector" insert into the tail end of the handle? Or is it incorporated into the handle itself? (Neither the photos or the patent schematics make that clear.)
There appears to be a separate end cap in the second image above. Am I correct in assuming that cap is a small theaded plastic cap which can become easily lost or misplaced, making the retention of the bits inside impossible and therefore the tool useless?
What is the rationale for "locking" the blade in place? The old Vaco ball-detent type of two-way screwdriver worked fine, without any issues. I've had mine over 40 years and I've never had the blade just fall out of it.
While I appreciate the effort to make the proverbial "better mousetrap", I am puzzled as to how or why this is an improvement on the multitude of similar products which have been available for decades. I'm not even sure how many brands of that type of gizmo I own now: Vaco, Craftsman, Enderes, Herbrand, Lisle, ad infinitum.
Aside from aircraft mechanics, you would need to convince the average automotive mechanic and/or "around the house handyman" that this is an improvement over what they are already using.

Vaco-made reversible purchased 1971:



==

Let me add to that:
<-- first click on my "profile" by clicking my "handle" just above the avatar image to the left.

If you had come to me what that thing 30-odd years ago, the only way you would have gotten a purchase order would have been if it had a drop-dead price point.
It would have to come in at about ten bucks out the door with an easy margin of about 40%.

In the second-hand/close-out market, it's even more competitive:
Just one example I can think of off the top of my head:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NIP-USA-LIS...N6rts9Z5-e5HqIsqAMw&item=251067487745&vxp=mtr

(* to the other members clicking that link, I think I got him down to $4.00 or $4.25, but I usually buy multiple items from him.)

 

[Olafur]

I like it.

Approx 1/4" flat blade screwdriver is a tool I use quite a bit - both in my mechanical work and also around the house. Turning screws is not it's main function. It acts like a small pry bar, scraper, pick, scratch, whatever. Few hours ago I used one to remove oil seal for the input shaft in Scania GRS905 transmission I am currently repairing. Right or wrong tool for the job a half-decent screwdriver is as good as any for said job.

Sure a "run of the mill" bit driver could be a substitute for some of these tasks but not all of them. So a tightly secured flat blade is a nice feature for all that stuff.

 

[Bobioz1]

Offer it with the option of the flat blade end or a 1/4" square drive end and maybe a female square drive in the **** end. I'd be in for a couple. And if your the guy that came up with the Magrail socket holders, thank you!

 

[Infinia]

Hi
Seems to be a good idea but i'd hafta hold in my hand to tell for sure.
ppl are really picky about handle shapes and materials. How many handle prototypes have you made to arrive at this stage?

 

[teddlett]

I've never had the shank of 4 in 1 pop out in my bag, the little bits on the end for sure, but never the shank.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[Can I try?]

magtl, I'd be in for at least a few.

It looks like it'd be well suited for my line of work. If it could somehow be designed with a through shaft and striking cap it would be, to me, perfect.

 

[4xdog]

My now 35+ year old 4-in-1 screwdrivers are still goin' strong, and although they get used, they're not the first ones I reach for by a long shot. There's not really a compelling reason for your new driver in my life.

I'm nowhere near an aircraft mechanic, but aren't tools there required to be FOD compliant, with no lose-able parts? We have a bunch of guys on here who will know for sure when they weigh in.

 

[SnapOnToolsGreen]

Honestly it looks like junk snap on ratcheting screwdrivers can't be beat I love mine and I'd pay $75 any day for it I wouldnt spend a $1 on one of those not trying to be rude alot of others love the legendary snap ons now if it had a better looking handle design like snap on or mac then you might get somewhere.

 

[manioso]

Looks like a solution in search of a problem.

 

[Gmonkee]

All one sentence and you want credibility to your though?

Dude....


I use Chinese flat-Phillies flipper drivers. They just don't wear out. less weight same function. At work we don't use bit drivers. The tips get lost too often.

 

[uscarry45]

I have always been disapointed in these types of screwdrivers -- particularly the bit storage. And the magnetic bit holder in your photo is another sore subject. I always get up on the ladder try to change the bit -- and I watch it fall to the floor or worse.

 

[Empty Pockets]

It looks nice, but no interest, here

 

[driftpin]

His other tool looks interesting. The MAGRAIL

If you're a hater of pegboard, this is somewhat similar, just walk-away, now. A magnetic adjustable strip for stocking your wall with tools held in place by movable magnets. Not cheap, but not Snap-On stupid pricing.

http://vimtools.com/store/page30.html

http://www.vimtools.com/store/media/Large/mag_tl_1.JPG

http://vimtools.com/store/media/Large/mag_tl_drawer.JPG

 

[M6erfan]

His other tool looks interesting. The MAGRAIL

If you're a hater of pegboard, this is somewhat similar, just walk-away, now. A magnetic adjustable strip for stocking your wall with tools held in place by movable magnets. Not cheap, but not Snap-On stupid pricing.

http://vimtools.com/store/page30.html

http://www.vimtools.com/store/media/Large/mag_tl_1.JPG

http://vimtools.com/store/media/Large/mag_tl_drawer.JPG

Taller pegs would be great for wrench storage too (hint...hint...)

Apologies for the derail

 

[LXCam]

So you want to bring a product to market that is already flooded with quality variations of the same basic tool from a functionality standpoint?. There's just no way in the world you could possibly compete on a price point regardless of how well its built. Don't get me wrong I applaud the effort but honestly feel you're wasting a great deal of effort for something that just won't sell enough of to ever cover the investment.

But good luck.

 

[magtl]

Olafur,
Glade to see you understand the Aero Driver. The reason I designed and patented the Aero Driver is I worked 40 years as an aircraft line mechanic “AMT” at O’Hare. We had to carry our tools to the aircraft so we had to be selective. I needed a tough flat blade for cowl latches and prying apart stuck galley doors, overhead bins or one of the other 1000 uses for the flat blade. I also needed a bit driver for the many different bits I used. I made a prototype turnaround blade screwdriver similar to the Aero Driver. The idea was to replace two tools with one. My blade locked into the handle with a spring ball. I jammed the flat blade between two panels and tried to remove it and the blade came out of the handle. I would open the cowling and the latch would grab the blade pulling it out of the handle, so when I designed the Aero Driver I made sure it had a positive ball lock so the blade would not come out unless you released it.
Since I posted this I am seeing all kind of comparisons. turnaround blade with flat blade and Philips? Where is the drive bite holder? And its spring balled in the handle. If something grabs the flat blade its coming out. A 10-way turnaround bit driver? Where Is the tough flat blade you need? Where is the drive bit holder? I use over 50 different bits. My experience shows if you can grab the blade and pull it out of the screwdriver, as soon as it gets stuck between two objects it won’t be in the handle long.
The Aero Driver is designed for the professional who wants highest quality tools.

 

[Gmonkee]

Don't get on the defense yet. You made a tool that fit your needs and its good.

I only use flat and Phillips in auto work and the Tenhigh made drivers have positive ball lock and adjustable length. That is what fits MY needs best.
Auto work you need long and short drivers and I get both in one. That makes my bag lighter too and we both want that.

What I didn't get or need is blade size options or interchangable tips. No issue for me butbad for you. Takes all kinds to make the world spin.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I've never cared to much for the turnaround screwdrivers myself. But if I were to get one I personally would be more interested in some sort of a pocket version. I like the idea of the wider flat blade. But on the opposite end just a standard #2 Phillips would be fine with me. As mentioned I would like the idea of a striking cap or 1/4" female drive on the end of the handle. Which I think could still be acceptable for a pocket sized version. As far as that goes I think even a magnet on the end would be handy, as so many pocket screwdrivers are.

As far as just a regular turnaround is concerned I'd be interested in an option of one end 1/4" drive and the other 3/8" drive. It'd make for a handy nut driver type. You combine that with a Snap On hard handle type handle and I'd be interested.

 

[four.cycle]

"...a tough flat blade for cowl latches and prying apart stuck galley doors, overhead bins or one of the other 1000 uses for the flat blade."

^ And therein lies the crux of whether or not its locking blade feature is actually a necessity.

I use flat-blade screwdrivers for turning screws.
I own at least a dozen different paint-can openers, and probably half a dozen pry bars in sizes varying from 6 inches up to 6 feet long.
I have at least a dozen wood chisels and an assortment of cold chisels.
I don't need to ruin perfectly good screwdrivers for want of having the proper tool for the job. I don't work on aircraft or atop telephone poles, and if I have to go effect repairs on something away from home I'll just toss what I need for the job in a suitable container (usually a 5-gallon bucket) and go. You'd be amazed at how much **** you can carry in a 5-gallon bucket: hacksaw, 5-pound hammer, 15-inch adjustable wrench, a mess of screwdrivers and wrenches, Makita cordless driver and bits, ad nauseum.

So I get where you're coming from, but I just am not seeing a practical application suited for my needs. Moreover, as mentioned above, this type of tool has been around for decades in various forms and I'm just not seeing something that's setting my hair on fire.

Just my two cents, of course.

 

[Danglerb]

I've never had the bit fall out of this type of screwdriver, so I'm not seeing any value making it locking.

 

[Parrothead]

It looks very nice, but since I'm not an airline mechanic it solves a problem I don't have. I don't see an application where I'd find it necessary or the preferred tool of choice. Good luck and hopefully we can say we knew you before you became rich and famous.

 

[fatfillup]

Well the negative Nancys are out in full force but this is GJ so you can expect no different.

Maglt, I applaud you in your design. You solved a problem for folks in your line of work. I like you thought process. Good luck with what ever your plans are.

 

[Roberts210]

Thanks for posting here Magtl. I like the MagRail. Looks like a good solution for storing sockets.

I have a question about your screwdriver. Is the lock ring spring loaded?
I might buy one just cause I like neat tools.

I have used magnetic tip screwdrivers ever since '78 when I worked at an auto glass shop and the S-K man came around one day. I had never seen a magnetic tip screwdriver with replaceable tips and I was hooked, I still have and use my S-K's from that time. But every once in awhile, especially when using phillips tips the tip stays in the screwhead when I pull the screwdriver back. If the tip then falls out of the phillips screwhead it sometimes gets lost and I hate that--I buy the best quality tips I can find and I hate losing them.

 

[Roberts210]

Looking again at the pictures... so the lock ring comes off and bit storage is under the lock ring? If so, how does the lock ring come off?

 

[Farmall450]

Hard to beat an Enderes 4 in 1.

 

[magtl]

Thanks, Fatfillup,

I believe in having my tools organized and saving valuable tool box space every way I can.

Thought you might enjoy a photo of a few Aero Driver accessories for the different trades.