Thoughts on a newly patented screwdriver?

[magtl]

Yes the lock ring is spring loaded. I/4" of rotation releases the blade.
For bit storage unscrew the tail cap, rotate the selector over one of four bit storage tubes in the handle. Each tube holds two 1" bits or one 2" bit.

 

[magtl]

The Aero Driver accessories are on a Magrail TL.

 

[Roberts210]

............For bit storage unscrew the tail cap, rotate the selector over one of four bit storage tubes in the handle. Each tube holds two 1" bits or one 2" bit.

Thanks for clarifying that. The photos you posted don't show that clearly.

 

[four.cycle]

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

I would think somebody in the business of inventing better mousetraps would become somewhat inured to negative criticism. If not, they're in the wrong business.

The photos you posted don't show that clearly.

Neither does the schematic on the patent documents.

And why is it that not one of those drivers using a screw-on end cap (from any maker) is designed with some sort of tether in order to prevent the loss of the cap?
If the cap is lost, the tool as a storage device for the bits becomes useless.

 

[bixxjs]

Sounds interesting,I own a lot of hand tools and wouldn't take much persuading to purchase your screwdriver.

 

[engineer2]

I like the positive locking feature. It improves on two things:
I've had the bit fall out while transporting it or dropping it.
If it gets wet and rusts a little, it can make the bit very difficult to remove.
I also like in-handle bit storage.

 

[Alchymist]

I prefer these - they come in many different blade configurations. They can be had in most any bit style.

 

[American Locomotive]

The aero driver accessories shown make the locking mechanism make a lot more sense, and IMO should have been shown in the first post.

But once again, it comes down to price. If you can get the aero driver bundled with all those accessories/tool holders for a reasonable price, you might have something.

 

[ptgarcia]

Those Magrails are sweet.

 

[Mustang1167]

The aero driver accessories shown make the locking mechanism make a lot more sense, and IMO should have been shown in the first post.

But once again, it comes down to price. If you can get the aero driver bundled with all those accessories/tool holders for a reasonable price, you might have something.

I agree the original post should be edited and this whole thread may turn direction for the OP. With the accessories he stepping into a "Dremel do it all platform" which I could see a use for. As far as just selling the original 2-1 screwdriver without accessories I would not be interested for various reasons.

 

[3baygarage]

I understand this tool. Magtl is not trying to reinvent the wheel here. This is an all purpose flat blade on one side and a bit driver on the other.

As long as the handle and shaft are durable enough to withstand some prying then it should be fine I would think. It may not be the preferred pry tool, but for those who must travel light.

 

[magtl]

Four.cylce
I’ve been doing this for 25 years and Every single one of my patents some people would tell me it wouldn’t work. Most of the time they were wrong. I am use to the criticism and I knew when I posted the Aero Driver I was asking for it.

I would love to see feedback on a screwdriver that will do everything the Aero Driver will. As of yet I haven’t seen it. So please keep the feedback coming, good or bad.
Magtl

 

[johninct]

I got one sort of like that from Snap-On a few years ago and never used it. I think the Snap-On one could make the shank long or short.

 

[Gmonkee]

These forums are populated with everyone from Harry Hackjob to **** retentive machinists. Not all make a living with tools and not all are pressured flat rate guys or "maybe on tuesday" fixers.

There is a lot of middle ground there.

A specialized aviation market tool could find a poor footing by %s but a very loyal following among a few. Or any specialized tools, like the Fixitstick allen key tool in its various forms appeals more to cyclists and gunsmiths.

I think its a great idea to invent. I try myself. But a general purpose tool that hasn't been invented twice already isn't easy to design.

For example the flipper drivers are plentiful in my stocks. I paid more for VW car kit versions than the Tenhigh with shanks adjustable in 5mm steps to range length and locking mechanisms that hold up to hard use. Doesn't hurt the tips have not worn down in five years.
I simply cannot better that and the ultimate insult, they cost about two bucks each. How would any small maker compete?
It has lead me to buy other drivers by the same maker with equally good results.
Chinese or not these compete with the best anyone makes.

Adapt them to any industry by changing shanks to hex, torx, specialty points or whatever would not be a difficult task. And I will bet they have already for someone.

OP, your idea is solid but its a crowded market if you want to sell to everyone in every trade. If you push toward aviation and fleet sales to big buyers there lies the gold.
The success stories like Chapman and the Fixitstick guys are the rare exceptions among the good ideas that flop for simple reasons. Marketing skills, a maker and a distribution network are all key elements, miss one and the entire boat sinks.
Or sell the rights and cash out leaving the investment to a bigger entity with all that in place. Then cry later they mismanaged your great idea to a flop or cheated you on price if it is a big seller.
No easy choices. Very difficult to sell your ideas. They will never do as you had hoped long term.

 

[woody 73]

It looks interesting tell me is the handle chemical resistant or will chemicals dissolve it over time?

 

[magtl]

Mustang1167,
I took your suggestion and edited original post.
Thanks,
Magtl

 

[magtl]

The handle on the prototype is Delrin, so no problem. On the production tool, don't know, but am sure it will be chemical resistant.

 

[woody 73]

Maybe I missed it are you going to give some kind of warranty, lifetime, one year, three years, etc.

Glad to hear that it will not be harmed by chemicals.

 

[Spacecataz]

The flip driver market is already too saturated in the general population. I'm with gmonkee, market it to aviation folks (with branding) and set back and collect money.

 

[APEowner]

That looks like an elegant solution to the specific challenges faced by an airline mechanic. I don't know that it adds anything that'll be useful for other trades although it's as good as a lot of existing solutions.

 

[LXCam]

I would love to see feedback on a screwdriver that will do everything the Aero Driver will. As of yet I haven’t seen it. So please keep the feedback coming, good or bad.
Magtl

Mag, rhetorical question aside you already know the answer or you wouldn't have made the effort into developing the tool. My main back round is industrial electric mainly construction but service as well. Way back when Klein introduced their 5 in 1 screw driver is was a great method of eliminating wellll 4 additional tools in your back pocket. It had it's limitations obviously but for the most part with the exception of not being a pry bar worked well. The key here being the original design had longer tips and fit into recessed areas such as terminations in a breaker..etc.

As thing progressed they over complicated it with more and more variations of additional tooling built into it. Well it sure looked good on paper and worked well if the screw head was flush in most cases but items such as recessed breaker terminations were too small to fit the shank of the tool. Also losing the individual pieces became common place as they'd just fall out and disappear to Narnia. In short, they over invented for their market "in my opinion"


Moving on to your tool. Well you yourself clearly defined the application and reasoning of the design and it seems well suited for just that, the benefit of being able to pry with the flat head portion. Other than that and the locking benefits its a hard sell unless you can compete with a price point comparable to alllll the other multidrivers out there.

So speaking as someone who has brought several products to market as well as played a role into a couple other dozen products out there manufactured by various companies know the limitations of anything I intend to make and market.

The items I have invented and manufactured are a very small niche market for the modern performance crowd. Going into production I have a very thorough understanding of the quantities I could possible sell. So when I make or have made a run of product that aspect is accounted for across the board. This means limited material acquisition (not bulk pricing), short run manufacturing cost if I'm not making them in house as well as and MOST IMPORTANTLY sales forecasting. Another words how long will this item remain on the shelf before the last one is ever sold. So far in the last ten years I've been lucky enough to not hang myself out to dry. And thankfully my income isn't based upon anything I make selling in a timely manor.

So now that you're asking yourself "why the hell did I just read all this" well its the last paragraph that I feel is the most applicable to your product. You have brought other offerings to market. If you honestly feel you can manufacture, market, distribute, sell at a competitive price and stock these over an extended period of time and still make a dollar bud I do wish you the best.

Hell man I have great respect for any individual willing to "give it a go" no matter what the "it" is. All though I don't need one, I'll buy one in a second if you bring it to market just to support your entrepreneurship.

 

[magtl]

Thanks, LXCam nice letter.
Magtl

 

[ambenz]

I like my 6 in one screwdriver and would miss the nut driver sheetmetal screw sizes it provides. I don't know it I would ever use a saw, reamer and all the other attachments you show....sometimes too many things in one tool, is a PITA.
I admire your ambition and fortitude,,,thank much for sharing with all of us!
Sorry if the criticism isn't as positive as you may like...being a member of the GJ means we are all tool snobs! LOL!
Just take it with a grain of salt and keep the faith!

 

[LXCam]

Thanks, LXCam nice letter.
Magtl

Right, I want you to know 99% of the time I surf this site from my phone. But just for you I hopped on my laptop to type all the **** up.

 

[PugetDude]

If you could make the handles smell like old sweat socks you would generate a lot of interest here on the GJ....

Interesting concept, looks like decent quality, but I don't like combination tools for daily use. If I had one it would end up in my truck glove box or kitchen junk drawer.

 

[walrus]

If you have a bit socket why does it need to be reversible. Can't I just change the bit? I use a flatblade as an electrician but not as much as #2 phillips, # robertson, t15 thru 25 torx

 

[kctyphoon]

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.

I second this.. people are overly critical in here. If it said snap on, they'd love it.

 

[PugetDude]

I second this.. people are overly critical in here. If it said snap on, they'd love it.

if it said Snap On, Maglt would be posting from some remote tropical island, sipping umbrella drinks served by exotic waitresses in string bikinis...

 

[Roberts210]

I'm also turned off by the negative voices on this Site. In my experience it's the guys with little practical experience who like to bash. However I just ignore them--there's still much to love about GJ.

 

[Gmonkee]

Its a prototype. Not currently in production. It is rights to the idea and design beyond that.

Nobody is getting rich at this stage.

 

[ToddW]

It looks nice, and well made.

However, in the shop working on vehicles or projects I would MUCH rather grab another tool than have to fiddle with one changing bits. Much faster and easier to have 5 tools set out and grab one switch, grab another switch than it is to swap bits or whatever else you put on the end.

As a specialty tool it sounds great for your situation. However, it's not a catch all for portable hand drivers. For instance I have a small tool kit I keep in my 4x4 and there's no way I'd only have 1 main tool that I connect pieces to, if that one broke I wouldn't be able to unscrew anything, pry anything, and whatever other attachments you have you'd be dead in the water from 1 failure.

Just my 02

 

[magtl]

Maybe I missed it are you going to give some kind of warranty, lifetime, one year, three years, etc.

Glad to hear that it will not be harmed by chemicals.

The tool is not in production at the moment, but I believe it would be a type of Limited LIFETIME Warranty.

 

[American Locomotive]

Mustang1167,
I took your suggestion and edited original post.
Thanks,
Magtl

Now it seems like a much cooler and more useful tool, than just a "locking" flippable screw-driver

 

[justanengineer]

I'd be curious to know how this is any different than the various other locking screwdrivers that've been made over the decades? Ive had a few, my current Wera takes standard 1/4 hex bits and I use it mainly for deburring but have all manner of screwdriver blades, drill chucks, and even square socket drives from my M18 impact driver that I could stick in there.

 

[Filson]

People can be harsh. Sometimes truth is harsh too. I agree with LXCam above, in his word of caution but also a thumbs up for your drive and spirit. I do not have the experience of bringing a product to the market that the two of you share, but as a Finance major I'll simply ask that you vigorously research your target demographic, potential customer ratio out of that demographic, and the cost of getting this into production.

Unless your extremely conservative estimates on potential income truly excites you, consider looking for ways to increase your margin of safety. As others have stated - it's a very similar product to others that have been out for quite some time. Yes, I see you're upgrades, but as harsh as some of the comments have been over the past few pages, *these* are a portion of your potential customer base. Consider the risk that the chorus of the few may very well indeed be echoed by the crowd.

Benjamin Graham, the value investor who took a young Warren Buffett under his wing, was known for his same reply, when asked what he thought of this or that stock/bond/company/whatever; 'On what terms, and at what price?' Regardless of how great of a company the stock in question may be of, regardless of how great of a location the piece of real estate sits on, or how great the new idea is... The cost and conditions dictate whether it'll be a good deal or not, not the subject at hand. Make sure your cost expectations, potential sales amounts, calculated profit margin, and other key factors, are based on as much statistical data as you can come up with, not assumption and hopes. If you still think it's a go after you get some real working numbers to work with, by all means, go for it.

-Filson

P.S. I'm reminded of a saying about love that actually applies to other areas of life as well, such as someone being in your shoes. 'We all eat lies, when our hearts are hungry.' Don't allow your brain to be dictated by your hopes. Also, don't let anyone else tell you you can, or cannot do something.

 

[magtl]

I'd be curious to know how this is any different than the various other locking screwdrivers that've been made over the decades? Ive had a few, my current Wera takes standard 1/4 hex bits and I use it mainly for deburring but have all manner of screwdriver blades, drill chucks, and even square socket drives from my M18 impact driver that I could stick in there.

The Aero Driver is a flat blade screwdriver. You just happen to able to turn the blade around and have a bit driver. Two searches were done to find another screwdriver that would do this, mine and the patent examiner’s. We were unable to find one, doesn’t mean we didn’t miss it, but I haven’t seen it yet.

 

[four.cycle]

Just a note here about those complaining about the "negative feedback":

"...as a mechanic and inventor I am asking for your impressions of this tool."

The OP didn't ask to be stroked. From the tone and content of his original post, I think it's reasonable to assume he wanted some honest feedback.

I'm sure magtl understands we are all looking at his new gizmo through different prisms.
In the context of his question I am looking at it more from the point of "will it sell?" (as opposed to its practicality for every day use.) My brain is hard-wired that way because of my background.

Anybody remember these? Or possibly have one in your tool box?



When it was first introduced in the early 1970's this POS was touted as the next best thing to sliced bread, and was going to revolutionize the tool industry. Everybody got suckered into writing purchase orders for these, and after a couple years went by and the public figured out what a completely useless piece of garbage it was, you couldn't give the damn things away. (I think we finally marked them down to about .13 cents each just to get rid of them.)

And no, it's not apples and oranges - it's still a widget, and a widget is a widget is a widget.

I still think devising some means of tethering the screw-on cap to the unit would be a selling feature, but that's just me.

Clarify please: the handle has the storage area for the bits in the back end, and each storage slot holds two one-inch bits, making total storage space available for 8 one-inch bits, correct?
If I chose instead to use the storage area for 4 two-inch bits, would they fit without any issues? (If my memory serves me correctly most of those types of tools that I own only hold four one-inch bits in the handle.)

 

[magtl]

Just a note here about those complaining about the "negative feedback":



The OP didn't ask to be stroked. From the tone and content of his original post, I think it's reasonable to assume he wanted some honest feedback.

I'm sure magtl understands we are all looking at his new gizmo through different prisms.
In the context of his question I am looking at it more from the point of "will it sell?" (as opposed to its practicality for every day use.) My brain is hard-wired that way because of my background.

Anybody remember these? Or possibly have one in your tool box?



When it was first introduced in the early 1970's this POS was touted as the next best thing to sliced bread, and was going to revolutionize the tool industry. Everybody got suckered into writing purchase orders for these, and after a couple years went by and the public figured out what a completely useless piece of garbage it was, you couldn't give the damn things away. (I think we finally marked them down to about .13 cents each just to get rid of them.)

And no, it's not apples and oranges - it's still a widget, and a widget is a widget is a widget.

I still think devising some means of tethering the screw-on cap to the unit would be a selling feature, but that's just me.

Clarify please: the handle has the storage area for the bits in the back end, and each storage slot holds two one-inch bits, making total storage space available for 8 one-inch bits, correct?
If I chose instead to use the storage area for 4 two-inch bits, would they fit without any issues? (If my memory serves me correctly most of those types of tools that I own only hold four one-inch bits in the handle.)

Yes, the handle will store eight 1" drive bits, or four 2" drive bits, or a combination of the two. One tube also allows you store one 1” drive bit and one 1/4“ to 5/16” hex drive bit needed to secure the red quarter turns you see in aircraft galleys that lock the food carts in place.

 

[Roberts210]

magtl, if I could offer you some business advice it would be to get some made up, and market this first to aircraft mechanics through some aircraft maintenance magazine or websites ads. Eventually word will leak out about this neat screwdriver only available to aircraft mechanics... and everybody will want one.

 

[PugetDude]

magtl, if I could offer you some business advice it would be to get some made up, and market this first to aircraft mechanics through some aircraft maintenance magazine or websites ads. Eventually word will leak out about this neat screwdriver only available to aircraft mechanics... and everybody will want one.

Maybe get Aircraft Spruce to feature it in their (online)catalog?