Who uses nutdrivers?

[sberry]

I got them all over. Every tractor/truck/cart gets the 5 and the 7/16

 

[theoldwizard1]

Depends on your line of work. As an electrician I use them daily.

For a pro, this makes sense. There are probably only a couple of sizes that get used regularly anyway (1/4" and 5/16" ?).

As a DIYer, I use a 1/4" drive set with a spinner handle driver. My secret is the driver has a square female 1/4" socket in the top of the handle. If I need just a little extra torque, I use my 1/4" breaker bar.

This set is about 50 years old and is my most used tool !

 

[LXCam]

For a pro, this makes sense. There are probably only a couple of sizes that get used regularly anyway (1/4" and 5/16" ?).![/B]

And 3/8. If you’re a commercial/industrial dude, most all dead fronts are 3/8 head 1/4” bolts.

Just figured I’d toss out a completely useless fact.

 

[tutti57]

I have a set that just take up space in my box. M12 rachet with socket/extension.

Sent from my Moto E (4) Plus using Tapatalk

 

[dan360]

yes for wiring, dash/instrument/control panel work, and hose clamps.

 

[oldgoaly]

1/4" and 5/16" are common hvac sizes.
but for working on old stuff Spintites are cool!

 

[gearhead1]

I always use them on hose clamps as they get more torque and don’t slip out of the slot like a flat screwdriver.

 

[CoogarXR]

I use them pretty often.

I have an obnoxious collection of Xcelite tools. Probably nearly 100 unique nut drivers for every occasion, lol.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Other than my 1/4" and 5/16" magnetic nut drivers, the others never get touched.

 

[Vpick001]

Every day. Rebuilding starters and alternators. I use an impact on the larger outside bolts, but for the more delicate screws inside, I tend to use a nut driver so I don't break the head off.

 

[James-W]

When I was working on television sets and other electronic equipment, I used them everyday. Now that I am retired, not so much, but I do use them on occasion. When you are working on some piece of equipment that is plastic, a nutdriver is the best tool to use, at least in my mind it is.

 

[Cougar67]

I seldom use them but I did recently to tighten Fernco fittings while replacing a section of drain pipe on the old beach house. My set belonged to my FIL who died in 1988 and I never met. Only a few of his tools survived his wife's clean out. They have multi colored handles and are pleasing to look at. Kind of like these https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Ol...094687&hash=item469344dea7:g:HfkAAOSwtLxcYN7g

 

[speed bump]

I have a 1/4 and a. 5/16 handy in my tool cart and use them all the time. When I did refrigeration they we're probably my most commonly used tools.

 

[orangeblood]

anybody have a recommendation for a us made long shank, magnetic metric set? i use nut drivers often and especially like them for hard to reach spots.

 

[Davefr]

anybody have a recommendation for a us made long shank, magnetic metric set? i use nut drivers often and especially like them for hard to reach spots.

Try Xcelite or Klein (Vaco).

 

[bonneyman]

Try Xcelite or Klein (Vaco).

Yep. They offer several kinds of lengths with the sizes easy to recognize because they follow industry standards for color on the handles..

 

[Mr. Tool]

As someone previously posted...."it depends on your line of work".... I have a few nut driver sets that I use whenever called for.

It's good to have different lengths cause, well you just never know.

I've got nut driver sets from a few different manufacturers such as Vaco, two different sets from Champion (old & new), (NOS) Craftsman, Bernstein (which are excellent by the way! ) Urrea (ever hear of that brand?) and yes even a couple of nut drivers from Facom.


I like using them, when working on electronics, automotive, machinery, etc.

 

[Mr. Tool]

Here are these nut drivers from Engineer that I recently purchased and are on their way to me. The tips are magnetized.

 

[Mr. Tool]

Engineer also has these two types of nut driver sets for those who may be contemplating on possibly buying a set or two.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Engineer-J...389618&hash=item25f7879803:g:26kAAOSwNSxVVu2A

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Engineer-J...040425&hash=item23b0d8f068:g:DlkAAMXQVT9S~gje

 

[Motorman55]

Still use these now and then when needed. Old Craftsman Made in USA. Also have a few misc. brand long type's somewhere. Now I'll have to spend time trying to find them because of this Thread.

 

[rmsg0040]

I own no nutdrivers, on the other hand I own nutsetters that I use with my impact driver or with my ratcheting screwdriver

 

[toolmutt]

I have a full set at home that I use on occasion. At work (firefighter if you couldn't tell), my 6-in-1 screwdriver with the bit removed making it a nut driver is one of my most used pocket tools. Frequently have to remove HVAC panels, etc.

 

[Bruce57]

At my job we sell equipment with motor wiring connections that take a 5/16 socket for the stud nut. Nut drivers work well for these.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Depends what I am doing. At work I will use a 6 in 1 if I need those sizes which is rare. When doing voice/data work I have a few sizes of Klein drivers in my bag. For general stuff at home I have Craftsman both standard and metric.

 

[^&right]

The ONLY time I deliberately reach for a nut driver is when a hose clamp is in my way. So really, I only need a 5/16 and a 3/8

 

[dr_clyde]

I like nut drivers. I use them somewhat regularly. I just upgraded from my stanley set that I've had for years to a shiney new Snap-on set. SAE, anyway. Don't often use metric nut drivers.

I never really noticed until now that the size color codes follow the order of visible light in the electromagnetic spectrum. ROYGBIV

Omitting black and brown, Red 1/4", Orange 9/32", Yellow 5/16", Green 11/32" and Blue 3/8".

Neat.

 

[Matt XYZ]

I use them occasionally as a DIYer. Mostly for hose clamps or changing the cabin filter in BMWs. I don't think I've ever used my SAE even though I've worked on old American cars fairly often.

Matt

 

[Coach James]

I use them.

Coach

 

[yellow wagon]

Don’t need them if you have a 1/4” drive handle and sockets. Useful tool

 

[dr_clyde]

Don’t need them if you have a 1/4” drive handle and sockets. Useful tool

For the most part, yes. A socket set and spinner handle will work fine. But there are a few advantages to a dedicated nut driver.

Most nut drivers have a hollow shaft that lets you get down over a long stud that a deep socket may or may not clear.

They are also handy to have a set, such that you can use several at once without changing sockets.

It's also very handy to not run the risk of the socket popping off and falling down into an engine bay or down into some piece of machinery.

Color coded and ready to go makes them fast and easy to use.

 

[Mr. Tool]

RIGHT ON!

For the most part, yes. A socket set and spinner handle will work fine. But there are a few advantages to a dedicated nut driver.

Most nut drivers have a hollow shaft that lets you get down over a long stud that a deep socket may or may not clear.

They are also handy to have a set, such that you can use several at once without changing sockets.

It's also very handy to not run the risk of the socket popping off and falling down into an engine bay or down into some piece of machinery.

Color coded and ready to go makes them fast and easy to use.

 

[bonneyman]

For the most part, yes. A socket set and spinner handle will work fine. But there are a few advantages to a dedicated nut driver.

Most nut drivers have a hollow shaft that lets you get down over a long stud that a deep socket may or may not clear.

They are also handy to have a set, such that you can use several at once without changing sockets.

It's also very handy to not run the risk of the socket popping off and falling down into an engine bay or down into some piece of machinery.

Color coded and ready to go makes them fast and easy to use.

And my hollow-shaft nut drivers pull double duty to final torque set screws on motor shafts with an L-allen wrench.

 

[jayrush13]

I use them everyday being an electrician. Much more convenient to carry a couple nutdrivers in your tool bags than a 1/4" socket set.

 

[rick carpenter]

They are nice when you need to “feel” what your doing. You don’t get the same feedback with a ratchet.

Yeah, agreed there. When I was keeping my old a/c system going way past its brain dead phase, I used nutdrivers on the carcasses and components of the condensor outside and blower in the attic. No need to strip sheet metal! I use them now on hose clamps etc. When they're practical, they're really practical. They're compact compared to a ratchet/extension/socket and fit in your pocket well. Being one-piece, when you drop them they don't come apart. And the reverse switch couldn't be simpler!

 

[zkling]

Very often. I think every home DIY should have a set. Fantastic for appliance and around the house stuff. Eventually you will need a hollow shaft set, tread as a deep well socket.

I got my first ones when I was ~12 in the craftsman big mechanics set. Been hooked ever since. All those hex OD with Phillips in the center screws get the nut driver as most are so soft the screwdriver just cams them out.