I like the stubby too because I can press harder into the screw. I keep it always at my workbench. I converted all of my other Snap-On hard handles to removable shank with a GM O-ring as was recommended on this site. I now use my hard handled T more with 1/4" sockets , I didn't care that much for the 1/4" socket bit.I like the Snap On stubby with interchangeable shanks best
Why do I want a snap on ratcheting screwdriver?
- Thread starter joedodge
- Start date
xOccupantx
Well-known member
rlitman
Well-known member
I'd possibly even consider it at Snap On prices, but those are long discontinued, so no warranty and sky is the limit prices on eBay.
xOccupantx
Well-known member
If you’re referring to the set on the left I agree. It took me about 2 years to find one. My dealer mentioned in passing that an old timer was retiring his truck. I gave him the part number and said if he had one to grab it for me. So I got lucky and snagged it at retail price.
However the conversion is worth it alone to use all the different size 1/4” bit shanks. Also the 1/4” socket anvil.
JerseyBoatBuilder
Well-known member
I did call Snap On three summers back and was able to replace a P2 Shank.
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rlitman
Well-known member
SGDMRC60. Yes. The last two sales on eBay were $300 and $389 for six #$%^@$ screwdriver shanks. Inconceivable! I thought the price was nuts when I posted here about it in 2018 (just found that post), and it's only appreciated faster than Lego. And the square shank connection into Snap On's handles isn't even that solid. Now if it had a connection like Chapman's screwdrivers and hollow ground cabinet tips, it might get my wallet grip to loosen.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Me too, because I mainly use long bits. Thats my go-to as long as the job doesn’t involve fluids.I like my Anex ratchet better
Me too, because I mainly use long bits. Thats my go-to as long as the job doesn’t involve fluids.
Plus it's so comfortable to spin the bit using the front cone!
Less back drag also
I'm also a fan of longer bits, I primarily use 3-4" bits in my guns too
Shoreline_
Well-known member
I have one but for around the house. Never at work. Fumbling with bits and **** gets old. I also dont own a million-bit driver kit.
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
Mine is modest compared to several others on here! I will find the collection thread.
My favorite is the classic orange.
Very nice. I actually just ordered an orange one off eBay!!!! Have you done the mod to be able to replace the shanks?
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
On one or two of them, yes
jeffmoss26
Well-known member
Qualitytools
Well-known member
I have always found ratcheting screwdrivers useful. I ended up with 2 hard handle Snapons, one red and one black.
There is a thread here somewhere for those that collect the various colors and commemorations.
There is a thread here somewhere for those that collect the various colors and commemorations.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Yes.
HomeTheaterMan
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- Apr 3, 2016
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I am a little late seeing this, but I haven't tried them.
oscarsnapkin
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- Feb 22, 2025
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As everyone has said, they’re awesome. I have a green standard hard handle that I bought in the late 90’s that came in a blow molded case. It more or less is the only driver I use around the house. I have a black pistol grip that I don’t think I’ve ever used. It just feels weird, but it looks cool. When I bought it from the SO guy (the standard handle) he told me that it was Snap-On’s best selling tool, whether or not that is true I don’t know. I have on my “wish list” a T-handle version and a little stubby. I had a Craftsman Professional ratcheting screwdriver that I used to use when working on trucks, and it wasn’t even close to the Snap-On. Broke after about a year. I never used my Snap On one at work because I didn’t want to trash it because I love it so much! Probably the tool I grab the most, and I love having the case so I can carry a wide assortment of bits.
Yes they are...Be careful, they are addicting!
Radio Flyer
Well-known member
I have mine from the 80’s. Old guys will remember this.
Cars came with glass sealed beam headlights. The chrome trim was fancy torx heads, and the headlight bezel was philips. You could grab 1 screwdriver, a bulb and run to the parking lot to replace it. Fast and easy with a ratcheting screwdriver. Haven’t used it since. Really don’t like it. Should probably sell it.
Cars came with glass sealed beam headlights. The chrome trim was fancy torx heads, and the headlight bezel was philips. You could grab 1 screwdriver, a bulb and run to the parking lot to replace it. Fast and easy with a ratcheting screwdriver. Haven’t used it since. Really don’t like it. Should probably sell it.
Ohio Andy
Well-known member
Pepperidge farm remembers...
I chose to not replace a particular running light because it was like $600 or more to do it and that was just the labor. The rumor was that if I ran it up on a lift removed the tire then removed the inner wheel Well I could get to it from the back and it would be faster....
Either way with a fixed screwdriver or a ratcheting screwdriver you got to reposition your hand to turn your wrist each time. What’s the real difference if you get to hold the grip tight because it’s ratcheting or you loosen up the grip slightly and retighten your grip after you reposition your hand?
rlitman
Well-known member
The difference of whether or not you risk having the tip jump out of the screw.
the main benefit I find is being able to quickly spin the shaft with my fingers, and then using the handle to tighten it or break it loose. I wouldn’t say it’s a must have.
designer485
Well-known member
Of all the different styles / sizes, I like using the stubby handle with the longer shank. I like that soft handle versions can swap the shanks out to the various size and styles (1/4 bit long and shot, 1/4 driver socket, flex, etc).
The mini set is also pretty nice to use on smaller parts / screws.
The mini set is also pretty nice to use on smaller parts / screws.
I don't own one, but the flaccid looking one is my favorite.Of all the different styles / sizes, I like using the stubby handle with the longer shank. I like that soft handle versions can swap the shanks out to the various size and styles (1/4 bit long and shot, 1/4 driver socket, flex, etc).
yeah no. You apply tip pressure to engage and never let off. You just twist your wrist. The speed difference is exactly like the difference between a ratchet and a box wrench, or a ratcheting box wrench and a box wrench.
For me personally, the speed wasn't the selling point. The advantage was when you are working in a place where you need your other hand (to hold hold a light or mirror, or support your body weight) OR where access is so bad, its all you can do to find the fastener head once.
I use mine most when doing interiors work, which I feel like I do more than other people for reasons I can't explain. They are also pretty awesome for electrical work. My favorite is the soft grip stubby with a long shank. Love that thing.
maybe I been doing it wrong my whole life but I don’t follow.
with a box end wrench you got to turn your arm to the max point. Then lift the wrench off completely. Then find the right angle to get the wrench back on again. Then repeat
with a regular non ratcheting screwdriver I twist my wrist clockwise to tighten a screw. Once I can’t twist my wrist anymore I loosen my grip. I still use my fingers to keep the screwdriver in the same position and the palm of my hand. It keeps the screwdriver engaged into the screw head.
I rotate my hand around the screwdriver handle to get my wrist back in the starting spot. Twist again repeat.
it sounds like you might be describing if you held the screwdriver tight in your hand, found the screw head, twist, remove the screwdriver from the screwhead turn your wrist back with screwdriver tight, twist again and find the screw head each time.
maybe I got magical hand ability but I always just figured the way I do it is normal
yea I see that I just haven’t come into that scenario much in my life. There’s been a few tight access like behind a dashboard taking a Philips screw out where a ratcheting screwdriver might make a difference for me.
maybe it comes down to what I’m working on? Maybe if the screw was rusted in a car I couldnt so this and I just don’t really think about it. Most of my screw turning is easy. Yesterday I took screws out of a freezer ice maker. No problem one handed with my usual method. Day before drywall screws going into a wall.
maybe I’m using my left hand to help more than I realize and I don’t know it. I’ll pay more attention. but either way I got a ratcheting screwdriver and never use it
SouthernIllinois
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- Jan 14, 2024
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- 1,679
My go-to screwdriver.
Grab this 9/10 times
Grab this 9/10 times
I’ve used a ratcheting screw driver in my travel box or bag for years.
A standard length handle and the stubby handle are my current favorites.
These two handles plus a standard length shank, a long shank, a 1/4” drive shank and a graphite shank cover a lot of uses without the individual single use tools.
Here I‘m beginning to figure how to carry the ratcheting screwdrivers in the new version of my travel kit.
Currently in the development stage.
A standard length handle and the stubby handle are my current favorites.
These two handles plus a standard length shank, a long shank, a 1/4” drive shank and a graphite shank cover a lot of uses without the individual single use tools.
Here I‘m beginning to figure how to carry the ratcheting screwdrivers in the new version of my travel kit.
Currently in the development stage.
Interesting! So you maintain the tip pressure? And you do this one handed? Yeah, I can't do that or I don't think I do. Sometimes it isn't clear to me what I actually do compared to what I think I do. And I've never really thought about how I hold a screwdriver.
I do know my answer is different when the screw is slotted or Phillips vs a tight fitting Torx or allen. What I prefer to do is hold the shank near the tip in my left hand, and spin the handle with my right
Lol. You're not going to win friends and get likes on GJ with that! There are couple threads where guys are going back to those tools.
I don't feel as strongly, but I would argue that I personally have little or no feel from power tools. That may be an inexperience issue. For automotive, I rarely use power and when I do its almost always removals.
Kurt4440
Well-known member
So, you like the soft handle vs the hard handle.I don't own one, but the flaccid looking one is my favorite.
On a serious note, I have a Snap-on ratcheting screwdriver, but, I typically reach for a cordless screwdriver (Bosch, Hitachi, Milwaukee) when it is time to remove more than a few screws.
I'll find the strength to carry on somehow lol
Definitely not doing it with flat head but honestly I don’t run too much flathead and if it was flathead I would struggle with one hand and a ratcheting driver too man.
im going to pay closer attention to what I do but yesterday I took a ice maker out of a fridge it was 1/4 hex so I used the open end of a multi bit driver without any bits and I was holding the ice maker with my left hand to keep it from falling when I removed the last screw. I think I might be pushing with my palm sometimes it’s like tying your shoes if you think you can’t do it
