Why ratcheting screwdriver

[seber]

I have a ratcheting screwdriver handle for insert bits but have never found a use for it. If i'm driving a screw into wood where the ratchet would actually work, I am using a hex impact driver. So does anyone actually find a use for these things?

 

[davethorik]

Anything you would use a regular screwdriver for (except prying).

 

[vhol5]

Personally, I find it easier using a standard screwdriver or cordless driver. Turning a ratchet screwdriver just feels awkward.

 

[GarageGuy89]

Only time I use em is when I have a million different bit sizes I need to work with. Otherwise I avoid them.

 

[-OSIS-]

I feel the same way. I’m either using power or a real screwdriver because it’s seized solid lol.

 

[rlitman]

Here's an example. Spinning out a loose fitting machine screw in a piece of office equipment (printer, computer, etc.). I want to keep pressure on the screw so that I don't drop it, and can feel the click when it's out. A ratcheting screwdriver excels at this, because I can have one hand holding the screw in, and use my other fingers to spin the shaft.

 

[shanny19]

I bought the Snap On at full retail because of all the hype.
I just can't stand it. I really tried to like it, to get used to it, but it was back to real screwdrivers for me. Never found it useful, enjoyable, or likeable.
You'll hear from guys who love them and have made them the go to choice....

 

[JohnnyRocket]

I bought the Snap On at full retail because of all the hype.
I just can't stand it. I really tried to like it, to get used to it, but it was back to real screwdrivers for me. Never found it useful, enjoyable, or likeable.
You'll hear from guys who love them and have made them the go to choice....

I have two of the SSDMR4B with the black handles, and one longer one that's 12". They are by far the best tool I have and the ones I use for practically everything bit related. I also have a #1/2/3, and long T8-T40 in Snap-on I use when something is camming off, and I save the regular screwdrivers for that type of precise work.

I also have a ratcheting Makita L type screwdriver that I also love which has to be over 30 years old at this point (and ready to break).

Regular screwdrivers are just as good, but I would compare it to using a 12 point wrench versus a ratchet and corresponding socket. The ratcheting mechanism is just much faster, and the knurling on the Snap-on lets you run something out and in without stripping the threads.

 

[M6erfan]

I bought the Snap On at full retail because of all the hype.
I just can't stand it. I really tried to like it, to get used to it, but it was back to real screwdrivers for me. Never found it useful, enjoyable, or likeable.
You'll hear from guys who love them and have made them the go to choice....

I'm with ya brother. I sold mine within a week of getting it.

 

[DFB]

Short handle (stubbies) ratcheting screwdrivers seem to work better than a standard length handle where the wrist takes a awkward twist. With a stubby into the palm you use a more claw like grip and often can get a little greater torque.

I worked as supervisor in electronic componet manufacturing assembly for years Ergonomics was a constant on going thing carpel tunnel syndrome was rampant with my girls

 

[dacan23]

Yeah 97% of the time its regular screw driver or power tool. They are mostly for homeowners who buy all the gimmick tools.

I do have this one ratcheting set which has a ton of extension lengths and works with 1/4 sockets too, use it more with the sockets vs screw bits.

 

[danielbuck]

somewhere I have a ratcheting screwdriver that has a "fast" gear on it, you turn the handle, and the bit turns 2 or 3 times faster. It was handy for screwing in long screws, but in the end I didn't really like screwdrivers that had "mechanisms" in them, went back to regular screwdrivers and screwdrivers with reversible bits.

 

[rlitman]

Short handle (stubbies) ratcheting screwdrivers seem to work better than a standard length handle where the wrist takes a awkward twist. With a stubby into the palm you use a more claw like grip and often can get a little greater torque.

I worked as supervisor in electronic componet manufacturing assembly for years Ergonomics was a constant on going thing carpel tunnel syndrome was rampant with my girls

I know what you mean. Working a regular screwdriver too hard hurts the tendons on the back of my hand. For more force, I'll either use a hex bolster screwdriver with a wrench, or a bent handle ratcheting screwdriver.

somewhere I have a ratcheting screwdriver that has a "fast" gear on it, you turn the handle, and the bit turns 2 or 3 times faster. It was handy for screwing in long screws, but in the end I didn't really like screwdrivers that had "mechanisms" in them, went back to regular screwdrivers and screwdrivers with reversible bits.

I have one of those 4x speed drivers (got it on clearance at Sears with a coupon too). I use it for a single task. I've got these components at work that have tiny screws that need to be turned a lot of times with almost no torque, and it's a great battery-less time-saver for me. But otherwise, yeah, they're ****.

 

[Urambo Tauro]

I bought Kobalt's "Double Drive" tools when they first came out, but haven't gotten much use out of them. The ratchet has come in handy one or twice, but I've never used the screwdrivers. I guess they're kind of fun to hold in your hands and play around with, like a fidget spinner or something. But I get along just fine with regular screwdrivers and a cordless drill.

 

[Shiftless]

I’ll give it a

I have this one. Last week I used it helping a friend assemble a small cabinet that came in a flat box.
The screws going into particle board dictate low torque applications. With the ratcheting feature, the screws go in just about as fast as a power screwdriver.
The instructions actually warn you NOT to use a cordless drill for driving in the screws. I think that if the torque limiter was set correctly it would be OK but the average person might not think of that.

 

[Shiftless]

I agree with ducksface. The Yankee screwdriver has me mystified too.
I have a nice one that I picked up at a garage sale for almost nothing. I cleaned it up, oiled it, got it working properly and it now hangs on the wall. The wooden handle is a work of art.

 

[Ford12508]

I actually use mine for small engine work, mostly my chainsaws. Its great because its 1 screw driver for different torx bits and once the screws get tight i can adjust my wrist position without having to remove the head from the fastener for final snugging. Might not seem like much, but its actually quite convenient when you cant see the screws

 

[exmaxima1]

Now a Yankee... Those I have a problem with.
I have a couple of VERY old all brass ones. Up for trade....

I have a few of them that I used in the 70's. I built hundreds of speakers with them when I was in college, and most of them were with slotted screws! They work pretty good once you learn how to handle them. Since the invention of cordless drivers I no longer use them.

 

[exmaxima1]

I know what you mean. Working a regular screwdriver too hard hurts the tendons on the back of my hand. For more force, I'll either use a hex bolster screwdriver with a wrench, or a bent handle ratcheting screwdriver.

My Matco driver handle is very similar, but the ratchet mechanism is silent and stepless. Still, I rarely use it.

 

[XJSuperman]

Outlets in a house or garage, or light fixtures. Longer, easy to remove screws that I want to remove quicker and have a magnetic bit on (Don't have any regular screwdrivers with magnetic tips). Obviously all power is OFF, if there was a risk Id be using an electricians driver.

 

[DFB]

I'm a bit aghast.
You all do know that there is right left and center on a ratcheting screwdriver?
It IS a regular screw driver when in the center position.

I won't be without one.
It's my go to every day, every time it will fit in the work area.

Now a Yankee... Those I have a problem with.
I have a couple of VERY old all brass ones. Up for trade....

I agree with ducksface. The Yankee screwdriver has me mystified too.
I have a nice one that I picked up at a garage sale for almost nothing. I cleaned it up, oiled it, got it working properly and it now hangs on the wall. The wooden handle is a work of art.

When I started in the electronics factory one of my better job assignments was building small KVA power transformer assemblies yup...with YANKEE SCREWDRIVERS it was what they gave us to reach down into the deep metal boxes and tighten the nuts we had previously reached down in there to start with our fingers. It was piece work assembly man could we make those things sing for money

If you ever got your fingers pinched look out man did that hurt.

I actually got severe case of tendonitis in my elbow from using them 8hrs a day 5 days a week and needed cortisone shot.

We begged for years and they finally hooked up air lines and gave us (there was 3 of us) ONE inline air driver to share. Was on a coil hose hanging down from above between us, we would stretch the hose and the tool would recoil across the tables to next guy

 

[Road Wrench]

Anybody remember these, they are called screwballs. Before cordless drivers came along it saw a lot of use.

 

[rlitman]

My Matco driver handle is very similar, but the ratchet mechanism is silent and stepless. Still, I rarely use it.

I don't use it too often, but those one or two times a year...
I actually like this handle even more for when I need to really put some elbow grease into things:

I've got two Craftsman versions of this. One with a bit holding handle and one without. They're made by Schroder, and I love the handle, but the ratcheting mechanism is lacking. Recently I could swear I saw this same handle on something advertised as gearless, but I forget where I saw it.

 

[DFB]

I know what you mean. Working a regular screwdriver too hard hurts the tendons on the back of my hand. For more force, I'll either use a hex bolster screwdriver with a wrench, or a bent handle ratcheting screwdriver.

I have one of those 4x speed drivers (got it on clearance at Sears with a coupon too). I use it for a single task. I've got these components at work that have tiny screws that need to be turned a lot of times with almost no torque, and it's a great battery-less time-saver for me. But otherwise, yeah, they're ****.

Cool tool

Just as a point of reference (and making no recommendations here )

I flipped a few sets of the HF T-handle torx tip drivers this summer on my tool tables and interestingly they have rotating collar at the base of the handle that when holding it allows you quickly spin the handle with just one finger using the other hand. Decent design for a cheap tool.

 

[ScottsGT]

Here's an example. Spinning out a loose fitting machine screw in a piece of office equipment (printer, computer, etc.). I want to keep pressure on the screw so that I don't drop it, and can feel the click when it's out. A ratcheting screwdriver excels at this, because I can have one hand holding the screw in, and use my other fingers to spin the shaft.

My reason as well, when I had one. Not only backing it out, but using gentle twisting pressure with thumb and forefinger on the shaft to feel tiny machine screws engage properly and not cross threaded.

When I was a bodyman I used the **** out of mine installing grills, interior trim, body trim, etc. Just using it to start screws as I described is worth the price of admission.
When I changed careers to TV Broadcast Engineer I took it to work with me at the TV station to rebuild 3/4" video tape machines. Perfect application with the magnetic tip holding those screws in place. And the were tiny too!
Maintenance guy borrowed it and it was gone forever. Should have kept it hidden.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I would say that I use a ratcheting screwdriver for 75% of my screwdriver needs.

The other 25% are just because of length or I'm using it as a pry bar.

 

[Wamsutta]

I have a Williams ratcheting screwdriver that I use whenever I'm using a reduced diameter phillips bit.

 

[zktk01]

I use the ratcheting alot now, My hand hurts using a regular driver too much by the thumb.
I usually break the screw loose then turn with left hand spinning the knurled shaft while holding a little pressure on top with palm of my right hand. Other wise I get cramps right under my Thumb. If I can use Power I will, but I don't always carry one with me.

 

[lis2323]

Here's an example. Spinning out a loose fitting machine screw in a piece of office equipment (printer, computer, etc.). I want to keep pressure on the screw so that I don't drop it, and can feel the click when it's out. A ratcheting screwdriver excels at this, because I can have one hand holding the screw in, and use my other fingers to spin the shaft.

^^^THIS^^^


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[cvairwerks]

We use them quite a bit at work. No power tools when you are forearm deep in jet fuel... The other place they get used quite a bit, is when starting some of the 3/16" and 1/4 bolts for clamps. The bolts can be run by either a socket or by a T-20 tip. Try holding a multiclamp stack and start the bolt and nut combination without one. Shallow or magnetic sockets generally won't fit due to clearance issues.

 

[backroad]

I've got this one and a couple of gearwrench branded ones in my road chest. I don't even carry a regular screwdriver. I always reach for the Snap On but I'll be the first to admit I've never, not once, used it with the grip anywhere but straight.

 

[Professional Tool User]

I hardly ever use my ratcheting screwdriver and usually only use my regular screwdrivers on messed up screws. It's not worth spending big money on ratcheting screwdrivers. An impact driver and reasonably priced screwdrivers with decent tips will suffice.

 

[ARFLY]

I don't use it too often, but those one or two times a year...
I actually like this handle even more for when I need to really put some elbow grease into things:

I've got two Craftsman versions of this. One with a bit holding handle and one without. They're made by Schroder, and I love the handle, but the ratcheting mechanism is lacking. Recently I could swear I saw this same handle on something advertised as gearless, but I forget where I saw it.

I have the Craftsman version also, made in Germany. I like the ratcheting screwdrivers. They are great on sheetrock anchors.

 

[techieman33]

I have the Williams one. I pull it out a few times a year if I'm working on a computer or other delicate electronics. For most stuff it's a regular screwdriver or my m12 screwdriver.

 

[rlitman]

When I started in the electronics factory one of my better job assignments was building small KVA power transformer assemblies yup...with YANKEE SCREWDRIVERS it was what they gave us to reach down into the deep metal boxes and tighten the nuts we had previously reached down in there to start with our fingers. It was piece work assembly man could we make those things sing for money

If you ever got your fingers pinched look out man did that hurt.

I actually got severe case of tendonitis in my elbow from using them 8hrs a day 5 days a week and needed cortisone shot.

We begged for years and they finally hooked up air lines and gave us (there was 3 of us) ONE inline air driver to share. Was on a coil hose hanging down from above between us, we would stretch the hose and the tool would recoil across the tables to next guy

Yankee screwdrivers were really something in their time. But they were best used on slotted screws. Because of their fixed helix, the ratio of pushing force to torque is fixed, and so they keep wanting to jump out of phillips screws. Not to mention the RSI issue with your elbow.

You still them around. Mostly used by elevator mechanics. I keep a #2 Robertson bit in mine, and use it on electrical panels.

I've got this one and a couple of gearwrench branded ones in my road chest. I don't even carry a regular screwdriver. I always reach for the Snap On but I'll be the first to admit I've never, not once, used it with the grip anywhere but straight.

I have most of the handle shapes, and use the straight and stubby handles about equally. Maybe 5% of the time, I'll want the adjustable handle.

 

[taumac]

I really wasn’t a big fan of them until one day I borrowed a screwdriver from my mechanic at work. It was a ratcheting Snap On screwdriver. It was so much better than the big box store ones I had sitting in my toolbox. I now have 2 of them now and use it all the time. I use them a lot when a drill is too much power like electronics or automotive work. Works good with specialized tip bits.

 

[DFB]

Well lets try this again...

I have had this Easydriver Ball Driver for decades It was a gift and they were made locally here in area where I live.

Never use it much though, never much liked they way it fits in my hand and there is no bit storage BUT it works ok!

Kinda of odd a novelty really IMO. Had a guarantee IIRC that went "You can't break our balls"

 

[oldwino]

Well lets try this again...

I have had this Easydriver Ball Driver for decades It was a gift and they were made locally here in area where I live.

Never use it much though, never much liked they way it fits in my hand and there is no bit storage BUT it works ok!

Kinda of odd a novelty really IMO. Had a guarantee IIRC that went "You can't break our balls"

I got one of those as a gift years ago. Found it in my shop the other day. Don’t remember using it but it is kinda cool.

Back to the topic I have a Snappy hard handle and a Williams. Both get used more than standard drivers when I can’t get the 18v into the space I’m working

 

[L.Cheapo]

Probably my most used tool. The only time I don't use it is when the shank is too big for a recessed hole. It's also probably one of the most used tools in our hangar. Very popular in aviation.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Small engines I might do an entire job with one of those.