Goat Tool Day 22
16Screwdrivers are boring, right? Well let’s see if we can’t find something interesting.
I was going to save this for the end, but I think I’ll lead with it. Doctor Who’s Sonic Screwdriver screwdriver.
Yes, it really works, in both senses. It’s got three double-ended bits that store in the handle, both the bit storage and the screwdriver are magnetic, which is a nice touch. However, they are not standard 1/4" hex bits, they are slightly smaller and 1/4" bits won’t fit. The bits are painted green to match the sonic’s light. And yes, it does light up and make the proper noises too. What more could you possibly ask for?
https://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Eleventh-Cast-Sonic-Screwdriver/dp/B003ZRHP7Q
(I got really long-winded, so I’m break this up into pieces.)
- 18 comments, 12 replies
- Comment
I have to say, I’m really enjoying this series of posts!
They’re all interesting (even the ones about tools I will never have a use for) and really well written.
Meh should hire you to write product blurbs.
Looking forward to the rest of the month’s posts, can’t wait to see what intriguing tool and/or toy you’ll present next!
@DennisG2014 Thanks, I appreciate it.
It’s been fun, but sometimes it feels like real work. And occasionally I’ve wondered if I was going to run out of things to post. But at this point I think I’ll make it.
@blaineg Yeah, I don’t envy you, that’s for sure. lol
But thank you very much for all of your effort!
I know you’re saying to yourself: “Self, if only they had some fondue forks.”
And since you’re hard to please, I can hear you saying: “But I meant MEAT fondue forks!”
https://www.shop.pbtools.us/searchquick-submit.sc?keywords=fondue
@blaineg What? No marshmallow or weiner roasting fork prongy things?
A double-handled fish grilling cage?
Tired of not having the right unitasker for the job.
@mike808 I’m shocked, but I was unable to find any tool brand roasting sticks.
I did find this though.
Vat 19 is another fun toy store.
https://www.vat19.com/item/reel-roaster-marshmallow-hot-dog-skewer
Stubby screwdrivers were mentioned yesterday, and they can be extremely useful, but what if they are too big? How about mini stubby screwdrivers?
I’m not sure that does them justice, how about something for scale?
I got mine years ago from Harbor Freight, and I’ve used them often enough I’ve got a set at home and at work.
But what if you have no room, but still need some torque? How about the offset screwdriver?
Note that the heads on each end are rotated 90 degrees, that’s very helpful if you don’t have much room to swing the handle. There are variations with mixed sizes on each end, or mixed Phillips & straight.
Not convinced yet? How about the ratcheting offset screwdriver?
There are many variants of this.
@blaineg Looks like one link broke already. Here’s the offset screwdrivers.
A magnetic screwdriver is probably the simplest screw holder. And you can buy a dedicated tool.
But any strong magnet will work, and hard drive magnets are wonderful. So then next time you have a hard drive fail, gut it for the magnets. You’ll need small Torx bits.
From the ribbing on the case, I’d guess that’s a WD Raptor, they have great magnets.
Screw holding drivers can save a lot of cussing. The Quick-Wedge drivers are great for slotted screws.
Slide the collar forwards and the two halves of the blade are forced against the sides of the slot.
You don’t want to use these for torquing though.
On this one a collar holds the screw in place.
@blaineg I found one of these inside the fender of a car I was working on. Free Snap-on!
On the other end of the scale, this Klein will stretch from 4" to 8", or anywhere in between. It’s called the Adjustable Screwdriver 32751. Almost as catchy as “Teeny Turner”
If I haven’t used it for a while, I always forget that the brass colored collar moves in both directions. You pull it one way to extend, and the other way retract. The collar goes the opposite direction of the blade, I think that’s what confuses me. And it’s NOT moving unless you pull the collar.
A few thoughts on power screwdrivers.
The DeWalt Gyroscopic Screwdriver is just plain fun. Squeeze the trigger, and nothing happens. Until you rotate your wrist slightly. Then it turns. It’s variable speed (several steps, it doesn’t seem to be infinite) forward & reverse. The direction and amount you twist your wrist control it. The handle rotates between pistol grip and straight. Two LED headlights come on at the slightest turn, and stay on for a few seconds after. And there’s a 3 LED battery meter.
Note that there’s a older model, you want the DCF680N2.
Two batteries, charger & bag for $100 at Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCF680N2-Gyroscopic-Screwdriver-Battery/dp/B00DL7QDS2/
Cheaper, and just plain works: Several years ago I bought a Hitachi cordless screwdriver that I still use all the time. It was $60 for two batteries, charger & case. It’s been a workhorse. The styling is a pretty loud, but it’s hard to lose.
Hmm, it looks like Hitachi has been sold to Metabo. I think they fired their designer too.
And now the big finish, no, wait, little finish.
This is the General Tools #502 Cordless Lighted Power Precision Screwdriver. It runs on 2 AAA batteries, and uses standard 4mm hex bits. Yes, you can use tiny bits in a normal power screwdriver, but even the lowest setting on the clutch is likely to strip screws or heads. The General is perfect for laptop screws and other tiny stuff. It’s not a speed demon, but it’s still faster than doing by hand. And it’s really nice if you’re dealing with 20 or so tiny screws on the bottom of a laptop.
Note, don’t get the unlighted model 500, it doesn’t use the 4mm bits, and I’ve never found replacement bits for it.
PB Swiss makes a bunch of wonderful toys.
You never need to use a coin again! There’s a long handled version too.
Need to teach a lesson to a valve stem?
And its children’s children?
A wonderful little double ended screwdriver, with a cap so it is pocket safe. Lots of colors too.
Need more bits? The Insider Mini stores three in the handle. And an Apple Pentalobe bit is an option.
A pocket toolkit or two?
Get a grip!
https://shop.pbtools.us/
https://www.pbswisstools.com/en
Wiha makes good toys too, this is the 26-in-1 UltraDriver. There are four different bit sets, and individual bits are available. They put it on sale fairly often.
https://www.wihatools.com/bits/ultradriver
Their Orbit pivoting tip Phillips was a cool idea, but I haven’t used mine as much as I thought I would. Maybe that’s why it’s been discontinued.
These four-way screwdrivers are always handy. Simple, and fairly compact. A lot of folks make variants.
And this little two-way is very good around computers.
I was introduced to Picquic via their Teeny Turner. 7 teeny tiny bits, extras store in the handle. Push one bit through the handle to feed or free the one you need.
Let’s pull back a bit so you can see the size better.
In any size, the push through blade storage is their trademark.
@blaineg Haha! Teeny Turner
/image Tina Turner
June 6, 2017. Been there, done that.
https://meh.com/forum/topics/2-for-tuesday-skil-ixo-vivo-power-screwdrivers-with-wine-opener-attachment
Skil Power Screwdriver with Wine Opener Attachment
Best. Screwdriver. Evar.
Just like women’s breasts: one for each hand.
@mike808 Is it wrong that I want to try that attachment on an impact driver?
Does a multitool count?
That’s no moon, it’s a crescent wrench! And 2 screwdriver, and 4 hex wrenches.
From ThinkGeek, but sold out.
https://www.thinkgeek.com/product/jhil/
I wouldn’t dare put any real torque on the wrench, but it’s fun to fiddle with.
I forgot one. Since I started with Doctor Who, let’s finish with Star Wars. These are not great tools, but they are fun, and get a lot of comments. I’ve got them displayed on a magnetic tool rack on my bench.
ThinkGeek doesn’t sell them anymore, but they’re about $20 on ebay. And they have their own cheesy film, guest starring the Wampa throw rug and the Tauntaun sleeping bag.
@blaineg One more, this one is really silly.
On sale for $8.
https://www.thinkgeek.com/product/inis/
My go-to powered screwdriver is a Worx WX270L impact. Only 8v, but compact and its specs puts it shy of 20 ft.lbs of torque, making it more powerful than a regular drill/driver. It won’t do large lags, but even 3" screws go in without fuss.
/image Worx WX270L.
About $25 on eBay, direct from Worx.
@narfcake $25 for impact is impressive.
/image xiaomi wowstick
For when you need a power precision driver. Mine came with 18 different precision bits.
It’s kind of awesome but really unnecessary. It was an impulse buy.
@djslack Shiny!
So what’s your favorite, or am I the only one with this problem?
Just FYI, Wiha has a tool sale on, including some of the 26-in-1 sets.
https://www.wihatools.com/on-sale