Craftsman Ratcheting Screwdriver
Several years ago after failing to get my-son-the-mechanic to take a hint and get me the premium SnapOn ratcheting screwdriver reviewed earlier in Cool Tools, I bought the (much cheaper) Craftsman Ratcheting Screwdriver (yeah, good 'ol Sears!) model #41796. Turns out, it was a great buy.
This tool is well thought-out by someone who actually uses tools. The handle is round-and-rubberized rather than square-and-slippery, and it is a bit oversized, so you can actually apply significant torque and work with it for a long time without ruining your hands. It has the best ratchet I've ever used. There is no slack whatsoever. Feels like a clutch-action rather than a geared ratchet. However, if you're like me, you'll never use it, since there's a much better way. The back-end of the driver handle swivels effortlessly, so if you lock the blade in the fixed position, you can keep pressure on the back of the driver and swivel your hand in either direction instantly, without ever having to push a button, flick a button or twist anything to switch back and forth from 'tighten' to 'loosen'. The handle also contains a pull-out bit storage device that keeps 14 additional standard-size hex bits instantly available in individual slots. Just pop one out and swap it for the bit currently in the magnetized driver tip. (no more lost bits.) Comes with a good selection of all the common sizes of blade, Phillips, Torx and square-drive bits.
-- Steve Waskow
Craftsman Ratcheting Screwdriver Set
Model #41796
$25
Available from
Sears
Favorite (15)
Robert
I saw this item on the Sears website and then saw it in person. When viewing items online, it's often deceiving if you have nothing to provide a sense of scale or spacial relations. This item appeared great until I had the opportunity to check it out.
This driver might be versatile and a bit of a novelty. That's where the vantages end however, in my opinion. I would suggest that you view it in person before ordering it on good faith. This driver is MUCH larger than the photograph would otherwise suggest. It is also constructed of a great deal of plastic. The soft grip might provide comfort, but I would not expect it to hold up if your needs call for a frequent application of significant torque.
In my opinion, this is NOT a contractor grade tool. I realize that you're not necessarily saying that it is. On the other hand, 25 bucks is a lot to shell out for a novelty tool that lacks the stamina to hold up under torque. You can purchase a far more professional screwdriver for much less. It may not be as convenient, but the convenience in this case is overshadowed by this huge and largely plastic tool.