Skil iXO Palm Screwdriver
I'm preparing a tool kit for my college-bound daughter and I wanted a cordless screwdriver that was small, tough, and long-lasting in dormant battery mode. Something she could quickly grab, hold securely, and be sure it would still be charged despite not being used or plugged in for months on end. I found the ideal tool in the Skil iXO. It uses the new generation of tiny Lithium-ion batteries which reduces its overall size to nearly fitting into my palm.
Once I started using it, I bought one for myself. I throw it in the desk drawer where my other simple household hand tools live. It's held its charge with gratifying dependability. (Skil claims it will hold its charge for 18 months to 2 years of non-use; I haven't had mine that long.) It's not that powerful, but good enough for around-the-house chores. Occasionally I need it because it can squeeze into places my larger cordless driver can't.
Its eager readiness, and tiny size, make it the driver I reach for first.
-- KK
Skil iXO Cordless Palm Sized Screwdriver
$40
Available from Amazon
Manufactured by Skil
The same drill is sold under the Bosch name in Europe.
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Lee Shiney
My iXO did fine, for a while. A few months into its short life it quit charging, and rather than return it I assumed a bad connection on the charger. Occasionally I'd walk by it and jiggle and tinker with it in hopes of getting it to work. My queries to Skil went unanswered, and vowing not to buy Skil tools again I got a Bosch driver. It was more money, but a wonderful tool that I am still using. Skil could use some skill in customer service.
Oryctolagus habilis
The only qualm I have with these little 7v wonders is that they don't have a clutch like a full sized driver / drill. That may seem like a luxury feature, but when you do a lot of picture hanging -- as you're prone to do with these -- even their torque can spin a drywall anchor loose. The good news is that some of the new micro-sized but DIYer-worthy drill / drivers in the 10-12v (lithium-ion) range are coming down into the reasonably affordable range; complete with multi-position chucks, replaceable batteries & dual speeds.
NKT
I've got one of these in my toolbox, branded MacAllister. In fact, I've got three, in a way, as one is a conversion into another tool, and the third is the guts in another tool now.
Battery life is great, the torque isn't bad, but you can use the driver manually when you out-torque the motor, and with a little practise you can use it like a rachet driver.
My top tip is to balance the motor direction switch in the middle, so that accidental pressing of the switch won't cause the battery to drain, or damage inside your toolbox.