Comments on: Reader Find: Craftsman Ratcheting Screwdriver

by: Peter

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 17:08:58 +0000

I just picked up a terrible screwdriver and some lousy bits. Just to warn people: I am partial to the Ridgid ratcheting screwdriver, now off the market. So, having stopped at a total of three places and not found it, I gave up and bought a Stanley screwdriver.

It’s far heavier than it needs to be, and for all that weight, the magnet is very weak - adequate to hold the tip, but not enough to make it possible to pick up screws with the tip. Very disappointing.

Also, I found a wonderful set of Craftsman tips years ago. Unable to locate them, I grabbed a set of Skil tips that looked okay to me. The build on the housing is terrible, and the tips themselves aren’t much better.

I will find a place that sells the Snap-On and spend up. I would far rather spend a few dollars extra than make do with this garbage.

by: Andy

Sat, 02 Dec 2006 22:37:36 +0000

Those aren’t double ended bits. They’re normal ones positioned back to back. Which is good.

by: Toolmonger » Blog Archive » Toolmonger’s Top 5: The Week in Tools

Sat, 02 Dec 2006 02:09:26 +0000

[…] Reader Find: Craftsman Ratcheting Screwdriver This looks like the perfect tool to grab when you’re heading out the door to work on a project — it’s like having a bag full of screwdrivers in the size of one. The Craftsman is particularly cool because it uses double-ended bits (you only have to carry half as many) and the bits snap right into the tool iteself for carrying. (Thanks, Rick!) […]

by: Myself

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 16:24:59 +0000

Thanks, Rick!

It’s funny that you can get 4 sizes of Torx in 2 bits, but if you want 4 sizes of Philips, you’re screwed. (ha!) You can get 3 sizes of Philips, but it takes 3 bits and you get a bunch of redundant straightblade tips while you’re at it. Oh well. I just need a small CNC lathe and a pile of hex bar stock….

by: Rick

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 15:20:28 +0000

In fact - Amazon carries a bunch... Amazon Search for Vermont American Double-Ended

by: Rick

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 15:16:18 +0000

Hey Myself…

They are out there.. just a matter of finding a retailer that has them.. Vermont American for one makes them:
http://www.vermontamerican.com/Products/productdetail.htm?G=191847&GRP=191847&I=72136

by: Myself

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 13:21:05 +0000

So where does one get double-ended bits, anyway? I’m unlikely to ever need the square drivers that come with these tools, but I’d love a wider variety of Torx sizes. Also, I’d like to trade in all but one of the straightblade tips for a full set of Philips sizes. I find all sorts of places offering single-ended screwdriver tips, but nobody seems to have the double-ended ones for individual purchase.

by: Andy

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 05:56:32 +0000

totally agree with eschoendorff. There is simply no better…

by: eschoendorff

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 04:04:58 +0000

I have more than a few ratcheting screwdrivers. I have the GearDriver (Matco version) as well as a few Craftsman… but my all-time favorite is this one from Snap On:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=65&group_ID=702&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

In my humble opinion, this is the best out there. If you’re going to buy just one ratcheting screwdriver, mke it this one. You’ll never be sorry….