Klenk Geared Ratcheting Select-A-Bit Screwdriver
By Gordon DeWitte
While leafing through my “Ideas for TM Posts” file, I found a page I had cut from the Feb. 2009 issue of Popular Mechanics that mentioned the Klenk DA86450 Select-A-Bit™. It’s a ratcheting screwdriver with a 4:1 gearing produced by holding the nose piece (which causes the bit to turn four times for each single turn of the handle). The 4:1 option is for driving screws and nuts in low-torque applications; the 1:1 ratio is recommended for higher-torque.
It comes with the eight, double-ended 3″ long bits stored in the handle, giving you the following 16 bit sizes:
And, unless there’s some new bit standard out there that I’m unaware of, I’m assuming that “Torks” is a typo for “Torx.” If no bit is inserted, the bit holder can be used as a ¼” nut driver. The DA86450 costs around $20.
TM has covered geared screwdrivers before (10/5/09), and had lots of comments when we asked who makes the best multi-bit screwdrivers (3/5/09), so where does this one fit in the mix? Let us know in comments.
Klenk DA86450 [Manufacturer's Site]
Street Pricing [Google Products]
November 9th, 2009 at 9:40 am
I like the idea of the 4:1 ratio. Anytime I can get some ratcheting mechanical advantage, I’m interested. But I’ve also had bad luck with a lot of “cheap” ratchet tools that either jam or fall apart, or are horribly difficult to change direction. These days, I use the multi-bit ratcheting screwdriver from Kobalt. It has taken a lot of abuse, had way more tools and bits inserted in it than it ever came with, and continues to perform well for me. I am hoping that this new Klenk tool falls closer to the Kobalt and farther from the “fall apart” tools.
November 9th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
I’ve never had any luck with ratcheting multi-bit screwdrivers. The tool I use more than any other tool, though, is a Stanley 6-in-1 screwdriver. I’ve got a nice set of screwdrivers at my workbench, but I find that I still pull the 6-in-1 out of my back pocket even with a nice selection of clean, ergonomic, magnetic-tipped drivers staring me in the face.
November 9th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
Eric and Justin, this is a good one.