Easydriver Set
By Gordon DeWitte
As I mentioned recently in my Kitchen Tool Drawer post, the Easydriver is back (”and it’s IMPROVED”). The $29.95 Easydriver gift set (shown on the left in the picture) has the Easydriver ball with three shaft lengths (3″, 5-½”, and 7″), the Mini-Easydriver ball (shown in use on the right in the above picture) with 3-¼” shaft, and six standard ¼” hex bits (two #1 Phillips, two 3/16″ slotted, one #2 Phillips, and one ¼” slotted). As with most other standard ¼” hex bit holders, I’m assuming you can use these without bits as ¼” nut drivers. Each ball is a ratchet driver that you simply flip over to reverse the action. The tools are American made and have a lifetime warranty.
Many years ago I either bought or was given the original Easydriver. This version did not use standard hex bits: It has a simple shaft with a slotted screwdriver on one end and a Phillips on the other. Nevertheless, I did find it useful, and I still keep it in the kitchen tool drawer. The ball ratchet driver seems a bit easier on my wrist than other ratcheting screwdrivers in some situations, and I like the sound the ratchet makes.
What do you think? Would you want one? Would it make a good Christmas gift? Let us know in comments.
Easydriver [Manufacturer's Site]
November 16th, 2009 at 10:54 am
I have an original Easydriver also - I can’t remember when I last used it, but somehow I can’t seem to part with it. Yes, the ratchet does make a nice sound - the grip is easier on the wrist, but I don’t feel like I have as much control as I do with a standard grip. On the other hand (no pun intended), the ball grip does make it much easier to apply pressure on the screw head. If I was going to drop $30 on a screwdriver, I don’t think this would be the one.
November 16th, 2009 at 11:19 am
While I would enjoy receiving one, I probably wouldn’t buy one any time soon. I saw these drivers online a few months ago and was about to order a set. But, I then questioned why these drivers are not sold by major distributors or retail outlets, and my hesitation got the better of me.
November 16th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
I have one like this, but not the exact one. I use it often enough that i would buy another one…. I like ratcheting driver sets…
ShopMonger
November 16th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Sorry to say I have owned two of these. Both failed after light and short use. The rachet stopped working in one and the tensioner would not hold the blade in on the other one. If it doesn’t work, it’s not worth 3 cents let alone a ridiculous $30!
November 16th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Many moons ago, my father had one of these. I spent hours as a youngster trying to figure how to turn on the lightbulb inside of it. I guess I thought anything made of colored transparent plastic must, somehow, illuminate. Hours of frustration. I don’t remember if I gave up, or if I realized that my premise was faulty…
November 17th, 2009 at 7:04 am
I received one as a gift back in the seventies. Did not like it at all. The ball does not give you the grip that you would think. Ratcheting is just a novelty. For $5 buy a multi tipped
screw driver with all the tips stored on board
November 17th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
I hope you don’t mean all ratcheting screwdrivers are a novelty, because I don’t think you’ll find a pro who doesn’t swear by one or the other. ! Anyhow, my grandpa had something like this that he loved, and I might get one, except 30 bucks puts me halfway to another one of those snapons that I swear by. I’ll probably be giving a couple of those this christmas, though.
November 19th, 2009 at 11:16 am
I have an older version of the Easydrivers consider them worthwhile for woodworking projects.
The large Easydriver works well for installing screws in harder woods. I place my palm over the large spherical handle and that causes less stress on my wrist than a conventional screwdriver handle.
A drawback is that the shape and size of the Easydriver handle requires more room when storing it in a drawer or toolbox.
November 20th, 2009 at 11:13 am
[...] Easydriver Set Many years ago I either bought or was given the original Easydriver. This version did not use standard hex bits: It has a simple shaft with a slotted screwdriver on one end and a Phillips on the other. Nevertheless, I did find it useful, and I still keep it in the kitchen tool drawer. [...]