Over at Amazon, they have a tool-related Deal of the Day today, featuring a Black & Decker cordless screwdriver and bit bundle.
The cordless driver is Black & Decker’s Roto Bit, which has an internal rotating bit cartridge that stores bits on-board for easy access. It comes with 8 bits and a charger. The built-in Li-ion battery can hold a charge for up to 18 months.
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The bundle also comes with a 42pc bit set.
Individually, the screwdriver is regularly $25, and the bit set $7.31
Sale Price: $21.50
Buy Now(Bundle Deal via Amazon)
Deal ends at 3am ET 11/1/2018.
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Thoughts
I like basic cordless screwdrivers. Not as much as say my Bosch 12V Max, but 4V Max-class cordless screwdrivers are convenient, simple, and usually fast and powerful enough for around-the-house tasks. Prior to moving and misplacing it, I had a Black & Decker Gyro cordless screwdriver easily accessible. Before that, I had a Black & Decker 3.6V screwdriver that I got for free as part of an Amazon promo years prior.
They’re much slower and weaker than pro brands’ pricier and higher-voltage cordless screwdrivers. But sometimes that’s okay, or even beneficial.
I gave my father a Milwaukee M18 cordless drill kit a few years ago – one of the $99 bundles that if I recall correctly I snagged for $79 after the holiday season – but something like this would probably be more convenient for around-the-house screwdriving tasks. I’ve given him a couple of multi-bit drivers over the years, but a Channellock ratcheting screwdriver is still his favorite go-to. Something like this might be easier on his hands.
Question – is something like this too much for a 5 year old that sometimes uses other cordless drivers with hand-over-hand guidance?
DougWilsonsSlapper
I’m naive. Why would I want one of these if I have a 12V drill/driver and impact driver? Genuine question.
Stuart
I see this as a “kitchen tool drawer” kind of tool. 4V-class screwdrivers are good household assembly and project tools for those that don’t need a full-sized drill/driver, or have too big and powerful of an 18V-class cordless drill/driver.
I was iffy about posting it, but it seems like the kind of tool my father, preschool-aged son, or wife might use and even prefer using, making this a good “giftable” deal. It’s simpler and slower than 12V-class tools. ToolGuyd has a very varied audience, including STEM teachers, and this seems like a good deal for the types of users that might not require higher-voltage fully-featured pro-grade tools.
In other words, I might not need it, and you might not need it, but it still seemed worthwhile to post about, and so I did. Trying to articulate this, that it seems like a good deal even if not for me, is always hard.
DougWilsonsSlapper
Thanks much. Maybe I actually do need it. I’m just a regular dad, with an office job. I don’t get into heavy-duty repairs, but do stuff around the house — put together ikea furniture, etc. So, maybe this is a good alternative for me.
Really appreciate the answers.
JoeM
I think YOU wouldn’t want it. You WOULD want what you can do with it OTHER than as a Screwdriver though. If you’re an Uncle (I have several Nieces and Nephews, ranging in age from around 2 to being in their 20’s.) and you’ve also managed to buy some sets of building toys, like K’Nex or LEGO, over the years, you can be that AWESOME Uncle who got (Kid X) a WORKING, MOVING, toy that nobody else ever got them! Powered by one of these little things. Little being the key word here. It LOOKS like a toy already, and so it would quite happily fit into building toy kits as a motor system with ease. Also… it can go CRAZY fast compared to the company-made motor systems. Which, I might add, not only makes everyone laugh like frantic sugar buzzed pixies, but also makes you into that EVIL Uncle that taught the kid how to adapt things to what they want, and leads them down the road to mischief using tools.
This kind of thing is the sort of gift you get as a… Partner Device… I think is the best description. Motorizing a building toy without a power outlet, that’s only one example. Sometimes there’s a device you buy, maybe an RC car, or a Halloween gag of some sort, or any number of hundreds of situations where the thing you buy needs to be regularly taken apart in order to maintain it. That’s where these little tools come in. YOU need a 12 or 20 volt class full screwdriver for driving screws day-in and day-out. Some other thing that either you, or someone you know, is an object that needs to have a screwdriver handy for regular use, adjustment, and maintenance. So, even if they provide some tiny screwdriver to do the job… you can buy one of these. And every single time you use that thing that needs a screwdriver, you’ve got a dedicated powered screwdriver handy to spend less time undoing screws, and more time using it.
I have some Dremel items, such as the Workstation and the discontinued Glue Gun, that have bolts on them for holding things together, but they never included the correct sized wrench in the box. So, did I go out and spend hundreds of dollars on the greatest adjustable wrench money could buy, just to undo one bolt on a regular basis? Am I going to pull out my DeWALT tools, or Stanley Wrenches every time? No. I went and bought some store-brand Canadian Tire Mastercraft adjustable wrenches, one for each of these tools. So I would always have a wrench available to use for that one bolt that didn’t have a wrench included. It’s cheap, but it’s not a day-in, day-out activity to use those bolts.
You buy these cheaper tools for those times when it’s overkill to pull out your expensive pro tools, just to undo a fastener that is only ever used once a year, or once a decade, or for that one time when it doesn’t matter if you blow up this tool, it’s not a loss if you lose it.
You buy these really cheap tools to have FUN with, far more than to add to your daily usage pro sets. Hopefully that will explain why these might be useful to the pro user, and why Stuart may have thought it was worth posting. Because, at some point, if you’ve got enough non-tool users around you, you start looking at these kinds of things for reasons that they weren’t designed for, but that light up a lightbulb in the more mischievous parts of our brains.
DougWilsonsSlapper
Thanks for this!
CT
Sometimes a 12v might be overkill. This is good for simple tasks, like working with small electronics. Its also good for someone with limited mobility in their hands.
Eric
I have 12V and 18V tools and I also have this. I like using this for light duty stuff since it is smaller and lighter that the 12V and 18V tools. For around $20, it is a great little tool to have around the house.
Jon
“Question – is something like this too much for a 5 year old that sometimes uses other cordless drivers with hand-over-hand guidance?”
Stuart, this is exactly what I thought of when I saw this tool. I picked up the Kobalt version of the Hammerhead two years ago and that’s been a great little tool to hand to my (now 4 year old son) so he can “help” around the house. I got him started with it when he was 2, screwing drywall screws in and out of cardboard boxes. But the Hammerhead requires both of his hands since they’re so small.
I’m thinking I might pick up two of these and give them to my 4 and 2 year olds for xmas. The trick is stashing the bits out of reach so they can’t do any damage unsupervised!
JoeM
That’s a very good idea! If I may suggest, regarding stashing the bits? Hide them among YOUR tools, so they just think you were restocking for yourself, and won’t think it belongs with theirs. They may feel the urge to “Borrow Them” but with them being in among your tools, you can genuinely tell them they’re off-limits to take. This way, if they MUST use the bits, it forces them to come to you for that supervision.
Diamond Dave
I still have (2) Craftsman V4 Screwdrivers I use all the time that I purchased 5-6 years ago when Sears was clearancing out that line. Dual Speeds and a clutch. Something about purchasing a cordless tool that doesn’t have a removable and/or replaceable battery that bothers me. Perhaps it is still through past experience of having to rid myself of a tool just because the battery had gone bad yet the tool still worked great?
Alex
I have a bosch flexiclick 12v and milwaukee 12v tools and I still reach for my stupid little hammerhead 4v screwdriver when I’m doing little things like changing batteries in my sons toys. I think this is a good post.
Adam
When I was doing a lot of electrical work, I really liked this type of tool for mounting devices and coverplates.
I think my dad still has his old Milwaukee one floating around, though he doesn’t use it as much since he’s retired from construction.
satch
Exactly. A better item may exist but it won’t fit in the front pocket of a tool pouch or the front pocket of cargo trousers.
Mind, don’t try setting Tek screws, deck screws, etc. For motor contol cabinet hardware, rdidential and commercial appliance repair, and installing electrical receps and swithces they are really handy. I carried a Bosch IXO in ny Veto MCT and used it weekly.
A good example was the Siemens switchgear arrays we had a lot of our facilities. They had loads of short screws about 3/4 inch long. Maybe 1/4-20 or M7 or something close. You could use the little driver to quickly reinstall the screws somewhat loosely and then once you were satisfied with alignment and no crossed threads, pop them with your 12v impact or by hand. Very useful.
Redcastle
I gave my younger son now 7 one of my IXO drivers when I got my MX2 having three low voltage drivers seemed over the top. While he is a lot bigger than the average for his age he had been using an IXO to help me since he was around 5 and seemed to have no problem using the trigger one handed having his own tool made him very happy particularly as I gave him a Meccano set at the same time.
These type of low volt tools definitely have a use in electrical work and assembling pre pack furniture where even a 12v driver can be too strong.
Is there any particular reason why this is released as a Black & Decker tool? I have seen something similar over here around this time of year and it comes in Bosch green, Worx and Black & Decker I think there was a Ryobi version last year they tend to be in the Christmas presents for dad’s area. Most of the in house brands the something similar in their ranges.
At one time it looked like Ryobi were going to have a range of low voltage tools Tek? But then they disappeared.
I do find with the IXO and MX2 that “bit fit” makes an even bigger difference than it does with the 10,8 and 18v tools I use almost as much as it does with hand screwdrivers either fixed or racheting.
satch
Agreed about bit fit. Some of these are magnetic which helps, but some are not. It is one reason I want the MX2. It has the spring loaded bit holder.
These somewhat ‘disposable tools’ always seem to share some legacy to one another. In America the IXO is sold exclusively under the Skil marquee in their trademark red/orange colour. But I have seen them advsertised in Bosch trim in both blue and green in Asian and UK Amazon listing. I wanted the blue version because I am a bit of Bosch fan. Couldn’t get one. But yes, I think one Chinese supplier is likely providing these to multiple brands.
satch
I should have said Skil IXO in my tool bag.
Redcastle
The MX2 has removable batteries and shares a charger with the 10.8/12.0 tools, it is just stupidly expensive and very very hard to find.
On Friday I plan to be at the biggest tool fair in the UK with Bosch and most of the biggest Bosch retailers present and I would be surprised to see an MX2 on display. It is almost like Bosch are ashamed of it.
On the subject of Skil whether by luck or judgement Bosch did not use it for tools like the IXO just left it as a low to medium end producer of sanders, circular saws, reciprocating saws (definitely the better part of their range) I cannot remember any drills or drivers, pricing and product were well matched just not as good as you might have expected.
You could make a case they should have made IXO part of Skil rather than their green tools which are considered very light weight whereas IXO were not.
satch
Redcastle, couldn’t reply to your last post. No option for it.
Say, when hou hit the trade show would you mind to ask the Bosch people two things?
First, now that they’ve sold Skil are they planning to export the green line to North America to compete in the same niche?
Second, whether they intend to increase the amount of their catalogue of blue tools to the same market? The MX2 comes to mind but there are some nice tools we don’t see here. Tell them a Yank fanboy of Bosch wants to know! Have a great time there.
Redcastle
Satch
I will ask the Bosch personnel your questions and let you know the response.
John Lobert
I have this and love it. It seems to run forever between charges. Worth more than it costs.
Wayne R.
I remember, as a kid, having some kid-grade-tools, and also how different they were from “real” tools. There were other types of kid-grade stuff vs. real stuff, and it still irks me when I think of what was foisted on me with the expectation of decent results.
I certainly didn’t need exposure to crap; it was easy to appreciate the good stuff all by themselves. (For instance, I still nurture a deep dislike for loose slip-joint pliers. And cheapo pocket knives.)
Maybe seeing & using the low-grade stuff helped me appreciate the good stuff – but maybe it just left me with the lasting irritation of double-standards.
You can say I’m over-reacting, but that’s what I think of when I see stuff like this.
Redcastle
Wayne R
When my youngest son was a toddler other children had Black & Decker work stations he had a Bosch because the “tools” were better.
My younger son like his much older brother will be introduced to real hand tools from nine onwards, in my view it is better they are exposed to tools under supervision and then broaden their knowledge and develop skills on a gradual learning curve. Given that he will be using at least part of my tool kits he will not be exposed to poor quality tools and I expect that holds true for all those who follow Toolguyd.
It is important to explain how poor quality or incorrect tools can be a danger to life and limb and make a task harder and how to identify these, information you seem to have learnt through direct experience when you were young so rather than considering it to be a negative take it as gaining a head start.
HTG
I had one of those B&D Gyro Drivers. I’ve a friend who works next door to a B&D office, and bought it for me in one of their occasional yard sales. I thought it would have novelty value, but was worth a try for a few quid. In fact, I used it so much that I wore out the gearbox. At that point, I went and bought a grown-up DeWalt gyro driver which I still think is a wonderful tool. These low-torque screwdrivers are just brilliant for spinning the screws out of a switch plate, or wiring a socket, opening the casing of a toaster, etc. It’s just too easy to strip the threads or heads of those things, even with my weediest M12 impact. I’m not sure I wouldn’t prefer the Bosch green Ixo to this, but these things do have their place.
JoeM
That’s what I love about MY DeWALT Gyro! Don’t have to drill anything, don’t have to do anything special, you just have to assemble lots, and lots of stuff, and it’s small and light enough to not bug you after all that!
“Oh, great… Someone bought ANOTHER metal shelf and needs it put together… C’mere Gyro… We have work to do.” A few zips with the driver later, all done!
HTG
Yep. It was the first power tool to earn a permanent spot in my go-to tool box. And it was well earned. That was the B&D one. Now replaced by DeWalt, as I said, but small, quick and REALLY handy.
So despite, it seems, most of the posters here having tools capable of spinning screws into a million kinds of over-torqued electric death, many of us find a place for these small widget-drivers in our tool bags. And perhaps in our hearts too?
(And yes, I forgot that Bosch Green is tough stuff to find your side of the pond. My apologies – I should have known. After all, most of my battery tools have been bought on your side of the pond. That’s probably why I have M12/18 and not Bosch blue!)
Redcastle
HTC
You refer to sides of the pond are you based in Europe?
HTG
Yes. The UK.
Redcastle
HTG
When you say most of your tools are Milwaukee from the USA did you purchase them in person or order them via internet or telephone?
I know someone over here who wants to purchase tools from the USA and while I have purchased items in person over there I have not purchased tools remotely, DVD and Blu Ray yes because we have region 1 players just not tools.
Redcastle
HTG
Given you are in the UK you should keep an eye on Amazon UK as they sometimes have 50% off the MX2, while I owned several IXO drivers and the IXO shear recently introduced to the Bosch 12v line up and liked them, the MX2 really is the perfect low voltage low torque driver.
HTG
To answer your question, Redcastle, I buy them in the USA when I’m traveling there for work – I’m there for 6-7 weeks/year. Since our mains electricity is a different voltage, I can’t buy corded tools, but cordless tools work a treat. I just have to buy a UK charger (sometimes).
And as for the MX2, I liked the B&D Gyrodriver so much I bought a DeWalt DCF680N1 8V Max Cordless Gyroscopic Screwdriver while on my travels, and it’s great. I have some lovely Bosch Blue corded tools, but I’m not in their battery platform, so while I have the Gyro 8V thing as a one-off battery platform, I don’t need another. And the DCF680N1 is a thing of joy, anyway!
JoeM
Oh, don’t worry about it HTG. We were talking the usefulness of this class of Screwdriver, the brands weren’t really important.
Plus… I’m colourblind, so “Green” tools would probably never enter my home, or ownership. It’s nothing personal, it’s more a safety hazard when a colour is involved. Most people call things out by colour, and since I can’t see that, I have a name for all my same-coloured tools. “Hand Me X” is always a tool name, not a colour.
So, even if the Bosch Green tools were over here, I wouldn’t buy them. And if I did, it would be a mistake on my part. I can SEE Yellow, and most of Dremel is Grey, so there’s no problem with colours. The vast majority of my tools are sorted by use, or type, but never by colour. It forces people who want to watch/help me work on things to call things by their proper names, which makes things much safer.
HTG
JoeM, indeed I expect you probably wouldn’t take the Bosch Green, but I expect mostly because that’s the consumer grade of Bosch tools over here, and the blue ones are pro-grade. While I’m not in the trade, I’ve given up buying consumer grade tools too, largely, since I usually end up wrecking them. The B&D Gyro was such an example. I wore it out, so I bought the grown-up tool to replace it. You are, of course, right that the short-hand of green/blue, for example, is not one that can universally be appreciated. I’m glad you’ve found robust ways to help you do the job safely!
ktash
I have a couple of B&D gyro drivers and love them. One main use is to drive pocket hole screws. I never overdrive the screws and never crack delicate wood. Before using the gyro driver, This happened too often on some projects. I also use it to put screws in drawer slides. Or taking out screws in my computer or other electronics. Or putting screws in the wall to hold a painting. And also the other things that have been mentioned. They don’t make the gyro anymore, so I’d probably try this one if mine died. I like a small size tool for all the tasks I just mentioned. I got the gyro drivers on special, when they were recommended by Stuart on Toolguyd. Thanks, Stuart!
satch
ktash, this is exactly the sort of use I typically overlooked in my earlier forays into tool buying. If it was too powerful, just dial back on the trigger. Simple. No it wasn’t. Too many damaged fasteners, stripped threads, cracked wooden trim, etc. It became apparent there really are tool classes for a reason.
The Kreg type screws are one use I would have never thought about til you mentioned it. Yet it makes good sense. The holes are pre-drilled and if the driver is capable of setting 90% of the screws you use in such applications(and I would wager it is), then it becomes a very useful, lightweight option for repetitive fastener setting.
satch
BTW gents, this is back up to $33.30 this morning.
cdrom
I like my B&D (old one that folds) for the following reasons:
1) Cheap
2) USB rechargable
3) it folds
4) its very light
5) not to powerful where it will destroy a screw
If you need a light tool, chances are you are working in a awkward place, so you might not have aligned things too well etc (like I was doing a repair on a outdoor motion sensor located in the middle of entry steps in a small space last night).
I own all sorts of drills, including hydraulic, impact, combo from various brands including makita, milwakee, etc and I still like to use this thing often for things like electrical box repairs, equipment disassembly, working above my head, etc.
The only problem I have with it is that it does not have a long shaft. Given how weak it is, it would be nice if it had a shaft that extended inside of the machine so you can untwist something to extend the shaft like a TV antenna.
If cost is not a concern then maybe the folding 4v milwakee one would be a better choice, so long its USB rechargable.