I came across an unusual Felo screwdriver while looking for something else. It’s got a built-in screw-grabbing mechanism, for holding onto fasteners when starting them in a tricky situation.
I’ve seen screw-holding attachments, but nothing quite like this one, which looks to operate similar to a parts-retrieval mechanism.
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Amazon’s product description is all over the place. This isn’t a multi-tool or multi-driver; as far as I am aware, it’s a single size Phillips #2 screwdriver.
The price seems a little steep to me – $22 for a single screwdriver – but it’s also been a while since I’ve dropped a screw into a vital system. Knock on wood!! Dropping a fastener really sucks. Sometimes it’s an inconvenience, other times it’s a real project-stopper until the screw can be fished out of a piece of equipment.
Have you used this screwdriver before? Would you?
I’ve had good experience with Felo tools, but I’m not yet sold on the mechanism. Maybe I’ll ordered one to try out – hands up if you’re interested in this.
It does look like the screw grabber mechanism is entirely made of metal, which I’d think means it’ll last longer than some of the plastic contraptions I’ve seen.
Hmm, it also looks like the grabber can get a fix on fasteners that are being removed. That makes me feel a little better about the price. Most screw retention contraptions are only designed for starting screws.
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Matt
I’m not sure about the price either.
For me, fastener retention usually begins with a bit holder and bit and the end of and impact or screw gun.
Rarely am I using hand tools anymore to remove or drive or set even in a precision setting. With the precise dialed in torque provided by a Bosch pocket driver or any various cordless “screwdriver” I tend to reach for something 12v before a hand tool.
Maybe in a tighter situation? But $22 for something I may use once in a great while is pushing it.
I see it ending up as a gimmick buy and eventually gifted out to a co-worker.
Tyler
When I ordered my set of Wera Torx drivers and set of Wera standard drivers I bought a set of the sleeves that slide over the screwdriver shank to hold the screws. The set was less than $10 and I can use it on any of those screwdrivers. I think a dedicated screw driver at $22 is a bit steep unless you had a need to use screw retention on a frequent/daily basis.
Nathan
not familiar with those sleeves but they sound like a wear item so you’d ahve to buy them again at some point.
I’m interested. I bet other aviation mechs would be interested and would want to see this maybe on a bit holder for the oddball stuff we use.
would be nice inside a car too. Replacing my quality screwdrivers I already own with this would be a easier sell maybe. IE if I didn’t have my stahlwhile set – or some other quality flavored set of items – then I’d consider buying a set of these if they came in other sizes – tips . It doesn’t have the hex bolster I like – but it does have the though hole for running a torque rod into. so I could deal with that
Wayne Ruffner
I’ve had something similar in the past (a dedicated tool that didn’t “drive”). It was okay but touchy; bump something on the way in and poof, lost screw anyway.
I’ve found that a ring magnet can slip over most drivers, be removed and generally work a lot better. Obviously, not on stuff that magnets don’t affect, but the one with my driver kit is really strong – and it won’t get lost, either, as it sticks to everything in the bit compartment!
fred
The “non-driver” type screw starter seemed t be popular among auto mechanics for slotted screws. The Ullman brand that I talk about below seem to have the most variety – but Proto, Williams and others old their versions:
http://www.ullman-devices.com/screwstarters_nutstarters.html
Adam
I have a similar slotted starter that I got at Sears. I really only used it on electrical plate screws, but came in handy on several occasions. I wouldn’t have “bought” had Sears not given me points to buy it with
w-bee
I have a noncoductive snap-on starter similar to this one. It has a phillips and slotted on opposite ends and has been very useful as an electrician.
Charles Stopczynski
I’ve not used the Felo screw holding screwdriver.
Years ago I found a similar design. ” Lok-Blok”, screw-holding screwdrivers, both in slotted and Phillips. I purchased one of each — no regrets..
The Phillips was stolen once. Some time later, while conducting tool box audits, there it was. Nice to have it back.
A good holding screwdriver is priceless in the right application. Treat it with respect, use it for the purpose intended. Screw starting only. When the fastener is securely started disengage the holding device while driving, or better yet switch to a conventional screwdriver to complete the job.
Dennis
I haven’t used the Felo version, but I have used the Klein screwdriver with a screw holder and I love it. The holder is made out of plastic, however it’s plenty robust. Also it seems that right now on amazon it costs a third of the Felo.
https://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-32216-Screw-Holding-Screwdriver/dp/B004SUYBDK/
Rman
I had a Phillips #2 hand operated screwdriver by xelite that I used for fastening stainless or aluminum screws. Magnet attachments don’t work. Wish I could find one to be used in my cordless driver.
RC WARD
Sounds like a good tool to have laying around. At that price it would make a good “gift” from someone looking to buy you something for your birthday or Christmas.
Esa
I bought an almost identical Russian made screwdriver 25 years ago while visiting Russia, but it was a flat head. The metal screw grabbers look identical and they have held up well. I’ve always been wishing to have a philips head version too. I’ll definitely order one of these. When you work in tight places, this type of design is far superior to a magnetic bit… thanks for the post!
goodnightjohnboy
A straight rigid grabber is the reason I’d buy it. I do my own mechanic work & every grabber/nut & bolt retriever all have the springy flimsy shaft. Well sometimes its a real pita trying to work the claws when the damn things won’t stay still. This is an excellent tool for the fact that its not flimsy + its a screwdriver. I would consider buying it if the thing is long enough to grab something & keeps me from having to crawl up underneath one of my trucks treasure hunting.
fred
This was a very popular style of screw-holding driver when brass screws were the norm. As RMAN points out – magnetic holders don’t work on brass and some SS screws. I had/have versions from Crescent-Bridgeport, Stanley, Williams and Xcelite. The newer Xcelite style use a sleeve instead of spring clips.
https://www.amazon.com/KD-Tool-XPHS188-Tools-Screwdriver/dp/B00CWEPGHY
Wera also makes attachments that add screw holding capability – their part #s 1440, 1441 and 1442 – to round-shank screwdrivers that they fit.
When looking on Amazon for the Wera items – I also spied some spring ones from Best Way (#25600)
Greenlee and Klein – make non-magnetic insulated screw-holding drivers too. Klein also makes a style similar to the Quick-Wedge drivers .
Lots of folks – like Ullman Devices also make screw-starters that rely on a spring-loaded holding mechanism.
My old-time favorite for small screws and electronics was a style called the “Hunter Magic Tip” that no longer seem to be available.
Randy
I bought both the #1 and #2 Phillips today along with some impact bits for my Dewalt 1/4″ impact driver. Made sure to use the coupon for the second time now. Sweet!
Chris P.
Pb swiss makes a near identical item.
MT_Noob
I had a similar one a long while back. I am pretty sure it was a craftsman. It was absolutely perfect for holding the screws in place for a PC motherboard to attach it to the standoffs. It was great for installing the screws and ok but not perfect when removing them. However at the time it was the best tool I could find for the job. Eventually, I ruined it when I bent one of the “prongs”. I had started the screw with the holder, and did not disengage it before bottoming out. Since the two prongs grip the fastener by the edges and a little bit under the head of the screw, you have to be sure to disengage the holder after you have started the screw and before it bottoms out. If you don’t take that extra step to quickly release, then you could end up with the prong stuck underneath the screw head, and if you were in a rush like I was, and did not notice it, then when you go to pull the screw driver away, it could deform the spring arms.
I’ll admit it was a bit of a ham-fisted move on my part, and at the time I was using manual screwdrivers since I did not trust the slip clutch on electric drivers. But I would not have expected the spring part to be susceptible to bending as easily as it did. Despite breaking my first one which I had for several year, I immediately went to Sears to find a replacement. And well, no luck finding one. You can find every other Fathers Day gimmick, but not an actually useful specialty tool.
I now use the ones like the link from Fred. Although I might be tempted to snag this one for the rare cases where it might be handy. Although I also like the looks of the Klein one in Dennis’ link,
fred
The Klein one in Dennis’s link – is the spitting image of ones also sold by Greenlee for electricians – hence the insulated shaft.
Klein also sells a “quick-wedge” style:
https://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-SK234-Screw-Holding-Screwdriver/dp/B0002RIA3K
MT_Noob
I glanced at those quick wedge ones when searching through Amazon. But the initial photos didn’t grab my attention. However looking at it again from Fred’s link, I noticed one of the reviewers included some photos that show the tips, and those do indeed look like another good solution. I didn’t realize those were also out there.
I think Stuart is going to have to do a head to head comparison of all the different types that are out there… not that there isn’t enough already on his 2017 list I am sure.
fred
The Quick-Wedge style is more a screw starter than a tool that you can use to either remove or torque a screw in with. The advantage of the spring clip styles like Felo and the alternatives lile the Greenlee/Klein and Xcelite – is that they are both screw starters and drivers.
Brian
With a roll of blue painters tape all of my screwdrivers are grabbers.
jtkendall
I would like it much better if it was an 10 or 11-in-1 driver even if it was a bit more expensive. It sounds like a good idea and it probably works well, but more options than Phillips and Slotted would be needed for me to purchase it.
Chris Mayo
Morning Stuart, sorry I do not have ur email. You may want to mention that
ACME Tools has 17% off one item for the next two days.
http://www.acmetools.com/?cm_mmc=Spop-Email-_-170101%20New%20Years%20Day%20Sitewide-_-Active%20(1)-_-www_acmetools_com_2%20&spMailingID=27453927&spUserID=MTc1MTU3MDExNzc4S0&spJobID=960058541&spReportId=OTYwMDU4NTQxS0
Best Chris
fritz gorbach
I too own a set of the similar craftsman drivers in #1 and #2 sizes. Seems to me they were in a clearance bin several years ago. I use them, but infrequently.
In electrical and control work, where straight screws are still the norm, I find the Klein quick wedge style invaluable, and I own several sets.
To those who wish for a multi bit or 10 in one style, the concern I would have is the added diameter of the shank. Typically one needs these drivers due to restricted access, and usually a full complement of screwdrivers to finish off as well, because the large shanks and or handles just won’t fit.