Gearwrench has come out with new green-handled and orange-handled screwdrivers. That’s in addition to their red and black color scheme that is found on their existing screwdrivers and many of their tools, such as the Roto Ratchets discussed here so long ago.
Whoopty do, right? Well, lots of users care about the color of their screwdrivers – more than you might think.
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Some users have color preferences for aesthetic reasons. Yep, it’s true.
But more than just aesthetics, color options allow users to more easily identify their tools faster, especially if they select different handle colors for different screwdriver tip styles.
Gearwrench’s press materials describe how the different colored handles might help techs identify their tools at the end of the day. While this might be true, I’m also interested in being able to tell Phillips from slotted, hex from Torx, and nut drivers from square drive spinners. Sorry, I’m thinking ahead here.
You know what I’m talking about, right? At one point I stopped buying just one brand of screwdriver, as it was becoming too difficult to pick up the one I needed. So now I have one brand for Phillips and slotted drivers – or at least one brand in my toolbox – and another brand for Torx drivers, and another for inch hex, and another for metric hex.
I wish that I could do the same for my precision screwdrivers. Do you know how hard it is to sort through itty bitty precision drivers, even with end-cap identification, when multiple sets are mixed up in a drawer together?
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Back to the point – these new handle color options look good, don’t they? From the images, they’ve got some nice high contrast visibility going on there.
Additional features include a Tri-Lobe ergonomic handle shape, dual material grip that’s resistant to oils and solvents, a narrow section of the handle for high-speed spinning for lower torque applications, and a precision screwdriver tip with black oxide non-slip finish.
The new drivers are available in 8pc sets, as well as individually. Here are the model numbers:
- Sets: 82682 orange, 82683 green
- Slotted 3/16″ x 3″ with Cabinet tip: 82684 orange, 82692 green
- Slotted 1/4″ x 1-1/2″: 82687 orange, 82695 green
- Slotted 1/4″ x 4″ with Hex Bolster: 82685 orange, 82693 green
- Slotted 5/16″ x 6″ with Hex Bolster: 82686 orange, 82694 green
- Phillips #1 x 3″: 82688 orange, 82696 green
- Phillips #2 x 1-1/2″: 82691 orange, 82699 green
- Phillips #2 x 4″ with Hex Bolster: 82689 orange, 82697 green
- Phillips #3 x 6″ with Hex Bolster: 82690 orange, 82690 green
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It’s really best to search for these screwdrivers by the model numbers. A bunch of automotive tool dealers started carrying them, and I expect that they’ll be readily available elsewhere soon too.
Hang Fire
Yes, quick tool identification is a big deal in garages where each tech has his own box.
As for “Do you know how hard it is to sort through itty bitty precision drivers, even with end-cap identification, when multiple sets are mixed up in a drawer together?”… just stop doing that.
Organization within a drawer is as simple as a magnetic strip, stickie labels, and a Sharpie. Label the strip in sections and lay them out by type and size. If handles of the same type are the same size, mark them with a Sharpie.
I’m just a weekend mechanic, but I’ve found every investment in organization pays off in time and convenience when I do a job. Spending a couple minutes finding each tool adds up fast.
Stuart
My precision screwdrivers stay neatly organized much of the time, but I find that they fall to disarray much more so than other tools.
And even when the drawer is well organized, I might have a mix of Phillips, Torx, and hex screwdrivers all around a project. Maybe slotted too if there’s a small potentiometer, knob set screw, or other component that requires fine adjustments.
Joseph
I worked really hard to change my work flow. If it isn’t the tool I’m using right now, it’s back in the tool box in the spot where it’s supposed to be. It took me a while to make it habit, but now that I have efficiency is way up; I never find myself looking for that “tool I just had,” because that tool is exactly where it is supposed to be.
Jason
I have been buying a lot of Gear Wrench stuff lately. It’s really nice stuff epically when you find deals on it. The only tool that disappointed me so far was their pivot force pliers. The pliers were horribly finished with metal burs and grinding marks all over. I wanted to like them as people gave them good reviews online. I must have gotten pliers made on Friday.
Nathan
good on them – I think others should at least consider it. I have all the same brand and thus color – style of screw drivers – but I also don’t use them often. mostly I grab the smooth ratchet driver and bits – or my double driver and bit – or the cordless impact driver and bits.
so I’d love to see more choices of bits – that were color coded – some separator. (yes I know HF sells a set I see them when I browse through there – but I want quality ones)
Jerry
I would like to get my screwdrivers color coded in the sense that flat tips are one color, Torx another, etc. would make it much easier to find what I need.
tim
At work I have the red and black snap ons and my partner in crime has the green and black.
Needless to say we’re both colorblind and our boxes look like xmas decorations. I’d love to see someone branch out and do other colors than just green and red cause even a fully colorblind person can tell the difference between red and blue.
Mike aka Fazzman
Nice to see they are expanding the lineup a bit. I like the looks of the Green they chose.
If I needed anymore screwdrivers I might pickup some.
I love my Wiha and SnapOn handles too much to try to swap.
Toolfreak
The Craftsman precision screwdrivers are color-coded by bit type.
The Gearwrench screwdrivers look okay, and the green/orange color options are awesome for those of us who prefer hi-visibility colors, but their stuff is just too much money for made in China products at the quality level they are.
There a much better screwdrivers for much less money, that are much easier to get replaced under warranty, too.
Mike
I’ve always wondered why all manufacturers don’t do what Craftsman already does with their color coding. Flat blade handles have one color set, Phillips another, Torx a different one. It’s easy to determine what one is even from across a room, no special ordering for color coding needed.