Hammerhead has come out with a handheld cordless rechargeable screwdriver with some interesting built-in features. The big thing about this Hammerhead cordless screwdriver is its Circuit Sensor, a non-contact voltage detector, which might make it a good choice for working around outlets and switches.
The Hammerhead screwdriver’s Circuit Sensor can detect current in live wires from up to 1″ away, with both a warning buzzer sound and LED lights.
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It also features LED worklights, a wire bending hole, a wire stripper, and standard 1/4″ screwdriver bit holder. It comes with a magnetic bit holder and 9pc screwdriver bit kit.
They’re calling this the Swiss Army Knife of Screwdrivers.
The Hammerhead cordless screwdriver doesn’t have a traditional trigger switch, it has a fingertip-twisted collar switch. Twist the power switch right or left to drive a fastener in that direction. Or lay your hands off the trigger and you should be able to use it as a manual driver if or where needed.
The 4V (4V Max, 3.6V nominal?) battery is built-in, and is recharged via a standard USB charging port.
- 230 RPM no-load speed
- 100-230V AC voltage detection range
- 12-20 AWG wire stripping capacity
- 9 AWG max wire bending capacity
Price: $30
Buy Now(via Amazon)
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First Thoughts
While you probably have never heard of Hammerhead before, unless you bought the Hammerhead Switch, a 2-in-1 impact driver and power hammer, their parent company is quite experienced when it comes to power tools. Chervon tools makes Ego lawn & garden outdoor power tools, a number of Craftsman power tools, and power tools for several other brands.
There are several unique features built into the Hammerhead cordless screwdriver, and with seemingly thoughtful designs.
The power switch is different from the trigger and reversing switch you’ll find on other brands’ cordless screwdrivers, but it’s also not quite as revolutionary as the gyroscopic controls you’ll find on the Black & Decker Gyro or Dewalt 8V Max pivoting gyroscopic screwdriver that I reviewed. Still, it seems intuitive to use.
What do you think? Is this fit for the toybox or toolbox?
Norm
Saw this at lowes. Curious, just not $30 curious. Especially since I have both the B&D AND Dewault gyro screw drivers. Being an electrician, the features intrigue me, but I doubt it’ll be better than the individual tools. I’m not a fan of NCV sensing (normally false positives). Still it may be good for a minimal carry scenario. Maybe after the holiday or Black Friday sales.
James C
As someone without either a NCV detector or cordless screwdriver, and wanting both, this interests me. My real question is how it compares to the B&D gyro driver I’ve been eyeing.
MT_Noob
I bought my Gyro over a year ago when Amazon had them at a great price. However, I am not crazy about it. It must just be me, but I simply can’t get used to the way it works. I’m am probably in the minority, but every time I try to use it I end up just falling back on either a non-powered screw driver or my drill/driver.
While it is not terribly expensive, you may want to make sure to try one out in a store before buying it just to be sure it is what you want.
I am not bashing the BD gyro, it just isn’t for me…
John
Wasn’t for me either. I tried the B&D and Dewalt gyro because I just wanted a good simple electric screw driver for delicate work but all the current ones seem to be only gyro based.
The main problem I had was that when the screw gets to the end of travel there is no way to rotate ten handle to further so your left with having to use a manual for the last quarter turn or so. This included removing screws. As well trying to do this one handed overhead having to make sure you have enough spin room before you start it up was and issue. It infuriated me to no end.
It’s a cool idea but seems like a solution without a problem. I’d rather then just put a simple variable trigger (even at only up to 200 rpm), two gear setting, and forward reverse. This hammer head is closer but trying to spin that throat at the top one handed while driving in a screw is a pain (tried it out). They coulda just had a simple push button or trigger and massively fixed the ergonomics. And of course it’s not variable speed.
Is it too hard for Dewlat to just make a lithium version of the DW920K-2 and refresh it and call it a day?
Jay
If I need to know whether or not voltage is present I’m not going to trust a tricky screwdriver. My Fluke 1AC A1 II is an EDC item for me and part of my workday cargo pants pocket load out. Sits right next to my chapstick, Spyderco Dragonfly2, Bic mini lighter and trusty flip phone.
sean r
All my screwdrivers are cordless.
Hilton
Touché
Brian
$30? Pass, especially with the way the switch is designed. I’d rather pick up a clearance B&D gyro at Lowe’s for under $15…and I know it will work better and it’s more compact.
Tegian
Interesting tool yes, I do maintence work on a diverse site with lots of different enviroments and there are just so many things you can have in your pockets. That said I own a Bosch Mx2Drive which is a geared 3,6V so I am bit spoiled, that machine does play in another legue price wise tough ….
Nate 818
The more NCV testers the merrier. I don’t know how much torque you get though with a 4 volt USB charged battery. I’m thinking useless amounts of torque. This makes me think NCV can be in any cordless drill.
Adam
I’ve seen this in Lowes and didn’t really think twice about it. However, ToolGuyd sent one to me for a giveaway. A few weeks later after receiving the tool, my wife and I started painting each of the rooms in our house (previous house-owner had painted every room a flipper brown paint–way too much brown). I went around removing the light switch and outlet faceplates so we could paint behind the plates. I put new plates back on because the previous owner tightened all the plates too hard and cracked most of them. I used the Hammerhead screwdriver, it went so quick using the tool. I hate flathead screws, I always slip and scratch up the surfaces when using a manual flathead screwdriver. I never once slipped using the Hammerhead.
When tightening the screws, I stopped the tool leaving just a couple more turns left so I wouldn’t break the new plates. The nice thing is that when the tool isn’t rotating, it locks the shaft in place so you can use the tool like it’s a normal manual screwdriver. You don’t have to switch over to a regular screwdriver to complete the last couple of turns. I found this convenient.
I also liked that the duel LED on opposite sides of the tool to really illuminate the screw without a big shadow on one side like most of my other drills. I also constantly tested the non-contact voltage detector, because my 2 yr son thinks it’s funny when it goes off. It didn’t give me any false positives–my Fluke gives me false positives all the time.
I’ve started using it more and more for quick jobs that require a screwdriver without a lot of torque. Example, when swapping bases on my Milwaukee router, I just pull this screwdriver out and quickly unscrew all the screws from the base, swap bases and screw the new one on. Now, it doesn’t take me as long with a manual screwdriver and I don’t have to worry about stripping it with a big drill.
I will say I’m not a fan of the charger. It uses a USB with an adapter, that’s just one more cable I have to make sure I don’t lose.
So I’m a fan of the Hammerhead Cordless Screwdriver. I don’t think I’m a fan at $30, but I got mine for free…and at that price, it’s a keeper in my tools.
Eric Hutton
FYI, Lowe’s has this on sale today for 19.99
Gio
Amazing screwdriver. I have one in every belt tool pouch and tool bag. Very light and strong enough to withstand a professional use and abuse. I work in the telecom industry and is a wrist saver especially with long screws on wall plates. It lasts at least 3 days of work. Installing about 180 wall jacks for telephone and RJ45 . By just holding the tool loosely in your hand and let it slip while you are tightening the screw , it can act as torque setting. It takes a bit practice but once you learn the technique you don’t have to hand screw again not even one turn. The only complain is the 1/4″ shank it is not deep enough to be used with a reversible bit. Philips and Flat. (I did TIG weld a small extension for this purpose). (You can also cut and fit a bit holder but it adds a bit length to the tool).
It takes about the same amount of time to charge as a cellphone. It would nice to have wireless charging dock along with the micro USB. I think it is a nice add for those who need a NOT bulky power screwdriver for a small torque applications.
Frumious
This is a good tool for low to medium torque jobs such as electrical work. I like it enough that it stays in my “today’s job” tool bag all the time. It’s a good size – not too big or too long. It feels right in my hands. It also feels well made, substantial. The current detector works well, detecting live current from farther away than the advertised 1″; more like 3 – 6″. The wire strippers might seem gimmicky, but they work as easily as any I have used. Ditto the wire bender – a clever, simple feature. The 2 LED lights work well,. They are bright enough, activate automatically when the screwdriver is activated and stay on for about 20 seconds after you finish, just long enough to see if you did the job right and look to see what you are going to do next. I picked mine up for under $20 including delivery to my home in Alaska. Recommend.
Frumious
This is an update. Just two months old and only on its second project, it died. Specifically, rotating the collar no longer activates the electric screwdriver. I am bummed. It seemed like such a smart and well-made tool until it suddenly stopped working. There was no warning: One screw it tightened just fine, the next kaput. Nothing. I charged up the battery hoping maybe it had lost power. No luck.
Other than the loss of its main feature, it is still somewhat useful if you are working with electric wiring and switches. All the other features work including the non-powered aspect of the screwdriver. It has the best LED lighting of any screwdriver I have seen. I’ll keep it around.
Gary Lippincott
Got this as a gift from my daughter, I have a Skill and B&D, but this is the one I grab first, I like the fact that you can use it as a regular screw driver, less chance of over torqueing a screw, it runs it in, but you manually give it that final twist. I like that the LED lights stay on for a few seconds, with out turning the screw, makes it easy to find the target. Lots of great features, I use it for everything, put an entire Charcoal Grill/Smoker together with it, never lost power. Great Tool!
Lesia Stallings
it was working great BUT now the light stays on . will not shut off . any help would be greatly appreciated . ( its my boyfriends btw )
Dan
Bought this at Lowe’s. Only worked for 5 min if that . Won’t recharge, and now it just collects dust. Another POS I wasted money on. It was a x-mas gift for my mother and have lost or misplaced the receipt and paper work. Junk, junk, junk. Never again. No customer support.