A while back, we had a giveaway for a surprise tool gift package. One of the tools included in the prize package was a Hammerhead cordless screwdriver.
Adam, our winner, had a couple of months to play around with the Hammerhead driver, and offered some feedback about his experience with it.
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Since my test sample is who-knows-where right now, Adam gave us permission to share his review with you on a post.
For more info on the Hammerhead driver, check out our preview post.
Adam wrote:
I’ve seen the Hammerhead screwdriver in Lowes and didn’t really think twice about it. However, ToolGuyd sent one to me after I won a giveaway, and so I figured I might as well give it a try.
A few weeks later after receiving the tool, my wife and I started painting each of the rooms in our house (the previous homeowner 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 had to put all new plates back on because the previous owner tightened all the plates too hard and cracked most of them. I used the Hammerhead screwdriver, and the work went so quick using the tool.
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I hate flathead screws, as I always slip and scratch up the surfaces when using a manual flathead screwdriver. I never once slipped using the Hammerhead driver.
When tightening the screws, I stopped the tool leaving just a couple more turns left to go, 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 very convenient.
I also liked that the duel LED on opposite sides of the tool really do illuminate the screw, and unlike most of my other drills it does this without casting a big shadow on one side. 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, whereas my Fluke gives me false positives all the time.
I’ve started using the Hammerhead driver more and more for quick jobs that require a screwdriver without a lot of torque. For example, when swapping bases on my Milwaukee router, I just pull this Hammer screwdriver out and quickly unscrew all the screws from the base, swap bases and drive the new ones on. Now, it doesn’t take me as long with a manual screwdriver and I don’t have to worry about stripping the screws as when using a full-size 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.
Stuart’s Note: On the other hand, doesn’t that also mean you can recharge the Hammerhead driver with any other USB charger or cable if you happen to lose the included charger?
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.
Thank you Adam for the great feedback and review!
Sorry guys, we don’t have any more left to give away, but you can buy yours at Amazon, or at Lowes. Lowes stores should have them on display in the Holiday gift center. The fact that they’re now absent from Amazon directly means they might be a Black Friday Lightning Deal – or similar. Or maybe Amazon sold out quickly, although that seems unlikely given the numbers they were sure to stock for the holidays.
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Thank you to Hammerhead for sending the screwdriver samples, one of which I misplaced, and the other I sent to Adam as a giveaway prize.
John
I had a chance to play with this in the store as it was part of a Black Friday deal they are running. It was pretty interesting but the ergonomics of this are all off and horrible for me to enjoy it. I don’t understand why they couldn’t just have a depressible switch instead of the turn collar at the top. It makes it really awkward to try to accomplish that one handed; twisting top fingers while mid grip stationary. I think I’d rather they had sacrificed the wire stripper section for the trigger switch.
I also can’t understand why these small cordless screw drivers can’t be variable speed. Its either 0 or immediately about 200 rpm and that first couple of threads at that immediate speed can set the screw cockeyed. The FlipOut, another in this range at least has variable speed; albeit from reviews its plastic gears are the Achilles’s heal / death sentence for it.
I suppose you can manually start it, then power it, then stop it before the end, then manually screw the rest. But that kinda defeats the point to me, I just assume use a ratcheting in that case.
The only other alternatives in the US appear to be the gyroscopic screw drivers (which Im also not a big fan of) Dewalt and Black & Decker, the M4 Milwaukee Screwdriver, Makita DF010DSE (excellent by the way but still no variable speed 🙁 ), and any assortment of the junky Black & Decker and Worx cordless screwdriver throwaways. I really wish Bosh would their IXO cordless line to US and again with variable speed for intricate work. This market segment is seriously underrepresented and lacking.
al goneb
Whenever someone uses the term “flathead” for a slotted drive screw, they instantly lose credibility with me. This is one of my pet peeves. Flathead refers to a style of screw head that has a flat top surface and angle under the head. The angle under the head is to fit a countersunk hole, and in the U.S. is most commonly 82 degrees. A flathead screw could be straight slotted drive, or Phillips, or hex (Allen) Torx, etc. You can call the screwdriver a flat blade type screwdriver. The screw used with a flat blade screwdriver should properly be referred to as slotted-drive screw.
jim bash
I just saw this review & have to add that I like this little screwdriver too! In fact probably the first inexpensive holiday ‘checkout aisle’ impulse type tool purchase my sister has ever gotten me from the big box lumber stores that didn’t either break right away or just not work well. (Hows that for a sentence! )
I keep it with my electrical tools & use it primarily for the little screws that attach switches or receptacles to electric boxes as they. Are longish screws but no tension on them so this screwdriver spins them right in (even with slotted screws). I lkie the light as you can get it to go on & stay on without the driver bit turning. (I vant do that with my main electric screwdriver, a M12 drill. I also find I like the ring that controls on/off on this little Hammerhead screwdriver as I can keep it on with one finger in most any position.
Thanks Sis, finally a keeper.
John H Stover
I’ve watched my third driver die. First one worked for a while, then froze solid. Lowes exchanged it without question. The second worked for a bit, but decided to stop moving in the reverse direction. This third one took off running on its own. Couldn’t stop it until the battery died. Now it won’t charge. I do light electronics (PC and point of sale), not construction work. Can’t say i am impressed.