Yes! No. Maybe?
Searching for ratcheting screwdrivers on Lowes brings up 5 different options, with a couple of more hidden away in searches for screwdriver sets. Head in-store and you’ll probably find several more styles, especially this time of year with all of the wham-bam fly-by-night holiday tool displays.
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Without fail, I always stop by the holiday displays. Sometimes the temptation leads to a quick purchase, other times I’m able to resist and save the $5-10 I would have spent for next time.
The hard truth is that this time of year a lot of us will buy tools we don’t need. Do you need a ratcheting screwdriver? Buy the Channellock I reviewed a year ago. Or another model by Megapro. Or even the new Stanley set that’s actually quite good. A number of additional options come to mind.
I am guilty of buying a couple of Kobalt ratcheting screwdrivers every year. These are often the compact and inexpensive drivers that come self-contained with a couple of the most common screwdriver bits. They’re handy to keep around, but their quality can be lacking. Yet we all still buy them.
The marketing guys at Lowes know that we cannot resist the appeal, which is why ratcheting screwdrivers always make it to the winter holiday and Father’s Day tool displays each and every year. I misplace them, gift them, stash them in all of my portable tool kits, and buy one or two more every year.
You will probably see even more ratcheting screwdrivers in all of the various “Kobalt home tool sets” Lowes puts together every year. A hammer, ratcheting screwdriver, pliers, measuring tape, and utility knife for $10? I don’t need all that, but heck, the two tools I could use would cost more than $10 separately.
My official stance is – NO – do NOT buy another Kobalt ratcheting screwdriver this year. This is definitely hypocritical since I already purchased one of the 26pc mini precision screwdriver kits on sale for $5 in Lowe’s 2012 Black Friday sales flyer.
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All I’m trying to say is that you should keep this all in mind when you make your Big Box holiday shopping rounds this year. Try not to buy tools you don’t need, and try to resist the appeal of all those inexpensive ratcheting screwdrivers and homeowner tool sets stores have already put up along the most travelling aisles and shopping paths.
Maybe make a budget for frivolous tool purchases – that’s what I’m doing this year. It’s not even Black Friday and I’ve already spent a quarter of the amount.
While my arguments apply to all retailers and other tool types (most notably flashlights and cheap utility knives), I have found that Lowes is particularly effective at getting me to purchase new Kobalt ratcheting screwdrivers every year. What’s your weakness?
Javier
Hmmm, I actually like that kobalt screwdriver. I used to own one and it was great. Besides the ratchet function, my other favorite feature was the speed fit connection. I took it back because it stopped working as it is not a heavy duty tool, lowes was great about the return, gave me cash without a receipt no questions asked as the tool has a lifetime warranty. I now own their other ratcheting screwdriver, the blue metallic one with no speed fit and the original double drive. Both are great but I try not to abuse them.
Stuart
I’m not saying that or the others are bad, but that a lot of people should be cautious about buying them on impulse in the next 6 weeks.
Javier
All is well. I was just sharing my experience with them.
fred
This is the kind of tool that starts out as a stocking stuffer and probably ends up in a junk drawer. On the other hand – it is probably a good tool for a dorm room
Allen
Good post, we all can learn to reduce our consumption of cheap products.
I will confess to an addiction to pliers, on the farm every tractor, truck, combine and tool box needs pliers. I have been trying to buy high quality and take care of them, not loosing them.
The kolbalt ratchet screwdrivers are much too heavy in my opinion. I was given one and get a lot more use from the bits, I don’t think I’ve ever used the driver.
Allen
This gets me to thinking, I would gladly send my kolbalt screwdriver to some sort of exchange in return for a pair of pliers. Some one should start up an Internet site that functions as a tool exchange.
Most likely already is one.
Javier
That sounds like a good idea, I’d say try craigslist barter section. Ive used it for all sorts of items though most of my barter ads end up selling due to lack of trade offers.
Allen
I tried the barter section of CL before, most folks just ask you for a price.
Did get rid of a cow that way however.
Mike
Good quality and reasonably priced pliers can be had from Gearwrench,they have a bunch of different styles on Amazon.com and most of them are under $8 each.
As fas as ratcheting screwdrivers go,I honestly dont even own one and not sure which I would buy if I needed one(Most likely wera or similar).
jamal
I don’t feel like a racheting screwdriver is a must have. It is cheap, but my non-ratcheting screwdriver is working just fine for me.
Robert
Stuart,
This topic relates to your article about precision drivers from November 13th. There’s a little driver from Kobalt that is frequently overlooked. I’ve developed an appreciation for it. It gets missed, because it’s pushed as a precision driver.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_171011-86580-SF13_0__?productId=1221943&Ntt=kobalt+screwdriver&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNtt%3Dkobalt%2Bscrewdriver&facetInfo=
As you know, most precision bit drivers have proprietary bits. We all know the drawbacks and limitations. This driver however, is built on a standard ¼ in hex platform. It is therefore anything you want it to be. It’s a great compact and portable tool for general carrying. In spite of the fact that I have long fingers, it’s surprisingly comfortable for use as a standard compact driver.
Another thing is that the Speedfit chuck on this model is different from most of the others. Most of the Speedfit’s have a locking mechanism but no magnet. There is therefore some play in the bit when locked in the chuck. This item however, has a surprisingly powerful magnet. The combination of the locking mechanism and magnet make the bits a lot more solid. In addition, the chuck is smaller but still accepts the same accessories. It works equally well with insert or power bits. It will take a 1 inch insert bit without it dropping too far into the chuck to be useable without an extension. It’s therefore great for tight spaces and of course can be made longer with an extension. The other Speedfit chucks I’ve used will not work with a 1” insert bit.
This driver also has a rotating cap on the bottom which makes it great for spinning. While I agree with a lot of the issues with cheaper drivers, this one deserves a second look. If you’re considering a cheap alternative EDC driver, this is a nice option. It won’t break the bank if it’s lost or stolen. It’s kind of a poor man’s Wera Kraftform Kompakt.
Robert
Stuart
That’s exactly what I mean – that driver does look like a good buy and I now feel compelled to try it out despite having no need that my other multi-bit and precision screwdrivers cannot fill. Darn. I suppose that’s why I gave myself a frivolous holiday tool budget.
Robert
I’ve got the same bug. I can’t fault you. I’m guilty as well.
Robert
Rubes
AVOID – I bought one the other night. Tried to use it to screw in some Ikea shelves into the wall studs. The racheting mechanism blew out and started grinding/free spinning, and the extension bit also started sliding in the sleeve. Overall pretty poor quality. I wanted a racheting screwdriver with an extension with good size grip to carry around (im in IT guy) as i need one here and there at clients. This one had all the good options, quick release, use regular hex bits, extension that fit in the handle, lots of organized bit storage. Pretty sad it impoded after 5 minutes of heavy torquing. Ive got a snap on i use at home, but i wanted something “collapsable”. I have another cheepie “Workforce” brand that works much better than this. It has a nice configuration, just really cheap construction.
Mike
J u n k…..