addicted to screwdrivers that use bits - Wera telescopic any good?
 

I've got some nice-ish craftsman screw drivers, and for certain things they would be necessary. THere are really big ones and really long ones.

But many years ago, dad got a screwdriver that had 2 sizes of philips and regular bits included and 99% of the time after that, we had one around that was the go-to screwdriver.

I've become addicted to something similar, but I like to have more bits. I've got a cheap set that I got from Fry's years ago, that's OK. I swapped the handle/driver portion out for another one that I had that was better.

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51GGAS7kdLL.jpg

But I'd like to get something similar, but better quality. I remembered that Wera has come up here a few times as being good tools. I think screwdrivers had specifically come up.

So now I'm wondering about this thing which has a telescopic and removable shaft. Having a regular length screwdriver AND short screwdriver in one package could be useful. The only downside that I see to this model is that the end where the bits go is very thick which means that it wouldn't reach into tight spots. And it only comes with a few bits.

Does anyone have one of these telescopic models, and if so how nice is it and how often do you find yourself switching from short to long or vice versa?

https://www-de.wera.de/fileadmin/ima...rm-kompakt.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1689390416.jpg


They do have some bit sets, but most come with multiples of various bits rather than a larger selection. I'm sure that there are also probably compatible bit sets available from a dozen different manufacturers.

Wera also makes several other bit/screwdriver sets. They make a couple with a short handle and long bits. They make some with ratcheting handles and long thin magnetic or friction holding ends (wouldn't be fat like the one above).

Thoughts?

I was given one of those at work. It's a very nice piece, all Wera tools feel and act great.


UNTIL...
You drop it. The spring loaded assembly in the handle is delicate, and can explode from a good 6 or 7 foot drop. It'll never work the same again. I think they make a ratcheting screwdriver handle, get that one instead.

Project farm on ratcheting screwdrivers. After watching this, I've thought of buying a Williams...but I have a cheapy that functions good enough, so probably won't. Why Williams? Probably because I have hundreds of bits in the standard 1" size it uses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=845HUaWYSQA&ab_channel=ProjectFarm

(edit) I would also suggest having a non ratcheting bit holding screwdriver with a strong magnet for bit holding. Less "slop" than any of the ratcheting drivers, so better for when precision is important.

I wanted a new screwdriver, one with the interchangeable bits, but I did not want the ratchet aspect of them. It was hard to find an ordinary one. The one I lost had a large handle so I could get lots of torque onto it.

Finally I found a non ratchet one and like it.

Impact drivers made these tools obsolete for me.

Impact drivers made these tools obsolete for me. I haven't used one in years.

This^. But under the hood or other tight spots the ID can be a pain.

I have a couple of 1/4" driver handles, extensions, and some 1/4" sockets specifically for holding hex bits. I find that works well and I can put more torque on those (or connect to a 1/4" ratchet if something is really stuck). Those Chapman handles are useful for tight spaces.

I’ve posted these before. I really like these Canadian made Rolgear multibit screwdrivers. I like them better than my snap on ones.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01LP6FIYK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I like the Wiha stuff. Made in the Black Forest of Germany and decently priced.......

https://www.wihatools.com

More than the screwdrivers, I love the micro ratchets that bits fit into.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1689431956.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1689431956.jpg

Good to know. I'll give it a miss.

Yep, Wera makes one like that (similar to what I already have). The 812.

https://products.wera.de/images/prod...12_1_vario.jpg

Checking out both.

Funny, I think I saw "Wiha" on Amazon, and thought it sounded like something out of China.

Thinking about it, I use my non ratcheting bit holding screwdriver more often that the cheap ratcheting one I have. And more often than either of those, I'm grabbing a driver out of the set of other drivers I have. In other words, only use the bit drivers when a standard style screwdriver I have won't fit.

Yep, if I was going to use a ratcheting driver, then I'd probably go the extra mile and pick up a powered driver, I've got a couple of the Milwaukee M12 devices. I like the fixed bit driving screw driver because I've got a fine control over and feel for the torque. It's nice to have a good, comfortable, sturdy handle that fits any "screw" that you run across.

It doesn't sound like there's anything that's a huge improvement over what I've got that would be worth spending money on.

Probably not...then toss in tool price inflation over the past couple of years...whew! As I've posted here before, sure glad I bought all those decent quality USA made Craftsman tools when I did.

See I'm way lazier than you guys. I'm not down with all that twisting and ratcheting nonsense.

I use one of these as my go to in home weapon of choice.

Stick the bit into a screw head, push, and it does the rest of the work.

https://www.amazon.com/Dremel-HSES-01-Rechargeable-Screwdriver-Technology/dp/B09QWD7Z39/ref=asc_df_B09QWD7Z39/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=563722789627&hvpos=&hvnetw= g&hvrand=3607162873830472481&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt =&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9027295&hvt argid=pla-1667636656474&psc=1

I had one of these for many, many years.

https://www.cashconverters.co.uk/glo...pg?w=800&h=600

When it died, I got one of these, which was good, but not as good.
https://c1.neweggimages.com/ProductI...102-117-02.jpg

Now I have these, and they are great, but sometimes it's just quicker and easier to grab a screwdriver.

https://marvel-b1-cdn.bc0a.com/f0000...MIL2494-22.jpg

Respectfully, it makes no sense to put bits into your screwdrivers. Just vodka and orange juice.