Tool Review: Stanley 66-358 Stubby Ratcheting Multibit Screwdriver

Key Features:
 +   Magnetized to hold screws
 +   Good bit storage in handle

 -    Ratchet dial is counter-intuitive


Screwdrivers come in all shapes and sizes.  It used to be that you would have a whole set of screwdrivers, all different sizes and bit types, but now many tools combine multiple screwdriver heads into the same tool.  One multibit screwdriver takes up a lot less space, and if it's a decent one, it will serve you well and last a long time.  The Stanley stubby ratcheting multibit screwdriver (model# 66-358) is one of the good ones.

This Stanley stubby screwdriver is larger than many other stubbies.  It measures in at about 4.5" with a bit (4" without one).  It's still small enough for many tight jobs, but it's also a decent size to use as a main screwdriver whenever you need to reach for one.  It's a little heavier than non-ratcheting stubbies, but the ratchet function is worth the extra weight.  It has a solid rubber grip that's comfortable to hold and a plastic body, and the tip is magnetized to help hold onto screws.  The magnet works well, but after several years my driver has started to lose its magnetism.

The screwdriver comes with six bits: a 1-point Phillips bit, two 2-point Phillips bits (which is good because that's the bit that most people will probably use most often), a 1/8" slotted bit, a 3/16" slotted bit, and a 1/4" slotted bit.  It's a ratcheting driver, and you can engage this capability easily by twisting the top part of the screwdriver.  It has three positions -- one for tightening screws, one for loosening screws, and a middle "locked" position for when you don't want the ratchet to kick in.  With the six available bits plus the ratcheting action, this driver is good to have for many jobs.

One extremely nice feature of this particular screwdriver is the way the bits are stored.  Many multibit screwdrivers have a cavity in the bottom where you can stick the bits you're not using, but then you have to poke through them when you need to find a different bit.  With this screwdriver, the bits fit perfectly into grooves set into the cap, so when you unscrew the cap you'll have all of the extra bits sitting neatly, head up, so you can see exactly what you have and find what you need quickly and without hassle.

Stanley has built a solid reputation when it comes to tools, and this multibit screwdriver lives up to that reputation.  The Stanley stubby ratcheting multibit screwdriver can be purchased in-store from Home Depot for about five or six bucks, or it can be found online at Amazon.com for $5.33 (eligible for free shipping).

(Originally posted on Helium.com, February 2012)

(UPDATE: As of 4/11/15, the price on Amazon is $4.24)