Tool Review: Sequoia 10-in-1 Multi Tool

Key Features:
 +   Can opener works well
 -   Pliers are poorly-made
 -   Pliers are hard to open
 -   Most of the tools don't swing out easily
 -   Bottle opener doesn't work at all


There are so many multi tools on the market, one person could never hope to try them all.  Some are good quality, some are usable but not great, and others are just plain horrible.  The Sequoia 10-in-1 Multi Tool falls into the last category.

This multi tool currently sells for $5.77 on Amazon, and it's not worth even half that price.  The many negative qualities of this tool far outweigh the few positives.  I have a cheaply-made Swiss Army Knife knockoff that I got at a dollar store -- this Sequoia tool is of comparable quality.

Like many multi tools, this one folds out into a pair of pliers.  Opening the pliers is not easy -- the tool does not open smoothly.  Some oil may help, but I'm not going to waste any oil on this tool.  There are no screws to adjust the tension, either.  Once you do get the pliers open, the plier jaws don't line up and the teeth look dirty even before you use them.  The pliers are not spring-loaded.

Besides the pliers, the Sequoia tool includes a knife, a can opener, a bottle opener, a Phillips driver, two slotted drivers, an awl, and a double-sided file.  The tools open from the inside, so in order to use any of them you have to open the pliers first.  The tools are not difficult to open.

The screwdrivers are very rounded.  They are usable sometimes, but because of the rounded tips they slip very easily.  The file is about average for a multi-tool file.  The knife is okay, sharp enough for most applications.  The bottle opener is worthless; it just pulls at the bottle cap rather than pulling it off.

There is a ruler along the outside of the multi tool, which would be a nice feature if it was marked accurately.  Some of the inch marks are wrong, resulting in bad measurements if you rely on this ruler.  There is a gap in the middle of the ruler, where the pliers are, so in order to use the ruler all the way across you have to make sure the back of the tool is exactly even.

The can opener works well.  It is easily the tool's best feature, and the only part of the tool (other than the knife) that is worthwhile.

The Sequoia tool is small, and can fit in the palm of your hand when closed.  It has a small loop you can use to attach it to a keychain, but it also comes with a black pouch that has a vertical belt loop.

The Sequoia 10-in-1 Multi Tool is not worth buying at all.  Unless you want a knife/can opener that is hard to open, just about any other multi tool you could find is a better choice than this one.

Tool review: Great Neck FC006 22 Piece Drivemaster Screwdriver Set

Key Features:

 +   Good selection of drivers
 +   Excellent grip

 -   Does not come with any storage for the drivers


A good set of screwdrivers is a staple of any home tool kit.  Some people prefer a whole set of individual drivers, while others would rather have a single driver (or several drivers) with a set of interchangeable bits.  If you fall into the first category, then a good set to consider is the Great Neck 22 piece Drivemaster screwdriver set (model FC006).

This set comes with 22 screwdrivers of many different types.  There are 8 slotted drivers, 7 Phillips drivers, 4 star (Torx) drivers, 2 square drivers, and one offset driver.  The offset driver has a slotted tip on one side and a Phillips tip on the other, and is good for working in tight places.

Except for the offset driver, which is all metal, each of the drivers has a rubberized handle that is molded to provide a good grip during use.  The handles are well-contoured so that your hand has a lot of purchase, and there is also a place for your thumb to rest and give you added grip.

The drivers are good quality, with steel plated shafts.  They don't have any coating to protect against rust, so over time the tips may start to rust, but the shafts are made of a strong enough metal that the tips shouldn't get chewed up unless they are very heavily used.

These drivers are not magnetic, which some people (myself included) may see as a downside.  The set does not come with any storage for the drivers -- no box or rack -- and the drivers don't have holes in the handles, so if you want to hang them you'll have to get a screwdriver rack.

This set includes a good variety of drivers for all sorts of jobs.  There are small drivers that are good for opening battery covers on toys or remote controls, and big drivers that are sturdy enough for large screws.  The tip size, blade length, and type for each driver (for example, "PH2X4") is printed on the rubber handle so you can find the driver you're looking for quickly.

The Great Neck 22 piece Drivemaster screwdriver set is a good value for the amount of drivers that you get, as long as you have somewhere to store them.  It would make a great starter kit for someone who doesn't already have a lot of tools.

(Originally published on Helium.com, March 2013)

Tool Review: Snap-On SDDP122 Phillips Screwdriver

Key Features:
 +   Good contoured grip
 +   Holds up well to rust

 -   Magnet isn't great


Unless it has a cool feature or it breaks easily, there's not much you can say about a standard Phillips screwdriver.  The Snap-On SDDP122 Phillips screwdriver is a standard driver, but it compares favorably to other, similar drivers.

The SDDP122 has a magnetic tip.  The magnet strength isn't great but it works; it's about average compared to other magnetic screwdrivers that I've used.  The tip is a #2 Phillips tip.

This is an extra-long driver, not one you would typically carry around with you.  It measures about 16-1/2" but it's not overly heavy.  The handle is a typical contoured plastic Snap-On driver handle that provides an easy grip.  The handle comes in black, orange, and red.

Over time, this driver fares better than some others.  I kept it in my car for over five years, right next to a Wiha screwdriver, and the Wiha rusted quickly whereas the Snap-On still looks pretty good.

Since it's a Snap-On, you'll probably pay a bit more for it, but if you need an extra-long Phillips driver, the SDDP122 is a good one.

Tool Review: Pittsburgh Pro 94011 3-Piece Thumbwheel Ratchet Set

Key Features:
 +   Fits into tight places
 +   Cheaper than many other thumbwheel ratchets
 -   Wobbles easily when using it downward because of its weight


Thumbwheel ratchets are neat little tools, but they only have limited applications.  You wouldn't want to use one regularly, but when you need one, you'll be glad you have it.  When working on office equipment, cars, or even around the house, there are times when you need something small like a thumbwheel ratchet.  I bought the Pittsburgh Pro 3-piece thumbwheel ratchet set (part #94011) because it was the cheapest one I could find, and it was a good investment.

This set comes with three thumbwheel ratchets, each with a different drive size: 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2".  The ratchets are well-made and standard sockets fit well on them.  They have a thumb lever for changing the ratchet direction similar to other ratchet wrenches.

The ratchets are steel, with chrome plating.  They are heavy, and when you use them vertically facing down, they wobble very easily if you don't have a good grip.  The sides of the thumbwheel ratchets are textured and provide good (not great) grip.  The ratchets are about 1-1/2" in diameter and about 1" in height.

For the price, this set of ratchets can't be beat.  Harbor Freight sells this set of three for $5.99, and Amazon lists it at $5.49.  Other thumbwheel ratchet sets on Amazon sell for much more -- some over $20.00.