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)