Tool Review: Tool Bench 12-in-1 Screwdriver Set

The saying "you get what you pay for" holds true sometimes more than others. With the Tool Bench 12-in-1 Screwdriver Set (SKU# 178179) that maxim definitely applies.

The Tool Bench 12-in-1 Screwdriver Set is sold at Dollar Tree discount stores for a dollar. Any time you see a screwdriver with 12 attachments for a buck, you're probably right to be wary.

In theory, this set is nice. It comes with a driver, seven bits, and five sockets. The bits include one slotted bit, one Phillips bit, two star/Torx bits, two hex bits, and one 1/4" drive adapter (for the sockets). The packaging is very nondescript, and doesn't specify what sizes any of the bits or sockets are. The Phillips bit looks like it's probably a #2.

The sockets look okay, and they work okay, but the bits look soft and poorly-made. The star bits, even before their first use, are rounded at the top edges, so they will probably slip during use. The sockets fit loosely onto the 1/4" drive bit, which makes taking them off easier, but doesn't inspire a lot of confidence for their use.

This screwdriver's main selling point is that it can store all of the bits and sockets in its plastic handle. Half of the handle swings open, revealing 12 holes for storage. All of the bits and sockets are easy to take out and reinsert. The handle is held shut by a flimsy piece of plastic that barely latches over a small plastic tab, and it looks as though the plastic latch piece will break off after a handful of uses.

The driver itself is not particularly well made. The hole where the bits fit in is extremely shallow, and doesn't provide a lot of support for the bits themselves. The bits also fit loosely into the hole, and there is a significant amount of wiggle room.

All you really need to know about this tool is that it's sold for $1. Unless you are experiencing an emergency where you absolutely need a screwdriver and you don't have more than a dollar in your pocket, this driver and bit set is a waste of money. An argument could be made that it's worth the price for the 1/4" drive adapter bit, if you happen to need one, but you'd probably be better served spending a little more on a quality adapter.  I give this screwdriver 1.5 out of 5 stars.

(Originally published on Bubblews.com, January 2014)

Tool Review: Stanley 69-189 FatMax Ratcheting Screwdriver

Key Features:
 +   Bits lock into place
 +   Easy to adjust ratchet
 +   Plenty of storage for bits
 -    Bit storage cover doesn't feel very durable


I'd been looking for a good all-in-one, everyday-carry screwdriver recently.  The two screwdrivers I mainly relied on -- the Craftsman Auto-Loading Screwdriver and the Kobalt Double Drive Screwdriver -- were both good drivers, but I had recently received an Amazon gift card and what better way to spend it than on a new screwdriver?

The Craftsman is still one of my favorite drivers, but it doesn't ratchet.  The Kobalt is highly functional, but a little too bulky to carry.  Enter the Stanley FatMax Ratcheting Screwdriver (model #69-189).

The FatMax ratcheting screwdriver is very affordable -- only $8.15 on Amazon.  It comes with six bits:

- two square bits: #1 and #2
- two slotted bits: 1/8" (3mm) and 1/4" (6mm)
- two Phillips bits: #1 and #2

There is storage for all six bits in the handle, as well as room to store two additional bits so you can add other bits that you use often.  The bits are all standard hex bits, so they are easily interchangeable with other bit sets.  The bits are strong, and may chip slightly during use but hold up well.

The FatMax driver is not a light driver, and it feels heavy in your hand.  Almost all of the weight is in the handle, so it gives you added power when turning the driver.  It has a three-position ratchet, for loosening and tightening as well as a locked position.  The ratchet direction is easy to change during use.  The ratchet isn't a precision ratchet -- by feel, it seems to have 16 teeth -- but it works well enough for most applications.

The bits lock into the tip of the driver, which is a neat feature I'd never seen before.  Push the textured lock ring up to remove or insert a bit, and let it slide back down to lock the bit into place.  It's easy to install and remove bits, but the lock holds them securely in place.

The handle is designed in the black and yellow Stanley colors, with alternating rubber and plastic panels.  The rubber gives you good grip when turning the driver, and the ratcheting function is very easy to adjust.

The Stanley FatMax Ratcheting Screwdriver is heavier than I expected it to be, but it is a very good driver that could be an everyday screwdriver.  The only improvement I could reasonably expect on this driver would be to add a strong magnet to the tip, so the bits would be able to attract and hold screws, but you could easily add that capability by attaching a magnetic bit holder.

Tool Review: Titan 16061 61-Piece Bit Set

Key Features:
 +   Great selection of bits
 +   Bits are good quality
 -    Magnet in bit holder is weak


Recently we had an issue with our furnace not putting out heat.  I wanted to fix it, but some of the components were fastened with security screws.  I needed a set of security bits, and searched Lowe's and Advance Auto Parts without success.  Finally, at AutoZone, I came across the Titan 61 Piece Bit Set, part# 16061.

AutoZone sold this set of security bits and regular bits for about $15, which was more than I was looking to spend, but it seemed like a good bargain for the amount of bits it included.  There are 60 bits, plus a 2-1/2" magnetic bit holder, which is nice if you don't already have a magnetic driver.  The magnet in the bit holder isn't very strong, but it will suffice if you don't move your screwdriver too fast.

I am very impressed with this bit set.  It comes with such a wide selection of bits that you really don't need any additional bits for most projects.  There are slotted bits, Phillips bits, Torx/star bits, hex bits, security star bits, security hex bits, spanner bits, and even square bits.  More bits than most people would ever need, but definitely a good selection to have.

The bits are of durable quality.  I've used several cheap bits that start to wear down after the first use or two, but even after many uses these Titan bits have held up without so much as a scratch.  I haven't tried all of the bits, but the ones I've tried so far work great.

Even the plastic case they come in is nice.  It's a compact rectangular case, with enough room between each of the bits so that it's easy to remove and reinsert them.  The case isn't flimsy, and it stays shut so the bits won't fall out.  The back of the case lists all of the various bit types and sizes that are included, and it has a slide-out tab with a large hole so you can hang the case from a peg board or nail.

If you're looking for a good set of bits, I would strongly recommend this Titan set.  Titan is a brand of tools that is often cheaper than many others, and I've used a Titan pocket screwdriver before that I would not recommend buying, but this bit set is of good quality and is worth the $10 or $15 it will cost you.  It's a bit set you can rely on for a long time.  Amazon.com sells this set, currently listed for $12.19.

(Originally published in similar form on Bubblews.com, January 2014)

First Impressions: Stanley FatMax Multi-Bit Ratcheting Screwdriver

I just got the FatMax Ratcheting Screwdriver in the mail yesterday, and already I'm liking it.  I bought it to hopefully use as an everyday screwdriver, and it looks up to that task so far.  The bits lock in place nicely, it has plenty of storage in the handle -- you can even store more bits than came with the driver.  It did come with two square bits, which it didn't say in the description and I won't use much, but they will be replaced with other bits.

I'll post a full review after using it for a while, but for $8.15 I'm glad I bought this driver (at least, so far).

Tool Review: Tekton 2740 2-Piece Stubby Screwdriver Set

I've owned several different Tekton tools, and for the most part I have been disappointed with the quality. However, the Tekton 2740 2-piece stubby screwdriver set is rather impressive for an inexpensive pair of stubby drivers.

This set comes with two drivers -- a #2 Phillips driver and a 3/16" slotted driver. Both drivers are marked with their sizes. The drivers look typical for stubby screwdrivers -- fat handles and short shafts.  The shafts are 1-1/2" long, and the drivers from end to end are about 4" long. The plastic/rubber handles are colored Tekton's signature black and red, and the shafts are silver with painted black tips. Each driver has a hole in the handle so you can hang it from a peg (or a nail with a thin head).

The handles on these drivers are contoured differently than any other stubbies I've ever used, and they provide a very good grip. The handles bulb out toward the end, then slim down closer to the shafts, which makes for easy gripping and natural finger placement. The rubberized texture also adds to the grip.

The shafts are chrome vanadium and seem very strong. The tips of the shafts are painted black, which makes them look nice, but the paint chips off quickly with use. The tips are also magnetic -- a nice feature on almost any screwdriver. The magnets are strong enough to pick up and hang on to small to medium-sized screws, like the screws you would find in electronics, televisions, or office copiers.

This stubby set is a very good offering from Tekton. It comes with Tekton's lifetime warranty, which from what I've seen they stand behind very firmly. I give this stubby set 3.5 out of 5 stars, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good pair of stubby drivers. Amazon sells the Tekton 2740 stubby screwdriver set for $4.15 as an add-on item (which means you have to spend at least $25 on your order, but it is eligible for free shipping).

Tool Review: Gerber Mini Suspension-P Multi Tool

Before I bought the Gerber Mini Suspension-P, I'd never owned a Gerber multi tool, so I wasn't sure quite what to expect.  I've owned a couple of Gerber knives over the years and I was very impressed with them, and I'd had my eye on the Gerber Suspension multi tool for a while now.   (The Mini Paraframe is still, for my money, one of the best pocket knives around.)

Then recently I saw the Mini Suspension-P at Home Depot for about $10.  The price was right, so I took a chance and bought it.  After carrying it and using it for a couple of weeks now, I have to say I'm a little let down.

The Mini Suspension-P is not a bad multi tool.  It's about average compared to other $5 or $10 multi tools.  It's better than some Sheffield multi tools, and not as good as some others.  I wouldn't get rid of the Mini Suspension-P, but it won't make the cut as my "everyday-carry" multi tool.  I guess what I'm saying is, $10 is probably a fair price for it (perhaps a little high) but it's not worth any more than that.

The tool looks nice -- it has a neat straight-line finish with different shades of gray, and it looks like a lot of care went into its appearance.  Two of the implements (the knife and the nail file) are even labeled, which I've never seen before on a multi tool.

The Mini Suspension-P is sturdy.  Mine got dropped on concrete a few times (okay, thrown) and it has no scratches or scuff marks.  The pliers are strong and well-made, with good spring action.  The handles don't have any textured grip, but it's still easy to hold the pliers because of the strong spring action.

This multi tool is very heavy for its size, perhaps due to the strength built into the pliers.  The Mini Suspension-P is noticeably heavier than other multi tools of a similar size, and even heavier than some larger multi tools.  It comes with a loop that can be used with a key chain, but unless you like your key chains weighed down, you probably won't want the Mini Suspension-P hooked onto it.

The opening and closing action of the tool's handles is a lot jerkier than I've seen with other multi tools.  The handles don't swing open smoothly -- they sort of pop open in stages.  It makes for a neat snapping sound when you fold the tool up, but for quick access it's a little awkward.

It isn't a 15-in-1 multi tool, but the Mini Suspension-P does have some useful implements.  Aside from the pliers/wire cutters, there's a very serviceable knife, a nail file, a small pair of tweezers, a cross screwdriver (the flat blade kind) and large and small slotted screwdrivers.  The tools open from the outside, so you can get to any of them (other than the pliers) without having to open the handles.

The knife pivots out easily.  The tip isn't very sharp, but the blade is.  The nail file works, and it has a pick on the end.  The two slotted drivers are about what one would expect -- functional, but a little more rounded than they could be.  The tweezers work well but are very short, so they won't be able to reach into narrow spaces.

The Phillips driver is next to useless.  The tension on that driver (at least on my tool) and the design of the nail nick make it almost impossible to extract with your hand.  You need something to pry it out with just to be able to use it.  You can adjust the tension on the screwdriver with a Torx driver, but in order to do so you'll need two Torx drivers, because turning the one screw just makes the screw on the other side turn as well, which doesn't do anything for the tension.  You'd have to hold one Torx driver in place, as well as hold the multi tool, while you turn the other driver.

Once you get the Phillips driver out, it works okay for some screws.  For others, it won't grip the head enough to turn the screw.

The Gerber Mini Suspension-P is not a multi tool I would buy again, given the choice, nor recommend.  For the same price you can get a lighter multi tool that functions just as well.  I'll still look forward to testing its big brother, the Suspension, but I would recommend passing on this one.  If you want to check it out, Amazon.com lists it for $18.00 (eligible for free shipping) and HomeDepot.com sells it for $9.97.

Pros:
- strong pliers
- sturdy, well-made construction
- tools open from the outside
- two of the tools are labeled

Cons:
- Phillips screwdriver is difficult to extract
- too heavy for its size
- tweezers would be much more useful if they were longer
- pliers don't open or close smoothly

(originally published in the Multitool.org forum, July 2014)

Gerber tool reviews

Multi Tools:
- Gerber Mini Suspension-P Multi Tool
- Gerber Shard
- Gerber Vise