Tool Review: Sperry Instruments E132446 Outlet Circuit Tester

Sperry Instruments' outlet circuit tester (part #E132446) is just your basic, run of the mill outlet tester.  I bought mine for three or four bucks at Home Depot, and it has come in handy more than a few times.

The tester is designed to tell you whether or not your outlet has power, and whether it's wired correctly or not.  It couldn't be easier to use -- just plug it into an outlet.  The only limitations on this tester are that it won't work with non-grounded (two-wire) outlets, because it has three prongs on it, and it is only made for use with 120-volt circuits.

The tester has three lights, and depending on the condition of the outlet, some, all, or none of them will light up.  The legend that tells you what the different lights mean is printed right on the front of tester, and it is pretty specific.  For example, rather than simply telling you that the outlet is wired wrong, it will show you whether hot and ground are reversed, whether hot and neutral are reversed, or even if one of the lines is open.

It is small enough to fit in the palm of most people's hands, and it is lightweight and very portable.  The tester makes a great troubleshooting tool for copier and printer technicians -- as well as anyone who's working on a device that runs on 120-volt AC power -- to help determine if an electrical problem is internal or external to the device.  While it can't give you an exact reading like a voltmeter or multimeter can, or display a quick fluctuation in voltage, it will show you at a glance whether or not the outlet is providing the correct power.  And since it plugs right into the wall, it doesn't require batteries.  For very specific line problems, the tester is no substitute for a multimeter, but it is nice to have as an extra tool.  For what it's meant to do, I would give it 4.5 out of 5 stars.

This specific Sperry Instruments tester isn't currently available online, but you may be able to find it (or a similar one) at your local hardware store.  It looks like an electrical plug set into a squarish piece of yellow plastic, and it shouldn't be any more than five bucks.  You can also get a GFCI-compatible tester -- it performs just like the standard tester does, but it can also test (and reset) GFCI circuits.

(Originally published on Helium.com, April 2010)

Sperry Instruments tool reviews

Testers:

-  Sperry Instruments E132446 Outlet Circuit Tester

Tool Bench tool reviews

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

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).