The CRKT Tool 9200 is a new compact multi-tool for everyday carrying (EDC). While it lacks pliers and scissors, the Tool has a fairly strong feature set that makes it a nice almost minimalist tool. Designed by knifemakers Ed Van and Tom Stokes, the CRKT Tool has a clean and stylish appearance and is probably better described as a bonus-featured pocket knife than a multi-tool.

CRKT Tool Features

• 2.25-inch liner-lock straight-edge knife blade
• saw-tooth blade
• multi-fit box wrench
• wire stripper
• Phillips and slotted screwdrivers
• bit driver with additional screwdriver bits
• bottle opener
• belt clip and sheath

From the looks of it, the bit driver probably fits over the Phillips or slotted screwdrivers and accepts standard 1/4″ hex bits. The bits store away in a black plastic sleeve, which pops into the back pocket of the included sheath.

The CRKT Tool weighs 5.1 ounces by itself, and is a very pocketable 4-inches long when closed. MSRP is $50. No release date has been announced, but we see that the Tool is coming soon.

More Info via CRKT

While you could just buy one of those all-in-one home tool sets, you get better variety and usefulness if you customize and piece together your own kit. This also allows you to spend more on tools you plan to use frequently and to cheapen out on tools you don’t plan to use as often.

By no means is this an all-encompassing list, but I’ve narrowed it down to the 12 basic and essential tools homeowners and aspiring DIYers should have readily available. Think of it more as the first 12 tools (or tool types) a homeowner should buy. I could have easily expanded the list, but had to draw the line somewhere.

0. Safety Gear – Goggles, Hearing Protection, Gloves

PPE, or personal protective equipment is so essential that it’s number 0 on our list. At the bare minimum you’ll need safety glasses, but goggles offer added protection against chemical splashes. Pick up a box of latex or nitrile gloves to protect against potentially harmful or gross substances. Rugged work gloves are an inexpensive addition to consider, and ear muffs or earplugs protect your hearing when using power tools or noisier kitchen appliances.

Safety goggle recommendations; Hearing protection: Peltor ear muffs

Also worth picking up – a pack of disposable or semi-reusable respirators. Make sure they’re rated N95 or N100, or P95 or P100 for added protection against oil-based aerosols. You only have one pair of lungs!

1. Utility Knife

Utility knives are handy for a wide variety of cutting tasks, and are far better for opening boxes and clamshell packages than cheap paper-cutting scissors. There are plenty of brands and styles available, with basic models priced at $4-7. Tip: be sure to always keep a few replacement blades on-hand.

ToolGuyd Favorites: Stanley QuickSlide (~$12 via Amazon) and Dewalt Folding Utility Knife

2. Tape Measure

Tape measures are especially important for new homeowners and will be heavily utilized when planning out empty rooms. There are many brands, sizes, shapes, and styles available, and it’s okay to start off with a basic model. I recommend starting out with a 25-foot model for home use, and perhaps a small 10 or 12-foot pocketable model to carry when shopping for furniture or room accessories.

Inexpensive 25ft: Stanley PowerLock (~$11 via Amazon); Super-compact: Komelon 10′ ($7 via Amazon)

3. Multi-Bit Screwdrivers

Everyone’s screwdriver needs will be different, but a multi-bit screwdriver is usually a safe bet and can handle most basic tasks. Budget-permitting, a screwdriver set is also a solid investment and usually offers better ergonomics and comfort. There’s also the slightly above bare-minimum combo option: a multi-bit driver plus a quality #2 Phillips screwdriver.

$: Picquic multi-bit ($11 via Amazon); $$: Channellock ratcheting screwdriver; $$$: Wiha 12pc screwdriver set ($55 via Amazon)

Remember, one can never have too many screwdrivers!

3.5 Precision Screwdrivers

Most people neglect to buy precision/jewelers/mini screwdrivers until they really need them, at which point they run out and buy the cheap low-quality sets many retailers insist on pushing. For infrequent use, a 5 or 6-piece set for $5-10 set should suffice.

Trusted brands: Xcelite, Craftsman, Wiha, Wera, Felo, General Tools, Stanley (sometimes), PB Swiss, Moody.

4. Hex Key Set

Two words – IKEA furniture. Sure, a teeny tiny double-ended hex key is included with products that require it, but having full-size hex keys can make ready-to-assemble and knock-down furniture MUCH easier and quicker to assemble. It’s even better if you have T-handle drivers.

If you’re going all-out, ball hex drivers are better for accessing fasteners in tight spots, but straight-hex drivers can handle more torque. Consider buying an all-in-one hex key set for general purpose use and full-size 4mm, 5mm, and 6mm drivers for IKEA assembly and bicycle maintenance needs.

ToolGuyd Favorite: Bondhus ball hex (via Amazon), made in USA.

Tip: You’ll need both inch and metric sizes. Sometimes both sets are sold bundled together.

5. 16oz Claw Hammer + Dead Blow Hammer or Mallet

A 16oz claw hammer is great for driving in smaller nails here and there, and a dead blow hammer is useful for general pounding tasks. And yes, you’ll need both. For the claw hammer, there’s no need for anything fancy – a simple hickory-handled hammer should fit the bill. For the dead blow hammer, a 2 or 3lb model is a good choice, and at least one non-marring face is preferable.

Dead blow hammers can be expensive. If you’re unsure about needing one, consider a non-marring or rubber mallet instead.

Claw hammer: Vaughan or Craftsman; Non-marring: 24oz Vaughan ($20 via Amazon); Dead Blow: Nupla Power Drive ($37 via Amazon)

6. LED Flashlight

Think about a few of the times you may need a flashlight – when the lights go out unexpectedly, when an object rolls under a heavy piece of furniture, or when you hear a ruckus in your yard in the middle of the night. Do you really want to risk your flashlight failing during any of those times? For home use, a 2D or 3D Maglite is harder to lose.

Inexpensive and Trustworthy Favorite: Maglite LEDs ($15+ via Amazon)

7. Adjustable Wrench, Combination Wrenches, Ratchet and Socket Set

At the very least, you’ll need two adjustable wrenches – an 8-inch long model and maybe a 6-inch or 10-inch. Maybe even a 12-inch, but at that point you may be better off with a heavier duty pipe wrench. You can get away from needing longer versions by buying an extra-wide-capacity 8-inch or 10-inch wrench.

Two adjustable wrenches can accomplish a lot – one can hold a hex nut fixed while the other is used to tighten or loosen a hex-head bolt. Beyond adjustable wrenches, consider a adding combination wrenches, which offer greater versatility and improved clearance. A 9-piece metric and 9-piece inch/standard/SAE set should suffice until your needs grow more advanced.

You may not need one right away, but a ratchet and socket set offers even more accessibility options and a speed advantage. Prices range from $20 to $200+, and it’s okay to wait for a good sale to maximize the bang per buck.

Recommendations: Favorite adjustable wrenches; Combination wrenches: Craftsman; Inexpensive ratchet & socket set: Craftsman or Kobalt

8. Pliers and Cutters

This is another big category. To start off with, you’ll need long-nose pliers and either slip-joint pliers or combination pliers. Channellock or tongue-and-groove style pliers are also good to have. If pliers you choose feature built-in cutters, you won’t need a pair of diagonal cutters right away.

Mini bolt or heavy duty utility cutters and a wire stripper or general-purpose electrical multi-tool are also good choices if your budget allows for it.

Recommended brands: Stanley, Channellock and Klein

9. Saw – Hand, Hack, Corded or Cordless

At one point or another, you’re going to need to cut things. There are many, many tools that can handle the job, with new designs coming out every year. If you don’t know what you’ll need to cut, consider a jab saw that accepts reciprocating saw blades, and bundle it with a few general purpose metal, plastic and wood-cutting blades.

Eventually you’ll probably want to pick up a hand saw and hack saw, and possibly even a corded or 12V cordless mini reciprocating saw, like the Bosch pS60. Most basic projects, such as cutting shelves down to size, are best accomplished with a circular saw.

You can hold off on buying a circular saw if you ask the home center or lumber yard to cut your boards down to size before you pay. Most places offer 1-2 free cuts per board, with a marginal fee for additional cuts.

Recommendations: Hand saw: Stanley; Hack saw: Dewalt or Bahco

10. Tool Box

You will need a tool box to help keep everything together. Otherwise, some of your tools will end up in a junk drawer, others will be in the basement, and the rest will be scattered elsewhere. A tool box, even an inexpensive $15 plastic one, will help keep everything in one place. As your tool collection grows, so should the size of your tool box. Alternatively, tool bags often feature a number of pockets and compartments that can help with organization.

Recommendations: Stanley, Keter, Craftsman

11. Cordless Drill Driver + Drill and Screwdriver Bit Set

Cordless drill drivers can be pricey, so it’s okay to wait until you need one to go shopping. Selecting the right cordless drill driver for your needs is a whole discussion in itself, so all I’ll say for now is to stick to reputable brands. Stay away from NiCd if you can help it – you can often find a very good 12V Lithium ion model for the same price as a just-okay 18V NiCd model.

As for drill bits, screwdriver bits and accessories, you get what you pay for. Beware of cheap drill bit sets, especially those by unfamiliar brand names.

General recommendations: Bosch, Dewalt, Kobalt, Makita, Ridgid, Milwaukee, Hitachi, Craftsman Nextec.

12. Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum

This is one of those things that you might not think you need until you NEED it. Shop vacuums are great for heavier messes, and when vacuuming up materials that household  vacs simply aren’t designed to handle.

Even an inexpensive shop vacuum will likely last for many years, stretching out its $50-$150 initial investment. As with most things, the more you spend the more you get. Higher-priced vacs come with larger capacity tanks, additional features (e.g. a built-in blower and water drainage valve), larger capacity and longer hoses, more attachments, and longer power cords.

Recommended brands: Shop Vac, Ridgid, Craftsman

PLUS

There are several other tools that, while not as absolutely essential as those listed above, can greatly improve project results or make certain tasks easier to accomplish. At the minimum, I would suggest the following layout tools: 12″ or 16″ combination square with detachable straightedge, 9″ torpedo level, 24″ level and a Speed Square (<$4 via Amazon). And if you’re going to be mounting anything to your walls, you’re going to need a stud finder.

I was going to make these layout tools #11 on the list, but technically you can get around not having them. But how are you going to drill anchor holes for new window shades without a drill?

I Disagree, I Disagree!

I don’t expect everyone to agree with my recommendations and welcome you to share your own opinions in a comment. If you’re a regular ToolGuyd reader, maybe you already have a fully-loaded toolbox. Or maybe it’s half-filled and you’re still building it up piece by piece. Think back – which were the first 12 or so tools that you purchased?

You probably already own a set of screwdrivers, a 1/4″ hex bit screwdriver or two, multi-bit all-in-one drivers, and a variety of 1″ and 2″ hex screwdriver bits for use with cordless drills and drivers. But do you have a T-handle driver? If yes, feel free to skip ahead to the comments and tell us why you like you T-handle driver, or whether it sits in your tool box unused and unloved.

Even if you don’t own one, you have probably seen T-handle drivers before. Maybe not with universal 1/4″ hex bit holders, but T-handles are very commonly found with hex or Torx screwdriver tips. A lot of people ignore this without giving it a second thought, figuring that it’s just how these types of drivers are made.

In actuality, T-handles offer a number of advantages over ordinary handle styles. Obviously, T-handles are wider than most screwdriver handles, which is important for two reasons. First, this means that you can potentially deliver greater torque with a T-handle than you can with a regular screwdriver. Even if you don’t need to drive a fastener just a little bit tighter, greater torque offers you the ability to achieve similar results while exerting less effort.

Second, the way T-handle drivers are designed, you should be able to comfortably apply greater pressure with your palm than you could with an ordinary screwdriver. This can this make starting and tightening screws easier in certain applications, and can also help avoid cam-out when using Phillips bits.

There are additional benefits as well. Commonly featuring low narrow shafts and low-profile handles, T-handle drivers can sometimes access fasteners when a regular screwdriver is too short or bulky to reach them. Have ever had to twirl a screwdriver with your fingertips because of low clearance issues? It’s not a pleasant experience.

T-handled drivers can also be spun quicker to speed up the initial driving or final removal of threaded fasteners. Simply loosely support the shaft with one hand, and twirl the T-handle with the other. At least one brand adds free-spinning plastic collars to their T/P handle hex drivers to make this even easier. This usually works best with machine screws though, and not wood or sheet metal screws which encounter higher frictional forces.

Although not really an advantage, T-handle hex bit holders are cheap. If you go the generic no-name import route, you can probably buy a handle and bit set for $5. Quality drivers can be found for $10-15, and decent ratcheting T-handles, sometimes with bit kits, start at $20-25. I don’t know about you, but I have accumulated dozens of 1″ screwdriver bits. When I purchased a T-handle hex driver set, I gained a couple of new drivers. When I purchased a T-handle bit holder, I gained dozens of new drivers in a wide range of sizes and bit styles.

The most common individual T-handle drivers have hex or Torx tips. That is not to say that you cannot find other screwdriver bit styles in this form factor. Although, while I have seen nut drivers and Phillips drivers with T-handles, I don’t recall ever seeing slotted tip T-handle drivers. For casual use, a T-handle screwdriver bit holder may be all you need. If you find yourself using it quite a bit, you can always add individual T-handle drivers or sets as necessary.

T-handle drivers have two notable disadvantages. First, most do not really offer the same comfort as today’s ergonomic, bimaterial, and super-cushioned screwdriver handles. The way they must be gripped just does not allow for that, although manufacturers have been getting better.

The second disadvantage is that T-handle drivers can provide too much torque. Forget about using smaller ball hex bits with regular T-handle drivers. If you lose your focus for a second and apply a little too much torque, you’re probably going to twist the ball off inside the fastener head. That is not a position you ever want to be in. When dealing with Phillips bits, greater palm pressure and higher torque can lead to bit or fastener damage, if you don’t yet have a controlled feel for how tightened things are.

Overall, the benefits of a T-handle bit holder greatly outweigh the slight disadvantages, at least in my experience. Although I regularly use quite a few different T and P-handle screwdrivers, I find that my T-handle bit holder sees almost as much use by itself. With universal 1/4″ hex bit compatibility, I can quickly swap in whichever bit I need for the job, especially if on-the-go with a limit to how much I can carry.

Which to buy? Well, that’s really a story for another time since there are many recommendable options, but if you’re looking for a great quality non-ratcheting driver, the Felo 5-inch T-handle is a good place to start.

Last week we received samples of Channellock’s new ratcheting screwdrivers, and I immediately fell in love with the 13 ‘N 1 driver. I have used quite a few ratcheting screwdrivers, and feel that the 13-in-1 is definitely one of the better ones out there, especially in its sub-$40 price range.

As mentioned in our preview, the driver comes with a 1/4″ nut driver and  double-ended bits: Phillips bit tips #0, 1, 2, 3; slotted bit tips #4, 6; Torx 10, 15, 20, 25; square recess bits #1, 2.

Everything about the Channellock 13-in-1 just screams of quality – from the bit-holding cartridge and comfortable texture grip, to the ratcheting mechanism and direction selection switch.

Saying that the fine-tooth ratcheting mechanism is smooth is somewhat of an understatement. It doesn’t click, it zips. I know that you can’t really judge a ratcheting mechanism by how it sounds, but it’s just so pleasing to the ear, as a high-quality square drive ratchet sounds.

Cheaper drivers usually require much more finesse to find the right direction setting, with occasional hunting- most certainly not the case with this one. The ratcheting direction selector has a very small range of motion, but it quickly locks into the right setting every time.

Driver Comes With 6 Double-Ended Bits

The only flaw I could find is the slightly rounded tip of the nut driver where 3 of the 6 hex flats are perfect and 3 are slightly rounded. But, beyond the tip the shaft is perfectly formed and grips the hex-shanked screwdriver bits securely with absolutely no play. Thus, the flaw is likely only cosmetic in nature and does not affect the function of the driver in any way.

Overall, I very highly recommend the Channellock 13 ‘N 1 ratcheting screwdriver. It appears identical to Megapro’s ratcheting driver, suggesting a common OEM. The driver is made in Canada, the bits in Taiwan.

Purchase via Amazon
13 ‘N 1 Ratcheting Screwdriver via Channellock

Here is a brief 2-min video review of the ratcheting driver:

Thank you to Channellock for providing the sample for this review unconditionally. Review samples are typically returned, donated, or in some cases retained for further testing or benchmark and comparison purposes.

Yesterday we discussed two new Channellock ratcheting screwdrivers, and it has got me wondering about what everyone else thinks about such tools. Multi-bit screwdrivers have been a DIY and pro favorite for a while now, and ratcheting drivers have appeared on the market in droves in recent years at all price ranges.

So what do you think, do you like ‘em, or not?

Tim from Charles and Hudson photographed this new Milwaukee doohickey at a recent product unveiling. From the looks of it, this is an insert bit storage holder with a built-in magnetic bit holder.

Without any official information to go by, my best guess is that the bit holder is removal and can be inserted into the tool at the bottom of the tool. This would turn the whole shebang into a screwdriver!

One of the handles of the accessory looks to be able to pivot, which may allow you to also use the tool as a T-handle driver to apply greater torque! Probably not, though, if the tool is made of plastic as it looks to be.

The right handle/arm is grooved to accommodate the tips of the insert bits, with the exposed metal notches at the front of the tool serving as handy wire strippers.

Photo by Timothy/Charles and Hudson

UPDATE:

This new photo from OneProjectCloser shows that I had been right about the assumed function of the tool.

Photo by Ethan/OneProjectCloser

Albert sent in an email asking for help finding a long (>4″) bit holder or extension with a thin-profile 1/4″ hex socket, that is similar in quality to the Wera Rapidaptor.

If you know of such a product, please let us know about it in a comment!

When my own Rapidaptor isn’t long enough to get the job done, I use a 4-3/4″ extension,and for even greater reach I stack the two together. For narrow-area work, 6″ screwdriver power bits are a great solution, but a thin-walled hex bit holder really would be more versatile, not to mention more cost efficient.

A Phillips and hollow ground straight bit is included with the TorqKey, but it also accepts any 1/4″ hex bit. The handle features a convenient hole for attaching it to a keyring.

CountyComm TorqKey

If you’re looking to replace old insert bits or need new sizes, check out these currently discounted bit sets on Amazon.

PB Swiss 10-Piece Set – There’s very little information about this set available, but according to this source, the CA6-972/C6-972 model number refers to a 10-piece Torx bit set. 10 PB Swiss Torx bits for $8 is a pretty good deal.

(Update: see comment #1, apparently these aren’t Torx bits after all.)

Wera 30pc Bit Set with Rapidaptor – Seeing as how a Rapidaptor bit holder is about $12 itself, the Bit Check’s $21 price is a bargain. Personally, I would only ever use maybe half the bits, but the Rapidaptor and handy case make the deal hard to refuse. Here’s a list of included bits.

PB Swiss’s new BikeTool is one of the best looking and most compact bike tool kits that I’ve ever seen! The BikeTool features an assortment of hex and other bits needed for common adjustments, an L-key driver, magnetic bit holder adapter and 2 tire levers.

I cannot get over how compact the PB Swiss mini bike tool kit is, but unfortunately it doesn’t look like it’s available in the USA yet. Hopefully a distributor will pick it up soon!

PB Swiss BikeTool Product Info

Count on Tools, a PB Swiss Tools full-line distributor, sent out an email yesterday announcing their 30%-off Black Friday 2K10 sale. The sale will take place from 12:01 am to 11:59pm EST on Friday Novemeber 26th.

If for whatever reason you can’t place your order during that time frame, don’t fret – there will also be a weekend-long 20% -off sale from Saturday 11/27 through Monday 11/29.

All of my previous PB Swiss Tool purchases have been with Amazon due to their lower prices and free shipping policy. But, Amazon doesn’t seem to want to restock many items these days. Remember the PB Swiss Insider we reviewed a long time ago? Out of stock for over a year. The new Insider 2 and ratcheting Insider? Never even carried by Amazon.

Moving forward Count on Tools looks to be a more reliable source for PB Swiss Tools. If only they also offered free shipping!!

One final note about the sale – the 30%/20% discounts are not valid on final closeout items.

Shop for PB Swiss Tools via Count on Tools

This weekend I visited a few major tool and home improvement stores for a sneak peek of their winter holiday tool gift displays. As expected, the two Home Depots closest to me had most of their displays up already.

Similar to last year’s selection, there were a few power tools in the mix, but there was a very strong emphasis on Husky hand tool sets. Following is a brief guide to most of these tools.

Power Tool Deals

There were a few power tools in the mix – Makita circular saws, Milwaukee M12 cordless kits, Bosch angle grinders, and of course all the Ridgid JobMax cordless tools that we recently reviewed. I anticipate that there will be at least one Ridgid shop vacuum model and an assortment of Ryobi cordless power tools discounted and put up on display as Black Friday nears.

Cheap LED Flashlights

There were quite a few cheap flashlights on display. Some were sold solo, others as part of 2-packs. Last year and the year before, Home Depot had 6 and 10-piece multi-flashlight packs on sale, but I didn’t spot any of those this time around.

These are 6-LED flashlights, at $2.88 apiece. They feel very light and well, at less than $3 apiece, I don’t expect a lot. Given the numbers Home Depot had on display, perhaps they’ll be discounted down to $2 or even $1 on Black Friday.

There was also a large display of these flamed-out flashlights for $4.88 each. No comment.

Husky Hand Tools & Tool Sets

There were a LOT of new Husky tool sets that I’ve never seen before. Thinking back two years ago, I remember a rather interesting new Husky multi-bit screwdriver design that could be fitted with one of several included pre-loaded bit cartridges. Once that Christmas shopping rush ended, I never saw that screwdriver ever again.

It may be a fair conclusion that Home Depot specially commissions many of these tools and tool sets just for the holiday shopping season. I’m sorry, but this leads to implications that don’t sit well with me. The last time I bought a special holiday tool assortment, an Irwin drill and driving bit set, I was  gravely disappointed with the quality.

Many if not all of the Husky tools are “guaranteed forever.” Sounds good, but what happens if they fail within a few months and Home Depot no longer carries these “special buy” tools? They’re “special buys” as long as “supplies last”, so what does this mean in terms of the guarantee? Something to think about.

Husky 48-in-1 Ratcheting Rotary Socket Wrench

We spoke about this tool quite a bit already. I personally don’t care for the design, but it looks like it will sell well regardless.

Husky PowerTek Precision Screwdriver Set

This Husky 13-piece powertek precision screwdriver set features a cordless battery-powered bit driver that includes an assortment of precision bits. In my opinion, it’s still too large and probably unwieldy for working on delicate electronics and the like. ”Real” precision screwdrivers often have free-rotating caps and are ergonomically designed for finger-tip control.

If I were to ever try out a battery-powered precision screwdriver (not likely in the foreseeable future), my first choice would be General’s svelter model.

Husky Stubby Hammer and Stubby Adjustable Wrench

Next to these $2 hammers and adjustable wrenches were $0.26 stubby slotted screwdrivers. Stocking stuffers?

Husky Workbench Mechanics’s Set

“Work Bench Mechanics’s Set.” What does that even mean?! In any case this Husky 28-piece workbench mechanic’s set includes a 6-piece set of mini combination wrenches, 1/4″ and 3/8″ ratchets with 18 sockets, and two 3″ extensions, all for $14.88.

Husky Compact Ratcheting Driver

These compact ratcheting drivers include a selection of insert bits and cost a modest $5.88. It looked a bit large for what I would use it for, although I’m curious about how the tool performs. Not curious enough to spend $6 to find out.

Husky T-Handle Driver Set

This Husky 20-piece T-handle driver set does not look half bad, but at $9.88 I question the durability of the screwdrivers’ tips, especially since T-handles can be used to exert greater torque than traditional handles.

A different normally stocked Husky 14-piece T-handle hex driver set is typically priced at $25. This particular “special buy” set includes 9 T-handle drivers, a ratcheting T-handle bit driver, and a 10-piece insert bit set for less than $10. Also in comparison, a ratcheting T-handle bit driver at Harbor Freight is about $10 by itself.

Husky 22-inch Cantilever Organizer

This looks similar to the rebranded Keter organizers I’ve seen elsewhere. I love the design, but the bins felt a bit too light and flimsy in comparison to others I’ve checked out before. It’s about $30, which I would instead use to buy two Stanley organizers. The case felt fairly solid and is still on my wishlist, but just a little lower now.

Husky Ratcheting T-Handle Driver Set

This Husky 32-piece ratcheting T-handle driver set includes a handle, a few sockets, and an assortment of insert bits for $9.88. As mentioned, a similar driver by itself costs $10 at Harbor Freight.

Husky 45-Piece Stubby Tool Set

For $14.97, you get a Husky stubby adjustable wrench, a Husky ratcheting screwdriver, a stubby ratchet, and an assortment of sockets, bits and adapters.

Husky Tri-Grip Screwdriver Set

This Husky Tri-Grip screwdriver set includes a ratcheting driver, an extension, 14 sockets, and 32 screwdriver bits for $9.88. I couldn’t really get a feel for the Tri-Grip handle through all the plastic, but it looked interesting enough.

Husky Screwdriver Bit Set

It looks like the bit selection is color coded, and may be worthwhile just for the bits. The set is $9.88, but there are probably better bargains on import bit sets if if you search around.

Other Husky Tool Sets

There were other Husky tool sets on display as well, some at the $5 and under price point. Looking online, there’s a “special buy” 40-piece ratcheting bit driver set for $2.

I hesitate to call call these cheap tools junky outright, but their prices are ridiculously low, and many of their designs are a little gimmicky. It’s as if Husky highlighted all of the tool fads out there these days and raced to come up with something similar in as little time and for as little cost as possible. Many of these tools feature ratcheting mechanisms, which unsettles me further. I would much rather prefer a tool that does not ratchet over a tool that ratchets poorly.

It is unfair for me to criticize the tools without checking out their performance firsthand, so I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. That said, we’re eager to hear your opinions and user reviews, and are certainly open-minded to contrasting points of view.

(Ed. Note: It turns out that the positive reviews left in comments are fake. See this post for details.)

Over at Amazon, this 6-piece Wiha t-handle ball hex driver set is currently on sale for under $11. We ordered a set for outselves a few months ago at a similar price, and they’ve been performing reasonably well.

We’re not sure if this is a real sale or another instance of Amazon’s random low-pricing teasing, but the price has been stable for a few days.

Sizes include: 5/32, 3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8 inch.

Wiha 54091 6-piece T-handle hex driver set via Amazon

Long-time reader Joe sent us a comment recommending the Lutz 15-in-1 ratcheting screwdriver. Joe writes:

I was on vacation and had to assemble a ton of flat pack furniture and picked this up at the local Ace.

I have used ratcheting screwdrivers before and they always seemed clunky and cheap. This little screwdriver made the job so much easier.

The Lutz 15-in-one ratcheting screwdriver does look to be quite a bit more compact than the ones in my toolbox, and at only $15 I may have to try one out. Thanks Joe for the recommendation!

Lutz 15-in-one Ratcheting Screwdriver via Amazon
Product Info via Lutz

Park Tool’s p-handled wrench set is the de-facto starter set for bicycle maintenance. Featuring a convenient Bondhus balldriver and a high-torque straight hex tip, these drivers are highly versatile, and can be used on bikes or around the home and shop.

The offset P-handles of these drivers make them quite comfortable to use, even in high torque applications. It is because they have two hex tip options (ball and straight) that make them a better choice for working on bikes than standard T-handled or L-shaped wrenches.

If you already have a complete metric ball-tipped hex wrench set, you may want to consider purchasing separate P-handled drivers in the most commonly used sizes (4mm, 5mm, 6mm) instead of a complete set to save some cash.

Park Tool PH-1 P-Handled Hex Wrench Set via Amazon
Park Tool Separate P-Handled Hex Wrenches via Amazon
Product Info via Park Tool