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.
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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.
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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.
Carol Griffin
Nice tool, and good video demonstrating it!
Superautobacs
I’ve had mine for over a year (the original Megapro) and just love it, especially for the price (I’m in Canada and it’s a bit cheaper). The size of the grip is quite robust, providing a lot of gripping power for the user, and the low-drag ratcheting is really top class.
I think its close competitor would be the Taiwanese-made Hi-Five ratcheting screwdriver, which has been rebranded and sold under a few brands in North America: SK, Bluepoint, and Great Neck.
Robert
When I see things like this I always have mixed feelings. Although I haven’t examined one personally, there are issues that these things all have in common. It’s usually something that you don’t appreciate until after you’ve made the purchase.
While double sided bits have advantages, they are largely proprietary. Channellock may make replacements available, but the company has you over a barrel. This is true with any manufacturer. Typically you can’t purchase them anywhere but through mail order. By the time you make the purchase and pay for shipping, you’ve spent more than the cost of a decent 6 in 1 driver. I don’t doubt the quality of the driver. I’ve come to respect the Channellock name. They’re one of the few companies that still make their products in the USA. That’s enough to make me overlook some things like proprietary issues. On the other hand, it’s not a cheap purchase or cheap to own over the long run.
If this driver accepted standard quarter inch hex bits with enough storage for thirteen or so, I’d be very interested. I know that everyone’s experiences are different. Here’s my experience. If I’m working on a project that requires something other than a Phillips or slotted bit, it still won’t have the bit I need anyway. Then I’ll end up with my standard bit driver and my stash of standard hex bits. I’ve tried a 9, 10, 11 in one, and so on, but I always go back to the same thing. I generally just carry a 6 in 1 and a standard bit driver with a stash of bits. The 6 in 1 is faster and more straightforward than something like this. In addition, if I need to replace a bit, it’s almost as cheap to purchase another 6 in 1 without the hassle of ordering bits through the mail.
I have a Stanley ratcheting driver that cost around twelve bucks. I’ve put gobs of torque on it and never had a problem. It takes standard hex bits, and works in conjunction with everything I have. The bottom line is that while this looks like a great driver, I wouldn’t pay 40 bucks for it.
Robert
Patrick
I actually have the Megapro version of this driver and needed a replacement bit, so I called and they sent me a bit for free. I think service like that makes the purchase worthwhile, plus the drivers are cheaper on Amazon (you can get a ratcheting driver from Megapro for $30 and it’s pretty much exactly the same driver)
Stuart
Current prices for the bits from Megapro are $1.75 each. I have also seen such double ended bits with ball detents for $1.35 to $2.20 from industrial suppliers, although the selection is not as vast.
I don’t recall ever seeing a 1/4″ bit holder with a ball detent in its shaft, but I imagine that it could be made cheaply enough in quantity. That would definitely make these types of drivers far more versatile.
For Channellock’s target pro audience and most homeowners, these drivers come with the most common bits – most that regular users will ever need. For the times I need to use other types of bits (e.g. hex), I will likely reach for a one-piece driver or in a pinch another ratcheting or non-ratcheting screwdriver handle.
But for many repeated hand-fastening operations, there is a clear advantage to using drivers like this one, even with their insert bit compatibility limitations.
KenZ
I’ve had the megapro variant (it is definitely the same), and it’s awesome. I bought several for the shop, house, hand vehicle. It’s the one go-to screwdriver I use, and literally gave away a box of assorted other drivers. It’s that good. Pricey compared to some giant pack of individual screwdrivers at some bargain box store, but this is a single, dependable, go to tool for the job.
Dave H.
Just purchased the Megapro version but it is going back. It is too large to hold comfortably and I have LARGE hands. Quality seems very nice.
Stuart
I am surprised that you found the Megapro version of the ratcheting screwdriver to be too large. If you were talking about the non-ratcheting drivers, I would agree in a heartbeat. The ratcheting driver handle is a bit fatter than many of my other screwdriver handles, but not excessively so.
If you find a more comfortably-sized ratcheting screwdriver, I’d be very interested to hear about it! I have heard good things about Wera’s ratcheting driver handles, but I have also heard some complains about them being too small.
Joe Mamma
It’s looks interesting, but a little gimicky. I don’t know how well it will hold up. I had bad experiences with Channellock’s warranty recently, so I’ll stay away.
Robert
Proprietary parts are one of the most lucrative games that manufacturers play. Companies generally make more profit on replacement parts than they do on the key item. Camera dealers don’t make money on cameras. They make it on those nice lenses and flashes that go with them. Consumers have grown accustomed to it and have accepted it over time. You see it everywhere from cell phone batteries to chargers for electronic items, etc. If this item had a strong magnetic tip and was compatible with standard quarter inch hex bits, that would be different.
I agree with the last entry. These things tend to be gimmicky. They look good in theory, but don’t live up to the hype over time. When I find myself needing a ratchet driver, it’s usually a job where I don’t need multiple bit changes anyway. I might be assembling furniture for example. It’s not unusual that 1 bit is all I need for the project. When I’m using a ratchet, it’s often because I’m putting more torque on fasteners and don’t want to wear out my hand. If I need to change bits, it’s more likely to be a replacement for the bit I was already using. Instead of simply grabbing a quick replacement with a standard bit, I’m forced to grab another driver until I can acquire another propriety bit.
If I need rapid bit changes, I’m usually working on something like replacing electrical outlets or switches. I cases like that, a ratchet driver is all but pointless anyway. There’s really no substitute for a 6 in 1 which is much more straightforward. For the same reason I won’t purchase a digital camera that takes propriety batteries, I wouldn’t purchase one of these.
Although I haven’t examined one personally, I saw an interesting driver from Megapro. It’s a compact 7 in 1 ratchet that takes standard hex bits. It can be found for around twenty dollars. And unlike this, it’s something that can be used in a fairly confined space. Now that’s something I could be interested in.
As previously stated, I find these things to be better in theory than practical application. I try them, but I’m generally sorry I spent the money.
Robert
If anyone’s interested, I’ll tell you about a personal system that I carry. It weighs very little. It can be carried all the time in a work environment, and will handle almost any typical “non-outrageous” application.
Stuart
Robert, you have a very good point. These bits are not too proprietary, though, and can be purchased from a few industrial suppliers. I recall seeing similar bits in-store from different brands as well. But I do agree about the hassle of having to purchase replacement bits mail-order or having to track down a retail store that carries suitable replacements.
I typically prefer 1/4″ hex insert-bit-holding drivers as well, but find drivers like this one to be almost as equally handy. In this case, my affinity for the comfortable handle and ratchet mechanism makes me overlook the hassle of less common bit compatibility. I have seen the compact insert-bit Megapro driver online, but have also been told about a full-size one that accepts the same 1-inch bits.
I’d love to hear about your personal system, and if you’re able to snap a photo or describe it in enough detail, maybe we can feature it in its a post. Let me know what you think.
Robert
Although a photo makes a better statement, I’ll attempt to describe what I carry. I’m always looking for lightweight alternatives with lots of function. The tool that I use more than anything for incidental tasks is a screwdriver. I envisioned something that could be routinely carried on my belt that could handle a majority of incidental driving tasks.
One day while shopping at Home Depot, an accessory from Dewalt caught my eye. It’s something that looks pretty ordinary, but has a unique feature. It’s a quick release chuck that accepts anything with a standard quarter inch hex shank. We’ve all seen similar items. You normally chuck one into a drill driver. Then you have a quick change system for your screwdriver bits and even many drill bits. What makes this item unique, is that directly under the chuck is a section that’s shaped like the center of the shaft on a 6 in 1 screwdriver. It even has the spring loaded ball bearing. The Dewalt product number is; DW2505. On the package it indicates that it fits a 7 in 1 screwdriver. That makes almost no sense to me. In my opinion, the item is poorly marketed.
At any rate, I decided to take a chance on one. When I got home with it, I discovered some good and bad news. The bad news is that it doesn’t fit a number of six in one drivers. That actually came as no surprise. It goes right back to the priprietary issue. The good news however, is that it did fit others. In fact, it was a perfect fit on one of my favorites. My current favorite is the newest Craftsman 6 in 1 with the rubberized grip. The model number is; 41118. It costs around eight bucks, and puts the Klein 5 in 1 to shame, in my opinion. After snapping the Dewalt chuck into the driver and simply adding a magnetic drive guide, (bit holder for standard bits,) it instantly converted it into a standard bit driver.
Now here’s how I carry it. I have a small and extremely lightweight nylon flashlight holder. It’s actually designed for a police tactical gun belt. I found it at a uniform store in Cincinnati. It just happens to hold the screwdriver perfectly. It’s so lightweight and compact that I hardly notice I’m carrying it. I then carry a sheath for a simple “Mini Mag Light.” Those are great by the way, for holding a multitude of items. I take the chuck with the magnetic bit holder and store it in that. It sits just adjacent to the screwdriver. With that simple system, I can handle almost any typical incidental screwdriving task.
Here are the advantages. I have the fast double sided bits of the 6 in 1 when needed. If I need a funky bit of some kind, I can instantly turn my 6 in 1 into a standard bit driver. I can remove the chuck and use it directly in a drill driver when needed. I can snap a flexible extension into the chuck for fasteners in awkward locations. If I’m working in a tight space, I can remove the bit from the magnetic extension and stick it directly into the chuck. That makes for a nice compact driver. It will also take accept any other accessory with a standard hex shank such as nut drivers. If I’m using the chuck instead of the standard 6 in 1 shaft, I simply store the shaft in the same mag sheath as the chuck. In other words, I just switch them.
Now this isn’t a perfect system. I’m not suggesting that it’s a substitute for a specialized driver that is geared towards specific tasks. For incidental tasks however, it can prevent a maintenance person from walking the length of a facility to obtain another driver from their tool box. If I knew in advance for instance that I’d be doing a big job that required a ratchet driver, I’d obviously go prepared with that. In the absence of that however, this system will handle a lot of tasks reasonably well.
I have one small complaint about the chuck. It has a small amount of play that allows it to move in and out slightly. That’s because of the spring load. That can slow you down a little when attempting to spin a fastener. Again, it’s not perfect. It is however a nice all around quick system for many tasks. Now I didn’t mention bit storage. Obviously that’s something that makes the Channellock driver convenient. The tradeoff is that this driver is lightweight and easy to carry. I generally take the few standard bits that I anticipate needing, and stick them in a small bit holder in my pocket.
I hope that explains it enough to envision what I’m talking about.
Robert
Dick
. . . –. . .
I bought an American Tourister “26 Piece Flashlight Tool Kit.” And I keep inserting a Mini Phjillips Screwdriver into a “Reversible Sure-Grip Ratchet Extension” but it keeps falling out.
Where can I find instructions onto how to lock in the bits?
Many immense thank yous