Last year, at their 2015 media event, Dewalt introduced a line of Maxfit screwdrivers that are related to their Maxfit insert bits. These screwdrivers combine a few new features that aren’t seen on many screwdrivers, including hollow ground slotted screwdrivers with the eased corners that Stuart was impressed by.
According to Dewalt, these redesigned screwdrivers have CNC-machined tips that grab onto screws and help to prevent stripped screws. The bi-material handles have “a yellow torsion zone” that flexes to absorb torque. The hex shafts serve the same purpose as a bolster, you can increase you leverage by fitting a 1/4″ wrench to them.
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As I mentioned above, the slotted screwdrivers don’t have the typical tapered profile you often see on general purpose screwdrivers. The hollow ground tips are angled very close to parallel at the ends, so they fully engage slotted screwdriver heads. In many cases this should make the screwdrivers slip less and allow you to transfer more torque to the screw.
Tapered screwdriver tips often put pressure on the edges of a slotted fastener’s channel. These parallel-tipped drivers better engage the sides of the channel. In addition to less slippage and greater torque transfer, this often means less chance of damage to the fastener.
With a tapered tip screwdriver, your choices come down to using a smaller screwdriver, where the tip reaches the bottom of the slot and the blade fits sloppily against the sides, or a larger screwdriver where the tip won’t reach the bottom of the slot, but the blade fits tightly against the sides of the slot, albeit only with minimal contact. Each situation is less than ideal and the blade will slip easily out of the slot.
Maybe the neatest feature of these screwdrivers comes from the strange yellow round section of the shaft near the tip. My set came with a yellow magnetic sleeve that fits over this section of the screwdriver, and helps with fastener retention and placement. The sleeve has ball detents which lock onto this yellow section when you push it over the shaft of the screwdriver.
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Since the yellow section is much wider than the ball, the sleeve can freely move a short distance. This allows the sleeve be in just the right position to magnetically grab the head of the screw, regardless of how deep the tip of the screwdriver engages the pattern.
The end result is that the screw is held securely on the tip of the screwdriver so you can start screws one handed even in a really tight location.
You can slide the magnetic sleeve out of the way if you don’t need it, or take it off and store it someplace safe.
First Impressions
I purchased the Dewalt Maxfit 8 piece screwdriver set before Christmas, model DWHT62058. I bought this set rather than the 22pc one that was a special buy because I wanted the larger slotted and Phillips #3 screwdrivers. The square drivers were just an extra to me. Rarely have I ever needed a square drive screwdriver, but I suppose it could come in handy if I need to fine tune a pocket hole joint.
This set comes with:
- Magnetic screw lock sleeve
- 3/16” x 4″ cabinet driver
- 1/4” x 4″ slotted driver
- 5/16” x 6” slotted driver
- #1 x 3” Phillips driver
- #2 x 4″ Phillips driver
- #3x 6” Phillips driver
- #1 x 3″ square driver
- #2 x 4″ square driver
What is a cabinet driver you ask? Well I’m not exactly sure either and am even less sure after trying to read up on it. I’ve read a few conflicting definitions.
One source said that cabinet screwdrivers have the same sized shaft as the tip. This allows you to fit them into a recessed hole no bigger than the screw itself as commonly found in electrical cabinets. Another source said it has to do with the parallel grind of the tip. Still another source said it had to do with the thickness of the blade.
Stuart says: Regarding cabinet screwdrivers, it’s my understanding that they’re round-shafted drivers with same-width tips. I don’t think parallel grind comes into play, and believe I’ve seen tapered cabinet screwdrivers.
Many slotted drivers, such as the Klein driver example linked just below, have wider tips than shanks. You can’t do certain things, like access a fastener that’s recessed in a drawer front, because the sides of the tip might be too big. In a cabinet driver, the sides are ground flush with the sides of the shaft.
Why aren’t all drivers cabinet-style? Tapered drivers require one (or more) fewer manufacturing steps, and the greater meat at the tip means greater strength.
The only one that makes sense in the context of these Dewalt screwdrivers is the thickness of the blade. The 3/16″ slotted driver has a 0.030″ thick tip while the other two slotted screwdrivers have a 0.040″ thick tip.
Neither style has tip widths wider than the shaft, which by Stuart’s generalization might make them both cabinet-style drivers.
With the quad-lobed handle, you really can’t grab the screwdriver wrong — you don’t notice flat sides like you would with a tri-lobed handle. The rubber over mold is grippy, but doesn’t give much. The end of the screwdriver shows what type of tip the screwdriver has, but doesn’t identify the size. In fact the size isn’t printed anywhere on the screwdriver.
Using the Screwdrivers
I purchased this set specifically for my shop, and replaced some cheap set that I picked up a long time ago. The Dewalt Maxfit screwdrivers now live hanging over my bench on a magnetic tool holder within quick reach.
They’ve become my go-to set of screwdrivers, and so I find that I’m always rounding them up from various locations around the house.
Part of the reason I’m grabbing the Maxfit screwdrivers over other screwdrivers I have stashed around the house, is because of the magnetic screw holder sleeve. The strong magnetic grip on screws makes it really easy to start them one-handed in tight or hard to access areas.
I own a set of Snap-on screwdrivers that used to be my go-to screwdrivers when I absolutely didn’t want to cam out of a Phillips screw or slip out of a slotted screw, or when I problems getting a grip with other screwdrivers. Since I’ve purchased the Dewalt screwdrivers, I haven’t run out to the garage to grab the Snap-on screwdrivers even once.
I don’t think the Dewalt Maxfit screwdrivers are of the same quality as the Snap-on screwdrivers, but they are definitely good enough. I haven’t had any issues with the Phillips tips camming out prematurely, and the hollow grind on the slotted screwdrivers really grabbed most of the slotted screws I tried.
While I don’t think I’ve ever used a dedicated square drive screwdriver before, I’ve used a lot of square drive insert bits. I’ve seen a wide range of quality and fit with the insert bits: from ones that cammed out worse than Phillips bits to ones that fit so positively that I broke off screw heads. The #2 square drive Maxfit screwdriver fit more in the last category than the first. I couldn’t find any #1 square drive screws to test.
Final Thoughts
Ninety percent of the screws I’m starting are #2 Phillips, so the magnetic sleeve lives on the #2 driver. Still, it would be nice to have more than one magnetic sleeve for 8 screwdrivers. Maybe you don’t need one for every screwdriver, but if you lose or break the single sleeve, the cheapest replacement or add-on option is to buy a 2-pack of 2″ Maxfit insert bits.
I’d also like to see the sizes printed on the screwdrivers somewhere, preferably on the yellow end cap so you could tell at a glance without having to examine the tip.
Like I said before, these aren’t the best screwdrivers I’ve owned, but they are very adequate for everyday use. Combined with the magnetic sleeve for starting screws one handed or in tight spots, these are nice screwdrivers to have around.
Price: $25 plus shipping
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There are other set sizes and options available.
Nathan
I do like the magnet piece for the max fit bits I have for the other drivers. good idea to incorporate that.
as the rest – I don’t use non ratcheting drivers very often – if ever. I don’t really know why per se but I’ve gravitated away from them. I have a set – they sit in a drawer of the trolley – but they rarely see light of day.
still – I like the ideas put into them.
Mike
It blows my mind that you guys don’t use square drive or ” Robertson” screws down there. If I had to use flat for wood working or Philips for anything but drywall I’d go insane. Every screw I’ve bought for projects are usually square.
Ralf
This is America where common sense rarely prevails. Square drives are nice, torx are even better. GRK or Spax are awesome, both torx heads.
Farid
Agreed. Once my local store started carrying SPAX and GRK, I have never bought anything else fer general carpentry. I rarely ruin a screw anymore.
Nathan
While I have square drivers I rarely every buy or see square screws. wouldn’t mind them but often I move over to torx.
philips is still rather common so have to have those.
Item’s that I have made recently have all be torx.
Mike
It is slowly, so very slowly, coming into popular usage here in the US. About thirty years ago the electrical industry here started abandoning the evil Phillips screw and replacing it with Robertson. I’m in that industry and am fortunate enough that I rarely need to use Phillips at all (YAY!) unless I choose to for some reason.
Other industries took note at how well they worked and started to adopt them. Unfortunately, too many people didn’t like the ‘weird’ new screw head design no matter what advantages it provided. All too often it was due to people being too cheap and lazy to get new drive tools. As a result we got the stupid hybrid drive heads like the SPAX UniDrive that remove most of the advantages of a Robertson head. That’s made things worse and slowed adoption since it makes it appear there is no advantage to the Robertson drive.
Torx is pretty good, but what I do not like about that system is the number of drivers you need for different sized fasteners. Most Torx drive sizes are used for only one screw size and at most two. Robertson (and Phillips) use the same drive head size for a range of screw sizes and cut down on the numbers of drivers needed.
RCWARD
Yea to that brother
Hilton
If they had only added a PoziDriv #2 this would be a perfect set.
fred
I guess the view is that PZ style screws are not a USA thing.
Phillips was (and still is) so ubiquitous in the US that some folks just twist away with a Phillips driver at anything that has a cross on it. When working on foreign bicycles – I saw lots of buggered-up screws because they were not Phillips but rather French Recess (BNAE), Pozidriv, or JIS – and a Phillips driver was tried to break a fastener free with lots of torque to boot. Frearson (R&P) cross point style seemed to be used on some old cars too – and they probably suffered the same fate.
RC WARD
I picked these up a while back and love them too. Nice set that looks good too. #TIACREW
Jim Felt
The no square thing is to me also “amazing”… I’ve used them for 25+ years. No cam out and always with a dedicated screwdriver. Usually US made like Klein. Certainly #2 etc. bits for power drivers.
As for the type of metal I’ve used 304 and even 316 SS screws for decades. They never stain ever. But what the heck they aren’t nearly free either.
Pozidrive are great too but too rare in the US to care. Unless I’m tearing down a camera? Nope. Never.
Adam
I remember when my grandpa used square bits 20+ years ago. I always thought they would become standard for most applications. Guess common sense rarely prevails
Nathan
I think construction screws moved to torx the same time automotive did or shortly thereafter.
so it might be that everybody just skipped squares. the 3 things I can point to in my house right now with squares in them – are pieces of assemble yourself furniture I bought on line.
I don’t see them – and I know you won’t find them on cars or aircraft. and I’ve never seen them in the industrial work spaces either. might just be me, but I’ve only ever seen them on furniture. And most of that is now moving to torx or hex heads.
pete
on the subject of dewalt magnetic screw holders… I have the dewalt 1/4″ bit driver with magnetic screw holder for a drill/impact and i have to say…. i HATE IT. I do like that the magnet comes off and on but when it’s on i can’t drive the screws flush or the ph#2 bit cams out. I have the hitachi magnetic bit driver and it works fantastic! Thats my go to for driving screws but even though the dewalt is similar i hate it.
KokoTheTalkingApe
Just out of curiosity, why are these conventional screwdrivers better than the bit-holder type screwdrivers with the replaceable driver tips you can buy anywhere, and that also come in a huge variety of styles (Pozidrive, Robertson, Torx, tri-lobe, security Torx, etc.)? In my experience, conventional screwdrivers eventually wear out and become prone to camming out, which damages the workpiece and the screwdriver itself further. You can use worn out flat-tipped screwdrivers to open paint cans and whatnot, but worn-out Phillips head screwdrivers are almost useless (I used a #3 to countersink a rough-and-ready project, but that’s about it.)
Benjamen
I think some of it is a matter of preference, I wouldn’t call one style better than the other. There are certain instances where a “fixed” screwdriver can reach screws that a screwdriver with insert bits can’t because the shaft is much narrower.
Also as commenter Mike said in the Mach screwdriver post: https://toolguyd.com/craftsman-mach-series-screwdriver-set-review/#comment-770040 Not all insert bits are equal, you have to be careful with cheap slotted insert bits being too think to work properly.
It can be a matter of what the job is. If you are out in the field it’s really handy to carry one screwdriver handle with a bunch of different bits vs. carrying a ton of different screwdrivers. But if you are in the shop it might be easier to grab the correct size screwdriver than to change insert bits.
As for wearing out screwdrivers, I suppose it’s possible, but in my experience a good quality screwdriver will last a long time…even generations. I’ve had some poor quality screwdrivers (not necessarily cheap) that haven’t even lasted one use. I’m not saying you’re using poor quality screwdrivers, just that my experience has been different.
Jim Felt
The only screw drivers I believe I’ve personally “worn out” repeatedly are Klein Phillips No 2’s…
The tips get rounded out and louse up my screw heads. Then they’re off to Habitat for Humanity’s Re-Store.
Oh wait! Google search reveals the inventor, Henry Phillips, was born in Missouri and died here in Portland, OR? Who knew?
Emilio Gonzalez
I’ve purchased so many screwdrivers and bits/holders from various companies just to try them out. I find that there are so many styles of fasteners that you need to have them. I’ve even take bits and have ground them on a mill for very thin slotted European fasteners. I’ve seen too many screwdriver tips that are too large, so I have the bits which are great and are less expensive to buy. I can custom grind them easily. I favor Wiha as my go to brand.
The-Dung
I use Makita impact gold bits for some years already which has the same magnetic sleeve. Stuart didn’t mention, but the sleeve rotates freely, so you can hold it while turning to guide long or pointy screw in place.
https://toolguyd.com/makita-gold-ultra-magnetic-impact-bit-set-with-slide-n-lock-case/
Joe Mama
I switched over to #2 square drive (aka Robertson) about 10 years ago. Phillips are designed to torque out, and I was sick of them. About 2 month’s ago, I switched to Torx T25. Why? Because both Lowe’s and Home Depot stopped carrying Square drive screws!!! But they have plenty of T25 and T20 screws for sale! They both sell Torx impact bit’s (Milwaukee at Home Depot and DeWalt at Lowes) but good luck finding a regular old screwdriver with a Torx head on it in the store. I had to order a few on-line to keep on hand. Not impressed with the Klein by the way-the shaft is too narrow. But I must say a T25 screw is every bit as good-if not better than the sq drive. Haven’t had the bit fly off once.
So, I wish the manufacturer’s would start making Torx screwdrivers-including DeWalt. That is what the guy’s that buy their screws at HD and Lowe’s are going to need. I consider this Dewalt set incomplete without it.