A few months ago I posted about new Klein Multi-Nut drivers. In that post several commenters mentioned the Irwin multiple size nut drivers and wanted us to take a closer look.
The Irwin 6-in-1 nut drivers each come with 3 double-sided sockets that are stored away on a 6mm hex shaft inside the handle, rather than stacking like Russian dolls.
Advertisement
All of the sockets are normal 6-point hex sockets with their size stamped on the rim. But instead of a square recess, they have an internal 6mm hex pass-though. The hex recess slides onto the driver shaft and engages with a ball detent mechanism to help keep the sockets in place. The driver shaft has its own ball detent mechanism that snaps it into place in the handle.
The handle boasts a “3-zone comfort grip.” What they mean by 3 zone is there are areas with high texture, low texture, and no texture on the handle. Irwin says this provides more control and greater torque.
Each driver can fit 6 different sized nuts. The SAE driver includes 1/4″, 5/16″, 11/32″, 3/8″, 7/16″, and 1/2″ nut drivers, while the Metric driver includes 6mm, 7mm, 8mm, 10mm, 11mm, and 13mm sizes. As a bonus, you can use the shaft of the driver on any fasteners with a 6mm hex head.
They’re priced at $15 each at Lowes, in-store and online, and you can also find them at Amazon for slightly more.
Price: $15-$18
Advertisement
Buy Now (SAE version via Lowes)
Buy Now (SAE version at Amazon)
Buy Now (Metric version via Lowes)
Buy Now (Metric version at Amazon)
First Thoughts
A few days after I wrote the Klein multi-nut driver preview, I picked up the SAE version of the Irwin nut driver. I liked it so much that I picked up the Metric the next time I visited Lowes.
First off, these are big drivers, and heavy too. They weigh 364 g each (about 13 oz), and are almost 9″ long. The handle is also thicker than a normal nut driver or screwdriver. They aren’t unwieldy though, and I feel that the convenience of having 6 sizes of nut driver in one handle more than makes up for the larger size.
I don’t use nut drivers very often, but when I do, I normally have to grab multiple drivers to make sure I get the size I need. Now as long as I know if the nut is going to be SAE or Metric, I only have to grab one tool.
The few times I’ve used these nut drivers I’ve noticed very little play due to the multiple connection points and have had no problem breaking loose nuts and bolts or torquing them back down.
Since the handle and shafts are identical between the two drivers, you can mix and match SAE and Metric sockets on one tool. For instance, if you know ahead of time you are going to need a 5/16″, 8 mm, and 13 mm driver, you can load up one shaft with these sockets and only need to carry one tool.
Here’s a short video I put together to demonstrate features of the Irwin multiple size nut drivers. One correction: I say the shafts and pass throughs are 1/4″ hex when they are actually 6mm hex.
But it's me!
No 12mm on metric version? Probably one of the more used sizes for me, anyway. Seemed like a good multi-use set until I read that it was skipped.
Toolfreak
Yeah, the lack of a commonly-used 12mm in favor of a rarely-used 11mm is crazy.
I was about to buy this thing until I read that.
Michael
I agree completely. Without a 12mm, it’s not worth it to me.
Nathan
maybe take the 11mm and a file and gently relieve it to become the 12 mm you need.
I mean should be easy enough you only have to remove 1/6th of a mm from each side – give or take a touch
Chris
I think there’s a typo in the review, as both the Lowes and Amazon product pages say it has a 12mm and not a 13mm.
Benjamen
No typo. Lowes and Amazon have the description wrong, it is a 13 mm socket. That is why we always try to use original sources when writing. Here’s the Irwin page:
http://www.irwin.com/tools/screwdrivers/irwin-6-in-1-nut-driver-metric
and here’s a photo I just took:
https://goo.gl/photos/EDJe6qHBrWzRp3cj6
Brandon
Have the SAE version and love it. Sockets themselves are a bit fragile, though: I ended up with a marred socket the first time I slipped off a fastener head. Really convenient carrying in the tool bucket instead of a whole set of drivers or a small socket set for those around-the-house jobs.
Benjamen
It’s a little bit troubling that the sockets can be marred so easily. I haven’t had any similar problems, but now I’ll watch for it.
Satch
I like it that they offer the 11/32 socket. This is oft overlooked these days in sets like this. I don’t really understand it either.
It is the standard size for #8 machine screw fasteners which are common and a whole boatload of light fixtures used them on grounding nuts. At least older ones and
I service them often enough the 6 inch magnetic Klein in this size is always in the Veto. Unsure about these multi sets though.
Noah
So other than on board storage is there any advantage to these over a classic 1/4″ drive socket spinner handle?
Benjamen
Other than the though that most of the 1/4″ drive socket spinner handles I’ve seen seem to be produced with no real thought given to design or ergonomics, no.
I’m sure I’m wrong, but after a quick search most of the ones I saw where cheap plastic handled affairs.
It is a good point though, it you had a 1/4″ drive handle with a set of sockets that were bundled in some sort of holder — like the molded rubbery boot organizers that sometimes come with sockets — that could definitely be more versatile.
Albert
Menards had these on sale for $13 each a few months ago. They also had a similar one with screwdriver bits. I bought both inch and metric figuring they would be a cheaper version of the Klein, and a far as I know Klein did not make a metric version. To my surprise, the three reversible sockets shown on the right side of the first picture were the only things that did any work. The surprisingly large handle and heavy solid insert on the left side of the first picture just held the sockets. This is not so with Klein. I carry a tool bag around and am very careful about the size and weight of what I put in it. These went back to Menards.
Jason S
I love mine! I started with the SAE, used it quite a bit and then added the metric. It is easy to carry and I like the size (and correspond torque). Big fan! For the price, is highly recommend
Nathan
I don’t get the appeal of nut drivers either. I reach for a socket handle or a ratcheting thing. OH and there are some comfortable socket handles – The SK one isn’t bad – Kobalt has a decent one too now. I’m sure there are others I know one of the german companies has made a comfort grip model. However I think some of them have lost the recess bit on the back side.
anywho – I like the idea of this product and would probably consider one – curious what’s on the other side of the shaft with it comes out of the handle.
Is that how the sockets are stored or does the cap come off the end.
BRIAN R
Bought one of these at lowes to cut down on the number of tools in my bag. This thing, while very nice, weighs MORE than a 7 piece set of Klein 3 inch nutdrivers. Plus with no hollow shaft, ill carry my individual nutdrivers. I was looking at weight savings, which this doesnt give me. If i wanted a club to keep under my car seat, this would work nicely!