Your tool bag may just have gotten a little lighter. Rather than carrying five or six different nut drivers, you could instead carry a single Klein 5-in-1 or 6-in-1 “multi-nut” driver to take their place.
The Klein 5-in-1 multi-nut driver offers 5 nut driver sizes: 3/16″, 1/4″, 5/16″, 3/8″ and 9/16″, and the 6-in-1 adds in an extra 7/16″ size.
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These multi-nut drivers use a series of different-sized, double-ended steel shafts that nest together, somewhat like the Klein 11-in-1 screw and nut driver.
The 9/16″ nut driver is built right into the classic Klein-styled cushion grip handle.
The largest shaft is extended with a 9/16″ hex bolster, for those times when you need more torque to move a nut.
Although not very striking in online images, the ends of each shaft are color-coded for quick nut driver size identification.
The best prices I could find online were on Amazon. There, you’ll pay $22 for the Klein 32801 5-in-1 driver or $30 for the Klein 32800 6-in-1 driver, both with free Prime Shipping.
Buy Now (5-in-1 Nut Driver via Amazon)
Buy Now (6-in-1 Nut Driver via Amazon)
First Thoughts
I just saw the Klein 5-in-1 driver for the first time last week in one of the Klein tool holiday season bundles at Home Depot. The bundle included the 5-in-1 nut driver, a set of wire strippers, and a pair of linesman’s pliers for around $50.
The other tools in the bundle dint excite me much, but the 5-in-1 nut driver seemed like it was a new solution for not having to carry multiple nut drivers. So when I got home I looked up the tool online and found Klein also made a 6-in-1 version.
Most of the times I need a nut driver, I’m not sure exactly which size I need, so I end up grabbing 2 or 3 different nut drivers to make sure I don’t have to go back to the toolbox. With a tool like this all I would have to do would be to grab the one tool.
I realize these drivers aren’t going to work in every situation. For instance, the driver shaft isn’t hollow, so it will only work in situations where you don’t need to reach a nut deep on threads.
My last thought is that you get seven different openings with the 6-in-1 multi-nut driver, so what are they doing with that last opening?
Jerry says
Nov 9, 2016 at 9:20 amAs someone who usually takes 2-3 tries to get the right but driver, I welcome this. I have a full set as I of now, but if I need more, or lose one that I have, I’ll be looking into this one. It would almost be worth it for the hex bolster. I think an individual nut driver is $5-$9 so $20 something for a 5 sized one seems OK. When they make a metric one, I’ll grab it, as I could use metric but drivers, and I think one like this would be great for me as a sometimes user of metric tools. 90% of my uses are inch.
Adam says
Nov 9, 2016 at 9:25 amJust returned a set of metric sockets, to just pick up the 10mm that seems to be the only one used. If o used nor then one, is sick with the set, otherwise it is just dead weight to me
Adam says
Nov 9, 2016 at 11:00 amIf I used more than one, I’d stick
Logan says
Nov 9, 2016 at 7:35 pm3/8 sizes tend to fit extremely well on 10mm fasteners – better than a lot of other “close” matches from what I’ve seen. Could’ve just used one of those!
fred says
Nov 9, 2016 at 9:27 amI see comments that gripe about the lack of the 1/2 inch size nutdriver – and that the tool is both heavy and requires a big hand to get a grip on the larger than usual handle.
Blair says
Nov 9, 2016 at 9:46 amI also wondered about the lack of any 1/2″ option.
William says
Nov 9, 2016 at 12:46 pmIrwin has one at lowes that has 1/2″ driver. I have one, and use it every day. Again not a hollow shaft, so no nuts on threaded rod.
Noah says
Nov 9, 2016 at 6:01 pmPersonally I’d have liked 11/32″, I use that far more often than 3/16″.
Stuart says
Nov 10, 2016 at 7:08 amDitto!
Buy #8 machine screw nuts aren’t as common in electrical systems, at least not the ones Klein’s target users work on.
Corey says
Nov 9, 2016 at 9:43 pmI’ve fit several Klein multi whatever cores in my one favorite old 11 in 1 handle. Might be wishful thinking, but maybe this guy could fit too?
JimM says
Nov 11, 2016 at 4:42 pmDoh! I should have read these reviews more closely. Just bought one of the 6 in 1 drivers and the first thing I needed to use it on was 1/2″. What in the world was Klein thinking by skipping 1/2″. I could have gone a long time without 1/4″ and 5/16″, those are on my Klein 11 in 1 screwdriver. With a little more thoughtful design they could have had a Dynamic Duo in the 11 in 1 coupled with a 6 in 1.
Do manufacturers not use these tools. This design is almost as stupid as me not picking up on the flaw by reading the reviews before buying.
PhilnTex says
Nov 14, 2016 at 7:01 pmI know, the lack of a 1/2″ is kind of troubling…I’d much rather give up the 3/8″ and 7/16″ as they are included on a can wrench.
David says
Nov 9, 2016 at 11:16 amI got a 7 piece nut driver set at Harbor Freight with a lifetime warranty for $7.99 this past weekend… So no they’re not $5-$7 each as the 1rst commenter said. Also they’re nut drivers, not breaker bars and 2″ sockers. Harbor Freight nut drivers are just fine and like I said, lifetime warranty…
Jerry says
Nov 10, 2016 at 9:27 amThat’s great if you have a Harbor Freight around. Locally, we only have a DoItBest and their non-junky ones are $5-$7 each on sale, $6-$9 full prjce, but are quite a bit cheaper in a set. Your comment does make me want to check on shipping rates, though. I’ve bought things from HF in the past when I had a large enough order to make shipping charges relatively small or even free.
Michael says
Nov 9, 2016 at 7:38 pmIrwin has something like this in both sae and metric. Lowe’s has them
Benjamen says
Nov 9, 2016 at 9:17 pmWilliam and Michael thanks for the heads up on the Irwin IRWIN Multiple Size Hex Nut Drivers. I’ve never seen those before, I’ll be sure to check them out next time I visit Lowes
Here are links to them:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/IRWIN-Multiple-Size-Sae-Hex-Nut-Driver/1000119659
and
https://www.lowes.com/pd/IRWIN-Multiple-Size-Metric-Hex-Nut-Driver/1000119663
Eric says
Nov 9, 2016 at 10:23 pmIt’s to bad they look identical. Would be a lot nicer if they were easy to distinguish from each other at a glance.
Benjamen says
Nov 10, 2016 at 11:28 amIf you are talking about the Irwin, yeah they do. You could always wrap some electrical tape around the metric shaft, or mark it in some other way.
Benjamen says
Nov 10, 2016 at 11:34 amI just picked up the Irwin SAE version at my local Lowes. They were way on the bottom of the display and hidden behind some other screwdrivers — no wonder I never saw them. Although I hardly ever browse the screwdrivers at Lowes because I’m disappointed by their selection.
While I like the shiny finish and handle on the Klein Multi-drivers, the Irwin’s have a better design, you always can store the other “sockets” no matter what socket you are using.
I might have to do a review of the Irwin multi-nut driver — we’ll see.
Mike says
Nov 10, 2016 at 5:28 pmCan you do the review? I’m curious. The biggest drawback to using the nutdrivers in multibit screwdrivers and these multinut drivers is having to keep track of removed bits and adapters. They sit in your pocket just waiting to silently fall out, never to be seen again. If the Irwin isn’t horrible I might be interested in picking up a metric version.
Pete says
Nov 10, 2016 at 12:12 amLooks sweet! I’ll pick one up if i see one in the store for $30 or under
Kevin says
Nov 10, 2016 at 11:12 amTo me it seems that the handle of the 6-in-1 has a larger opening. Maybe 3/4.” This could be the last opening but not very useful for that size of fastener with no hex bolster.
The Irwin is more interesting to with 11/32″. I have a 11-in-1 with the most common sizes that I use, 1/4, 5/16 and 3/8.
Mike says
Nov 10, 2016 at 5:22 pmYep, the handle opening is the seventh opening on the 6-in-1 that isn’t used. It is huge as is the entire tool. It didn’t correspond to any standard size that I could see but I didn’t spend much time looking, either.
fred says
Nov 10, 2016 at 10:39 pmIts 9/16 according to the blurb on Amazon
Kevin says
Nov 11, 2016 at 8:03 amI think 9/16 is the handle for the 5-in-1. The 6-in-1 seems to have a shaft that is 7/16 at one end and 9/16 at the other. This would make the hex part of the shaft larger and requires a larger handle.
JaxNOLA says
Nov 11, 2016 at 10:49 amIt does have a MUCH larger handle.
Chris Fyfe says
Nov 10, 2016 at 10:07 pmI have one , so far never used . I often work out of a Veto backpack or briefcase , so the concept sounds good . ATM , my primary nut turning tool is a 125mm Knipex PlierWrench .
JaxNOLA says
Nov 11, 2016 at 10:48 amThese aren’t that useful in the field under hard conditions. They probably have their place or Klein wouldn’t developed and put to market but I haven’t found it yet.