Meet the Skil Tri Driver ratcheting wrench, which a reader recently alerted me too (thank you, Fred!). The skeptic in me is crying inside, while the optimist struggles to find something positive to say.
The Skil Tri Driver fits both inch and metric fasteners, and is adjusted by rotating the ring.
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Its mechanism kind of resembles that of the Craftsman Max Axess wrench, but has 3 points of contact instead of 6.
Fastener Fitment Range:
- Inch: 9/16″, 5/8″, 11/16″, 3/4″, 13/16″, 7/8″, and 15/16″
- Metric: 14mm, 16mm, 17mm, 19mm, 21mm, 22mm, and 24mm
The wrench head looks large – too large if you ask me. I imagine that clearance issues will be a top reason owners put it down in favor of something smaller, or just different. But it’s not so large I’d consider it a deal-breaker. In fact, it kind of looks around the same size – or smaller – than an average-sized adjustable wrench.
And I know I’m not the only one who thinks that 3-point fastener engagement – on the corners no less – has the potential for damaged and rounded-over fasteners.
It’s also a ratcheting wrench. This should alleviate having to turn and reposition the wrench, especially in tight corners, but might introduce another potential wear concern.
There appear to be spring-loaded jaws within the wrench head. I don’t know how else to consider the two-toned grooved teeth (flats?). I really hope that this isn’t the ratcheting mechanism, but what’s the alternative – within the ratchet head?
The ratcheting mechanism will work one of two ways. Either the wrench flats stay fixed and rotate within the wrench head assembly, or the flats/jaws are set to yield in one direction for a ratcheting effect.
Since the jaw with adjustment mechanism takes up a fair bit of space, I’m assuming that the ratcheting works by means of yielding jaws that allow for ratcheting action. That wouldn’t be my preference, as it could contribute to potential fastener corner rounding.
This wrench looks like it inspires to be an all-in-one version of the Skil Secure Grip wrench, but with a fixed fastener range that skips smaller sizes that are very fairly common. Maybe there will be a smaller version that covers a range of fasteners under 9/16″, but if so, we probably would have seen it in a 2-piece set with this one.
I haven’t ruled out that there could be positive aspects of the Skil Tri Driver Ratcheting Wrench, but if there are, they’re not yet clear to me.
Price: $14
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It sounds harsh, but I can’t think of a reason I’d buy this. Maybe it’ll work well on longer fasteners and threaded rod, at least where there’s enough clearance for the wrench head.
I took apart 3 commercial workbenches last week, with 9/16″ hardware. There’s no way I could have used this wrench for that.
Can somebody find something nice to say about this wrench? I mean this sincerely. What am I not seeing? Is there a good reason for anyone to buy it?
What would I buy instead? I’d plunk down a few extra dollars on a Channellock adjustable wrench, or even the new Dewalt 2-pack of adjustable wrenches, and would then start saving up for a proper socket set – even an inexpensive one. Around the holidays, you can get entry-level socket sets for not much money. I think that even “universal” sockets, with their gimmick multi-fastener-fitting profiles, might be better buys.
JMG says
For some reason, looking at this wrench made me think about the Tokheim attempt to make an automatic bicycle derailleur back in the early seventies. Seemed like a great idea innovation, but was butt ugly to look at and ultimately failed due to size and weight.
This tool basically has reminded me of a failed major project, and I struggle as well to find any reason to purchase one.
NCD says
Christmas isn’t far away……….
Stuart says
Yes, but I can usually see at least the perceived benefits in holiday season tools.
PhilnTex says
This thing looks like your typical Christmas type of tool (brother-in-law tool).
NCD says
Yup
Pete says
Yes the brother in law you hate, OR the brother in law that hates you lol
firefly says
Love this comment 😀
fred says
Made by Iron Bridge Tools (UPC 858528002224) for Skil
John says
Is this an April fools day joke in October? What a waste of resources coming up with this thing!
Whatever happened to the old adage “Always use the right tool for the job”. This thing ain’t right!
ca says
Tell that to anyone who own’s a crescent wrench.
Jeffrey says
I have not used my crescent wrench since I bought a Knipex pliers-wrench.
Matt says
In this case I really would have liked to have seen your first 1 word article, containing the word “no”.
Cody says
Walmart has had these on their selfsame for over a year.
Jimmie says
You know, I was just thinking that there’s a distinct lack of rounded-off bolts and nuts around my garage…
Charles says
For set up work on component joining of equipment Parts such as farm implement set up and then going over again with a final tightening with regular conventional tools it might be a handy time saver
PACO BELL says
At first I thought, “Oh that’s weird, why is the picture showing the teeth grabbing the corners of the nut? May they took the picture wrong.” And then you say it’s supposed to be used that way. Interesting, well then when I use it, do I have to make sure I always align the teeth like that?
Stuart says
Hmm.
I would have thought that the wrench is supposed to be used on the flats too. But that’s how they’re showing the tool in use, with the jaws on the corners, so I’m not going to make assumptions contrary to it.
I’m only going by what they’re showing.
Toolfreak says
I like Skil power tools. They are pretty good for the price and get the job done.
This business of licensing the name out to stick on gimmicky holiday-gift gadgets that pose as tools is pretty bad.
Hopefully this was already in the contract for the 2016 holiday season, and Chervon will be nixing the gimmicks next year and beyond.
fred says
As you say let’s hope that Chervon (assuming they have acquired all rights to the Skil name) become more circumspect with regard to licensing it out. The other possibility is that Iron Bridge will not emerge from bankruptcy – but that seems unlikely because its probably profitable selling tools of questionable value like this wrench , the Skil Ratch-N-Lock pliers or some of the “tools” they make under the HD Husky brand
Stuart says
Yikes, I didn’t know Iron Bridged filed for Chapter 11.
Some of their tools have been innovative. With tools like this, I feel that they’re catering towards what the brands and retailers are asking for.
An OEM I spoke to last year, who produced a tool I was less than impressed with, said that the customer, the retailer, had requested additional features and functionality beyond the original design parameters, and they obliged.
So sometimes a tool is engineered, and then marketing types at a retailer inject their influence.
I don’t know if that ever happened to Iron Bridge Tool’s products, but it’s a strong possibility.
fred says
Its a complicated world with potentially lots of folks in on the act all along the supply chain.
Bart says
Never have understood “tools” such as this. They have maybe a half a dozen tasks they may be decent at, but they require so much room to swing and to clear the head that you’re reaching for a normal tool most of the time you’re working on anything.
I used to get stuff like this from well meaning relatives when I was a teenager while I was putting together my set of tools. I’d try to use them on something where they’d be halfway useful and find that they didn’t do anything well. They ended up going into the junk toolbox and sold at a yard sale or just given away.
ken says
This guy invented this tool and Craftsman stole the idea and put their logo on it. Now Skil is doing the same. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHIktR-3Ci4
Rick C says
When you walk into your garage in the middle of a break-in and this is the only thing the thieves didn’t take, you could throw it at them.
Stu Douglass says
The Skil Tri Driver is designed for the DIY/ homeowner market. This is a cheap knock-off of the Bionic Wrench by Dan Brown. His design is technically superior and a better deal all around. Loggerhead Tools makes awesome tools and all of them are made in the US.
Glad to hear that Iron Bridge Tools is bankrupt. I have personally dealt with the owner and found him to be incompetent and morally corrupt.
Slowburn says
This seems to me to be the type of tool my daughter might buy for me thinking “now you can rid of all those sockets and wrenches you have!. Think of all the space you’ll gain!”