Snap-on recently announced these new ultra low profile offset screwdrivers. They’re available in slotted and Phillips #1 and #2 styles, and are about the slimmest offset screwdrivers I have ever seen.
If you don’t care what it says on the handles, you can get a 3-piece Anex screwdriver set for $20. Snap-on pricing is not yet available, but I’m sure you’ll pay more for the Snap-on Industrial branding and service. Snap-on and Anex drivers are all made in Japan.
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With bit heights of just 10mm, these really are about the slimmest low-clearance screwdrivers out there.
If you can work with a slightly taller tool, Husky’s combination offset screwdriver is a good buy at just $7.
Richard
You know, I just love the quality and ‘oddness’ of Japanese hand tools.
Stuart, did you ever think about writing a post (or series of posts) covering the ‘best’ of what’s available in Japan? I picked up a ton of weird tools out of Japan last year, most of it Engineer brand, and think other readers would enjoy reading about some of this stuff.
fred
At one time it seemed that Japanese imported tools seemed to be synonymous with “junk”. Then came Demming, TQM, Kaizen and the rise of Japanese goods standing for “high quality”. Some of us thought that they would entirely dominate the market – and that venerable US tool manufacturers – along with their German, English, Swiss and other European counterparts – would all soon move to Japan. Of course we now realize that the move to more globalization (rise of Taiwan) and now explosive growth in China has changed the landscape. Japan is much less dominant – but still produces some interesting tools.
I looked over my tool inventory – and put this list together of some of the potentially less familiar (probably not to avid toolguyd readers) names of Japanese toolmakers:
DIY TOOLS (NISAKU Co) scrapers
DOGYU (Imoto Hamono Co.) hammers
ENGINEER INC. pliers etc.
GREEN TOP garden tools
HAKKO soldering irons
HIOS INC. assembly tools
HIT (Toyo Koki Co.) bolt cutters etc.
HOZAN bicycle tools
IPS (IGARASHI PRYOR) knives
IWASAKI (Maruyoshi Mfg) files
IWATA airbrushes
JHT (JAPAN HOBBY TOOL)
JINKAI fishing tools
KO-KEN sockets etc
MATSUNAGA STONE CO. LTD. sharpening stones
MCC threaded rod tools
MITUTOYO calipers etc
NT CUTTER files
ODATE (TOSHIO ODATE) chisels
OKADA HARDWARE MFG. CO. saws
SHARK CORPORATION saws
SHIMANO bicycle tools
SHINTO (Shinto Industrial) rasps
SHINWA RULES CO. LTD. rules/squares
SKC THREAD TOOL MFG. CO. LTD. taps and dies
SPLEX (Suehiro corp.) sharpening stones
STAR-M CORPORATION woodworking tools
SUPERTOOL wrenches
TAIYO PICUS (Koyo) riveters
TAJIMA levels/plumb bobs
TAKAGI TOOLS INC. – SHARK CORP. saws
TENRYU saw blades
TOP MAN pry bars
TOYO CUTTER glass cutters
VESSEL CO. INC. drivers, bits etc.
WOOD OWL (Star-M) wood bits
Stuart
There’s only really a smattering of Japanese-made tools that are currently available in the USA.
I have a bunch of Engineering Inc tools, Wood Owl wood bits, and some woodworking saws and sharpening stones, but that’s not really enough to warrant a “best of” type of post.
I do plan on reviewing a couple of Engineer Inc tools that I purchased and have been using.
Chad
Stuart, when you post a story about the new 20v Dewalt Compact Recip saw verify if it is brushless please. Thanks
Stuart
I’m not sure I know which tool you’re talking about. Do you have a model number or reference link so I could look into it?
fred
Maybe – the DCS387 that was posted on TIA ?
Stuart
Doesn’t look to be brushless. It’s listed in the Italian flyer, but no brushless mention at all.
Kurt
I think they could add value to this tool by broaching a 1/4″ hex instead of simply drilling a hole at the opposite end. Then you could use it with all manner of bits.
Stuart
Hmm, that’s a really good idea, but how would one then put pressure on the bit to ensure proper fastener engagement?
Kurt
Good point, you could broach it at a slight angle so downward pressure tightens the fit, or rivet/weld a small spring leaf on the bottom side so that the bit cannot slide backward but needs to be pushed through to be changed, like a push on retainer.
fdg
I just hold bits with needle-nose locking pliers.
Andrew McConnell
I made a similar tool one afternoon in a pinch using a piece of scrap steel that I drilled a hole in. Then I hammered (I mean “press fitted” ;)) a 1/4″ phillips bit into it, ground down the excess, then welded it into place.
SteveR
Stuart–I first became aware of these about a year ago (via an e-mail from Snap-on), but they wanted about $25.00 for EACH driver in the three-piece set. I purchased the set for about $26.00 plus a small shipping charge from an outfit called Level Chrome (out of Texas), which imports Japanese tools. It was offered on Amazon and, at the time, they were shipped from Japan (I still have the envelope around here someplace). They are a specialty set of screwdrivers (Anex also offers several hex driver sets like this, too), and I purchased them for some screws used on an ornamental shelf support. They handles look flimsy in the photos, but they are 2 mm thick steel. The screws on the shelving cannot now be turned using the screwdriver I installed them with, so these Anex screwrivers will be used to remove them.
Anyway, the current price is $20.00 at Amazon (using Prime Shipping), and I see that Ultra Chrome is charging $26.23 on their site. I suspect they never sold well, which might account for the lower price on Amazon. I purchased these on an “I might need these someday” notion, and have kept them in my toolbox for that day to arrive. There will be other restricted/confined area uses for them, as well (engine bays, plumbing, hydraulic installations, etc.). I’ve forgotten if they came with it or not, but I have them on a lightweight keyring, which keeps them from becoming separated.
SteveR
As a follow-up, I see Snap-on (www.snapon.com) is now asking $15.00 EACH for these screwdrivers. Look them up under SSF1, SSFP1 and SSFP2 on their site. It makes sense, however, to buy them from the other suppliers; they are still manufactured by Anex in Japan.
Stuart
That’s pretty steep pricing, but it’s what happens when there are additional middlemen and a we’ll-replace-it-at-your-door service premium.
joe
I’ve always gotten away with using screw driver bits alone with a small open end wrench. Yeah it does not ratchet, but you pretty much don’t need it after you loosen up the screw tension. I could even 3D print a holder like this for screw driver bits. IN fact, they could sell only the handle part made of metal with out the built in driver bits. IMO.
Mr p
This is the way to go half cut bits
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005MVBGAU?pc_redir=1409979834&robot_redir=1