11 ms·

It really is a matter of convenience. Linus's work is obviously mostly with computers and servers, where you often work in tighter spaces; not having to reposit

It really is a matter of convenience. Linus's work is obviously mostly with computers and servers, where you often work in tighter spaces; not having to reposition your whole hand (and/or pull the screwdriver out of the screw and reposition it because of a lack of space) is a nice convenience. Plus, most computer screws are not really tightened very much, so you'll be done with a few flicks of your wrist. He also explicitly mentions he uses the ratchet by turning only the axle and keeping the handle steady in his hand for a lot of the screws.

smcl 4y ago
I'm not sure I understand the reposition-your-hand thing. If you're turning the screwdriver you either continuously manipulate it with your fingers or keep rotating your wrist back and forth regardless of whether you have a normal or ratcheted one. Only difference being in the ratcheted one you don't have to release the grip on the screwdriver (and in non-ratcheted you just have to not grip tightly). And if the screws aren't tightened too much - like in a PC - then you'd need a really light ratchet action for it to be of any use. I guess it's just a personal preference thing rather than a real need of some sort, which IMO is fair enough
- brailsafe 4y ago
  Seems like it would be the same reason as any, keeping the driver in place.
- TimMeade 4y ago
  Sometimes you can't see the screw in computer racks. If you have to pull the screwdriver off even so slightly it might be difficult to get back on the screw head. Ratcheting negates this slight issue.
  - smcl 4y ago
    I've not encountered this, though maybe I've been lucky enough to only need to handle screws that I can easily keep a bit of pressure on while (idk the right term) "resetting" my fingers/wrist to keep [un]screwing.
- BrandoElFollito 4y ago
  I use a screwdriver when I have to (so I am a level 0 expert) but at some point you have to release your grip on the screwdriver and therefore need a way to keep it engaged in the screw (except if you reposition it at every 1/4 of turn). This can be annoying (it is always for me) and a mechanism where you can arm the next 1/4 turn without disengaging the screw is great PS. when I say 1/4 of a turn, this is to to indicate the torsion of the wrist. Could be more, could be less
- viraptor 4y ago
  > or keep rotating your wrist back and forth regardless of whether you have a normal or ratcheted one What goes away with the ratchet is the continuous clench/unclench action. While I don't normally have any other RSI-like issues, that movement just kills my wrist after 1 or 2 screws. I've got a ratchet screwdriver with an option to twist/bend it in the middle to get better leverage and the difference is amazing.
Daub 4y ago
> He also explicitly mentions he uses the ratchet by turning only the axle and keeping the handle steady in his hand for a lot of the screws. This is shown in action at this point in the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K5Gqp1cEcM&t=606s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K5Gqp1cEcM&t=606s In many ways, this mimics the function of a jewelers screwdriver: https://www.victornet.com/milpixpics/1315_GEN-SPC-100.jpg https://www.victornet.com/milpixpics/1315_GEN-SPC-100.jpg

smcl 4y ago

I'm not sure I understand the reposition-your-hand thing. If you're turning the screwdriver you either continuously manipulate it with your fingers or keep rotating your wrist back and forth regardless of whether you have a normal or ratcheted one. Only difference being in the ratcheted one you don't have to release the grip on the screwdriver (and in non-ratcheted you just have to not grip tightly). And if the screws aren't tightened too much - like in a PC - then you'd need a really light ratchet action for it to be of any use. I guess it's just a personal preference thing rather than a real need of some sort, which IMO is fair enough

brailsafe 4y ago
Seems like it would be the same reason as any, keeping the driver in place.
TimMeade 4y ago
Sometimes you can't see the screw in computer racks. If you have to pull the screwdriver off even so slightly it might be difficult to get back on the screw head. Ratcheting negates this slight issue.
- smcl 4y ago
  I've not encountered this, though maybe I've been lucky enough to only need to handle screws that I can easily keep a bit of pressure on while (idk the right term) "resetting" my fingers/wrist to keep [un]screwing.
BrandoElFollito 4y ago
I use a screwdriver when I have to (so I am a level 0 expert) but at some point you have to release your grip on the screwdriver and therefore need a way to keep it engaged in the screw (except if you reposition it at every 1/4 of turn). This can be annoying (it is always for me) and a mechanism where you can arm the next 1/4 turn without disengaging the screw is great PS. when I say 1/4 of a turn, this is to to indicate the torsion of the wrist. Could be more, could be less
viraptor 4y ago
> or keep rotating your wrist back and forth regardless of whether you have a normal or ratcheted one What goes away with the ratchet is the continuous clench/unclench action. While I don't normally have any other RSI-like issues, that movement just kills my wrist after 1 or 2 screws. I've got a ratchet screwdriver with an option to twist/bend it in the middle to get better leverage and the difference is amazing.

Daub 4y ago

> He also explicitly mentions he uses the ratchet by turning only the axle and keeping the handle steady in his hand for a lot of the screws. This is shown in action at this point in the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K5Gqp1cEcM&t=606s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K5Gqp1cEcM&t=606s In many ways, this mimics the function of a jewelers screwdriver: https://www.victornet.com/milpixpics/1315_GEN-SPC-100.jpg https://www.victornet.com/milpixpics/1315_GEN-SPC-100.jpg