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I've had a Snap-On SSDMR4B0 [1] for at least 25 years now. The usefulness of the ratchet is hard to describe, but easy to recognize after using one for the pur
by pwg 4y ago
I've had a Snap-On SSDMR4B0 [1] for at least 25 years now. The usefulness of the ratchet is hard to describe, but easy to recognize after using one for the purpose of driving/removing screws. One big benefit, which only really reveals with longer screws, is the ability to drive or remove much more quickly than a non-ratchet type screwdriver. Also, the benefit is much more recognizable driving screws with significant resistance (i.e. wood screws into hard wood, or concrete screws into concrete or cinder-block). You can keep pressure on the screw, and just rotate the handle back and forth to drive in/remove the screw, reducing the chance of stripping out the screw head by releasing pressure to turn your hand or turn the screwdriver.
If you have ever used a ratchet wrench for nuts or bolts vs. an open-end or box wrench, the difference between the ratchet screwdriver and a regular one is much the same as the difference between using a ratchet wrench vs. an open-end/box wrench to tighten/loosen a nut or bolt.
The ratchet in their screwdriver, from the video, has a ratchet sound very similar to the Snap-On model I have.
[1] Current version: https://shop.snapon.com/product/Standard-Handle/8-3-4%22-Ratcheting-Standard-Screwdriver-(Orange)/SSDMR4BO https://shop.snapon.com/product/Standard-Handle/8-3-4%22-Rat...
- sokoloff 4y agoI have the same one (different color) that I got as part of a larger purchase of secondhand SnapOn tools. I probably wouldn't have initially laid out $75 [or even $40] for it, but after getting it as part of a package deal, I find it a lot more useful than I thought. It seems similar to the "why do precision screwdrivers have that spinny part on the back?"