2 ms·
Last year I got a very similar looking Channellock that WireCutter recommended and I've really despised a few things about it: The bits are not retained by mag
by linsomniac 4y ago
Last year I got a very similar looking Channellock that WireCutter recommended and I've really despised a few things about it:
The bits are not retained by magnet, but by a bit-mounted sprung ball bearing. If I don't push the bit in hard enough, it'll just fall right out when I turn it over. It's like that comedy bit: "What time is it?" when someone is holding a drink in their watch hand.
This probably is what led to the #2 Phillips bit being lost the first week I had it when my kids borrowed it to unscrew something in the yard, but that first week was pretty glorious...
And the bits are surprisingly hard to find. Searches on Amazon have turned up few if any replacements, and it doesn't seem like Channellock has a replacement bit set.
Finally, the ratchet mechanism is surprisingly easy to flip while using it, so most sessions I have with it I end up having to reset the ratcheting one or more times in regular use.
Admittedly, Linus talks up how much they worked on getting it just right, but I'd be reluctant to get another driver that used the ball bearing bits. I'd go with something that has replacement bits available, or uses the same bits that my power driver uses, because I always keep bits for it around.
I hate flat screwdrivers with a passion, but that one AvE made years ago is sure a thing of beauty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shnpPFQAugU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shnpPFQAugU
- rowanG077 4y agoI don't think they use ball bearing bits.
- linsomniac 4y agoYou are correct, I mistook the sample they showed at 1:40, which was the other vendor (Megapro?), and they have ball bearing bits. I had stopped watching at 3-5 minutes in, and didn't get to the section on bits. They do have custom bits, but say they will provide replacement bits, and also have a mechanism for using regular magnetic hold bits. That's pretty huge!