32-Piece Quick Change Screwdriver Set (35-933)

There must be hundreds of different types of hand screwdrivers on the market - which attests to how useful they are.

In general, they can be distinguished in at least two ways - how they hold the driver bits (magnetically or with ball detents) and whether they are ratcheting or non-ratcheting. Depending on the kind of work you do, either of these configurations can be useful.

The 32-Piece Quick Change Screwdriver Set (35-933) from Ideal Industries is a non-ratcheting screwdriver with a non-magnetic hex bit holder. It features Ideal's Sure-Loc™ quick change chuck and E-Z Spin™ rotating cap.

Sure-Loc quick change chuck

E-Z Spin rotating cap

The Sure-Loc chuck has three ball-detents nested in the steel chuck, and a brass knurled pull collar. Driver bits are simply pressed into the chuck. To remove the bit you pull back on the collar. And, of course, you can use the chuck as a 1/4" hex nut driver. Simple, secure and effective.

Pull backwards on knurled collar to remove driver bits

The E-Z Spin rotating cap is essentially a plastic cap that rotates freely at the end of the handle. By securing the cap with your little finger you can freely rotate the driver with your forefinger and thumb. It enables you to apply just the right amount of torque to a screw head. The driver is easy enough to spin without having to twist your wrist too much. Low tech, but it works fine.

Stabilize the E-Z Spin cap with your baby finger - rotate the shaft with your forefinger and thumb

You can store up to 5 small (1" long) bits in the handle, which is convenient. The cap is quick to flip open, and snaps shut tightly.

Simple tab opens to allow storage of up to 5 bits in handle

The screwdriver is 7-1/4" long, with the cellulose acetate handle taking up 4-1/8". Cellulose acetate is a super tough thermoplastic that is next to indestructible. The 1" wide handle is faceted and has a contoured neck, making it confirm nicely to the hand and less resistant to slipping. The heat-treated shaft has a black oxide finish that provides protection  from  corrosion and abrasion. At only 4 ounces this is a very light screwdriver that doesn't take up much room in tool belt or box.

Tamper-proof set

Standard set

The 35-933 comes with a 32-piece tamper proof bit set in a plastic holder. A replacement tamper-proof bit set (#35-933TP) is $18.22. You can also purchase a 32-piece standard bit set (35-933STD) for $17.43. The bits fit quite snugly in the holder, yet don't require a lot of force to remove.

The tamper-proof Hex and Torx bits are the same as their standard counterparts, except they have pin holes in the head. The standard versions are quite common because they provide more torque transfer and are much more resistance to cam out than other screw heads.

The Torq-set looks somewhat like a Phillips bit, except that the wings are offset from each other. Not very common. The Tri-Wing is somewhat more common, as it's used on electronic equipment.

Torq-Set, Tri-Wing, Torx, Hex, Spanner

The tamper-proof set consists of the following driver bits:

Bit	Sizes
Torq-Set	#6, #8, #10
Tri-Wing	#1, #2, #3, #4
Torx	T7H, T8H, T10H, T15H, T20H, T25H, T27H, T30H, T40H
Hex	Imperial: 3/32", 7/74", 1/8", 9/64", 5/32", 3/16", 1/4" Metric: 2.0H, 2.5H, 3.0H, 4.0H, 5.0H
Spanner	#4, #6, #8, #10

If you're looking for a light weight, non-magnetic screwdriver, then the 35-933 is worth considering, particularly if you want a great assortment of tamper-proof bits. At under $30 this is pretty good value, and it will provide years of reliable service. The only issue I have is that the screwdriver can't be purchased alone, or combined with the standard bit set, which would, I think, make it much more appealing to woodworkers and avid DIYers.

Reviewed January 2012