edc pocket screwdriver

[ufd538]

Didn't really know where to post this .... But as the general faq doesn't let you post, this seems the next place.

What's your favorite pocket screwdriver as a locksmith? I find it invaluable to have one, as often I go in a place to see what I'm dealing with before I lug in a bunch of tools, often times only a screwdriver is needed, since I have one in my pocket, I'm all set. Or if it is only a few cylinder rekey, I simply go in empty handed with only the screwdriver in my pocket, or those jobs that you finish, put away the tools, write the bill, and the customer says"Oh yeah, can you look at this? "

To start, I do like picquick screwdrivers, really like, they come with 7 interchangeable bits and can be ordered with the bits you want. The bits are longer than standard1" x1/4"bits and of excellent quality, no problem using them in your power tool ... Unless said power tool is a saw; ) handle is similar size to standard screwdriver, so you will definitely notice it in your pocket. I prefer a tool that is small enough that you forget it is there.

This all started several years ago, I was at Sears hardware store, and one or twice a year they would have'dollar days', which equated to a bunch of cheaper tools in cardboard bins generally under 10 bucks. They had fold up Allen sets along with fold up screwdriver sets and I had the idea to buy the screwdriver and sae Allen set, and pick the most common sizes I use and make one set to keep in my pocket. Very handy! KEPT A PHILLIPS 1 AND 2, a1/4 and 1/8 inch flat head, and Allen sizes 1/8,3/32,5/64,1/16, and a .050, the latter of which was primarily used for pushing in retainers on knobs and levers.

Sears quit having that event, and is harder to find the folding screwdrivers at a decent price. For Christmas I requested a Kershaw select fire which is a pocket knife that has a 1/4"bit holder that folks out on opposite end that measures 2.5", with on board storage for 4 standard 1/4"bits, is pretty nice.

Would like more bit storage and don't care about the knife. Looking at the loggerhead bit Dr and while it uses 1/4"bits they are more specialized, they are shorter and one model uses double sided bits. While the lite uses single sided bits, looks like standard bits would need cut short to fit in the storage area(holds 10 bits). The deluxe version comes with a piece that makes it a ratcheting screwdriver which I have no desire for, but the bits are double sided which gives you twice the selection, and it would be nice to have the torx driver for automotive work. Doesn't look as though replacement bits are a fallible if you were to lose. And I don't care to have the ratcheting piece. I have seen a few complaints about cheap build quality on these, anyone else use one?

Any anyone use a tool that they love?

[ufd538]

I now keep common sizes of Allen wrenches in my pick set now, so don't necessarily need Allen wrenches in the set.

[jeffmoss26]

My favorite of the 4 and 6 in 1 drivers are Enderes. The company has been in Iowa for over 100 years and sells only to independent hardware stores. The bits are the toughest I've used.

For pocket clip screwdrivers "tweakers" the giveaway ones are all about the same. If you want a really nice one, look for an Xcelite from an electronics distributor.

[Squelchtone]

I find my Klein 5-in-1 screwdriver to get the most use of all of my hand tools. it has a chunky handle so it isn't always great to keep in your pocket, but it provides a lot of torque and full size slotted and Phillips bits, which are reversible. I keep one in the car, home, and at work at all times.

http://www.kleintools.com/catalog/screw ... nut-driver

They sell an 11-in-1 model with some additional bits and driver sizes, but the 5-in-1 is great for my needs. Since I do wiring as well, that screwdriver is ALWAYS carried with a set of Klein dykes (don't laugh, that's what we call diagonal cutters here in New England and maybe in your part of the US as well) Great for cutting wire, screws, zip ties, etc.

http://www.kleintools.com/catalog/high- ... ty-cutting

Here they are with some other stuff I commonly use for network wiring when I'm not pretending to be an amateur locksmith


These are my favorite tools,
Squelchtone

[ufd538]

Ever looked at the klein 10 fold? Though I'd still prefer something that uses standard 1/4"bits, for easy replacement and customizing.

[1mrchristopher]

The Klein 11-in-1 is my go to screwdriver. It definitely isn't pocket friendly, but it's just so darned handy to have so many options. I used to wear a pouch on my belt, and now that I'm working with hand tools again more often, I'm considering going back to it.

[cledry]

I stopped trying just to carry a few tools in and find it less aggravating overall to carry a small tool bag in to almost every job.

I went to assist one of our other locksmiths last night working on a Trident lock. I asked him do you have your tools and a spare cylinder, yes was his reply.

So I park 1/4 of a mile away downhill because we are restricted where we are allowed to park and went to help him.

OK, I ask him to pass me an allen wrench so I can remove the covers. Oh, those are in my truck. So he goes to get them. 20 minutes later he appears all out of breath with the wrenches. I pop the covers off and remove the housing, replace the IC core driver hub. and go to put it back on but I cannot get the tailpiece to slide back in. OK, I ask for a flashlight. So back out to the truck he goes...

As you can see he wasted 40 minutes on one job.

The whole job should have took 30 minutes start to finish but he made it a 2 hour job, mainly because he only carried a couple of tools in.

[cledry]

BTW, the screwdrivers I prefer are two Megapro drivers, one regular and one tamperproof.

http://megapro.net/

They are made in the USA too.

[ufd538]

Btw, I've heard them called dykes here in Ohio.

Yes, I hate wasting time. If I have to walk any distance and/or have an unclear idea of what the job entails, I grab the tool bag. That's why I like a pocket screwdriver, for those times I don't expect to need one and don't want to run to the van. I also hate this, when you go to help a fellow worker, and while you are working on the lock, you ask for some vice grips, they come back after 20 minutes of looking in their van with a pair of needle nose pliers saying'will these work? '

Trident locks are pretty crazy setups. It's seems securitech sells direct and the lock is always provided when I install those, any idea what those things cost?

I went to one of those where the bottom bolt was half inch or less of pulling back far enough to open. I instantly thought that I could just cut off the bolt just a enough for it to work. Wanting to do it the 'right'way I spent an excessive amount of time trying to make adjustments to no avail. I can only guess the cable had stretched over time? I also noticed the lever detent that keeps the lock open until you shut the door was not working. You had to push the paddle to shut the door. Tried to fix the lever that hits the strike, it was bent. No matter how much I slightly tried to bend it, it was always too much one way or another. Either it would not release the bolt or not catch it. That was a time bandit of a call, in which I just ended up cutting off about 3/8"of the bolt.

[cledry]

No idea what they cost.

I do know that they are good at sending us replacement parts at no cost.

I would hesitate to modify one except temporarily due to liability. If there is a fire and they try to exit and it doesn't work, they could come back to you. My rule of thumb with exit hardware is replace with new parts or a whole new mechanism if too many parts are bad.

[billdeserthills]

I use a pouch like EMT's carry for my smaller tools, I can just clip it onto my pocket and that gets me out of a lot of walking back to the van. My full size screwdriver is a DeWalt 920 7.2 volt cordless screwdriver. It saves me a lot of time over twisting out screws by hand.

[jeffmoss26]

I have a small pouch that holds my snips, knife, and punchdown tool when I am terminating cable.
Otherwise I just take the tools from my bag and put them in my pockets when I am working.

[ufd538]

Had it been a latch, I would've not cut it, the bolt is a steel rod for top and bottom mechanism. The piece that came off was about the thickness of a washer plus the thickness of my cut off blade. The cable is non adjustable and permanent. Theoretically the bottom mechanism could be moved, but the tiny amount it would need moved and would be hard with the old screw holes, especially since it was thru bolted. Being the cable was permanent, the entire thing would've needed replaced.

You definitely need to be careful when it comes to life safety issues.

[billdeserthills]

Had it been a latch, I would've not cut it, the bolt is a steel rod for top and bottom mechanism. The piece that came off was about the thickness of a washer plus the thickness of my cut off blade. The cable is non adjustable and permanent. Theoretically the bottom mechanism could be moved, but the tiny amount it would need moved and would be hard with the old screw holes, especially since it was thru bolted. Being the cable was permanent, the entire thing would've needed replaced.

You definitely need to be careful when it comes to life safety issues.

Thing is, anytime You make a non-standard change to an item, You now own any liability associated
with that item. I'm not saying You will be sued and subsequently stripped of every asset, just that it would be a personal fear of mine.