Surprised there's no review for this product yet, so I'll jump in. Beware, I type a lot, so hang on if you can.
There are many brands out there for ratcheting screwdrivers, including Snap-On, Matco, Crafstman, Wera, Stanley, Dewalt, Kobalt (by Lowe's), Husky (by Home Depot), Bahco, Megapro, etc:
1) Tool junkies and professional tool wielders swear by Snap-On and Matco, but as a more casual DIY'er, I couldn't justify $80-$100 for a screwdriver.
2) Husky, Stanley and some of the Dewalt models didn't have the quality feel or engineering I was seeking (looser shafts and ratchets, weaker magnets), though they're adequate at their price point.
3) The Kobalt double-drive was intriguing, but ultimately I didn't trust the ability of the driver to handle higher torque.
4) I bought the red-handled Craftsman model for $20, and it was very good except for a few issues. The shaft magnet doesn't pick up screws through the bits, the bit storage in the handle is difficult to rotate and use, and the driver felt too heavy in my hand. The ratchet mechanism and selection knob are solid and tight, and the driver body / handle is made of a VERY sturdy plastic - it's a nice deal for $20, but I wanted a stronger magnet and better bit storage.
There are several brands in the $25 - $45 price range - Bahco, Wera, Megapro, JH Williams, etc. I haven't used the other brands, but they all have good reviews. I decided on the Megapro for several reasons:
1) The magnetic pickup in the driver is marketed as 'strong', and I can confirm that it does pick up screws through the bit. Yes, I could get a magnetizer to temporarily magnetize shafts, or just dip bit tips in some oil or grease to get the screw to stick on, but why do either if I can get the screw pick-up in the driver itself?
2) Manufacturers usually don't list the tooth count for ratcheting drivers (more common for socket ratchets), but Megapro labels this as a 28-tooth ratcheting mechanism. It's one of the higher tooth counts I've experienced for a driver, and the ratchet feels very smooth and fine. A higher tooth count means you don't need to rotate the driver in reverse as much to get the screw to turn. This is more helpful with socket ratchets, as a higher tooth count means you need less swing clearance to tighten bolts. For drivers, you could argue it saves some wear and tear on your hand.
3) The bit storage rack in the handle is one of the best mechanisms I've seen on a driver. It's held in place magnetically, and has slots for 12 bits. The rack slots fits the bits tightly, though they are plastic, so they may end up wearing / snapping in the long run (however the plastic is reasonably strong / thick). For now though, there's no danger of the bits getting loose when they are snapped in the slots. The slots keep the bits organized, instead of a canister that stores bits loose (loose bits means a noisy handle and you have to dump all bits out to find the right one). The use of the magnet to keep the rack closed is clever - it's strong enough to keep the canister locked into the handle, but weak enough to make it easy to open the canister when necessary. There are also two slight finger grooves on opposite sides of the handle end, right above the cap of the rack, to make it easier to pull out the storage cap. Definitely an example of the attention to detail by Megapro. Side note: the cap of the canister rotates freely, letting you apply blister-free force with your palm while rotating the driver.
4) The bit storage can store 12 bits in the handle - this is more than most brands.
5) The shaft is thinner than some of the other brands. Both of the Wera models have thicker bit holders - one is a rapid adapter that can also be used in power drills, and the other has a thicker holder extension at the end of the shaft. The Bahco model also has a thicker holder at the end. I wanted a thinner shaft (that's what she... didn't... say? sorry couldn't resist :P) so I could fit the driver into tighter spaces.
6) There is another similar Megapro model, 211R2C36RD. However, that model uses non-standard bits - longer double-ended bits with a spring-ball retention mechanism. Ball retention means that driver probably doesn't have magnetic pickup either. I wanted a model that uses standard 1-inch insert bits, so I could expand my bit collection in the future.
A minor complaint I have is that the shaft is slightly loose, but that's a tiny nitpick for a product this good. I can't speak for reliability (just got the driver), but from an overall design and presentation perspective, I'm extremely satisfied. The driver handle is sturdy and the ratchet is smooth and fine. The 3-way ratchet selection knob is solid and tight. The whole screwdriver feels lightweight yet solid in my hand, and the ergonomics and grip are excellent too. I feel like I can put torque on this thing and it will hold up. For those of you who wonder about such things, the Megapro drivers are made in the U.S. and Canada, and the bits are made in Taiwan. Megapro offers a limited lifetime warranty (covers manufacturing defects, not normal wear and tear or driver bits).
I recommend using Google and YouTube to search for reviews / descriptions of this product - some of the demo videos online were very helpful. For ~$30 - $35, this is a great value for those who want or need the quality engineering exhibited by this product. Bravo, Megapro, bravo.
| Brand | Megapro |
|---|---|
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Head Style | Hex |
| Material | TRIAX™ |
| Color | Red |
| Special Feature | Magnetic Tip |
| Item dimensions L x W x H | 8.8 x 1.5 x 1.5 inches |
| Model Name | MegaPro 211R1C36RD |
| Manufacturer | Megapro |
| Part Number | 211R1C36RD-C |
| Item Weight | 8.1 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 8.8 x 1.5 x 1.5 inches |
| Item model number | 211R1C36RD |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Size | One Size |
| Style | Racheting Automotive Mulit-Bit Set |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Number Of Pieces | 1 |
| Compatible Fastener Range | 1 inches |
| Special Features | Magnetic Tip |
| Included Components | driver bits |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
| Warranty Description | Lifetime warranty on screwdrivers for manufacturing defects. Warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, product abuse or product modification. |
