DarthDad

I'm going to purchase some new tools and trying to decide between buying a set of bits or the full driver. I don't currently own a power screwdriver/small drill, but I do have a nice ratcheting driver handle I've used with a cheap 2mm bit that has worn out. My thought would be I could use the bits with my ratcheting driver and add a powered driver later.

Other than the inconvenience of bit swapping, any reason to buy the full driver?

St. George

iTrader: (7)

I bought the following from Snap-On over 10 years ago and I still use them all the time. Highly recommended.

Sir 51D3WAYS

Some screws are difficult to access without a long, thin shank. Hence why I keep a set of full drivers as well.

bratan

iTrader: (5)

Walmart sells cheap 1/4 driver hypertough for like 10-15$ I've been using one for a good year with mip speedbits. Its a must when doing full rebuilds.

billdelong

iTrader: (33)

I use the following set here:
https://www.hobao-usa.com/product/87337/

I have since replaced the 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 bits with higher quality bits from MIP, but everything else is original, in fact I still have the OFNA labeling on it when this used to be distributed by OFNA many years ago. It's very convenient to store a lot of bits in one small case. I have since removed much of the neoprene foam to fit several other tools inside the case such as the following tools for drilling pistons:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007TCHKXW/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VUGJ43W/

Matt Finney

iTrader: (1)

Thanks to everyone who posted links. I need to get some new tools myself.

Kurt Tucker

There are a few reasons to consider buying a full power screwdriver or small drill instead of just a set of bits.

1. Convenience: A power screwdriver or drill eliminates the need to manually swap out bits, making the process of driving screws or drilling holes faster and easier.
   
2. Power: A power tool will have more torque and power than a ratcheting driver handle, allowing you to more easily drive screws into hard materials or make larger holes.
   
3. Versatility: A power tool can be used for a wide range of tasks beyond just driving screws, such as drilling holes, sanding, and even cutting.
   
4. Cost: While a set of bits may be less expensive initially, over time you may end up spending more money on bits than you would have if you had purchased a power tool.
   

It's good that you have a ratcheting driver handle, it can be used with a variety of bits. However, it's better to consider buying a full driver if you find yourself frequently swapping out bits and if you have a lot of tasks that a power screwdriver or small drill would make easier.

Corners

iTrader: (2)

Just spend the money and get the best, which is MIP. If you’re trying to save some money, get MIP speed bits in 1.5 and 2.0, and drivers in 1.5 and 2.0. 2.5 and larger you can get by with cheap tools, but not with 2.0, and especially 1.5 (you’ll strip pinion set screws with cheap 1.5 drivers). Buy once; cry once.

Geo_ologist

iTrader: (7)

For bits I highly disagree with everyone selling MIP as the best, with no substitutes. Look into wera. Their stand alone hed drivers are amazing and they also sell very nice bits. Albeit some aren't as long as the MIP tools, but they are worth a look.

https://www.kctool.com/wera-059604-2...hex-power-bit/

Corners

iTrader: (2)

The main issue is the inconsistency and the “gamble” you take going another direction. MIP is always tops in quality of materials and accuracy in dimensions. You might find another that works, but some of that has to do with luck in the over/under tolerances in machining. Example, here’s a 1.5mm cheap hex driver vs an MIP. Being 0.06mm off on larger sizes is perfectly fine, but on a 1.5mm hex, that’s 4%. That’s a stripped pinion set screw vs a tight one.Then in the materials, some are not hardened properly or at all, so you’ll have soft tools that round themselves off quickly, or a poor heat treatment where they’re hard, but too much so that they break off.

the rc guy

Ive always had a powered 1/4 driver from my skill twist to a hammer head. they all have great use and value in ways they make the job faster and easier. I have 3 sets of mip bits. purchased a set of dewalt impacts bit ad did the ole caliper compare and there was minimal difference in sizes. Greatest was .01

Geo_ologist

iTrader: (7)

True, but I've never had that issue with Wera.

DarthDad

Looked at some of their tools and they have 2 different drivers I found (besides the linked bits). One has a larger "full sized" grip like a normal screwdriver and the other a thinner skinny "electronics" version. Have you used either version?

https://www.amazon.com/Wera-05118068...75&sr=8-2&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Wera-Kraftfor...s%2C175&sr=8-1

DarthDad

Thanks for all the feedback. Good suggestions and discussions

DARKWAV

My recommendation is to start out with a set of MIP Speed Tips. You can stick them in a handle to use like a regular driver. Use them without a handle if you need to get into a tight spot and torque isn't an issue, or put it into a power screwdriver. Tolerances are excellent and their tips will last way longer than inexpensive drivers. Between the versatility and the durability, they kinda pay for themselves. A set of 3 MIP Speed Tips will be a little less expensive than the set of 3 MIP drivers. It is a great way to try out MIP tools for yourself before going all-in if you decide to do so later.

At some point after buying the speed tips, try out an inexpensive power screw driver, like the Ryobi Tek4 (unfortunately they discontinued the version that had a clutch...so if you get one without a clutch you have to stop short of tight and finish tightening by hand). A power screwdriver is a big timesaver when you have more than a few screws to deal with, especially when they are longer screws, and it is fun zipping the screws out quickly compared to the not so fun activity of wrist twisting!

Once you start finding it cumbersome swapping tips in and out all the time, then it might be time to get a set of drivers as well. After experiencing the MIP Speed Tips...it might be hard to go back to something other than MIP! Once I started using the MIP Speed Tips, I no longer wanted to use my cheaper drivers because of the looser fit they had in the screw sockets compared to the MIP. I have heard good things about the Wera drivers and I did consider them...but after using the Speed Tips, the quality of MIPs tools was a know quantity to me at that point, so I eventually went and got the MIP drivers to replace my cheap ones.

For drivers...I would go with a full size grip. More comfortable and more torque which can be needed in some instances.