Using screwdrivers (pic heavy)

[Gareth]

Just a bit of a random thought here so do excuse me.  We get quite a bit of chat here about stumpy screwdriver being a real PITA but we almost never talk about the other aspect of using screwdrivers, that is; can it be used with the handles in-line rather than closed?

Here's what I'm talking about shown with a simple LM Kick.  The way I suspect most of us use the screwdrivers, most of the time.

But this can be inconvenient if you find yourself working in close to an object or in a tight space, so I do find myself using them like this quite a bit.  Despite looking a bit awkward it does work well.


In fact the Skeletool can only be used this way.


Now it's not just LM that does this, Vic tools will work just the same.



Now we come to a couple of examples where this just isn't possible.  SOG up first, closed it's no problem.

When open though....well it doesn't look that practical to me, how about you?


Also failing is this Gerber MP400, and sadly I believe this is almost certainly a problem with all the sliding head designs.
Closed, not a problem.

Due to the design the handles just don't open far enough.


Do others do this or am I just odd?

[ryan1835]

i've done it before but i gave up in the end and used one of my VDE screwdrivers instead

[Zed]

I used the waves at work the other night with no problem, i didnt use the extension just the normal LM phillips bit,but i do prefer the st300's longer drivers, sadly sometimes using a mt as a driver all the time would be hard work, for me a MT is purly a back up to my main tools, 

[Sparky415]

I used the waves at work the other night with no problem, i didnt use the extension just the normal LM phillips bit,but i do prefer the st300's longer drivers, sadly sometimes using a mt as a driver all the time would be hard work, for me a MT is purly a back up to my main tools, 

+ 1

Gareth,
I'm sure you have not forgotten that you can also put a lot of torque on the driver by only opening the handle 90degrees but I'm not sure how good this is for the tool 

[enki_ck]

I actually prefer the open position, sometimes when I need a more torque, I use the half way grip.

Edit: sparky415 beat me to it. Have to get a faster camera

[lovenhim]

It is funny that you bring this up.  I mostly use my screwdrivers extended out and not in the folded position.  I just do by default and I am not sure why. 

[Sparky415]

Good picture Enki 

 

[AimlessWanderer]

I never really thought about this much before  I think I just do whatever works with the tool I've got. 

MT drivers are a compromise anyway, so whatever gets me best access, best control and best torque. Most often it's like enki_ck has shown if theres room or the closed position. I'll only try an open-in-line affair if access is really tight or it's a delicate task. I had to use the minidriver on a P4 once, and that worked a lot better like that. Thinking about it, torque is generally better with the tool closed anyway as the offset driver gives a wider radius ... so long as you rotate around the driver axis and not the tool's (or it's chewy time).

That said the inline SAK drivers beat the backtool drivers every time for me  Way better ergos

[NeitherExtreme]

I just about always use it with the handle open. I find this helps especially with the smaller Juice line. (FWIF I've mostly used LM's.) I've also used that 90' position on occasion as well.

[scrappy]

I use the open position for long reach and to get around doorknobs.