My Daddy taught me that this little lesson….Sometimes the cheapest tool ends up becoming the most expensive tool.

Thanks Dad for the lesson.

NapalmDotNet wrote:Too bad there's not a buy-one-of-each option.

Just say you want to buy three. Then you can pick each type. Go for it!

mmmata wrote:being so cheap, are the tips magnetized? thats key for 'electronic' tools..especially when you drop your screw down your case and you get a pc that rattles when you move it

giftofgab wrote:+1 in wondering if the tips are magnetic. It's a real pain to have to do that to them. Would one of you who has this kindly "expand" the description a bit? ;-)

Aren't magnetic tools dangerous for PC work? I'm thinking I don't want those anywhere near the hard disc drive.

I purchased two of the screwdriver kits from Home Depot, they usually sell them for $4-$5 each. They're serve a purpose, but they're very cheap quality.

I don't think the tools are cheap, for what they're meant for, light duty usage.

Some of you are cheap though, not willing to buy the right tool for the job.

The last Skill set that I recieved, the sockets were bouncing around in the case because the plastic tabs they sat on broke off in shipping. The case seems to damage real easy but the tools are doing fine.

vons ad stays right on top of the product pics for me! can't even see them. -1.

These little sets are great. They might not be the best quality but they don't intend for you to throw a cheater bar on the ratchet and have a go. Also, most people with rounded tips get them because they try using the same driver for every screw they find, use the right size for the job and you won't have that problem.

I didn't need the ratcheting screwdriver set but couldn't resist for just an extra $4(can never have too many sets and at this price just refill the lost bits from other sets).

And the security bit set from harbor freight, awesome set. I've had mine for years and love the thing. Lost a few bits but there are duplicates of the flathead and philips sizes that are commonly used so oh well.

OK...I'm normally a quiet and reserved mid-level manager, but "Stevie Soap-N-Stroke" made me spit my coffee and re-injure my spleen. Charges will be pending...

lola4028 wrote:Now it will finally be acceptable for a woman to screw everything!!!

I love meeting handy women!

But are the Skil tools made in the USA? otherwise they probably aren't even worth the postage

Scored the 20 piece in my Big o' Cosmos from April fools day. Of course most of the holders are broken, but its a socket set I can give to my kid.

NeoteriX wrote:Aren't magnetic tools dangerous for PC work? I'm thinking I don't want those anywhere near the hard disc drive.

To answer my own question, it sounds like the answer is "No, magnetic tools are generally ok"

In a nutshell,

1) the magnets in hard drives are quite strong, much stronger than a tool and
2) the fact that magnetic strength diminishes at a factor squared of distance means that with the hard drive casing distance from the platters alone, is probably sufficient to result in very little magnetic field affecting the platters.

http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165229
http://www.dansdata.com/danletters128.htm

I got the Skil 20-Piece 1/4” Driver Set (and other tools) and it broke the very first time I used it. Not the very first project I used it for, but it broke on the very first nut I tried to unscrew... The other tools were pretty good though.

lola4028 wrote:Now it will finally be acceptable for a woman to screw everything!!!

Ummmm... Has it not always been that way?

I bought the precision set at best buy for $13. it is a great precision set, no complaints and no problems. for $13 im satisfied with my purchase, for $4 i would buy 3 and keep them around my apartment and in my computer toolkit. Definetally buy this.

GREAT write up, w00t writer!!!

I already have every tool known to man, and sometimes times three...however, if you're not a cute girl with her own set of tools, then twelve bucks plus fifteen shipping is a great deal and YOU NEED THESE!

winnike wrote:I got the Skil 20-Piece 1/4” Driver Set (and other tools) and it broke the very first time I used it. Not the very first project I used it for, but it broke on the very first nut I tried to unscrew... The other tools were pretty good though.

Apparently it was a tough nut.

martyflynn3 wrote:just curious what is the difference between a ratcheting and a precision screwdriver set? I bought both cause i can never have enough screwdrivers with working on laptops but i honestly dont know what i bought lol

A ratcheting handle allows you to turn in one direction and then without releasing your hand, turn back to get another grasp of the mechanism inside the screwdriver (the ratchett) and turn again. Faster way to turn a screw. Precision is just screwdrivers.

Mooga wrote:Are the tips magnetized? I would definitely pick them up if they were.

Are you made out of ferrous metal then?

In for 1 of each. I already own quality tools, however, cheap sets like these are perfect for having some emergency tools (metric socket set) in the trunk of your car, and the precision stuff is great to keep handy in your office drawer.

martyflynn3 wrote:just curious what is the difference between a ratcheting and a precision screwdriver set? I bought both cause i can never have enough screwdrivers with working on laptops but i honestly dont know what i bought lol

the precision set is what you will typically use working on laptops. it will come with much smaller bits for those tiny head screws in electronics.
the ratcheting set will well, ratchet. that is spin both ways while tightening/loosening. it will come with different bits. probably some small sockets and regular size philips and standard screwdriver bits.

Bowhunters wrote:
Another thing that sucks is that the $5 dollar charge on shipping for each of them, you could ship all 3 or maybe more of them for that price.

Let me explain how woot shipping works. Today, you and several hundred other suckers pay $5 each to ship some crappy cheap tools that actually only cost about fifty cents apiece in postage. Tomorrow, an HDTV that you can't possibly afford even at discounted woot prices is up for sale, and rich oil sheiks who made all their money by stepping on the backs of the working class buy it. The shipping fee for the TV is also only $5, even though it obviously costs woot more than that in postage.

You see where I'm going with this?

Your $5 in shipping for cheap crap is put to good use towards the postage costs when woot ships out expensive things that you can't afford to people who don't need them. It all evens out in the end. This way, people like you and me who can only afford cheap crap are paying the extra shipping fees so that people who can afford a sixth HD flatscreen for the guest bathroom don't have to.

Mooga wrote:Are the tips magnetized? I would definitely pick them up if they were.

If they are great, if not, just grab the smallest magnet from the refrigerator or pull one out of your kid's magnetic alphabet letters and stick it on the stem of your screwdriver and wallah, the tips are now magnetized.

"Precision" screwdrivers aren't made in China, and they don't come apart.

That said, I do have this kind of stuff in my toolbox.

Woody1150 wrote:Sorry Woot....

Drive Set - $4.88 (Lifetime warranty)

Ratcheting screwdriver set - $4.88 (Lifetime warranty)

Precision Ratcheting Screwdriver set - $4.88 (Lifetime warranty)

and you only have to spend $249 for free shipping! Score! that's so much better....

chaospearl wrote:Let me explain how woot shipping works. Today, you and several hundred other suckers pay $5 each to ship some crappy cheap tools that actually only cost about fifty cents apiece in postage. Tomorrow, an HDTV that you can't possibly afford even at discounted woot prices is up for sale, and rich oil sheiks who made all their money by stepping on the backs of the working class buy it. The shipping fee for the TV is also only $5, even though it obviously costs woot more than that in postage.

You see where I'm going with this?

Your $5 in shipping for cheap crap is put to good use towards the postage costs when woot ships out expensive things that you can't afford to people who don't need them. It all evens out in the end. This way, people like you and me who can only afford cheap crap are paying the extra shipping fees so that people who can afford a sixth HD flatscreen for the guest bathroom don't have to.

nice description. It is also important to point out that the shipping is flat rate regardless of if you buy one or three... you pay $5 and that is all. Could be for a sack of rubbers, rubber bands or 55" television... $5!

wburian wrote:vons ad stays right on top of the product pics for me! can't even see them. -1.

You likely have some type of adware on your pc buddy. ^_^

kippyj wrote:GREAT write up, w00t writer!!!

I already have every tool known to man, and sometimes times three...however, if you're not a cute girl with her own set of tools, then twelve bucks plus fifteen shipping is a great deal and YOU NEED THESE!

Its plus five shipping not fifteen. When you order multiple items at once you are only charged once for shipping.

I bought the ratcheting screwdriver a while ago.

I use it just for around the house type stuff, nothing major and it is a nice tool for the price.

I have more expensive tools in my workshop for heavy duty uses, this is a kitchen drawer set at best. Also great gifts for Mother's and Father's day!

Dominic

martyflynn3 wrote:just curious what is the difference between a ratcheting and a precision screwdriver set? I bought both cause i can never have enough screwdrivers with working on laptops but i honestly dont know what i bought lol

The ratcheting set contains standard sized bits, while the precision set has all small sized bits.

glazedfaith wrote:Are there any bits here compatible with tamper-resistant screws, such as those found in modern electronics (i.e. PS3, iPhone, Xbox, etc.)?

The Xbox 360 uses two different Torx screws, specifically T8 & T10. The precision set has a T8 but not a T10 and the ratcheting set has a T10 but not a T8.

I believe the Iphone 4 has a proprietary lobe screw which none of these have.

I also believe that the PS3 uses a Torx T10 which the ratcheting screwdriver set has.

On a side note, the precision set includes a T5, which will open a B&N Nook Color.

Torx in general are useful in electronics so you can't loose with the precision set.

I got the same 3 sets by made by Husky from Home Depot for $4.99 each. With tax I still paid less then Woot price after shipping.

Sorry Howie Mand-Woot, No Deal!

NeoteriX wrote:Aren't magnetic tools dangerous for PC work? I'm thinking I don't want those anywhere near the hard disc drive.

Hard drives are not damaged by magnets. They are fully protected. BTW, all hard drives have 1 or 2 very powerfull neodymium magnets inside inside them.

For those who get the precision tool set, you can have fun extracting the magnets from old drives.

cchrone wrote:and you only have to spend $249 for free shipping! Score! that's so much better....

LOL. You could then have 50 of these cheap sets!

I totally want one.

this has nothing to do with today's woot, but WTF woot has an amazon storefront now?! since when?!

martyflynn3 wrote:just curious what is the difference between a ratcheting and a precision screwdriver set? I bought both cause i can never have enough screwdrivers with working on laptops but i honestly dont know what i bought lol

About 1.5 cents

Looks like the painfully poor quality of today's "tool" theme reflects the quality of these Skil tool sets. Woot sinks to an all-time low. Guys, clean up your act - this is a family web site.