Best Overall
DeWalt Multi-Bit and Nut Driver Set
Best Bang for the Buck
Milwaukee SAE Core Nut Driver Set
Best Fixed Handle
Klein Tools 631 Nut Driver Set
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If you ’re work on gizmo , doing electrical work in your home , or tinkering in your railway car , then you ’ll desire a undecomposed circle of orchis drivers to get the occupation done . These ready to hand tools allow you to work smaller en and bolts that are too frail for shock wrenches and out of range of a socket spanner . Nut driver , which resemble screwdrivers , allow you to work fastening in heavy - to - reach blot . They fare in manual set with six or seven ball gadget driver , and single - handle set with similar bits in both metric and Society of Automotive Engineers ( SAE ) sizes . I recently put five screwball driver sets to the exam and found that theDeWalt Multi - Bit and Nut Driver Set , with its many moment size and splendid build quality , to be the best of the bunch . Read on to find out out more about my test finding and to acquire about what to look for when shopping for the good nut driver sets .
Our Top Picks
The products in our top pick represent a variety of different case of nut driver sets , admit those with fixed handgrip and exchangeable bit . The follow five sets went through tight hands - on examination .
Our Ratings : Ergonomics4/5 ; Performance4.5/5 ; Durability5/5 ; Value5/5
DeWalt ’s nut driver bit set is a thickset set that offers numerous sizes and bit types . With a solidification of addict drivers , you ’ll typically get seven or eight sizes . With DeWalt ’s outfit , you get 20 testicle driver sizes and ascrewdriver bit setthat includes flathead , Phillips , Torx , hex , and square driveway . Plus , all the piece fit neatly in a compact case .
The number one wood itself features a large rubberized handle that makes it easy to get a firm grip on the driver for working bolt . The bits are well made and accommodate snugly into the driver and over the read/write head of the bolt heads I tested them on . Sure , the slight amount of play between the nuts and driver means you mislay some torque , but the smorgasbord of size and portability of this is deserving the swop - off . It ’s a in high spirits - quality orchis driver set choice to the fixed - grip sets that only give you six or seven sizes .
Get the DeWalt nut driver set atAmazonorThe Home Depot .
Our Ratings : Ergonomics5/5 ; Performance4.5/5 ; Durability5/5 ; Value5/5
It may seem odd to see the vaunted Milwaukee brand name and the word “ budget ” in the same sentence , but this curing is a heck of a heap . It ’s priced to within a few dollars of most similarly sized nut driver sets on the marketplace , but it burn out them off with its quality . I ’ve tested Milwaukeesocket setsin the past , and they did n’t let down . This lot of hollow - trunk nut drivers is no exception . The chassis tone of this set is exceptional : The scrap drivers ’ read/write head have radius corners that take insistence off the pointed sides of bolt , preventing the number one wood from snipe them off .
My paw fit nicely around the contours of the rubberise handle , making it well-situated to get a unwavering clench for producing max torque . sizing labels on the top and side of the handle and also at the head are a dainty touch for easy designation . The set fare with a well - curated natural selection of SAE sizes , and it ’s also available in metrical sizes .
Get the Milwaukee nut gadget driver position atAce HardwareorThe Home Depot .
This is a very solid set of hollow - gibe ballock drivers from Klein Tools , one of the more well - regarded hand - peter manufacturers in the DIY world . The patronage death sport a preciseness - cut machine driver chief with wheel spoke corners that prevent polish up off nut and bolts . I also like the great rubberized grip that allowed me to get a firm handle on the driver . My only gripe was that the handles are a little smaller than those of other addict drivers I tested , limiting the amount of torque I could make with them .
That say , the precision - edit out heads fit tightly over the bolt head I test them on . get the correct - size of it fruitcake number one wood to use was easy thanks to the easy - to - read white recording label on the remnant of each handle . The Klein Tools nut equipment driver place does have a hollow shaft , but the shaft does not run exclusively through the handle , which means you wo n’t be able to use it on extended bolts .
Get the Klein Tools nut number one wood put atAmazonorLowe ’s .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Best Ratcheting
Gearwrench 16-Piece Ratcheting Nut Driver Set
Our Ratings : Ergonomics4/5 ; Performance5/5 ; Durability5/5 ; Value4.5/5
Gearwrench is one of a fistful of trade name available to DIYers that are just enough to be include in a professional automechanic tool set . With number heading that are preciseness cut with radius corners , each driver fit snugly to bolt heads and nut with little risk of exposure of assail them off during examination . Rather than apply a fleck that sequester to a tool , Gearwrench forges each nut with its own shaft , which plugs into the ratcheting hold . This design wipe out act between handle and bit , which enable me to produce more torsion with each turn . I also liked the shape and grasp of the hold , though I wished it was an in or two farsighted so I could get a good handle on it .
The outfit ’s collection of 16 bits covers mutual sizes in both metric and SAE , the latter of which are color - coded for easy size of it designation . Rubber grapple around the shaft of light are useful for hand- threading bollock or bolt . My only real complaint was with the example , which is made of inexpensive plastic that does n’t feel like it would last long in a shop environment .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Get the Gearwrench nut number one wood set atThe Home Depot , Circle Supply , orToolDiscounter .
Best Impact
Neiko Magnetic Hex Impact Nut Driver Set
This Neiko magnetized nut number one wood set is a great option if you ’re see for a set of nut drivers you could use with an encroachment number one wood . They ’re made from carbonized steel that ’s hard enough to handle the torsional strength created by an impact machine driver without cracking . It comes with a dozen bits covering some of the most common metric and SAE size of it . I loved the caliber of these bits . Each one has a tight fit over bolt head and crank . Slight radius corners point the bulk of the torsion on the sides of the nut or bolt , help to prevent rounding off that can be a rough-cut trouble when using an impact driver .
Each chip also has a establish - in attractor , which holds bolts firmly in space on the bit — an priceless feature when working in the tight confines of a machine railway locomotive . I also like the laser engraving on this impingement ballock driver set , which made it easy to discover the size I require . Additionally , all the bits fit nicely into the included rugged carrying case .
Get the Neiko nut driver place atAmazon .
Photo: Amazon
More Great Options
In summation to the five products I tested , I would also advocate these highly blackleg ball number one wood sets .
Best Hollow Shaft
Craftsman 7-Piece Nut Driver Set
Since being buy by Stanley Black & Decker back in 2017 , Craftsman has made a name for itself by offering in force - calibre putz at an affordable price . This nut number one wood set is a capital example of that . Each piece has a large overmolded handle with rubberized clasp , allowing you to get a firm grip on the equipment driver to generate maximal torsion . The bent is made with hollow shafts , so they ’ll work with prolonged bolts . Plus , it comes with the most common SAE size you ’ll require a nut gadget driver congeal for . While Craftsman market this set as a combination SAE and metric solidifying , the accuracy is that metric size and SAE sizes do n’t perfectly align . For that reason , those who need a metric version will require to look to another marque for those sizes .
Get the Craftsman nut driver set atAmazon , Lowe ’s , orWalmart .
Best Compact
Kobalt 6-Piece Metric Hex Nut Driver Set
This air hole - size of it portable metric nut number one wood set is a great option if you only take a nut driver set for periodic habit or are looking for one that will fit easy inside a tool belt or a small tool kit in your car . It includes all the mutual sizing you ’ll find with full - size of it nut number one wood sets , only in a minuscule folding multi - tool design that measures just 5 inches long . Do n’t be fritter by its little size , though ; this is one ruffianly tool . It ’s made from heavy - caliber steel that wo n’t bend even when you wrench hard on it , and the shaft torso is traverse in a rubber eraser hairgrip that makes it more comfortable to habituate . Each nut driveway is clearly labeled , and the multi - peter add up in both metrical and SAE option .
Get the Kobalt junky driver set atLowe ’s .
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Chose and Tested the Best Nut Driver Sets
I carefully measure each of the five junkie drivers I test . I work on fasteners of various size on a lawn mower engine and car locomotive . When using them , I consider how well each size of it check onto the thunderbolt and how repellent it was to slipping or pulling off . I also weigh how easy it was to grip the hold to work fastener . Along with work force - on examination , I also expect for kit that included the most commonly used sizes one would take for this type of dick .
For the two curing I did not try out , I conducted wide research , comparing spec for each one while also read through dozens of client reviews .
What to Consider When Choosing a Nut Driver
When choosing a nut driver , it ’s significant to deliberate build quality , the driver size the set let in , and the eccentric of handle . in advance , find out more about these and other attributes of nut driver sets .
Build Quality
While all nut driver sets are made from sword alloy , that does n’t mean they ’re all the same lineament . There are a few things to look for when shop for one of these tools . The bollock driver head teacher should have spoke corners , which are slight cutouts in each of its six corners . This purpose causes the tool to engage only the flat sides of a testicle or thunderbolt , taking pressure off the fasteners ’ corners , which prevents rounding off that can ruin bollock and bolts .
If you ’re using a crank driver with a exclusive grip and peter that can make a sort of bits , verify the number one wood has a mechanism that harbor each bit firmly in the shaft . ballock driver sets are often used in locomotive engine and other machinery in which a bit can become hopelessly lost if it fall out of the number one wood head .
Driver Sizes
ball equipment driver sets have usual metrical and SAE sizes that typically range from 3/16 inch to ½ in for SAE and 5 millimeters ( mm ) to 12 millimetre for metric . These sizes will fit the vast majority of thunderbolt and nut size you ’ll witness in cars , lawn mowers , appliances and other station where you ’d need a nut driver . If you ’re dealing with expectant fastening , you ’ll want to use a prick that provides the mellow torque necessary to wrench them , such as an impact driver or socket wrench . Most nut driver set come with seven drivers in either metric or SAE sizes . Sets with interchangeable bits typically have far more sizes .
Shaft Length and Type
fruitcake driver have farsighted shafts that are designed to reach fixing that are in hard - to - access areas , such as inside a car railway locomotive or under a cabinet . Shaft length ranges from around 3 inches up to 5 inches .
Some orchis gadget driver have hollow shafts that run from the head of the tool all the way through the handle . fruitcake driver with this feature are necessary if you ’re working nuts on extended bolts .
Handles
Nut driver sets come with three different designs : fix , interchangeable bits , and interchangeable peter .
Handle Size and Grip
Since nut drivers are manual tools , the handgrip and grip are critical . How firmly and well you’re able to grapple the handle of a nut driver largely determines how much torsion you’re able to create and hence how easy it is to constrain and remove nuts and bolts . The best nut drivers will have a large molded rubberized grip that conforms to the contour of the helping hand .
FAQs
If you ’re wondering whether you need a nut driver set or what size your stage set should include , then take on for reply to these unremarkably ask questions .
Nut drivers are utilitarian for working on smaller nuts and bolt typically happen in electric appliances , automobiles , computers , and other machinery . They ’re typically used on smaller fasteners in which preciseness is valued over high torsion .
attend for a junkie driver set that track the standard sizes : 3/16 inch to ½ inch for SAE sizing and 5 mm to 12 mm for metric . These sizes will cover the most normally used crank and bolt found in electronics and machinery that do n’t require a high amount of torque .
Photo: Ace Hardware
A nut driver is a manual prick designed for use with smaller fasteners . A nut Caranx crysos is a pneumatic top executive tool design to tighten and loose bolts that require a high amount of torsion . These powerful tools are also useful for removing stuck nuts and bolts .
Metric and SAE , also get laid as the imperial measurement system , are two different forms of measurement . Since metric and SAE fasteners are both common , it ’s helpful to have a set of egg driver in each size . While SAE sizing and metric sizes can be very similar , they are n’t identical , and using an SAE size of it on a metrical fixing can cause you to round off the nut or thunderbolt .
Meet the Tester
Tony Carrick is a freelancer writer specializing in place improvement , landscaping , engineering , home security , and project for such sites and publications as Popular Mechanics , Pro Tools Review , CNN Underscored , and This Old House Magazine .
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