Tool Time Widda ToolDwagon: Cheap Amazon Screwdriver Set So... while I was deeply embroiled in my PC Case
Fuckery Modding project, I allowed Amazon to tempt me with
this cheap set of screwdrivers (As an add-on for $10, not the $15 list) to fill out a minimum order so I could get my sleeving 1-day delivered on a Sunday.
As you can see, delivered product appears very close to optimized photo from listing; they come with a semi-hardside carrying case, a microfiber cloth that is actually of usable size, and a magnetizer/demagnetizer that while cheaply made, does appear to put a half-decent magnetic charge on the tip with 5-6 passes through the center, and demagnetizes as easily. The little glasses screwdriver turned out to be a horrible chromed-plastic piece of shite; it went directly in the trash can lest I be tempted to actually try and bring the damn thing anywhere near my glasses.
I was skeptical at first, but these seem to have entirely too good feedback for the price, so I figured I'd take one for the team. I'll be using them as my daily drivers for a while, and I'll report back here with my findings.
Initial impressions: Anodized aluminum handles have decent feel; the o-rings appear to be nice grippy silicone, and the swivel head is amazingly smooth. Anodizing is fair; several have small void blemishes in the dye. Chrome plating on the shanks is so-so; but the tips themselves appear to be well-machined and come in standard PH1, PH0, PH00, PH000 (despite idiotic mm size imprinting) and 1.5-3.0mm slotted sizes with 25mm long shafts.
Testing with a generic square file (Sorry; I don't have a set of hardness files anymore... long story
) places hardness somewhere between a quality IRWIN P2 screwdriver bit and my current favorite daily mini-drivers, the Husky 74501 & 74502 (which appear to be discontinued), so claims of being
"S2" impact/shock resistant alloy tool steel are probably true, though of course this alloy's usefulness depends greatly on the care with which it is tempered.
I'm currently laying out a tool stand to print up which will hold all of these drivers plus a few of my "iDrivers" for the duration of said use and testing.
Cheers,
mnem
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