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Thread: I just want to buy a screwdriver!

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    I just want to buy a screwdriver!

    For PC case stuff.

    I have an ordinary standard philips PH1 with a thin handle 150mm long that works for pretty much any screw in a PC case, plus a PH0 100mm for laptop interior screws.

    I want to get magnetic, ratchet versions of both - not a set with interchangeable bits, just two single piece screwdrivers. I thought there would be millions on Amazon and ebay, but it seems not.

    Anyone know where I can get screwdrivers like that?

    Also, I need a 90 degree ratchet for tricky to get to screws in cases - I found this
    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/compact-90...item3a7e59c7fe

    Is that going to work?

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Senior Member Pob255's Avatar
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    Re: I just want to buy a screwdriver!

    Personally I never find a ratchet screwdriver that useful for pc's, when you're screwing into pre-threaded holes there's not enough friction to work with a ratchet unless you cross thread it and then you'll just be damaging the thread.

    I've not found a ratchet screwdriver that doesn't use heads and is short you can get extension bits that'll lengthen them but they still have the down side that they are much wider than a normal shaft screwdriver.

    You can magnetise a screwdriver by drawing the tip across a powerful magnet.

    Personally I find a short claw pick up tool handy, eg http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tools-Pick...-/121115982825 you put the screw in reach into a hard to reach place, use 3 or 4 turns just to get the screw started and held in place in the thread, then continue with a screwdriver.
    Also retrieving dropped screws.

    generally a longer straight shaft ph2 and a short ph2 will be fine for a pc case (case screws are ph2 not ph1, you can use a ph1 but you're at greater risk of damaging the screw head.)

    edit:About the only time a ratchet screwdriver is useful is fans, fans use a self tapping screw not a machine screw, so they will carve a thread into the plastic the first time you try to put a screw in.
    I find it's generally easier with a new fan to screw the screws into the fan outside of the case, just screw the screws into the frame with the fan on a solid flat surface, then take the screws out and put it into the case, it'll be a lot easier to put the screws in a 2nd time as the thread has now been cut into the frame.

    A 90 degree screwdriver is normally used not for hard to reach places but for more torque to get them very tight, but for the vast majority of pc uses you don't need that much torque and you'll be more likely to damage something by greatly over tightening the screws.

    edit2: I've found these thumb screws good http://www.ebuyer.com/124148-startec...-50-screwthumb they are a bit long so you might nee to cut them down, but they are the standard imperial 6-32 thread, so will work on side panels (and other case bits), hard drives, pci slots and some motherboard mounts.
    the other standard thread used is m3 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-PC-Thum...item1c33039d19 for most motherboard stand offs, optical drives and any other 3.5" or 5.25" external device
    (yes most motherboard mounts are m3 and some are 6-32 it depends on the case)

  3. Received thanks from:

    cookie365 (25-07-2013)

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    Re: I just want to buy a screwdriver!

    Cheers Pob, that's probably why nobody sells them then

    I've ebayed a claw thing and one of the right angled ratchet thingies, and I'll just stick with my existing regular no frills driver until it dies.

    Thanks

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    Senior Member Pob255's Avatar
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    Re: I just want to buy a screwdriver!

    I've got one of these that I use at work http://www.maplin.co.uk/15-piece-scr...ool-kit-784870 although it's got the holes in the middle of each bit needed for security screws, the screwdriver is quite good, it's not a ratchet but the L shape does mean you can get a lot of torque if you need it, and sometimes you can get into tight spaces, but often the width of the end mean I need a normal straight shaft driver.
    For normal pc work this might be a bit better http://www.maplin.co.uk/15-piece-scr...ool-kit-784870

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    cookie365 (25-07-2013)

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    Re: I just want to buy a screwdriver!

    I brought this couple of years ago for pc build and other jobs.

    http://www.screwfix.com/p/forge-stee...ewdriver/53151

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    cookie365 (25-07-2013)

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    Re: I just want to buy a screwdriver!

    Will have a look at those, thanks both

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    Re: I just want to buy a screwdriver!

    One of the best I've got is an 'all in one' where the head tapers to support ph 1-3 and pz 1-3 - it's got a long shaft and is ideal for digging around inside PCs and getting access to cage screws inside racks - can't remember model and on my phone - but look for an all in one screwdriver - the moulded handle is really comfy, and believe me - I use it a lot! I think I got it from either RS or Farnell

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    Drum & Bass Till I Die deejayburnout's Avatar
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    Re: I just want to buy a screwdriver!

    I have bought one of those precision sets from screwfix that comes with flat and pozi heads but also security bits. Used them from PC builds/upgrades to replacing screens on mobile phones and Xbox controller cleaning after major tea spillage.

    One of the best tools buys yet.

    I did have a cheap ass multi bit driver that lasted about a week before it broke.
    Better to Burn out than Fade Away
    Check out my Youtube channel - Crispy Crisperson

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