Tag: screwdriver

Gear Review: MetMo Pocket Driver

28 November, 2024

In this MetMo Pocket Driver review find out all about a super functional tool, and engineering masterpiece, revived and miniaturised by MetMo to create an EDC screwdriver unlike anything else. Based on one of the earliest forms of the ratchet screwdriver, originally patented by Conrad Baumann under the brand name Baumann-Weltrecord, in the 1920’s. Brought back to life, and to your pocket, by MetMo; using hardened materials and state of the art machining techniques to ensure the quality and reliability for which the original was known.

What’s in the box?:
Shown here are the Pocket Driver and the Pocket Pack accessory. Each of these are covered in detail in the following sections.

A good look round the Pocket Pack – Things to look out for here are:

One of the optional accessories for the Pocket Driver, the Pocket Pack holds the Pocket Driver, plus a number of adapters and bits, so you can put together the most useful tool set for your needs.
Included with the Pocket Pack are five bit holders/adapters from the 4mm precision bit adapter, going up to a 3/8″ square drive socket.
Made from leather with plenty of bit holder pockets, the bi-fold design uses brass post fittings to keep the pack neatly folded.
It also has a belt loop and D-loop hanger on the back so you can choose the best way to carry it.

A good look round the Pocket Driver – Things to look out for here are:

This is the full stainless steel version of the Pocket Driver. There are three variants from the lightest with aluminium body and handle, through to this version being the heaviest due to the stainless steel body and handle.

Immediately you are struck by the quality of finish with the folding handle, glorious in its pristineness. Though simple in concept, a folding handle ratchet screwdriver, as you look over the Pocket Driver the designed-in finesse is captivating.
A small lanyard hole next to the handle detent hole. The rounded pivot bolts. A pass-through hole in the handle so when folded bits can be fitted, and the Pocket driver used as a compact straight screwdriver. Then the almost steampunk visible ratchet pin, direction lever and those ratchet teeth themselves. The bit storage compartment cover, incorporated in a such a way that with the handle folded it can’t come loose, completes the tool.

Just how powerful is it?:
Included in MetMo’s specifications for the Pocket Driver is its maximum torque (turning force) of 17Nm. Though only a rough estimate, it is considered that a person can apply up to 10Nm torque when using a standard screwdriver (which also varies depending on the handle shape). The Pocket Driver has a fold out handle, and this is where that extra turning force comes from.

Not having an actual torque meter, I still wanted to attempt to measure how much force I could apply. As it happens, the torque wrench I have goes as low as 10ftlbs and adjusts in 1ftlb increments. So instead of taking a measurement, I could attempt to make the wrench ‘click’ on its preset torque and therefore show I had achieved that turning force. Though there isn’t a female-female 1/2″ square drive adapter, I have a ‘universal socket’ that would actually engage with the 1/2″ square drive of the torque wrench, meaning I was good to go with this test.
Working up from 10ftlbs, I found that after the success at 13ftlbs, I had maxed out and couldn’t ‘click’ 14 (all testing was with me holding both Pocket Driver and torque wrench, so I am sure I could have gone even higher if I was only holding the Pocket Driver).
This converts to a healthy 17.63Nm. Good job MetMo!

Also included in this gallery are some across-the-flats measurements taken with a vernier calliper to check the size of the hex bit holder socket and various bits/adapters.

What it is like to use?

What the Pocket Driver excels at are actually the heavier jobs rather than the smaller ones, despite its compact size. I say this for a few reasons in reference to the following gallery.
1/4″ standard bits (and in the first photo a PZ2 bit), which is a typical bit size likely to need a reasonable force to get tight, or undo. Using it with the handle folded, or deployed for much more force, makes good use of the ratchet.
Jumping up to the 3/8″ square drive that is included with the pocket pack, and realistically you will be using the fold-out handle to good effect.
Then we have the 4mm precision bit adapter, the type of bits used in this go down to 000 Phillips and T2 Torx, amongst others, where the side handle would guarantee stripped threads or heads. In fact even in-line, these sizes of screw won’t have enough resistance to turning to actually activate the ratchet action. If you do use the precision bit 4mm adapter you’ll be spinning the entire Pocket Driver like a fixed screwdriver; it’s no fault of the Pocket Driver, only a limitation of using it for fasteners that small.

For scale I wear XL size gloves, and although this is the smaller version of the Driver tool from MetMo, you can see it comfortably sits in the hand with the folding handle being a good size to provide plenty of leverage.

A pleasure to use, and working with any and all the bits you already have, here are just some of the jobs I’ve used the Pocket Driver for with 1/4″ bits, sockets, and even a hook driver bit. All that was asked of it was completed with ease.

One final point, being a tool that will appeal to engineering enthusiasts, MetMo offer an optional extra to allow your appreciation to reach new heights – a PDF of the engineering drawings. Showing all details hidden away inside the Pocket Driver, this is an excellent way to satisfy your curiosity of what makes it tick.

Review Videos

Starting with a short format sixty second review:

Onto a full video review covering many more details:

Review Summary

The views expressed in this summary table are from the point of view of the reviewer’s personal use. I am not a member of the armed forces and cannot comment on its use beyond that covered in the review.

Something that might be a ‘pro’ for one user can be a ‘con’ for another, so the comments are categorised based on my requirements. You should consider all points and if they could be beneficial to you.

I’m starting with what doesn’t work so well, so I can finish on a more positive note.

_______________________________________________
What doesn’t work so well for me
_______________________________________________
Storage for only two bits.
The ratchet direction lever can be fiddly to access with the handle folded.
Ratchet lever is easily knocked out of place when set to the fixed position.

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________
Beautifully engineered.
High torque driving (17.63Nm).
Compatible with all 1/4″ hex bits.
Pleasing ‘action’ you won’t want to put down.
Choice of optional accessories.
Pocket Pack allows you to build a tool set around the Pocket Driver.
Seriously hard working tool – not just pocket jewellery.
Stainless steel construction for long life.

 
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Gear Review: EDS II Screwdriver and EDC Wrench from BIGiDESIGN

18 February, 2023

BIGiDESIGN is producing so many awesome EDC tools, and in this review we are taking a detailed look at the BIGiDESIGN EDS II, the second, updated version of their unique Everyday Screwdriver, along with the BIGiDESIGN EDC Wrench a reimagining of an antique Swedish adjustable wrench.

Their original EDS, Everyday Screwdriver, was probably the first BIGiDESIGN product that I saw, and since then I bought their bolt action pen, a design that ingeniously adjusts to take most ballpoint refills on the market. Now I’ve been able to partner up the Bolt Action pen with the EDS II and EDC wrench making for an incredible EDC setup.

Video Overview

In this video we take a good look at a couple of lovely EDC gear designs from BIGiDESIGN. The EDS II, the second, updated version of their unique Everyday Screwdriver, along with the EDC Wrench, a small unique pocket friendly adjustable wrench.

What’s in the box; Part 1 the EDS II?:
For the three BIGiDESIGN products I have, the packaging follows the same layout. A slide out tray which has a compartment at one end that contains spares.

A good look round the EDS II – Things to look out for here are:
Overall layout of the EDS II is of an integral lock folding knife, but with a bit holder instead of a blade. A single thumb stud means this easier for a right-handed user. Explained in more detail in the video, there is a stop pin that both stops the bit holder arm in the right position when open, and also stops the spare bits sliding out of the front of the storage slot. The other end of the spare bit storage slot has a sprung ball to keep the bits in place. The integral lock action is easy to see as the bit holder is unfolded. Several magnets are used for keeping the spare bits in place and the main bit holder folded. In the EDS II an additional spare bit holder has been integrated into the lower section of bit holder arm. A total of four bits can be carried within the EDS II.

What’s in the box; Part 2 the EDC Wrench?:
Again, following the format of the other BIGiDESIGN products I have, the box has a slide out tray which includes a compartment at one end that contains spares.

A good look round the EDC Wrench – Things to look out for here are:
A reimagining of an old Swedish design, there is a sliding adjuster moved by a worm screw. BIGiDESIGN have added both a metric and imperial scale for setting the wrench ready to use. A low profile clip is fitted to the back and the EDC Wrench also includes a Ti bead on the lanyard. You can just see the slider retainer under the clip.

What it is like to use?

BIGiDESIGN have done something really special with the EDS, and now this updated EDS II, and given you not only a new experience of using and carrying a screwdriver, but one that is very practical as well.
It is not the smallest EDC bit holder available, nor does it include a ratchet, but instead it gives you a highly usable screwdriver with integrated bit storage for a total of four bits without needing anything else.
Having a swing-out bit holder extension arm, the EDS unfolds to a very practical conventional structure of handle, shank, and bit, so compared to many other small EDC screwdrivers it gives you a more usable tool.

That genius part of the design is mimicking an integral lock folding knife, having a thumb stud to swing the bit holder arm out of the folded position for one-handed operation. So satisfying to use!

However there is a little observation to note about how easy or difficult it is to open the EDS II. The arm’s retention in the folded position is due to a magnet in the body grabbing the bit that is in the bit holder. As you use the EDS II and swap bits around, you will find that a bigger bit, like the full size flat bit, is held by the magnet more firmly, so firmly it becomes very difficult to open using the thumb stud. Put a smaller bit into the holder and it becomes much easier to open again. So the bit you leave in the main bit holder arm changes the ease of opening the EDS II. I would have preferred that the arm retention was a detent (like a knife would use) or that the thumb stud had a bigger cut-out round it allowing more contact and an easier open.

Onto the partner tool here and the EDC Wrench, an infinitely more pocket friendly design than a standard adjustable wrench, there was one big flip for me, literally, in how I envisaged using it before actually getting my hands on one. That is the fact that with the adjustable slider being very much on one side of the tool, to use it and make contact with the nut, you have to flip it over so the ‘front’ of the tool is away from you (pocket clip towards you). Like this you can’t see the scale, and initially it just felt a bit odd, but is just how it works. Even with larger nuts, all except the very largest, you need to use it this way round.

Being a ring spanner, you do have to be able to pass the ring over the end of the job onto the nut, so can’t be used for certain jobs. If you hit those limits though, it is less likely an EDC type of job, so then you bring out the full size tools. Know the limits of your tools and don’t abuse them and you’ll get along just fine.

Talking of limits, and pushing them, the EDS II and EDC Wrench can nicely partner up for a bit more screw driving torque. There is just enough of the 1/4″ hexagonal bit showing to use the EDC Wrench to grip this and boost the turning force for stubborn screws. Not always possible, but if you have the space, this can save you having to go for bigger tools. In this case the EDC Wrench is used with the slider facing you as it needs to be this way round to grip that small section of the hex bit.

Both of these beautiful EDC tools are made from grade 5 titanium alloy and punch well above their weight, even more so together.

Review Summary

The views expressed in this summary table are from the point of view of the reviewer’s personal use. I am not a member of the armed forces and cannot comment on its use beyond that covered in the review.

Something that might be a ‘pro’ for one user can be a ‘con’ for another, so the comments are categorised based on my requirements. You should consider all points and if they could be beneficial to you.

_______________________________________________
What doesn’t work so well for me
_______________________________________________
EDS II – Difficult to open with larger bits installed.
EDS II – Thumb stud a bit too recessed.
EDC Wrench – Ring spanner design slightly restrictive.
EDC Wrench – Need to use with the slider away from you.

_______________________________________________
Things I like
_______________________________________________
EDS II – One-Handed Operation.
EDS II – Integral Frame-Lock Mechanism.
EDS II – Deep carry Pocket Clip.
EDS II – Uses any 1/4″ hex bit.
EDS II – Integral storage for four bits.
EDS II – 100% metal construction.
EDC Wrench – Infinitely adjustable.
EDC Wrench – SAE 3/16 – 3/4 in.
EDC Wrench – Metric 5 – 19 mm.
EDC Wrench – Solid Titanium Construction.
EDC Wrench – Removable Pocket Clip.

 
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