Review/ introduction to: Wera 392 Bitholding Screwdriver with Flexible Shaft

[six-point socket]

Hi all,

here's another, rather "special" tool - that literally saved my a** a couple of times when working in a situation like this:

[attachimg=1]

What you see is 2 new faucets that have been mounted to a wall along with a new water pipe to feed them, the old piping and faucets were removed. Since this was done while other pipings in this place where changed too but before the room was renovated, now with the ongoing renovation the whole installation needed to be moved away from the wall for easy access while working on it. Since you can't access some of the screws on the left and right faucet in a straight line you need either an angled screwdriver, angle attachment for corded/cordless drill/driver (which I guess every Festool owner has ) or you can use a screwdriver/bitholder with flexible shaft.

[attachimg=2]

If you do not own an angled attachment for your drill/driver, this screwdriver/bitholder with flexible shaft beats any angled screwdriver by a large margin. You are a lot faster, use standard screwdriver movement and you can put quite a bit of pressure and torque on it - definitely more than on any angled screwdriver.

It is also much faster than taking the faucets apart and re-sealing the threads before re-assembly i.e.

[attachimg=3]

In general this type of screwdriver/bitholder is used to tighten pipe clamps.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Frank-Jan]

I like these handtool reviews.

I have never used a screwdriver with a flexible shaft (yet), my own tool of choice for those kind of tasks is a mini-ratchet, if I can get a finger in I can put plenty of pressure on the bit, and the torque is pretty high.
I have a bahco set, and if I recall correctly, Peter Parfitt did a video on the wera version.

 

[six-point socket]

Thanks for mentioning the bit-ratchet - completely forgot to mention those - I do have a Wera at hand and a Snap-On on the way - of course they work in this case too

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[semenza]

[member=61712]six-point socket II[/member]

Anymore input on this flexible screwdriver? Video?

I have tried similar from other brands and never had any success with them. Either too much flex to get any force or won't rotate when bent far enough to be helpful.

Seth

 

[PreferrablyWood]

I went with the stubby stahlwille ratcheting screwdriver and the the ultra small Hazet bit ratchet for working in tight quarters. I'll likely get the Stahwille version of the flex driver if I see the need though the Wera has the locking bit holder which makes me think it's the better choice. Another solution might be a wobble extension on a ratchet with bit adapter..

 

[Sparktrician]

My son bought me a Chapman #5575 set that is quite versatile.  The kit contains short driver bits that work with a ratchet as well as with a spinner and a handle.  Quite useful in some of the things that I do.  I also have a couple of ratcheting drivers from SnapOn, but they lack the compactness of the Chapman setup. 

 

[PreferrablyWood]

My son bought me a Chapman #5575 set that is quite versatile.  The kit contains short driver bits that work with a ratchet as well as with a spinner and a handle.  Quite useful in some of the things that I do.  I also have a couple of ratcheting drivers from SnapOn, but they lack the compactness of the Chapman setup.

That sure looks like a compact and effective bits system..

 

[blaszcsj]

This bit of kit is fantastic. They are the tightest gripping and accurate drivers I have ever used. Fantastic for use in adjustable/precision torque drivers. Highly recommended.

My son bought me a Chapman #5575 set that is quite versatile.  The kit contains short driver bits that work with a ratchet as well as with a spinner and a handle.  Quite useful in some of the things that I do.  I also have a couple of ratcheting drivers from SnapOn, but they lack the compactness of the Chapman setup.

 

[six-point socket II]

[member=61712]six-point socket II[/member]

Anymore input on this flexible screwdriver? Video?

I have tried similar from other brands and never had any success with them. Either too much flex to get any force or won't rotate when bent far enough to be helpful.

Seth

Hi Seth ( [member=1619]SRSemenza[/member] )

Sorry for my late reply. Haven't been doing a lot lately...

Well, I think the Wera 392 is just the right amount of stiff/flexible. It's definitely not a "high-torque" screwdriver but it got every job done I used it on.

I'll send you a PM in a minute

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[semenza]

  I now have one of these and will confirm what Oliver says ...... this one actually works and works well. I tried it with a T15 and #2 PH. It is surprising how much bend it can take and still do the job. I do think that good quality bits make a difference too.  With a bit that has a good fit and grab I was able to apply some real world turning force.  [thumbs up]

  [attachimg=1]

Seth