Seattle Home Builders: General Tools 500 Cordless Ultra Tech Power Precision Screwdriver

General Tools 500 Cordless Ultra Tech Power Precision Screwdriver

Product Details

Product Dimensions: 1.1 x 5.5 x 11.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
ASIN: B002XZLTQO
Item model number: 500

By : General Tools
Price : $19.98

Item Description

From the Manufacturer
General's cordless power precision screwdriver is best for ultra-delicate applications such as personal computer and electronics repair, hobbies, and crafts. The 100-plus RPM motor functions forward and reverse controls, and the quick-alter chuck permits for effortless swapping among 1/eight-inch slotted, Phillips and Torx bits. An ergonomic manage design provides a number of grip positions to accommodate a variety of operating scenarios.

Technical Details

100-plus RPM motor with forward and reverse controls
Quick-change chuck
Precision bit assortment (1/8-inch drive) Phillips: 00, 0 Slotted: 1/16-inch, 1/8-inch Torx: T5, T6
Batteries included: 2 AAA batteries
Ergonomic handle design

Buyer Critiques

About six years ago I found and bought my initially mini powered screwdriver, a brand named the "iGo." The iGo was the same in concept as this Ultra Tech in that it was a super mini screwdriver, with compact driver bits (albeit the iGo bit are not as compact as the Ultra Tech). The iGo is powered by two AAA batteries.
Back then the iGo was the only miniature battery powered screwdriver on the market (at least that I could get). There had been a lot of significant AA battery powered drivers (that use four batteries), for instance Black Decker's drivers. But those are highly effective screwdrivers meant for heavy duty jobs such as inserting wood screws into hardwood.
In 2004, when I was initial researching and looking for a battery powered mini screwdriver, I wanted one thing for delicate, modest jobs such as operating on computer systems or compact electronic devices. (The Black Decker kind drivers are as well massive, cumbersome and powerful to work on little screws, plus those powered screwdrivers don't come with bits little sufficient to fit into smaller screws.) What size screws am I talking about? Look on your netbook or notebook computer system case, to see the screws I am talking about.
Enter the iGo powered screwdriver. Those have served me properly all these years and I am nevertheless employing the original two I bought back then. (Essentially, I purchased five of them and gave two as gifts. By the way, geeks really like these powered mini screwdrivers. My buddy gave one to her sister's new husband at their wedding reception, part of a box of gifts. Every person at the reception was asking to play with the screwdriver and he caught two of his guests attempting to "forget" they had the driver, by placing it in their pockets.
Fast forward to three weeks ago when I decided to see if there were any new powered miniature screwdrivers on the market. A search yielded pay dirt when I discovered this "General Ultra Tech Power Precision Screwdriver" (that is a mouthful but that is the official name of it).
I read the description and was impressed that this was clearly a superior item than my iGo (even though the iGo was only $five per driver and it has worked flawlessly). What I liked about this General Ultra Tech is that it comes with six screwdriver bits, like two torx bits (T5 and T6 that typically fit cell phones and tiny electronics). The bits case has two very little flathead and two small Phillips head bits.
The chuck that the bits fit into are proprietary to the Ultra Tech bits. That suggests the complete size bits that come on larger drivers won't fit. Besides, bits such as those on a Black Decker driver are as well large to operate on little precision screws. And to be certain, a complete-sized powered driver would strip screw threads, holes, or heads for the reason that there is just too a lot power driving the screw.
Sidenote: The iGo driver also has a proprietary chuck and bit. The iGo came with two bits, a flathead and a Phillips, that conveniently shops inside the driver, so you don't lose or misplace them.
Also, the iGo bits and chuck are magnetized, a handy function when working in tight spaces or troublesome to access screw holes. (This Common Ultra Tech is not magnetized.)
Impressions of the Ultra tech: This is a terrific driver. It was a well believed out design and it's excellent for performing precision work.
For instance:
-- You grip it like holding a pen. Due to the fact it is a tiny diameter device, you can hold it and simply "target" the screw you are operating with.
-- When working with the driver your thumb is conveniently on the power switch. So you can power the switch to screw or unscrew without having to twist or contort your grip to operate the power switch.
-- The driver at the base is curved inward, like many pens that advertise a comfy grip design. So when holding the driver with your fingers it's actually a natural grip.
-- Lastly on the grip or feel in the hand, the driver body is 6" lengthy and about the diameter of a U.S. dime. So when holding it, the leading half rests on your hand, in amongst the thumb and forefinger. (This is comparable to holding a pen.) This outcomes in your being in a position to hold the driver firm and steady when implementing the driver.
All in all, the form factor is a fantastic design and pleasure to use.
Now on efficiency.
I see some folks criticize this as being beneath powered or incapable of driving specific screws. Excuse me folks, 1st of all, this is for precision work, not driving bolts or screws into hardwood or metal. This driver has a lot more than enough power to operate on any electronic device's screws. If you want even more power, trust me, you are going to strip the screw or female threads of whatever you are operating on.
Accurate, the driver head has a slight degree of of wobble indicating that these are not machined parts, where tolerances will need to be precise.
If the driver contained machined components these drivers would price a lot a lot more than $20 to $25. How do I know this? There's a DSLR camera CMOS sensor cleaner that type of looks the very same as this driver, it is a powered pen device that spins fibers at about ten,000 rpm. Those sensor cleaners cost about $100 minimum. Why? Mainly it really is since the parts that spin or turn have to be extremely precise given that it will be accessing the insides of a digital camera. The pen clearly consists of machined components and that is why it cost so significantly. There is some guy on a lathe shaping those precision parts. He has has to be paid.
The Ultra Tech driver is powered by two AAA batteries. I have identified on my iGo, given that I am not employing it that significantly (maybe 100 occasions a year) that a set of AAA batteries last me over two years. The driver is still working at that point, but just not as quickly or effective as with a fresh set of batteries.
The package advertises "ten+ hours of power" but I envision that basically signifies that if you ran the motor for ten hours though the motor is nevertheless technically turning at hour ten, by that time the driver will not operate. Undoubtedly, at hour 7 or 8 the driving capabilities are weak or lacking torque (screw turning potential) so it really is perfect to swap out the batteries then and not to wait until the batteries are fully dead.
Bonus Tip: It really is finest to use rechargeable batteries in devices like this. When you really feel that the driver is suffering power loss (acquiring weaker at driving screws) simply replace the batteries and recharge the old ones. I advocate you get Sanyo's ENELoop rechargeable batteries, by the way. IMHO those are the very best rechargeable batteries on the marketplace. (Why? Nicely for one thing, ENELoop batteries don't discharge considerably when sitting in a drawer, for example. At least not at the exact same rate as frequent rechargeable batteries.
"Screw driving"...
I was fairly impressed. The bits are compact for precision screws and detailed perform. And the smallest driver bit even fit eyeglass screws Now that's a precision, powered screwdriver. What will hold you from undertaking "big jobs" with this driver is that the bits are very tiny, so it can not be used for screws bigger than what you see on your notebook laptop or computer, the screws that hold the case together.
Bonus Tip: Do NOT use this screwdriver in powered mode to absolutely drive in a screw, the driver's motor is also strong and will strip threads or the screw. When you get close to the exactly where the screw is practically fully screwed in, gently twist the driver to manually finish the job. (When not in powered mode the driver handle "locks" the bit and you can manually turn the driver.
General impressions:
This is a wonderful screwdriver to have in one's precision tools box. It performs rather nicely and will make brief work in removing screws in tight areas or when removing lots of screws at as soon as, such as a notebook personal computer case (for example, the bottom of notebook computer systems have anyplace from 15 to 30 screws! Who wants to loosen and tighten those with a manual screwdriver).
I am so impressed I am choosing a handful of significantly more to give as presents this 2010 vacation season.

I bought the 500 a few weeks ago and I use it all the time... Superb for electronics/computers. The screwdriver has no issue taking the screws off the back of a computer system (a nice tork ratio). I honestly like the manage of the push and hold on/off switch and it fits in my hand really nicely.... I'm working with it primarily for electronics but I see lots of applications...