Customer Reviews

KR Tools 12609 Autoloader 6-in-1 Auto-Loading Classic and Precision Screwdriver Set

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Okay, I do like the little one, which has a lot of tips that can be hard to find. The larger one is less handy as I have more screwdrivers that size. Also, for a small screwdriver, the sturdiness of the small one is fine. The big one doesn't have a good grip for a tool that size and the tips just don't seem to be very high quality. I'm also not impressed that the labels fell off immediately. Not that they're serving any function, but it just screamed cheesy right out of the packaging.

I have multi-tools kicking around the house, including multi-tip screwdrivers with the more standard four tips that you can flip around, and have found them very handy. I like the standard four-tip screwdrivers better than the large screwdriver here. Which means that I don't find the two extra tips to be a major selling point and the other screwdrivers are sturdier and have a better grip.

I don't like that the tips can pop off the end relatively easily. (Especially for the small screwdriver.)

I do think it's an enormously clever gadget. It's just not great.

DON'T TAKE IT APART.
I made this mistake messing around with the big one because it seemed so easy to do, just push those black buttons. I thought I was going to uncover another feature or something. No such luck.

But if you do take it apart, all is not lost; you can actually put it back together:
1. Take all the tips out... you'll put these back in at the end (this was the part that most confused me)
2. You have four other pieces now:
... a. the clear cannister
... b. the black handle
... c. the black inner piece
... d. the little blue button (pop it out for now)
Note that the little blue button (d) goes into a particular place in the black inner piece (c). But do not put it there yet.
3. Take the black handle (b), notch and button-side up, and feed it into the black inner piece so that the place where the blue button will go is on top
4. Now put the blue button back
5. Note that on the black inner piece (c), there's a rotating ring that has the black buttons you pushed to get into this mess. Rotate the ring so that the opening is roughly aligned with the blue button.
6. Put the clear cannister back on so that the blue button is aligned with the tracks and the black buttons will find the holes they are meant to find.
7. Close it all back up. (Yes, you have no tips yet.)
8. Put in a tip. Retract the handle. Rotate. Close it all back up. Repeat till all the tips are in.
9. Don't take it apart again.

I bought these based on the large number of glowing reviews and their being on sale for about half price. For my money (which I got back when I returned them) they did not live up to my expectations.

Here's why I say that:

- The smaller of the two was broken; I couldn't rotate the handle to change bits.

- There is a lot of moving parts loosely rattling around in a plastic shell; I expect the larger screwdriver would also break before long.

- The handles are smooth hard plastic so I wouldn't be able to get a good enough grip to apply any force in turning them. (They're also not all that comfortable to hold.)

- They feel like if I could manage to apply any force then the mostly plastic screwdriver would come apart before I managed to turn the screw.

If you are looking for a "lot of drivers" in one convenient package then I would suggest the Klein 32477 10-in-1 Screwdriver/Nut Driver. It is more durable and you can change the bits just as quickly. (It is missing some of the smaller bits and in exchange you get a couple nut drivers, a couple square bits, a couple torx bits, and a lifetime guarantee.

BTW, I feel that honest, effective reviews can take the place of first-hand experiences that are lacking in online shopping. I've always appreciated the help I've received from other reviewers and work hard to return the favor as best as I can. I hope you found this review helpful and if there was anything you thought was lacking or unclear leave a comment and I'll do what I can to fix it.

I really like both of these screwdrivers. They each have 3 phillips bits and 3 flat bits. They seem to be well made. I purchased this kit in the hopes to replace the separate individual screwdrivers in my tool belt. However I don't think they are sturdy enough for full time construction use.

I wish the handles were of a rubber type or coating to give a better grip. I do like the fact that the bits are held in magnetically and can be changed out. My flat blade screwdriver sometimes serves double duty to pry and chisel things and I wouldn't attempt it with either one of these.

They are made of metal and plastic with the internal mechanism filled and sealed with a white grease. The upper housing is clear and you can see the bits thru it although I wonder how long it will remain transparent with wear and tear and scratches. I keep mine in a drawer near the kitchen for around the house use. They are neat. I am going to try putting other type bits in them since I also use some other type bits around the house like allen and torx.

I am happy with the purchase.

This screwdriver is unique in that the bits are always sealed inside... they're selected through an automatic process (pull the handle, turn to select the bit, push the handle back) that doesn't require the device to be opened, so the bits don't get lost.

We loved it. So did a repair crew that did some work for us and helped themselves to the driver. We've been looking everywhere for a replacement, and this two-pack is perfect: one for us, one for the next repair crew!

Incidentally, this is best used for household chores. It's durable enough to stand up to normal household use, but not abuse. In addition, the handle is bulky and relatively short, which gets in the way during more challenging tasks.

What is it with the American fascination with "automatic"? From dishwashers to transmissions to firearms, "manual" is just so....old world.

So how about screwdrivers? Hard to improve on the concept, but there are many products out there counting on you to not believe that.

This is one of them. I have no grudge against gadgets; quite the contrary. But as a life-long professional tool wielding sort of person, a device like this is close to being unnecessary. I think using one of these in front of a customer would look like, "Well, I really didn't know what bit I'm gonna need, so I brought 'em all". "Unprofessional", that's the word I was looking for. Except- and it's important to note- it could be a lifesaver stuffed into a pocket when facing the unknown- a crawlspace, a tight attic. Somehow, though, I have managed a lifetime of doing things like that without one. It is also worth noting that despite my affinity for screwdrivers, about 90% of my work involving screws will see me using a power driver of some kind.

But I have one of these autoloaders. Three, actually, and must share what benefits there are to be had.

This is a good glovebox tool. Or for me, even in the toolbag as a last resort- if nothing else, it's a great emergency driver tip holder.

It works quite well, the only complaint of manufacture I had when it arrived was both of the labels were curling off the handles, leading me to believe they were applied in haste, and this tool is frequently re-branded. I know I have seen it offered under a house brand name at the likes of Restoration Hardware, so that makes sense. KR tools is a fairly well-known workman-like big-box autopart store brand, but you have to look carefully to see their name here.

It's fun to play with, to jack the various bits around into position and then- you'll be driving a slotted screw when suddenly- "hey, I need a #2 Philips! Presto! Without having to bend over and pick one up!"

On the other hand, the junior member of the set is actually quite handy, since fine screwdriver sets invariably break out of their case and scatter. Here we have 6 small tips instantly at your disposal- unfortunately, none down to an eyeglass-tightening size, but close.

While it's a convenient way to have these small bits always instantly at your command, it should be noted the screws requiring such tips are frequently located at the bottom of the well in a plastic case- the driver's ¼" shank is far to thick to reach screws that are recessed more than the length of the tip, generally ¾"

The primate in me almost immediately found the two lock tabs that allow the mechanism to come apart, the handle pulls out the rear, the magazine falls out, the spring detent will pop out and all the bits will fall to the floor and roll away. It's not difficult to reassemble, but I suggest avoiding the need.

One of the more practical application of this device for someone whose spare collection of leftover screwdrivers rivals the local Sears store- I found it's an excellent way to store and use obscure bits like Allen, Robertson and Torx- all the oddballs in one place, where they are easy to spot.

Like they used to say, "an excellent stocking stuffer"- five stars for a clever idea, construction and function; one star for being silly and unnecessary. Call it three.

UPDATE: 2/18/10

After using the product a few times, one of the bits has become jammed and has rendered the entire screwdriver unusable. I may not be overly mechanical, but I've never had a good old fashioned screwdriver break on me. In the future those are the one's I'll stick with, rather than the fancy all in one gadgets.


Previous Review- November 2009
This tool is incredibly useful. However, my main criticism is that it does not have any sort of lock to keep the bit in place. I've had the bit that is on the tip of the device and being used fall out. The storage of the other bits is fine, but the bit you are using is not particularly secure.

Upon initial examination of these I was a bit concerned considering the little logo sticker was pealing off of both of them and they were a little cheap looking, but then after I pealed off the sticker and took them out of the package, I was pleasantly surprised at how well they actually work. Basically there are 3 Phillips and 3 flat head bits in each, the smaller one has smaller bits that could be used for glasses, computers, or other smaller fixes, and the larger one has regular and large size bits that are well suited for day-to-day things. Having the turn and load system is very convenient, so that you have many different bits with you at once and don't have to go searching for a different screw driver all the time. It is magnetized, so it holds the screw in place while you get it started which is nice. You can also hold the blue hex shaped collar while you turn the driver to make tightening or loosening easier. Another nice thing is that these are standard size bits, so if you have some favorites that you use often, you can just load those into the driver and have 6 of your most used bits in one easy to use tool. The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because of the somewhat cheap feel and look to these, I don't know if that will cause problems or not, but as far as having 6 tools in 1 and the overall design I really like these, so if you are always looking for a different screw driver and would like to have an easy way to keep a bunch of tools in one place, this is a nice option.

I love the convenience of being able to quickly change the tip. It works great, never gets jammed. The price seems to fluctuate a lot here on Amazon. I bought mine when it was a lightning deal for only $16.99. That was a little over a year ago.

I love the tiny flat and phillips heads that are installed directly into this screwdriver set. I have had a small shelf that I wanted to take down for some time now but I could not find my screwdrivers with the single tiny heads any where. Once these arrived I immediately dialed in the correct size head and .....zip....the shelf was easily removed without damaging the wall. This set will be placed in one of my kitchen drawers for quick and easy access for all my little jobs around the house. I find them to be excellent for removal of tiny screws.

This works great and it's so easy to use!

I have a product similar to this one but the screwdriver bits are stored on the outside in a rubber holder. The bits are easy to lose and I've lost about half of them. They just fall out of the rubber holder.

THIS product is wonderful! No more missing bits and I don't have to worry how I handle it or where I store it. All the screwdriver bits are safe and secure INSIDE. And there isn't anything gooey inside; it's just a mechanical screwdriver that loads the bits. You can see the bits through the plastic and choose the size and type you need.

------> Only thing missing; there is no ratcheting function (did I spell that correctly?). Also, I don't think this is a product for a professional handyman. This is more for around the house, or in a place of business for light to medium use. Which describes me! So, I'm happy.

This 2-pack is great because I can keep one in my car and one at home. It's so frustrating when I need a screwdriver and I can't locate the type or size I need. Anything that helps me get straight to a project and relieves any frustration for me is exciting! I love my new screwdrivers!