Help - variable nut driver

[FroggyTheGremlim]

Anybody here know if there is such a thing as a VARIABLE nut driver?

I am working on my car - 2016 Ford Escape. It has METRIC nuts. I have some "standard" nut drivers, but none of them fits exactly.

I also see SETS of nut drivers, but I don't do that much work on my car. So I don't want a bunch of tools lying around.

Is there such a thing as a variable nut driver? If so, what and where can I get it?

Thanks,

Froggy

[IYAS9YAS]

But just toss your 10mm away right away so you know how it got lost.

You don't have to toss them. The stinking things migrate. I have multiples of 10mm in all variations (wrenches, sockets both deep and normal, drivers), but can I find one when I need one? No.

[GingisK]

I encourage anyone to use them; but, I can’t continue using them myself if I don’t know where they are located. It is only courteous to care for them at the same level as I.

[logi_cal869]

“nut driver”

---

Therein lies the problem.

I’m slow to adopt these, but the more I use them the more I like them

https://www.powerbuilt.com/products/powerbuilt-spline-socket-set-with-storage-tray

I now have both the 1/4 & 3/8 drive sets. But the problem which prevents these from being my go-to is the inability thus far to eyeball the size and that frustration drives me back to my regular sockets.

My suggestion: Just buy a decent socket tool set and use it regularly (and don’t loan it out).

[Thank You Rush]

I don’t think we women are as territorial about THINGS as men are...do we care if someone doesn’t put a towel in the right pile etc., but I do understand. After 50 years of marriage, I got used to it - LOL....

[SaveFerris]

Cheap sets are at Walmart and Harbor Freight

SAE and Metric in one small box

It’s good for light work which is most things unless severely rusted

$10-$20

[HartleyMBaldwin]

He used to say he could track his stepfather anywhere just by finding the trail of tools he left behind

Sounds like my wife. I love her dearly, but she has this amazing ability: when she is done using a tool, all she has to do is open her hand and that tool immediately CEASES TO EXIST! Usually the tools will rematerialize before too long and I can put them away, but sometimes they fail to return at all.

[GingisK]

Then you’re still viable, young lady!

[OldMissileer]

Just go to Harbor Freight and purchase an inexpensive set of 1/4” drive sockets and a handle.

For light-duty use they are more then adequate no matter what others will tell you.

I have high-end sockets as well as several sets of HF specialty sockets for infrequent use that never let me down.

I have zero financial or other interest in Harbor Freight.

[tumblindice]

If you buy their fasteners too (nuts, bolts, etc.) the chinesium ‘steel’ in both the tool and fastener work well together.
Just snug, don’t horse it Superman.

[GingisK]

Just buy a decent socket tool set and use it regularly (and don’t loan it out)

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's socket set. Thou shalt spring for thine own.

[Pollard]

and yet they force you to buy one with every set.

I’ve got racks of sockets in 3/8” and 1/2” drive that are made up of a mix of metric and SAE that will work for anything and only have a few more sockets than a full set of either.

No need to have 11mm(.433”) and 7/16(.437”) or two of any other sizes that are nearly a direct match. Two sheets of cheap/thin paper.

[Thank You Rush]

Which means you are a very patient husband and haven’t yelled at her. We, who have been yelled at, get the point VERY FAST as do any kids that came along in the marriage.

“Who used my pencil?” Which means even THAT wasn’t put back where it belonged! Oh! No! Not funny now as I wish he was still here to YELL...

[Thank You Rush]

“”Then you’re still viable, young lady!””

Thank you for the compliment but I can only WISH!

[HartleyMBaldwin]

I won’t say I’ve never mentioned the tool thing, but there’s really not much yelling about anything around here. I wish you were still being yelled at.

[logi_cal869]

LOL.

I’ve had the same compact/portable socket set with wrenches for over 20 years (added to with available space as well).

Latches broke a few years back; fixed with something not exactly good looking, but solid. Took the time to put a piano hinge on it as well. Again, solid.

Handle broke last week (as expected). I’m replacing it next weekend. I’ll die and the stepson will find this tool kit and ROFLHAO because it’s identical to the set I bought him over 20 years ago that he abandoned (due to broken latches & handle from teenager abuse) and that I later rebuilt to a custom kit.

[Thank You Rush]

“”I wish you were still being yelled at.””

LOL - Thank you.

[Nervous Tick]

Cool!,A variable nut rounder! 😃

[T.B. Yoits]

[GingisK]

I don’t think we women are as territorial about THINGS as men are..

After thinking about that some more, I don't think the "tool issue" is territorial. Tools are expensive. It is irritating not to have one available when needed when that tool is indeed in the collection. The need to repurchase is a bit of a let-down, particularly as the quality of new tools degrade while the price goes up. Work can be done much more efficiently when the tools are on hand and easily located.

I have a lot of money invested in my tools, and some are no longer in the form I prefer.

People are often bewildered at some of my tools because I do make my own from time to time. I also purchase tools and then modify them for special use.

Not only do I share my tools, I teach people how to use them. Cutters for lathes/mills are easily broken; yet, I never fuss with people over tool damage. Break/damage it, replace it. (Hell to pay if anyone damages the machine.) Many young ones do not know how to use tools. I try to remedy that whenever possible. I mentor a robotics team.

[right way right]

I am a retired mechanic.
My advice is that you take your car to a mechanic who is not retired.
You sound dangerous.