General Tools 500 Cordless Ultra Tech Power Precision Screwdriver
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| General Tools 500 Cordless Ultra Tech Power Precision Screwdriver |
- 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
General's Cordless Power Precision Screwdriver is fantastic for ultra-delicate applications such as computer and electronics repair, hobbies and crafts. The 100+ RPM motor features forward and reverse controls, and also the quick-change chuck enables effortless swapping between 1/8-Inch Slotted, Phillips and Torx bits. An ergonomic handle design provides multiple grip positions to support a number of working situations.
Product Description
Make delicate repairs of computers and electronics go so much faster having a lightweight and compact motorized screwdriver. Having a 100 rpm super-torque drive motor that provides at least 10 hours of operation on a single set of batteries, this ergonomically designed driver serves as six tools in one with interchangeable 1/8" precision bits. Requires 2 AAA batteries, included.
General's Cordless Power Precision Screwdriver
Testimonial From: Michael M. of (San Francisco)
Testimonial From: Michael M. of (San Francisco)
About six years ago I discovered and bought my first mini powered screwdriver, a brandname called the "iGo." The iGo was exactly the same in concept as this Ultra Tech for the reason that it had been an excellent mini screwdriver, with small driver bits (albeit the iGo bit are not no more than 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 (a minimum of which i may find). There have been lots of large AA battery powered drivers (which use four batteries), for example Black & Decker's drivers. But those are powerful screwdrivers meant for heavy duty jobs such as inserting wood screws into hardwood.
In 2004, after i was initially researching and looking for any battery powered mini screwdriver, I needed something for delicate, small jobs for example focusing on computers or small electronics. (The Black & Decker type drivers are extremely big, cumbersome and powerful to work on small screws, plus those powered screwdrivers don't come with bits small enough to suit into small screws.) What size screws am I talking about? Look on your netbook or laptop case, to determine the screws I am talking about.
Enter the iGo powered screwdriver. Those have served me well years and I am still using the original two I purchased in those days. (Actually, I purchased five of these and gave two as gifts. Incidentally, geeks love these powered mini screwdrivers. My pal gave someone to her sister's new husband at their wedding reception, part of a box of gifts. Everyone at the reception was asking to play with the screwdriver and he caught a couple of his guests trying to "forget" they'd the motive force, by putting it in their pockets.
Fast forward to three weeks ago when I chose to find out if there were any new powered miniature screwdrivers on the market. Searching yielded pay dirt when I found this "General Ultra Tech Power Precision Screwdriver" (this is a mouthful but that's the state name of it).
I read the description and was impressed this was obviously a better product than my iGo (although the iGo was only $5 per driver and it has worked flawlessly). What I liked about this General Ultra Tech is it comes with six screwdriver bits, including two torx bits (T5 and T6 that typically fit cell phones and small electronics). The bits case has two very small flathead and two small Phillips head bits.
The chuck that the bits fit into are proprietary towards the Ultra Tech bits. Which means the entire size bits that come on bigger drivers won't fit. Besides, bits such as those found on a Black & Decker driver are extremely big to work on small precision screws. And also to be sure, a full-sized powered driver would strip screw threads, holes, or heads due to there being simply too much power driving the screw.
Sidenote: The iGo driver also has a proprietary chuck and bit. The iGo came with two bits, a flathead along with a Phillips, that conveniently stores within the driver, which means you don't lose or misplace them.
Also, the iGo bits and chuck are magnetized, a handy feature when employed in tight spaces or hard to access screw holes. (This General Ultra Tech isn't magnetized.)
Impressions from the Ultra tech: This is a great driver. It had been a highly considered design and it's perfect for doing precision work.
For instance:
-- You grip it like holding a pen. Because it's a little diameter device, you can hold it and simply "target" the screw you are dealing with.
-- While using the driver your thumb is conveniently on the power switch. To help you power the change to screw or unscrew without needing to twist or contort your grip to use the power switch.
-- The motive force at the is made of curved inward, like many pens who advertise a comfortable grip design. Then when holding the motive force with your fingers it's really a natural grip.
-- Lastly on the grip or feel within the hand, the motive force is 6" long and about the diameter of a U.S. dime. Then when holding it, the top half rests in your hand, in between the thumb and forefinger. (This is much like holding a pen.) This leads to your having the ability to contain the driver firm and steady when using the driver.
All in all, the form factor is a great design and pleasure to make use of.
Now on performance.
I see some people criticize this as being under powered or not capable of driving certain screws. Excuse me folks, to begin with, this is for precision work, not driving bolts or screws into hardwood or metal. This driver has ample power to focus on any electronic device's screws. If you want more power, trust me, you will strip the screw or female threads of whatever you are working on.
True, the driver head includes a slight level of of wobble indicating that these are not machined parts, where tolerances need to be precise.
When the driver contained machined parts these drivers would be expensive more than $20 to $25. How do you know this? There is a DSLR camera CMOS sensor cleaner that kind of looks just like this driver, it's a powered pen device that spins fibers at about 10,000 rpm. Those sensor cleaners cost about $100 minimum. Why? Mainly it's because the various components that spin or turn need to be very precise since it will be accessing the insides of the digital camera. The pen obviously contains machined parts and that's why it cost a lot. There's some guy on a lathe shaping those precision parts. He has needs to be paid.
The Ultra Tech driver is powered by two AAA batteries. I've discovered on my small iGo, because I'm not utilizing it much (maybe 100 times annually) that a set of AAA batteries last me over 2 yrs. The motive force continues to be working at that time, but just not as fast or powerful as with a fresh group of batteries.
The package advertises "10+ hours of power" but I suppose only denotes when you ran the motor for ten hours while the motor is still technically turning at hour ten, by that time the motive force won't work. Obviously, at hour 7 or 8 the driving capabilities are weak or lacking torque (screw turning ability) therefore it is better to swap out the batteries then and never to hang about until the batteries are completely dead.
Bonus Tip: It's best to use rechargeable batteries in devices such as this. When you believe the driver is suffering power loss (getting weaker at driving screws) simply replace the batteries and recharge the old ones. I suggest you get Sanyo's ENELoop rechargeable batteries, incidentally. IMHO those are the most useful rechargeable batteries available on the market. (Why? Well for one thing, ENELoop batteries don't discharge much when relaxing in a drawer, for instance. At least not in the same rate as regular rechargeable batteries.
"Screw driving"...
I had been very impressed. The bits are small for precision screws and detailed work. And also the smallest driver bit even fit eyeglass screws!! Now that's a precision, powered screwdriver. What's going to keep you from doing "big jobs" with this driver would be that the bits are extremely small, therefore it can't be employed for screws larger than what you see in your notebook computer, the screws that keep your case together.
Bonus Tip: Do NOT use this screwdriver in powered mode to totally drive inside a screw, the driver's motor is too powerful and can strip threads or even the screw. When you are getting close to the where the screw is almost completely screwed in, gently twist the motive force to manually finish the task. (If not in powered mode the driver handle "locks" the part and you can manually turn the motive force.
Overall impressions:
This can be a great screwdriver to have in one's precision tools box. It performs perfectly and will make short work in removing screws in tight places or when removing lots of screws at the same time, like a notebook computer case (for instance, the bottom of mobile computing have anywhere from 15 to 30 screws! Who wants to loosen and tighten individuals with a manual screwdriver).