Wera screwdriver kit

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/

I have a lot of screwdrivers. My favorite set for repairing tech gadgets is my trustyiFixit Pro Tech Toolkit , but that set has so many parts that I'm reluctant to take it out and about with me in case I drop it, forget it, or have it stolen.

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Thiscompact Wera screwdriver kit solves all that. Here's a screwdriver kit I can pop into a pocket or bag, and not compromise on quality or power.

And this screwdriver has some cool hidden tricks. 

Wera Screwdriver Kit

$37.94 at Amazon

First, it can go from a stubby to a long screwdriver (and back again) with the press of a button. 

Magic!

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/

This is super handy for tackling a variety of jobs. I was a little skeptical of this feature initially because I worried it would make the screwdriver flimsy, but it doesn't.

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It gives me all the flexibility of a small screwdriver, and the ability to turn it into a bigger screwdriver for heavier jobs. 

The mechanism is super strong and reliable. I've leaned into this screwdriver with all my weight -- I'm a big bloke -- and it didn't budge.

The other hidden feature is the handle is home to six screwdriver bits, hidden away in a compartment that you access by pressing a button on the top.

Here's the button

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/

Press and pop!

Press and POP!

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/

The bits in the handle are securely stored, so nothing rattles about!

The six bits in the handle of the Wera screwdriver are securely held in place

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/

I love this design. It's small enough for me to pop into my pocket for jobs where I know that I'll only need a screwdriver -- things like changing a graphics card or swapping out a lock on a door -- but it's versatile enough so I can be ready for anything.

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The screwdriver is also magnetic, having a "just right" amount of magnetic pull -- enough to keep a fastener on the bit, not so much that it's being pulled all over the place inside a PC or some other delicate bit of kit.

The magnet is strong enough to be useful, and not too strong as to be annoying

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/

This screwdriver excels in a place where a lot of "multi" screwdrivers fail -- it's really tough. Despite the built-in mechanisms for the shank and handle, it feels very much like a regular screwdriver in the hand.

Six bits not enough for your needs? That's what I thought!

So, not wanting to the lacking in the screwdriver bits department, I also got the30-piece bit set I can pop in my pocket along with the screwdriver if I think I'm going to need more. This has a very good selection of slotted, Torx, hex, Phillips, and Pozidriv bits. 

Wera 30-piece bit set

$39.5 at Amazon

These bits are hard-wearing and excellent quality. 

All in all, this is a great kit. The screwdriver is better, stronger, more versatile, and not much bigger than those multitools that people carry (in all honesty, I think this is a better alternative to expensive multitools for a fraction of the money), and even adding the extra bits doesn't add much in the way of cost or bulk to the kit. 

See also

This$30 gadget claims to add years to your phone's lifespan. Here's howThis is the USB flash drive James Bond would useHow to strip wires like a pro (and my must-have tools)Stop! Your Apple charger may be a counterfeit, and this tiny gadget can tellThis$10 gadget is my favorite repair tool of all time

• This$30 gadget claims to add years to your phone's lifespan. Here's how
• This is the USB flash drive James Bond would use
• How to strip wires like a pro (and my must-have tools)
• Stop! Your Apple charger may be a counterfeit, and this tiny gadget can tell
• This$10 gadget is my favorite repair tool of all time