A must-have for tool belts, toolboxes, glove boxes, motorcycle pouches, the home “junk” drawer, and even the office, multi-bit screwdrivers save you loads of time and reduce hassles. From simple tasks such as tightening screws on table legs or desk chairs, to emergency roadside repairs such as headlight replacement, a multi-bit screwdriver will allow you to fix anything calling for standard sized Phillips bits, common sized slotted bits, and often square drives, torx heads, and more, depending on how multi a tool you opt for.

Common sized multi-bit screwdriver sets include the 6-in-1, the 8-in-1, and the 10-in-1, though more options are available.

The 6-in-1:
This Craftsman model from Sears, for example, is a good option for those wanting a 6-in-1 screwdriver. The autoloader allows you to exchange bits in a few seconds, and Craftsman tools come with a lifetime warranty. The bits include: Phillips #1, Phillips #2, slotted 1/8 inch, slotted ¼ inch, slotted 3/16 inch, and a number 6 torx bit.

Purchase at Sears for around $19.99. See more details here.

The 8-in-1:

This 370 Bit Boy from Bondhus holds all of the bits inside the handle, so you’re not lugging around an extra bit carrier, which tend to lose themselves. The bits are magnetically held in the driver for extra ease and versatility, and with three different options to choose from, you can get the bits you’re looking for. Each option comes with Pozidrive bits, which aren’t found in most multi-bit screwdrivers.

For more on bit options and to purchase, visit Bondhus. Prices range from $16.40 to $27.45.

The 10-in-1:
Stanley makes a 10-in-1 screwdriver which comes with #1 and #2 Phillips bits, a 3/16″ slotted, a ¼ ” slotted, and torx bits numbers 15 and 20. It is also backed by a limited lifetime warranty, and includes a magnetic bit storage system, though the storage system is not built into the screwdriver itself.

Purchase from Amazon for $8.18.

Additional Information:

In an article written last year, Fine Homebuilding tested 30 multi-bit screwdrivers and picked 6 as their favorites. The 6-in-1 Craftsman and the 8-in-1 Bit Boy were both included in their top picks. Read Fine Homebuilding’s article here, and select the multi-bit screwdriver that will best suit your needs. For the cost and convenience, they are one of the top tools to keep on hand.

Zip ties, also commonly known as cable ties or tie wraps, can solve all of your bundling problems. These magical, nylon fasteners can also be used for fastening, clamping, securing, binding, and managing items such as electrical cords, wires, flexible duct, ladders, and wrists and other body parts (in the form of temporary handcuffs). Zip ties are the miracle tool of many industries, including aircraft manufacturing, automotive, heating and air conditioning, and the electrical trade. Their multiple, ingenious functions have also made them popular among bicyclists, computer aficionados, and the general handy-man. Read on to find out how zip ties can work for you, what type you need, and more.

How They Work: To use a zip tie, simply pull the tapered end through the ratchet end and cinch tight. Once the tapered end has been pulled through, you cannot pull it back; you may only pull it tighter. In some instances, a ratchet gun or tension tool may be necessary to achieve maximum tightness.

Origins: Zip ties were invented by Thomas & Betts, an electrical company, in 1958. Designed specifically for harnessing the hundreds of wires used in manufacturing aircraft, the first zip ties, or cable ties as they called them, used metal ratchets instead nylon. The first nylon design came out ten years later, from the cable clamp manufacturer All-States. Today, zip ties come in many sizes and styles, and are available for purchase as most hardware stores.

Types:

General Purpose
General purpose zip ties can be found in hardware stores such as Home Depot. They are adequate for bundling cords and wires. You can also use them to tie tomato, or other plants, to stakes, secure light-weight items, hold bags closed, and yes, as handcuffs. They range in sizes—anywhere from 8 to 14 inches—and cost between $3 and $20 for packs of 100, as seen here from Home Depot.

Heavy Duty
Heavy duty zip ties have more tensile strength than their general purpose counter-parts. The Hellerman-Tyton Heavy Duty Lashing Ties contain a minimum of 175 pounds of tensile strength, for example, and can be purchased in lengths ranging from 15 inches to 52 inches. Compare this to the 18-50 pounds of tensile strength in general purpose ties. These type of zip ties are ideal for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning purposes, such as securing flexible duct to hard pipe. They are also sufficient to secure ladders atop ladder racks, and clamp items together. Prices on the Hellerman-Tyton website range from around $12 up to $47 for packs of 25.

High Performance and Specialty
Thomas & Betts and Panduit make high performance and specialty zip ties. Check out the Elastomeric Cable Ties, or the Double Hose Clamp and Double Loop Cable Ties, at Panduit.com, for example. Most of these zip ties are heat and weather resistant and will withstand great pressure. They are ideal for use in the automotive, electrical, aircraft, and other industries, but due to their cost and minimum order requirements, they aren’t practical—or necessary—for everyday use.

Tools Used with Zip Ties:
A cable tie removal tool, such as this one from Act Fastening Solutions, remove zip ties easily and safely.

A tension, or ratchet tool, such as this one from Panduit, tightens zip ties to their maximum tension.

Other Articles about Zip Ties You May Find Interesting:
Wikipedia on Cable Ties
Cool Tools: Ty-Rap Zip Ties
Wacky and Wild Uses for Zip Ties

Situation: You’ve just installed a new sink and vanity in your bathroom. You step back, take a look, and lo and behold, it’s not level. It would only take a few minutes to fix the problem, except the screws securing the cabinet to the wall are neatly tucked behind the sink bowl, and are inaccessible with a drill. What do you do? This is where you need a flexible drill bit extension. Flexible extensions are designed to reach tight, difficult places, and in this case, it’s the only tool that will save you from unhooking the water supply and lifting the sink off the base, or ripping the vanity from the wall and possibly busting it.

What kind of extension do you need? It will depend on your drill. All extensions are rated for a certain amount of torque, and the package will specify the extension’s rating. Most drills made today have a high amount of torque. If you can’t find a flexible extension rated for your drill, simply set the clutch on your drill lower. For this specific case, the eazypower Isomax Flex a Bit, available from Home Depot, and online through Microcenter, worked fine. For around $8, this 7 ½ long bit is rated for 3.5 ft/lb. of torque. There is also a heavy-duty version, which is rated for 13 ft/lb. of torque. I recommend purchasing the heavy-duty model for a few extra dollars. If you can find a model with a lock-in bit option, even better.

Flexible extensions also come in much longer versions. The Vermont Flexible Extension Shaft, available at Ace Hardware outlets, has a maximum reach of 36″, but can be used in tighter spaces as well. There is also a 72″ bit, available online through Tools-Plus, which is designed for high torque drills. These bits are often used in the electrical industry for drilling through studs to run wire. These longer bits will cost you more—between $30 and $50– but they can save you hours of time, and in some cases, they may be your only option.

Flex a Bit
Vermont Flexible Extension Shaft
72″ Flexible Drill Bit Extension