Rolgear 15 in 1 Multi bit SILENT Ratchet Screwdriver REVIEW

Rolgear has a 15 in 1 ratcheting screwdriver that is said to be silent. Is this true? In this review I will test it and find out.

Manufacturer Features and Specs:

• Zero backlash – Smooth and Silent multibit ratcheting screwdriver
• Single-handed high performance ratcheting screwdriver adjustments, w/ 3 positions, forward, locked, and backward
• High torque – Ergonomic Soft-grip – Two tone beautiful handles – Built in Bit Storage
• Magnetic components for drop-safe bit changing with stainless steel bit adapter
• 7 double ended premium screwdriver bits + 1/4″ hex drive – made exclusively of S2 tool steel: 
• – Slotted: 3/16″, 1/4″
  – Square: 0, 1, 2, 3
  – Phillips: 0, 1, 2, 3
  – Torx: 10, 15, 20, 25
• Price: around $25 USD

My Thoughts:

I was contacted by Rolgear to test out their silent ratcheting screwdriver and they sent me one over for review. It was sent in a large padded envelope and inside was the Rolgear 15 in 1 silent ratcheting screwdriver in a plain clear plastic bag with the Rolgear screwdriver floating around inside and the bits were held inside a separate clear plastic baggy. No instructions, no retail packaging of any sort, that’s it. Usually when I am sent product samples for review, they are the same item you would get if you purchased them directly from a retailer with retail packaging and all, however this was not the case. Does it matter in the end, to me it doesn’t because we all throw away the retail packaging in the trash anyhow, however the fact that it was in a plastic baggy and not in a retail package left a “cheap” initial impression in my mind.

No instructions were included in my sample however I am familiar with tools so I was quick to figure out how to use the green ratcheting mode collar as indicated by the small lock symbol with left and right arrows next to it. Turning the green collar in the desired direction changes it’s mode of operation. Left to loosen, right to tighten and there’s also a middle setting to lock the ratcheting mechanism when you don’t want it to ratchet.

Performance

It’s ratcheting mechanism is silent just as Rolgear claims. This is because they ditched a traditional teeth and pawl mechanism. Not only is it silent when ratcheting, it’s also silky smooth to counterturn! This isn’t my first “silent” ratcheting screwdriver as I’m very well familiar with the Kobalt double drive screwdriver which technically is also a “silent” ratcheting screwdriver, although Kobalt’s is more advanced as it offers the ability to drive twice as fast. Hence the double drive name.

Rolgear’s silent ratcheting system also offers a very good degree of turning force. When ratcheting, any amount of a counterturn (no matter how little) results in forward or reverse movement. This means that you can counterturn in as little as one millimeter or less and still provide that amount as forward or reverse movement as opposed to some other ratcheting screwdrivers with low amount of teeth, require a certain degree of countermovement before it can be used for forward or reverse movement. This is perfect when movement is limited when you are in a tight confined space.

Rolgear also promotes this silent screwdriver as having high torque so to test this I drove a 1-5/8″ drywall screw into pressure treated lumber and was able to drive and remove the screw without any pilot holes and this Rolgear screwdriver did the job with no complaints. I know this isn’t the most high torque scenario I could come up with but I doubt people will buy this or any ratcheting screwdriver for anything that requires more torque, otherwise they’d be using power tools. I also repeated the test with the screwdriver in the locked middle position and did the job just fine with no slipping in the gearing or nothing.

Features and Quality

Initial impressions are good and Rolgear makes these in Canada and they have a good fit and finish overall. I don’t see any cheap materials and offer a sturdy plastic shell in the handle area with some soft touch rubber. The mode collar is made of a sturdy looking plastic and the shaft is stainless steel.

The stainless steel shaft offers a 1/4″ magnetic bit holder which also doubles as a 1/4″ nut driver naturally and it’s magnetic holding strength is ok. It’s not the strongest I’ve seen and actually a bit weak but provides just enough hold so your bit doesn’t fall out if held upside down. If you swing the screwdriver like a sword the bit will fly out.

The screwdriver comes with 7 double ended bits which include – 2 Slotted: 3/16″, 1/4″; 4 Square: 0, 1, 2, 3 ; 4 Phillips: 0, 1, 2, 3 ; and 4 Torx: 10, 15, 20, 25. The screwdriver has 3 sets of holes that can accommodate two double ended bits and are held on by friction with one internal o-ring. I’ve read some people say that their o-ring wears out so that may be something to consider if buying. I didn’t see any problems with holding power during initial testing but then again it’s not a long term review either.

The bits are held on tight and to remove them require you to use the 7th bit to push the desired bit out. I don’t mind doing this however this might pose a problem if one were to lose the seventh bit which is required to push the others out. Especially since the bit holder magnet isn’t very strong.

I found the grip to be comfortable to use however the bits do stick out a bit on either end and can make it uncomfortable if your finger presses into the ends of the bit but wasn’t a big deal to me in use. My complaint with the handle though was that it was not very grippy. The soft rubber is nice but doesn’t grip very well and it doesn’t help that the grip has three sections with smooth slippery plastic (white parts of the grip). I would prefer some knurling in the rubber and plastic, especially when I drove the drywall screw without a pilot hole. However the grip is good enough when high torque is not needed which is where most of users will be using this tool for such as machine screws and such. Don’t buy it if you need it for high torque applications.

I also want to mention that it has a magnet in the middle of the tool between the handle and the green mode collar which I thought was nifty for holding bits or screws. I thought it was handy and just like the magnet in the bit holder it was just strong enough to hold bits without falling.

Final thoughts; Conclusion:

Overall this is a well made tool and is truly silent as the claim suggests. It’s main strength is it’s silent ratcheting mechanism which doesn’t click and clack like traditional ratcheting screwdrivers do and offers very little countermovement to provide turning force in the desired direction when ratcheting. Fit and finish is good overall however its bit holding magnets could be stronger but hold up good enough against gravity.

The handle grip is comfortable however not very grippy when used for high torque situations however it’s intended main audience will not use it for high torque applications otherwise it’s grip is good enough for low torque applications such as machine screws.

With it’s $25 price tag, it’s value proposition is ok. I wouldn’t mind paying that much for a screwdriver such as this one however I’d be more inclined if it’s magnets where stronger and the grip had some knurling built into it, otherwise not a bad buy at all for the price.

Free 2 day shipping – Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial
DISCLOSURE:
Tool Craze does not sell this product or any product on the Tool Craze website. Tool Craze does not handle the sale of any item in any way. If you purchase something through a post on the Tool Craze site, Tool Craze may get a small share of the sale. Please refer to the About section for more info.