Leatherman driver bits.

[Midgetje93]

I have a several multi tools. A few Leatherman and a couple Gerber. I actually just ordered a Skeletool.

I keep a Leatherman Bond in my car. I picked up the Skeletool as a EDC. Not going to replace a toolbox. But has enough to hold me over for most tasks. I do like how it has the two dual sided bits with it. Ranging most things you’d need day to day. But got me thinking. I know Leatherman makes a bit kit with nearly anything you could want. But is there another brand that you’ve found that makes flat bits that work?

 

[Macchina]

I think only Leatherman makes them. I have bought a couple and never carry them, LOL.

I tend to have a small toolbox nearby (one in my truck, one in my work backpack) that has a complete set of bits and a bit ratchet so I always go for that.

 

[Midgetje93]

I think only Leatherman makes them. I have bought a couple and never carry them, LOL.

I tend to have a small toolbox nearby (one in my truck, one in my work backpack) that has a complete set of bits and a bit ratchet so I always go for that.

I have a mobile tool bag I’ve made that sits in my glove box. Power is actually out here at the moment or I’d post a picture. Made out of a older 5.11 admin pouch I had. Nothing fancy but enough to get you out of a bind kind of thing.

I usually have a cross body sling bag that’s kind of my “pistol” mentality. Always with me. Either in the car or office at work. Not a huge load to carry. But enough to hold me over until I can get to something else.

The only drivers I think id want are the glass breaker bit and the Torx T6/T8. I’d ideally put it in with my small sewing kit in my bag. Just to have those options on hand. I can buy the carbide glass breaker/flat head on Leatherman for $5. Then shipping. And I found a “buy one” listing on eBay for the T6/T8. But they want $20 . And don’t care to pay for the whole lot.

 

[afishhunter]

The flat bits are proprietary. Only LM makes them ... sometimes ... when/if they feel like it ... Bit Set Number 1 is currently out of stock ... has been for months. (I should have bought one when they were available ... ) My original is missing 4 bits. No idea which 4. It not the 4 replacement bits they sell, I know that. Bit set Number 2 is back in stock after a couple years. I did get one of them.

Truth to tell, I don't use them.
I have a small 1/4 inch bit ratchet in the side pocket of my LM sheath, a set of 1/4 inch bits, a 1/8 inch bit adapter, a1/8 inch bit set, and a "T" handle 1/4 inch ratcheting bit driver, in the rollator tote/shopping bag ... Those bits fit the fasteners better than the LM bits, and IMHO have a better heat treat.

 

[Midgetje93]

The flat bits are proprietary. Only LM makes them ... sometimes ... when/if they feel like it ... Bit Set Number 1 is currently out of stock ... has been for months. (I should have bought one when they were available ... ) My original is missing 4 bits. No idea which 4. It not the 4 replacement bits they sell, I know that. Bit set Number 2 is back in stock after a couple years. I did get one of them.

Truth to tell, I don't use them.
I have a small 1/4 inch bit ratchet in the side pocket of my LM sheath, a set of 1/4 inch bits, a 1/8 inch bit adapter, a1/8 inch bit set, and a "T" handle 1/4 inch ratcheting bit driver, in the rollator tote/shopping bag ... Those bits fit the fasteners better than the LM bits, and IMHO have a better heat treat.

I figured they were most likely Proprietary. But them seemingly always out of stock makes people charge stupid amounts haha. Was hoping to find a cheaper option

 

[afishhunter]

I figured they were most likely Proprietary. But them seemingly always out of stock makes people charge stupid amounts haha. Was hoping to find a cheaper option

A 1/4 inch or 1/8 inch bit set and driver is a less expensive option. The bit sets cost $15 each plus shipping from LM. You can get a 1/4 or 1/8 inch bit set with driver for less than $15.
If you deal with "security" fasteners, they are also the only option.
LM bits are not compatable with secutity fasteners.

The LM extensions (ratcheting is currently out of stock on LM's site ... or was 2 days ago ...) lets you use a standard 1/4 inch bits. Sadly, the extensions are $25 and $35 plus shipping.

 

[mitch13]

The extension bar will take your standard drill bits. I like to use mine for hex bits.

 

[gadgetgeek]

The extension bar is a good option, I'd pair it with the swisstool handle as well, you don't often need two drivers at a time, but you never know, and their bit holder is pretty good. Mine are a "get out of jail free" sort of thing, I almost never use them as I have a pretty decent tool kit at work, but it makes for a pretty small tool kit that can come along anywhere and still have decent performance. I'm not doing anything major with it, but some times you just need "good enough". That said, I wouldn't go super far out of my way to get the sets, I'd just wait until they were available. To be clear, my "work" carry is a Surge, but I did carry a skeletool for a long time (its actually my climbing rescue knife) so in that case, the drivers were not likely to get used, but I did think about what was getting used around me and did change the pairing out when it made sense, as well as kept part of a strip of bits if they made sense for the day. So I would look at what you might want for say a bike, or common stuff at work. a #1 and #2 phillips are common in IT stuff, but you might also have a specific torqz or hex that you might use (or like when I was still living in Canada, a #1 robertson for electrical work, but I don' think they make that one) Useful, yes, critical, no. The extension and a few bits are smaller than most mini screwdriver sets.

 

[Drop bear]

I have a several multi tools. A few Leatherman and a couple Gerber. I actually just ordered a Skeletool.

I keep a Leatherman Bond in my car. I picked up the Skeletool as a EDC. Not going to replace a toolbox. But has enough to hold me over for most tasks. I do like how it has the two dual sided bits with it. Ranging most things you’d need day to day. But got me thinking. I know Leatherman makes a bit kit with nearly anything you could want. But is there another brand that you’ve found that makes flat bits that work?

The gerber centerdrive takes normal bits.

 

[Midgetje93]

The gerber centerdrive takes normal bits.

My gerber models are the Suspension NXT and MP600. While I like them. They don’t really hold a candle to Leatherman.

As I said the Skeletool a little pocket/bag tool. Pliers, driver, second blade. Nothing heavy. But a good handy thing. Just thinking about what could make it a little better. I do wish it had a proper bottle opener and scissors tho. That would make ít perfect in my opinion

 

[Guy McVer]

The LM extensions (ratcheting is currently out of stock on LM's site ... or was 2 days ago ...) lets you use a standard 1/4 inch bits. Sadly, the extensions are $25 and $35 plus shipping.

The extension bar will take your standard drill bits. I like to use mine for hex bits.

Yeah I think the Leatherman ratchet is the best option.

Problem is, yeah... it's out of stock everywhere and it has been for a good long time. It's made in Taiwan just like the Leatherman bits. Maybe that has something to do with the fact that all that stuff has been pretty difficult to get for the past few years. I don't really know.

Another option is to just carry one of those small 1/4 inch hex bit ratchets. They can fit in one the side slots of a multitool holster. There are various options out there. One option that seems to be popular is to get a Rocket Ratchet set from Topeak, but it's a bit spendy. The Power Torque set was one of the cheaper options but I have no idea what the situation is with it right now. There was also the 711L ratchet which will fit right in the Leatherman bit driver.

 

[Macchina]

Yeah I think the Leatherman ratchet is the best option.

Problem is, yeah... it's out of stock everywhere and it has been for a good long time. It's made in Taiwan just like the Leatherman bits. Maybe that has something to do with the fact that all that stuff has been pretty difficult to get for the past few years. I don't really know.

Another option is to just carry one of those small 1/4 inch hex bit ratchets. They can fit in one the side slots of a multitool holster. There are various options out there. One option that seems to be popular is to get a Rocket Ratchet set from Topeak, but it's a bit spendy. The Power Torque set was one of the cheaper options but I have no idea what the situation is with it right now. There was also the 711L ratchet which will fit right in the Leatherman bit driver.

These little Klein ratchets are amazing. Most of the guys here at work use them after I brought one in. They're really compact but actually very usable. You can be quite fast with that ring on the end whirling around.

 

[Macchina]

I keep this mini set on my desk at work. Grab what you need, then driver and a couple socks or bit cards easily fit in your pocket

 

[SwissHeritageCo]

I keep this mini set on my desk at work. Grab what you need, then driver and a couple socks or bit cards easily fit in your pocket

View attachment 2336000

Quarter for scale?

 

[Midgetje93]

These little Klein ratchets are amazing. Most of the guys here at work use them after I brought one in. They're really compact but actually very usable. You can be quite fast with that ring on the end whirling around.

I work at Lowe’s. As soon as we got the contract and stocked them. I got one.

 

[Guy McVer]

These little Klein ratchets are amazing. Most of the guys here at work use them after I brought one in. They're really compact but actually very usable. You can be quite fast with that ring on the end whirling around.

I work at Lowe’s. As soon as we got the contract and stocked them. I got one.

Hmm... I've already got one of the Power Torque Ratchets, but now I have to get one of the Klein Tools ones just to see what the hype is all about.

Here's my Power Torque Ratchet next to a Victorinox Compact and a Knipex Cobra XS:

As you can see it is double ended. The non-ratcheting side uses magnetic retention. You can store two bits in the ratchet. Is it worth giving it up for that ring on the end of the Klein? I guess I'll have to find out.

 

[eveled]

These little Klein ratchets are amazing. Most of the guys here at work use them after I brought one in. They're really compact but actually very usable. You can be quite fast with that ring on the end whirling around.

I liked mine, but it didn’t last long. It just fell apart.

I would like to see an updated TL-29 that used 1/4” bits.

 

[Macchina]

I liked mine, but it didn’t last long. It just fell apart.

I would like to see an updated TL-29 that used 1/4” bits.

Weird. I know of 4 in daily use, 2 of them since they launched and they’re all running great. We don’t tend to break huge bolts free with them but we’re cranking down and loosening many m6 and m8 socket heads daily.

 

[eveled]

I kept mine on my Caribiner with my keys. The large loop was very convenient for this. I rarely used it. But found it handy for cabinet screws in tight spots. I looked down one day and all the drive mechanisms were missing. I have been wanting another. If you say yours are holding up. Maybe Ill try another. Thanks.