Hands-On Review: LTT Screwdrivers From Full-Size to Precision — Power, Control and Clever Design For Every Maker Project

As far back as I can remember, I have always loved tools. As a kid I had a clear yellow resin handled flat head screwdriver which I used to take everything apart. No seriously. I've been electrocuted three times. My first time was as a small child and I have been told that I shot across the room. This prompted my parents to take me to casualty and I think I was ok. It didn't stop me and I have been taking things apart for many years. Heck, I used to get paid to do just that for Hackspace Magazine.

I follow the mantra of Captain Montgomery "Scotty" Scott. You should always have "the right tool for the right job", and the right tool can be all that separates a project from failure.

You don't need ultra expensive tools to take things apart. In fact, I would say use cheap tools. That $10 precision toolkit from Amazon / Aldi / Lidl will do a great job. But, if you are a professional and rely on your tools to get a job done, or you are constantly tinkering with projects, then you deserve the best tools that you can afford. Personally, I love Wera and Knipex tools, but I am also exceptionally frugal (tight / cheap) so I never want to pay full price. So I wait for deals / sales to get my fix for the lowest possible price.

In my last year at Tom's Hardware, I took ownership of maker tools. Soldering irons, screwdrivers etc. And one of my favourite projects that came from this was the Maker EDC kit, which included a 3D printed insert tray for a metal tin which contains the kit.

Linus Media Group, yes, LTT themselves, got in touch with me and gave me an interesting and timely offer. Just as I was serving my final days as Associate Editor, LMG asked "If I would like to try out its range of screwdrivers and tools?" Sure! But, I had to set some ground rules, and I can confirm that LMG happily agreed to them. No form of payment has been given for the review. This includes any form of affiliate link. I do link to the products on the LTT store, but I get nothing from the links. I do get to keep the tools and some may say that can influence a review. But not with me. I spent six years reviewing tech at Tom's Hardware and before that over a decade for Linux Format. In all my reviews I called out the good and the bad because I want YOU to make an informed choice. I am not an influencer, at my heart I am a journalist with integrity. You, the reader get my honest opinion, good or bad. I have longed believed that if you are just writing the good news, then you are just their PR department.
LMG has not had early access or editorial overview of this review.

With that out of the way, let's get going!

What do I Have for Review?

• LTT Screwdriver in black ($69.99)
• LTT Stubby Screwdriver ($59.99)
• LTT Precision Multi-Bit Screwdriver ($39.99)
• LTT 61 Piece Precision Bit Set ($69.99 with driver)

LTT CPU Fidget Spinner (not for review, a gift) the CPU is an AMD A6-7400 which is a dual-core CPU from 2013 - 2014 that hits 3.9GHz under turbo.

The OEM for two of the LTT tools is Megapro Tools Inc, a Canada based company that focuses on hand tools and innovated the ratcheting screwdriver mechanism. The OG LTT screwdriver is seemingly based on the Megapro original ratcheting screwdriver, and the LTT Stubby is based on the Megapro 13-in-1 stubby. The LTT precision driver could be based on the Megapro 24-in-1 precision multi-bit screwdriver, but cosmetically the two are very different. Megapro is, at least to me, a bit of an unknown in the UK. I am very keen to see how they hold up to a few weeks of tinkering.

How Did I Test the Screwdrivers?

I had these screwdrivers for just under two months, and in that time I undertook a few necessary jobs as part of a test regime.

• I upgrade my main PC from 2 x 1TB NVMe SSDs and 1 x 1TB 2.5 inch SATA SSD to a 4TB and 2TB NVMe SSD. I also cleaned out so much dust!
• Attempted to fix a USB C vacuum cleaner.
• Tore down, cleaned and upgrade an HP Elitedesk G2 Mini PC.
• Tore down, cleaned and repaired my Elegoo Centauri Carbon 3D printer.
• Secured some shelves.

I used the OG LTT screwdriver to take apart my PC, ready for cleaning and upgrades. I needed to swap out my dual 1TB NVMe SSDs for 2TB and 4TB NVMe SSDs that I bought before they jumped in price. I needed the longer shaft to reach the motherboard screws so that I could remove it and the dust bunnies (oh dear god, the dust bunnies!!) and generally spring clean the inside of the case.

For the "Stubby" I used it too move some tracked shelving in my office. The shorter screwdriver grants me easier access to some tight spaces between the shelves. I also used the Stubby when taking apart my 3D printer. There are four 2.5mm Hex screws under the build plate and the access is very restrictive.

The precision driver set was pressed into service during my PC clean down and SSD swap. It also came in handy for the 3D printer project as it had the tiny hex bit necessary to remove the panels, giving me access to the electronics within.

I also needed to take apart an old USB C vacuum cleaner which suddenly stopped working. It still doesn't work, and I bought a new one from Aldi for £15.

Lastly I bought an HP Elitedesk 800 G2 Mini (Intel i5-6500) and I used this kit to take it apart for cleaning and upgrading the SSD from a 2.5 inch Samsung SSD to a PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD, then adding 16GB of RAM and an internal Wi-Fi card.

The OG LTT Screwdriver

• Price: US $69.99 (£52)
• Colour Options: Black, Orange and Black
• Ratchet: Yes!
• Dimensions: 213 x 35mm (Bit storage closed) 260 x 35mm (Bit storage open) Shaft length is 82.2mm
• Included Bits: PH0, PH1, PH2, H2, H2.5, H4, SL2, SL4, SL6, SQ1, SQ2, Magnet Bit
• Click here to go to the LTT store.

The original and dare I say coveted? The OG LTT Screwdriver was the first screwdriver from LTT and this all black (it does come in other colours) driver is long. sports bit storage in the handle, and a lovely knurled shaft for starting off a screw or for when precision is necessary.

The LTT Screwdriver takes 1/4 inch bits, and you can use it with bits from brands such as Wera, Knipex, Parkside (Lidl), and many other generic brands. The included bits are designed for the screwdriver's storage cap, and this is where some may find an issue. If you want too use your favorite bits — I've got a plethora of Wera bits that I like — then they will fit in the driver, but not in the handle. The included black bits are smaller, "branded" with LTT and provide great bite into the screw head. They do wear on the business end, and you will see some bare metal creep in as the bits are used. That just means that you are doing some work, replacements bits for this and the Stubby can be bought from the LTT store.

The ratchet is easy to use, just turn the dial in the direction that you wish to use, pop in a bit, and your off to the races. The ratchet is easy to turn and very pleasing to hear. The end cap provides just enough friction to keep the pressure on the screw. Sure I would've liked the same "fidget spinner" end cap as used in the precision drier, but I'll take this.

The inclusion of a knurled shaft section is super handy for those times when we want to get a screw started, or to just lightly hold a screw in place. I found myself using this quite a lot while taking apart my Elegoo Centauri Carbon 3D printer. In fact I used all three screwdrivers in that project as there were some exceptionally tight spaces where I used the Stubby, and areas where the precision driver was necessary.

The OG LTT screwdriver is a real delight to use. I've got a Parkside ratchet screwdriver which was about £15 and is a decent ratchet screwdriver for the money. Where the LTT screwdriver excels is in the ease of using the ratchet. We turn it in the direction that we want to screw. The Parkside model is the opposite. Heck, even my old Wera 816RA has this issue (the smaller Wera 838 RA S thankfully does not) so the Parkside is in good company. The smooth action of the LTT ratchet is sublime and takes the work out of driving screws.

The price of $69.99 USD is £52 and that is spendy for a screwdriver, but the Wera 816RA handle alone is £30, add some Wera bits to the mix and you are spending the same, but you don't have bit storage.

It boils down to, would I buy an OG LTT Screwdriver? And remember I am frugal! Yes, yes I would!

LTT Stubby Screwdriver

• Price: US $59.99 (£45)
• Colour Options: Black, Orange and Black
• Ratchet: Yes!
• Dimensions: 100 x 37mm (Bit storage cap closed) 125 x 37mm (Bit storage cap open)
• Included Bits: PH0, PH1, PH 2, SL4, SL6, Magnet bit
• Click here to go to the LTT store.

Need the power of a ratcheting screwdriver but also need to get into tight spaces? Get a stubby! This diminutive driver lacks the length but it has the power! Essentially, the Stubby is the OG screwdriver, but with a much shorter shaft (15mm versus 82.2mm)

The black plastic handle has accents of orange, especially the cap which has space for six bits, of which a range are included in the box. The cap is easy to open and closes with a reassuring click. The cap spins when driving a screw, but it has some friction which isn't hideous, but I yearn for the same fidget spinner bearings as on the precision multi-bit driver.

The ratchet part of the Stubby driver is familiar territory for me as Wera has recently changed how the ratchet is used. You turn the ratchet selector in the direction in which you want to drive the screw. Simple as that! The LTT Stubby, and the LTT Screwdriver do this and it makes life so much simpler. My Parkside (Lidl) ratchet screwdriver set does the opposite. To drive a screw clockwise, I have to rotate the ratchet selector anti-clockwise (counter clockwise for my American readers) and this often leads to me getting it wrong.

Under the handle is where we attach our bits, and the knurled metal shaft is there to accept the bit and give us precise control when we need it. A slight turn of the knurled shaft will snug a screw into place, and start off the screw before laying down the power.

Now here is where I get picky. The supplied all-black bits are lovely, and short. They fit great into the Stubby's bit holder, but none of my other bits fit. I've got long and short bits, from Parkside, Wera and random Amazon sellers. None of them fit and this makes me sad. All of these bits fit great for actual use, snug and firm, but for storage I have to take a box of bits with me. Not a great shame, and the included bits are great and will do 99% of the jobs that I want. But I would love a curated bit selection from LTT, Wera and many other companies that I can pop in the cap and forget about until called upon.

Other than that, the LTT Stubby is a great screwdriver to throw in your bag and keep in your toolkit. The compact size and robust materials make it ideal for building PCs, fixing 3D printers, and doing a bit of DIY.

The $59.99 USD (£45) is again spendy. You do get a quality piece of kit for the money. For those that need the power of a large screwdriver, but not the size, this is for you. I could happily use the Stubby for most jobs, but being totally honest, I prefer the feel of the OG LTT screwdriver. The shaft is just a little too short to be useful.

Would I buy one for myself? Yes, but only if it were on offer or I had an exact need for one.

LTT Precision Multi-Bit Screwdriver and 61 Piece Bit Set

• Price: US $69.99 (£52)
• Colour Options: Orange and Black
• Ratchet: No
• Dimensions: Case: 150 x 100 x 35mm, Driver: 105 x 15mm
• Included Bits:
  • Magnet
  • Flathead 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4
  • Gamebit 3.8, 4.5
  • Hex Metric 0.7, 0.9, 1.3, 1.5, 2, 2.5
  • Hex Metric Security 3, 3.5, 4
  • iPhone Standoff
  • Phillips 0000, 000, 00, 0, 1, 2
  • Pentalobe P2, P5, P6
  • Pozidrive 0, 1
  • Robertson 0, 1, 2
  • Sim Ejector
  • Socket Metric 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 5
  • Spanner 4, 6, 8
  • Torx T2, T3, T4, T5
  • Torx Security TR6, TR7, TR8, TR9, TR10, TR15, TR20, TR25
  • Triangle 2, 3
  • Y (Tri-point) Y000, Y00, Y0, Y1
  • 1/4" to 4mm Adapter
• Click here to go to the LTT store for the driver.
• Click here to go to the LTT store for the bundle kit.

Cutting to the chase. This is a lovely kit. The bit selection covers the classics (Pozi, Phillips, Blade, Hex, Torx) and a myriad of security bits designed to keep us out of our devices. I'm looking at you Nintendo and Apple.

The Precision Screwdriver.

Be still my beating heart! This is a lovely driver handle. This aluminium handle is a mix of satin sheened black, and knurling to keep your grip true as you invalidate another warranty. The burnt orange cap hides two things. Pull it up and there are five spaces for your favourite bits. Spin the cap and it goes on and on thanks to using fidget spinner bearings. The knurled cap is fun to spin and the LTT logo is cleanly engraved into it. But this cap is not just for fun. You see, the cap enables you to retain sure contact with the screw by focusing your movement into the screw. We don't have to release the pressure to create another rotation. The pressure is constant, so no slipping and scratching the tech you are trying to fix!

The 61 Piece Precision Bit Set

Inside of a rugged plastic case, with the LTT logo proudly stamped into it, the 61-piece precision bit set is held firmly in place using a foam insert with cutouts for the bits and the driver. The bright orange colour of the foam is most useful, providing contrast with the black of the case and the engravings for each bit. The bits are held firm and at an angle for easy access.

I've used cheaper precision kits that have the bits flat to the case and they are a nuisance to get out.

The case lid is magnetic, and has a grid array which you can use to safely store and sort your screws.

The lid has another hidden feature. Pull the lid down, in line with the hinge and it pops off! So you can keep the lid safe while you dig into the bits and take things apart. I really like this feature. It is simple but useful. In the above image you can see all of the screws that I took out of my Elegoo Centauri Carbon 3D printer.

I used this kit to take apart an Amazon vacuum cleaner that I keep in my office. I loaded up a P2 ad set to work. The driver felt great in the hand. Effortless motion to get into the vacuum cleaner. I was soon taking things apart and getting to the root of the problem. It seems as though the battery has been cooked and no longer runs for the full 20 minutes. Heck, I was lucky to get two minutes. In the end, I went to Aldi and bought a new vacuum cleaner as just replacing the 18650s every time they "burnt out" would not make financial sense.

Overall, the LTT Precision Multi-Bit Screwdriver and the 61-piece bit set is a must buy for the jobbing maker, PC enthusiast and hobbyist who needs precision and great quality tools.

And the Winner is?

There is no "this screwdriver is the best of the bunch", instead we have three screwdrivers for different tasks. The OG LTT screwdriver is there for the big projects. Taking PCs apart, fixing 3D printers and putting up some shelves. It tackles those projects with ease and I was never left feeling shortchanged. I could put the power down when needed, and using the knurled shaft I could get screws started with precision.

The Stubby LTT screwdriver is basically the OG but with a smaller shaft. Obviously. I miss the knurled shaft area, there is something there, but not enough to be as useful. That said, if there was more shaft, then it wouldn't be as stubby, right? The stubby did come in useful for hard to access spaces at the back of my 3D printer. It also came in rather useful when driving screws into some twin-slot shelving.

All three LTT screwdrivers are great, but of the three, my favourite has to be the precision screwdriver set. A mix of a great handle (the fidget spinner is not just a gimmick), an excellent selection of bits and the case which has the magnetic grid to remember where you took the screws from. This is a great kit and something that should be in your maker toolkit.

If I were to choose just two, for maker projects, PC maintenance, and general DIY jobs, it would be the OG LTT screwdriver and the precision driver kit. The stubby is nice to have, but the OG just pips it for usability.

Conclusion

So there we have it, the conclusion of multiple weeks of testing as jobs around my office and home came up. I expect to be using these screwdrivers for many projects to come. Have they supplanted my Wera tools? The answer is yes and no. For grab and go, I'll grab the LTT tools and leave the Wera tools in their holders. But there will be jobs where my Wera (and Parkside) tools will be better suited and I'll follow Scotty's advice as always.

I rank the LTT tools in the same level of quality as Wera, and that says a lot about the tools, and how much I appreciate their quality. They are going to be extremely useful around my home office / makerspace.

Many thanks to LMG for sending the tools for review!