Gary Fisher ‘talks the torque’ as he tries out the Expert Ergo Plus 19-Piece Interchangeable VDE Torque Screwdriver Set from Draper Tools.
We electricians are definitely not short on choice when it comes VDE screwdriver sets. While a kit from a good manufacturer should provide a professional with the basic screwdriving tools they would need on the average job, this bumper, 19-piece set from Draper will cover pretty much every application you could come across.
Each set contains a torque screwdriver, calibration certificate, 16 interchangeable blades, an insulated holder driver, and precision insulated holder driver and a storage pouch to keep it all neatly packed together.
Designed for professionals, the set includes blades for almost all types of screws and applications, varying in sizes for both pozi and flat head types as well as star heads, which are particularly handy when connecting up cooker appliances.
Focus point
Torque drivers were a big area of discussion last year, especially surrounding Amendment 3 and Regulation 421.1.201. The regulation was introduced to address the growing number of fires involving consumer units. One of the common causes of these fires was identified as connections being tightened to an incorrect torque or with inappropriate tools.
Pros
● All the bits you require in one set.
● Torque screwdriver in set.
● Easy to carry in pouch.
● Interchangeable bits.
Cons
● If you already have a selection of screwdrivers, would you want to buy the whole set?
With the spotlight on the installer it is more important than ever to refer to the torque settings laid out in the instruction documents that come along with consumer units and to make sure you have a reliable torque driver at your disposal.
I’m happy to vouch for the Draper driver as it proved to be reliable in all the installations I used it for. It is easy to adjust between 1.0 – 5.0 Nm and the handle features a soft-grip which can really make the difference when you need to be precise.
Even if you don’t require the torque tools all of the time the kit offers so much variety. You still have all the other blades which fit into the other two standard type handles.
The handles themselves are very comfortable to hold and don’t hurt your palms after continued use like some other drivers I’ve used in the past. With comfort covered, Draper has also prioritised safety. The torque driver is fully insulated, tested for use on circuits up to 1000V AC, and 1500V DC. What’s more, each screwdriver is tested to VDE standard.
I find this set particularly handy when making an estimate. I can quickly take off a switch to see any issues so I know what to cost for, without scrambling for the right screwdriver. The set is also useful when undertaking a periodic electrical test; you can just attach the pouch to your belt and have access to all the drivers quickly when you need them.
Overall a very worthwhile set of screwdrivers. You get everything you need in one neat pouch and the torque driver is as reliable as you need it to be. A great option if you want to upgrade your current kit or a perfect starter set for an apprentice.
