Not Just for Electronics: Our Mahi Driver Kit Is a Household Screwdriver That Kicks Ass
Tools

Not Just for Electronics: Our Mahi Driver Kit Is a Household Screwdriver That Kicks Ass

While all of our toolkits are great for electronics, our lesser-known Mahi driver kit includes larger bits that are perfect for simple repair jobs around the house. I keep this kit in my kitchen’s utility drawer at all times, and you should too.

Mahi driver kit stored in the utility drawer

Most common problems can be solved with a screwdriver, so it’s an essential tool to have on hand. While many fasteners in your home are standard Phillips-head screws, you’d be surprised at how many specialty and tamper-proof screws are lurking around as well. But not all screwdrivers are the same, and you may not always have the right size. If you don’t have a high-quality, interchangeable screwdriver in your drawer, it’s time to get one.

The Phillips and flathead bits in the kit will tackle pretty much anything in your house, like cabinet door hinges, drawer pulls, and light switch covers. The hex security bits are better at putting together IKEA-style furniture than the little wrench they give you. The Torx security bits work well for simple car repairs, like changing the air filter. The kit even comes with a 1/4“ socket adapter so you can loosen and tighten bolts—you usually won’t find bolts around your house that require a socket, but it’s handy for small jobs on your car, your bike, your lawn mower, and other gear. I recently used it to adjust the swivel stool in my garage.

Mahi driver with the 1/4" socket adapter

Our Mahi driver kit is $30 (or you can get it refurbished for $5 less). That may seem like a lot of money for a household screwdriver, but consider all the different bits you get in the kit—you just won’t find this diverse of a kit at the hardware store for $30. So compared to what you’d spend on individual screwdrivers and bits at the hardware store to match the Mahi, you’re getting a steal. Let’s break it down:

For example, this $15 interchangeable screwdriver comes with a couple of bits from the necessary types you’ll want around the house, including Phillips, flathead, Torx, Robertson (square), and hex drive. Hold up, though, because to match the Mahi kit, you’ll need some Pozidriv screwdrivers, which are $31, spanner screwdrivers for $12, some spline bits for $10 (which you’ll need a screwdriver attachment for, if you don’t have one already), a set of tri-wing screwdrivers for $11, some clutch-head screwdrivers for $18, and a Schrader tire valve stem remover to top it all off.

That all adds up to around $80 and a lot of screwdrivers to pile up in a tool box. And you don’t even get a neat sorting tray for all your screws while you’re working, like you do with the Mahi driver kit’s lid.

Mahi driver adjusting cabinet door hinges

Plus, all of the bits in the Mahi kit are made of hardened S2 tool steel, and the driver handle is a solid piece of anodized aluminum, with a swivel top that spins smoothly with each turn of the wrist. Oh, and don’t forget about the lifetime warranty—the Mahi kit is guaranteed to function properly for as long as you have it. If not, we’ll replace it for you! Many tool brands don’t come close to this.

You might be asking yourself why you would need the Mahi driver kit if you already have the Mako driver kit or the Pro Tech Toolkit (which comes with a Mako driver kit). The Mahi comes with larger bits and a larger driver to handle bigger and tougher jobs where you need more turning power than what the Mako can provide. The smaller bits are still great for a handful of home repairs (like adjusting those tiny set screws on towel bars), but the Mahi is more capable for the bigger jobs.

What have you used your Mahi driver kit for? Let us know in the comments, or tag us on social media (@iFixit on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook).