EXPOSED Master Thread: LTT Store is going to release their own legendary screwdriver, possibly in partnership with MegaPro

[AGooseChaser]

Reviving this old thread to say that Linus has finally began to publicly announce the LTT screwdriver in today's livestream (timestamp). It's kind of nuts to believe that I made this thread ten months ago putting together all his hints of the screwdriver in the making. But I think it came a long very nicely and I'm really excited to see its eventual release.

 

For anyone that followed the original post, it seems to be based on the same MegaPro Automotive that I identified in the original thread, only more heavily modified with their own handle molding, custom shank, and non-standard bits. I can't say that I'm not disappointed to see they've went with no rubber grip and proprietary bits, even if it means slightly more magnetism. I know for people like myself, it'll probably be tough to justify a higher LTT-branded price than just buying something like the original MegaPro Automative that's only $32, uses 12 standard sized bits, and uses a tried and tested rubber grip. It'll probably still sell well though, since it's also about the brand recognition. Interested in hearing any of your guys thoughts on it.

 

Huge props for @LinusTech and the LTT team working on this product for probably well over a year now. It really shows how much effort they put into their merch and making quality products.

[LinusTech]

18 hours ago, AGooseChaser said:

Reviving this old thread to say that Linus has finally began to publicly announce the LTT screwdriver in today's livestream (timestamp). It's kind of nuts to believe that I made this thread ten months ago putting together all his hints of the screwdriver in the making. But I think it came a long very nicely and I'm really excited to see its eventual release.

 

For anyone that followed the original post, it seems to be based on the same MegaPro Automotive that I identified in the original thread, only more heavily modified with their own handle molding, custom shank, and non-standard bits. I can't say that I'm not disappointed to see they've went with no rubber grip and proprietary bits, even if it means slightly more magnetism. I know for people like myself, it'll probably be tough to justify a higher LTT-branded price than just buying something like the original MegaPro Automative that's only $32, uses 12 standard sized bits, and uses a tried and tested rubber grip. It'll probably still sell well though, since it's also about the brand recognition. Interested in hearing any of your guys thoughts on it.

 

Huge props for @LinusTech and the LTT team working on this product for probably well over a year now. It really shows how much effort they put into their merch and making quality products.

Hey thanks for your feedback. I understand your disappointments, but we made those trade-offs knowing very well what the downsides would be. 

 

The hand feel of our driver vs the MegaPro Automotive Driver (which we could have easily rebranded) is WORLDS better. It's extremely comfortable and we couldn't have kept the  low profile, ergonomic shape if we'd added a rubberized texture or stuck with full-sized bits. MegaPro's internal bit-holder (which we love) is ENORMOUS and difficult to work around.

 

In daily use so far the increased magnetism is a game-changer for keeping the bit in the screwdriver while you're working and we're going to make additional bits available at a very reasonable price. We are hoping it'll be a non-issue for most people. Remember the worst case scenario is grinding down a standard-sized bit if you're handy.

[Dutch_Master]

It's a real PITA that overseas shipping makes LTT merch prohibitively expensive for anyone not in the Continental US or Canada. Hopefully LMG gets better rates soon from their shippers so more fans can get their desired merch. Which would lower the rates even further, making it even more affordable for us Europeans at all, and so the circle goes

[TVwazhere]

On 8/10/2020 at 8:54 AM, TVwazhere said:

*hates Branded items like Beats headphones and Jordan shoes*

 

*ponders spending money for an LTT screw driver* Birthday present/Christmas gift perhaps???

Ended up with an iFixIt kit for now, though this screw driver may be better for "Road fix's / builds" when I'm traveling. 

[AGooseChaser]

2 hours ago, LinusTech said:

It's extremely comfortable and we couldn't have kept the  low profile, ergonomic shape if we'd added a rubberized texture or stuck with full-sized bits.

This sounds like a worthwhile tradeoff then. A much more comfortable shape may prove to be worth more than the rubber grip and full sized bits.

 

It sounds like you guys have put a lot of work and testing into this so this so it'll be good to trust your judgement.

 

I assume it'll only be a matter of time until you show it off in the videos and say LTTStore.com! Best of luck.

[Satge]

I'm so hyped. Been waiting for this since i first saw linus use his legendary screw driver. I'm really curious how the pricing will be. (FYI: I'm gonna buy one anyway  )

[Orian Pax]

LTT just take my money, i have been trying to find screwdriver for me for the last 2-3 days and this thread is a god send! it gives me hope.

[sub68]

I still think Linus should get his fixed by snap on.

I know that it says non repairable.

But snap on Is known to fix those things.

[dalekphalm]

13 hours ago, sub68 said:

I still think Linus should get his fixed by snap on.

I know that it says non repairable.

But snap on Is known to fix those things.

I believe in this context, non-repairable just means if they can't repair it, they'll exchange it for a new one.

[sub68]

1 minute ago, dalekphalm said:

I believe in this context, non-repairable just means if they can't repair it, they'll exchange it for a new one.

That makes sense.

 

[Yoinkerman]

snap on just ain't what it used to be either

[Quackers101]

does that mean, we are going to get... screwed?

[2DollaKoala]

I think this is it...

https://megaprotools.com/blogs/news/introducing-the-all-new-megapro-24-in-1-precision-screwdriver
 

Quote

 

we’re teaming up with some of the biggest tech and tool influencers consisting of… 

• Linus Tech Tips
• The ToolGuyd
• Steve Maxwell
• What Tool's Inside?

And many more!

 

 

[nexusmaniac]

On 6/20/2021 at 6:58 PM, sub68 said:

That makes sense.

 

99% sure Linus has said in the past that his OG orange Snap On holds sentimental value and that's why he's never replaced it for a new one

 

The fancy new LTT driver will let him use a decent screwdriver without getting rid of their Snap On entirely (I think it was a gift from Yvonne)

[Vorsayo]

I really hope this comes out soon. The dewalt screwdriver 

 

https://www.dewalt.com/products/hand-tools/screwdrivers-and-hex-keys/ratcheting-screwdriver/dwht69233 

 

I had been using literally fell to pieces when I dropped it a week ago and I need a new one and am trying to hold out for this. 

[Velcade]

8 hours ago, Vorsayo said:

I really hope this comes out soon. The dewalt screwdriver 

 

https://www.dewalt.com/products/hand-tools/screwdrivers-and-hex-keys/ratcheting-screwdriver/dwht69233

 

I had been using literally fell to pieces when I dropped it a week ago and I need a new one and am trying to hold out for this. 

It's out.  Go to your local Home Depot.  Aisle 14 Bay 011

[BadGuyNick]

LTT loves to do things in house and grow their business to be very independent so I wouldn't be surprised if they partner with MegaPro for the initial launch, they might branch off and go to some offshore company and still some how get high quality parts. I mean they did it with their merch, in the beginning they used a third party company but went more independent and now talks to the manufactures themselves. Just look out for when Linus disappears for a while and goes to china to check out some factories for the screwdriver.

[dalekphalm]

18 hours ago, BadGuyNick said:

LTT loves to do things in house and grow their business to be very independent so I wouldn't be surprised if they partner with MegaPro for the initial launch, they might branch off and go to some offshore company and still some how get high quality parts. I mean they did it with their merch, in the beginning they used a third party company but went more independent and now talks to the manufactures themselves. Just look out for when Linus disappears for a while and goes to china to check out some factories for the screwdriver.

It's highly unlikely that they could just use MegaPro for the "initial launch" and then use whatever manufacturer their want afterwards.

 

MegaPro almost certainly owns most of the intellectual property involved in the design, particularly if it's just a modified design of one of their standard parts.

 

This is likely a licensing deal of some sort. LMG might own some of the IP but I doubt they own the rights to the whole design, unless they designed it totally from scratch, and MegaPro tooled entirely new fab designs just for this one line of screwdriver (very unlikely).

[lostboy]

On 6/9/2021 at 1:11 PM, LinusTech said:

Hey thanks for your feedback. I understand your disappointments, but we made those trade-offs knowing very well what the downsides would be. 

 

The hand feel of our driver vs the MegaPro Automotive Driver (which we could have easily rebranded) is WORLDS better. It's extremely comfortable and we couldn't have kept the  low profile, ergonomic shape if we'd added a rubberized texture or stuck with full-sized bits. MegaPro's internal bit-holder (which we love) is ENORMOUS and difficult to work around.

 

In daily use so far the increased magnetism is a game-changer for keeping the bit in the screwdriver while you're working and we're going to make additional bits available at a very reasonable price. We are hoping it'll be a non-issue for most people. Remember the worst case scenario is grinding down a standard-sized bit if you're handy.

I love that you're speaking to this, I've been waiting for the LTT screwdriver for the better part of a year now. I have a similar snap-on as you, and I've been waiting for yours to come out so I could justify replacing it (its about 10+ years old now). Having said that, when you say "non-standard bits" do you mean length or diameter? I have a workshop full of tools and bits that all use a standard size 6.35mm ( 1/4 inch in Freedom Units).... as much as I've waited so long for this, knowing that it won't work with any of my other bits is a HUGE deal breaker. 

I hope its an awesome seller for you guys, but it feels like buying a cellphone from 2006 and trying to find a charger for it. 

[LinusTech]

On 9/9/2021 at 7:04 AM, dalekphalm said:

It's highly unlikely that they could just use MegaPro for the "initial launch" and then use whatever manufacturer their want afterwards.

 

MegaPro almost certainly owns most of the intellectual property involved in the design, particularly if it's just a modified design of one of their standard parts.

 

This is likely a licensing deal of some sort. LMG might own some of the IP but I doubt they own the rights to the whole design, unless they designed it totally from scratch, and MegaPro tooled entirely new fab designs just for this one line of screwdriver (very unlikely).

Don't worry. Your other 1/4" bits will work in the shaft but won't fit 12 into the handle. Ours are 'shorties'. Standard ones will only fit 6.

 

Having them short increases their magnetic pull making it easier to grab screws and stay in the shaft. It also helped us fit the holder mechanism into a much more ergonomic handle than megapros other designs. 

 

Worst case scenario you could just grind off a random bit and chuck it in there. 

[dalekphalm]

14 hours ago, lostboy said:

I love that you're speaking to this, I've been waiting for the LTT screwdriver for the better part of a year now. I have a similar snap-on as you, and I've been waiting for yours to come out so I could justify replacing it (its about 10+ years old now). Having said that, when you say "non-standard bits" do you mean length or diameter? I have a workshop full of tools and bits that all use a standard size 6.35mm ( 1/4 inch in Freedom Units).... as much as I've waited so long for this, knowing that it won't work with any of my other bits is a HUGE deal breaker. 

I hope its an awesome seller for you guys, but it feels like buying a cellphone from 2006 and trying to find a charger for it. 

I'm just gonna assume Linus misquoted me since his reply seems to be perfect to your post

10 hours ago, LinusTech said:

Don't worry. Your other 1/4" bits will work in the shaft but won't fit 12 into the handle. Ours are 'shorties'. Standard ones will only fit 6.

 

Having them short increases their magnetic pull making it easier to grab screws and stay in the shaft. It also helped us fit the holder mechanism into a much more ergonomic handle than megapros other designs. 

 

Worst case scenario you could just grind off a random bit and chuck it in there. 

 

[LinusTech]

2 hours ago, dalekphalm said:

I'm just gonna assume Linus misquoted me since his reply seems to be perfect to your post

 

Ooops yeah I was on mobile and derped.

[Vorsayo]

On 11/10/2021 at 4:01 AM, LinusTech said:

Don't worry. Your other 1/4" bits will work in the shaft but won't fit 12 into the handle. Ours are 'shorties'. Standard ones will only fit 6.

 

Having them short increases their magnetic pull making it easier to grab screws and stay in the shaft. It also helped us fit the holder mechanism into a much more ergonomic handle than megapros other designs. 

 

Worst case scenario you could just grind off a random bit and chuck it in there. 

I can’t wait to order one of these. I love my IFIXIT screwdrivers I have the Mahi and Mako drivers and they are great but I really prefer a ratcheting screw driver, the last one I bought was from dewalt and it was crap, didn’t have many teeth and quickly developed a lot of play and was striping the gears. Want something good that will last, has a good selection of common bits, and doesn’t require me to pull out my iFixit kits to do simple things.

[lostboy]

On 11/10/2021 at 2:01 AM, LinusTech said:

Don't worry. Your other 1/4" bits will work in the shaft but won't fit 12 into the handle. Ours are 'shorties'. Standard ones will only fit 6.

 

Having them short increases their magnetic pull making it easier to grab screws and stay in the shaft. It also helped us fit the holder mechanism into a much more ergonomic handle than megapros other designs. 

 

Worst case scenario you could just grind off a random bit and chuck it in there. 

Thanks for clearing that up!! Can't wait to see the finished product now. Nice Party shirt BTW. Make more of those. Charge more for them. Make some tall sizes. I pay 60+ a shirt for the same shirt at a normal mess apparel store, and these shirts are perfect for my office job

[kitchendroop]

@LinusTechLTT Screwdriver when? Also any price range estimates?