The WOOD Magazine 4-in-1 Turned Handle Screwdriver plan is for making a custom wooden handle around a reversible screwdriver shaft. A double-ended bit sits at each end of the shaft; reversing the shaft changes the working tip. WOOD says the design can be turned from figured stock or ordinary shop scraps, including a laminated maple-and-cherry blank. The plan was featured in WOOD Issue 180 (November 2007), and its current project page was updated January 16, 2024.
What the 4-in-1 screwdriver does
The handle houses a reversible shaft carrying a double-ended bit at either end. Turn the shaft around to switch tips. The project combines a functional screwdriver mechanism with a turned wooden handle, so the finished tool can also make use of figured wood or suitable shop offcuts.
WOOD’s project page identifies this specific plan as a project from WOOD Issue 180, November 2007; the page was updated January 16, 2024. Its online description is a summary, not the complete build sequence. Use the plan’s template and instructions for the exact profile and operations.
What materials and tools are described
Choose a turning blank
WOOD says the handle can be made from figured stock or common shop scraps and gives laminated maple and cherry as an example. A separate, related project in American Woodworker specifies a hardwood blank measuring 1¾ × 1¾ × 6 inches. That dimension is guidance from the October 2006 article, not a confirmed specification for the WOOD Issue 180 plan.
#1 Best Overall
- Convenient in shaft bit storage
- Dual sided removeable shaft for 1/4" and 5/16" nut driving capability
- Legacy Craftsman acetate handle designed for comfort, torque and durability
- Chrome plated to resist corrosion
Prepare the turning setup
WoodworkersWorkshop’s listing identifies a lathe and common woodturning tools. The related American Woodworker article also describes using a drill chuck in the lathe headstock. These references do not establish that every detail is identical to the WOOD plan; follow the target plan for its own setup and sequence.
Get compatible screwdriver hardware
The project requires a reversible shaft and double-ended bits. The sources identify the hardware arrangement but do not verify that a currently sold kit will fit a particular turned handle or ferrule. Check the target plan’s specifications and the kit’s component dimensions before buying. Do not assume that a woodworking plan listing includes the physical hardware.
Rank #2
- Multi-bit Screwdriver / Nut Driver with Cushion-Grip handle for greater torque and comfort
- End of handle is marked to quickly identify tool
- Features 5/16-Inch (8 mm) nut driver plus #1 and #2 Phillips, 1/4-Inch and 3/16-Inch (7 mm and 5 mm) slotted screwdrivers
- The following replacement bits are available:
- #1 Phillips and 3/16-Inch [5 mm] Slotted (Cat. No. 32478)
Follow the WOOD plan for the exact build
The accessible WOOD page summarizes the project rather than publishing the complete instructions. Its linked plan is the source to use for the template and exact dimensions, turning profile, drilling, ferrule fit, finishing, and assembly order. The related 2006 article can help with general material and tool context, but it is a distinct project and should not be treated as a substitute for the target plan.
The related article describes its project as taking less than an hour. That is the article’s estimate, not a tested duration or a guarantee for this plan; time will depend on the maker, setup, and finishing choices.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- 6-in-1 multi-bit screwdriver and nut driver tool for tightening screws, nuts, and bolts
- Includes 1/4-inch and 5/16-inch nut drivers, #1 and #2 Phillips, and 1/4-inch and 3/16-inch slotted
- Interchangeable blade for fast and easy switch out; comfortable Cushion-Grip handle
- Blast finish bit tips provide a firm hold and reduce cam-out
- The product is covered by the Hand Tool Limited Lifetime Warranty
Plan, parts, and listing format are separate
The plan is an instruction resource; the wood blank, lathe equipment, and screwdriver hardware are project materials. WoodworkersWorkshop lists plan formats and tool categories, while a Woodcraft marketplace result described its paper plan as materials-not-included. Check the current listing for its format, contents, and availability before ordering. The WOOD Store catalog is another place to check the plan listing, but catalog details can change.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 6-in-1 Screwdriver
Rank #4
- PRECISION AND VERSATILITY: Klein Tools 4-in-1 Electronics Screwdriver with non-magnetic tips for precise work on electronics
- PREMIUM SPIN CAP: Free-spinning cap allows your palm to rest in place for optimal control and precise fastening
- CHROME-PLATED BARREL: Provides a smooth finish and corrosion resistance for long-lasting utility
- CUSHION-GRIP HANDLE: Offers greater comfort and torque while working on small equipment
- PRECISION-MACHINED BITS: Heat-treated bits provides exact fit to reduce cam-out
- WOOD Magazine plan page — the exact project summary and downloadable-plan listing.
- American Woodworker, October 2006 article — a separate related project with blank-size and tool details.
- WoodworkersWorkshop listing — plan listing and tool categories.
- WOOD Store turning-project catalog — check for current plan listing details.
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