DeWalt 6 in. 4-in-1 SAE reversible nut driver

What this tool is and why I reached for it

Compact storage and fast changeovers matter when you’re bouncing between HVAC panels, appliance service, and light electrical work. That’s why I’ve been carrying the DeWalt 4‑in‑1 nut driver in my drill pouch. It consolidates the four most common SAE hex sizes—1/4, 5/16, 3/8, and 7/16—into a single 6‑inch shaft with a 1/4" hex shank that drops into any drill or impact. It’s the kind of accessory you don’t think much about until you realize how many trips it saves back to the van.

Design and build

The format is a reversible, double‑ended driver with a second double‑ended piece stored onboard. Pop one out, flip it for the alternate size, or swap to the other piece to cover all four sizes. The 6‑inch overall length hits a sweet spot: long enough to reach over circuit breakers, around blower housings, and past cabinet lips, but not so long it feels flimsy in a drill.

DeWalt uses a rare‑earth magnet at the business end, and there’s a detachable socket feature that lets you slide the sleeve off to clean out metal chips around the magnet. That little maintenance step extends the life of the magnet’s hold more than you might expect.

The shank is a standard 1/4" hex and impact‑rated. The fit and finish are what you’d expect from a major brand: straight shaft, snug tolerances, and crisp size markings that are easy to read at a glance. After a few weeks of use, the markings remained legible, though like most etched labels, they’ll eventually show wear if you’re constantly pulling it in and out of a crowded bit holder.

Size changes and onboard storage

Swapping sizes is quick. Each end is double‑ended: pull, flip, reinsert. The detents are positive, so the piece doesn’t back out under vibration. The onboard storage is a big win—there’s no loose second driver rattling around a pocket. It slides into the body and locks with enough friction that I never worried about losing it, yet I could extract it with gloved hands. I did notice that fine dust can build up in the storage channel in gritty environments; a quick blast of compressed air keeps it smooth.

If you’re used to single‑size magnetic nut drivers, the two‑stage decision (flip vs. swap) takes a day to become muscle memory. After that, it’s faster than digging for a separate 3/8 or 7/16.

In the drill and impact

I used it primarily in a compact drill/driver and occasionally in a 12V impact. The shank seats solidly in quick‑change chucks with minimal wobble. Under impact, there’s a bit of flex you’ll feel because of the 6‑inch length, but it’s not a problem for the kinds of fasteners these sizes typically see. If you hammer 7/16 hardware loose with a high‑torque impact, you’ll feel the shaft whip more than a stubby driver would—dialing down speed helps.

In sheet‑metal screws and hex‑head self‑tappers, the magnet holds fasteners reliably. I could start screws one‑handed over my head without dropping them, and the driver didn’t leave scuffs around painted panels. The reach made it easy to bypass insulation and reach overlapped seams without the chuck contacting the work.

Fit on fasteners

The interior hex profiles are cut cleanly. On new hardware, the driver seated fully with no play. On older, rounded fasteners (especially 1/4"), the magnet helped keep the driver centered, but you may still spin if the head is too far gone—no surprise there. The 3/8 and 7/16 ends saw occasional use on appliance anchors and light unistrut hardware, and they didn’t cam out or stick to the fastener after high‑torque pulls.

A nice detail: the shoulders are thin enough to get into shallow recesses where chunkier nut drivers won’t fit. I could remove sheet‑metal hex heads tucked in narrow returns without switching to a hand nut driver.

Magnet strength and cleanout

Rare‑earth magnets are strong when they’re clean. Over time, they pick up grindings, drywall dust, and shavings. The detachable socket design makes cleanup straightforward—slip the sleeve off, wipe the magnet, done. This is one of the most practical features here. It also lets you confirm the magnet hasn’t been dislodged, which I’ve seen on cheaper drivers after a nasty bind.

With routine cleanout, retention stayed consistent. Without it, you’ll start to feel slippage, especially with small 1/4" heads. I’d build magnet maintenance into your weekly routine.

Durability so far

Impact‑rated accessory steel can vary. After several weeks of daily use, I saw only minor finish wear at the hex edges, no rounding, and no deformation of the shank. The detents remained crisp, and the onboard storage didn’t loosen up. I avoided full‑send impacts on 7/16 hardware; this tool handles that duty, but a dedicated socket on a mid‑torque impact is the right move for stubborn fasteners.

One potential downside: this accessory doesn’t carry a limited lifetime warranty. Many hand‑tool nut drivers do, but drill/impact accessories often don’t, and this one falls into that category. Given the build quality, I’m not concerned, but it’s worth noting if you lean on warranty coverage for consumables.

Practical tips

• Use it in a drill/driver for most tasks; switch to an impact for repetitive panel screws. Keep the speed moderate to reduce wobble from the 6‑inch reach.
• Clean the magnet regularly using the detachable sleeve. A Q‑tip and isopropyl alcohol remove oily debris.
• Store the unused double‑ended piece onboard; avoid tossing it loose where it will collect grit.
• Mark your most-used size with a paint pen on the ferrule so you can grab-and-go without checking labels.
• Don’t overdrive small 1/4" hex heads with an impact—switch to drill mode or clutch to prevent breakage.

Where it fits in a kit

If you routinely need all four SAE sizes, this single tool simplifies the load‑out. For HVAC techs, appliance installers, property maintenance, and general prosumers, it’s a tidy solution. If you mostly use metric hardware or rarely touch 3/8 and 7/16, a pair of single‑size magnetic drivers might be faster. And if you work on high‑torque structural hardware, you’ll still want proper sockets.

Compared to multi‑bit nut drivers with hand grips, the advantage here is drill/impact compatibility and reach. Compared to separate magnetic nut drivers, you gain consolidation and onboard storage, at the cost of a small learning curve and slightly more length.

Limitations

• The 6‑inch shaft can introduce wobble on high‑RPM impacts.
• No limited lifetime warranty; treat it as a durable accessory rather than a forever hand tool.
• Debris in the storage channel can make swaps sticky if you never clean it.
• Not a replacement for deep sockets when you need maximum torque or clearance around studs.

None of these are deal breakers, but they’re worth understanding before you rely on it for heavy mechanical work.

Value

You’re essentially getting four magnetic nut drivers and a holder in one compact package. The build feels a notch above generic accessory kits, and the detachable socket adds real utility. For anyone who values speed and minimal gear, it earns its space.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt 4‑in‑1 nut driver for technicians and DIYers who frequently bounce among 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, and 7/16 fasteners and want to carry less without giving up magnetic retention or reach. It’s quick to change, secure in the chuck, and the cleanable magnet keeps performance steady over time. While the lack of a lifetime warranty and slight wobble at high speed are minor drawbacks, the convenience, thoughtful storage, and impact‑rated build make it a smart, work-ready addition to a drill/impact kit.