Klein 65131 Stubby Nut Driver Review: One Driver, Two Common Sizes

Introduction

Klein has been putting real effort into its stubby screwdriver line lately, and the 65131 is one of the more interesting ideas in that series. Instead of forcing you to carry two nut drivers, it packs both of the most common appliance screw sizes, 5/16 inch and 1/4 inch, into a single compact tool. A sliding collar switches between the two sockets, and a threaded lock keeps the longer socket firmly in place while you work. For roughly $17 on Amazon, it is an affordable fix for a very specific, very common frustration.

What It Does

The core idea is simple: a small collar on the shaft slides back and forth to flip between the 1/4 inch and 5/16 inch sockets. With the collar down you get 1/4 inch; pop it up and you are on 5/16 inch. If you regularly work with sheet-metal screws, which in appliances are almost always one of those two sizes, this means one tool instead of a pair of drivers or a bit swap mid-job.

The shaft is magnetic, and importantly the magnet extends through both socket positions, so smaller fasteners still hold on to the tip. Even a tiny 1/4 inch screw stays seated rather than spinning off the end.

Everyday Uses

Hose clamps are the standout use case. If you tighten hose clamps often, the 5/16 and 1/4 sizes cover nearly everything, and flipping between them takes half a second. The same goes for appliance panels, HVAC sheet metal, and general metal-screw work where you would otherwise juggle two drivers.

The stubby form factor also helps in tight cabinet and appliance cavities where a full-length driver or a drill will not fit comfortably.

One Small Design Fix That Matters

Sliding collars can have a weakness: if you push down at an awkward angle, the collar can pop back and change sizes on you mid-task. Klein appears to have anticipated this. The 5/16 side uses a threaded component to lock the collar into the extended position, so even rough handling does not knock it out of place.

You can still switch by hand with a firm push against the object you are fastening, but once locked, the extended socket stays put. It is a small detail that shows the design was actually tested against real use.

Small Trade-Offs to Know

A few honest caveats. The 1/4 inch socket is not held as tightly, so it works fine as a conventional driver for moderate torque but is not the strongest option for heavy screw driving. The tool also only covers those two sizes, so larger machine screws are beyond its reach, and a set in multiple sizes would be a welcome follow-up. And many users would love this flip-collar mechanism sold as a standalone adapter that could go on a drill or other drivers.

Buying Advice

If your work involves appliances, hose clamps, ductwork, or anything with 5/16 and 1/4 inch metal screws, this driver removes the constant two-tool shuffle for about $17. If you need higher torque or a broader size range, pair it with a proper driver set rather than replacing one. Taiwanese made, with the solid build quality you expect from Klein, it feels like a tool designed by people who actually use nut drivers.

Conclusion

The Klein 65131 is a sweet little design: two common sizes in one stubby, magnetic, pocket-friendly tool, with a locking collar that solves the obvious failure mode. There is room to grow the concept into adapters and multi-size sets, but as it stands it is a genuinely handy addition to any tool bag.