Klein came out with a bunch of new power tool accessories a couple of months ago, including new power screwdriver bits and nut drivers. Now, Klein has come out with their Switch Drive handle system, which allows you to switch accessories between power and hand tools with greater ease.
Klein’s not the first brand to release a power bit handle, but it looks like they put serious effort into their Switch Drive system. The new handle features a quick-change 1/4″ hex bit chuck that works with any industry-standard power bits.
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The Switch Drive handle will be available as part of two starter sets – a Power Driver set (32700), which is bundled with 6″ Phillips #2 and Square #2 bits, and a Power Nut Driver set (32701), that comes with 1/4″, 5/16″, and 3/8″ hex nut drivers.
Pricing starts at $21 for the Power Driver set, and the Nut Driver set appears to be a little pricier. We’ll probably see prices stabilize once more distributors start carrying the new products.
The Switch Drive handle – and the bits that they come with – are made in the USA.
Buy Now(Screwdriver set via Amazon)
Buy Now(Nut driver set via Amazon)
More Info(PDF via Klein)
Here’s a quick promo video:
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First Thoughts
As mentioned, Klein is not the first to come out with something like this, although most of the few power bit handles we’ve seen were bonus add-ins included in certain bit accessory sets.
Klein looks to have engineered the new Switch Drive handle with a robust quick-change 1/4″ hex chuck that makes it hassle-free to go back-and-forth between power and hand tools. I cannot explain why, but the metal chuck just screams “durable” to me.
This is something I will definitely try to get my hands on, as the design looks to offer incredible versatility. Although, I don’t plan to use it with power tools, I intend to use it as an EDC screwdriver. With a couple of 4″ screwdriver bits, maybe a couple more 6″ bits, or maybe a few 2″ bits if they’re not too short, and the Switch Drive handle would be a great centerpiece of a road box or mobile tool kit.
The Amazon price of $36 for the nut driver set confuses me a bit, but at $21 the screwdriver set is more reasonably priced. I think that $18 would be the sweet spot, and this might even be possible once Home Depot and other dealers start carrying the sets.
Stan
I’ll be honest, when I first saw this, I was almost 100% certain this wasn’t going to be American made. This is one of those instances I am very glad I was wrong and this is American made as well.
Honestly, this seems as if this would be a awesome concept and certainly something I’ve never seen before.
Way to go Klein, in the very unlikely anyone is reading this message, American made products are definitely something I would consider pivotal.
Sure Klein might not be first to have this design, but at least with Klein you know you are receiving a well made product and this product in question actually supports American made jobs.
Michael Quinlan
While the concept of a screwdriver handle with a quick-change chuck is not new, I love the feel of Klein handles, and may eventually pick one up. The one I have (Kobalt) also works (properly retains) 1″ bits. Do you have any idea if the Klein handle work with 1″ bits? It looks like the wide chuck release mechanism may make working with these shorter bits awkward, but it’s still better to be able to use them if you need to.
I’ve been switching bits between hand and power tools for a while, using a combination of Klein’s 10-in-1 screwdriver, and a DEWALT DW2330 4 Piece 6-in-1 Flip and Switch Driver System. I don’t switch between power and hand too often, but the bits are interchangeable. I was originally looking for a 10-in-1 type bit with a quick-change shank, and came across the DeWalt tool. The fact that the bits are interchangeable is a bonus.
Klein has something similar to the DeWalt tool, but it incorporates a magnetic bit holder, which I generally find useless because the bit retention is usually horrible – a minor amount of grip between the bit and fastener and the bit stays with the fastener when you remove the tool. When you’re spending only a minute or two at a location (i.e. installing wall plates), it’s a great time waster to keep going back to your previous location to retrieve a bit, especially when it has fallen out of the fastener in the meantime.
Stuart
I don’t think it works with 1″ insert bits, and if that’s the case, any bit holder can used in between. You *might* be able to use this with 1″ bits, but probably not optimally or without frustrations, such as when removing bits.
Stuart
Heard back from Klein. The Switch Drive handles work with any bit that has power drive groove, or 1/4″ hex shank. I asked about 2″ bits, and they said they’ll fit, but will only be useful for stubby applications. Just something to keep in mind. Once the handles start shipping I’ll text them out with different but sizes.
Sledgecrowbar
You could always chuck in a magnetic bit holder that has a power bit base, I leave such a piece in my air screwdriver and use standard bits for small fasteners and it makes automotive interior and motorcycle body panel work a breeze. Since cheap 1/4″ hex driver bits are disposable due to their tendency to get lost and wear beyond usability, I use the ones that come in a set with most ratcheting screwdrivers instead of shelling out for power bits in all the metric hex and torx sizes I commonly need.
The switching over of bits and sockets (and other tool attachments) between a power tool and a hand tool deserves its own article. I use this method far more often than I realize and it saves me fasteners, parts, time and headache all together, for example when I break a stuck phillips screw loose with a hand tool instead of rounding it out with a power driver, and then speed it out with a power tool. Or if I break a big nut loose with an impact wrench and then run it off with a ratchet to keep from worsening already-damaged threads.
Allen
Does it come in some sort of fabric “wallet” case ?
Stuart
Doesn’t look like it does. Klein sells canvas organizer bags (https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/klein-canvas-zippered-bags/%3C/a%3E%29, and there are also plenty of 3rd party options available.
Chris Fyfe
I’ll score one for sure , I can see instances when it could be very handy . I also like the feel of Klein handles .
Chris
firefly
I like it! Look like it’s very well made. I also like the quick change hex chuck. It look solid and intuitive. I will play around with it when it come out. If it work as well as the I will definitely pick one up.
firefly
I mean if it work as well as the infomercial
Robert
The concept of a ¼ inch handle with a quick release isn’t new, except to an electrician who’s never thought outside of the Klein box. There are numerous configurations of ¼ inch chucks and other quick releases on the market. Not to trivialize it, but it’s just another universal handle that accepts anything with a power ¼ inch shank.
The question is more about the nutdrivers and the 6” bits, and whether or not the overall quality justifies the price. Malco in particular is known for their nutdrivers and ¼ inch quick release handles. I’ve had one for years as well as a “Craftsman High Torque Handle” with a standard ¼ inch quick release. Klein has caught a lot of criticism in recent years for an apparent decline in quality control. I’ve used their drivers and had issues with bits falling out, rubber grips working loose from their plastic handles causing bits to slip and strip fasteners, etc. I’ve also felt that their driver handles are too compact for my grip. Although there’s nothing standard in the photo or video to depict the relative size, it does appear a little larger than usual judging by the hand of the user.
That said, it seems that Klein may be trying to change some of those perceptions with recent offerings. Perhaps they are working to regain their quality control and get back to the standards they were originally known for. I suppose that remains to be seen. In the meantime, the price doesn’t seem unreasonable if the overall quality is proven to be there. At the same time, I won’t exactly be running to the nearest dealer to grab yet another universal screwdriver handle with a ¼ inch quick release.
Stuart
I think that Klein is paying attention to criticisms and acting accordingly. Their new power tool bits and accessories are nicely done and seem to be well-thought out. It’ll take time to see where they’re going.
I didn’t ask, but I think maybe their previous power tool accessories might have been made by OEM companies, while the new accessories are made by Klein or a different USA manufacturing partner.
Rick C
I have a Switch Drive and really like the secure bit retention. It will be great in a location where I want to carry as many tools as possible in a tool pouch or holder as small as possible.
I recently emailed Klein with some suggestions for a second version of the S/D. I told them I thought that the handle was unnecessarily big, and suggested it would be better in the 600 series size. I suggested that they need a ‘lock collar’ of some sort to allow an S/D with a bit in place to be put in a tool holder without dropping the bit. And I suggested that they need to come up with a 5118 series tool holder that would then accommodate an S/D and bits.