While testing the new Craftsman Mach screwdriver, I thought about my T-handle screwdriver bit drivers. While some are short and not very conducive to fast-spinning tasks, I have one that can be twirled around with ease. I did a bit of searching and found that there are similar T-handle speed wrenches with 1/4″ and 3/8″ square drives.
The Sunex T-handle speed wrench set, shown above, comes with 1/4″ and 3/8″ drive sizes. There’s a repositionable free-spinning grip on each driver that can be moved to any of 4 positions on the shaft. This means you could stabilize the driver with one hand and spin it with the other.
Advertisement
Although these speed wrenches have simple mechanics, they work remarkably well. They do a great job of shortening how long it takes to install or remove long fasteners, and don’t require much elbow grease either.
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Update: Motion Pro also makes reasonably inexpensive speeder/spinner handles (via Amazon, via Moto Superstore (thanks Fred!), but it looks like the free-spinning grips are fixed in place. If you just want one size, one of these might be the better option.
There are many variations of T-handle speeder wrenches, including a 1/4″ version from Mac Tools that has a magnetic tip to better hold fasteners through sockets. The magnetic tip looks to work similar to the Gearwrench magnetic extensions we tested and reviewed a long time ago.
Buy Now(via Mac Tools)
Advertisement
fred
T-handled sockets and screwdrivers are handy for motorcycle work. Motion Pro makes several alternatives including ones similar to these:
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/39970/i/motion-pro-t-handle-spinner
Stuart
I saw a lot of the Motion Pro spinners on Amazon (LINK), originally left them out of the post because the Sunex stood out a little stronger with their adjustable/moveable free-spinning grips. I would think that the Motion Pro handles’ bearings are press-fit into place on the shaft and are not adjustable.
fred
I have several Motion Pro T-Handled tools :
08-0101 57-8101 T-HANDLE PHILLIPS SCREWDRIVER
08-0102 57-8102 T-HANDLE PHILLIPS SCREWDRIVER
08-0103 57-8103 T-HANDLE PHILLIPS SCREWDRIVER
08-0307 57-8307 T-HANDLE WRENCH
08-0359 57-8359 T-HANDLE
08-0496 57-8496 SPINNER T-HANDLE
08-0513 57-8513 SPINNER T-HANDLE
The last two on the list have the same feature (configuration) as the Sunex – and look so much alike that they may have the same OEM. The link I provided shows these. The Vim ½ inch drive spinner – also looks remarkably the same.
fred
Sorry for the double post – but should have added that Vim (Durston) also makes one in 1/2 inch drive:
http://www.tooltopia.com/vim-tt500.aspx
fred
Thanks for the update on the post.
I just took a look at mine. The 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch Motion Pro’s do indeed have a spinning collar that’s fixed in position. The 1/2 inch drive Vim uses a stop collar with an socket-head set screw to hold it in position – so an adjustment would be possible.
Jim
The PB Swiss version is a pleasure to work with. Nice tight tolerances and tough steel. Little wear after years of use.
SteveR
Stuart–Do these actually have bearings or just bushings? It’s implied that bearings are used, but I’m not sure that’s the case, especially at this price point. Can you shed any light? Thanks.
Stuart
To be honest, I’m not sure. I would gave thought bushings, but the ~$20 Motion Pro spinner handles are said to have bearings.
fred
I can’t tell from just looking at the 2 Motion Pro tools that I have or the 1/2 inch drive Vim. What I can feel is that on the Motion Pro tools the swiveling collar-grips have only minimal upward and downward movement along the shaft.
I can almost picture a groove cut on the shaft that mates with a internal retaining ring and holds the grips in place. On the Vim – there is a stop collar that one could remove entirely to get a peek at the inside of the sliding grip. I haven’t done this – but suspect that the grip is just a machined cylinder that slides over the shaft – perhaps without bushings at all.
Toolfreak
I just stick a slide handle on the end of a socket extension.
I suppose the T-handles might be good for specialized work if you use them often enough.