Shown here is my Wera 3/8″ sliding T-handle, model 8789B. I bought this about 4 years ago for $14, and it’s currently available for around $15.
Most people don’t have a sliding handle in their toolbox, many don’t even know they exist.
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This is one of those tools that might sit unused for a couple of months before seeing heavy action with a certain project. I mainly use this with bit sockets or smaller machine screws, typically with a long extension.
I should tell you that this is a tool to buy after the first time you need it. But that’s not what I did, and that’s not the best advice. I bought one for the heck of it. It looked like it might come in handy, I had an extra couple of bucks left over in a gift card or “treat for me” holiday spending budget, or something like that, and bought it.
What I’m trying to say is that I bought this without any particular uses in mind, and it’s worked out great. Maybe I also thought to myself that it would be great to check out for ToolGuyd content, I don’t remember.
This has been one of my favorite tools to use. I don’t think there were any tasks for which this was the only tool for the job, but there were plenty for which this was the fastest, easiest, or most convenient.
Wera’s sliding T-handle, like other tools of this kind, is very simply designed. There’s what I guess you could consider a short socket extension with a hole bored through it, and a smooth rod with stoppers at each end.
Some sliding T-handles – or at least one that I’ve seen – have ball detents that allow you to passively lock the drive component at certain positions. Most, including this one, don’t. Most sliding T-handles have free-sliding drive components, but this never seems to affect their performance or usability.
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One way to use this is as a L-wrench, or a sort of mini breaker bar. But instead of having to flip a breaker bar over with every rotation, you can slide the handle rod back and forth with every 180° rotation.
A great way to use sliding T-handles is as a custom T-handle speed wrench.
When used with an extension, especially a Wera Zyklop extension with free-spinning sleeve, you get close to the performance as with a dedicated T-handle speed wrench, or something like the Craftsman Mach Series T-handle driver.
Compared to T-handle drivers, sliding T-handles allow for greater customization. Plus, speed T-handle drivers are often quite large. With a sliding T-handle, you have a say in how large of an extension you pair it up with. And if you need a little more torque, slide the handle into an L-handle configuration.
Is there a downside to these tools? Not really, aside from the space they take up in a toolbox if not used for a while. For me, my Wera T-handle goes through cycles where it gets used heavily or not at all, and it averages out.
I really like my purchasing decision, and would do it again. The Wera 3/8″ T-handle is well made, and I can’t find anything to complain about.
I also have a 1/4″ T-handle that came as part of a small Wera socket set, and it’s a little small to be particularly useful. I more often use my 3/8″ handle with a 3/8″ extension and 3/8″ to 1/4″ adapter, or 3/8″ to 1/4″ adapter and 1/4″ extension when I need a lower profile tool to fit into tight spaces.
The Wera 3/8″ sliding T-handle is priced at $15, and other sizes are available for $15-18. Other brands make sliding T-handles as well, but my experiences have only been with Wera’s.
This wrench is about 6.5″ (165mm) long. Other brands offer longer T-handles that can provide greater leverage, but I never found my Wera to be lacking. If I need greater leverage, I use a ratchet or breaker bar first or last.
Buy Now(3/8″ via Amazon)
Buy Now(1/4″ via Amazon)
Buy Now(1/2″ via Amazon)
Browse(Other brands and styles via Amazon)
Wera’s sliding T-handles pair well with their extensions, which go for ~$10-20 via Amazon.
If you have a sliding T-handle as part of your tool kit, what kind of things do you use it for? Which brand or size would you recommend?
Kyle
Great tip! Definitely a useful tool with a lot of bang for the buck.
Hey Stuart, where did you get that single piece hex bit/socket? Thanks!
Stuart
PB Swiss. Ordered it from Amazon back when they still carried the brand. LOVE it, wish I could order a complete set, but they’re quite pricey. They’re only available in metric and Torx sizes, no inch. =(
Kyle
Thanks for the info! Too bad they are not more available but I’ll definitely keep an eye peeled. At least with PB Swiss the quality will be there even if it will be pricey.
Stuart
They’re still available via Tool Lady and Count On tools, but expect to spend a pretty penny.
Still, I really like the one-piece design. I might splurge on a set if the upcoming Black Friday deal is good enough.
Scottthetec
Kyle – Proto makes these as well. I have only purchased the individual pieces/sizes I need, so I can comment on a set. I got them through Grainger. They are expensive, but worth it. Lifetime guarantee ( I’ve taken advantage of at least once).
fred
I think my T-Handles came bundled in socket sets that I bought back 30 or 40 years ago:
1/4 INCH WILLIAMS M20-A
1/2 INCH WILLIAMS S-20A
3/8 INCH WILLIAMS B-20A
3/4 INCH CRAFTSMAN 4443-G
On your earlier post about socket sets – perhaps one nice thing to be said about big sets is that they come (or used to come) with items you did not think you needed until you encountered a problem that they solved. One of my favorite uses of a T-Handle was in cleaning up the threads on studs that had limited access. A hex die, a deep socket , an extension bar a t-handle and voilà task accomplished.
fred
FYI – looking at the list – I recall (a piece of trivia) that Williams socket part numbers started with M (midget) for 1/4 drive, B (bantam) for 3/8 drive, S (standard) for 1/2 drive, H (heavy) for 3/4 drive and X (xtra heavy) for 1 inch drive.
John Sullivan
Damn it, Stuart! You really don’t like my bank account to have any money in it, do you? [Grumble, grumble… placing order now…]
Seriously, thank you. I saw one of these in a tool chest a few years ago and didn’t quite know what I was looking at. Thinking back, there are plenty of occasions that I could have put these to use, so I’m ordering all 3 sizes and a few extension bars to match.
Stuart
Sorry. If it makes you feel better, think about what MY credit card must go through. It’s not pretty.
I haven’t tried the 1/2″, and in terms of ergonomics I prefer the 3/8″ handle over the 1/4″. I plan to eventually look at other brands’ longer 1/4″ sliding handles, but that’s not something I *need* right now.
John Sullivan
I would like to give a nod to your reply, but instead I’m spending another $400 or so (that I really can’t afford to) thanks to the posts you’ve put up in the last 24 hours!
Scottthetec
I have one of these with my Garant socket set. Very handy.
superautobacs
Stuart,
Consider a Ko-ken sliding T-handle. They have a chrome-plated oblong shaped rod, a center detent for positive engagement for T-handle use, and a phosphate-finished square drive.
http://thumbnail.image.rakuten.co.jp/@0_mall/i-tools/cabinet/ko-ken_img/p101_t-slide_1.jpg
Stuart
Welcome back. =)
That Ko-Ken sliding T-handle looks like a good design, but Ko-Ken tools aren’t exactly easy to find in the USA.
superautobacs
Yes, unfortunately that’s the reality. We’ll likely never find them being sold at any big-box stores …. only small online retailers.
Seb
i have a Stanley one but the sliding bar is actually an extension, dont know if i m explaining myself clear7http://www.stanleyoutillage.fr/products/detail/Le+Serrage/Cliquet+-+Douilles+1fwdslash2%2527%2527/COFFRET+A+DOUILLES++1fwdslash2%22+-+JEU+DE+23PCS
that picture should make it clearer