1/4" drive short or stubby spinner?

[Biomed]

Anyone know of a 1/4" drive short or stubby spinner. (See attached photo.)

Craftsman made one that was 4 1/2" long (P/N 43351) that is listed as temporarily unavailable which appears to mean discontinued.

I'm aware of (and have) the Snap-on TM40ASA but I do not like the handle shape and size.

I'm going to see if Enderes might manufacture something like this. Anyone know of another source? Another old GJ thread suggested Proto made one but it is not in the catalog or online.

 

[metaleltr]

Well i thought i had your solution TM40ASA, what about getting a stubby screwdriver that you do like, removing the blade and replacing it with a short extension

 

[Big Pete]

what about a short 1/4" hex bit driver with a 1/4" square drive bit installed? That would likely open up the range of possibilities.

 

[unslow1]

So are you trying to find the one pictured or one similar by any manufacturer? I'm pretty sure I know someone who has the one pictured. It would be used. What would you give for it? I've never seen him use it.

 

[Biomed]

what about a short 1/4" hex bit driver with a 1/4" square drive bit installed? That would likely open up the range of possibilities.

I prefer not to use 1/4" square-to-hex adapters because they tend to fall apart at the worse possible moment and then I have to fish around in the bottom of live electrical equipment to find the pieces. My experience has been that 1/4" drive sockets tend to stay put on spinners.

So are you trying to find the one pictured or one similar by any manufacturer? I'm pretty sure I know someone who has the one pictured. It would be used. What would you give for it? I've never seen him use it.

The one pictured or similar. For business reasons I prefer to purchase new tools.

 

[stratman977]

Heres one. I couldn't find another distributor other than ebay though?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jawco-1-4-Drive-Stubby-Spinner-Flex-Handle-New-Bulk-Packaging-Made-in-USA-/181265962370?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item2a344b1582&vxp=mtr#ht_692wt_850

 

[Steven67fr]

Proto/Plomb made one that I use and like. Super stubby.

The one linked below is priced ridiculously, though!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-PRO.../151199827534?hash=item233436464e#ht_25wt_684

 

[unslow1]

http://handtools.jawco.com/item/all-categories/flexible-shaft-tools-and-extensions-2/h4

Stratman I think this is what you were trying to post.

 

[Dirty Diesels]

I made a stubby snap-on screwdriver handle fit a 1/4 drive hex shank bit for some previous air box hose clamp work & it works perfect.

 

[stratman977]

http://handtools.jawco.com/item/all-categories/flexible-shaft-tools-and-extensions-2/h4

Stratman I think this is what you were trying to post.

I think thats the one. Fixed the ebay link. My work filter thinks the Jawco site is suspicious so I couldn't check their site out.

 

[willhollin]

Facom R.236C

 

[crewchief888]

not sure if SK made a stubby or not...

 

[Biomed]

Heres one. I couldn't find another distributor other than ebay though?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jawco-1-4-Drive-Stubby-Spinner-Flex-Handle-New-Bulk-Packaging-Made-in-USA-/181265962370?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item2a344b1582&vxp=mtr#ht_692wt_850

Jaw Co. has a web site, http://www.jawco.com and they appear to have an online store. Anyone have any of the Jaw Co. stuff? In some photos it looks like a standard 1/4" square drive and in others it almost looks like something else.

Facom R.236C

The Facom is interesting but I cannot find the dimensions anywhere. I found a product info sheet but no dimensions. Couldn't find any US distributors, Ultimate Garage doesn't seem to have it, perhaps they could special order.

 

[willhollin]

The Facom spinner is 130mm long overall, so approx 5". The 1/4" drive shaft accounts for 20mm, approx 3/4".

They come standard in the NANO socket sets, probably why they aren't readily available on their own.

Could probably help you out if you want one sending over?

 

[zkling]

How about one of the ratcheting offerings? Like the Gearwrench kit that you can switch the shafts on. I think both them and Snap On make a short version handle with a short version 1/4" drive shaft.

Did you see the ones VIM make? I don't remember how short they go though.

I'm curious about the Jawco company too. I almost purchased a 3/8" spinner from them, but ended up making one instead.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Ko-Ken starts at 150mm unfortunately.

I wouldn't mind swedging the sides of a 1/4" extension to be like a screwdriver bit and pressing it into a hard handle to make what you're wanting. Wonder if a 20T press will do that. :hmm:

 

[BDAZSVT]

How do you remove the screwdriver shank?

 

[Biomed]

How about one of the ratcheting offerings? Like the Gearwrench kit that you can switch the shafts on. I think both them and Snap On make a short version handle with a short version 1/4" drive shaft.

Did you see the ones VIM make? I don't remember how short they go though.

I'm curious about the Jawco company too. I almost purchased a 3/8" spinner from them, but ended up making one instead.

The Gearwrench ratcheting stubby with the short shaft is 6" long, same as most spinners. I'm looking for something shorter. Snap-on does not make a short 1/4" drive shaft. I'll check VIM.

 

[Biomed]

So I found a short (3 1/2") 1/4" drive spinner at McMaster (P/N 5521A21). Since you don't always know what manufacturer you are getting when you order from McMaster I was anxiously waiting for the UPS man. Looks like the Jaw Co. H4 handle was the item I received. It's the small 1/4" drive spinner in the photo (second row from the bottom). Price was $6.21. Problem solved. Might have to get some of the other Jaw Co. stuff.

 

[zakmartin]

I don't know if this is the kind of solution you would want, but it works great for me. I use a stubby Wiha 1/4" bit driver and throw in a DeWalt 1/4" socket adapter. The magnet in the Wiha is nice and strong (I haven't lost any sockets under the dashboard yet).

Wiha driver
Dewalt adapter

 

[Biomed]

I don't know if this is the kind of solution you would want, but it works great for me. I use a stubby Wiha 1/4" bit driver and throw in a DeWalt 1/4" socket adapter. The magnet in the Wiha is nice and strong (I haven't lost any sockets under the dashboard yet).

Thanks for your input however as stated in the previous posting I have found a solution that is acceptable to me and does not involve assembling a group of adapters or modifying, machining or using JB Weld. Actually I have one of those Wiha stubby bit drivers and like it alot for bit driving in tight spaces, not so much for socket driving (with an adapter) in tight spaces.

The Jaw Co. H4 spinner is inexpensive, appears to be well made, is readily available and is manufactured by a firm in the USA.

I wouldn't mind dropping a few sockets under my dashboard but I would mind dropping sockets into live electrical equipment, especially in a patient care vicinity. Not all of us here on GJ work in the auto repair industry.

 

[tawhite]

So I found a short (3 1/2") 1/4" drive spinner at McMaster (P/N 5521A21). Since you don't always know what manufacturer you are getting when you order from McMaster I was anxiously waiting for the UPS man. Looks like the Jaw Co. H4 handle was the item I received. It's the small 1/4" drive spinner in the photo (second row from the bottom). Price was $6.21. Problem solved. Might have to get some of the other Jaw Co. stuff.

McMaster seems to have most of the Jawco line. I couldn't find my 3/8" impact driver a few years back and ordered a new one from McMaster. It was Jawco. So was the thread restoring file I got a few years back. Jawco must target the government market as I have seen their tools in auction lots with Granco and Pro America stuff.

I bought a Link tools 1/4" extension and driver set when one of the on-line vendors was blowing them out. It had a normal spinner handle and a super small stubby both with openings in the handle for a 1/4" ratchet extensions and the had the locking feature like all Link drivers. I use them more than all my other 1/4" handles.

taw

 

[Biomed]

I bought a Link tools 1/4" extension and driver set when one of the on-line vendors was blowing them out. It had a normal spinner handle and a super small stubby both with openings in the handle for a 1/4" ratchet extensions and the had the locking feature like all Link drivers. I use them more than all my other 1/4" handles.

Interesting stuff! Looks like they are still in business, websites http://link-tools.com and http://www.link-tools.us. A bit long for my tight space application but I might order something anyway.

Do you know if non-Link sockets will attach and lock?

 

[jeremy v]

You might want to look into a locking extension type set like the VIM HD250-6. That way the socket will lock on securely, but you will have an extension that goes all the way through the handle and a female square drive at the handle end, so it is not the style to be using when doing hot electrical work. A regular stubby locking square drive handle would be ideal.

 

[jeremy v]

Nevermind on the VIM, I just noticed that 6" total length is too long for you and the VIM (linked to above) is 6" OAL.

 

[Biomed]

You might want to look into a locking extension type set like the VIM HD250-6. That way the socket will lock on securely, but you will have an extension that goes all the way through the handle and a female square drive at the handle end, so it is not the style to be using when doing hot electrical work. A regular stubby locking square drive handle would be ideal.

VIM discontinued the HD250 stuff (1/4" drive locking) some time ago. I do have the set but the HD250-6 is too long. VIM still sells 3/8" drive locking stuff.

Since I solved my tight space problem with the Jaws Co. short (3 1/2") spinner I don't need anymore suggestions. Thanks to those who responded.

 

[lgrlife]

Nepros tools sell one. NBD12S that's the one I have and it might be the size you're looking for. They also make a 1/4 drive stubby too.

 

[zkling]

Let us know how the Jawco stuff works out for you. They make a number of handy looking items at pretty reasonable prices. I just hate buying and guessing with tools.

 

[Grokew]

Anyone know of a 1/4" drive short or stubby spinner. (See attached photo.)

Craftsman made one that was 4 1/2" long (P/N 43351) that is listed as temporarily unavailable which appears to mean discontinued.

I'm aware of (and have) the Snap-on TM40ASA but I do not like the handle shape and size.

I'm going to see if Enderes might manufacture something like this. Anyone know of another source? Another old GJ thread suggested Proto made one but it is not in the catalog or online.

Edit: Just ignore this, as you already found a solution. (Heck, you found it 10 years ago)

There's the Facom R.236C

A Wera 816R, 816RA or a Malco Connext handle with a short adapter could also work. They are locking bit drivers so there's minimal risk of the adapters becoming loose. The Wera can use insert, and quick change type adapters, while the Malco requires quick change type adapters.