Anybody use these regularly besides bike mechanics?

[1cargarage]

Hi boys and girls,

It seems like every time I watch an 'inside the pits' video or check out a bike mechanic's setup, this style wrench/socket is never out of reach:

Bike, snowmobile, and small engine techs swear by them. I don't think I have ever seen other techs use them with such regularity. The concept seems convincing enough. If the T-handle is weighted sufficiently, one could turn a fastener in/out with relative ease and speed all the while without having to install and remove sockets from a ratchet and extension. I can at least vouch for the heavily weighted T-handle allen/hex keys I have from Snap On. I love those things.

So my question remains...

Does anybody use T-handle wrenches/sockets regularly besides motorbike techs / snowmobile techs / small engine techs? If so, what do you use them on? What makes them so special in your mind? What manufacturers make good ones?

Thanks in advance

 

[d.mcfarland]

What about a Snap On/Williams ratcheting T handle?

 

[1cargarage]

What about a Snap On/Williams ratcheting T handle?

I'm not familiar with that.

I was just curious about the specific style that has the socket fixed to the T-handle. Seems like a great idea if you have the space in your box so that you don't have to change out sockets every time. They also seem especially handy if what you're working on only calls for a small number of fastener sizes.

 

[kd3pc]

We made up a couple of needed sizes for drag racing 30-40 years ago. Just welded a socket to an extension and then welded the T handle to the extension. It made it easy to take plugs out of old hemi heads and the in between sessions work that was needed to make the next round.

I see these on some of the specialty "tool" sites like motion pro summit racing and such, but have not parted with the $$$. My old ones work just as well for my needs, now.

 

[jmm]

I used to have two (8 and 10 mm), plus hex t-handles in all sizes I used frequently setting up cam driven machines. Don't use the t-handle nut drivers anymore, but I still use the hex head ones quite a bit (especially on valve adjustments).

 

[ttpete]

I have a pair of T-handles in 1/4 and 3/8 square drive that have a knurled grip that runs on needle bearings, making it easy to spin fasteners on and off.

I also have allen and torx T-handles, all metal, and a set of metric socket ones. Some bikes use hex bolts, others use allen or torx fasteners.

Most of what I do now is done with cordless 12V 1/4" hex drivers and impacts for dis-assembly, and the T handles for assembly.

 

[e30bradley]

I have a set of snap on hex t handles and I am constantly using them on motorcycles and not so often, cars.

 

[countryroad82]

I never understood why motorcycle mechanics use T-handles so much. But I'm a lazy cuss if I can get an impact, ratchet, air tool....... Anything other than a something that requires me to use more effort than I need! But yet I have such a fetish for hand tools!!!

 

[BDAZSVT]

I have a set of Craftsman T handle nut drivers. They are not as long as the ones posted. I just bought them and have not used them yet. They are made in the USA. They were on clearance. Looks like Ace has them. http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=35553256

 

[toplessHO]

I use the 1/4 drive impact driver for almost everything now

 

[CJM8515]

I never had a use for them. They are handy to have for the track I suppose, but so is a 3/8 ratchet and a 6" extension.

 

[T45]

T-hadles need room to spin, and most auto techs work in cramped quarters. Small engines always have room to back off and spin (provided the reach is deep enough), so thats one issue.

 

[beatcad]

when you say bike i guess you mean motorcycles. i work on bicycles also.

either way i cant see anytime i've ever needed a T handle wrench/socket.
i've got enough tools to tackle any task i might face.
maybe i should concider those....no. i think not.

i think the only time a "T" handle is handy/functional is an allan head.

 

[unslow1]

We made up a couple of needed sizes for drag racing 30-40 years ago. Just welded a socket to an extension and then welded the T handle to the extension. It made it easy to take plugs out of old hemi heads and the in between sessions work that was needed to make the next round.

I see these on some of the specialty "tool" sites like motion pro summit racing and such, but have not parted with the $$$. My old ones work just as well for my needs, now.

I have a few of those also. I keep the 7/16 and 3/8 handy for valvecover bolts. They give a good feel for how tight a bolt is.

 

[honcho]

I have both 3/8" and 1/4" versions of the ASV Y handle. I use them like a T Handle. I like using them on projects with large numbers of fasteners like shrouds and fairings

http://asvinventions.com/yhandle

 

[Quercus]

I have a set of metric Kowa Seiki t-handles, and I love 'em and use 'em often...on motorcycles. Very limited use on cars, given the cramped engine compartment quarters.

I suspect that part of their popularity is just tradition. I apprenticed at an old-school motorcycle shop, and was taught by a couple of very good techs. One of 'em was a t-handle fan, and had me spinning his t-handles for all I was worth on a daily basis, so I got used to using them and got my own.

 

[Anarius]

Don't have any (I'm an auto tech). This is what we call a ratcheting t-handle

Struts on a minivan, anyone? Damn shame snap-on stopped selling them. One of their last "unique" tools.

 

[Lassen Forge]

I think the main reasons are (1) They're fast, you can slam stuff together or apart pretty quickly, (2) you can align stuff in Al or Mg and feel if it's starting true or x-threading, and (3) you can feel your torque easier for lower-torque apps (again, Al or Mg)... I got used to using them when I did freelance bike work and still fall back on them occasionally... but it's all where you started and what you learned with. T handles don't develop high(er) torques, and aren't friendly if you're working in a cramped engine bay or have little clearance over the bolt head.

 

[ATK305]

I have had a set of those for nearly 20 years. I got them when I wrenched on bikes a lot back in the 90's. The ones pictured look like the Motion Pro set I have the Kowa set which has sockets that are shorter. I got so used to using them I still reach for them on a regular basis.

 

[Dust Devil]

Hi boys and girls,

It seems like every time I watch an 'inside the pits' video or check out a bike mechanic's setup, this style wrench/socket is never out of reach:

Bike, snowmobile, and small engine techs swear by them. I don't think I have ever seen other techs use them with such regularity. The concept seems convincing enough. If the T-handle is weighted sufficiently, one could turn a fastener in/out with relative ease and speed all the while without having to install and remove sockets from a ratchet and extension. I can at least vouch for the heavily weighted T-handle allen/hex keys I have from Snap On. I love those things.

So my question remains...

Does anybody use T-handle wrenches/sockets regularly besides motorbike techs / snowmobile techs / small engine techs? If so, what do you use them on? What makes them so special in your mind? What manufacturers make good ones?

Thanks in advance

Personally I think they are worthless. Slow production too.

Those are usually the first tools a newb buys when he gets a bike thinking he will need them..

 

[ttpete]

Personally I think they are worthless. Slow production too.

Those are usually the first tools a newb buys when he gets a bike thinking he will need them..

They're not recommended for use by clumsy individuals.

 

[MikeF2316]

I don't have any T handles like that, but regarding one point in the reasoning behind them - I've found as my ratchet collection has grown, I use more than one on any given job so I don't have to swap sockets so many times.

 

[bob from indiana]

I worked at an import shop for a while back in 1981. The owner used the tee handles a lot. He worked on a lot of VW engines. I would pull them out of the car and he would tear them down using a 55 gallon drum for an engine stand. I don't think they had a brand name on them but I thought they were neat tools. They were great for tearing an engine down on a stand. I have never seen another set until this thread.

 

[pi_guy]

Don't have any (I'm an auto tech). This is what we call a ratcheting t-handle

Struts on a minivan, anyone? Damn shame snap-on stopped selling them. One of their last "unique" tools.

They still sell them,
https://store.snapon.com/T-Handle-m...andle-12-point-5-pcs-8-to-14-mm--P633441.aspx
I pondered getting a set, but I went for
https://store.snapon.com/Ratcheting...tric-Ratcheting-Crowfoot-12-pcs--P646263.aspx

Which I thought would give me more flexibility and useful with different setups.
I have seen the T-handles on several tool boards in pit lane, but I felt that a locking extension a mid deep socket and a sliding T-handle would enable me to create any tee style that I needed.

 

[Honda guy]

Personally I think they are worthless. Slow production too.

Those are usually the first tools a newb buys when he gets a bike thinking he will need them..

Best answer so far, IMHO.

Before the days of cordless impacts, you'd see a lot of the factory motocross techs in the pits, with T-handles in their toolboxes. I think that gave the T-handles a certain "cool factor". In my early days as a motorcycle tech, I borrowed some T-handles and really made an effort to like them. You know, an excuse to buy more tools. But, for a flat-rate tech, that's trying to turn some hours, they're pretty much useless. The only people I've seen use them, are DIY-selfers and an old tech that I used to work with.

But hey, it's like fat chicks and mopeds. I'm not knockin' it if that's what you like.

 

[Dave455]

T handles have some advantages, you can use both hands, if needed, to slacken a fastener, then just spin it off without removing the tool. Faster than a ratchet if you're using it on a regular nut! But... why not just use a 3/8 drive sliding T handle and an extension! That's what they are for!

Years back, Blackhawk used to make a 'ball ended' sliding T to make it even easier to spin!

 

[Canadian Charlie]

Looks like something I might look into

 

[QtrHorse13]

I have never used them but there have been times that they would have come in handy. I would not get the set you listed. I would get the Motion Pro Spinner version. They have a 3/8in socket end, 1/4in socket end and 1/4in bit end. You would be right around $65 for all three.

Motion Pro Spinner T-Handle

 

[jwitt]

When I started in motorcycle shops in the 70's they were the hot set up, also 3/8 butterfly impacts. Now I mostly use cordless.

 

[ttpete]

Best answer so far, IMHO.

Before the days of cordless impacts, you'd see a lot of the factory motocross techs in the pits, with T-handles in their toolboxes. I think that gave the T-handles a certain "cool factor". In my early days as a motorcycle tech, I borrowed some T-handles and really made an effort to like them. You know, an excuse to buy more tools. But, for a flat-rate tech, that's trying to turn some hours, they're pretty much useless. The only people I've seen use them, are DIY-selfers and an old tech that I used to work with.

But hey, it's like fat chicks and mopeds. I'm not knockin' it if that's what you like.

One day, you'll be a retired wrench like me and won't have to work on other people's stuff. I don't care to do anything quickly anymore because I have no one to please other than myself. Working on my personal bikes, I don't mind using power tools for dis-assembly, but I assemble by hand, and like the T handles for the control they give by using two hands. It eliminates any side thrust on the fastener.

 

[E.Marquez]

Hi boys and girls,

It seems like every time I watch an 'inside the pits' video or check out a bike mechanic's setup, this style wrench/socket is never out of reach:

Bike, snowmobile, and small engine techs swear by them. I don't think I have ever seen other techs use them with such regularity. The concept seems convincing enough. If the T-handle is weighted sufficiently, one could turn a fastener in/out with relative ease and speed all the while without having to install and remove sockets from a ratchet and extension. I can at least vouch for the heavily weighted T-handle allen/hex keys I have from Snap On. I love those things.

So my question remains...

Does anybody use T-handle wrenches/sockets regularly besides motorbike techs / snowmobile techs / small engine techs? If so, what do you use them on? What makes them so special in your mind? What manufacturers make good ones?

Thanks in advance

I use mine all the time....oh, but what..Im a Motorcycle guy, so it doesnt count...lol..

I have Snap On, Motion Pro and some I made myself, T handle sockets, hex bits, Torx are the three styles I use most.

But Honestly, mostly I use my SO CTS761 driver with a 14.4 v battery.. The clutch makes for power install of small fasteners a snap, with the safety of not over torquing them.

And one of my newest SO tools CT761 14.4v micro lithium 3/8 drive impact