Favorite T-Handle Speed Bar

[neoOberon]

I'm contemplating adding a T-Handle Speed bar to my tools;

I'm looking at two sets; Sunex and Astro. Both look almost identical except for the milling on the sleeve. I'm leaning towards the Sunex on account I don't think the 1/2 and 1/4 "screwdriver" would get much if any use. Anyone use these or T-Handles on a quasi regular basis?

After watching Real Tool's Review of Astro's, I was sold and "needed" a T-Handle set.

Sunex
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003XIJ8FE/?tag=atomicindus08-20


Astro
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HZBWWKI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[four.cycle]

^ really?

that is funny to see that they've put a new twist on an item that had pretty much gone by the wayside in favor of reversible ratchets, air ratchets, and impact guns.
who knew?



http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-lot...622805?hash=item2caccc2c15:g:QdQAAOSwgApW~GrG

 

[morgantm]

I have a set of Motion Pro that looks like the Sunex, I use them all the time working on bikes. They do the job fine

 

[Dave455]

T handles are great, but a regular Sliding T, and an extension you already probably have, will do 98% of what these tools will, but you can get extra leverage when required!

The free spinning sleeve is nothing new, Blackhawk were offering them in the 30's for sure, and perhaps before (but of better quality, naturally).

In practice, I find they don't always seem to offer the advantages on real fasteners that they might, but are sometimes useful, especially if you are doing repetitive or assembly work!

KoKen offer some interesting variations on these tools which are of far higher quality than the ones shown! Perhaps take a look before parting with hard earned!

 

[T45]

T handles are great, application specific primarily

Motorcycle tech's use them a lot, other small engine apps as well.

However, if you "need them" I would really buy the actual tools and not drivers.

The benefit over using a ratchet is

1) they don't need assembly/disassembly

2) you can break and spin with one tool

3) you get good standoff built in

4) No moving parts

All of 1-4 means more speed and less mental stress when you need to use this tool alot (ie, you don't need to search for the socket, assemble it, to a ratchet or add and extension, T handle slide, center the slide handle, hold slide steady etc....)

This is why you see sets of allen T and Torx T and Hex socket T, primarily under 13mm, but in complete sets. You sort of defeat the purpose of the tool using sockets on it, tho. I'd say its a nice to have (maybe) but a sort of half measure tool.

You rarely use them in auto tech work except for maybe valve covers or something like rebuilding an engine, because engine bays in a cager car don't have the standoff and you are rewarded more by using a socket set build to suit each fastener.

The speed sleeves are nice, but only when doing assembly/disassembly IMHO are they really warranted. Snap on used to have them on their linear extensions back in the pre-war era, but presumably too expensive to keep.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

I use them often for engine building, they're handy on things with a lot of fasteners but either don't require specific torque values or you plan on hitting them with the TQ wrench all at once (think valve covers, fuel pump caps, intake manifolds).

That said, I think Sunex did it right - just include the 1/4" and 3/8". Putting a 1/2" drive and hex driver bar in the kit like we did makes it too expensive and take up too much room in the tool box.



__________
Chris
Product Manager

 

[wombat31x]

I have a three piece set boxed by a company called Geiger which look identical to Astro and Sunex. I must admit I never use the 1/2"drive but use the others quite often. I do wish however that they had a locking mechanism to lock the socket on.

 

[gonmad54]

Well I was waiting for one of the ******** SO guys to jump on this but I guess I will do it. Go pick some money off the money tree in your back yard and pick this up.
https://store.snapon.com/Turbo-T-Ha...bo-Speed-Blue-Point-3-8-sq-drive-P644911.aspx


#54

 

[decaf]

I have a set of Bahco, i wonder if they are rebranded Sunex?



And i also have a pair of motion pro, i think they are little bit more quailty...
They will get my recomendation...

 

[Inabox85]

I got my text handles individually for 20 dollars each. (1/2 3/8 and 1/4) I've used them around the house on things like taking my washing machine apart. Also since they are looking I used them for things like spark plugs before I got looking extentions.

 

[ttpete]

Well I was waiting for one of the ******** SO guys to jump on this but I guess I will do it. Go pick some money off the money tree in your back yard and pick this up.
https://store.snapon.com/Turbo-T-Ha...bo-Speed-Blue-Point-3-8-sq-drive-P644911.aspx


#54

Those are made by Vim, and Amazon has them for half the SO price. Excellent tools, I have two.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FAC3QJA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[gonmad54]

I got my text handles individually for 20 dollars each. (1/2 3/8 and 1/4) I've used them around the house on things like taking my washing machine apart. Also since they are looking I used them for things like spark plugs before I got looking extentions.

Do you have a link for these? Looks identical to the one that comes in the Mac spark plug set.


#54

 

[PelicanPines]

I have the T-Handles from Craftsman ... got them a while ago. They are usefull but I wish it locked the socket on... i have had to fish for a socket more than once.

 

[superautobacs]

I have a Ko-ken one with a locking adapter I threw on.

I don't have a picture of it, but I also have a PB Swiss one in 1/4 drive, also with a locking adapter.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

$20 Blackhawk proven reliable

 

[four.cycle]

^ and pre-tested under the most rigorous conditions, no doubt

 

[gonmad54]

Found some decent looking locking t-handles for those of you that might be interested. No idea on the quality but they do look like the Mac speed t-handle that i have. The speed handle is not nearly as good as the Motion Pro's but the locking socket makes up for it.
http://www.ktoolinternational.com/k.../Hand-Tools/Drive-Handles/KTI22001/p/KTI22001

 

[Inabox85]

They are the pro point brand tools from princess auto in canada.

 

[jeejay]

The free spinning sleeve is nothing new, Blackhawk were offering them in the 30's for sure, and perhaps before (but of better quality, naturally).

I was looking at those alloy artifacts (Swivel-Grip Extension & Rotating-Grip Extensions). Had a T-ratchet in 1/4" drive that could use one, only thing I saw were some by Wera, with a thin sleeve around them. They look alright, just thought to try slipping something over an extension myself (larger drive socket held back with tape):

It spins fast, I can vary the extension length too.

 

[jdlong]

3/8 drive for snugging down lug nuts

1/4 drive for hose clamps (w/swivel socket)

 

[Finky198]

Craftsman Ones here as well 1/4", 3/8" great for dirt bikes, chain saw, and other small engines. I agree with t45 for repetitive work or difficult access a dedicated tool work best I have 9" hex keys exactly for that reason. But when your not in a pit crew or on a race team and just wrenching. The universal t-handles with a large assortment of sockets, crows feet, and extension you can create a lot of possibilities. Especially with swivel sockets. As said before...