Hard handle bit holders.

[Grokew]

Please, show your hard handle bit drivers.

So far, I have these 3.
The Malco connext1, and connext2 require powerbits, or you will be cursing, while trying to pull a 1 inch bit from them. They hold the bit firmly, with almost no play. Feels similar to using a fixed blade screwdriver. The knurled area spins, so you can't use it to adjust a screw.

The engineer DST-07 is tiny, and works great for sewing machines. It can use insert bits, and double sided bits, but it has no magnet, and the ball detent it has is way tight. Powerbits fit a bit loose, because the detent seems to fall in the groove, allowing some up and down movement.




Some day, I will get a Vanilla scented PBSwiss.

 

[Jeff]

 

[Dave455]

PB Swiss, non ratcheting, magnetic.

I absolutely love these. They do everything I want and nothing I don’t.

I have one in my house, one in my workshop, and one in just about every portable box!

 

[Dave455]

Big PB Swiss “Twister” with Multicraft handle and sprag clutch ratchet. Another favourite.

 

[Nutria]

Nuttin' fancy.

 

[Dave455]

The long and the short of it.

Snap On “contour grip” bit drivers with Tenite handles.

I have seen claims that these handles degrade over time. SOME certainly have, but it appears that there were a few bad batches of this material that were affected, but the majority is not.

I have had only one handle degrade in this way, and it was not my oldest. It was, however, made in Canada, and the problem seems more common among the Canadian made drivers.

Snap On don’t currently offer any non ratcheting bit drivers, and indeed few drivers at all of this quality.

 

[Dave455]

Snap On Power Grip bit driver.

These hard handles replaced the Tenite contour grip. There are some advantages to the material (which I think is a du Pont product). It doesn’t shatter like the Tenite can, and polishes pleasantly with a lot of use.

Although the handle shape allows for more torque to be applied, I think I generally prefer the older square shape.

These bit drivers were made for a relatively short time before being discontinued.

 

[Dave455]

My two favourite Snap On bit drivers. Both “hard handle” naturally.

The short ratcheting model has just enough handle to grip properly, and a blade just long enough for the majority of needs, yet still fits in a jacket pocket. This is a favourite tool.

The T handle ratcheting drivers are I think one of Snap On’s most underrated products. Whoever designed these really understood how people use tools, and they’re an absolute pleasure to use. They have made these for decades but seldom seem to promote them in any way.

 

[four.cycle]

Truecraft 1/4" hex drive ratcheting bit and socket driver set
U.S. made Truecraft (manufactured prior to acquisition by Daido Corp.)
NOS. (some surface rust on a couple bits)(the sockets are SAE sizes)
reasonable offers considered.

 

[KnurledNut]

Where's all the bit drivers at?
Figured this thread would have more contributions.

@Grokew - that Engineer looks handy. I also used to use that Malco stubby quite a bit.

 

[KnurledNut]

A cool little Apex USA stubby non-magnetic:

 

[KnurledNut]

Another mini:

 

[KnurledNut]

Craftsman 47476 Magnetic Swivel Driver:

 

[KnurledNut]

Custom made 15” (380mm) with hex cupped set screw retention:

 

[Grokew]

Big PB Swiss “Twister” with Multicraft handle and sprag clutch ratchet. Another favourite.

This is the first time I see one with a multicraft handle. Was that model discontinued?

Another mini:

That one looks interesting, thin, a bit like a wera 813, or an Xcellite mini nut driver.
I think there aren't a lot of hard handle bit drivers.

How is the wobble on that mechanism? I once took appart a similar mechanism, and was surprised at how simple and effective the design is. A leaf spring mounted on the selector switch pushes two metal pieces. One gets lifted, the other rests on the groves that are on the bit driver shaft. Quite cool, and relatively easy to replicate.

Not fair, too cute. Does it take 25mm bits, or do you need to get 30mm ones?

Nuttin' fancy.

Says the one with a bit driver that is currently more expensive than the PB Swiss PB 186.6M.

 

[Toolcrib]

Here are some of mine: Top one is from a Craftsman socket set circa 1989, 2nd from the top is a custom stubby made from a Husky screwdriver handle and a Milwaukee magnetic impact bit holder, 3rd from the top is a custom made from a Do It Best screwdriver handle and a Milwaukee magnetic impact bit holder.

I find most named as stubby aren't, so I made one as stubby as I could. As far as non ratcheting bit drivers there is not as much choice as other tool categories.

 

[Jeff]

Not fair, too cute. Does it take 25mm bits, or do you need to get 30mm ones?

Standard 1/4" bits. Vessel TD-6700W-23. $11.90 on Amazon.

 

[Wamsutta]

Snap On Power Grip bit driver.

These hard handles replaced the Tenite contour grip. There are some advantages to the material (which I think is a du Pont product). It doesn’t shatter like the Tenite can, and polishes pleasantly with a lot of use.

Although the handle shape allows for more torque to be applied, I think I generally prefer the older square shape.

These bit drivers were made for a relatively short time before being discontinued.

You're cheating. That case is supposed to have a ratcheting screwdriver in there.

Ratcheting Screwdriver = SSDMR4B
Plastic Blow Molded Case = PB55
(The above with the included bits as a set = SSDMR220)

Source: 1995 Catalog

 

[KnurledNut]

That one looks interesting, thin, a bit like a wera 813, or an Xcellite mini nut driver.

Yes. A tad longer, but depending on bit penetration that may change the O.A.L. The Wera has a thicker body.

This one is on eBay at the moment. Im not sure if its real or custom made, but it looks similar to my Vermont American.
Edit: It's real. And definitely VA sourced. Found another on eBay.
I never knew Craftsman offered this until now.

 

[lynx40]

The long and the short of it.

Snap On “contour grip” bit drivers with Tenite handles.

I have seen claims that these handles degrade over time. SOME certainly have, but it appears that there were a few bad batches of this material that were affected, but the majority is not.

I have had only one handle degrade in this way, and it was not my oldest. It was, however, made in Canada, and the problem seems more common among the Canadian made drivers.

Snap On don’t currently offer any non ratcheting bit drivers, and indeed few drivers at all of this quality.

Hi i've also got these two plus the medium size one brought them all in the late 80's when i was starting working on car's excellent tool though sadly not used much any more though seeing this post think i'm going to give them a new lease of life thank you

 

[Dave455]

This is the first time I see one with a multicraft handle. Was that model discontinued?

Possibly.

But then PB Swiss make lots of stuff that isn’t in the catalogue.

They make special orders for distributors and retailers, tools for the specific industries such as electronics, railways etc, special tools for the Swiss Army and Air Force, tools for Swiss companies to supply with their products, etc etc.

If you want something, and can determine a part number (or even describe it) you can usually extract it from them!

 

[Dave455]

You're cheating. That case is supposed to have a ratcheting screwdriver in there.

Ratcheting Screwdriver = SSDMR4B
Plastic Blow Molded Case = PB55
(The above with the included bits as a set = SSDMR220)

Source: 1995 Catalog

Yes, correct - but that case was also (briefly) supplied with the non ratcheting bit driver. Probably about that era though, maybe a bit before.

There was an older case that was supplied with the solid handle contour grip bit driver. This was the tool I actually ordered, but the newer style turned up.

In the interim I acquired the hollow handle driver shown below, so didn’t use the new one much.

 

[charger 73]

A couple of my contour handle bit drivers ,minus the long handled one at work.

 

[Dave455]

Hi i've also got these two plus the medium size one brought them all in the late 80's when i was starting working on car's excellent tool though sadly not used much any more though seeing this post think i'm going to give them a new lease of life thank you

I’ve got one of those as well.

In fact I’ve got two.

The top one is mine. Bought from a used tool shop in a bit of a state, but I re polished the handle. Lives in my travel bag now, as the hollow handle works well for this application. Love this tool. Nothing fancy, but lovely to use.

The bottom one belonged to my Father (British airline pilot) and it lived in his flight bag.

 

[charger 73]

Hi Dave 455 I've read before about polishing the handles to restore them.
would you mind telling me how you did it? looks good.

 

[lynx40]

I’ve got one of those as well.

In fact I’ve got two.

The top one is mine. Bought from a used tool shop in a bit of a state, but I re polished the handle. Lives in my travel bag now, as the hollow handle works well for this application. Love this tool. Nothing fancy, but lovely to use.

The bottom one belonged to my Father (British airline pilot) and it lived in his flig

both look good though my three look more like your dad's

 

[Dave455]

Hi Dave 455 I've read before about polishing the handles to restore them.
would you mind telling me how you did it? looks good.

No problem!

I assume that Eastman Tenite has a relatively short chain molecule, so although it can break or shatter more easily than some materials, it can also be polished.

I simply use abrasive paper, typically 320 grit to start with, but coarser if needed to remove scratches. I then switch to emery paper, usually 600, 1000 and 2500 grit. You don’t really get any shine till the 2500 grit.

I typically finish with Autosol metal polish.

I suppose you could use a buffing wheel, but I don’t want to risk altering the shape.

Here are a couple of Pozidriv I did.


I was once faced with being stuck in a foreign hotel for two days, so I took a couple of drivers and emery paper with me.

A colleague was staying in the next room and thought he could hear a mixture of muted Jethro Tull interspersed with sanding sounds…

 

[Dave455]

both look good though my three look more like your dad's

Dad’s is the more original!

The one I bought was quite badly scuffed, so needed polishing.

 

[charger 73]

Hi Dave
Thanks for the reply, I'll give it a try when the weather warms up and I can work in the garage again.
unfortunately its winter time in Canada right now, so bench work will have to wait till spring.

 

[senlow]

No problem!

I assume that Eastman Tenite has a relatively short chain molecule, so although it can break or shatter more easily than some materials, it can also be polished.

I simply use abrasive paper, typically 320 grit to start with, but coarser if needed to remove scratches. I then switch to emery paper, usually 600, 1000 and 2500 grit. You don’t really get any shine till the 2500 grit.

I typically finish with Autosol metal polish.

I suppose you could use a buffing wheel, but I don’t want to risk altering the shape.

Here are a couple of Pozidriv I did.


I was once faced with being stuck in a foreign hotel for two days, so I took a couple of drivers and emery paper with me.

A colleague was staying in the next room and thought he could hear a mixture of muted Jethro Tull interspersed with sanding sounds…

Nice polishing job, Dave.

Jethro Tull should never be muted. Their music should be played loud enough to be shared with everyone. I'm listening to "Living in the Past" while typing. You probably can't hear it but my neighbors can.

 

[KnurledNut]

Mac and 2 Snap-ons.

 

[KnurledNut]

A few of my favorites.

 

[Dave455]

A few of my favorites:
View attachment 2043169

Now that’s interesting.

The non ratcheting Power Grip bit drivers are rare, but I have never seen the Power Grip handle with the long blade!

I assume this was a special for Case?

 

[908Jim]

A few of my favorites:
View attachment 2043169

What's the story with the Case driver? Looks like the Williams/snap On design and a Williams/snap on hex drive shank.

I would love a non-ratcheting square handle like this.

 

[geneg]

Yes. A tad longer, but depending on bit penetration that may change the O.A.L. The Wera has a thicker body.
Since you mention them...

View attachment 2043035

This one is on eBay at the moment. Im not sure if its real or custom made, but it looks similar to my Vermont American:
View attachment 2043041

Edit: It's real. And definitely VA sourced. Found another on eBay:
View attachment 2043042
I never knew Craftsman offered this until now.

Have you seen the crazy money these thing bring on ebay? I bought one for each of my sons & one for each of my vehicles (stuck some torx bits into the pouches also). They fit in the ashtray, so were always available. I'll still not sell any of mine, hopefully the boys still have theirs.

 

[Wamsutta]

Yes, correct - but that case was also (briefly) supplied with the non ratcheting bit driver. Probably about that era though, maybe a bit before.

There was an older case that was supplied with the solid handle contour grip bit driver. This was the tool I actually ordered, but the newer style turned up.

In the interim I acquired the hollow handle driver shown below, so didn’t use the new one much.

The interesting thing about that bit driver - SDDM41 - is that it's not in the 1995 catalog, but it's in the 1990 catalog with the old style handle on it. It may have been in the 1991 thru 1994 catalogs, but I don't have any to look. Hold onto that because they are becoming extremely rare.

 

[Dave455]

The interesting thing about that bit driver - SDDM41 - is that it's not in the 1995 catalog, but it's in the 1990 catalog with the old style handle on it. It may have been in the 1991 thru 1994 catalogs, but I don't have any to look. Hold onto that because they are becoming extremely rare.

Yes, I think that would have been about the correct time.

Don’t worry, I won’t be parting with that in the near future!

 

[logical]

We could argue that the little Craftsman is a ratchet, but I put it in anyhow. The Wera is a favorite Stubby.

 

[KnurledNut]

I once knew the brand of the top one, but have forgotten.

Snap-on SSDM1 - You wont see these often, especially the clear amber version.

 

[David99]

Yes. A tad longer, but depending on bit penetration that may change the O.A.L. The Wera has a thicker body.
Since you mention them...

View attachment 2043035

This one is on eBay at the moment. Im not sure if its real or custom made, but it looks similar to my Vermont American:
View attachment 2043041

Edit: It's real. And definitely VA sourced. Found another on eBay:
View attachment 2043042
I never knew Craftsman offered this until now.

They're real, I didn't know they existed until I found them at an estate sale.