So if they dont make it anymore do it yourself

[toplessHO]

got a few of the handy 1/4" drive nutdriver handles with the Craftsman kits.
My real old one had an adapter in the end of handle so you could attach the ratchet or more extensions etc.
Sears store said they dont make them anymore(or at least dont include in the sets.)
So I took matters into my own hands.
Chucked the handle in the drill press(dont have a lathe) to find center
and lowered it onto a drill bit that was slightly smaller that socket I chose.
I use cheap 1/4 drive sockets ,best choice is ones that are around the same diameter as the drive portion.
Place the handle in vise and heat up the donor socket until it will melt the plastic as it goes in.Make sure its straight and press away.
Once cooled you have a nutdriver handle that can be used with moderate torque from your ratchet if needed.

 

[nh_yota]

They were still available until Sears moved production over to China a few years ago. I was able to find a Made in USA Craftsman 1/4" nut driver or "spinner" as they call it at my local Ace Hardware last month. It has the socket in the top like your older one.

 

[the gypsy]

I saw or read an article awhile back that you can actually put a socket over the handle. So I will have to go try it and get back to you. So I bid you farewell for now.

 

[toplessHO]

They were still available until Sears moved production over to China a few years ago. I was able to find a Made in USA Craftsman 1/4" nut driver or "spinner" as they call it at my local Ace Hardware last month. It has the socket in the top like your older one.

both pictured are ones Ive "made"
couldnt find the factory made one for the pic

 

[gungatim]

I've made a few as well, instead of putting a socket in the end, I just used a 1/4" extension and drilled out a screwdriver handle and pressed it together. inspired by the custom ratchet handle thread...

 

[woody 73]

Regular shaft

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-6-in-spinner-handle-1-4-in-drive/p-00943393000P

Stubby shaft

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-4-1-2-in-spinner-handle-1-4-in/p-00943351000P

Don't know if they are still USA or not, but they are still on the website.

Nice job OP, I have made a few versions of those myself. Very handy. I don't heat up or melt anything though, I just drill out the shaft to a slightly smaller diameter than the extension and then drill the first half inch or so larger to account for the square drive end of the extension. Then I press everything together.

very clever good job!

 

[nh_yota]

Regular shaft

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-6-in-spinner-handle-1-4-in-drive/p-00943393000P

Stubby shaft

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-4-1-2-in-spinner-handle-1-4-in/p-00943351000P

Don't know if they are still USA or not, but they are still on the website.

Nice job OP, I have made a few versions of those myself. Very handy. I don't heat up or melt anything though, I just drill out the shaft to a slightly smaller diameter than the extension and then drill the first half inch or so larger to account for the square drive end of the extension. Then I press everything together.

Problem is, the USA-made spinner handle with the socket in the handle and the Chinese-made spinner handle WITHOUT the socket in the handle have the same tool part number, so depending on what's in stock where, you may get one or the other.

 

[toplessHO]

sometimes cheap tools do make good organ donors
Ive found that some cheap screwdrivers will allow bending of the shank or tip
without heating and are so soft they wont break
same with cheap wrenches,bent into odd shapes for one time use

 

[Richard Cranium]

Sears quit making them due to the high failure rate is what I was told.

 

[bob15]

Not putting down the OP and his ingenuity, but for anyone out there that might be interested in a similar handle tool, they are out there. Amazon sells a Proto for $ 8.83:

http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-J4769-4-Inch-Socket-Driver/dp/B001HWCMBU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1443042049&sr=8-2&keywords=4769j

Or Snap On:

https://store.snapon.com/Handled-Drivers-Square-Drive-Handle-Driver-Standard-Shank-1-4-female-square-drive-in-handle-6--P630552.aspx

 

[dutchgray]

SK does one as well.

 

[kblazer87]

FYI: The Craftsman spinners do not have sockets in the handles, they are extensions that go all the way through the handle.
As do all of the other brands I had or have ie; Snap on in both 1/4" and 3/8", long shank, regular and short shank, Blue Point in 1/4", Proto in 1/4", SK in 1/4" and Craftsman in 1/4".

 

[toplessHO]

Sears quit making them due to the high failure rate is what I was told.

My first one that was probably 30 yrs old cracked at the square drive part and would flex and slip when a lot of torque was applied
I got the replacement and the guy said they didnt have any more of them and couldnt get them either.
All the socket sets I got had no provisions in the handles so I was out zero money to "adapt" these.
so for the 4 or 5 Ive made Im money ahead
I may make a high torque one out of a 6 or 8 inch extension and a screwdriver handle

 

[theoldwizard1]

got a few of the handy 1/4" drive nutdriver handles with the Craftsman kits.
My real old one had an adapter in the end of handle so you could attach the ratchet or more extensions etc.

Regular shaft
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-6-in-spinner-handle-1-4-in-drive/p-00943393000P

THIS IS MY MOST USED TOOL IN MY ENTIRE COLLECTION ! (009-43393)

I bought it over 45 years ago, so mine is made in the USA and is clear and blue. I made sure when I bought Craftsman 1/4" drive sets for my son and son-in-law, that I included one of these.

The 1/4" female drive in the handle end is FANTASTIC ! Need a bit more torque ? Snap in a 1/4" breaker.

And I don't own 1 nut driver because of this !!

 

[theoldwizard1]

Sears quit making them due to the high failure rate is what I was told.

Hmmm .... 45+ years old ???!!!!!!

 

[popparoach]

I have these macs in 3/8,and plan on getting the 1/4 inch set soon.

 

[ChevyEFI]

FYI: The Craftsman spinners do not have sockets in the handles, they are extensions that go all the way through the handle.
As do all of the other brands I had or have ie; Snap on in both 1/4" and 3/8", long shank, regular and short shank, Blue Point in 1/4", Proto in 1/4", SK in 1/4" and Craftsman in 1/4".

Snap-On hasn't been made in 3/8" with female square drive in handle for years.

I got the 3/8" and 1/2" locking extension handled spinners on closeout from VIM IIRC. 1/4' was already sold out. Haven't used them much.

 

[the gypsy]

Oh well a little update, I went into the garage and tried to fit a deep socket on a fuller screwdriver. I must say I did not have the proper socket for the Fuller screwdriver, the 22 mm was a little tight it would have to be gently convinced or maybe not so gently. I think a 23mm socket would be best because the 24mm is a little loose for my liking. I also tried an SAE socket but same as the Metric one too tight and one too loose.

I wonder if the handles on the craftsman screwdrivers are a little smaller.

 

[CJM8515]

I made my own 3/8 by cutting a 6" extension and gluing it in an old handle. I dont use it all that much but it is handy.

 

[ajchien]

Wait a second, the only China made craftsman hand tool I have is a 1/4" spinner, with the 1/4" adaptor in the handle.

 

[Mikerodrig27]

If you want to make these higher torque, couldn't you drill a hole through the side of the handle while also having the hole go through the socket and drive a pin or nail into that hole? That should keep the socket from slipping.

 

[the gypsy]

OK, so sorry guys, I thought all hex handles on screwdrivers were standard but I was wrong. So there is no magical solution like I think I read or saw on you tube somewhere.
My mistake, SORRY.

 

[davethorik]

Nothing to add here other than Wright offers one as well.