Stubby full grip ratcheting screwdriver

[barrysuperhawk]

Okay I'd like to have a tool that I don't think they make, at least not the exact brand style and variety.

I have several snap on hard handle ratcheting screwdrivers, in pretty much every variety that they make, but what I want is the full size straight handle with the stubby blade. I've found that combination in other brands, but not with snap-on. I found several references to people talking about swapping out blades on the Snap-on handles but I haven't found anybody that has swapped in the stubby blade. Truthfully I don't even know if it's possible to make that particular swap because I don't know if it's the same blade or if I would need to do some Machining to make it work.

So can I just buy a stubby and a regular handle and swap the blades or is it more involved than that?

 

[rlitman]

With the Instinct style "soft" handles, they have interchangeable blades. You can put the 24" blade on the stubby handle, and the stubby blade on the long handle, or whatever you like. For that matter, the 5-position handle comes with the stubby blade by default.

 

[plinker]

Any Snap-on (or Williams) ratcheting screwdriver or T handle can be converted to use any of the shanks/blades they offer.

I prefer the short shank most of the time as I find it works for me better. The hard handle driver at work I converted to interchangeable is usually set up this way. The I have one at home that is fixed in place with the retainer clip thingy as it dont need to be removed for any reason.

 

[MattT]

So can I just buy a stubby and a regular handle and swap the blades or is it more involved than that?

You don't need to buy a stubby driver just to get the short shank. Just get the short interchangeable shank for the newer, squishy grip, handles.

https://shop.snapon.com/product/Interchangeable-Shanks/Magnetic-Shank-Bit-Holder/SGDMRC1-10

There are also several other shanks available if you want other configurations. And IIRC there's a thread somewhere on here on modding a hard handle so you can interchange shanks.

 

[ChevyEFI]

So can I just buy a stubby and a regular handle and swap the blades or is it more involved than that?

Yes. And the blade should be available separately.

The hard handle blades that are non-interchangeable have the lock washer holding them in.

The interchangeable blades stay in with the rubber washer that is part of the cap. They will fall out of the hard handle driver/cap assy.

The caps can be used interchangeably.

 

[MattT]

The hard handle blades that are non-interchangeable have the lock washer holding them in.

The interchangeable blades stay in with the rubber washer that is part of the cap. They will fall out of the hard handle driver/cap assy.

The interchangeable shanks don't exactly fall out of hard handles. Older hard handles don't have detents for the interchangeable shanks locking ball so they will pull out easily. For a permanent installation this issue is easy fixed with the lock washer.

Current handles may have the same ball and detent ratchet guts and shanks as the interchangeable drivers. I haven't had a newer one apart so??

 

[JBH]

If you’re willing to upgrade from your current brand, PB Swiss has two ratcheting screwdrivers with full sized handles and stubby noses:

Bit storage (actually designed as such, not just a cavity in the handle)

https://shop.pbtools.us/Insider-3-Ratchet-Pocket-Tool-with-ten-C6-1-4-Bits-30mm-long-6510R-30.htm

No bit storage:

https://shop.pbtools.us/Twister-Short-1-4-Screwdriver-Bit-SwissGrip-Ratchet-8510-R-30.htm

 

[ChevyEFI]

The interchangeable shanks don't exactly fall out of hard handles.

My experience is they do with very little motion and use. Definitely in an "unacceptable in normal use of the tool" manner.

Older hard handles don't have detents for the interchangeable shanks locking ball so they will pull out easily.

Newer soft handles do not have detents in the toothed wheel for the interchangeable shank locking ball, either.

For a permanent installation this issue is easy fixed with the lock washer.

Agreed.

Current handles may have the same ball and detent ratchet guts and shanks as the interchangeable drivers. I haven't had a newer one apart so??

It's ball-only in the interchangeable drivers. My soft-grip interchangeable versions have had the same toothed wheel as the hard handles, with no detents. SnapOn advised the same.

 

[plinker]

The soft grips have a rubber washer to help keep the shank in place, no detents unless they've started doing that recently. The hard handle I converted is just a plain conversion no rubber washer.

Yes, the shank is easier to remove, but I've not had any issue with it falling out on it's own or by accident (as of yet). This particular screwdriver has been used this way since '08 when I did the post about converting them (its the lime green one). YMMV.

Far as I know, the soft grip drivers are the exact same kit as the hard handles, exception being the reverse cap shape (plastic only, otherwise the same) and the rubber washer thing.

 

[PhysicsDude]

Gearwrench makes ratcheting screwdrivers which are basically copies of Snap-on's handle design, except they have a 1/4" square hole in them and you fit whichever extension you want. So you can put the short 1/4" square extension or short 1/4" hex extension on the full handle or stubby handle, whatever you want.

Not as high of quality as Snap-on, but a handy set that might fulfill what you're looking for.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HBAHNC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[sparky 1971]

I know it's not Snap On. I have a Wera ratcheting handle. It has a locking collar that accepts power bits like an impact driver. A 2" bit in that handle may be just what you are looking for. There is no bit storage, but that doesn't matter to me, I only use a 4" #2 square drive in it.

 

[terrapinwheeler]

I've found that combination in other brands

Can you share which brands?

 

[rlitman]

Gearwrench makes ratcheting screwdrivers which are basically copies of Snap-on's handle design, except they have a 1/4" square hole in them and you fit whichever extension you want. So you can put the short 1/4" square extension or short 1/4" hex extension on the full handle or stubby handle, whatever you want.

Not as high of quality as Snap-on, but a handy set that might fulfill what you're looking for...

FWIW, I own a bunch of Snap On interchangeable shank ratcheting drivers (stubby, regular, long and 5-position as well as a bunch with fixed shank), and one Gearwrench set (Tee handle). My Gearwrench shanks interchange with my Snap On shanks perfectly in both directions. So that is a useful option.

However, the Snap On shanks are stainless, while the Gearwrench are chromed. Also, the GW ratchet selector works in the opposite direction as the SO.

I also own a Kobalt ratcheting screwdriver set (long out of production) that while blue in scheme, is basically the same as the GW.

 

[Dave455]

O.P. I’m with you on this. I quite often need a short bladed driver, but when I do my hand stays the same size!

You’ve probably got one of the Snap On T handles. I have these in all the blade lengths, but it’s the short one I use most often.

For a conventional handle it’s another vote for the PB Swiss.

The ratchet’s are nicer than Snap On, and I prefer the solid handle with nothing to unscrew and no bits rattling around!

 

[ChevyEFI]

However, the Snap On shanks are stainless,

This is not accurate. An original SO hard handle hex bit driver shank is stainless. There are SO shanks in reg. steel, including the chrome SGDMRC4-TM4 1/4" sq. drive shank.

 

[barrysuperhawk]

Can you share which brands?

@terrapinwheeler

I have a a few. Wheeler, Lennox, Tekton, Brownells, I even have a couple of sets of craftsman stubby Torx. I think the Tekton (red and black) and the Lennox are my favorites. The Tekton is skinnier and more comfy, but the Lennox has a removable extension that when removed allows the bit to be DEEP.

 

[rlitman]

@terrapinwheeler

I have a a few. Wheeler, Lennox, Tekton, Brownells, I even have a couple of sets of craftsman stubby Torx. I think the Tekton (red and black) and the Lennox are my favorites. The Tekton is skinnier and more comfy, but the Lennox has a removable extension that when removed allows the bit to be DEEP.

The Brownells ratcheting screwdriver is made by Snap On.

 

[Dave455]

The hard handle will definitely outlast that of the Swissgrip Santoprene (especially if exposed to chemicals/solvents)..

I’d agree with that!.

That particular PB Swiss is one of the few I have in Santoprene. All the others are hard handles, and are definitely superior for most purposes!

 

[barrysuperhawk]

The Brownells ratcheting screwdriver is made by Snap On.

Yeah but if my stupid pictures would show up, my brownells is not racheting...

 

[rlitman]

Yeah but if my stupid pictures would show up, my brownells is not racheting...

I only assumed ratcheting, because of the thread title.
I'm not sure who makes their non-ratcheting bit handles. I own several (from two master sets), and they're pretty nice too. I don't own a Brownells ratcheting handle myself, though I own a bunch of Snap On ones.

 

[barrysuperhawk]

It's all good, I'm more worried about why my pictures aren't showing up, but when I go to edit the post there they are,
i mg Tags and all....

 

[MattT]

It's all good, I'm more worried about why my pictures aren't showing up, but when I go to edit the post there they are,
i mg Tags and all....

I changed https to http. Lets see if it works............................................

 

[HenryAZ]

Yeah but if my stupid pictures would show up, my brownells is not racheting...

Perhaps their size is the issue (they are huge, had to scroll quite a bit to take in the whole image). I know you are using URLs to link them, but when you upload an image as an attachment, jpg's are limited to 146.5 KB, and 1500x1000 resolution. Maybe that sort of size limit applies to links as well?

 

[rlitman]

I changed https to http. Lets see if it works............................................

Yep, works for me now.

I've got long, short shank / long handle, and fully stubby Brownells handles, but I don't think any have the storage cap.

That Lennox handle looks very nice. Looks like Lowes carries them in both stubby and long handle. I need to check them out in person.

 

[barrysuperhawk]

Yep, works for me now.

I've got long, short shank / long handle, and fully stubby Brownells handles, but I don't think any have the storage cap.

That Lennox handle looks very nice. Looks like Lowes carries them in both stubby and long handle. I need to check them out in person.

The only thing about The Lennox that I'm not really fond of is that the cap that holds the spare bits doesn't want to stay on. I may have to figure out how to fit a small o-ring or something in there to tighten it up