Suggestions for a bit handle or a 1/4 socket handle.

[AceofSpad3s]

Hello again, I am looking for either a bit handle or a 1/4 drive socket handle. I am looking to use either handle as a nut driver and a changeable bit screwdriver. First off which one should I buy? The socket spinner or the bit holder? I would mostly be using this as a screwdriver and using a bit to 1/4 socket adapter and might sometimes use a 3/8 adapter too. If I were to go with the spinner I would need to use a socket adapter to use screwdriver bits. I do not want to spend more than $10 for a handle. Bit storage in the handle would be nice too.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

$10 gets you whatever Chinese tool that is sold at Lowes or Home Depot. I think Sears sells a Craftsman handle that is made in the USA for about that price range.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

I saw a bahco (snap on industrial brand) for that much, but I do not care for rubber handles.

 

[n8n]

I like my Craftsman ratcheting bit holder; from all I've heard the Snap-On version is infinitely better however.

I would actually buy two tools in your situation, one something like the Snap-On SSDMR4B and the other a 1/4" drive socket spinner handle with a 1/4" recess in the handle, like the S-K 40953. The former for use as a screwdriver or with an adapter when the ratcheting action is actually required; the latter for use with sockets as a nutdriver or socket set extension.

For a low budget this is what I'd recommend:

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-ratcheting-magnetic-screwdriver-with-bit-storage/p-00947144000P

and

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

(I'm pretty sure the latter has the drive recess in the handle, but can't verify.)

I'm certain that neither is manufactured in the USA any longer, but at your price point - which I know I'm already exceeding - you're just not going to find that.

If you can stretch for a slightly more expensive tool, I'd recommend this one

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NI1LZK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

No experience with it though, some say that it's the same mechanism as SO; some say it's similar but not as nice, but in any case that's probably the least expensive USA made ratcheting bit holder that you're likely to find.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

I am buying some williams screwdrivers so I cannot justify buying a $30 williams ratcheting screwdriver. I rarely need a nut driver but I would like to have the option with the bit handle.

 

[PT Doc]

Home Depot is getting in their holiday stuff. There will be a kit likely for $7.

 

[n8n]

If you "rarely need a nut driver" then concentrate on the screwdriver functionality.

I swear I've seen some kits at Harbor Freight that included a hex bit to 1/4" square male adapter, that might be worth looking into. Unfortunately they don't appear to be sold separately at least there...

 

[AceofSpad3s]

I already got the hex to 1/4 and sockets and such. I am just talking about a handle.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

can you link a similar kit from homedepot? I would like to get an idea of what it looks like.

 

[Cope]

can you link a similar kit from homedepot? I would like to get an idea of what it looks like.

Most likely will not be online. These are one time buys for Christmas or other occasions.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

That is what I thought, hopefully my store starts getting stuff in soon so I can take a look.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I have a Craftsman bit driver and an older used SnapOn ratcheting driver similar to the Williams.

Spend the $30 is my take on the situation.

 

[hackwelder]

I have a Maxcraft driver and like it a lot, will ratchet or lock, also folds to 45 or 90 degrees, very versatile...about $15, less than that online.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

I just want a plain old handle that I can stick bits in.

 

[n8n]

if you just want a handle, the Craftsman and Williams are the best budget ratcheting options that I know of, "cheap as possible" and "inexpensive but USA made and decent" respectively.

The ratcheting thing is totally my idea, I know you didn't mention it. I just threw that in there because I thought it was kind of superfluous until I started using one and decided that I really liked it.

This one looks cool, again, a little bit of a stretch for your budget

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HAH9ATI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

otherwise, just go to Sears or HF whichever is more convenient and pick up something inexpensive; it's a bit holder, unless it's defective, it'll work for you...

 

[AceofSpad3s]

I don't like ratcheting screwdrivers, I really like ratchets but ratcheting screwdrivers and I do not have a good record.

 

[zkling]

For what you want to do I would go with a wiha handle with hex shaft ~$15 IIRC. And yes, splurge on the williams for $30 if you want a ratcheting driver.

I also think you would be well served by a 1/4" square male spinner handle, that has a female square on the backside for extra torque.

 

[wild cowboy]

generally I avoid Chinese Stanley **** like the plague, however this magnetic ratcheting screwdriver is an exception - well designed and cheap at $13:

Stanley 69-189

 

[oak_park]

This one looks cool, again, a little bit of a stretch for your budget
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HAH9ATI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

A lower cost version of the same thing, both made in USA by Pratt-Read. I have it and like it. The locking feature takes a minute to get used to, but no more bits stuck in the fastener after pulling away. $10.67 after rebate.

http://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/hand-tools/nut-screwdrivers/8-piece-quick-release-bit-driver-set/p-1502770-c-9158.htm

 

[sac02]

I can't believe these don't get more press here on GJ, I find them incredibly useful. The Snap-on is a re-brand of this Williams.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001D...200_QL40&qid=1414370933&sr=8-3#ref=mp_s_a_1_3

 

[VictorBravo]

So you want either a spinner for cheap:

http://www.tooltopia.com/k-tool-international-21060.aspx?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=paid_search_google_pla&scid=scplp6817678&gclid=CJbP-MHly8ECFUSBfgodwh0APw

Or one of these for cheap? http://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-3-1-4-in-6-N-1-Screw-Driver-120SD12D/100137978

Both together would be under $10.

Or go for the gusto and spend $12: http://www.kctoolco.com/wera-810-1-bitholding-screwdriver-p/WR051005.htm?gclid=CMvDh5rmy8ECFY17fgod7AEAMA

I use the spinner that came with one of my old socket sets all the time. It even has a place to put a ratchet in, so it acts as a 1/4 inch extension. But if you were mostly looking for a screwdriver, the Wera tool looks OK.

 

[theoldwizard1]

... the other a 1/4" drive socket spinner handle with a 1/4" recess in the handle, ...
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-6-in-spinner-handle-1-4-in-drive/p-00943393000P

(I'm pretty sure the latter has the drive recess in the handle, but can't verify.)

People will laugh, but this is probably the MOST used single tool in my whole tool box. This plus 1/4" sockets is my substitute for nut drivers. Of course, mine is about 40 yeas old and made in the USA ! The female 1/4" drive in the handle makes it invaluable.

 

[1950mercury]

If you have a snap 1/4 ratchet you can buy a kit for 10 bucks and convert it.

 

[n8n]

People will laugh, but this is probably the MOST used single tool in my whole tool box. This plus 1/4" sockets is my substitute for nut drivers. Of course, mine is about 40 yeas old and made in the USA ! The female 1/4" drive in the handle makes it invaluable.

I ain't laughing. I have two of them, one the USA-made version of the exact same handle you posted, and another an ancient yellow-handled version that's so beat up I'm not even sure of the mfgr. (must have picked it up at a garage sale or something in a lot of sockets) I use the snot out of them.

I imagine the S-K 40953, williams M-106A, or Proto J-4769

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OGUHUI/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007YRE1ZM/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001HWCMBU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

would be an acceptable USA made current production replacement if I needed one.

Personally I'd probably pay the slight premium for one of the above to have a USA-made tool from a recognized "pro/industrial" brand if I were buying today, but there's likely perfectly acceptable ones made offshore that sell for even less, check out all the usual suspects (gearwrench, tekton, etc.)

 

[Danglerb]

I'm a bit nuts, so anything bit related I tend to buy if it looks interesting and isn't too expensive, which means I have all the cheap types and half a dozen not cheap types.

An old Vermont American gets a lot of use, simple steel sleeve to hold the bit so rarely a clearance issue like a quick release type often has, 4 or 5 common bits stored in the handle with the screw cap.

That said I have a bunch of others I like for various jobs with the need for more torque, or whatever.

 

[Tugboatguy]

Jawco usa spinners on eBay for around $10.

My proto with 1/4 drive female in the handle is indeed invaluable to me as well, just happened to be in a kit I scored. I keep meaning to buy the 3/8 jawco.


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[Wamsutta]

$10.66

https://www.channellock.com/61A-6N1-Professional-Multi-Bit-Screwdriver.aspx