I just ordered a second set of Bondhus T-handle ball hex drivers. Not because I wanted to, but because I had to.
Let me start at the beginning. These tools are indispensable for accessing fasteners in tight spaces. The T-shaped handles allow for strong leverage, the length of the shaft allows for greater flexibility in accessing fasteners, and the tools are strong and durable.
Advertisement
See Also: Ball Hex vs. Straight Hex Tools
I have been using a Bondhus set of metric ball hex drivers for years, and only ordered a set of inch drivers about a year ago.
There are two versions of the 10pc set – one that comes with a small stand, and one that doesn’t. Since I could always get the stand separately if needed, I bought the set that doesn’t come with one, to save a few dollars.
I have been using these Bondhus ball hex drivers quite a bit since I bought it, and often take a size or two back and forth between workspaces.
It has become a hassle, taking them back and forth, because sometimes I can’t find the size I need. And, I somehow misplaced my 1/8″ driver. (The 1/8″ driver is actually straight hex, because ball tips can more easily shear off the smallest hex driver sizes.)
I have no shortage of hex key sets, and was able to make do, but I have a lot more hex fastener work ahead of me.
I could just buy a replacement 1/8″ driver, but I’ve been down this path a few times in recent months.
So, I purchased a second set – this time with a stand – to live in the garage workshop, or maybe the basement.
One could argue that I wouldn’t have this issue if I were better organized, but that’s a different issue, one I’m slowly tackling as I can.
Long story short, Bondhus’s T-handle ball hex driver set is so indispensable to me, that I purchased another set that they’re always accessible where I might need them.
For the most part, I really like Bondhus tools. They’re made in the USA, and fairly priced.
See more Bondhus tool posts.
Buy Now(10pc Ball Hex Set with Stand)
Buy Now(10pc Ball Hex Set without Stand)
The pricing can fluctuate, but I’ve found that Amazon has the best pricing.
In December 2017, I paid $34.82 for the set without a stand, and it’s currently $30-33. Today, I paid $33.95 for the set with a stand (plus tax). I wouldn’t be surprised if it went back up to $36+ again soon.
Buy Now(Metric Set via Amazon)
The handles on my metric set, which I originally bought years ago for working on my mountain bike since Park Tools were too pricey, have held up well, and so have the tips.
Bondhus is one of the brands that opened me up to a whole world of tools outside big box offerings.
Looking for a different kind of hex tool? These 16 Hex Key and Driver Options are Anything But Ordinary.
satch says
Stuart, in the maintenance world these sorts of t handle drivers are indespensible. When working on exhaust fans there is typically no other tool that will reach through the fan blades or cage to get at the set screw.
We had loads of the folding sets and to be honest, I never found a set I thought was worth a hoot. They were too short and the handle of bundled drivers you were not using served as the handle and flexed all over the place. Those Bondhus driversmare nice. Good score.
David says
I have 3-4 folding hex sets – no idea why. I hate all of them. Driver handle or T-handled is the way to go. I get that folding is compact. Other than that, I don’t see the value of them.
John says
“…to live in the garage workshop, or maybe the basement.”
Sounds like you’re going to be buying a third set.
fred says
Another USA-Made brand to consider is Elkind – but I think I like the Bondhus selections better. I have quite a few Bondhus drivers with screwdriver handles.
I have a set (#10737) with long blades that come in handy sometimes.
https://www.amazon.com/Bondhus-10737-Balldriver-Screwdrivers-ProGuard/dp/B000E7ZMRK/
Stuart says
I’ve looked at Eklind a few times, but Bondhus has better selection and availability. I’ve never been compelled enough to buy any Eklind tools.
I have a couple of Bondhus screwdrivers too, and have always been pleased with then, although I don’t use them as much anymore.
Raoul says
Stuart, these T handle hex wrenches are great when you need them for long reach and leverage but if you haven’t used Park’s 3 way hex wrenches, the AWS ones, you should try them. Having 3 sizes in one wrench is ultra convenient, the shape allows high leverage. They are extremely durable, and inexpensive. I prefer the straight end ones as opposed to the ball ones. 99% of the time I don’t need a ball but if I need a ball one I grab an L. The AWS is probably the most used tool by any pro bike mechanic.
https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-AWS-1-3-Way-Wrench/dp/B0009XSP7I/
Stuart says
I have one of those Park 4, 5, 6mm wrenches too. I haven’t been on my bike in 5+ years, since my wife was pregnant with our son, and so I probably haven’t used my Park 3-in-1 wrench since then.
I have a 2 or 3 Park T-handle wrenches too, and they’re actually made by Bondhus. https://toolguyd.com/park-tool-p-handled-hex-wrench-set/ I haven’t used those for a while either, but the o-ring and plastic sleeve contraption is something I’ve been meaning to replicate for my other T-handle hex drivers.
TonyT says
I was introduced to Bondhus at work, and have 5 sets of my own (2 each inch & metric ball end L, one inch set screwdriver – all bought at Fry’s Electronics BTW) that I’ve had for over 20 years, still use them, still going strong.
Bondhus exemplifies what I’d like to see from US tool companies: USA made tools that are good values. They’re not the cheapest or most expensive, but they’re worth the premium over, say, HF.
BTW, I don’t recall Bondhus ever making screw drivers, although they’ve distributed German screw drivers (Felo currently). And for a while, some of their tools were NOT made in USA, but IIRC they moved all production back to the USA over a decade ago.
Raoul says
I have several sets of Bondhus hex keys, L type, T, and screwdriver. Some are from the late ’80’s and are still in great shape with lots of use. My screwdrivers have translucent red handles.
justin says
Eklind is sold at Menards and the prices are not that much
Redcastle says
The reason why I have been an observer on this website for quite a number of years are articles like the one above.
Really good hand tools can be hard to identify once you leave the very high priced arena where manufacturers such as Woodpecker, Lie Neilson, etc play and this site sorts the wheat from the chaff in this area.
The recent comment about the Mitutoyo ruler was another good example.
I suspect that most of the recent outpouring of affection for Craftsman tools on this site relates to hand tools rather than power tools.
I have wondered whether as part of this site you could have a hall of fame (best of breed might raise the tribal hackles too much) identifying tools which carry out their function well and will do so over a long period of time with function always outranking form, I do wonder sometimes whether the designers at Festool are told make it really ugly so we know people are buying it because it does the job well.
John S says
I prefer Eklind to Bondhus. Have many sets of 6″ and 9″ SAE, metric as hex and ball hex. Have a full set of Bondhus folding and the sizes are off while the Eklind sizes are perfect.
John S says
Also the Eklind T handles have better grip to my hands than the smooth and sometimes slippery Bondhus T handles. Eklind has the torque style handles and textured rubber handles, both of which just give good grip.
JoeM says
This type of thing is hit-or-miss with me. I discovered Trade-Specific retailers via my search for certain bits, and as a result found Wiha tools.
Here’s the thing… I DO love higher quality, industry-specific tools, from companies that aren’t trying to compete with the likes of SBD, Bosch, and TTI. They make amazing tools, from great materials, and don’t compromise on the ergonomics or quality control. What I DON’T love, is that they’re really only sold by special order, from Trade-Specific suppliers. Since I hold no Tradesman licenses or certificates, and don’t belong to one of the Trade Unions… it’s incredibly difficult to get the often-hidden Trades stores to even answer the phone, let alone order these kinds of products for little old me.
So, while I totally support the love of buying these super-specific tools, I unfortunately have next to no good experiences in finding and purchasing them. The WILL is there, but the SUPPLIERS are not. For some strange reason, I live in this Twilight Zone version of Tool Sales, where they’re expecting you to show some sort of membership card to gain access to them. Otherwise, they’re not for sale to the likes of me.
Now, if there was some better way, I’d use it. I just haven’t found one yet.
Lukas says
What brands/tools are you specifically referring to? I’ve never had this problem.
JoeM says
I’m in Canada. Oshawa, Ontario. Birthplace of GM. I’m pretty sure this particular problem is unique to this particular spot on the planet.
I’m not all that in-depth when it comes to tools like these, I have very few needs for them. So, right now all I’ve needed is Wiha bits. But, when I found a company willing to order what I needed, I bought from them once, then they stopped answering all communications. Make no mistake, they’re still there. They just won’t take my calls.
Then, something like these T-Handle sets from Bondhus come up. I go looking, and the exact same suppliers come up. The WACKY part is, for reasons unknown to me, every time I look on Amazon, they’re out of stock. The Canadian site anyways. The American site keeps telling me “Wouldn’t you rather order from Canada?” and it gets crazy.
Pretty sure it’s a problem with ME. I’m not doing something right. Or I angered the suppliers when I only ordered one small bit, instead of ordering a thousand. Only needed one. It was reasonably priced, and I’d buy it again in a heartbeat. And they sell other things that I would drop a few hundred dollars on… but they don’t seem to want to deal with me.
*Shrug* I just know these smaller makers of specialty tools, like Bondhus, make some really great stuff.
Frank says
You can buy most brands of tools on amazon honestly. Sites like chadstoolbox or kctool have huge selections too. The only tools you might have problems buying are very very niche or collector’s stuff like French-made Facom, KTC Nepros, oddball cable crimping tools (Panduit, Thomas and Betts, Weidmuller). No tools are really sold only through “trade license shops”.
JoeM says
I know that, and YOU know that… but would you mind passing that message along to Guillevin International in Canada? The Oshawa, Ontario store to be specific.
And as for Amazon… For reasons unknown to me, Amazon Canada always seems to be “Out of Stock” on this kind of tool when I go to buy. When I’m broke, they have lots. When I have money, they’re “Temporarily Unavailable”… Otherwise, I totally agree. I’m just unlucky, or have bad timing somehow. It’s the weirdest thing. I almost find it funny!
Redcastle says
This takes me back almost fifty years my family business at the insistence of the CEO of the client for who we were working went to Wales to carry out a refit of one of their shops. The local electrical wholesalers refused to sell us the materials we needed on the grounds we were not local (based in London) the client covered the cost of having the materials shipped from London and with the passage of time today there are virtually no trade only outlets with even those that claim they are effectively being willing to sell to all comers. Only exception I can think of is Costco who restrict access and have two classes of member.
NewtonsApple says
I like these, but it drives me crazy that small sizes are straight and not ball hex. I know the are worries about me shearing them off, well let me have at it. I know what I am doing and if I decide to be dump, I’ll buy another one. I use L keys most of the time as a result as my work is mostly 10-32 M4 and smaller.
One feature of T handles That makes them so nice is the ability to hold the long stem and spin them. The weight of the t-handle maintains some momentum and thing go together fast.
Their ball hex drivers are good:, https://www.amazon.com/Bondhus-10637-Balldriver-Screwdrivers-ProGuard/dp/B000E7VEYA
Although I wish they didn’t have so many sizes handles, it makes them a bit awkward to rack.
While I am ranting about Bondhus, I really wish they would reduce the diameter of most the shank on the small sizes of these: http://www.bondhus.com/bondhus_products/tool_categories/bits_blades/ball_end_power_bits.html
Framer joe says
Thanks for talking about Bondus. A great American made.company.I love the Bondus sets with the storage rack..used them for years,never a problem….
mikeakafazzman says
Have at least 6 sets of these at the shop,use em everyday.
mikeakafazzman says
Have at least 6 sets of these at the shop,use em everyday. So useful for many things.
Rick C says
We used Bondhus red acetate barrel handle ball hex drivers at the print shop I worked in. They held up to all the chemicals we used them around and in. Never once broke a ball off. We used their plain wire loop handle hex drivers on the presses and bindery equipment. They all held up great. I ordered the yellow t-handle drivers for my drill bit/hole saw ‘go box’ through HD with no problems.