Crescent has come out with new Quick Convert T-handle nut drivers that can switch from being traditional screwdriver-handled nut drivers, to T-handle drivers.
This isn’t the only time I’ve seen screwdrivers than can do this. Felo’s pivoting T-handle bit driver that I reviewed is the first other tool to come to mind.
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Basically, you get greater spinning speeds in regular screwdriver mode, and higher torque capabilities in T-handle mode, thanks to the greater leverage. The T-handle configuration could also make it easier to reach and work on fasteners in tighter spaces since you don’t have your hand potentially rubbing on side obstacles.
Crescent Quick Convert screwdrivers switch modes by pulling out the shaft and rotating it into position, where it locks into place.
The working end features universal-type spline sockets, which can fit hex, square, 12pt, E-Torx, spline, and partially rounded fasteners. Crescent says that this 7-piece set can fit both SAE and metric sizes. The shafts are hollow, which allows you to reach nuts on threaded rod or longer fasteners.
The drivers have non-slip dual-material grips which are oil and grease resistant.
Price: $20 for a 7-piece set
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See Also(Fixed handle nut drivers via Amazon)
Here’s Crescent’s promo video:
First Thoughts
I find the new Crescent Quick Convert nut drivers to be very appealing, although I wish they were available in separate inch and metric sizes and not just combination inch and metric sizes. I have found that combination sizes simply don’t fit fasteners as well as separate sizes.
The hollow shaft feature is nice, and I’ve been warming up to “universal” type spline sockets, except for the dual-size business.
There is also of course the convertible T-handle configuration business, which I think is a great idea. There have been times when a nut driver couldn’t get the job done and I’ve had to reach for a ratchet or breaker bar plus long extension. Then again, nut drivers are really better for installation tasks than loosening tight fasteners.
Although these new drivers look a little gimmicky, they fall a lot higher on the practicality scale. I think they’ll be useful tools for certain user types.
Harry
I would also prefer 6 point ends instead of the universal spine that fits most. I think the pivoting handle is a good concept. Can a Gearwrench version be far behind? LOL
Nathan
Price point I assume means made in china.
that aside I like the idea other than the spline drive – but for most home diy’er it’s actually ideal.
I would love if a quality ratcheting driver handle did this – or if more of them ditched the cavity body and cap – for a solid body and a 1/4 or 3/8 square drive in the base so a ratchet or breaker handle could be used inline. but again I don’t even want much.
Stan
Most, if not seemingly all Crescent branded tools these days are imported and I figured these were as well. For small of a price, this only makes sense for them to be made in China.
Personally I’ll take my USA made Klein and Proto nutdrivers any day. Years ago Cornwell had a set of ratcheting SAE and metric nutdrivers that were USA made and I own a set of those as well.
Mike
That’s pretty harsh, Stan. Klein, Proto, and Cornwell are only useful for reliably fixing or building something. All the new Crescent stuff has two uses: makes a great prop for a tool-themed photo shoot AND provides an excellent solution for garbage bins that suffer from acute emptiness.
Stan
Mike, that has easily been one of the best posts here I’ve read in a LONG time. Very well done.
Hard to believe, but there was time in the past the Crescent and even early on with Copper Tools this brand still was a respectable brand. Real tools, not toys were made and for a long time they were proudly made in America. First Jamestown New York, then elsewhere in America and now primarily China.
Let’s be honest, Copper Tools didn’t move most/perhaps all now, to improve the quality of the tools, this was done because there are very little, if any safety regulations, wages are laughably low and often the working conditions are horrid. Yet the white collars that made this decision have benefited vastly.
Stuart
Mike, Stan,
Please try to talk about the tools. Discussion about past outsourcing decisions made by Cooper Tools’ “white collars” is important and has a place, but you’re veering way off topic.
Look at Nathan’s comment. He makes an assumption about country of origin, but also discusses the actual tool design. That’s the way to do it.
Automatically bashing a tool because of its brand or where it is made is narrow-minded and quite frankly annoying. It’s as if you’re not even reading my posts, and simply jumping to the comments section to rant.
pencil neck
Universal fits tend to be so-so fitting… but this is a nut driver, not like there is going to be anything close to the torque generated from a wrench…. so I doubt anyone is going to round off a bolt head. Universal fit may be a good idea this time.
Brandon
I just can’t get on board with the spline drives. Every time I’ve used one, it boogered up the hex head or nut I used it on.
Toolfreak
Spline drive – just no.
I realize the trend has been to make spline drive sockets and market them as “universal” for use on hex bolts, but as much as your typical wallyworld shopper will fall for such gimmicks, people who read a tool blog hopefully won’t.
I’ll keep my made-in-USA seperate screwdriver type and T-handle type 6-pt nutdrivers. That and all the other drive tools that use a socket to be a nutdriver.
It’s a shame Crescent didn’t just make this in a 1/4″ drive like a spinner handle so it could be used with sockets and screwdriver bits with an adapter.
Mike
Are universal/dual-size and spline drive the same thing? I’m not sure the two terms are totally interchangeable. I know the cheaper tools labeled as SAE/Metric usually have the word ‘spline’ somewhere in their flashy descriptions. And I have the typical experience that by ‘universal’ they mean the fit is universally horrible for all sizes. On the other hand, I’ve used some higher-end stuff(Proto and Facom ratchet wrenches) that were labeled as ‘spline drive’, but not some gimmick ‘universal’ size, rather traditional dimensions, 7/16″, 1/2″, 10mm, 19mm, etc. But instead of six-point hex drive or 12-point(or 8 point, square, torx etc) they were “spline”. And they were some of the best wrenches I’ve ever used. Of course, not priced at $20 for a 7pc set. More like $20 per wrench, at least. Prob even more actually. Anyway, for this particular type of tool, the t-handle or t-handle convertible, I’d just stick to Felo. I’ve never, ever, ever, ever seen a Felo tool that wasn’t at least mildly superb in all ways .
Jerry
If they were 6 point, and came in both SAE and Metric, I’d be on board. Absolutely hate ‘universal’ sized wrenches, as they don’t seem to properly fit anything I’ve found in this Universe.
T
Without personal experience, assuming the handle is comfortable and the shanks arent made of tinfoil, I really like this set for the price. I think it would fill a void in alot of boxes and would prove useful due to the hollow shaft and awesome pivot design ( I own the felo, alot of felo, lol).
These type of drivers may not be used everyday in a bigboy pro environment but could easily be implemented into regular or casual use. I too, however, would prefer a dedicated met/sae 12pt (still see them sometimes) but only because spline/universal drivers can be lacking if not properly executed, from my experience. I suspect these Crescent drivers fall into that catagory, again, without personal experience.
If I were a minimalist (Im not), these or a similar offering would likely be on a short list. Especially since spline/univ seems like such an elegant solution for “two or three or four of everything”, even with the potential shortcomings – because as a minimalist, I would only be using them minimally…right, lol?
Spline and/or univeral drive is awesome when properly manufactured. I suspect the majority of negative experiences with the profile is of the budget/diy price point (and all that entails) and/or improper use.
My personal professional experience, using a very well made univ/spline 1/4″ set has been enlightening over the years. It is metric focused, allowing one small 12pc set to cover 75% of the low torque fasteners I see, regarless of drive type (hex, 12pt, all torx variants, ribe, spline, even some exotic security). I have also recently picked up a few spline/univ ratchet wrenches and deep offset wrenches becsuse nobody seems to think torx is a relevant profile beyond sockets and flat double ends (grrr). So, it is viable.
The quality comes into play with overall fitment and zero maring. But im using the set properly and it wasnt cheap. The set hasnt replaced a full drawer of sockets either, but my work environment wont allow it to.
There is, afaik, an actual spline drive profile but the terms “universal” and “spline” are printed in german, french, and english on the contents card in my set – so the naming may not matter anymore, if ever.
MT_Noob
I was really interested in this until I saw the “universal” part. That is just a deal breaker for me. I just never have any luck with those universal sockets.
Sean
As someone else stated, I would be much more willing to buy this if it were a bit-driver, even if 2-3x the price of one nutdriver.
This article made me remember wanting one of those Felo drivers or something similar. I personally think it’s a great idea, if it’s just a bit driver or socket spinner. I would not want a set of these.
KL
I checked these out today in my local TSC. I wasn’t that impressed, and TSC has them priced at $25. The plastic handles seem really cheap, and the universal fit gave me pause, esp because some of the sizes they’re calling out really aren’t THAT close, like 3/8″ and 10mm. 1/2 and 13mm I can understand, and ditto for 5/16 and 8mm. Also I have serious reservations about 1/4″ and 6mm. Anyway, I’m passing on these, seems like a good way to waste $20-25.
Mickey
Looks like a good idea probably a finger pincher and most likely made in Asia so I’ll never own a set.
Ozzie
I’ve found the hollow shaft to be narrow.
xtronics
Spline drive no – need separate metric and legacy sets.
Also – they should learn the color code –
Back – 10mm
brown 11mm
red 12 mm
orng 13mm
etc
just like resistor colors..