After writing about the Felo pivoting T-handle screwdriver handle earlier in the month, I realized there were a bunch of unanswered questions. How well does the pivot work? Can it be used with regular 2″ power bits? Bit holders?
The handle is normally a part of Felo’s interchangeable shaft screwdriver sets, but it is also available separately. Ashkon from German Hand Tools sent over a sample for testing.
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Just to make it clear, I only tested the Felo Smart handle, model 60427. None of these bits are Felo bits, they’re whatever I had in my toolbox.
The Smart handle has a ball bearing on the inside, meant to help lock in Felo’s double-sided screwdriver bits in place. It’s too close to the front of the 1/4″ hex socket to lock onto standard 2″ power bit grooves, so the bits must be pushed past the ball detent until they bottom out.
I first tried the Smart handle with my Wera Rapidaptor locking bit holder. The bit adapter was seated deep within the Felo’s 1/4″ hex socket, which didn’t work out too well since it made it awkward to operate the Rapidaptor’s push-pull quick release mechanism.
If you want to use a Rapidaptor or other locking bit holder that has spring-loaded or push-pull mechanisms, make sure they’re longer than 2″.
The Smart handle worked quite well with my Craftsman 4″ bit holder. I found that the bit holder attached securely, with no wobbly movements.
Switching from inline driving mode to T-handle mode is quite easy.
Step 1: Push forward to unlock the bit socket shaft. It’s spring-loaded and will swing into the 90° T-handle position by itself.
Step 2: Push down again to lock the shaft in place.
To switch the handle back to inline driving mode, pull the shaft out to unlock it, fold it back to the 0° position, and then press down to lock it in place.
Following are two more examples of the types of bits and bit holders you can use with the Felo Smart handle.
Ordinary 2″ power bits? Yes, no problem.
2″ and longer bit holders? They fit with no problem, as long as there are no complex push-pull or sliding mechanisms on the outside.
Technically I can use this handle with my short Wera Rapidaptor and other bit holders that have sliding parts, but switching bits is a greater hassle.
I am generally fond of Felo’s ergonomic screwdriver handle profiles. They fit my hand well and allow for moderate torque delivery. In the 0° position the driver feels just as good as any of my other Felo hard-handled screwdrivers.
The handle’s design allows for quick switching between inline and T-handle positions. This means that you can quickly spin the handle when low torque is required and switch to T-handle mode when a task calls for more torque.
Symmetrical T-handle drivers are going to be easier and more comfortable to use, but that’s not to say that I’m displeased with the Felo Smart handle.
Verdict
For $12 you get a bit holder that works well as a straight driver and reasonably well as a T-handle driver. It fits standard 2″ bits and bit holders just fine, and is comfortable to use. I wouldn’t want to use this handle for long periods of time, but it seems ideal for mobile tool kits and casual use.
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Thank you to Ashkon/GHT for providing the review sample unconditionally. Review samples are typically given away, donated, or retained for benchmark and comparison purposes.
jesse says
Twelve bucks seems fairly reasonable for a German tool.
fred says
Are there 2 different varieties of this handle – with the same part #
http://chadstoolbox.com/felo32180smarthandle.aspx
Stuart says
No, at least I don’t think so. As mentioned in the other post, the previous version has two fixed position 1/4″ hex sockets.
My guess is that Chad’s just used the image of the other Smart handle. The title includes the old model number, the product description has the new one.
It’s not clear to me which handle that posting is actually for. Two clues suggest it’s for the older Felo driver handle, one clue suggests it’s for the one discussed here.
that plumber guy says
The 13 piece kit does not include a square Robertson bit.?? They
Could have removed the t6/t7 bit which is so small , more of a precision driver and replaced it with a red and green Robertson.
IMHO.
Stuart says
I didn’t see Robertson bits in any of their bit sets. I haven’t thought about it before now, but maybe Robertson bits just aren’t very popular in Europe.
jesse says
I think Robertson is gaining popularity in the UK, not surprising since the design originated in Canada. As you said, I don’t think they are very popular elsewhere in Europe.
Pozidriv seems fairly popular in Canada, and more so in the UK for some reason. I have rarely seen a Pozi fastener here, and those that I can recall were from products made in the UK or Canada.
Robert says
I’m a little torn on this one. On one hand, it appears practical. On the other, it seems gimmicky. I haven’t seen one in person, but it looks like there would be little practical advantage over the original. It appears that you could convert the original to the T-handle as quick or quicker than you could reconfigure this one.
From that vantage point, the older version seems more straight forward. I don’t know that I would be quick to “upgrade” to the newer version. This seems more about “cool factor” than something with substance.
Robert
mrt says
The handle is made in germany,other parts in Asia. So assembled in Germany.
But in Europe we have different coo laws
Hans says
A nice and clever tool but please note: Do not use this for work on live electrical equipment!