Like the Vessel Ratcheting Ball Driver, this has two ways to drive it, wrist & fingers. Crank with the big Wrist handle, spin with the finger area. I love that! And having the two areas fully mitigates (to me, anyway) any backdrag concerns. Ratcheting drivers with only one area for turning will be inherently complicated by backdrag, having two turning areas negates backdrag fully. The Vessel ball driver does have those excellent grippy rubbery areas, which seems like something this would benefit from. I'm going to add one of these to my kit, thanks!
Snap-On & Williams are the only ones that select same as the direction of the turn which Is why I got one many years ago when Snap-On was somewhat affordable I'm not a fan of Polypropylene handles, I've had issues in the past with durability & CRACKING
Have you ever worked with the Megapro ratcheting T-handle? It’s asymmetrical and has the “toothless” ratchet mechanism. I got one not realizing they’re no longer produced. I like how it feels, but the direction selector is quite small, especially if you wear gloves. My biggest issue is bit compatibility though since it has the long double-sided bits. But it has bit storage which is a huge win. Feels impossible to find one that “has it all” though.
Interesting, I have the TD-80 and quite a few other ratcheting T's and hex bit drivers. My TD-80 is by far the lowest backdrag compared to my Wera's, Anex, SO etc. Also the 'click sound' is not anywhere near as pronounced as the unit Doc has. Mine's 20T, but has a much softer sound, u don't really hear the clicks as much as u feel them. So there is obviously either a change in springs providing the spring preload inside the mechanism between units or batch runs. I mainly only use my TD-80 for tasks when I need really low backdrag. I wonder if anyone else noticed this?
Yes, my TD-80 has very low backdrag and it doesn't have that high pitch sound. The ability to easily turn it with fingers however is the key feature that the other t-handles shown don't have. As well, it fits easily in your pants pocket. Regarding the direction switch, it should be held while turning the handle in the direction you want. This is the most natural configuration and most of my ratcheting drivers work that way.
Well said, I'm glad someone noticed a difference in the backdrag of Docs unit compared to others. The TD-80 is an oldie but a goodie. Other T handles are not pocket friendly at all, I really like T handles as I do a bit of small engine repair, chainsaws and other OPE equipment. I use many of the Wiha 200mm T-27 Torx, their nut drivers & hex keys. Been outstanding quality tools.
To me 2 holes looks to be for 2 screwdrivers facing opposite directions. The longer the screwdrivers rhe more leverage. How much torque can it handle is the question.
Have you compared it with the Vessel ratcheting screwdriver? You can pop off the screwdriver portion and get a stubby quarter inch hex ratchet. It’s only maybe 36 tooth but the back drag is so low. I have a couple 2” hex bits that I use with it in my EDC bag.
FWIW, I also struggled with how to pronounce SATA. Just checked a video from the company itself and they pronounced it sah’-tuh. Kind of like “I sawed-a board in half.”
Not very interesting at all. Get a closer look to CalVan 108 and to BluePoint FSDR or also to Wera Zyclop Pocket, and again look at Chinese 10 in 1 ratcheting screwdriver with components at least similar to Felo Erogonic and some other flex head indexable ratcheting screwdrivers...
What is a flex head indexable ratcheting screwdriver? Are u talking about bit ratchets that have flex heads like the Icon/Facom Rotar Inc Taiwan bit ratchets?
I will also extend why for me in a T handle you don't need a ratchet and it is not so interesting... because it is a t handle, and you simply are supposed to spin the T handle. Take as example Snap-on Turbo T, take as example Craftsman Mach series or Micael pro or Motion pro or USAG 280TQ or again something a little bit rare in 3/8" Pit Posse SKU: PP3311. I don't see point to ratchet if you can simply spin using tool momentum. If you don't have space to turn or to ratchet you also don't need a bulky T handle but a slender screwdriver this is my point of view.
At first I thought that the holes were to magnetize and demagnetize but not according to the packaging. Would’ve been a great bonus feature.
I got the Williams and love it. It's so smooth I find myself fidgeting with it for a bit before using it.
Thanks for the overview Doc. I have the shorter williams you showed and love it. I plan on adding the longer shaft version when I catch it on sale.
I have all three sizes of the Williams. I like the way it fits my hand although i dont use them that often.
Thanks for the review and video brother.
The Williams is a low-key winner for Me. It's not fancy, but it works and fits My hand really well.
Like the Vessel Ratcheting Ball Driver, this has two ways to drive it, wrist & fingers. Crank with the big Wrist handle, spin with the finger area. I love that! And having the two areas fully mitigates (to me, anyway) any backdrag concerns. Ratcheting drivers with only one area for turning will be inherently complicated by backdrag, having two turning areas negates backdrag fully.
The Vessel ball driver does have those excellent grippy rubbery areas, which seems like something this would benefit from.
I'm going to add one of these to my kit, thanks!
I have the Williams and really like it.
I have the Williams medium length shaft and the Wera T-handle ratchet but the one with the rapidaptor bit holder, love them both.
Snap-On & Williams are the only ones that select same as the direction of the turn
which Is why I got one many years ago when Snap-On was somewhat affordable
I'm not a fan of Polypropylene handles, I've had issues in the past with durability & CRACKING
Have you ever worked with the Megapro ratcheting T-handle? It’s asymmetrical and has the “toothless” ratchet mechanism. I got one not realizing they’re no longer produced. I like how it feels, but the direction selector is quite small, especially if you wear gloves. My biggest issue is bit compatibility though since it has the long double-sided bits. But it has bit storage which is a huge win. Feels impossible to find one that “has it all” though.
Interesting, I have the TD-80 and quite a few other ratcheting T's and hex bit drivers. My TD-80 is by far the lowest backdrag compared to my Wera's, Anex, SO etc. Also the 'click sound' is not anywhere near as pronounced as the unit Doc has. Mine's 20T, but has a much softer sound, u don't really hear the clicks as much as u feel them. So there is obviously either a change in springs providing the spring preload inside the mechanism between units or batch runs. I mainly only use my TD-80 for tasks when I need really low backdrag. I wonder if anyone else noticed this?
Yes, my TD-80 has very low backdrag and it doesn't have that high pitch sound. The ability to easily turn it with fingers however is the key feature that the other t-handles shown don't have. As well, it fits easily in your pants pocket.
Regarding the direction switch, it should be held while turning the handle in the direction you want. This is the most natural configuration and most of my ratcheting drivers work that way.
Well said, I'm glad someone noticed a difference in the backdrag of Docs unit compared to others. The TD-80 is an oldie but a goodie. Other T handles are not pocket friendly at all, I really like T handles as I do a bit of small engine repair, chainsaws and other OPE equipment. I use many of the Wiha 200mm T-27 Torx, their nut drivers & hex keys. Been outstanding quality tools.
Williams is owed by snap on. Same tool
In the old style handle, the two holes in the handle were used to store bits. I don't think they work that way on the new handle.
To me 2 holes looks to be for 2 screwdrivers facing opposite directions. The longer the screwdrivers rhe more leverage. How much torque can it handle is the question.
Those two holes could be there for the assembly line.
Whats the snap on 1/4 bit driver adapter part number?
I don’t get these things, fasteners or bits give out before leverage on a traditional driver does.
Good for Allen bolts.
Have you compared it with the Vessel ratcheting screwdriver? You can pop off the screwdriver portion and get a stubby quarter inch hex ratchet.
It’s only maybe 36 tooth but the back drag is so low. I have a couple 2” hex bits that I use with it in my EDC bag.
FWIW, I also struggled with how to pronounce SATA. Just checked a video from the company itself and they pronounced it sah’-tuh. Kind of like “I sawed-a board in half.”
doc please change your ultra dry looking wood block haha
Not very interesting at all.
Get a closer look to CalVan 108 and to BluePoint FSDR or also to Wera Zyclop Pocket, and again look at Chinese 10 in 1 ratcheting screwdriver with components at least similar to Felo Erogonic and some other flex head indexable ratcheting screwdrivers...
What is a flex head indexable ratcheting screwdriver? Are u talking about bit ratchets that have flex heads like the Icon/Facom Rotar Inc Taiwan bit ratchets?
I will also extend why for me in a T handle you don't need a ratchet and it is not so interesting... because it is a t handle, and you simply are supposed to spin the T handle.
Take as example Snap-on Turbo T, take as example Craftsman Mach series or Micael pro or Motion pro or USAG 280TQ or again something a little bit rare in 3/8" Pit Posse SKU: PP3311.
I don't see point to ratchet if you can simply spin using tool momentum. If you don't have space to turn or to ratchet you also don't need a bulky T handle but a slender screwdriver this is my point of view.