PEDRO'S WEEK Day #4: Pro & T-Handle Bit Drivers

[@mtbboy1993]

Having many tools that are bits, sockets is nice for lower weight and taking up less space, nice for travel. But for fast easy access it's nice to have invidual stand alone tools.

[@trekkeruss]

I know why I and I imagine most who wrench all the time grab individual tools as opposed to one handle with bits: speed. It is just easier to grab a big ol’ wrench by sight than it is to look for an itty bitty bit. Especially if the bits are not nicely held in a bit holder (which itself is a bit fiddly to deal with). And of course when you are done with said bit you better be sure to put the tiny little thing back each time, or you are going to be losing/misplacing them…and of course you cannot buy individual bits, but instead you are stuck buying an entire new set (usually). So…I think these are neat, more so the Pro one, but not sure I would buy one.

[@NeutralSupportNews]

Size space weight I think... Given infinite space I will have individual tools. If you don't or you need to accomplish a lot in a limited travel bag etc bits seem like the solution. Park Tool made an attempt at a quick-grab bit system with a T-Handle. I have one, it's interesting albeit flawed. 🙂

[@trekkeruss]

@@NeutralSupportNews I suppose if I were a mobile mobile mechanic (?!) who didn’t have a van and needed to work from a carry-on sized bag, a tool system based on bits might by useful. I guess as a regular shop monkey I can’t really envision such a need. Mostly I see this is as just another invention looking for a solution that I am unsure people were actually looking for. But like the vise whip, maybe I need to try one before casting my skeptical judgement.

[@fuloplehel]

Nice tools, I use bits on my bikes, one of my favorites is the Wera bicycle set 11, which is a stubby magnetic holder with 6 bits in the handle, and another Wera bicycle set 3, which includes a little ratchet, a little screwdriver handle, bits and sockets în a compact package. But I prefer a multitool on the go, I always have the crankbrothers m 19 on my bike. I like this t handle with the bits inside, and you can apply more torque, the screwdriver is more limited in usage, like you said, a derailleur tool. 👍👍👍

[@NeutralSupportNews]

That Crankbrothers multi tool is my favorite choice - mainly because it has a chain tool with good leverage. My tool of choice for rescuing other people I find on the trail.

[@andrewgould8924]

hmmm, that was a drill press. my bad. great tool review.

[@NeutralSupportNews]

They're both there! A mini mill on the table, a drill press sitting on the floor next to it.

[@charliesullivan4304]

For non-bike stuff, I like the 6-in-one screwdrivers where you flip around double-ended bits, or the double ended bit holder, better than the ones that have a separate stash of bits. It's faster to swap, and harder to lose them. They are popular with electricians, and you can get versions with specialty bits that are common in electrical hardware. But I can't seem to find any with metric hex or JIS.

[@NeutralSupportNews]

My favorite screwdriver is the Vessel 220W - it has double sided long bits. I just leave the flat and JIS 2 bit in it all the time. Super fast to flip around. Just have to remember not to pry!

[@charliesullivan4304]

@@NeutralSupportNews how much did you pay for that and ... oops, I shouldn't pry.

[@andykrull9297]

I'm diggin the t-handle bit driver concept. I think it would be slightly improved to have it slide on a keyway to keep it in one orientation than able to spin around though.

[@NeutralSupportNews]

That and those detents like the T-Handle 🔥

[@gren509]

Another great video, looking at all the angles with a mechanic's eye. I don't think Pedro's have done a good jobe with either of those though.

[@AndyLeeJordan]

If you were going to get one of these, which would you get (first)? The T-Handle is cheaper and seems like it can do everything the Pro Bit Driver can (and more), just perhaps more fiddly to work with in tight spaces, but better for leverage to get stuck things moving. Put another way: which do you reach for most often? I have a bunch of bits and a pair of torque wrenches, but don't want to use those to loosen bolts!

[@NeutralSupportNews]

Leverage aside, I do more things that make the Pro Bit Driver useful than the T-Handle. I grab it for lower torque applications and adjustments. I don't see myself using the T-Handle to adjust the limit screws on a derailleur etc. unless it is in my pack. Pro Bit Driver first for in the shop, T-Handle first for on the go - both great in different ways!

[@AndyLeeJordan]

@@NeutralSupportNews Awesome, thank you! I just opened up the mail and got my T-Handle. I got stuck in just the situation I'd envisioned at a cross race last Sunday: friend needed their T25 disc brake bolt loosened and I had the bit and a torque wrench...used a multi-tool to loosen it then torqued to spec. Now I won't have to buy a set of Torx keys and it fits nicely in my Burrito Tool Roll (to bring the home shop to the race)! I think I'll get the Pro Bit Driver next time I can on sale. I love tools with a bearing on the end for easy spinning. My Topeak torque wrench has a "speed sleeve" for the bits that work like a smaller version of the Pro Bit Driver and I use it all the time when fiddling with stuff.

[@Jagefo]

Great video but way too many cuts to the random footage (a little is good but too much is distracting). Looking forward to more videos!

[@charliesullivan4304]

I like the random cuts! Sometimes I just listen, well I'm doing something else without watching, but then I'm always worried that I'll miss some of those.

[@NeutralSupportNews]

Everybody has their own style! Cuts make it fun to create, if it's not fun for me to create I probably won't do it 🤷‍♀️

[@Jagefo]

@@NeutralSupportNews All good! Totally get it. Different folks have different tastes. Didn't mean to come off as critical but I see that I could've phrased my comment much better.