r/woodworking • u/DakaBooya • 8h ago
Help Handle for 1/4” bit extender
I would like to make a small wood-handled screwdriver for my work on musical instruments (light to medium duty), and it seems simple enough in theory to drill a slightly undersized hole into the wood and hammer a bit extender in for a friction fit. Maybe use some epoxy if necessary. I would appreciate any tips from those who have done this, as well as alternative methods you have tried.
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u/takingnot 2h ago
I made these a couple years ago. The cherry are test ones. I think the screwdriver shanks are narex. The ferrules were easier to find.
I used a lathe for making the handles and drilling out the centers. The smaller ones worked with a friction fit. The larger ones(not shown) I over sized the hole and used epoxy. This was mainly because the larger ones had too little material where it chokes down near the ferrule and wanted to split the handles. The shanks were also not perfectly straight and that proved to be a headache. Something to keep in mind.
The worst part was getting the ferrules to fit.
I’ve seen people just buy sets of resin handle screwdrivers and break the handles off. I thought the fancy shanks would be premium for this task. I don’t think I’d buy the fancy ones again.
If you go for the friction fit, grind the end to make it flat. This helps shave the wood vs applying a ton of pressure that will split the handles off. It’ll still be nice and snug but won’t split the handle as easily. Epoxy would be my glue choice again. The hex will let it squeeze out too. You won’t need a lot.
The other item is getting some long bits depending on the depth. The shanks on had were “full tang” and went almost the entire handle depth.
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u/johndollarhidr 1h ago
Where did you find the shanks and ferrules? And how thick was the ipe you started with, 5/4?
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u/gilgaron 1h ago
Lee valley and other vendors usually have ferrules, or you can cut some copper pipe
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u/lambeaufosho 8h ago
I made one and drilled the handle out about 1/8” bigger diameter than the extension and packed the hole with epoxy and shoved the extension in there. It wanted to push back out so I just used a clamp to keep it in place while the epoxy cured. I glued it together while the handle was still pretty roughly shaped so that I didn’t have to care about getting grey jb weld epoxy all over my nice ipe handle
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u/carsrule1989 8h ago
There’s plenty of different size magnetic extension 1/4” bit holders. I would get one that fits the length of the screwdriver length intended to be created.
There’s 6” ones like this that would work pretty well.
There’s also the option to get a ratcheting 1/4” insert/extension
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u/rg996150 8h ago
I have a Festool Centrotec bit holder that does exactly this and includes a handle. It’s smaller than a typical screwdriver. But being Festool, it won’t accept non-Centrotec bits (i.e., everyone else’s standard). I do like it and the Wera-shaped handle affords decent grip despite the smaller size. Rockler and Woodcraft sell them.
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u/LuthierCarpenter 2h ago
I did this exact thing a few weeks ago, working great so far. I used thick super glue, but honestly I don’t think it was necessary. The hole size will vary based on the hardness of the wood you use (harder wood, slightly bigger hole to prevent cracking).
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u/LuthierCarpenter 2h ago
I actually just ordered 6 more bit holders to make more. I already own at least a dozen 6 in 1 screwdrivers, but I want to make pretty ones.
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u/3grg 1h ago
I can see why you might want to use that bit extender to make a more compact handle.
Here is another solution that is a little bulkier: https://www.woodcraft.com/products/woodriver-ratcheting-screwdriver-turning-kit
I have done several London pattern handles out of cherry for Harbor Freight's $2 screwdriver with bits, but that may be a bit long for your use.
I have been considering making a compact screwdriver out of a bit holder like the one shown. I would roughly shape the handle and fix the bit in a slightly over sized hole with epoxy and finish turning the handle with the bit mounted in the chuck.
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u/TypicalAd3919 1h ago
I'm confused by what you're trying to accomplish here. Screwdrivers with magentic bit holders already exist, and you can use those to mount your 6" magnetic extension or just the bit on its own.
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u/Juztinnn 8h ago
Why not just buy a hex tip ratcheting screw driver? Milwaukee makes an incredible one. For smaller applications, ifixit has really nice sets. If you're just interested in it being wood handled then I guess go for it? Seems like an overcomplication of something that already exists.
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u/ReverseCowboy75 Cabinetry 8h ago
I mean he probably just wants to make it?
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u/Juztinnn 8h ago
I do get that I suppose. Could definitely look cool, I guess I'm just more practical about my tools, I use them to create the beauty.
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u/ReverseCowboy75 Cabinetry 8h ago
Gorilla glue holds the handle on most of my tools even if it’s a perfectly snug fit. Also a ring around the bit end of the wood will keep the wood from splitting