Universal Adjustable T-Handle Set for Machine Shops: Quick, Versatile Lifting Aid.

Published on 05/28/2025•Product Idea Validation / New Product Ideas (Non-SaaS)

User has some T-handles that others have pointed out are custom lifting aids. One person mentioned they often weld these on the spot, saying, "Honestly, I usually just whip one up quickly when I need a specific size. I’d say you’re good to get rid of them and make as needed." Other comments echo this DIY approach: "If I have a bolt around the shop that I’m tightening and loosening a lot, I’ll turn it into a T-handle like this," and "I made some of those for lifting..." This suggests there's a recurring need for temporary or specialized T-handles for lifting, manipulating, or temporarily fastening items in a machine shop or maintenance environment, where users currently resort to custom fabrication.

Product Suggestion: A modular T-handle system designed for quick attachment and detachment. This system would include:

A comfortable, ergonomic T-handle.
A quick-change mechanism at the base of the handle (e.g., a collet chuck, a spring-loaded ball detent system, or a robust magnetic coupling).
A set of interchangeable shafts/studs with various common thread sizes and pitches (e.g., M6, M8, M10, M12, 1/4-20, 5/16-18, 3/8-16, 1/2-13) that can be quickly locked into the handle.
Optional: Blank shafts for users to custom-machine or weld to specific, non-standard interfaces if needed, which can still be used with the standard handle.

Expected Benefit: This system would significantly reduce the need for ad-hoc welding and fabrication of single-purpose T-handles.

Time Savings: Machinists and maintenance personnel would save time by not having to fabricate a custom handle for each unique need.
Cost Reduction: Reduced labor and material costs associated with custom fabrication.
Improved Organization & Versatility: A single handle and a set of common studs would replace a multitude of custom, single-purpose tools, leading to a cleaner and more organized workspace. The system would be highly versatile, adapting to various lifting and handling tasks.
Consistency and Ergonomics: Provides a standardized, potentially more ergonomic solution than hastily welded handles.

Origin Reddit Post

r/machinists

What are these used for?

Posted by u/sweetmovie74•05/28/2025

Over the years I ended up with a large collection of these things. I’m self-taught and have never worked in a proper machine shop and I figured that one day I’d encounter a problem that these

Top Comments

u/Mreeff

I made some of those for lifting plug assist plates out of thermoform molds

u/Then-Raccoon-1838

I use them for grabbing the top half of the pitman bearing on punch presses.

u/Masetrain

If one of them fits into your lifting point on a lathe chuck you could use it as a handle to help hump that around

u/TheDrunkLibertarian

This just brought back a weird, obscure memory. I’ve used one for removing a lid from something, but for the life of me I can’t remember.

u/ArgieBee

I've seen stuff like this for lifting fixtures and rotary indexers.

u/sweetmovie74

I’ve never done that kind of work. One of them is as small as 10-24. Does that make sense with your application? It sounds like I probably can safely get rid of them.

u/sweetmovie74

That makes sense. Sounds very specific and quite mysterious to me.

u/chroncryx

One-piece ones are called T-strap bolts. I use them as lifting handles on clamps, fixtures.... I got some welded ones like yours, also as means for lifting on lighter weights.

u/sweetmovie74

I like this idea. Some of them are pretty small though so there must be other applications.

u/NiceGuysFinishLast

My only thought was giant jack bolts, so that would make sense.

u/BishopEvan

Honestly I usually just weld one up quick when I need one of any specific size. I’d say you’re good to get rid of them and make as needed. The smaller ones are sometimes used as handles for

u/Tuffmuff34

Those look like they're from my old shop. You screw them into the handling holes. After you take out all of the ball bearings or rollers, you lift either the inner or outer race off of your b

u/sweetmovie74

This makes a lot of sense as they come in a large range of sizes. Maybe they were used for fixtures or something?

u/Fluff_Chucker

Dude. Have you seen the COST of fasteners lately?!

u/6146886

If I have a bolt around the shop that I’m tightening and loosening a lot I’ll weld it into a T-handle like this. Or they can be useful for assembly and transport of certain parts with feature

u/DrBadGuy1073

Look like carry handles for large tooling to me. Tack weld the appropriate nut to the top of a quick change tool holder. Much easier to carry it walking across the shop that way.

u/BishopEvan

I use them to lift blocks off of dies

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