Vim Tools Ratcheting Wrench "Ends" Just Released NORA150XL

[Fedwrench]

Where does it say no warranty on these.

Nothing in the catalog listing says these are excluded from the limited lifetime warranty.

You would probably have to visit Vims Tuesday Tool Videos on You Tube around the time of product launch. The hosts said there that there was no warranty in a video. It was a decision that made sense for Vim Tools but wasn't received well by their customers. Vim later made a follow up video stating VIM would warranty the Nora sets.
Pictured below is a card that was included in the Nora 150 set I bought a couple of months ago. My Nora 150 XL set didn't include the card. The card is a disclaimer. In the middle is the line " However, due to the nature of this product and the fact that it can be used with unlimited leverage, it carries no warranty".
My Nora150XL set didn't include the disclaimer card but, both sets have a decal affixed to them stating WARNING: Low Torque Application Only along with a Prop 65 cancer warning.
It probably depends on where you buy your set as to whether you'll get excellent warranty service. I got mine online so, I'm thinking no warranty. You could always contact Vim's Customer Service to see what they say. [email protected] I'll let you know if I break one.

 

[nicks78camaro]

Cornwell has these on promo this month

 

[finn]

You would probably have to visit Vims Tuesday Tool Videos on You Tube around the time of product launch. The hosts said there that there was no warranty in a video. It was a decision that made sense for Vim Tools but wasn't received well by their customers. Vim later made a follow up video stating VIM would warranty the Nora sets.
Pictured below is a card that was included in the Nora 150 set I bought a couple of months ago. My Nora 150 XL set didn't include the card. The card is a disclaimer. In the middle is the line " However, due to the nature of this product and the fact that it can be used with unlimited leverage, it carries no warranty".
My Nora150XL set didn't include the disclaimer card but, both sets have a decal affixed to them stating WARNING: Low Torque Application Only along with a Prop 65 cancer warning.
It probably depends on where you buy your set as to whether you'll get excellent warranty service. I got mine online so, I'm thinking no warranty. You could always contact Vim's Customer Service to see what they say. [email protected] I'll let you know if I break one.

The fact that there’s a disclaimer with reference to limited torque capability seems ok to me. They’re basically saying that if you’re a Hamb handed gorilla, the tool might break and you’re on your own.

Some of the responders on this thread that seem to be constantly breaking tools and needing warranty replacements probably fit that description. I can’t really contemplate breaking multiple tools on a repetitive task being anything but user error. Either using the wrong tool for the job, or plain old abuse. In that case the tools are consumables, and I wouldn’t expect continued warranty replacements.

A tool service contract, like Hilti has apparently gone to is more appropriate. In a way, that’s the Snap on model, I suppose. High initial price buys you a lifetime service contract. No free lunch.

 

[nicks78camaro]

Again they've changed their mind and they warranty these for life along with their other hand tools now.

They do have a slightly unfavorable warranty process (charge $9.95 shipping to use the warranty) but they don't make you ship the tool back.

They do add though if you purchase directly from vimtools.com they will waive the fee if you include the order number in the claim. Seems fair enough.

If you purchase through a tool truck like Cornwell (if you have one) the tool truck takes care of your warranty for free.

Granted, from a tool truck or direct from VIM is not the cheapest way to purchase their tools, but does have its perks.

 

[SwissMetric]

A tool service contract, like Hilti has apparently gone to is more appropriate. In a way, that’s the Snap on model, I suppose. High initial price buys you a lifetime service contract. No free lunch.

I'm not sure if service contracts are really worth the price. Even here Hilti is very expensive. I prefer good sales (limited time specially low prices) and get some Bosch or Metabo instead, just as example as they're widespread here, Makita enjoys mixed reviews and DeWalt has mostly gained popularity the last couple of years. Hilti may perform somewhat better but overall it is not decisive for my typical uses. I use everything from small drills to 12 kg (25 lbs) SDS-max but not often enough to justify Hilti. OTOH I only use reliable major brand test and measurement equipment and high-end stuff for often used tools. Costs less than periodically replacing Chinese ****.

The toolsI I ruin in series are mostly TORX bits. Beside that even Phillips and POZIDRIV recess screwdrivers (PB as it's the traditional local brand nearly all professionals use here) last quite long.

I can mostly rely on high-quality tools and overall they only very rarely break so warranty is not an issue. Also all ratchets and nearly all torque wrenches can be repaired internally (most tools for screws are from the same manufacturer excepted screwdrivers).
Shipping and preparing documents isn't worth the hassle for small commercially used tools, you can waste hours to get warranties honored. No thanks, and also in many cases tools break due to misuse anyway. I'll repurpose a PB screwdriver rather than sending it back for warranty, there are also usually some spare around.
I don't nurture tools at all but neither uselessly push the limits like some idiots. Also having a good choice of tools available reduces the risk of abuse when the right tool is not available.

Most tools I ruined, beside TORX tools, were some low-quality tools which should never have been acquired anyways. Nearly all high-quality tools I used last very long if used correctly.

 

[mikey03]

They do have a slightly unfavorable warranty process (charge $9.95 shipping to use the warranty) but they don't make you ship the tool back.

They do add though if you purchase directly from vimtools.com they will waive the fee if you include the order number in the claim. Seems fair enough.

yea it seems like most vim tools are 20% to 40% cheaper to buy from a dealer as compared to vim. So you either pay 20% to 40% higher prices to buy direct and get free warranty or have to fork over 10 bucks each time you brake something.

could you imagine if a tekton socket set was $100 on their website but was $60 on amazon and if you did a warranty on the Amazon set it was 10 bucks?

what’s funny is the $100 Tekton socket set is actually $90 to buy direct and $100 to buy on amazon. Because you get 10 % reward if you buy direct. And Amazon has retail price matching Tekton but no reward.

honestly I’m guessing vim just doesn’t want to deal with people which is there right as a business. they prob just want to deal with tool trucks and big retailers. It does take alot of work to deal with the gen public like customer service staff. Vim doesn’t seem like they are interested in that. so they say fine we will sell to you as an individual if you really need us to but we going to charge a premium for it.

There website is kind of **** too tbh which is fine if they don’t want to sell to individuals. Dealers and trucks prob got paper catalogs to hand out. Doesn’t mean they are bad people or a bad company or make bad tools. But it means if your buying for yourself and not off a truck or from a dealer at a discount then look at Tekton or capri or icon first since they got better direct to consumer priced at a better warranty tbh

 

[mikey03]

Pictured below is a card that was included in the Nora 150 set I bought a couple of months ago. My Nora 150 XL set didn't include the card. The card is a disclaimer. In the middle is the line " However, due to the nature of this product and the fact that it can be used with unlimited leverage, it carries no warranty".

what do you think man? Haven’t seen anyone here post they got one yet. Only seen them reviewed by vim employees

like or dislike? What’s good use cases for them?

 

[rancherbill]

It's an overpriced trinket for collectors of trinketry. I do not see any real world application that hasn't been addressed before.

 

[mikey03]

It's an overpriced trinket for collectors of trinketry. I do not see any real world application that hasn't been addressed before.

I did a motor mount recently and it was a pain to tighten the bolt just couldn’t turn the ratchet within the confines of the mount more than a few degrees at a time. I thought if I had the new vim ratcheting wrench head on a short extension with a 90 degree adapter onto another longer extension I could have

though if I had my Milwaukee insider ratchet handy that could have done it I think. Was too lazy to go grab it and slummed it with a short box end wrench I had on hand and turned it a few degrees at a time.

 

[Fedwrench]

what do you think man? Haven’t seen anyone here post they got one yet. Only seen them reviewed by vim employees

like or dislike? What’s good use cases for them?

I feel they are another weapon in my toolbox to defeat peeps that design vehicles without any thought of the peeps that will work on the vehicle. I think I prefer using them with a locking extension. At certain angles. I pulled a regular extension out of the ratcheting wrench square drive. Could have been user error I think if you work on European vehicles or any vehicle with restrictive space, they would be handy. The main question I have is what can I do with the VIM Noras that I can't do with Astro Nano sockets? So far with the VIM Noras, it's only the ability to change handle lengths with different length extensions. I think I want to see a shorter Nano socket ratcheting wrench say in the 7-8 inch length range. The VIM FRW711 meets that need for the 1/4 drive Nanos but, I would like to see a slightly longer version for 3/8 drive Nanos. Then we would have short, medium, and long nano socket ratcheting wrenches. If you want to grab the VIM Nora sets, shop around as there's a wide range of prices

 

[2ndGearRubber]

The fact that there’s a disclaimer with reference to limited torque capability seems ok to me. They’re basically saying that if you’re a Hamb handed gorilla, the tool might break and you’re on your own.

Some of the responders on this thread that seem to be constantly breaking tools and needing warranty replacements probably fit that description. I can’t really contemplate breaking multiple tools on a repetitive task being anything but user error. Either using the wrong tool for the job, or plain old abuse. In that case the tools are consumables, and I wouldn’t expect continued warranty replacements.

A tool service contract, like Hilti has apparently gone to is more appropriate. In a way, that’s the Snap on model, I suppose. High initial price buys you a lifetime service contract. No free lunch.

A lot of the tool destruction is using them as designed. It's wear, it's time. The textbook case is an impact socket, they get chewed up running on Astro Thor or electric high torques. The electrics just destroy sockets. Impact sockets are straight up consumables, and a decent investment off a tool truck since you can swap them due to wear. I cracked a 21mm Matco protective impact socket last week, ordered an Ares replacement on amazon. Ares is >50% the cost of the Matco, Matco replaces forever, Ares goes in the trash. Ares will get me by until my replacement shows up, but two Ares cost more than 1 Matco and I know they're going to break.


Like my 10mm socket example on a 3/8 ratchet, how can you misuse that? It's a 10mm fastener, you have to use a 10mm. There's not a lot of options unless you want to put a torch on things which isn't always possible. What do you do, tell the customer to buy a new car because the fastener is rusted, corroded, screwed up in general? I usually figure if the drive tool fails before the fastener, it's probably a drive tool problem. It's an 8.8 or 10.9 bolt versus forged tool steel. You'd think it would round over or break the head off rather than splitting the socket. Of course just putting torque through sockets by hand wears them, let alone seeing something like an electric ratchet. Eventually the wear adds up and that's the end of the socket when it cracks or it's wallowed out from use.


Most stuff fails pretty soon after purchase, or lasts for years. Sort of like a car with a CPO warranty they'll give you a longer powertrain warranty on than a new one. All those infant mortality engines are out of the pool, the manufacturer knows the 1st 3-5 oil changes got done, no fear in giving away a 100k warranty on the car that's already gone the 20k.

I feel they are another weapon in my toolbox to defeat peeps that design vehicles without any thought of the peeps that will work on the vehicle. I think I prefer using them with a locking extension. At certain angles. I pulled a regular extension out of the ratcheting wrench square drive. Could have been user error I think if you work on European vehicles or any vehicle with restrictive space, they would be handy. The main question I have is what can I do with the VIM Noras that I can't do with Astro Nano sockets? So far with the VIM Noras, it's only the ability to change handle lengths with different length extensions. I think I want to see a shorter Nano socket ratcheting wrench say in the 7-8 inch length range. The VIM FRW711 meets that need for the 1/4 drive Nanos but, I would like to see a slightly longer version for 3/8 drive Nanos. Then we would have short, medium, and long nano socket ratcheting wrenches. If you want to grab the VIM Nora sets, shop around as there's a wide range of prices

That's what keeps me back. I have 3 nano wrench handles, the mountain wrenches, 15 other sets of wrenches - I'm not sure how much I need these. I already have a lot of mouse traps. Now if I was starting out and I didn't have all the options I've already paid for I think these make sense for general versatility of handle length. Mentality it's like buying a few different tools, lengths, for the one purchase price. The extensions are usually bought and paid for, and if you have six 3/8 extensions you have six wrenches in every size. I could see them as finger wrenches too, break something free then use this in a tight area rather than messing with an unwieldy contraption.

 

[finn]

A lot of the tool destruction is using them as designed. It's wear, it's time. The textbook case is an impact socket, they get chewed up running on Astro Thor or electric high torques. The electrics just destroy sockets. Impact sockets are straight up consumables, and a decent investment off a tool truck since you can swap them due to wear. I cracked a 21mm Matco protective impact socket last week, ordered an Ares replacement on amazon. Ares is >50% the cost of the Matco, Matco replaces forever, Ares goes in the trash. Ares will get me by until my replacement shows up, but two Ares cost more than 1 Matco and I know they're going to break.


Like my 10mm socket example on a 3/8 ratchet, how can you misuse that? It's a 10mm fastener, you have to use a 10mm. There's not a lot of options unless you want to put a torch on things which isn't always possible. What do you do, tell the customer to buy a new car because the fastener is rusted, corroded, screwed up in general? I usually figure if the drive tool fails before the fastener, it's probably a drive tool problem. It's an 8.8 or 10.9 bolt versus forged tool steel. You'd think it would round over or break the head off rather than splitting the socket. Of course just putting torque through sockets by hand wears them, let alone seeing something like an electric ratchet. Eventually the wear adds up and that's the end of the socket when it cracks or it's wallowed out from use.


Most stuff fails pretty soon after purchase, or lasts for years. Sort of like a car with a CPO warranty they'll give you a longer powertrain warranty on than a new one. All those infant mortality engines are out of the pool, the manufacturer knows the 1st 3-5 oil changes got done, no fear in giving away a 100k warranty on the car that's already gone the 20k.




That's what keeps me back. I have 3 nano wrench handles, the mountain wrenches, 15 other sets of wrenches - I'm not sure how much I need these. I already have a lot of mouse traps. Now if I was starting out and I didn't have all the options I've already paid for I think these make sense for general versatility of handle length. Mentality it's like buying a few different tools, lengths, for the one purchase price. The extensions are usually bought and paid for, and if you have six 3/8 extensions you have six wrenches in every size. I could see them as finger wrenches too, break something free then use this in a tight area rather than messing with an unwieldy contraption.

I think that by your own admission, you’re buying what’s essentially a service contract by using tool truck tools.

That’s a whole different ballgame than someone like me who doesn’t break tools. For you, they’re consumables.

Having said that, I still don’t fully understand how you’re breaking so many tools. Induction heaters, heavier wall / impact sockets, larger drives etc all trend towards longer tool life. That probably comes at the cost of more time, but replacing a broken tool takes time too.

In a production environment, breaking tools is intolerable, as it means a line stoppage, which costs big bucks. Yet breaking tools in a shop environment seems par for the course the way you describe it.

 

[ChevyEFI]

if I had my Milwaukee insider ratchet handy that could have done it I think.

What is the i.d. on those sockets on a 13mm or 1/2", on the other end of the socket?

what can I do with the VIM Noras that I can't do with Astro Nano sockets? So far with the VIM Noras, it's only the ability to change handle lengths with different length extensions. I think I want to see a shorter Nano socket ratcheting wrench say in the 7-8 inch length range. The VIM FRW711 meets that need for the 1/4 drive Nanos but, I would like to see a slightly longer version for 3/8 drive Nanos.

So you're seeing them as a flex wrench first and foremost, whereas I figured they were a handy variant of a crowsfoot primarily. Maybe I overestimated their CF utility.

 

[mikey03]

Anyone else think they should have made the 8 to 13 be 1/4 drive base? Lets you use smaller lighter extensions and limits you more on overtorquing it.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Anyone else think they should have made the 8 to 13 be 1/4 drive base? Lets you use smaller lighter extensions and limits you more on overtorquing it.

I am a fan of 1/4 but no. Anvils and extensions would be bend / failure prone in that size range if used (in CF or wrench end style) for breaking things free that are less able to.be accessed. 3/8 is a better choice.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I think that by your own admission, you’re buying what’s essentially a service contract by using tool truck tools.

That’s a whole different ballgame than someone like me who doesn’t break tools. For you, they’re consumables.

Having said that, I still don’t fully understand how you’re breaking so many tools. Induction heaters, heavier wall / impact sockets, larger drives etc all trend towards longer tool life. That probably comes at the cost of more time, but replacing a broken tool takes time too.

In a production environment, breaking tools is intolerable, as it means a line stoppage, which costs big bucks. Yet breaking tools in a shop environment seems par for the course the way you describe it.

For certain things yes, you're prepaying to swap them via the tool trucks. The economics don't make sense to buy everything from them though. A production environment does the same thing, swapping before failure. The guy installing the subframe at the GM plant will wear sockets out eventually. I don't always have that luxury, and a production environment is assembling brand new stuff that's clean, not disassembling corroded vehicles. So the fastener may have been 19mm and I have it glowing orange while I beat a 14mm on a 24" extension onto it and then crank on an 18" ratchet. Tools don't like that, but the car fails emissions and needs this exhaust leak repaired. The environment is just different.


Some of the things described are simply defects from manufacturing. A die grinder that locks up shortly after purchase, is rebuilt, then lasts with no issues in identical circumstances is just a defect. It makes noticeably more power too since day one out of the box. I break <10 things a year, outside brand new failures. But over the years that adds up. I have a lot of tools as well, when you have 60+ ratcheting wrenches your odds of defects out of the box go up. I had a defective snap on 10mm reversible combo that had issues out of the box which only worsened. That sort of stuff is way different to me than just wearing stuff out. But you'll find stuff like that, just unlucky. Defects aren't common, but it's a percentage. The more tools you buy, the more duds you'll find. Much like the more times I use a socket, the more likely it will fail. Eventually they're just worn out.

Some stuff you just send off to die. Like the wheel sockets. Lug nuts are over tightened, and can rust, and be swollen/undersized which steals your torque applied to the fastener. Generally one runs powerful impacts to deal with this. The sockets will fail especially if you're using the sleeved protective ones that are thinner. It's not uncommon, once a week, to see a car which needs a 4lb sledge to "install" the socket onto every lug nut on the vehicle. I use impacts for that due to durability, but when the 19mm is now a 21+mm and nobody is buying lug nuts, that's the result. The 21mm goes on with a sledge, then you beat the sledge on the socket to dislodge it because a punch will just knock a hole in the top of the lug nut. Customer, and the front desk, don't give a **** about lug nuts. So stuff gets reused until something strips out or is seized (usually when their brakes are grinding or a tire blows out) then the customer spends 5X or more to drill out the lug nut and replace them all rather than simply replacing them when they're already past their service life. The mindset is entirely different of a customer or sales-person allergic to spending money or "upsetting" the customer by accurately reporting their vehicle condition versus a company keeping a line running.

Anyone else think they should have made the 8 to 13 be 1/4 drive base? Lets you use smaller lighter extensions and limits you more on overtorquing it.

I think you'd snap the drive ends off, and they'd be really flexy. Imagine the most stuck 12mm you've ever seen using a 12" 1/4 extension as a handle. I did consider that idea, but I think the whole tool would need resized for that torque range. Would probably help their warranty rate, but I also have 24" 1/4 extensions.

 

[mikey03]

defects is why I like warranties so much. As a home user honesty it’s rare I use any new tool anytime after I get it. Already got a decent tool set and months might go by before I use even one tool from a new set I pickup. And there going to be parts of the tool set I don’t use for years like rare sizes. By then would be too late to claim factory defect and that’s where lifetime warranty comes in.

That’s why I like tekton so much. I’m not buying there new ratcheting wrenches but if I did, I probably wouldn’t use all of them for a decade. A few sizes I’d use within the first few months and other sizes not for years honestly.

in 10 years when it brakes the first time I use it I don’t want them to say “ send us 10 bucks for shipping” or “sorry no warranty it’s your fault”

I don’t want them to say “but you already got 10 years out of this tool how much more do you want?”

nah I only got 10 seconds out of the tool I just happened to buy it 10 years ago.

i don’t want to have to dig up receipts and invoice numbers.

i don’t like lifetime warranty because I’m trying to cheat them and get free tools for life. I like it because it might be 20 years before I use that 9 mm ratcheting wrench end for the first time and it might brake the first use.

 

[finn]

defects is why I like warranties so much. As a home user honesty it’s rare I use any new tool anytime after I get it. Already got a decent tool set and months might go by before I use even one tool from a new set I pickup. And there going to be parts of the tool set I don’t use for years like rare sizes. By then would be too late to claim factory defect and that’s where lifetime warranty comes in.

That’s why I like tekton so much. I’m not buying there new ratcheting wrenches but if I did, I probably wouldn’t use all of them for a decade. A few sizes I’d use within the first few months and other sizes not for years honestly.

in 10 years when it brakes the first time I use it I don’t want them to say “ send us 10 bucks for shipping” or “sorry no warranty it’s your fault”

I don’t want them to say “but you already got 10 years out of this tool how much more do you want?”

nah I only got 10 seconds out of the tool I just happened to buy it 10 years ago.

i don’t want to have to dig up receipts and invoice numbers.

i don’t like lifetime warranty because I’m trying to cheat them and get free tools for life. I like it because it might be 20 years before I use that 9 mm ratcheting wrench end for the first time and it might brake the first use.

I don’t know about the tool industry, but in my industry a 1% failure rate was a disaster, and enough to nearly put you out of business.

Simple had tools gave at most a handful of parts, the most being fasteners.

Warranty and infant failures in particular should be almost insignificant for the bulk of customers.

Tool warranty is mostly a feel good comfort blanket, especially considering how little even high end tools cost as a function of total lifetime income.

 

[Odd-job]

I like it because it might be 20 years before I use that 9 mm ratcheting wrench end for the first time and it might brake the first use.

No offense, but am not sure how much I would bank on warranties this long out for these various brands.. Tekton, Sunex, Capri, Aries, etc. that aren't attached to big conglomerates (which could disappear too). Also am struggling a little bit with getting crazy about warranties when the likelihood of a tool getting replaced with an "equivalent" is low SK and Sunex are now apparently all shifting production towards China from the US/Taiwan respectively for example. These VIMs might also be a special run as they don't seem like they are going to be big sellers and I regularly see closeouts on their website of tools they are discontinuing.

Tool defects out of the box are a completely different matter which is why I prefer buying from the hassle free vendors like Amazon, Zoro, etc. Easier to return the whole thing assuming I open the box and use the tools fast enough.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

No offense, but am not sure how much I would bank on warranties this long out for these various brands.. Tekton, Sunex, Capri, Aries, etc. that aren't attached to big conglomerates (which could disappear too). Also am struggling a little bit with getting crazy about warranties when the likelihood of a tool getting replaced with an "equivalent" is low SK and Sunex are now apparently all shifting production towards China from the US/Taiwan respectively for example. These VIMs might also be a special run as they don't seem like they are going to be big sellers and I regularly see closeouts on their website of tools they are discontinuing.

Tool defects out of the box are a completely different matter which is why I prefer buying from the hassle free vendors like Amazon, Zoro, etc. Easier to return the whole thing assuming I open the box and use the tools fast enough.

Amazon is excellent because of that, no BS just return it if it's defective.

One always takes a risk with lower production tools. I just bought some 1/2 drive metric torque adapters from Capri. Hopefully I'll never have an issue, if I do hopefully they still make this niche tool. I'd hate to have 250+ ft lb going through a 24" ratchet and have one let go! I'm more worried about the result of a tool failing and the consequences versus the hassle of getting/buying a replacement.


For some things, like stuff I buy fron cornwell, you go in expecting the warranty to never come through. Drivers are scarce and things discontinue. So the value proposition needs to be there even with a "disposable" tool.

 

[milkovich]

I wonder if I can buy just the 10mm?

 

[nicks78camaro]

I wonder if I can buy just the 10mm?

They do sell them separately direct from VIM lol

 

[mikey03]

I don’t know about the tool industry, but in my industry a 1% failure rate was a disaster, and enough to nearly put you out of business.

Simple had tools gave at most a handful of parts, the most being fasteners.

Warranty and infant failures in particular should be almost insignificant for the bulk of customers.

Tool warranty is mostly a feel good comfort blanket, especially considering how little even high end tools cost as a function of total lifetime income.

Car accidents are prob just as rare as tool failure defect rates but I still wear my seatbelt. It might only happen to 1 in a thousand or ten thousand but if your the one it happens to the lifetime warranty is nice peace of mind

 

[finn]

Car accidents are prob just as rare as tool failure defect rates but I still wear my seatbelt. It might only happen to 1 in a thousand or ten thousand but if your the one it happens to the lifetime warranty is nice peace of mind

Exactly. A lifetime tool warranty puts some people in a “feel good” situation.

The seat belt analogy isn’t very appropriate, though. You could get killed or severely injured without it, through no fault of your own.

If a tool fails, without a warranty, it’s about the same as spilling your Latte at the Starbucks drive through. You don’t pay for insurance against that. At least I don’t.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Car accidents are prob just as rare as tool failure defect rates but I still wear my seatbelt. It might only happen to 1 in a thousand or ten thousand but if your the one it happens to the lifetime warranty is nice peace of mind

Probably not as severe consequences, but IMO it's worth considering safety like that.

If a 30" breaker bar lets go, that is a major safety concern. Punch a piece of steel when a tool fails and you might stress fracture a bone in your hand.

 

[WWheeler]

These can go into the same bin as their silly palm ratchets.
What's wrong with a regular flex head box ratchet?

I'd probably wind up using them like I do my Bluepoint 'Ratcheting Crowfoot' wrenches, which I wind up using all the time just by themselves by hand, like a tiny little ratcheting wrench, when all I'm wanting to do spin a nut or bolt the rest of the way off or on by hand in a really tight spot but I can't spin it with just my fingers alone due to crusty threads or a little weight on it or it's a nylon locknut, etc. They will fit places a little stubby wrench can't. They have become one of my most used tools, especially that 10mm and 12mm, and I've only ever actually used one with an extension a couple times now.

 

[dscheidt]

In a production environment, breaking tools is intolerable, as it means a line stoppage, which costs big bucks. Yet breaking tools in a shop environment seems par for the course the way you describe it.

production has the very big advantages of putting new fasteners together, having the tools the designer intended to use, working in a clean environment, and the order of operations is usually sensible so there's access. Assembly lines replace or inspect tools on a schedule. Cutting machines have power meters, report to the operator that a tool is wearing out, and can stop if power needed for a cut goes up (signaling a broken cutter, usually).

People doing repair, whether of cars, construction equipment, machine tools, or whatever else, have to deal with corrosion, dirt, things being broken, lack of access, and the guy who was there before you. It's a lot tougher on tools, and it's no surprise they break stuff.

 

[WWheeler]

production has the very big advantages of putting new fasteners together, having the tools the designer intended to use, working in a clean environment, and the order of operations is usually sensible so there's access. Assembly lines replace or inspect tools on a schedule. Cutting machines have power meters, report to the operator that a tool is wearing out, and can stop if power needed for a cut goes up (signaling a broken cutter, usually).

What you are describing sounds like some wonderful utopia to me.

I've worked in manufacturing here in the US, in a half dozen plants in several different industries (mostly automotive), going back a couple decades now, and I've never stepped foot into one that resembled anything like this. Not even seen a single production process even remotely similar.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Add me to the list of people confused by the application for these. I also find the price a little over the top at $171 when I can get a full set of the Taiwan made Platinum Tech PLT99650 5 pc (10 sizes) XL Ratcheting Wrench Set for $144 from NTW. It seems any solution these VIM units would address could easily be handled by a stubby ratchet and low profile socket or a ratcheting wrench of varying lengths.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

What you are describing sounds like some wonderful utopia to me.

I've worked in manufacturing here in the US, in a half dozen plants in several different industries (mostly automotive), going back a couple decades now, and I've never stepped foot into one that resembled anything like this. Not even seen a single production process even remotely similar.

I think conceptually the production environment has the option to be that way, even if they choose not to do so. The guy on the F150 line isn't hammering a Torx socket into rusty bed bolts, and is using torque controlled tools. Hardware and threads can be clean, proper install tools can be used, wear/fault rates can be tracked. Can, doesn't mean they will, but they could track "hey change the bed bolt torx bit every 10000 bolts to prevent possible hardware damage or breaking and thus downtime". Whereas the guy removing that bed with lock-tited bolts 6 years later in the rust belt is going to be fighting those out.

Manufacturing does not assure that outcome, but it generally allows it as a possibility. Repair work on vehicles is a run-what-ya-brung situation and one needs to do what is required to get the job done. I too have seen ads for production facility jobs where the reviews from employees state you're just cobbling together junk 60s equipment that's always breaking because it's worn out.

Add me to the list of people confused by the application for these. I also find the price a little over the top at $171 when I can get a full set of the Taiwan made Platinum Tech PLT99650 5 pc (10 sizes) XL Ratcheting Wrench Set for $144 from NTW. It seems any solution these VIM units would address could easily be handled by a stubby ratchet and low profile socket or a ratcheting wrench of varying lengths.

In a critical situation, you could also just cut the XL wrench to the correct size then buy another later. It's ~45 bucks but if you're making $100+ on the job maybe it's acceptable if it saves time/headache.

 

[nicks78camaro]

Anyone end up buying these?

 

[WhataTool]

Arent these just the TONE ratcheting wrench ends?

Tone HRM311F Flex Ratchet Glasses Socket Set (With Holder) Insertion Angle 0.3 inches (9.5 mm) (3/8 inch), Contents: 11 Pieces - Amazon.com

Tone HRM311F Flex Ratchet Glasses Socket Set (With Holder) Insertion Angle 0.3 inches (9.5 mm) (3/8 inch), Contents: 11 Pieces - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

Imo these are a gimmick.

I don't understand most of their tools or why they make them. Good examples are the ratcheting flare nut wrenches, spring loaded crows foot, dual swivel extensions, mini pry bars, palm ratchet wrenches, etc.. maybe I just **** at working on cars since I don't understand these things or how they would help me...

 

[nicks78camaro]

Arent these just the TONE ratcheting wrench ends?

Tone HRM311F Flex Ratchet Glasses Socket Set (With Holder) Insertion Angle 0.3 inches (9.5 mm) (3/8 inch), Contents: 11 Pieces - Amazon.com

Tone HRM311F Flex Ratchet Glasses Socket Set (With Holder) Insertion Angle 0.3 inches (9.5 mm) (3/8 inch), Contents: 11 Pieces - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

Those don't appear reversible

 

[WhataTool]

Those don't appear reversible

Ahh, thank you

 

[nicks78camaro]

Ahh, thank you

Could still be made in the same factory just slightly different who knows

 

[nicks78camaro]

I feel they are another weapon in my toolbox to defeat peeps that design vehicles without any thought of the peeps that will work on the vehicle. I think I prefer using them with a locking extension. At certain angles. I pulled a regular extension out of the ratcheting wrench square drive. Could have been user error I think if you work on European vehicles or any vehicle with restrictive space, they would be handy. The main question I have is what can I do with the VIM Noras that I can't do with Astro Nano sockets? So far with the VIM Noras, it's only the ability to change handle lengths with different length extensions. I think I want to see a shorter Nano socket ratcheting wrench say in the 7-8 inch length range. The VIM FRW711 meets that need for the 1/4 drive Nanos but, I would like to see a slightly longer version for 3/8 drive Nanos. Then we would have short, medium, and long nano socket ratcheting wrenches. If you want to grab the VIM Nora sets, shop around as there's a wide range of prices

How's the backdrag on the Noras compared to an Astro nano ratchet or other normal ratcheting wrench?