Harbor Freight bit ratchet, opinions/pics?

[AceofSpad3s]

I have been looking for a bit ratchet and I have tried getting a kobalt one but have had no luck so I am looking for opinions on this harbor freight one. http://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-right-angle-screwdriver-92630.html

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

It's $3, if it ***** you can use it as a paperweight.

Craftsman offers essentially the same thing with a 72t ratchet for $9. Is it worth 3x the price of the Chinese tool? Not if you're WildCowgirl or DnDipshit.
http://m.craftsman.com/search=Craftsman%20pc%20Bit%20Wrench%20Set%20Ratchet%20Screwdriver

 

[panknuckshovel]

It's $2.25 after the coupon, it cost you more in time and effort to start this thread.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

It's $2.25 after the coupon, it cost you more in time and effort to start this thread.

I ain't got nothing but time.

 

[kcaz507]

I have one and its handy, not something you would use everyday. Its worth having around in my opinion.

 

[domain]

I highly recommend gear wrench version

 

[emeraldcoupe]

i have one, used it a few times, works fine. works great on dash screws that are close to the windshield.

 

[jmontoya]

craftsman version sucked, never got around to return the thing.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

The problem with 99% of them is they have too much backdrag to be used as a ratchet once the screw is broken loose.

 

[warweapon762]

I have one, used it quite a bit for taking the distributor cap off my jeep or random engine bay screws hiding under wiring.

I also use it for under the dash related work.

jmontoya is correct in that the cman one is a POS. Broke the first time I used it.

 

[FreeTenthsDiag]

I am going to have to agree, putting this much thought into a 3.00 purchase?

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Considering it is 20 minutes each way to harbor freight, no it is not.

 

[FreeTenthsDiag]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-Piece-Rig...S_Srewdrivers_Nut_Drivers&hash=item3ce563c527

There never leave your house.

 

[jeremy v]

I saw those in store a while ago and the quality control with them is all over the board. I would guess maybe 10-15% of them would turn out to be nice useful tools. Many had ratchet teeth that were ground at a slight angle, ratchet teeth that were rounded off so it wouldn't take much torque for the pawl to slip, etc. If you want one make sure you buy it in store so you can pick the best one, don't order it online and take a chance.

I have the 3pc angled Craftsman versions and they work well, but like the other posters said they don't ratchet well once a screw is loose. Now I use them just to tighten and break loose a screw. To fully remove the screw I switch to a 1/4" nut driver and a small right angle Milwaukee bit adapter instead. I took the large wing handle off of it to keep it more compact.

 

[Kaane]

get the titan one, it's awesome.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TITAN-11205...0743270196&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr

 

[cheechi]

I have one. it works fine but I never use it. Might be perfect for you but I have found something else works better (not always the same thing, only rarely is it another bitrat) nearly every situation.

I have that Titan too. It feels nicer, I guess, but it's so tiny. Personally I'm still looking for the right one for me. I want a longer handle one not for torque just for comfort. Thumbwheel works great for some things, and often better than tiny handle titan.

 

[AA/FC]

My new SO bit ratchet with locking flex handle (middle ratchet in this picture) was only about 40 times the price of the HF bit ratchet. lol. I don't know if I should laugh, or cry.

 

[pi_guy]

What is the part number on that bit ratchet?
They are neat flashlights, I have to keep stealing it back from my son.

 

[stage20]

Its an ok piece. Worth having but not for daily use. The kbalt or gw for heavy use

 

[zkling]

get the titan one, it's awesome.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TITAN-11205...0743270196&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr

Agree, the real ratchet style bit ratchets are so nice. I picked up a nice used MAC MBD_____. So much nicer than the basic open gear units. The kobalt and gearwrench ones are a nice mix, but not quite as nice as the full ratchet style units.

 

[DJAMiller]

I have the sunex one, came with tons of bits including torx, tamper proof torx, hex bits, pozidrive etc all in a nice little case. I'd check into it.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Its an ok piece. Worth having but not for daily use. The kbalt or gw for heavy use

I have tried going to lowes twice for the kobalt one, but nothing was there and I am so fed up with the ******** I got to deal with lowes.

 

[AA/FC]

what is the part number on that bit ratchet?
they are neat flashlights, i have to keep stealing it back from my son.

txm72

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

O.P., your other option is to get a bit adapter for a 1/4" ratchet (assuming you have a 1/4" ratchet). Not as compact as a dedicated bit ratchet, but much lower profile than even a stubby screwdriver.

 

[FreeTenthsDiag]

O.P., your other option is to get a bit adapter for a 1/4" ratchet (assuming you have a 1/4" ratchet). Not as compact as a dedicated bit ratchet, but much lower profile than even a stubby screwdriver.

A bit adapter? You mean 1/4" socket.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

A bit adapter? You mean 1/4" socket.

No, a 1/4" socket is a pain in the **** when used with a bit. It works in a pinch, but something with retention is much nicer.

 

[pi_guy]

A bit adapter? You mean 1/4" socket.

The make a bit adapter with magnetic retainer.

 

[pi_guy]

txm72

When did you get this?
It does not show on SO web site?

 

[AA/FC]

When did you get this?
It does not show on SO web site?

I bought it new off the truck about a month ago.

 

[pi_guy]

I bought it new off the truck about a month ago.

thanks

Did it come with a flashlight combo?

Texted my driver waiting for response.

 

[shadow745]

I know you're asking about the HF set, but I have this GearWrench set http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0062FSAVI/?tag=atomicindus08-20 AND this Kobalt set http://www.ebay.com/itm/KOBALT-24pc...12205414?pt=US_Hand_Tools&hash=item19e4c39566.

I find both sets to be extremely useful for many tasks.

 

[Tronyadorable]

I highly recommend gear wrench version

I highly recommend the Weeeehah !
HOWEVER. The dude asked about the Hairbanging Fright versions.
http://www.kctoolco.com/wiha-microbit-ratchet-set-65-piece-p/75965.htm

 

[geojag]

I picked up a General branded bit ratchet from Home Depot. Stripped out in no time.
Picked up a Kobalt from Lowes and it is awesome. One end is 1/4 and the other end is 5/16. Had a bunch of security torx and Mtorx with it, they had a set with regular bits but I already had those. It was on sale for 9.99, about half price, 2 weeks ago when I was doing Christmas shopping.
I found it very useful assembling a crib the other day. I hate it when furniture manufacturers send a crappy L Allen wrench for bolts in impossibly tight areas.

 

[SweetD]

I have this set, love it. Super-useful. Significantly more money than the HF one the OP asked about, but...:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WFMC-WF-4-5...36266951?pt=US_Hand_Tools&hash=item3394972ac7

Got it as a gift last Christmas. Use it often.

Dave

 

[Tripp2012]

Lowes has their version of the gearwrench on sale right now for $9 bucks and change.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I picked up a General branded bit ratchet from Home Depot. Stripped out in no time.

If it's this one you are talking about, it's got more backdrag than my 1/2" ratchets.

 

[AA/FC]

thanks

Did it come with a flashlight combo?

Texted my driver waiting for response.

No. The 3/8 and 1/2 ratchets that I bought that day came with the flashlights.

However, if you PM me your address, I will send you a flashlight that you can give to your son for Christmas.

 

[T45]

This is a tools that needs to be executed well in order to worth it, even the space in your box. The VIM is a good one. Definitely worth the extra couple of bucks.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002Y05COI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The Titan one also looks like another nice choice.

 

[zkling]

Lowes has their version of the gearwrench on sale right now for $9 bucks and change.

Have a link by chance? Shows $19.99 for me?

 

[cheechi]

A bit adapter? You mean 1/4" socket.

IF you were going to do this, why not do it with a 1/4" gearwrench?