Very low-profile flex-head ratchet

[The Critic]

Hi folks,

I am looking for a tool that is similar to this one:

http://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-38-in-drive-long-reach-dual-flex-head-ratchet-67994.html

Basically, it is similar to a long ratcheting wrench with flexible heads...but the ends are 3/8" drive and 1/4" drive.

Is anyone aware of another mfg of this tool, besides HF?

Thanks

 

[032484]

Just get that one, I have it and gets the job done.

 

[ex-x-fire]

Yeah, its a good tool to get to hard to reach nuts 'n bolts, I wouldn't use it to break loose tight stuff on a daily basis. I wore out a couple that way.

 

[FigureItOut]

I was looking for the same thing and settled on that one also. It works just fine but I'm very interested to see if this thread comes up with a higher quality alternative in 1/4".

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk

 

[captnstabn]

That ratchet is awesome. I use it often, skipping steps to remove things, because that ratchet fits where nothing else will.

 

[dnschmidt]

That tool is made by KABO in Taiwan. KABO is one of the highest quality tool manufacturers in Taiwan and makes most of NAPA's Carlyle tools. You're not going to find higher quality anywhere. Don't fight it, buy it.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

http://www.ezred.com/product/14-38-stick-combination-dr-no-bit-end/

used it at work many times. They make one as well which is only 1/4 but has both a square drive end as well as a 1/4 hex end for driver bits.

 

[bwringer]

That tool is made by KABO in Taiwan. KABO is one of the highest quality tool manufacturers in Taiwan and makes most of NAPA's Carlyle tools. You're not going to find higher quality anywhere. Don't fight it, buy it.

Yep. It's a pretty high-quality piece, made in Taiwan (not China), and is a very handy tool in certain situations. Just wear a disguise or something and you'll get over the shame.

http://www.ezred.com/product/14-38-stick-combination-dr-no-bit-end/

used it at work many times. They make one as well which is only 1/4 but has both a square drive end as well as a 1/4 hex end for driver bits.

Nice find, but the ends are nowhere near as skinny as the HF version.

 

[Fedwrench]

I haven't found another brand to be thinner than the Harbor Freight version. The ez red 1/4 stick and the similar one from Gearwrench are both much thicker than the Harbor Freight model. the only option you might have would be to check franktools.com to see if a premium (aka expensive) Japanese brand offers something similar. good luck in your quest!!

 

[kala_azar]

I have one from Cornwell I got on eBay, one end is 1/4" hex for driver bits, the other end is 1/4" square for sockets. Very high quality and occasionally indispensable. As far as COO, I'm not sure but I suspect Taiwan given its quality, and the fact that it isn't marked "USA"




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Kala, that looks like the ezred one I spoke of.

 

[CarsonConcepts]

I have the harbor freight one, and it's worked out very well. Don't use it very often, but can be a life saver at times.

I also have these adapters from Gearwrench that I use with my normal ratcheting and flex ratcheting wrenches. They fit into a 10mm (1/4" Dr), 13mm (3/8" Dr) and 19mm (1/2 Dr.) wrench. Also comes in SAE wrench sizes. They work out great when you need a more compact package.

This being GarageJournal, I would say get both, haha.

 

[OSULemon]

I have the harbor freight one, and it's worked out very well. Don't use it very often, but can be a life saver at times.

I also have these adapters from Gearwrench that I use with my normal ratcheting and flex ratcheting wrenches. They fit into a 10mm (1/4" Dr), 13mm (3/8" Dr) and 19mm (1/2 Dr.) wrench. Also comes in SAE wrench sizes. They work out great when you need a more compact package.

This being GarageJournal, I would say get both, haha.

Now those are cool. I love having stuff like that available when nothing else will work.

 

[OSULemon]

Found this, no opinion on whether it's better:

http://www.vimtools.com/Flyers/HBR12 FLYER.pdf

 

[General Geoff]

The HF one is awesome. I've had it for a few years now and it makes quick work of otherwise impossible situations.

 

[gdocktor3]

Kobalt sells pass thru ratchet sets that are super low profile, but instead of using the actual pass thru ratchet, I use my ratchet wrenches. Here's a pic of the pass thru sockets in a ratchet wrench next to the matching standard size ratchet and shallow socket. Use with reversible ratchet wrenches and they're great. Only thing is the sockets don't lock in place like they do with the actual pass thru ratchets. Just an option...

 

[FigureItOut]

Found this, no opinion on whether it's better:

http://www.vimtools.com/Flyers/HBR12 FLYER.pdf

I'm not able to view that, is there another way to link it?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Do a general Google search for vim hbr12

 

[FigureItOut]

Do a general Google search for vim hbr12

Didn't notice the model number in there, thanks, found it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk