Battle of the Bit Ratchets

[CGarage]

I learned on here that Swiss Army Knife manufacturer “Victorinox” has an even smaller bit ratchet than Facom/USAG. So I had to buy one.
I am impressed!

Pics enclosed comparing it to the fixed and flex head Facom / USAG bit ratchet.

The Facom / USAG version has saved me countless times due to its compact size and excellent mechanism.

Looking forward to trying out the Victorinox soon.

Separately, I also bought a Sunex bit ratchet set off of Amazon complete with bits for under $20 and it is very nice for the money. Not as compact, but still useful.


*Not* pictured in this thread: Sunex bit ratchet

Pictured: Left to Right
Facom fixed head bit ratchet
USAG / Facom flex head ratchet
Victorinox bit ratchet (smallest/thinnest)

 

[measuredtwice]

I was the feller that mentioned Victorinox. Glad you are enjoying it. They also have a tiny red plastic carrier that holds the ratchet, extension, and bits.

Victorinox also makes an L-handle that has the same quality of construction. I have that one as well.

Here's a video of both.

I'm not sure who makes the bits that are included with the ratchet set... maybe PB Swiss?? PB Swiss does make the bits that are included with the Victorinox Bike Tool.

 

[CGarage]

Great recommendation!

Yes, I went full on, and bought all of the accessories.
I wish Victorinox had all components together in one kit.
It ended up being 3 line items I had to order.

I also included pics of the Sunex bit ratchet with bits available off Amazon for ~$20. It’s great for the money.


ETA: Victorinox Part Numbers

Model numbers are as follows:

Victorinox
Bit ratchet: 30342
Extension Bar: 30344
Pouch with bits and angle wrench: 33340

 

[anavrinIV]

Good to hear about both the victorinox and the sunex kit, I have had the sunex saved on Amazon for a while now just looking to tack in onto an order at some point. Victorinox makes good equipment in general, I have a few kitchen knives from them that are fantastic for the money

 

[CGarage]

Victorinox is the original Swiss Army Knife maker- of course it’s good!

 

[XJSuperman]

Ive got that Sunex set and love it. It does all the little handy things I need it to when I can't get one of my larger ratchets/bit where I need to. I think it was given to my father from a potential supplier.

 

[CGarage]

Sunex is hard to beat for the money.....and it comes with bits.

That said, I’m glad I have my Facom and Victorinox bit ratchets, also.

 

[lowside67]

Which is the extra small/thin one in your photos? I am looking for one to basically permanently attach a 1/8 bit to as a quick tool for the many 1/8 bolts on my racecar and the lowest profile head would help it be more useful.

-Mark

 

[CGarage]

Victorinox is the smallest and thinnest.

 

[lowside67]

Great, thank you! Since I assume that's a "flip the tool over to reverse" design, is the bit held in through a magnet or something else? I am borrowing a Snap On model right now and my one complaint is the bit sometimes comes out by staying in the fastener.

-Mark

 

[CGarage]

You are correct. Nothing is coming out of this ratchet.
Model numbers are as follows:

Victorinox
Bit ratchet: 30342
Extension Bar: 30344
Pouch with bits and angle wrench: 33340

 

[anavrinIV]

Victorinox is the original Swiss Army Knife maker- of course it’s good!

I was in Switzerland last year and those army knives are sold EVERYWHERE there. All kinds of combinations and colors were sold in every novelty shop we went to, I have no idea how many different ones they offer but it looked to be hundreds. I wanted to buy one but only went with a carry-on so that would have been hard to get home

 

[CGarage]

I was in Switzerland last year and those army knives are sold EVERYWHERE there. All kinds of combinations and colors were sold in every novelty shop we went to, I have no idea how many different ones they offer but it looked to be hundreds. I wanted to buy one but only went with a carry-on so that would have been hard to get home

They are an item of Swiss culture and national pride. Every tourist area has them for sale and they will even engrave it for you.
I got one last year engraved for Interlaken.
You can always ship it home with Swiss Post. It would not have been expensive.
I mail stuff all the time to the U.S.

 

[anavrinIV]

They are an item of Swiss culture and national pride. Every tourist area has them for sale and they will even engrave it for you.
I got one last year engraved for Interlaken.
You can always ship it home with Swiss Post. It would not have been expensive.
I mail stuff all the time to the U.S.

It will give me a reason to go back!

We spent 5 days in Lucerne and Grindelwald, passed through Interlaken on trip between the 2. Most gorgeous place I've ever been

 

[CGarage]

You got that right.
You need to hit Neuchâtel and some of the French cantons next.
My Interlaken engraved Victorinox attached.
And also, a photo I took in Interlaken last summer.

 

[anavrinIV]

This is a panorama I took from our hotel balcony in Grindelwald. I have a shot looking over lake Luzern from the top of Pilatus on an absolutely flawless day as well...I'll have to dig for that one a bit though

 

[CGarage]

Very nice!!! Post it when you can find it!

 

[mn700vforce]

Victorinox Ordered

 

[CGarage]

This website has a habit of doing that.....

Cheers!

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I don’t own a bit ratchet. Is it worth owning for a mechanic like me?


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[CGarage]

Definitely.....especially for interior work and dash work in hard to reach areas.
Start with the Sunex bit ratchet set with bits off Amazon. It’s a great value.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Definitely.....especially for interior work and dash work in hard to reach areas.
Start with the Sunex bit ratchet set with bits off Amazon. It’s a great value.

Ok I will look into them I have always had good luck with Sunex too. I do have some of the bit drivers that look like screwdrivers but it doesn’t do any good if you can’t get it in somewhere. And since we aren’t allowed to use power tools on the interior of cars this might help out some too.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[CGarage]

It’s a very useful item to have.
The ergonomics of the Facom/USAG is the best of the lot, but you pay a lot of money for this and these tools are special order in most cases.
The Victorinox is the smallest, and it’s impressive that someone was able to design a bit ratchet this small- but the Swiss are the world experts at miniaturizing mechanical devices.
The Sunex is readily available off Amazon and includes bits for half the price of the Facom/USAG set. It’s not as small or as slick, but it is useful and a good value.

 

[anavrinIV]

Very nice!!! Post it when you can find it!

Attached. Like I said, we had a flawless day there, not a cloud in the sky and you could see for miles. The pictures just don't capture the scale and beauty of it

 

[CGarage]

Beautiful shot...Switzerland is an amazing place.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

It’s a very useful item to have.
The ergonomics of the Facom/USAG is the best of the lot, but you pay a lot of money for this and these tools are special order in most cases.
The Victorinox is the smallest, and it’s impressive that someone was able to design a bit ratchet this small- but the Swiss are the world experts at miniaturizing mechanical devices.
The Sunex is readily available off Amazon and includes bits for half the price of the Facom/USAG set. It’s not as small or as slick, but it is useful and a good value.

Cool I will definitely look at them it does sound useful.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[will335i]

I am really liking my snap on RAT72A with bit holder. Nice low profile and the magnet holds the bits in tight. Almost too tight.

 

[JBH]

I am really liking my snap on RAT72A with bit holder. Nice low profile and the magnet holds the bits in tight. Almost too tight.

That bit-holder is also usable in the Reverse Gear ratchets for 11mm outer hex sockets (eg Facom HX), if you want to step up to a better ratchet (I own both).

 

[GirchyGirchy]

I like the little Wera ones.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004ISLNRE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Tduby]

I got the gearwrench one on sale at Christmas still haven’t used it but it was $6+ and I can see it being handy.

 

[mazdeuce]

I like the little Wera ones.

That ratchet is even better with the Gedore 673 K short bit holder. It's more compact anyway.

 

[will335i]

That bit-holder is also usable in the Reverse Gear ratchets for 11mm outer hex sockets (eg Facom HX), if you want to step up to a better ratchet (I own both).

Yea I have seen the Facom/USG flex head and though it would be a nice compliment to the snap on sets just haven't pulled the trigger yet.

 

[CGarage]

The Facom is extremely useful. Both fixed and flex head.

 

[winlinmac]

Sears used to sell their rebranded Craftsman (Made in USA) bit ratchets, they were small and able to fit in your hands

 

[f121]

Have you checked out the blueprint 1/4” bit ratchet, makes the ratchets above look positively obese https://shop.snapon.com/product/Gen...Socket/Bit-Ratchet-Set-(Blue-Point)/BLPBTWKIT

This is mine next to a generic 1/4 drive ratchet (top) and a TL72 (iirc, bottom)

 

[CGarage]

That looks like it is the one from VIM tools.

 

[senlow]

That looks like it is the one from VIM tools.

Yup, they are the same - Reverse Gear. It is one of my favorite bit wrenches. My top three are the Reverse Gear, Victorinox, and the Lang bit ratchets like Mac, Matco and Snap-on sell.

 

[CGarage]

I have the VIM also.

 

[f121]

Useful to know, I spent a while looking for the OEM for this before I paid the bluepoint but couldn’t find the equivalent.

I find its very useful for those really tight spaces where you need to get a bit in.

 

[M635_Guy]

I got the Carlyle swivel head a while back when it went on sale. It's been pretty handy a couple of times, though I don't use it often so far.