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Great deal Vim 1/4" sockets and ratchet

zack20cb

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Jun 1, 2021
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122
Mine are expected tomorrow. The XL ratcheting box end wrenches are also en route. They appear to be drop-shipping from somewhere else, with an ETA early next week.
 
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wkndwarrior29

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Jan 19, 2015
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NorthEast
I bought metric/SAE sets a couple of weeks ago for the $49.99 price and they came in two days, In hindsight I am regretful that I did not post here and jealous that others figured out how to get them cheaper! I gifted the extra ratchet and flex sockets so it was an even better deal!

Has anyone identified an alternative to the RW1113? I also have some bahco sockets that are held by a similar style 14mm wrench and have been looking for a nice locking flex head for them. If would be nice to find a set of wrenches with the retaining rings built in. Or even just 13 and 14mm.
 

zack20cb

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Jun 1, 2021
Messages
122
I bought metric/SAE sets a couple of weeks ago for the $49.99 price and they came in two days, In hindsight I am regretful that I did not post here and jealous that others figured out how to get them cheaper! I gifted the extra ratchet and flex sockets so it was an even better deal!

Has anyone identified an alternative to the RW1113? I also have some bahco sockets that are held by a similar style 14mm wrench and have been looking for a nice locking flex head for them. If would be nice to find a set of wrenches with the retaining rings built in. Or even just 13 and 14mm.

Eh, any old wrench should be fine. You can get reasonable retention just by layering some tape on the external hex drive faces.

If you really want a well-sorted solution, the RW1113 is only $26 on Amazon. Sure, it’s a lot for one small wrench, but if the electrical tape solution isn’t good enough, you’re probably using it enough to justify the price.
 

Tools4Me

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Joined
Jun 22, 2021
Messages
546
Eh, any old wrench should be fine. You can get reasonable retention just by layering some tape on the external hex drive faces.

If you really want a well-sorted solution, the RW1113 is only $26 on Amazon. Sure, it’s a lot for one small wrench, but if the electrical tape solution isn’t good enough, you’re probably using it enough to justify the price.

Make a simple custom tool like the one I made in the following link post and you can use the VIM Duo Drive sockets, or the Sunex/Astro Pneumatic low profile nano style sockets with any wrench you want and the sockets will never fall off. Make one simple adapter for each drive size you need.

 

zack20cb

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Jun 1, 2021
Messages
122
Make a simple custom tool like the one I made in the following link post and you can use the VIM Duo Drive sockets, or the Sunex/Astro Pneumatic low profile nano style sockets with any wrench you want and the sockets will never fall off. Make one simple adapter for each drive size you need.

That’s great!

also, good news! The site is back up, and the metric version is still available at $49, if anybody missed it before. The SAE version seems to be sold out.
 

BroncoAZ

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Jun 23, 2018
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MA
My order arrived today, I like these a lot. The Vim magnetic rails are especially cool.
 
Last edited:

pbon

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May 14, 2017
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3,498
Impressive little set — very complete and looks like great quality. Mine came today.
 

tmshort

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Dec 10, 2012
Messages
396
Location
Central IN
Got mine as well, agree about the rails - very nice. Seems like a good set.

Is the piece on the end with a ring just intended as a handle, or is there some other purpose? It is handy for removing the rail from the tool chest, as it sticks to the metal drawers with the magnet.
 

PiperCub49

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May 8, 2018
Messages
177
Location
Norfolk, VA
Got mine as well, agree about the rails - very nice. Seems like a good set.

Is the piece on the end with a ring just intended as a handle, or is there some other purpose? It is handy for removing the rail from the tool chest, as it sticks to the metal drawers with the magnet.
It's just there to pull the rail from the box because the magnets are so strong.
 

wkndwarrior29

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Jan 19, 2015
Messages
719
Location
NorthEast
Eh, any old wrench should be fine. You can get reasonable retention just by layering some tape on the external hex drive faces.

If you really want a well-sorted solution, the RW1113 is only $26 on Amazon. Sure, it’s a lot for one small wrench, but if the electrical tape solution isn’t good enough, you’re probably using it enough to justify the price.

Make a simple custom tool like the one I made in the following link post and you can use the VIM Duo Drive sockets, or the Sunex/Astro Pneumatic low profile nano style sockets with any wrench you want and the sockets will never fall off. Make one simple adapter for each drive size you need.


I understand that there are other solutions, I'm really looking for something nice to use. I was looking for a smaller size/ more compact version of what came with the Bahco set that would also work for these. I did see an ezarc flex head that might work but it doesn't appear to be available currently.

 

nickadolph

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Joined
Aug 29, 2011
Messages
29
Just bought 4 of the HBR5 mini bit ratchets. The price is unbelievable. I have the gearwrench version right now and use it all the time, hopefully I’ll be set for life regardless of whether the company is around if I need warranty work in the future.
 

xOccupantx

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Joined
Dec 25, 2019
Messages
83
Location
Ohio
Just bought 4 of the HBR5 mini bit ratchets. The price is unbelievable. I have the gearwrench version right now and use it all the time, hopefully I’ll be set for life regardless of whether the company is around if I need warranty work in the future.

VIM is a very well respected company and does a lot of oem for the tools trucks.

They are expanding their warehouse and hq so I wouldn’t worry much about them going out of business anytime soon.

I have their hex sockets made from s3 tool steel and they are fantastic.
 

macgee

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Jan 11, 2014
Messages
2,834
Location
Sepulveda Pass, CA
Just bought 4 of the HBR5 mini bit ratchets. The price is unbelievable. I have the gearwrench version right now and use it all the time, hopefully I’ll be set for life regardless of whether the company is around if I need warranty work in the future.
+1


I have two of these HBR5's that I use regularly; One of my favorite tools.
While there are larger, more robust equivalents; mine have yet to fail or let me down, the small foot print and good ergonomics makes me reach for them first even when I should reach for something bigger. Both the hex bit ratchet and 1/4" ratchet both work really well for the size. If I ask too much from them and fails, no problem I'll just get another one as the price is really good that doesn't hurt the wallet but haven't yet needed to.
 

nickadolph

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Joined
Aug 29, 2011
Messages
29
I’m not really concerned with them going out of business. Probably more so getting burned too many times by products I love, being discontinued should I ever need to get a replacement. One of the key reasons I try to stick with the old as dirt legacy name brands when it comes to anything I buy that’s worth keeping.

See it happen every year when the safety shoe truck comes to work, half the people asking for the same thing they got last year, and being told they don’t make ‘em anymore.
 

nickadolph

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Aug 29, 2011
Messages
29
That site is crazy, I bought the HBR5 ratchets for $6.80 and told a friend of mine he should pick one up, he texted back he couldn’t understand what I was talking about. Turns out the price jumped up to regular msrp.
 

BroncoAZ

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Jun 23, 2018
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MA
That site is crazy, I bought the HBR5 ratchets for $6.80 and told a friend of mine he should pick one up, he texted back he couldn’t understand what I was talking about. Turns out the price jumped up to regular msrp.
I was able to buy one for $6.80 just now, free shipping too. We’ll see if they ship it.
 
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pbon

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May 14, 2017
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I bought at $13.99. I know others bought at $6 but I doubt you will see that again.
 

zack20cb

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Joined
Jun 1, 2021
Messages
122
My Gearwrench XL double box end wrenches just arrived. The VIM 1/4" socket sets arrived on Saturday ($76.50). Good packing and quick shipping on both orders. Credit card statements show the correct amounts. I'm a happy customer.

Incidentally, the $203.18 price for the Gearwrench XL BOGO set is back.
 

tmshort

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Joined
Dec 10, 2012
Messages
396
Location
Central IN
I ordered 2@6$ on Sunday along with a set of wrenches that seemed way to cheap, they emailed me within an hour that they were cancelling the order "web site is having pricing issues".
 

bubinga

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Joined
Jul 26, 2014
Messages
12,744
Location
Bridgeport Ohio. (Across River From Wheeling WV)
HBR5 back up to $16,93

I pulled the trigger on the SAE set on ebay for $59.99, not as good as some got but still pretty good and I need 1/4 stuff right now.
I think I paid like $75 with tax on eBay but it has the metric and the standard and the quarter inch ratchet and the swivels on the racks, on the magnetic racks.
To be honest I didn't even open it yet it's downstairs and I was bringing groceries in.
 

Cc_windsurfer

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Joined
May 1, 2015
Messages
260
Location
SB, ca
The vim metric kit is nice and the ratchet much better than I expected.

Some of their prices bounce around a lot. Got shipping notice ona set of the Astro pneumatic hose clamp pliers for the great price of $18.**, but now they are showing up at $39.99
 

BroncoAZ

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Jun 23, 2018
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Location
MA
I found a few very well priced items and placed another order. I got a cancellation email a couple hours later. I can’t blame the guy.
 

nickadolph

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Joined
Aug 29, 2011
Messages
29
Recieved my $6 HBR5 ratchets today. Couldn’t be happier. Looking forward to less headaches with PITA fasteners for years to come.
 

zack20cb

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Joined
Jun 1, 2021
Messages
122
The 21-piece metric and SAE Gearwrench XL ratcheting DBE set is still showing $229, but this odd little 15-piece metic set seems like a good deal at $190.


It goes up to 24mm. Same sizes as the more common 17-piece metric set, 85989, but omitting the 25mm, the 20mm and the blow molded tray. The 17-piece set is usually $300 so this seems like a great price.
 

BroncoAZ

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Joined
Jun 23, 2018
Messages
2,678
Location
MA
The 21-piece metric and SAE Gearwrench XL ratcheting DBE set is still showing $229, but this odd little 15-piece metic set seems like a good deal at $190.


It goes up to 24mm. Same sizes as the more common 17-piece metric set, 85989, but omitting the 25mm, the 20mm and the blow molded tray. The 17-piece set is usually $300 so this seems like a great price.
I really didn’t end up using those wrenches when I had them. I much prefer my Carlyle sets like the Mountain sets on Amazon.

 
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