Battle of the Bit Ratchets

[Dave455]

Is it a Wadsworth???

Didn’t know anything about this company, but the tools look to be very high quality.

Had a look and found an online shop - https://wfmc.shop Ratchets are $40 or $45 depending on length.

Sets are sold out.

If I’ve been a tool buyer for several decades, like the product, but haven’t heard of the company, and they haven’t got stock when I do… It doesn’t bode well!

 

[CGarage]

Didn’t know anything about this company, but the tools look to be very high quality.

Had a look and found an online shop - https://wfmc.shop Ratchets are $40 or $45 depending on length.

Sets are sold out.

If I’ve been a tool buyer for several decades, like the product, but haven’t heard of the company, and they haven’t got stock when I do… It doesn’t bode well!

Do not forget Chapman! They are the other competitor to Wadsworth!

 

[Dave455]

Do not forget Chapman! They are the other competitor to Wadsworth!

I think Chapman are the better known company, but I do like that Wadsworth set, even if it is expensive!

 

[Renegade1LI]

Is it a Wadsworth???

Yes it is, not cheap, i hope i didn’t pay that much,lol

 

[Renegade1LI]

I see them in use in large industrial plants, some millwrights had them that’s what got my interest, they are crisp and precise, not to mention strong.

 

[senlow]

I think Chapman are the better known company, but I do like that Wadsworth set, even if it is expensive!

Chapman may be better known, but their bit ratchet doesn't impress me. It may be small, but the action is rough.

 

[Dave455]

Chapman may be better known, but their bit ratchet doesn't impress me. It may be small, but the action is rough.

Yes, I think the bit’s are decent quality, but the ratchet never looked great to me.

I see them from time to time in gunsmithing circles, but think of them as basically an interchangeable bit screwdriver, and the “bit ratchet” being a bit of a “filler”.

 

[CGarage]

The Chapman bits are parallel ground for the flats.....

 

[isb cornbinder]

I have two pair of these Petersen Vise-Grip pliers. Each came with a few handy tools built into the handle. This includes two screwdriver bits and two knives. One of the knife blades has a notch for stripping wire insulation. Other screw bits can be fitted.
This may have little to do with a bit ratchet, but it does have an exchangeable bit driver option..

 

[CGarage]

I have two pair of these Petersen Vise-Grip pliers. Each came with a few handy tools built into the handle. This includes two screwdriver bits and two knives. One of the knife blades has a notch for stripping wire insulation. Other screw bits can be fitted.

Cool tool, but what does this have to do with bit ratchets?


I am totally confused as I see no ratchet mechanism. What am I missing?

 

[Fatboy148]

That wurth looks like a vim, facom, prestacycle, topeak, etc. Curiously the ring doesn't have reverse gear stamped on it. It may be made by Hi-five/newtools http://www.newtools.com/

Did anyone else look at the map at the bottom of the page and find it somewhat ironic that there is a "Chinese restaurant" marked on a map of Taichung City, Tawain"? They have a couple 7-11's marked as well!

 

[CGarage]

Did anyone else look at the map at the bottom of the page and find it somewhat ironic that there is a "Chinese restaurant" marked on a map of Taichung City, Tawain"? They have a couple 7-11's marked as well!

There is a Chinese Restaurant in N’Djamena, Chad. In remote Africa. They are everywhere.

 

[Odd-job]

Maybe that’s where all the Taiwanese get their fake Chinese food fix?!? Although they should have clearly identified it with Panda Express

got this from the Yard store for $13 after another fellow member mentioned it was a great place to buy those sheet metal pry bars.



definitely seems related to my VIM HBR4 and might be a short version of the HBR8. Also am realizing the 5/16 head might be useless to me. Have only a few 5/16 bits.

Also curious if anyone makes their own half cut bits. Have been eyeing that VIM set for a while someone linked above, but realize that I would only use 5-10% of the bits on rare occasions. Probably should stop collecting socket sets while I am at it with this thought process, but I digress. Figure I can make my own custom set with bits from McMaster. Vise + grinding wheel or belt sander?

 

[mv213]

I love my Tone as well

Darn you guys! I was just about set to order the non-flex Presta Cycle bit ratchet when I saw your posts on the Tone. Looks so nice…so I ordered it! I think the flex-head Facom looks amazing too.

The Presta Cycle is here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F42ZF9B/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Or here: https://www.prestacycle.com/product...t-wallet-3-way-ratchet-and-t-handle-tool-kit/

 

[LHSA]

Darn you guys! I was just about set to order the non-flex Presta Cycle bit ratchet when I saw your posts on the Tone. Looks so nice…so I ordered it! I think the flex-head Facom looks amazing too.

The Presta Cycle is here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F42ZF9B/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Or here: https://www.prestacycle.com/product...t-wallet-3-way-ratchet-and-t-handle-tool-kit/

If you don't need the flex version, the Presta Cycle looks to be a great choice.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I forgot about the little Husky

 

[CGarage]

Darn you guys! I was just about set to order the non-flex Presta Cycle bit ratchet when I saw your posts on the Tone. Looks so nice…so I ordered it! I think the flex-head Facom looks amazing too.

The Presta Cycle is here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F42ZF9B/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Or here: https://www.prestacycle.com/product...t-wallet-3-way-ratchet-and-t-handle-tool-kit/

You will LOVE the Tone!!! It’s awesome!!!!

 

[mv213]

You will LOVE the Tone!!! It’s awesome!!!!

Look forward to getting it! The flexhead Facom looks awesome too. I’ll have to post a pic of all my bit ratchets after the Tone arrives.

 

[CGarage]

Look forward to getting it! The flexhead Facom looks awesome too. I’ll have to post a pic of all my bit ratchets after the Tone arrives.

The Flex Head Facom bit ratchet is like the shorter, little brother to the Tone. I like the extra torque I get out of the Tone. But I like having both.

 

[Grokew]

Maybe that’s where all the Taiwanese get their fake Chinese food fix?!? Although they should have clearly identified it with Panda Express

got this from the Yard store for $13 after another fellow member mentioned it was a great place to buy those sheet metal pry bars.



definitely seems related to my VIM HBR4 and might be a short version of the HBR8. Also am realizing the 5/16 head might be useless to me. Have only a few 5/16 bits.

Also curious if anyone makes their own half cut bits. Have been eyeing that VIM set for a while someone linked above, but realize that I would only use 5-10% of the bits on rare occasions. Probably should stop collecting socket sets while I am at it with this thought process, but I digress. Figure I can make my own custom set with bits from McMaster. Vise + grinding wheel or belt sander?

Check the HBR-5.

If I had a grinder, and a small vise, I would cut the bits right at the retention grooves.

 

[Fedwrench]

Here's a few more. Top is the two piece MAC set. I find them to be on the heavy side since there's no provision for the handle to hold a bit. In the middle is Vim's recent offering, the RFB400K. I like the new VIM because at 5 5/8 inches long, it gives a little extra length. At the bottom is a USAG clone of the Facom version.

VIM is also releasing a new 89 piece bit set with the RFB400K ratchet in it. I want to know if this new kit has normal size bits in it or if they are shorter. I'm hoping for shorter but, I can't find much about the set.

FRBS89 - VIM Tools

89 piece bit set with 1/4" flex ratchet

vimtools.com

 

[KnurledNut]

 

[CGarage]

Can we please have some details and not just a photo? Who made it, what is the part number, etc , etc ?????

 

[Fedwrench]

Can we please have some details and not just a photo? Who made it, what is the part number, etc , etc ?????

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/power-torque-tools/power-torque-9-piece-1-4-inch-drive-two-way-key-bit-keychain-set/ptt0/gm4315?q=powertorque+bit+ratchet+set&pos=0

 

[KnurledNut]

Can we please have some details and not just a photo? Who made it, what is the part number, etc , etc ?????

Reverse Gear TW made and re-branded PowerTorque for O'Reillys.
Like others, the end of the ratchet handle has a magnetic bit holder.
GM3828 is laser etched on the ratchet. Kit #GM4315.
The small size really makes for a compact bit of kit. The case flips open similar to the Wera Bit Check.

 

[Odd-job]

Check the HBR-5.

If I had a grinder, and a small vise, I would cut the bits right at the retention grooves.

Thanks. Looks like there is a lot of brands this bit ratchet is under. Including the Husky above. Am going to take a crack at making some half cut bits.

 

[mv213]

Thanks. Looks like there is a lot of brands this bit ratchet is under. Including the Husky above. Am going to take a crack at making some half cut bits.

Dremel has some really thin cutoff wheels that might be just the ticket if you have a Dremel tool.

 

[Odd-job]

Dremel has some really thin cutoff wheels that might be just the ticket if you have a Dremel tool.

Thanks am going to experiment a little here on some bits that need to be retired. I always manage to break those fragile dremel cutoff discs as I am not the most careful type.

Will report back in a separate thread so I don't hijack this thread anymore than I have (sorry OP!). Planning to use a combination of dremel, bandsaw, angle grinder with flap disk, angle grinder with grinding disc, stationary belt sander, air belt sander, files to figure out how to get a satisfactory result. Probably am overthinking it.

 

[Snapped-off]

Finally came in. TF72

 

[CGarage]

That vim set looks really nice.

I've got a combination of drivers that I find I use more often than I'd think.

I have these Langs in the Blue Point flavor. First bit ratchets I bought.


This locking flex EZ Red is nice for tight-access areas.


Chapman makes a good quality set. Discovered mine at a pawn shop.


Most recently, i just ordered a TF72 and the bit adapter to convert this ratchet for bits. They've got one in the standard 1/4" handle, but not the flex head.

I ordered the Lang set.


They ****.

The mechanism is as though the tool came out of the 1970s.

The only saving grace may be the angle of the heads and the soft handles that are easy to clean (perhaps needed if you are a mechanic).

 

[JradM]

Just FYI, Titan released a version of their swivel-head bit driver in titanium:

 

[Dave455]

Just FYI, Titan released a version of their swivel-head bit driver in titanium:

Wow!

I suppose that if you own this pocket knife…

And this flashlight…

… you need to go out and buy that bit ratchet!

 

[tez929rr]

Just FYI, Titan released a version of their swivel-head bit driver in titanium:

Based on the “favorite 1/4 drive ratchet” thread I ended up with three of these (non-titanium version).

 

[Snapped-off]

I ordered the Lang set.


They ****.

The mechanism is as though the tool came out of the 1970s.

The only saving grace may be the angle of the heads and the soft handles that are easy to clean (perhaps needed if you are a mechanic).

I found the most use from the two angled drivers. Bought them for a speaker cover on a dashboard and used them plenty over the years.

I think there were less options when I bought them than we currently have. There's a lot of nice bit drivers to choose from now.

 

[CGarage]

Well said. There are much better choices on the market these days compared to the Lang set.

 

[four.cycle]

@Dave455 -
RE: Wadsworth (post #78)
Wadsworth / Wadsworth Falls, 72 Main St., Rockfall, CT 06481 / (established 1978) /
I'm not sure this company is still in business. Product quality on the "ratchet" is top shelf. One-piece design - no moving parts.
I see full kits sell on ebay for north of $80 (USD).

I just ordered the tiny "Titan" swivel-head driver that Fedwrench mentioned on the previous page. I think the pivoting head might address some issues we're having here.

I'm surprised that this EZRED 8-inch S-shaped "Quarter Stick" hasn't been mentioned in this thread. I had one of these drop-shipped to my buddy last week, but I haven't gotten any feedback from him on it other than his mentioning something to the effect of "The person who designed it did their homework." (He's not easily impressed, and not at all impressed with "gimmick" stuff.)

I'll pick up the Titan unit tomorrow. Still awaiting the full report on the "EZRED" unit. I suppose we'll know more when he gets inside that door on that F150.

And as long as I'm here, Bowers Tool just put the "Vessel" line in - they make "bits" and "bit kits" - and he's put up a "Deal of the Month" for GJ members.

(edit: FWIW: I think it's pretty clear that neither the LANG or the Chapman units provide solutions to current-day problems.)

 

[four.cycle]

I drove up and picked up the Titan 11318 1/4" drive Swivel Head Micro Bit Driver from O'Reilly's. $18 and change out the door with sales tax.

Titan 11318 1/4" drive Swivel head Micro Bit Driver

Comes with tiny #1 and #2 phillips bits.
I didn't quite catch it in the photos, but the head pivots on the yoke on two hex-head screws, presumably allowing the user to snug it up at some point. Out of the box, it is stiff in all directions, which I see as a good thing, as it will no doubt loosen up in short order in use.
The 90-tooth innards are ridiculously crisp. Reverse lever is easy peasy even with my monster paws.

Nice little widget. This may well be what we've been looking for.

I called O'Reilly's and had them order me another one. I'll give this one to my buddy and get one for myself.

 

[gjusername]

These are all of my bit ratchet and drivers. I just got the koken. All are pictured with a 1" Phillips #2 bit, except the milwaukee which has a ph1 because I ran out of ph2's

 

[Pexto]

I'd love to hear your review of the Koken; been thinking about getting one. I've got the same Carlyle, Titan, and Felo and would be interested to know how the Koken compares.

 

[catalytic]

I use a 1/4" Armstrong ratcheting combination wrench. I think it is probably significantly more compact and lighter than any of the ones posted, and I'm usually carrying a set of those wrenches anyways. Bit can go all the way through the ratcheting end, obviously, but it's not a problem if you're careful (or you can put a finger over the back of it).

I actually use that trick a lot.