1/4” Bit Ratchet

[lardy1]

Thanks. Glad it wasn't my last seven dollars.

 

[bpwoodworking]

I bought the flex head KoKen, seems really nice but one comment being that the inner ring requires the use of C6 style Bits with the full height hex.

The necked down style bits known as short E6 will get stuck in the ratchet. I ended up replacing my Wera bits with PB Swiss which are the more standard style.

I never really investigated this seemingly minor distinction otherwise since every other bit adapter I own seems fine with either style bit.

If it saves me in a tight spot on an installation it will have instantly paid for all the aggravation in discovering this.

 

[MarcSeattle]

Is there an extension for these ratchets that one can get separately?

Maybe I'm being slow here, but if there's room for an extension wouldn't you just use a regular ratchet? I think of bit ratchets sole use as a solution for low-clearance fasteners. Or maybe for a lightweight kit for a motorcycle.

 

[Fedwrench]

Maybe I'm being slow here, but if there's room for an extension wouldn't you just use a regular ratchet? I think of bit ratchets sole use as a solution for low-clearance fasteners. Or maybe for a lightweight kit for a motorcycle.

Perhaps but, sometimes a little distance can improve access.
The Icon/Vim/Prestacycle/USAG/Facom, and probably others, come with an indexable extension. Line the red/white dot on the bit ratchet with the rounded edge of the hex extension and it will slide through the bit ratchet head making a nice tee handled bit driver.

 

[yhprum]

I like this one from Mac

1/4" Hex Flex-Head Bit Driver

1/4" Hex Flex-Head Bit Driver

www.mactools.com

 

[Rickkyyr8]

I like this one from Mac

1/4" Hex Flex-Head Bit Driver

1/4" Hex Flex-Head Bit Driver

www.mactools.com

I have this one as well. Has saved my a** a few times. The double flex is a bless and a curse

 

[TdK71]

2 pages and no mention of this:
Wera Tool Check Plus (Metric)
My Daughter got me one for Father's Day and I love it.

 

[Zeus36]

Just saw this and added it to my cart:




Low Profile bit ratchet

 

[boom_bap]

I was looking for a thread about quality 1/4 hex bits and stumbled across this thread.

I just picked up a VIM hbr5 after returning a hbr3 (I felt it was too short and not comfortable to use). It is a really nice unit with 1/4 and 5/16 on either end. Really handle for those hvac 1/4 and 5/16 zip screws and it has thumbwheels on either end and a 5/16s to 1/4 drive bit for sockets. Very happy with it.

When I only worked on cars I always though that the multi screwdrivers and bits were gimmicky, but now that I work on my houses it all makes sense. Everything is SAE so all those sockets and SAE wrenches are getting used, Klein stuff is filling my toolbag, handy bit ratchets are being purchased.. Never would I have thought..

 

[Ratchet.]

I have a three piece US made set, straight, and two angled ones which i got off the matco van, interestingly both snap on and mac tools sell the exact same set with different handle colours. as its actually a Lang product, has come in super handy on the occasions i have needed it.

i also have the Facom R1 pico set, which has the R180 bit ratchet, which is a beutiful piece of kit, really nicely made, and its strong enough to use as a 1/4 ratchet with the adaptor it comes with.

those little sets are worth their weight in gold, keep it in my motorcycle and has come in handy numerous times, not cheap mind, though you do find them on offer on occasion (i think i paid £60 for mine off a mac tools van, which was a steal as the ratchet alone is more than that)

 

[garfunkle24]

I bought this Gearwrench set a couple of months ago and i've been really happy with it.

 

[ching0n]

I have had a fair bit of bit-ratchet stuff, but never been super-happy with it. I loved my Icon 1/4" roto-head ratchet, and thought roto might be a plus in this application, so I got a Carlyle roto bit ratchet and it's... OK.

Saw the hype on Reddit about the Icon bit ratchet kit, and had just done a couple things where it would have come in handy, so I got one.

It has been awesome. The combination of a flex head and the pass-through extension has made this thing absolutely invaluable. I've used it far more than I expected.

For example: I was struggling to get to the back torx bolts on the PCV of the family Volvo. (the big plastic thing that says "febi" - this is actually the replacement part)


The roto was too bulky and fouled on the top of the engine bay (which also prevented the use of my straight bit-driver) or in one spot a fastener coming off the firewall.

Then I remembered I had the Icon kit. The slim head made getting under the top of the engine bay no issue. The pass-through let me avoid the fastener on the firewall and 'get down' a bit on a couple of the more-stubborn bolts. As soon as I broke it out, a PITA job became an easy job.

Very happy now with my setup:



I didn't think to take a pic of the roto there, but the head was too tall and too wide to be much help, plus the pass-through was a big help.

The T-handle also comes in extremely handy.

I got a set of very-shallow 1/4" sockets from O'Reilley's to go with the kit: (shown here lined up roughly at the same 8mm-14mm of my Tekton set - my Icon and SK sets are roughly as tall):


So with this as my current kit, I'm feeling pretty good...

Thanks for posting. I was struggling to find a use case for these. Is it just a bunch of screwdrivers in one? How is this different than just a multi-bit 1/4 screw driver or stubby? I kept asking myself.

edit:
Just realized I have something that could work in a bind. the pass thru set from HF has this 1/4 drive socket; .hex on the non visible end. these work w/19mm wrenches too in case I need something shorter or flex.

 

[fletcher94]

I prefer my Mac flex head. Also have an icon and blue point that work good. The longer handled gearwrench ide like to try.

 

[four.cycle]

This is a recurrent subject, in yet another thread.
This one hasn't yet been mentioned:
EZ-Red "Z-stick"
I had one of these drop-shipped to a buddy of mine who does all the work on my vehicles.
He called me and asked "What the hell am I supposed to do with this thing?"
I just laughed.
About a week later he called and said "Hey man! How did you know I was going to need that thing?"
Apparently he was trying to remove some widget from underneath some other widget on some sort of diesel-powered truck and that "Z-stick" gizmo allowed him to get into and underneath whatever it was so he could complete the job.

Then later after watching him fumble around with three different 1/4" drive sets - one of which was Snap-on, I gave him one of those big full-blown "Tekton" 1/4" drive socket sets and tossed in a nice little "Tekton" SRH11003 1/4" square drive 90-tooth stubby ratchet and a "Tekton" SRH11006 1/4" square drive 90-tooth ratchet and a "Titan" 1/4" HEX "micro" swivel-head BIT ratchet.

Then he asked me if I could get him - of all things - "one of those little Indestro fine tooth ratchets" - so I gave him a 2875A Indestro (60-tooth RHFT) and he tossed that into the Tekton set with the aforementioned three add-ons.

And then he pretty much parked the Snap-on set.

He was here last night under the hood of the Ranger for several hours before he pulled the distributor and found the missing teeth on the drive gear was the reason the truck wouldn't start.

The only part of this that still puzzles me is that he likes that Indesto unit so much - personally I find the handle on it too skinny for my liking.

You new guys reading this: go back up and re-read FedWrench's posts - he knows what he's talking about and generally doesn't play favorites in respect to "brand".

The Japanese and the Taiwanese are light years ahead of us on these "bit" gizmos, and they're competing with each other for our dollars, so new models are popping up like mushrooms after a fall rain. Ergo: don't spend big money on "bit sets" - there's no reason to.

* the 30936 Titan (O'Reilly's Auto Parts) is $20 bucks you will be glad you spent. *

YMMV

 

[four.cycle]

^ this is what he was working out of earlier this evening... apparently the Titan 30936 adapters (see above post) were what allowed him to get down in behind the fan to turn the crankshaft to TDC.

 

[tez929rr]

2 pages and no mention of this:
Wera Tool Check Plus (Metric)
My Daughter got me one for Father's Day and I love it.

I carry one on the motorcycle and on a long trip it was the only tool we had that could get some of the bodywork off of my friend’s GS. I recently in a moment of weakness purchased this set that I totally don’t need.

 

[Stubby1743]

If you need a very compact bit driver, in my opinion, you can't beat the Wera Zyklop Mini. Just 4" long with a 60T ratchet and thumbwheel.

When fitted with a 1/4 hex to 1/4 adaptor it makes a very handy 1/4" drive ratchet for tight spaces and electronics.

Pictured below with a 10mm KoKen Zeal socket. The adaptor is a Wera one but shorter (more compact) ones are available.

 

[M635_Guy]

That long handled bit ratchet will pay dividends when it's time for the water pump on that engine.

-Ryan

(I missed this when you posted it - sorry for the typically over-long windup to a question) It's funny - I bought this car (2010 Volvo V70) from a friend for one of my spawn. It was originally purchased by her mom, then she bought it from her mom and sold it about this time last year to me with 194K miles on it. I have all the records, and with that mileage I went looking for a water pump. Nothing. That alarmed me. I love this girl like a sister, but she and her very-awesome husband know less-than-**** about cars. It had always been serviced by Volvo or a specialty Swedish indy, so I wondered if I just didn't have complete records. The car had a split CV boot, and I didn't want to deal with the BS and mess of replacing it and swapping in a new axle was more expensive than having the Swedish shop replace the boot, so I had them do it. When I picked up the car, I mentioned the mileage and when a water pump was due. He said something like "we almost never have to do the water pump on these" and mentioned a coupler that separates the water pump from the direct stress of the belts, start-up, etc that has a replacement interval of 150K (). He looked at the record and said "We did it on this car at 155K, so you're good until 300K." Coming from BMW's and Hondas, a water pump lasting that long, much less a service interval of 150K miles, boggled my mind.

So (finally) my questions: Were you referring to the coupler? Thoughts on what he said?

Thanks for posting. I was struggling to find a use case for these. Is it just a bunch of screwdrivers in one? How is this different than just a multi-bit 1/4 screw driver or stubby? I kept asking myself.

The combination of the extension with pass-thru, the flex-head and t-handle is what separates it (and the same thing from the same factory from VIM, Facom, etc) from 'regular' bit ratchets which I'd never found much use for.

I'd say I've used it as much for a skinny/shallow ratchet with my low-profile sockets as I have the other bits/capabilities. Torx bits in annoyingly-hard spots are the other biggie (as pictured in my other post).

 

[M6erfan]

I have had a fair bit of bit-ratchet stuff, but never been super-happy with it. I loved my Icon 1/4" roto-head ratchet, and thought roto might be a plus in this application, so I got a Carlyle roto bit ratchet and it's... OK.

Saw the hype on Reddit about the Icon bit ratchet kit, and had just done a couple things where it would have come in handy, so I got one.

It has been awesome. The combination of a flex head and the pass-through extension has made this thing absolutely invaluable. I've used it far more than I expected.

For example: I was struggling to get to the back torx bolts on the PCV of the family Volvo. (the big plastic thing that says "febi" - this is actually the replacement part)


The roto was too bulky and fouled on the top of the engine bay (which also prevented the use of my straight bit-driver) or in one spot a fastener coming off the firewall.

Then I remembered I had the Icon kit. The slim head made getting under the top of the engine bay no issue. The pass-through let me avoid the fastener on the firewall and 'get down' a bit on a couple of the more-stubborn bolts. As soon as I broke it out, a PITA job became an easy job.

Very happy now with my setup:



I didn't think to take a pic of the roto there, but the head was too tall and too wide to be much help, plus the pass-through was a big help.

The T-handle also comes in extremely handy.

I got a set of very-shallow 1/4" sockets from O'Reilley's to go with the kit: (shown here lined up roughly at the same 8mm-14mm of my Tekton set - my Icon and SK sets are roughly as tall):


So with this as my current kit, I'm feeling pretty good...

Wow, that Icon bit ratchet set looks an awful lot like USAG/Facom . . .

 

[M635_Guy]

Wow, that Icon bit ratchet set looks an awful lot like USAG/Facom . . .

It's from the same factory in Taiwan (I forget which one). VIM has a set from there too (longer extension), along with Facom, Toptul, and others, even Mac has one. AFAIK, the Icon kit is far less expensive than any of them. It looks like they might have even dropped the price $5 to $40.

 

[Dave455]

It's from the same factory in Taiwan (I forget which one). VIM has a set from there too (longer extension), along with Facom, Toptul, and others, even Mac has one. AFAIK, the Icon kit is far less expensive than any of them. It looks like they might have even dropped the price $5 to $40.

I think we decided it’s from Rotar.

These (or similar) sets are available under a lot of names within the SBD group.

The original concept of the “Nano” set was a Facom one though, and these later “Pico” sets were an expansion of that idea.

Although they are all made in the same factory, I find the designs of the Facom (and USAG, MAC etc etc) tools to be the nicest.

That’s not to say the Icon are not excellent value. They obviously are.

 

[Dave455]

If you need a very compact bit driver, in my opinion, you can't beat the Wera Zyklop Mini. Just 4" long with a 60T ratchet and thumbwheel.

When fitted with a 1/4 hex to 1/4 adaptor it makes a very handy 1/4" drive ratchet for tight spaces and electronics.

Pictured below with a 10mm KoKen Zeal socket. The adaptor is a Wera one but shorter (more compact) ones are available.

I would also advise considering the Wera.

I own one myself, though I freely admit I have so many bit ratchets that this cannot be considered a recommendation any more!

So often with bit ratchets, you need the smallest that’s effective, and so often that’s the Wera. The design, with it’s slim neck, is incredibly well thought out too, but you don’t realise till you start using it.

They are not so well known, but Wera also make a “mini ratchet” to match their “mini bit ratchet”. Another nicely made little tool. Part No‘s are 8008 for the mini ratchet, and 8001 for the bit ratchet.

 

[VolvoRyan]

(I missed this when you posted it - sorry for the typically over-long windup to a question) It's funny - I bought this car (2010 Volvo V70) from a friend for one of my spawn. It was originally purchased by her mom, then she bought it from her mom and sold it about this time last year to me with 194K miles on it. I have all the records, and with that mileage I went looking for a water pump. Nothing. That alarmed me. I love this girl like a sister, but she and her very-awesome husband know less-than-**** about cars. It had always been serviced by Volvo or a specialty Swedish indy, so I wondered if I just didn't have complete records. The car had a split CV boot, and I didn't want to deal with the BS and mess of replacing it and swapping in a new axle was more expensive than having the Swedish shop replace the boot, so I had them do it. When I picked up the car, I mentioned the mileage and when a water pump was due. He said something like "we almost never have to do the water pump on these" and mentioned a coupler that separates the water pump from the direct stress of the belts, start-up, etc that has a replacement interval of 150K (). He looked at the record and said "We did it on this car at 155K, so you're good until 300K." Coming from BMW's and Hondas, a water pump lasting that long, much less a service interval of 150K miles, boggled my mind.

So (finally) my questions: Were you referring to the coupler? Thoughts on what he said?

You have the earlier version of the engine with the PS pump right up against the water pump? There's a coupler that's reuseable, but aslo a little dowel pin that isn't (IMHO). Volvo includes the dowel pin with the water pump. I replace the water pump at 150K, not too spendy to do.

On the later engines, Volvo holds the water pump in with hex-head (i.e. Alled-head) screws. Near impossible to get at them without a bit driver. Really tight!

-Ryan

 

[VolvoRyan]

I would also advise considering the Wera.

I own one myself, though I freely admit I have so many bit ratchets that this cannot be considered a recommendation any more!

So often with bit ratchets, you need the smallest that’s effective, and so often that’s the Wera. The design, with it’s slim neck, is incredibly well thought out too, but you don’t realise till you start using it.

They are not so well known, but Wera also make a “mini ratchet” to match their “mini bit ratchet”. Another nicely made little tool. Part No‘s are 8008 for the mini ratchet, and 8001 for the bit ratchet.

I'd like to get that Wera mini-ratchet. The bit driver is quite good.

 

[Hytekrednek]

the Wadsworth Falls bit ratchet kit gets my vote! Very compact, lots of great quality bits, very strong ratchet, even has a screwdriver handle that can be incorporated into the ratchet or use it alone, has finger spinners for the bits. I probably missed something. Pricey, but well worth it if you need a tool like this often and also need a strong one. In 10 years, I have not broken a single bit.
I have many bit ratchets, I am addicted too. The Facom or USAG or Icon kits are great too. Bike tool companies make some cool and nice kits also, so dont forget to look up bike tools also.

 

[Pexto]

It's from the same factory in Taiwan (I forget which one). VIM has a set from there too (longer extension), along with Facom, Toptul, and others, even Mac has one. AFAIK, the Icon kit is far less expensive than any of them. It looks like they might have even dropped the price $5 to $40.

Just to add to that list, Prestacycle has a ratchet that appears to be the same, and is also fairly inexpensive and frequently goes on sale.

 

[Hytekrednek]

Wadsworth Falls Mini Ratchet

Wadsworth Falls Mini Ratchet

wfmc.shop

Shop around. It can be found much cheaper from time to time. I got my super deluxe set for $120.

 

[Etchase]

Chapman Manufacturing makes some great bits, and have excellent costumer service. They have a great story as well.

Speciality Screwdriver Sets Made in the USA by Chapman Manufacturing

Chapman MFG - Made in the USA for over 80 years, Chapman provides a variety of screwdriver sets for industrial assembly, maintenance, home repairs, and more. From our famous mini ratchet to our Master set, you will surely find the right fit for your precision job!

chapmanmfg.com

 

[gahrajmahal]

https://www.autozone.com/screwdrivers/driver-bit/p/titan-products-offset-micro-bit-driver-set-8-piece/517084_0_0?cmpid=LIA:US:EN:AD:NL:1000000:TLS:19489353547&&CATARGETID=120054150001289942&CADevice=c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyfuM6az0gQMVh77ICh26_QPcEAQYASABEgJTuPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Only because I looked it up and copied it before I read the complete thread.

 

[M635_Guy]

.You have the earlier version of the engine with the PS pump right up against the water pump? There's a coupler that's reuseable, but aslo a little dowel pin that isn't (IMHO). Volvo includes the dowel pin with the water pump. I replace the water pump at 150K, not too spendy to do.

On the later engines, Volvo holds the water pump in with hex-head (i.e. Alled-head) screws. Near impossible to get at them without a bit driver. Really tight!

-Ryan

I have the '10 V70 wagon with the 3.6L six. I'm still getting to know it, so I can't say I know what it has other than supposedly the P3 platform and the early signs of Ford .

Continuing the tangent, I need to look up what the threads on the guide pins are - M8x1.5 was too small diameter but matched threads, M10 anything was too big. I was lucky the caliper carrier figured it out after a while of coaxing while on the vise with one of the pins.

[EDIT - as it turns out it's M9x1.25. Going to see if Lang makes that]

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I have the '10 V70 wagon with the 3.6L six. I'm still getting to know it, so I can't say I know what it has other than supposedly the P3 platform and the early signs of Ford .

Continuing the tangent, I need to look up what the threads on the slide pins are - M8x1.5 was too small diameter but matched threads, M10 anything was too big. I was lucky the caliper carrier figured it out after a while of coaxing while on the vise with one of the pins.

They're M9x1.25, basically all of the "allen head stud slide pin" style calipers are, from Audi to Ford.

I once fixed a stripped out one grinding the threads off the pin, cutting it to M8x1.25, then helicoiling the caliper. It was for a coworkers POS audi. I since bought the official M9 helicoil, which has prevented me ever needing it. Thank god.

 

[M635_Guy]

They're M9x1.25, basically all of the "allen head stud slide pin" style calipers are, from Audi to Ford.

I once fixed a stripped out one grinding the threads off the pin, cutting it to M8x1.25, then helicoiling the caliper. It was for a coworkers POS audi. I since bought the official M9 helicoil, which has prevented me ever needing it. Thank god.

Yeah - I hope to never need a helicoil. (which means I'll definitely need one)

I've been so happy with my Lang thread restorer kit - it has pulled me out of several jams - and as a doofus DIY guy, to not have a size in there threw me for a loop.

It wasn't so much stripped as one of the early thread loops on the caliper bracket was just a little borked. I just had to work the pin and and out several times, just letting it bring itself along. I was on the verge of punting and trying to find the carrier at the local boneyards when it worked itself out...

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Yeah - I hope to never need a helicoil. (which means I'll definitely need one)

I've been so happy with my Lang thread restorer kit - it has pulled me out of several jams - and as a doofus DIY guy, to not have a size in there threw me for a loop.

It wasn't so much stripped as one of the early thread loops on the caliper bracket was just a little borked. I just had to work the pin and and out several times, just letting it bring itself along. I was on the verge of punting and trying to find the carrier at the local boneyards when it worked itself out...

M7x1.00 is also a size benz uses. I too use my lang kit several times a week. Obviously not included in the lang kit, is something stupid like M7x1. Luckily Benz also used identical torque specs to an M6x1 bolt, which means there was zero use for such a fastener to ever exist.

When the Lang kit doesn't have what I need, there is slight panic as I sort through everything else to find what I need. Even if they cost $1000 I'd still buy one because it's that useful.

 

[M635_Guy]

M7x1.00 is also a size benz uses. I too use my lang kit several times a week. Obviously not included in the lang kit, is something stupid like M7x1. Luckily Benz also used identical torque specs to an M6x1 bolt, which means there was zero use for such a fastener to ever exist.

When the Lang kit doesn't have what I need, there is slight panic as I sort through everything else to find what I need. Even if they cost $1000 I'd still buy one because it's that useful.

A search of the Lang site seems to indicate they don't make a M9 thread restorer. Surprising.

I need to order a couple replacements for my 971 kit...

 

[M6erfan]

A search of the Lang site seems to indicate they don't make a M9 thread restorer. Surprising.

I need to order a couple replacements for my 971 kit...

I've never seen an M9 restorer tap. Might have to get a traditional tap. The only M9 hardware I've seen is socket head screws.

 

[KnurledNut]

Anyone know where I can find a derailed thread chaser?