1/4 hex ratchet? what is tool called? recommendations wanted

[gotham]

So my clothes dryer has a valve that allows it to spray water into the drum. Seems counterintuitive. This valve failed, I shut off the water, ordered the part and today I went to install it. Two screws to take the top of the dryer off and the valve is right there. Unfortunately, the screws that hold the valve in place go in from the back and are behind the back panel which has a ton of screws. Removed 15 or so of the back panel screws enough to pull it away a bit and get to the valve screws with a 1/4" ractchet with a 1/4" socket with a 1/4" hex tool. The problem is the tool isnt retained so there was a high chance of it slipping out and falling into an inaccessable part of the dryer.

I had these two tools on the "things I want" list

Mini Ratchet Set, 52pc

Wadsworth Falls 004 Mini Ratchet Set, 52pc

www.techni-tool.com

5575 Master Screwdriver Set | Chapman MFG

5575 is Chapman’s most complete precision screwdriver set total 56 pieces with 51 insert bits which include Slotted bits, Phillips bits, Metric and SAE Hex Bits, and Star bits which fit Torx screws. Over 300 tool combinations! Machined from USA steel with a black oxide rust inhibitor finish...

chapmanmfg.com

zoro has something that might be similar: https://www.zoro.com/general-single...5/i/G2284493/?recommended=true#specifications

What is this style of tool called? Recommendations on brands?

Thanks.

 

[KnurledNut]

Around here we usually just call them bit ratchets.
Ill see if I can link a thread we had on them not too long ago...
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/battle-of-the-bit-ratchets.462143/

 

[gotham]

That's a reasonable name. Thanks for the link.

 

[Grokew]

That's a reasonable name. Thanks for the link.

Somewhat related. Get a telescopic or a flexible magnetic picker, and an inspection mirror. They will make your life easier, if you happen to drop something in a hard to reach place.

 

[JradM]

Just in case you didn't realize, this thread is about the tool you're interested in.

Edit: oops. Scratch that. I didn't notice KnurledNut was way ahead of me.

 

[gotham]

too many choices! I have decision paralysis

 

[JradM]

too many choices! I have decision paralysis

That's because you're under the faulty impression that you only need one.

 

[DadsTools]

I might add that in my experience, those pressed steel ratchets aren't all that great, and their tooth count is often low. This may help narrow the field of choices for you.

 

[four.cycle]

Nahhhhh... forget everything you ever read...........


TITAN 11318 1/4" hex mini bit driver and TITAN 11313 1/4" square drive mini ratchet

Look at the unit on far right. The heads on these little widgets swing around on a gimbal.
90 tooth reversible mechanism.
Less than $20 bucks (including 10.5% sales tax) at O'Reilly's Auto Parts.
They do not stock them in the stores. Only in their local warehouses. You have to special order them. Buy two.

TITAN 11318 micro swivel-head 1/4" hex mini bit driver

and then you want to also have them order this little package for you as well along with the two ratchets above:


TITAN 30936 3-piece magical LOW PROFILE adaptor set

Gave my buddy one each of these things a couple months back. (You'll find the write-up in the "Show Us Your New Tools" thread somewhere.)
Also gave him a big full-blown TEKTON 1/4" socket set.

These little TITAN ratchets and that TEKTON set have become his "GO TO" stuff over the course of a couple months. He loves 'em.
I honestly didn't really expect that when I gave him the stuff.

{edit: It may be worth noting that he doesn't have any shortage of Snap-on or other big-name tools in his kit. for the price, you're not gonna find more bang for the buck. )

 

[Desertskyy]

I have one of these in my motorcycle tool kit

Both hex and 1/4" drive

Works very well

Amazon-Powerbuilt Stubby Ratchet, Mini 1/4 Inch Ratchet Wrench, Reversible 72 Tooth, Tight Spaces, Quick Release - 940478

 

[kbeefy]

I like the gearwrench 'microdriver'. I have several in different tool kits.

 

[jsmeece]

I have this: Gearwrench 1/4 in. Drive 6-Point SAE/Metric Slim Flex-Head Ratchet and Socket Mechanics Tool Set (55-Piece). I got it at Home Depot about $50 on sale last year. Seems pretty good quality and have had no trouble with it. Looks exclusive to HD, can't seem to find the 55 piece anywhere else.

GEARWRENCH 1/4 in. Drive 6-Point SAE/Metric Slim Flex-Head Ratchet and Socket Mechanics Tool Set (55-Piece) 81039 - The Home Depot

GearWrench introduced the original patented 5° ratcheting wrench in 1996 and quickly became a go-to brand for professional automotive technicians. The innovation didn't stop there. Year after year, the

www.homedepot.com

 

[CGarage]

The brand new Icon bit ratchet set is a good choice if your local store carries it. It’s a clone of the Facom / USAG bit ratchet set which was the original market leader and likely made in the same factory in Taiwan.

You can buy the wonderful Facom/USAG version from Ultimategarage or, on occasion, Amazon.

 

[alinc100]

These two Titans have done well for me: https://titan-us.com/default.aspx?page=item+detail&itemcode=11203&catlist=76&parent=65 I'd believe they are in stock at many usual spots Amazon,Home Depot online,etc. I bought mine at a industrial tool supply, they were on the counter with a 40-50 security bit assortment.

 

[ZRX61]

Always called them Apex Drivers

 

[finn]

Somewhat related. Get a telescopic or a flexible magnetic picker, and an inspection mirror. They will make your life easier, if you happen to drop something in a hard to reach place.

When, not if!

 

[gotham]

Thanks for the recommendations. The gearwrench set looks like a great value compared to the individual ratchets. I'll keep an eye out for a sale on that. I have a gearwrench ratcheting screwdriver set which has the same orange bit box.

I ordered the Titan 11318 bit ratchet ($17) and the Titan 30936 adapters ($12) from Amazon.

 

[exmaxima1]

Super glue the bit to the ratchet. A hammer will retrieve it later. Acetone to clean any residue if that bothers you.

 

[gotham]

I was thinking tape but glue is a good idea too

 

[ecotec]

I have a few different sets. If I had to recommend a set, I would recommend the Sunex set in the red aluminum box. It is a good set at a reasonable price.

 

[gotham]

I have a few different sets. If I had to recommend a set, I would recommend the Sunex set in the red aluminum box. It is a good set at a reasonable price.

This one? https://sunextools.com/products/38-pc-mini-ratchet-and-bit-set/

 

[ecotec]

This one? https://sunextools.com/products/38-pc-mini-ratchet-and-bit-set/

Yes. I think I paid $20 for it, some years ago.

 

[Black300zx]

I looked those up several years back when a coworker had on that I loved using. McMaster-Carr has a few options that come up if you search "mini ratchet".

I was going to buy one of those from McMaster, and then I came across a kobalt-branded mini bit-ratchet set at Lowes that I grabbed. One end accepts 1/4" hex bits while the other end accepts 5/16" bits. Both ends are magnetic and retain the bits very well. I didn't have any luck finding my set on their website, but it's similar to this, but my kit didn't come with sockets and the adaptor:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-35-Piece-Standard-SAE-and-Metric-Polished-Chrome-Mechanics-Tool-Set/3387640

 

[gotham]

I ended up using the Titan 11318 on the same dryer disassembly job the other day. Overall I'm impressed with the quality of the tool given the price. It comes with a PH1 and PH2 half length bits. I was using a full length square bit in some crappy combo phillips/square screws. I think it would have been easier with a non swiveling bit ratchet as the bit wouldn't really engage the screw very well so I had to apply a lot of downward pressure which was tricky with the swiveling action. It got the job done so I'm happy.