Does such a tool exist?

[texasranger]

My wife has gotten into embroidery. By default I'm now the tech support and maintenance crew chief. One routine task involves removing the needle plates that cover the rotary hook and trimmer knives. They are attached by countersunk slotted screws. The needles and presser feet just above prevent use of a normal screwdriver, so I have been using right angle screwdriver, "L" shaped like an Allen wrench. I want something better.

I'm envisioning a cross between a Chapman set https://chapmanmfg.com/collections/all-tools/products/7341-standard-set-bristol-6-flute-set and a rotator ratchet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000Z9D6EI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Ultra low profile like the Chapman, with the twist handle to run the screws in and out once loose. Does such a tool exist?

 

[woody 73]

Something like this ???

 

[Brian_WK]

How about a finger ratchet?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A32E9DY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Brian

 

[ryan20021982]

Or the Gearwrench bit ratchet

https://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-85035-35-MicroDriver-Set/dp/B0062FSAVI#immersive-view_1518728136581

View media item 80788

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Something like this ???

Just so the OP knows, this ratchet spins as you twist the red/black handle.

They were made under Stanley, Blackhawk, and I think Husky. I also have the Blue Point one that is all metal.

Kind of bulky and cumbersome, but I like to use them on drip rail F-Series trucks alternator bolts. That's the only reason I really kept it.

They made them in 1/4" and 3/8" for sure.

Link to get you started: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_od...0.l1313&_nkw=stanley+rotator+ratchet&_sacat=0

 

[bwringer]

Slotted screws ****

Replace the screws with socket head (allen head) or Torx... the job will become easy peasy breezy.

 

[texasranger]

Something like this ???

Yes that is what I linked above, but needs to be low profile like a chapman set to work in this application.

This tool from motion pro is the closest I've found so far and may go that route if I can't find something in the 6-10" range that ratchets both ways like the proto ratchet.

https://www.motosport.com/product/?...83c97c11bee824cdd_t-1518731455&segment=badger

 

[four.cycle]

take a look at the "Wadsworth Falls" mini-ratchet and bit sets.
search Ebay for "WFMC bit set" or "Wadsworth bit set"
not cheap.

best deal on one I've seen lately:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/222839455599

or Chapman Tool.

low-end, low-torque 1/4" ratchet: Oxwall

 

[ocloc24]

I use these in those situations

 

[ChevyEFI]

If you find a bit ratchet with a square drive gear that has the same teeth and O.D. as one of the twist ratchets, a hybrid of the two could be your answer. Good luck finding that.

 

[mowkep]

I've got a 3 piece Craftsman finger bit set in the classifieds. Something like this?

 

[BillK]

Thats funny, my Wife just finished cussing the "******* that designed this damn machine" !! She was doing the same thing on her $700 sewing machine that she uses for quilting.

I dug through my tools and found an extra Chapman set with some straight bits for her.

I don't think the people that design these things have ever sewn a single stitch. Same type of stuff on her embroidery machine too.

TR, where are you in Maryland ?

 

[Jbullfrog]

https://images.search.yahoo.com/sea...dle_plate_screw_driver_79455.jpg&action=click

This is what I use on mom's.

 

[rlitman]

On my machine, I use a penny, but those screws are indeed a pain in the ***.

I think this is what you want:
https://store.snapon.com/Ratcheting...ht-Angle-Screwdriver-Blue-Point--P634081.aspx

 

[Moparman390]

No need to over do it, this will do:

https://m.sears.com/craftsman-5-piece-72-tooth-magnetic-bit-wrench/p-00946157000P

 

[FigureItOut]

On my machine, I use a penny, but those screws are indeed a pain in the ***.

I think this is what you want:
https://store.snapon.com/Ratcheting...ht-Angle-Screwdriver-Blue-Point--P634081.aspx

This is indeed what you want. I have this tool, and it lives with my sewing machine for this exact purpose.

 

[texasranger]

Thats funny, my Wife just finished cussing the "******* that designed this damn machine" !! She was doing the same thing on her $700 sewing machine that she uses for quilting.

I dug through my tools and found an extra Chapman set with some straight bits for her.

I don't think the people that design these things have ever sewn a single stitch. Same type of stuff on her embroidery machine too.

TR, where are you in Maryland ?

I've actually been impressed with the quality and design of the machine. Maintenance wasn't first priority in the design, but I've worked on way worse and this stays way cleaner.. Every part on it is beautifully machined and precision ground. It has 4 heads with 15 needles each and probably weighs close to a ton. My 4k cap forklift was pretty light in the rear getting it unloaded.

We are located in Pasadena, about 30 minutes north of Annapolis.

 

[texasranger]

No need to over do it, this will do:

https://m.sears.com/craftsman-5-piece-72-tooth-magnetic-bit-wrench/p-00946157000P

I'm an engineer, over doing it kinda my thing!

 

[texasranger]

On my machine, I use a penny, but those screws are indeed a pain in the ***.

I think this is what you want:
https://store.snapon.com/Ratcheting...ht-Angle-Screwdriver-Blue-Point--P634081.aspx

The counter bore is too deep to fit anything wider than the screw head.

That tool would work.

Now that I'm thinking about it more, Im considering a 1/4" rotator ratchet and grind the square drive into a slotted screwdriver and dedicate the tool for only this purpose. All the difficult to access screws are slotted on this machine, and with the low torque needed it should last forever.

 

[SRSemenza]

Not sure what the space is like (got a picture?) but if a small ratchet design will work the Wera Mini Zyklop 1/4" bit ratchet is very low profile using a Snap On stubby bit. 11/16" total. 1 1/16" with a 1" bit. The ratchet has a finger rotating "knob" too.

One of the things that I found makes the Wera work compared to some of the dedicated "L" shape or double sided designs is that it is easy to place a finger on the back side in order to apply pressure to keep the bit seated in the screw. If no room for a finger a putty knife can be slipped in on the back side.


Seth

 

[Dingleburry]

This?
https://spectools.com/shop/squeezewrench-pro-model-sqr-200r/

 

[MikeF2316]

There's these little beauties from Titan.

https://www.princessauto.com/en/det...-release-offset-micro-ratchet-set/A-p8384893e

 

[texasranger]

This?
https://spectools.com/shop/squeezewrench-pro-model-sqr-200r/

Never saw one of those before. Looks like a strong contender. Thanks!