"Extreme Stubby" Dual Flex Ratcheting Wrench
- Thread starter JradM
- Start date
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
VIM finger ratchet. I assume this is who matco rebrands. No 13mm though from matco, VIM is missing 12mm.
I assume 2ndGear is talking about VIM's nano flex ratcheting wrench set-
I'm assuming your ultimate goal OP, is to find a set of extremely stubby flex ratcheting box wrenches. If it were me and I wanted to keep the cost as low as possible, I would probably think more along the lines of buying a set of flex wrenches with interchangeable heads. Those aren't too hard to find online. If you want the tool to have a really stubby handle, either use the flex attachment ends as-is without the handle or cut the included handle down to whatever length works best for you. The sets I found after a few quick searches aren't name branded but they aren't that expensive either. There might be a bigger name out there making a similar set.
If you can find one, Kobalt used to sell a set that had an interchangeable flex handle. I'm not sure if anyone still has one for sale. Cut the handle really short and you would have a tool that functions like the one in your original picture. I'm sure there are other similar sets out there.
The key is just figuring out what search you need to combine in order to find the thing. So many companies these days have strange names for their specialty tools.
If you can find a good deal on a stubby flex ratcheting wrench set (or a couple key sizes you need purchased individually), you could always cut the entire open end off of each wrench to make everything more compact. The DIY method would make it much easier to find a set made by a well known higher quality brand.
Good luck in your search OP.
Amazon.com: VIM Tools FPRW100 Nano flex ratcheting wrench set : Tools & Home Improvement
Buy VIM Tools FPRW100 Nano flex ratcheting wrench set: Socket Wrenches - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
I'm assuming your ultimate goal OP, is to find a set of extremely stubby flex ratcheting box wrenches. If it were me and I wanted to keep the cost as low as possible, I would probably think more along the lines of buying a set of flex wrenches with interchangeable heads. Those aren't too hard to find online. If you want the tool to have a really stubby handle, either use the flex attachment ends as-is without the handle or cut the included handle down to whatever length works best for you. The sets I found after a few quick searches aren't name branded but they aren't that expensive either. There might be a bigger name out there making a similar set.
BGS 2258 | Ratchet Wrench Set, with interchangeable, flexible Mini-Heads - - Amazon.com
BGS 2258 | Ratchet Wrench Set, with interchangeable, flexible Mini-Heads - - Amazon.com
www.amazon.com
If you can find one, Kobalt used to sell a set that had an interchangeable flex handle. I'm not sure if anyone still has one for sale. Cut the handle really short and you would have a tool that functions like the one in your original picture. I'm sure there are other similar sets out there.
The key is just figuring out what search you need to combine in order to find the thing. So many companies these days have strange names for their specialty tools.
If you can find a good deal on a stubby flex ratcheting wrench set (or a couple key sizes you need purchased individually), you could always cut the entire open end off of each wrench to make everything more compact. The DIY method would make it much easier to find a set made by a well known higher quality brand.
Good luck in your search OP.
Attachments
VIM's at least isn't much more per piece than the no-name set.RonnieC
Well-known member
I googled the part number and found who I presume to be the manufacturer. It sure would be neat to have a 5.5mm-20mm set!
I sent an enquiry to see if they can connect me with any retailers. I presume they probably don't sell directly without minimum order quantities.
Not saying I'm going to drop hundreds of dollars for tools with such a limited use - but it bugs me that VIM and Matco can't even make a 8mm-15mm set without skips.
Interesting to see it is a Taiwanese company. I presumed this would be a made-in-China effort.
I sent an enquiry to see if they can connect me with any retailers. I presume they probably don't sell directly without minimum order quantities.
Not saying I'm going to drop hundreds of dollars for tools with such a limited use - but it bugs me that VIM and Matco can't even make a 8mm-15mm set without skips.
Interesting to see it is a Taiwanese company. I presumed this would be a made-in-China effort.
rust in the eye
Well-known member
Alright, somebody please explain to me just WTF these are good for.
The example pictured can't any more than 3" long. The 14/15mm wrench sizes imply an M10 bolt which as we all know is typically tightened well beyond what can be mustered with one's pinky finger stuck in the opposite end of this "tool".
Angle this stupid thing and you have even less leverage. A set going to 20mm! Wow, you'll have a near 4" wrench to loosen that non-existent 20mm bolt.
Here we have an example of the answer to a question nobody has asked.
The example pictured can't any more than 3" long. The 14/15mm wrench sizes imply an M10 bolt which as we all know is typically tightened well beyond what can be mustered with one's pinky finger stuck in the opposite end of this "tool".
Angle this stupid thing and you have even less leverage. A set going to 20mm! Wow, you'll have a near 4" wrench to loosen that non-existent 20mm bolt.
Here we have an example of the answer to a question nobody has asked.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
One point, the Chinese sets referenced above seem far more useful. For one they can be used with an interchangeable head torque wrench which is Europe is extremely common and which I have several of. Secondly, they are long enough to be used as nut spinners in super confined spaces. The VIM seem entirely useless to me.
seber
Well-known member
Last week I replaced the starter on a John Deere mower with water cooled Kawasaki motor. It took a god ten minutes to remove one bolt and another ten to put it back in. I was getting one wrench flat at a time. One of those super short ratcheting wrenches would have made that one hell of a lot faster.
Last edited:
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
I see these for use on fasteners already broken free that are too tight to remove with your fingers, but obscured enough where the small form factor matters. I see dash/column work, removing air bags, etc.
Retired dozer fixer
Well-known member
Why??? Too shortDoes anyone reputable make something like this?
This one is from "mobarel" which sounds like a made-up random letter generator name.
Because "neat", that's why.
Also, I'm not sure that's too short - especially not for the smaller sizes. There's plenty of 8mm and 10mm bolts I could use them on.
15mm? probably would struggle to reach the torque spec, but it's not like I'm proposing these as combination wrench replacements.