Good Offset Ratcheting Screwdriver?

[Kenwc]

You've never led me wrong yet...so thought I'd ask which of the offset (90 deg) ratcheting screwdrivers are the the bee's knee's?

I have a Crafstman and don't like it and don't need Snap-On's prices so there ya have it...have to work somewhere in between there.

Thanks

Ken

 

[Bolster]

My favorite is the chapman set; bits stick through and allows you to spin the knurling. A detent keeps the bits firmly in place, and they can't push through due to a boss on each bit. USA made and very affordable, but you won't be calling your friends to talk about how beautiful it is.

Part of the Chapman charm is they have their own proprietary bit system which is, how do I say it, "closely spaced." If you need a bit slightly larger or smaller, they will make it. Sort of a gunsmith's tool, where you have to have very precise fit of the bits so the screws don't look cammy. And their standard bits are parallel ground not wedge, for the ultimate in "screw damage control." Very nice, and you can buy direct from Chapman in a wide array of selections.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=11210/pid=4980/sku/Screwdriver_Set?source=CJ

I also own these SO/BP ones, they're OK but the magnets are a little weak and bit retention is nothing like the chapmans. They do allow you to spin the wheel as there is knurling for your thumb. These are basically tiny ratchets in 1/4" hex drive.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=75044&group_ID=11620

There is also the SO or GW 1/4 bit driver you can put on a 1/4 ratchet, that's a good option too, if you have the room. Inexpensive if you get the gearwrench one, but why can't I find the 1/4" drive one, all I see is 3/8:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002YKFO0A/?tag=atomicindus08-20

And you also have the bit holder option for the gearwrench which seems it would be the ultimate in low profile.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HBAI1I/?tag=atomicindus08-20

My favorite so far is the Chapman, but it's a little higher profile than some of the others. I don't own the gearwrench screwdriver bit adapters yet, but will soon.

 

[mrholeshot]

The gearwrench Micro driver set is pretty nice and is only about 20 dollars. It does have a slight offset.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00930035000P

 

[6 Grrrs]

I've had a Skewdriver for about 20 years...Works great on a drill too.

http://www.spectools.com/spec.htm

 

[DHCrocks]

I have the gearwrench micro driver set and it's all I could ask for. I've had about 3 different offset drivers in the past and this is by far the best. It has a smooth fine tooth ratcheting action, same as the wrenches. it also has a knurled ring which you can use to finger spin the bit. A detent ring holds the bits in place so they don't fall out which is great in tight locations.

 

[Monte]

i like this miniature bit ratchet:
Same as the Gearwrench but with handle.

 

[Kenwc]

Thanks for the replies....I like the Chapman set and even the SO handle.

 

[jim faston]

i like this miniature bit ratchet:
Same as the Gearwrench but with handle.

Who makes this one? Thanks.

 

[wreckercologist]

I've got the Craftsman three piece set. They're not that great........and even look just like my coworkers BluePoint (older version). They also carry the same date codes as the BP if you slide the grip off. I know the OP said no Snap-on, but this will be my next offset screwdriver:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=21944&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Coupled with this:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=21944&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

A little more money for sure, but very nice.

 

[jim faston]

All of the 1/4 hex insert bits I've seen are about an inch long. Does anone have a source for shorter bits--half inch or even a little shorter? Modifying existing bits could be a real chore. Thanks.

 

[Monte]

Who makes this one? Thanks.

http://www.newtools.com/

All of the 1/4 hex insert bits I've seen are about an inch long. Does anone have a source for shorter bits--half inch or even a little shorter? Modifying existing bits could be a real chore. Thanks.

Here are 2 sets with extra short bits

http://www.suekage.co.jp/new/mrg1431s/index.htm

http://www.suekage.co.jp/new/mrg1425s/index.htm

more pics:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=538079&highlight=pro-auto#post538079

 

[jim faston]

http://www.newtools.com/




Here are 2 sets with extra short bits

http://www.suekage.co.jp/new/mrg1431s/index.htm

http://www.suekage.co.jp/new/mrg1425s/index.htm

more pics:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=538079&highlight=pro-auto#post538079

Thanks for the interesting links. Do you know of a US distributor?

 

[Fedwrench]

This is the best one since the invention of sliced bread. You buy it as Blackhawk, Husky, Vim, or others.

It has a fine 72tooth action, is reversible, will accept 1/4 or 5/16 bits and it even comes with a 1/4 square drive adapter for use as a ratchet. It's great for trim, under dash and other close quarters work. It runs about $15 and comes with a few bits too depending on where you shop.

 

[Monte]

Thanks for the interesting links. Do you know of a US distributor?

unfortunately not. The ratchet itself is pretty common, but the short bits i dont know where to get them ?

 

[mrholeshot]

This is the best one since the invention of sliced bread. You buy it as Blackhawk, Husky, Vim, or others.

It has a fine 72tooth action, is reversible, will accept 1/4 or 5/16 bits and it even comes with a 1/4 square drive adapter for use as a ratchet. It's great for trim, under dash and other close quarters work. It runs about $15 and comes with a few bits too depending on where you shop.

Thats just like the Gearwrench Microdriver. The Microdriver has quite a few bits and some sockets, Sears had it for 23.99 then they had it for 1/2 off last week end and while I was there picking up an order from in the back and because it took more than 5 minutes I got a 5 dollar off coupon so I buzzed back through the store and got a set for 11.99-5.00 so I got it for 6.99. Sweet!!

 

[bchee]

This is the best one since the invention of sliced bread. You buy it as Blackhawk, Husky, Vim, or others.

what is the actual brand?

it does look like the GW one.

 

[Jeff]

I have a Wera Bit Ratchet. It uses standard 1/4" bits.

http://wera.de/catalog_de.html?L=1&file=/en/ratchets_the_wera_bit_ratchet.html

 

[Bolster]

This one costs $12. General No. 807-SX

25mm depth.

Bit is not interchangeable.

That Sukeage is only 16mm depth, wow.

Will someone please measure depth of the GearWrench offset ratcheting driver?

 

[Monte]

Gearwrench = Suekage = Bahco = Stanley = Gedore = ZDMAK = KS-Tools = Berner = Facom = VIM = HiFive

Who makes this one? Thanks.

available in the USA as "VIM"

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Vim-...Z190370335748QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools

 

[Bolster]

Will someone please measure depth of the GearWrench offset ratcheting driver?

 

[Danglerb]

This place is terrible. I just got my set of precision bits from Amazon, their house brand I think MassTech, and they do look VERY nice. Last week I was at OSH during the 1/2 price sale on GearWrench and looked over their microdrive set and decided not to get it even on sale.

After reading this thread you all have me thinking about buying them again.

Does the wrench holder thing prevent the bit from sliding all the way thru?

How much force can you put "down" on the bit to hold it in the screw head?

 

[jim faston]

http://www.newtools.com/




Here are 2 sets with extra short bits

http://www.suekage.co.jp/new/mrg1431s/index.htm

http://www.suekage.co.jp/new/mrg1425s/index.htm

more pics:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=538079&highlight=pro-auto#post538079

Looking at the two Suekage pages above it appears that only the #2 phillips is available in short length. (16mm - a whisker over 5/8) The remainder of the bits seem to be 25mm - a little under an inch.

 

[jim faston]

Gearwrench = Suekage = Bahco = Stanley = Gedore = ZDMAK = KS-Tools = Berner = Facom = VIM = HiFive





available in the USA as "VIM"

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Vim-...Z190370335748QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools

Great--Tooltopia stocks these.

 

[Monte]

Looking at the two Suekage pages above it appears that only the #2 phillps is available in short length. (16mm - a whisker over 5/8) The remainder of the bits seem to be 25mm - a little under an inch.

after looking at the links again i think you´re right.

Ko-Ken has bits in 15 to 20,5 mm length. There is another japanese or taiwanese manufacturer who offers short bits iirc.

edit: Anex has 19mm bits http://www.anextool.co.jp/products/pdf/4/AK-51P.pdf

 

[Fedwrench]

After reading this thread you all have me thinking about buying them again.
Does the wrench holder thing prevent the bit from sliding all the way thru?

How much force can you put "down" on the bit to hold it in the screw head?

My Husky version has what I'll call the capstop feature built into the speeder ring to prevent the bit from passing through the driver.
I've pretty much hung on mine with most of my body weight removing torx head screws holding the shift cable bracket above GM transmission pans.
It is one of the best tool purchases I've ever made. By the way, the design is patented and the speeder ring on my Husky model is stamped REVERSE GEAR.

 

[Bolster]

Third time a charm?

Will someone please measure depth of the GearWrench offset ratcheting driver with a phillips bit in place?

I want to compare it to what I have. I need a short depth offset phillips and I am considering the GearWrench if it's really compact.

Will it beat 25mm? That's the shortest (least depth) I have now, it's the General I posted earlier.

 

[The Motts]

Third time a charm?

Will someone please measure depth of the GearWrench offset ratcheting driver with a phillips bit in place?

I want to compare it to what I have. I need a short depth offset phillips and I am considering the GearWrench if it's really compact.

Will it beat 25mm? That's the shortest (least depth) I have now, it's the General I posted earlier.

I just measured mine. It's one inch. Basically, whatever the length of the bit you put in would be the length.

 

[Bolster]

I just measured mine. It's one inch. Basically, whatever the length of the bit you put in would be the length.

Wow, that's really efficient, then. I may have to pick one up! Thanks!

 

[Kenwc]

After reading through all this I think I've settled on buying 2 products. I'm going to order the Chapman set and I want to try out a Wera tool so I'm going to get an 8001 bit ratchet. But...where does one wera in the US? I came across a "chadstool" but that's all I found.

Thanks

Ken

 

[The Motts]

After reading through all this I think I've setted on buying 2 products. I'm going to order the Chapman set and I want to try out a Wera tool so I'm going to get an 8001 bit ratchet. But...where does one wera in the US? I came across a "chadstool" but that's all I found.

Thanks

Ken

They have this set at Sears.com:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00981388000P?prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=G4

 

[bchee]

This is the best one since the invention of sliced bread. You buy it as Blackhawk, Husky, Vim, or others.

It has a fine 72tooth action, is reversible, will accept 1/4 or 5/16 bits and it even comes with a 1/4 square drive adapter for use as a ratchet. It's great for trim, under dash and other close quarters work. It runs about $15 and comes with a few bits too depending on where you shop.

I was checking out the Husky one and the packaging says it has 52 teeth

 

[hofferwood]

I have Chapman and Wadsworth
The Chaps are good, but no comparison to the Wad., fine tooth 12deg arc.
The cats *** for workin on Fanuc robots, (little tiny spaces).
The bits are marked with sizes.
Chaps are marked in Chapmaneze.
Chuck

 

[Monte]

here are some good pics of the Bahco version

http://www.gri-point.de/Shop/product_info.php?products_id=64&osCsid=095426ea2e7db2f87a5df10e230d41a0

 

[mrholeshot]

Third time a charm?

Will someone please measure depth of the GearWrench offset ratcheting driver with a phillips bit in place?

I want to compare it to what I have. I need a short depth offset phillips and I am considering the GearWrench if it's really compact.

Will it beat 25mm? That's the shortest (least depth) I have now, it's the General I posted earlier.

Your wish sir. #2 phillips in place. Gearwrench Microdriver

Metric

SAE

 

[Danglerb]

I wonder how available that Wera bit ratchet really is, only two sources I found were Chadstoolbox and Sears, neither exceptional for actually stocking whats listed.

OTOH $35, yipes.

 

[superautobacs]

Here's some pics that I found:

 

[Kenwc]

I ended up ordering the Wera bit ratchet from Chads...we'll see how it goes. Never ordered from them before.

As long as we're on the subject...I looked over all the bits that I have last night and I have a ton...I need some sort of bit storage for those...anyone have anything slick?

(this place is going to send me to chapter 11)

I wonder how available that Wera bit ratchet really is, only two sources I found were Chadstoolbox and Sears, neither exceptional for actually stocking whats listed.

OTOH $35, yipes.

 

[Danglerb]

Magnet strip.
http://www.tooltopia.com/mountain-3501.aspx

Magnet tray.
http://www.tooltopia.com/mechanics-time-savers-580.aspx

 

[Bolster]

Your wish sir. #2 phillips in place. Gearwrench Microdriver

And I thank you. So it appears the bit goes pretty much through the head, and the limiting depth factor is indeed the length of the bit itself. I like it.

 

[Monte]

Made my own short bits.