Hex Bit Sockets 1/4" Drive

[xroad]

Someone please give me their assessment of this set of hex bit sockets.
They claimed "S2 alloy steel, strongest and hardest drivers available".

http://www.tooltopia.com/vim-shm400.aspx

Vim SHM400 9 pcs 2-10mm $20

 

[06jds377]

$20, lifetime warranty

I'd go for it, in fact I might later..

 

[xroad]

I found some SK hex bit socket 6 piece set Tooltopia also sell for $49.
That is a big difference in price.
50% more tool at 40% of price.
Is SK better quality?

 

[krehmkej]

I'd like to find a metric set with posi-lock or whatever its called to use with my impact driver. Its a pain using a 1/4" square adapter and then fitting a socket. Plenty of SAE sets out there, but haven't seen metric.

 

[Mickey O]

I've got tons (slight exaggeration, but I have a lot) of VIM bits, older made in the USA stuff and they are great (These may me made in the USA, I don't know, it doesn't say). If you get the set let us know and post some good pictures.

 

[Mickey O]

Sears is having a sale on their Craftsman hex bits for Black Friday, 1/2 off. I have an older set and they have been very good.

 

[jteck75]

I have been in industrial maintenance repair for 12 years and almost every bolt I turn is hex/allen type. I've had great results with Snap On sockets,but I also have some Armstrongs and Protos that are every bit as good. Although the Armstrongs have that annoying set screw to hold the bit in place,and it is coming loose all of the time,red loc-tite won't even keep the things in. But if you are looking for a set that will not see action all the time,Craftsman,Kobalt,and many imports will probably do just as well. Happy Thanksgiving!!

 

[xroad]

I've got tons (slight exaggeration, but I have a lot) of VIM bits, older made in the USA stuff and they are great (These may me made in the USA, I don't know, it doesn't say). If you get the set let us know and post some good pictures.

Got my 9 piece 1/4" drive VIM bit socket. Delivery was really quick. Made in Taiwan. I don't know tool quality as well as you guys. I can only go by how the finish looks. For all I know, inside, it could be hardened cheese. The bit socket body have a dull grey finish. Surfaces are consistent, no lumps, grains, pits, or cracks (unlike a cheap *** oil drain plug I got recently). Edges are smooth with no burrs. Business end looks to be be well finished, again, with no inconsistencies. Have not use them yet.

My friend have all his tools rattling in one giant 200 pounds (just kidding) canvas bag. He sees no problem in "damage" of the bit socket tips. The VIM comes in a big plastic box with each piece well separated from the other like they are precision delicate instruments. Is this a marketing presentation thing or I can just "toss them in the bag" like my friend (actually, I do have a tool box).

 

[jteck75]

Got my 9 piece 1/4" drive VIM bit socket. Delivery was really quick. Made in Taiwan. I don't know tool quality as well as you guys. I can only go by how the finish looks. For all I know, inside, it could be hardened cheese. The bit socket body have a dull grey finish. Surfaces are consistent, no lumps, grains, pits, or cracks (unlike a cheap *** oil drain plug I got recently). Edges are smooth with no burrs. Business end looks to be be well finished, again, with no inconsistencies. Have not use them yet.

My friend have all his tools rattling in one giant 200 pounds (just kidding) canvas bag. He sees no problem in "damage" of the bit socket tips. The VIM comes in a big plastic box with each piece well separated from the other like they are precision delicate instruments. Is this a marketing presentation thing or I can just "toss them in the bag" like my friend (actually, I do have a tool box).

I think it would really depend on how small the bit sizes are in your set. Anything smaller than 1/8" or 3/32" wouldn't respond very well to being knocked around in a bag very much. 9/64" or larger,I wouldn't worry about it. But heck,if you've got the nice sturdy plastic case,then you might as well use it.

 

[superautobacs]

Just IMO, but I think anything over 6mm for a 1/4" drive isn't suitable. In other words, from 6 - 10mm, a 3/8" would be more appropriate.

What are your thoughts??

 

[forceyoda]

I have the blue point labeled VIM set and have had no problems yet, pretty happy with them although i paid $60.

 

[Danglerb]

Curious, the only brand I have seen touting S2 steel is Mountain, wonder if they actually make them?

 

[xroad]

Just IMO, but I think anything over 6mm for a 1/4" drive isn't suitable. In other words, from 6 - 10mm, a 3/8" would be more appropriate.

What are your thoughts??

I always wonder about that. Are you concern about the ratchet or the hex bit?

If it is the ratchet, I got around that issue by carrying a 1/4" drive breaker bar (this is the emergency tool roll in the motorcycle). It is a bit slower but I won't have to worry about jumping on top of it trying to loosen a fastener with a 10mm internal hex head.

I worry about the bit. If I buy a 3/8" drive set and a 1/4" drive set from the same maker, would the 10mm bit from each be the same? Would the 10mm bit on the 1/4" drive be less robust?

I suspect that they will be the same bit. It does not make engineering and manufacturing sense to make two different 10mm bits. On the other hand, they can be all manufactured from the same fabrication process but during quality assurance check, they may find one batch of bits pass for the torque requirement of the 1/4" drive but failed for the 3/8" drive. You know where I am ... eh ... driving at? Back to the OTHER side of the argument, the torque requirement should be ... eh ... driving from the side of the fastener, not dictated from the 3/8" or 1/4" drive size, is that correct?

We need inputs from a mechanical engineer or machinist or mechanic. I am applying my electrical engineering logic to a mechanical discussion.

 

[1stwarrior95]

I'd like to find a metric set with posi-lock or whatever its called to use with my impact driver. Its a pain using a 1/4" square adapter and then fitting a socket. Plenty of SAE sets out there, but haven't seen metric.

Are these what you're talkin about?

These are metric. Sizes from 1.5mm to 12mm. Made by Irwin.

 

[xroad]

I like the way they designed the plastic holder. They did not just sequence the bits from large to small like everyone else and "logical". They alternate large and small and end up with a much more efficient compact package.

 

[caper]

Curious, the only brand I have seen touting S2 steel is Mountain, wonder if they actually make them?

Princess Auto's Powerfist brand are marketed as being "S2" steel.Gray tools allen keys are advertised as S2 as well.I have both.The Gray's are the best hex keys I've ever used.The hex bits from Princess haven't let me down yet though I don't use them much since the set I have is a long ball end set.

 

[vr6chris]

i have a set of the vim short torx that my matco guy gave to me for free for buying some matco torx sockets. have worked great every time ive needed them

 

[kartracer55]

SK are S2 steel. I think quite a few manufacturers use S2 steel, as S2 is just a grade of tool steel. Many screwdriver bits will be made of it as well

 

[Monte]

"S2" stamped on any tool or advertised means it is imported ....(here in .de)

 

[krehmkej]

Are these what you're talkin about?

These are metric. Sizes from 1.5mm to 12mm. Made by Irwin.

Exactly. Note how they have that locking groove on the shank.

IRWIN? I'll start looking.

 

[1stwarrior95]

I like the way they designed the plastic holder. They did not just sequence the bits from large to small like everyone else and "logical". They alternate large and small and end up with a much more efficient compact package.

Exactly. Note how they have that locking groove on the shank.

IRWIN? I'll start looking.

Well, after reading xroad's post I'm not absolutely sure those are Irwin bits...LOL I think I may have stuck my foot in my mouth.

The comment about how they are arranged in the holder made me think about it a little. Now I don't think that holder came with those bits. I seem to remember the bits on a cardboard shrinkwrap type display. Balck and tanish brown?

Sorry for the misinformation guys.
But at least now ya know they do exist! LOL

 

[truckdriver]

Exactly. Note how they have that locking groove on the shank.

IRWIN? I'll start looking.

Irwins website doesn't show that anymore but wiha sells a set.
http://www.wihatools.com/700seri/743MMser.htm

 

[lugnut71]

I am interested in the vim metric stubby hex, can anyone verify how tall, short they are? I know a blue point 5mm is 13/16" tall, the vim look tall in the pictures. thanks

 

[thegroundpounder99]

I am interested in the vim metric stubby hex, can anyone verify how tall, short they are? I know a blue point 5mm is 13/16" tall, the vim look tall in the pictures. thanks

Although I don't have them here to measure, they are not tall at all. The whole socket is about the size of a normal hex or torx bit without the base. ( Hope that makes sense) They are handy I use mine daily and have never had an issue with them.