Seeking Small Hex Bit Ratchet

[JBH]

Here’s more on the Würth, Anex, and Facom/USAG locking flex.

Würth bits are very short, and necked down on the back side to be flush with the back of the ratchet. (Standard 25mm Würth bit for comparison)

View media item 92593
Ratchet is 1/4 hex on one end, 11mm (compatible with Facom/USAG/Wera and Snapon through sockets; Matco has a set that looks the same but worth gaudier finish) on the other. Case is larger than one Facom/USAG “pico” but smaller than the 2 Pico sets that would equal this set.
View media item 92600
Ratchet+bits is super short. Shorter than Anex with their cut-down bits.
View media item 92595
Sockets are compatible with Facom/USAG/Wera:
View media item 92598but somewhat surprisingly differently shaped from F/U/W in the smaller sizes:
View media item 92597

 

[Parrothead]

LANG - Also sold as BluePoint or Craftsman among others. I’ve got the Craftsman version and it works very well, especially when removing fender liners.

*USA made if it influences your buying decision.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007TX0HS6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[dalehsc]

I have a blue point set of three,straight,negative offset & positive offset. I loaned the straight one to another tech in the shop....he lost the rubber boot on the shaft....I put shrink tube on it. The second ratchet is a husky from Home Depot, they are usually available around Christmas,here in Canada

 

[Bolster]

Here’s more on the Würth, Anex, and Facom/USAG locking flex...

Excellent description/explanation, thanks for the education & the photos, man!

(Aside: It appears your photos are hosted by GJ, no? Whenever I want to post a photo, I only get an option to link from elsewhere on the web. How did you host yours on GJ?)

 

[JBH]

Excellent description/explanation, thanks for the education & the photos, man!

(Aside: It appears your photos are hosted by GJ, no? Whenever I want to post a photo, I only get an option to link from elsewhere on the web. How did you host yours on GJ?)

There’s an option on your profile to make a photo album.

 

[Bolster]

For anyone interested in this thread, here's a youtube 1/4" hex ratchet review of several different brands:

(Thanks, JBH, got the album working.)

 

[PugetDude]

Titan
Nice fit and finish
Very compact
Full polish
Silky smooth
One of my favorite tools.
(matching 1/4" ratchet available- you can get the set from Amazon for around $20)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004WIWKTK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Bolster]

Anybody own/use the Ares 70040? I like the fact that it has a holder in the handle as well as a through-hole holder in the head. This is for a portable toolbox where I need to keep the weight down, and any tool that does double duty is appreciated. Will be used many times for set-screws, so their low torque would make the handle holder useable. Head advertised as 0.4" thick, not bad. Head uses a ball detent instead of C-spring.

View media item 98210

 

[HenryAZ]

I like my Wera Zyklop Bit Ratchet Mini 1. It accepts 1/4" hex bits, and they stop without poking through. On top is a round spinner that is cupped out nicely for also applying finger pressure. Comes with an adapter to convert to 1/4" square drive.

Available at Allied Electronics and other places as well.

 

[Bolster]

Bolster’s Hex Ratchet Report of Current Collection

View media item 98366
Photo L to R:
1/2” GearWrench with hex adapter. 0.4 oz back drag. 12mm thick. 12mm from obstruction to center of screw.
General mini hex ratchet. 0.6 oz back drag. 12mm thick. 8mm from obstruction to center of screw.
Ares mini hex ratchet. 0.6 oz back drag. 11mm thick. 11mm obstruction to center of screw.
Snap-on 1/4” ratchet (requires Chapman style bit with stop). 0.4 oz back drag. 8.5mm thick BUT requires Chapman Bit which increases thickness on backside of ratchet. 8mm obstruction to center of screw.
Blue-point mini hex ratchet. 0.2 oz back drag. 13.2mm thick. 10mm obstruction to center of screw.
Chapman 1/4” ratchet (requires Chapman style bit with stop). 0.4 oz back drag. 10.8mm thick BUT requires Chapman bit which increases thickness on backside of ratchet. 8mm obstruction to center of screw.

Back drag winner: Blue-point at a teensy weensy 0.2 ounces.
Horizontal tight access winners: Snap-on, Chapman, General (all at 8mm)
Vertical tight access winners: Ares at 11mm (since the Snap-on and Chapman use taller through-bits), but once a bit is fitted, both Ares and General are equivalent. I suppose you could cut down the Chapman bits, but that seems unethical to my morality.
Coolest lookin’ and feelin’ ratchet: Ares. Also it has the shortest handle for clearance. (But high back drag.)
All-around tight access champ: General. (But high back drag.)
Coarse ratcheting party noise makers: Snap-on, Chapman
Doesn’t win anything award: The GearWrench with hex adapter. Stupid me, why did I buy it?

SEE?!? I need every one of these for a slightly different application! (Including the GearWrench, in case I need to prove low IQ to the gub'mint for my victimhood qualifications and entitlements.) In fact, I'm still short several; so whyn't you fellers send me your unneeded hex ratchets?

 

[KnurledNut]

I use a Flex Gearwrench with bit adaptor and love it!

 

[Htscheg]

Have both the Sunnex set and the Snap-On, Inlike them both and its a toss up which one i grab, they are both good!!

 

[JBH]

1/2” GearWrench with hex adapter. 0.4 oz back drag...[/b]

How are you quantifying backdrag?

Another one that might be useful to you is a "Reverse Gear" locking flex head. The very compact head and locking flex make these very handy, even if the backdrag is notably higher than the best options (Koken, but also Felo and Stahlwille). After I picked up my first one I think it supplanted Koken as my most used. Koken feels much better, but its head is that of a full-sized 1/4" ratchet so Reverse Gear will fit in more places. There's usually room to put a finger on the spinner ring in back to mitigate backdrag as well.

Facom was the original Reverse Gear locking flex, but it's pricey at $68 plus shipping.
https://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/part.php?products_id=7915
At that price, one may as well buy the USAG nano set with bits:
https://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/part.php?products_id=8701
Or one of the other nano sets. (I have one with a couple sockets.)

KS Tools (kind of a German analog to VIM) also offers a similar tool for about 40 USD shipped from amazon.de. KS Tools has the same extension/T-handle system, but they also include a 1/4" square drive adapter. I don't believe Facom does with their open stock one.

I think I've seen Toptul and maybe Würth versions of the locking flex Reverse Gear posted here as well. Those may only be available in sets, like USAG.

Also, Matco has sets very similar to the Würth 1/4" hex + 11mm through-socket above, but with more options (SAE, eTorx). The 1/4" hex side is the standard Reverse Gear head, not an impossibly compact 48T (I think) head like Würth. The bits are <1" but aren't as short was Würth and comparatively cruder in design and finish. More on that later.

 

[DSLTRK]

This Power Torque branded ratchet, same Taiwan OEM as the Wera, has been a good choice.

The backdrag was horrible when new, but these are easily taken apart. I compressed the pawl spring and now it works wonderfully. Even a loose 6-32 screw will not turn on the back swing.

 

[Bolster]

How are you quantifying backdrag?...

Super informative post, JBH, thanks man. OK, the RG (and similar) are on the radar now. The cupped head would be handy to minimize back drag. Yes, the thing that pulled me back from the Koken at last minute was the size of the head. May as well use one of my 1/4" ratchets.

Quantifying backdrag entailed placing the ratchet horizontally and resting the handle (only) on a digital scale, with the head resting on a surface adjacent to the scale. Record ounces of pressure by handle with no ratcheting occurring. Then spin a bit in the head (ie, ratchet) which puts additional force onto the handle. That's the back drag, in reverse. Repeat the test several times and take the average that occurs while "under load." (There was little variance; the number generally repeated exactly, but if it didn't, I took the average of a half dozen samples.) Finally, subtract the "no ratchet" number from the "ratchet" number. For the scientists out there, I did not adjust calculations for length of handle.

EDIT: Good tip, DSLTRK!

 

[JBH]

Super informative post, JBH, thanks man. OK, the RG (and similar) are on the radar now.

Reread the thread and realized I've flogged the locking flex a few times. Sorry about that!

The latest one resulted from discovering the KS Tools version while looking for a cheaper alternative to Facom/USAG to stash in the car with one of those Wiha security-bit sets. Mine appears to be out for delivery today so I'll have all brands' versions (KS Tools, Facom, and USAG) available to compare for at least a day or two.

PS; FYI KS Tools also offers a kit with subtantially the same tool selection as Würth's shallow bit+11mm through socket set in a cheaper case at a lower price. At a quick glance the only quality difference I can see is cheap etchings for socket sizes on KS Tools. compared to stampings on Würth. Even the "low profile" graphics are the same as Würth - and Facom and USAG, so I guess their graphics all come from the same OEM too!
Link.

Quantifying backdrag entailed placing the ratchet horizontally and resting the handle (only) on a digital scale, with the head resting on a surface adjacent to the scale. Record ounces of pressure by handle with no ratcheting occurring. Then spin a bit in the head (ie, ratchet) which puts additional force onto the handle. That's the back drag, in reverse.

Very innovative, I like it! I will have to try that.

 

[PiperCub49]

This Power Torque branded ratchet, same Taiwan OEM as the Wera, has been a good choice.

The backdrag was horrible when new, but these are easily taken apart. I compressed the pawl spring and now it works wonderfully. Even a loose 6-32 screw will not turn on the back swing.

I have two of these. One is branded Topeak. I LOVE these things. Great for working in tight engine compartments or doing interior work. I've put extensions in the end and used them as mini cheater bars and they've help up to all the abuse. Thanks for the tip on reducing the backdrag.

 

[theoldwizard1]

A lot of HVAC guys just buy a 1/4" drive bit set and use a 1/4" ratcheting box end to drive it.

 

[Tduby]

A lot of HVAC guys just buy a 1/4" drive bit set and use a 1/4" ratcheting box end to drive it.

That’s not garage journal worthy we need a German designed made in USA with China parts for at least $35

 

[sweet victory]

While this bit ratchet is long, it's very narrow and thin. I believe EZ red has this in three different sizes .

VIM's half cut hex bit socket is also a realllyyy nice set.

 

[f121]

Snap on are pushing this bluepoint 'close access' set in the current UK flyer. 1/4" square drive at one end, 1/4" bit driver at the other end. I would guess gearwrench is the OEM, but haven't managed to find a direct match:

 

[Dave455]

That’s not garage journal worthy we need a German designed made in USA with China parts for at least $35

I’m sort of in agreement, except the “Made in USA with Chinese parts”! Even with a hint of humour, that’s the worst of all words!

Here’s my feeble selection! Although there seems to be a lot of duplication, there’s a reason behind every purchase!

From L to R Wera (Taiwan but o.k) Stahlwille short, Stahlwille regular, Hazet short, Hazet regular, Snap On regular, Snap On locking long flex, Felo!

Just don’t ask me to pick a favourite...! Actually, probably the short Hazet, provided there’s space for the angled handle. Also the long Snap On, probably the best of all worlds, but unless you can get a finger behind the head, these need to be locking to work at all!

And apart from the Felo, you need to make the boxes yourself!

 

[JBH]

More on the Matco set and KS Tools bit ratchets mentioned above:

I ordered the Matco set because I saw one in a Tesla mobile workshop, and thought it might be useful to keep in the 3. Matco also includes security torx bits, while Würth only has regular. I don't see the point in duplicating security and standard bits, but I guess that way if you break the regular one you have a duplicate.

View media item 98386
While it seems a few companies (Facom/USAG, Wera, Würth, KS Tools, Snapon) now offer metric sockets in a standard 11mm outside hex low-profile format, Matco sells the widest range: metric, AF, and etorx. Snapon also offers 12pt AF. The Europeans stick with metric. (Astro Pneumatic's 11mm outside hex sockets don't play nicely with the others. No big loss, as the AP set is junky)

Matco double sided 11mm+bit ratchet obviously shares some lineage with Würth
View media item 98387
Still, the ratchets' differences go beyond sculpting and stamping. Würth has a super-tiny (48T I think) head and flat spinner ring. It's so thin that the end of the bit actually sticks out a little from the back. Matco has the standard Reverse Gear head with the deep dish spinner ring. In terms of clearance is it no match for Würth.

View media item 98388View media item 98389View media item 98391
tl:dr buy Würth unless you need the variety of sockets Matco offers.

Also, from initial evaluation KS Tools locking flex bit ratchet is every bit equivalent to Facom/USAG, but much cheaper than Facom and unlike USAG available as open stock. Even the square adapters look exactly the same in shape and finish! KS Tools has a slightly longer handle, and different colored dot for T-handle alignment. My USAG had some roughness on the bottom rim around the magnetic bit holder, as if someone had dropped it on rough concrete before it was packaged. Facom and KS Tools were in better shape. I highly recommend this tool.

View media item 98393

 

[M6erfan]

A lot of HVAC guys just buy a 1/4" drive bit set and use a 1/4" ratcheting box end to drive it.

What would keep the bit from sliding through the drive end? That would drive me nuts.

 

[JBH]

VIM's half cut hex bit socket is also a realllyyy nice set.

What do the VIM bits look like in back? Are they notched or tapered for additional clearance in the Reverse Gear style bit ratchets?

 

[shockwave]

Vim half cut vhc77 or sunex 40 piece is what I use

 

[sweet victory]

What do the VIM bits look like in back? Are they notched or tapered for additional clearance in the Reverse Gear style bit ratchets?

There is a chamfer on the none drive end of the bit. Also worth mentioning that the smaller sized drivers are a 3/16" bit, rather than 1/4".

 

[PugetDude]

What would keep the bit from sliding through the drive end? That would drive me nuts.

Black electrical tape. A couple of diagonal wraps. Seriously, if it's only for occasional use, and you don't have a bit ratchet, a 1/4" ratcheting combo wrench and a insert bit will get the job done. The little 1/4" Gearwrench keychain wrench RSanter sent me on the SS about 5 years bailed me out of a tight situation last year when I was at my cabin and didn't have my Titan bit ratchet.

 

[MikeF2316]

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

Super small and impressive.

I have these, and I agree. Mine are also branded Pro Point, just like the ones in the picture.

Plus I have this one from MAC, but I prefer the Titan. But this one passes through.

https://www.mactools.ca/en-ca/Screw...chets/BWS7BO/1-4-Hex-Drive-Offset-Bit-Ratchet

 

[superautobacs]

JBH,

Excellent analysis and comparisons.

More on the Matco set and KS Tools bit ratchets mentioned above:

I ordered the Matco set because I saw one in a Tesla mobile workshop, and thought it might be useful to keep in the 3. Matco also includes security torx bits, while Würth only has regular. I don't see the point in duplicating security and standard bits, but I guess that way if you break the regular one you have a duplicate.

View media item 98386
While it seems a few companies (Facom/USAG, Wera, Würth, KS Tools, Snapon) now offer metric sockets in a standard 11mm outside hex low-profile format, Matco sells the widest range: metric, AF, and etorx. Snapon also offers 12pt AF. The Europeans stick with metric. (Astro Pneumatic's 11mm outside hex sockets don't play nicely with the others. No big loss, as the AP set is junky)


With the exception of Snap-on, I think they are all sourced from the same OEM in Taiwan: Hi-Five


Matco double sided 11mm+bit ratchet obviously shares some lineage with Würth
View media item 98387
Still, the ratchets' differences go beyond sculpting and stamping. Würth has a super-tiny (48T I think) head and flat spinner ring. It's so thin that the end of the bit actually sticks out a little from the back. Matco has the standard Reverse Gear head with the deep dish spinner ring. In terms of clearance is it no match for Würth.


Wurth probably has more money to spend than Matco does, so corporate wants to have the OEM make all the dies so that "Wurth" gets stamped on the product.

Regarding the bits sticking out. That seems to be the latest version of their bits. The protrusion aids in the removal of the bit from the bit ratchet as it provides an area for you to push the bit down with your finger.

The Japanese brand, DEEN, also has the same style of kit, in a metal box, with a similar assortment.

Both versions of the ReverseGear bit ratchets are from Hi-Five. The smaller version has been around for just over 10 years. Both versions have been re-branded into sooo many different names, both small and big-name tool brands.

View media item 98388View media item 98389View media item 98391
tl:dr buy Würth unless you need the variety of sockets Matco offers.

Also, from initial evaluation KS Tools locking flex bit ratchet is every bit equivalent to Facom/USAG, but much cheaper than Facom and unlike USAG available as open stock. Even the square adapters look exactly the same in shape and finish! KS Tools has a slightly longer handle, and different colored dot for T-handle alignment. My USAG had some roughness on the bottom rim around the magnetic bit holder, as if someone had dropped it on rough concrete before it was packaged. Facom and KS Tools were in better shape. I highly recommend this tool.


You can add DEEN into the mix as well. DEEN has been offering this T-handle bit ratchet set-up since 2015, which I think is before all others.


View media item 98393

 

[Monte]

 

[JerseyBoatBuilder]

I like the tiny Wera and Bluepoint relabeled Lang fine tooth hex bit ratchet.

 

[Bolster]

Dave455, JBH, Superauto…thanks for the extended analyses. Was hoping for a deep dive into this topic. That Wurth set is looking better and better to me…

 

[Bolster]

What would keep the bit from sliding through the drive end? That would drive me nuts.

Valid point. Take a look at the Chapman bits in my post (#51) and you might be able to see the little pinched "stop" points, or "ears," that keep the Chapman bits from sliding through a typical 1/4" ratcheting box end. And the built-in ball detent keeps them tight. BUT, these bits also stick out the other side, with a knurled shaft, which is handy for hand twisting, but also greatly increases its vertical profile.

I don't use the Chapman much, because who wants to worry about specialty bits. I want to use easily replaceable 1/4" hex, and I do NOT want the bit sliding through...it DOES drive me nuts.

 

[Tduby]

JBH do you have a model number for that kit it’s definitely worth looking into depending on the price. I can’t help but feel Tekton will be coming out with a nice bit driver kit they already have a nice little electronics repair kit.

 

[tym]

Is that disk a magnet?

 

[JBH]

JBH do you have a model number for that kit it’s definitely worth looking into depending on the price. I can’t help but feel Tekton will be coming out with a nice bit driver kit they already have a nice little electronics repair kit.

096511310, Double Ring Ratchet Spanner Wrench with Bits Mini Set 31pcs

Cost is pretty reasonable - about 50 USD. Half as much as Matco's version!

There's also a black finish "limited edition" at about the same price (may be sold out). I'm not a fan of tools that are hard to find when dropped, though

 

[gtcs]

Thought I would throw this one in I didn’t see one exactly like it. I found this at a wal mart while on a trip and I needed one to fix my wife’s headlight, have been using almost exclusively since


https://www.bostitch.com/products/t...otive-wrenches/32-pc-bit-wrench-set/btmt72275


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[JJ99SS]

May have missed it, but Chapman has some really good sets. There are however some really good options here...

 

[Monte]

Is that disk a magnet?

yes, it´s a 10x1mm disk magnet to keep the bit in place.