To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Tell me about bit ratchets

R

Robinson1

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 22, 2015
Messages
834
Location
Kentucky
I've had three jobs in the last two weeks where I was stuck using a 1 inch insert bit and a small adjustable wrench to take out screws. Just no clearance for even the shortest of stubby screwdrivers. The first two jobs was commercial doors and today Ive spent an hour taking two screws out of a shower valve from the back side.

I think it's time to invest in a bit ratchet. The thinner the better and would be nice if it was flat (no offset) on the head. I'm sitting here waiting for PVC glue to dry so I can turn the water back on. Been looking on Amazon but not sure what to order.

Also I have Lowes, Ace Hardware, Napa, Advanced Auto, Tractor Supply local to me. If there's something I can buy off the shelf that's even better.

Don't expect to use this alot. But still don't want junk.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
J

JonDick13926

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 6, 2014
Messages
326
Location
Sidney, Ohio
I have two. One is Sanp On and one is Gearwrench. Both work well, but the gearwrench has an offset and the Snap On is flat.

Both sets came with sockets. The gearwrench also came with a lot of bits and the snap on just came with a bit socket so you would have to supply your own bits in that case.
 
R

RoundedNut

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 8, 2018
Messages
239
Location
driveway
Some bit ratchets are really just modified 1/4" square drive ratchets and relatively wide. These can be useful but get a real one like those VIM's that is 3/4" wide or less as this lets you get right into corners.

Most bit ratchets are short, 3" to 4" but there are times when longer ones, up to 12" are very handy.

If you haven't already, get some hex bits from 1" up to 6" to use with your bit ratchets and you'll not use hex keys again.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
C

Cooter Brown

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 6, 2017
Messages
316
I've got a cheap version of one of these that I bought for some specific purpose I don't recall. It's a General.

The head on the thing is not solid, it's open on both sides. In other words you can push the bit all the way through the ratchet from either side. To put any downward pressure on the fastener you've got to have your thumb over the back of the bit to keep it from coming out of the ratchet.

It's such a PIA I stuck the thing in a drawer and never used it.

A lot of the ratchets in this thread and the other thread appear to have the same setup as the General I've got, or am I missing something?
 
T

ToolPolisher

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 21, 2017
Messages
195
The Ares looks good but I already have this one:

https://www.sears.com/craftsman-5-p...SellerId=Sears&prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

With a bit driver I look at things already said in this thread like the bits not passing through an "open" drive end but I also look for a high tooth count. Usually I'm using something like this because I don't have a lot of space so dealing with a low tooth count is a deal breaker. I don't need a low tooth count for ultimate torque anyway.
 
A

Agentwho

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 27, 2012
Messages
264
Location
Baltimore
I have a couple of the gearwrench kits and use them pretty often. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0062FSAVI/?tag=atomicindus08-20 Good set up but they are offset not zero degree like you were asking for.

If you like using your drill this style adapter can really get you into tight spots. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XKW4VZ2/?tag=atomicindus08-20 They are not the strongest and don't handle torque very well but do make like so much easier when working in tight spots.

Just grabbed a couple of links off amazon, I know you can find better deals by searching around a bit. Have a good one.
 
T

Tonyuk

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 9, 2017
Messages
1,539
Location
Scotland
Wera-Bit-Ratchet-Set.jpg


I have the set by Wera, costs about £20 all in.

I very rarely use it.
 
P

PoorOwner

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 10, 2007
Messages
5,032
Location
CA
Cooter Brown said:
I've got a cheap version of one of these that I bought for some specific purpose I don't recall. It's a General.

The head on the thing is not solid, it's open on both sides. In other words you can push the bit all the way through the ratchet from either side. To put any downward pressure on the fastener you've got to have your thumb over the back of the bit to keep it from coming out of the ratchet.

It's such a PIA I stuck the thing in a drawer and never used it.

A lot of the ratchets in this thread and the other thread appear to have the same setup as the General I've got, or am I missing something?
Click to expand...

I don't have the problem with my VIM, if it doesn't hold a bit in, then you could have just use a 1/4 ratcheting wrench.
 
D

DerekV

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 12, 2016
Messages
1,070
Location
Central TX
ToolPolisher said:
The Ares looks good but I already have this one:

https://www.sears.com/craftsman-5-p...SellerId=Sears&prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

With a bit driver I look at things already said in this thread like the bits not passing through an "open" drive end but I also look for a high tooth count. Usually I'm using something like this because I don't have a lot of space so dealing with a low tooth count is a deal breaker. I don't need a low tooth count for ultimate torque anyway.
Click to expand...

This is the one I have and I highly recommend it. Very smooth, very little back drag, very low profile, and tough. The thumb wheel is placed perfectly and all metal. Offset is just right. I never thought it'd be as handy has it is, but it's saved me on several occasions. Oh and if it matters, it's made in USA.
 
C

ChrisLS8

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 16, 2015
Messages
1,964
Agentwho said:
I have a couple of the gearwrench kits and use them pretty often. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0062FSAVI/?tag=atomicindus08-20 Good set up but they are offset not zero degree like you were asking for.

If you like using your drill this style adapter can really get you into tight spots. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XKW4VZ2/?tag=atomicindus08-20 They are not the strongest and don't handle torque very well but do make like so much easier when working in tight spots.

Just grabbed a couple of links off amazon, I know you can find better deals by searching around a bit. Have a good one.
Click to expand...

I have the DeWalt impact style one. DWARA100, I use it at work daily and it only has the bit protrude enough to get on the fastener to lower the profile.

I had the Milwaukee which was slightly beefier but it wasn't as low profile so I sold it to a co-worker
 
OP
R

Robinson1

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 22, 2015
Messages
834
Location
Kentucky
So I ordered the VIM HBR4 from Amazon. Was defective out of the box. Ratchet was extremely rough and locked up after about three rotations. I'm sending it back.

Ordered the Sunex set as a replacement. I really just wanted a ratchet. Don't need the bits and the case is just going to take up room in my tool bags. Im disappointed
 
J

johninct

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 21, 2010
Messages
2,595
I really don't like to use my Snap-On one because the extra amount of torque applied usually makes the bit come out of the screw slots.
 
P

PeedoPie

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 16, 2017
Messages
178
Location
NJ
I’m very fond of the Wera. Was a little clunky at first but wore in rather quickly
 
D

Danglerb

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 6, 2007
Messages
9,736
Location
SoCal
I buy anything new that looks interesting in a bit driver and isn't too expensive, but my go to is the Gearwrench micro driver set for anything a screwdriver handle driver won't work on.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom