I don't own a cool set of Mountain, Matco, Icon, Snap-On, etc. long handle flex head ratcheting wrenches. There have been a few times one could have been handy, like when yanking my Suzuki's transfer case this weekend, but those sets are expensive and take up a lot of drawer space and for me, the juice just wasn't worth the squeeze. I also don't have a ratcheting wrench specifically designed for the 17mm flanks on my 3/8 Astro nano sockets. When I need the low profile clearance they offer I just use a regular ratcheting wrench with some tape, like a petty commoner.
But now I might have killed two birds with one stone. I bought a set of VIM dual drive ratcheting attachments for $90 from TechsChoiceTools. The set comes with three attachments: the 1/4 drive is 11mm, the 3/8 drive is 17mmm, and the 1/2 drive is 22mm. They are all flex head, reversible, and have the retaining ring for holding dual drive sockets:
Because they're attachments, they can go with any length extension you have and make a customizable, low profile, ratcheting wrench. Have a set of Astro nanos and a 14" extension? Then you can have a 14" ratcheting wrench in whatever size socket you choose, this one is an Astro 12mm:
And when you don't need a custom ratcheting wrench, they store away easily like any other attachment:
The 1/4 drive 11mm fits my low profile Mayhew torx sockets, which is really nice for working on the bike. The best extension I have for that one is easily the Ti one that came with my TRO ratchet. It's a tight fit, with no play whatsoever.
One thing to note about the 11mm flex head attachment, is that the retaining spring is offset and NOT centered. As I understand it, this means the Astro 1/4 nanos will fit into this attachment, but the snap ring won't line up with them. The dual drive low profile sockets from VIM, GripEdge, Facom/USAG, and some other brands that all have offset grooves will align with the snap ring. My Mayhews don't even have a groove for the snap ring, but there's enough friction to hold them in place pretty well. Here you can see the offset position of the snap ring:
All in all, I think they're a very handy set of attachments. I don't know if I'll ever use the 1/2 drive one, and might end up selling it. But the 3/8 will get used plenty, and I can see myself eventually getting a set of 11mm dual drive low profile 1/4 drive sockets to go along with my 3/8 nanos. What I really want is Koken to make a 1/4 dual drive low profile nut grip set. That would be perfect.
But now I might have killed two birds with one stone. I bought a set of VIM dual drive ratcheting attachments for $90 from TechsChoiceTools. The set comes with three attachments: the 1/4 drive is 11mm, the 3/8 drive is 17mmm, and the 1/2 drive is 22mm. They are all flex head, reversible, and have the retaining ring for holding dual drive sockets:
Because they're attachments, they can go with any length extension you have and make a customizable, low profile, ratcheting wrench. Have a set of Astro nanos and a 14" extension? Then you can have a 14" ratcheting wrench in whatever size socket you choose, this one is an Astro 12mm:
And when you don't need a custom ratcheting wrench, they store away easily like any other attachment:
The 1/4 drive 11mm fits my low profile Mayhew torx sockets, which is really nice for working on the bike. The best extension I have for that one is easily the Ti one that came with my TRO ratchet. It's a tight fit, with no play whatsoever.
One thing to note about the 11mm flex head attachment, is that the retaining spring is offset and NOT centered. As I understand it, this means the Astro 1/4 nanos will fit into this attachment, but the snap ring won't line up with them. The dual drive low profile sockets from VIM, GripEdge, Facom/USAG, and some other brands that all have offset grooves will align with the snap ring. My Mayhews don't even have a groove for the snap ring, but there's enough friction to hold them in place pretty well. Here you can see the offset position of the snap ring:
All in all, I think they're a very handy set of attachments. I don't know if I'll ever use the 1/2 drive one, and might end up selling it. But the 3/8 will get used plenty, and I can see myself eventually getting a set of 11mm dual drive low profile 1/4 drive sockets to go along with my 3/8 nanos. What I really want is Koken to make a 1/4 dual drive low profile nut grip set. That would be perfect.