nicks78camaro
Well-known member
These are pretty cool. Could be very useful in a pinch when paired with their FRW11
VIM dual drive firm flex 1/4" universal sockets
- Thread starter nicks78camaro
- Start date
These are pretty cool. Could be very useful in a pinch when paired with their FRW11
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
I'm not sure exactly how those would be to use on the FRW11 handle. I feel like at any significant angle you're going to be trying to twist the socket over, rather than rotate the fastener. At which point you need a ratchet/extension combo so you can try to keep it stable. Sort of like putting a universal socket on a ratchet and having it bent severely, it's just a flop-fest.
FRW11 works with the astro nano sockets, and is shorter than a 1/4 snap on ratchet with koken zeal sockets. I'm a big fan.
FRW11 works with the astro nano sockets, and is shorter than a 1/4 snap on ratchet with koken zeal sockets. I'm a big fan.
OP
nicks78camaro
Well-known member
Yeah not exactly ideal conditions especially for breaking loose or final tightening.
I'm gonna grab an FRW11 and the 1/4" nanos, and the Mayhew dual drive torx and metric hex. Gonna skip the dual drive flex and the nora150s
I'm gonna grab an FRW11 and the 1/4" nanos, and the Mayhew dual drive torx and metric hex. Gonna skip the dual drive flex and the nora150s
Who is the competition? I haven’t seen any other dual drive universal sockets. I’m not a fan of vims warranty tbh and these seem like a tool that would have a higher brake rate than average tools.
so you think that a snap on universal 1/4 socket on a tiny 1/4 ratchet would be the lowest profile possible for that tool? Dual drive would make it too short to pivot?
Capri, Astro, pretty sure Tekton has 1/4" wobbles. Just about every other mid tier brand offers a 1/4 wobble. Like I said, those 2 insignificant things aren't worth the huge price hike (especially since astro's are $40 on the zon right now)
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
I think the dual 80 + snap on universal would be taller than a FRW11 and these sockets. The drive tool adds essentially zero additional height with dual drive, same as the astro nano sockets. So the question really is, does a VIM 10mm universal dual drive socket have a taller height than a Snap On 10mm universal AND the head height of a TL72 ratchet? I'd buy the VIM universal may be taller, but I doubt it's an entire 1/4 drive ratchet taller. I couldn't find dimensions on the VIM site.
The problem driving off a universal with just a ratchet is a tendency of ratchet rotation to just fold the socket over, or the angle required means the ratchet handle just hits the work piece. The former can be mitigated once you understand how it's happening but it adds slop and wobble to the process but maybe the VIM spring loaded action helps this. The latter is just physics, you can bang the handle into something before you reach the required angle. I think using the flex head FRM11 on a universal joint without a second hand to stabilize would be a pain on tight fasteners. FRM11 doesn't lock either, but it does have a ball detent.
The advantage of dual drive is you always have the option even if it's not pretty or elegant. Maybe it's a PITA to spin that bolt out with the universal flopping around but if that gets the job done with the bumper still installed then it's a winner.
None of them are dual drive though? I don’t care about the straight flex thing but dual drive is real interesting.
are you supposed to use them with extensions? Or what do you mean by just a ratchet as opposed to what? I only had to use them a few times and yea it was a mess but I never got official training on the right way to use these
This was my impression also- unless maybe it's a very shallow angle with a small diameter screw like an M6, that's not rusted, and/or you can somewhat constrain the wrench. I have a set of 3/8 drive chrome universals and have pretty much had zero luck with them over the years because the fastener is almost always too tight to loosen with a ratchet by hand and then I get the reaction that you mentioned- but an impact universal and a gun zips it right out if there's access. 1/4" drive with a ratchet, extension, and 10mm universal socket loosening a 6mm screw typically works fine.
Odd-job
Well-known member
The use case needing dual drive while getting to a low torque fastener around the perfect obstruction is admittedly low on these. It is nice to have the option though.
I think these types with a dual drive would have been more compelling as they don't flop and take torque better (would make them impact rated if possible and Koken nut grip on top
):
I think these types with a dual drive would have been more compelling as they don't flop and take torque better (would make them impact rated if possible and Koken nut grip on top
):2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
are you supposed to use them with extensions? Or what do you mean by just a ratchet as opposed to what? I only had to use them a few times and yea it was a mess but I never got official training on the right way to use these
It's a function of how you apply force. Put a universal on a ratchet and try to use it. Unless you brace the area near the head, it will tend to fold when applying rotational force. You can see a similar thing with a new tool user, they have a tendency to push the ratchet off the fastener, especially with deep sockets. Their force is rotating the ratchet off the fastener, rather than driving the tool square and rotating the fastener. Same deal with a 3ft extension, you brace the head area of the ratchet and apply torque, otherwise you can just flop it off.
SwissMetric
Well-known member
These 1/2" and 3/8* Stahlwille sets (there are also imperial versions) include articulated sockets, the friction keeps them in angular position. Such sockets also exist in 1/4" but I don't have any pic ready. They're not really convenient to use and also way too expensive. In many cases there are other options.
That said with those two sets and an additional not shown 1/4" set a lot can be done.
With wobble drives the torque is lower than with a regular square drive but interestingly in most cases the rated torque of a ratchet is not specified by the manufacturer.
That said with those two sets and an additional not shown 1/4" set a lot can be done.
With wobble drives the torque is lower than with a regular square drive but interestingly in most cases the rated torque of a ratchet is not specified by the manufacturer.
