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VIM Mms64 Master hex and torx kit?

SuzukiGS750EZ

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Hey guys. I've used the little 1/4 torx at work from vim (a few years ago) on a few vehicles and I liked them. I'd like to try and get a quality set of torx and Allen I can grab in one kit rather than the few I have. I currently have SK (goes all the way up to "do they even make that size bolt?! Socket), a mac set and a craftsman set in metric Allen. I have a craftsman set of Sae Allen. And my torx is Stanley. Needless to say my torx was to get me by... I've shattered a socket or two already. So now I'm looking at sets. The vim half cut set looks nice. Is there a down side to half cut? Is it missing any sizes. My sk set was missing a size my mac set had which I needed for a Ford Escape caliper bolt so I added it to the kit. If I could consolidate all those separate kits out of my toolbox and make room for one complete set, that would be awesome.
 
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Tenex

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I just bought the Bondhus set (30298) of metric hex sockets. 4mm - 17mm. I'm really happy with the design since it allows me to press in new bits when the originals wear out. Proto and Snap On have the same design. Beware the shouldered bits.

FWIW, VIM is commonly recommended on this board.
 
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SuzukiGS750EZ

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I also see a similar gearwrench 80742SH for the same price. 84 piece. They both have some sizes the other doesn't. Opinions?
 
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SuzukiGS750EZ

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I just bought the Bondhus set (30298) of metric hex sockets. 4mm - 17mm. I'm really happy with the design since it allows me to press in new bits when the originals wear out. Proto and Snap On have the same design. Beware the shouldered bits.

FWIW, VIM is commonly recommended on this board.
I wish I could find a full set of roll pin sockets in the variety the vim set has
 

T45

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The vim half cut set looks nice. Is there a down side to half cut? Is it missing any sizes.

My understanding is that they fit a bit tighter. sometimes the depth of engagement, or ease of engagement, will vary a bit vs standard drivers.

I honestly woudnt worry about it, as the VIM kit looks pretty great in terms of what you get and the layout/storage.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UBXHYSM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

You can always pick up the $30 zephyr bit kit from apex.bits -- for the times you need another option, redundancy, or what not :bounce:

http://omegatec.com/zbb-4-zephyr-professional-31-piece-bit-kit.aspx
 
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Mad Dog

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I purchased the VIM master set last year and have used them extensively since then. Quality is first rate and the most well used bits are showing no wear. I am very satisfied.
 
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SuzukiGS750EZ

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Are there any other reputable companies that make big sets like these under 120$?
 

Carquest

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Gear Wrench makes a really comprehensive set that I bought off e-bay for around a hundred bucks. Time will tell as far as the quality, but good assortment of hex, torx, and also some long ones.
 

FigureItOut

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If you really want to get serious about covering the Torx variations look at the VIM 77 piece Torx master set. It covers your Torx Plus both internal and external, and 5 point. I'd get that and cover hex stuff separately.
 

jefff

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Hi all,

Long time lurker but I finally registered so I could ask a question on this thread.

I purchased the VIM master set last year and have used them extensively since then. Quality is first rate and the most well used bits are showing no wear. I am very satisfied.

I currently have some extra crappy Craftsman hex and torx bits and I absolutely hate them. The bits either fall out or get stuck in the bolt and I'm forever having to put them back together.

I was looking at the bits that are one-piece but have yet to find any that have gotten decent reviews.

Do these VIM units stay together and not rattle around? If so, that may satisfy my need. If not, then I'll keep looking.

Thanks,
 
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SuzukiGS750EZ

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I like that the gearwrench kit comes with the long bits and it's got a few more sizes bit the vim is half size and better quality. I know some of you will buy piece by piece after you buy a lot, but which one will give me the most usable sizes? The vim has e4-20 where the gw has e4-24. What's that, one more size? The gw has tamper torx 8-60, vim has 10-55. The vim has 2.5-22mm hex and the gw has 2.5-19. But the gw has long bits too. Decisions decisions
 

shockwave

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Fwiw the mms64 will be what you need to cover most all your needs and a much broader range than the tms77 that cover only torx variation where most of the time you will only use torx,etorx and hex (Allen)

And vim sockets hold up very well and you want the bit style vs the half cut style because a lot of European brake calipers have a recess for standard bit sockets that stubby and 1/2 cut don't fit

And look for deal they have a lot of buy 1 get another set free a lot of the times

The vim sets are a lot stronger imo over the gearwrench sets just not as easily replaced if tool truck is not around your area
 
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SuzukiGS750EZ

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Will the VIM set hex fit say a ford escape 9mm hex caliper bolt with the rubber boot around it? The only experience i have really is the vim one piece 1/4" torx bits. I think im leaning towards VIM just because of the quality over the few sizes i'll be missing from the GW and if i need long sockets later on, i'll buy a separate set of those.
 

shockwave

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They should have these included I cannot find detailed specs on set but also keep in mind if you work on Mercedes newer ml350 use 11mm for calipers aswell escapes/expedition use 9mm hex I would send email to vim

Also found this if you are interested while browsing http://m.ebay.com/itm/VIM-Tools-64-Piece-Mechanics-Master-Set-MMS64-TORX-HEX-BITS-CASE-QUICK-SHIP-/262824700753?hash=item3d3192ab51%3Ag%3AnIEAAOSwNnRYij7-&_trkparms=pageci%253A8dea1623-eb23-11e6-a4e7-005056b68988%257Cparentrq%253A0b18d79e15a0a5e2a5691eefff9ca988%257Ciid%253A2
 
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SuzukiGS750EZ

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I know that the 9mm is included in the set, but i'm wondering if the bit itself is long enough to get past the little rubber boot that surrounds the head of the bolt. Usually there is a plastic cap that keeps debris out of the rubber boot/bolt head which you pop off, but i don't know just how short the bit is and if it could get past the rubber easily. I'm trying to replace the SK set (http://www.tooltopia.com/sk-hand-tool-19734.aspx) and had to add the 9mm from the mac set i have (7 piece set).
 
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shockwave

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They will clear without a problem only the 1/2 cut single piece bits have issues with clearance on calipers
 
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SuzukiGS750EZ

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Really? I love my SK bit sockets. I first tried the Bondhus inserts but getting them in and out was too much of a nuisance and buying dedicated sockets for them destroys the price advantage.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

I love the set but i've got kits of hex and torx all over my socket drawer and it would be nice to consolidate them down. I only keep that SK set in the box and my stanley torx set. I don't have a quality tamper proof torx set and i don't own any female torx, so the kit i'm trying to buy would include all of those in one area. I would end up taking the SK set and putting it into my bicycle toolbox (giggle all you want!). I've twisted more 6mm hex sockets on a bicycle than i have other bits on a car lol
 

Mad Dog

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One of the main reasons I got the VIM set was bikes and motorcycles. My mountain bikes are mostly 4 and 5mm and the fasteners really get a work out with sloppy bits...
 
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SuzukiGS750EZ

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One of the main reasons I got the VIM set was bikes and motorcycles. My mountain bikes are mostly 4 and 5mm and the fasteners really get a work out with sloppy bits...

That was my issue with the SK set. I ended up having to epoxy in the 4-6mm bits back into the socket because they would fall out in the stem bolts or seat post bolts. Motorcycles i can see as well as german cars.
 

shockwave

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The only thing I don't like about sk or otc is there is slop in the sockets for the bit and you cannot feel the fastener aswell besides it falling out and 4-5mm or up too t30 I use 1/4 drive almost exclusively or torx screwdrivers
 

T45

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But, will the VIM set fit recessed fasteners such as those in calipers?

GJ answer of course: Buy everything vim makes :beer:

If bicylces are you concern, there are at least two places on a road bike that need recessed normal-length reach (R deraileur/hanger and F caliper/fork). For road bikes specifically, I would use 50mm 1/4 drive length over stubby.

For other applications like Moto and Auto, i often prefer the shorter bits.

They put less yaw angle into the fastener (less wobble at socket/extensin or ratchet), and improve feel/control, which helps keep the fasteners in good shape. Also, some places are obstructed and the shorter length gives you more options for drive sizes and torque control (but if you have a 3/8 in 1/4 body torque wrench maybe this is not a concern).
 
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SuzukiGS750EZ

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GJ answer of course: Buy everything vim makes [emoji481]

If bicylces are you concern, there are at least two places on a road bike that need recessed normal-length reach (R deraileur/hanger and F caliper/fork). For road bikes specifically, I would use 50mm 1/4 drive length over stubby.

For other applications like Moto and Auto, i often prefer the shorter bits.

They put less yaw angle into the fastener (less wobble at socket/extensin or ratchet), and improve feel/control, which helps keep the fasteners in good shape. Also, some places are obstructed and the shorter length gives you more options for drive sizes and torque control (units that aren't always low profile--but if you have a 3/8 in 1/4 body torque wrench maybe this is not a concern).
I'm all set on bicycles, I was just saying I would retire my current sets to my bicycle toolbox
 
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SuzukiGS750EZ

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Can someone tell me how much shorter the vim are over a standard bit? The make it or break it is going to be if it fits the caliper bolts really, I've got to maintain two vehicles with 11 and 9mm caliper bolts
 

Mad Dog

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Well, I ran out to the sanctuary and measured my bits. First off, my master set does not have an 11mm. The 9mm has a bit which protrudes 19mm. The 10mm protrudes 16mm, and the 12mm protrudes 26mm. Hope that helps...
 
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SuzukiGS750EZ

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Well, I ran out to the sanctuary and measured my bits. First off, my master set does not have an 11mm. The 9mm has a bit which protrudes 19mm. The 10mm protrudes 16mm, and the 12mm protrudes 26mm. Hope that helps...
Thank you do much. I will see how long the ones I use are and see if the vim will work.
 
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SuzukiGS750EZ

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I see vim also makes long sockets. If I worked on more German cars I would definitely put my money into vim. I was impressed with what I used at work which is why I considered them first when it came to this.
 

RPH

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At the moment my opinion was of Vim and my seller is sinking. I bought the driver kit and had one snap on first use. Emailed the seller who sent me Vim warranty policy. On the policy it state either seller will warrant damaged items. Seller says it's Vim's problem and Vim doesn't return calls for the return authorization number. So until they honor their warranty, either of them jury is still out. But most likely will find a better more responsive supplier.
 
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SuzukiGS750EZ

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I went ahead and got the gearwrench set and figured if it wasn't all I expected that I'd throw it in my brothers toolbox for the random times he needs the odd torx or hex. They're actually really nice. They sockets are shorter than what I own and appear to be pressed in well. Time will tell. I may get the vim one piece sockets though, the half size.
 

asm154

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Had a completely different experience with Vim. Called them, got a person, and a new replacement bit showed up in original packaging two working days later. Didn't even have to mail the working one. AND their master set bit sockets are impact rated and covered, according to them.
 
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SuzukiGS750EZ

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Had a completely different experience with Vim. Called them, got a person, and a new replacement bit showed up in original packaging two working days later. Didn't even have to mail the working one. AND their master set bit sockets are impact rated and covered, according to them.
I did read the last part you mention. You can't go wrong with either. VIM is a solid company and I have used their products many times before. I've never had a gearwrench product fail that I have personally owned and maintained. Can't say the same for shop shared tools.
 
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