Vim Tools Ratcheting Wrench "Ends" Just Released NORA150XL

[oldschoolcraft]

I know a lot of you have been waiting for these since they were teased last year. They are ratcheting wrench ends that you can put any 3/8" extension in the base. 12 point.

I was really excited for them but now I'm on the fence between the price and the lack of warranty. Vim Tools put out an announcement today in their weekly Tool Tuesday video on YouTube that these will NOT have any warranty. Because of the concern that someone might misuse them by putting too long of an extension and generate too much torque and break them.

Vim also said that a smaller set, with 8-10-11-12-13 will be released later this year.

I'm a lot less excited given lack of any warranty, anyone who buys these will be playing manufacturer roulette, hoping you dont get one that has a defect. There's a nearly 100% chance at least some will be defective from the factory and that buyer will be on the hook for that loss.

NORA150XL - VIM Tools

6 PC. 12PT NANO FLEX OFFSET RATCHETING ATTACHMENT SET - 3/8" DRIVE (14 - 19MM)

vimtools.com

 

[rust in the eye]

These can go into the same bin as their silly palm ratchets.
What's wrong with a regular flex head box ratchet?

 

[Callelle]

Zero interest with them not standing behind them and the ridiculous price. I also got thinking about it, how much leverage are you gonna put on it with a 3/8 extension. I know there are 3 foot extensions, but at what point is someone gonna actually do that. I would think at that point, the extension would be deflecting beyond usefulness. Either way, another flop for them IMO.

 

[bwringer]

IDGAF about warranty, because I definitely understand their perspective. Morons must and will *****.

If you look at the "Mountain" style wrenches with similar flex heads, the reviews are full of screaming manbaby morons who tried to use the tools to pop loose suspension bolts on a Michigan pickup and promptly stripped them out.

The elephant in the room here is the pricing. $205 for a gimmick like this is way on the far side of ridiculous. (Vim's pricing is pretty nutso across the board, for that matter.)

That said, there's certainly not a "nearly 100% chance at least some will be defective from the factory". That's ridiculous. Heck, it's been ages since I've even seen a factory defect, even in cheap tools.

You also really wonder how much force you can apply with a 3/8" extension; they're made for twisting, not side forces. Even if you found a four foot extension or whatever, I'd think the square lug on the extension would usually fail first.


For some reason, Tekton sells an 18" long 3/8" drive ratchet, and I remember a Tekton rep once remarked that their warranty return rate was very high on these because imbeciles tried to use them for breaking loose stuck bolts. With that long lever, yer average ******* can easily shear off the drive without even trying; there's simply no metal on earth strong enough.

3/8 Inch Drive x 18 Inch Quick-Release Extra-Long Ratchet | TEKTON

Quick-release ratchet with 90-tooth gear and 4-degree swing. Ultra-compact head and sleek, comfortable handle. SRH11118.

www.tekton.com

 

[Fedwrench]

They seem pricey for what you get. they still might be handy to have. However, I think the Astro Nano sockets would be the way to go and much cheaper with warranty for those that care about a warranty.

 

[LXCam]

Oh looky you giving a PSA about something you have zero idea about the application and or reasoning by the manufacturer.

 

[NYBODYMAN]

I'm a big fan of VIM and Tool Tuesday videos but I don't see the need for these over a flex head ratchet.

 

[Steve_P]

I personally don't need these, but the OP continually complains about VIM pricing and warranty. Over and over. He waits for a new product announcement, and repeats. He obviously doesn't like VIM but monitors their youtube channel just to complain here. Not sure why such a focus on VIM, but whatever. They do innovate and have some good products.

When these reach the market, they will sell for less than the VIM website price. The HBR5 is $30 on VIM, oh the horror, that's outrageous! But it's $19 on Amazon.

I assume if you get a bad one out of the box that they'll stand behind it. However, expecting free lifetime replacement on torx bits or ratcheting wrenches from a company like VIM doesn't seem reasonable to me; I realize that some companies do this, but that's tool truck warranty expectation IMO.

The reason Tekton's ratchet selection is minimal in comparison to Gearwrench, Matco, Snap On.... is they don't offer a lot of longer sizes because of warranty issues.

 

[teagueo]

The ability to attach different length extensions is pretty useful vs standard (fixed length) flex head ratcheting wrenches.

Does VIM design some of these tools? I thought they mostly rebranded existing Taiwanese tools. I've bought a few things from them before.

 

[NYBODYMAN]

The ability to attach different length extensions is pretty useful vs standard (fixed length) flex head ratcheting wrenches.

Yeah I can see that. I guess I spoke for myself when I responded. I guess one of those tools that won't be used very often, but when you need it, it's a lifesaver. I already have a ton of those types of tools lol

Going back to the warranty or lack thereof, I watch vim tools YouTube video every Tuesday when it comes out. These guys are top notch. I'm sure if you got a bad one out of the box I explained it to them. They would gladly replace it for you. They are a small and growing mom and pop company that stands behind their stuff.

 

[Bobioz1]

Looks like a good idea. Worse part about my Mountain wrench’s is they’re too long. Now these can be whatever length I want. Price comes down and I’m in.

 

[Hakeem]

I assume if you get a bad one out of the box that they'll stand behind it. However, expecting free lifetime replacement on torx bits or ratcheting wrenches from a company like VIM doesn't seem reasonable to me; I realize that some companies do this, but that's tool truck warranty expectation IMO.

The reason Tekton's ratchet selection is minimal in comparison to Gearwrench, Matco, Snap On.... is they don't offer a lot of longer sizes because of warranty issues.

Those are ~$35 apiece, that’s a lot to charge for Taiwanese ratchet wrenches. For that kind of money I think it’s reasonable to expect a better warranty. What else are you paying all that money for?

 

[oldschoolcraft]

Oh looky you giving a PSA about something you have zero idea about the application and or reasoning by the manufacturer.

I'm giving a PSA that they were released. People here have been really excited for them, I've seen many posts over the last year, I saw the Tool Tuesday video, and wanted to share the info with people who were interested.

I also shared the warranty info that was mentioned in the video because it's not mentioned on the website and people who are interested will want to know that.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I'm giving a PSA that they were released. People here have been really excited for them, I've seen many posts over the last year, I saw the Tool Tuesday video, and wanted to share the info with people who were interested.

I also shared the warranty info that was mentioned in the video because it's not mentioned on the website and people who are interested will want to know that.

Hands-on is where legit opinions about quality come from.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

Hands-on is where legit opinions about quality come from.

Agreed. Hopefully now that people know they just came out, people here can order them, use them, and report back on the results.

 

[Callelle]

I don't think lack of experience invalidates an opinion. You don't need experience to think their warranty policy is ridiculous.

 

[scooby074]

Ive had Gearwrenches jam on me with minimal force used. The fact they are denying warranty off the bat is a little concerning. And the price seems pretty high for what they are. Theyre an interesting concept, but Ill stick with my assorted gearwrenchs.

 

[Shoreline_]

$171 - was that the price when the op first wrote this thread?

 

[ronkz650]

I don't care $0.02 if any tool has warranty, but I gave up on VIM because of the ridiculous price structure. Buy it on Amazon (doubtful but possible) for $100, but directly from VIM for $225? I'm not talking this tool, but just in general. They are off my list of suppliers for eternity from this fact.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

$171 - was that the price when the op first wrote this thread?

$205

 

[nicks78camaro]

They decided to warranty these for life now fyi

 

[Odd-job]

Street price down to $137 now... They are reversible which is nice. If only they were a little cheaper and came in smaller sizes (especially 10mm), I would replace my gearwrench flex stubbies.

 

[nicks78camaro]

Street price down to $137 now... They are reversible which is nice. If only they were a little cheaper and came in smaller sizes (especially 10mm), I would replace my gearwrench flex stubbies.

They sell the NORA150 set that's 8-13mm now

 

[xOccupantx]

No warranty at all or no warranty directly thru them? I know vim is weird about warranties directly thru them, but I’ve had zero issues going thru my Cornwell dealer to get stuff replaced.

 

[Callelle]

No warranty at all or no warranty directly thru them? I know vim is weird about warranties directly thru them, but I’ve had zero issues going thru my Cornwell dealer to get stuff replaced.

They were originally going to offer no warranty on them period, after a ton of people called them out on their BS, they back pedaled and decided to give it. You still have to pay to ship warranty stuff back to them (unless you pay a metric ton more and buy directly from them first). I maintain that VIM is basically a joke, overpriced gimmick company

 

[mikey03]

They sell the NORA150 set that's 8-13mm now

Honestly wished the set was 8, 10, 12, 13

9 and 11 are pretty rare and this is a real specialized tool the chances of needing it on 9 and 11 are basically nada and your overpaying by alot to get 2 of the 6 tools that are useless

 

[mikey03]

They were originally going to offer no warranty on them period, after a ton of people called them out on their BS, they back pedaled and decided to give it. You still have to pay to ship warranty stuff back to them (unless you pay a metric ton more and buy directly from them first). I maintain that VIM is basically a joke, overpriced gimmick company

I got a couple of there tools like stubby sockets and there okay but honestly I treat them as not having any warranty at all. To pay for the shipping on a $5 socket is more than the socket tbh.

thats why I like there stuff but its absolute bottom on the list for me. I only buy vim if no one else makes the tool like those stubby hex and torx sockets nobody else makes.

 

[nicks78camaro]

Honestly wished the set was 8, 10, 12, 13

9 and 11 are pretty rare and this is a real specialized tool the chances of needing it on 9 and 11 are basically nada and your overpaying by alot to get 2 of the 6 tools that are useless

I hear you. I appreciate the no skip sizing but it's probably a way to pump up sales on products very unlikely to be warrantied as no one uses 9 or 11 often

Can't please everyone, unless they sold the sets both with or without the skips

 

[dnschmidt]

I like VIM but I feel that their pricing is getting greedy. They use to be cool and offer unique tools priced right, sort of the Astro model, but apparently the Snap-On bend them over model is what they are currently following.

 

[nicks78camaro]

I like VIM but I feel that their pricing is getting greedy. They use to be cool and often unique tools priced right, sort of the Astro model, but apparently the Snap-On bend them over model is what they are currently following.

What should their tools cost? Keep in mind they're not as big as say Apex and all it's subsidiaries

 

[Steve_P]

As I said, I like Vim, but it seems like a lot of their more recent releases have been very gimmicky. Yeah, pretty much 99% of hand tools have already been invented and there's not a lot of innovation left to be found, the plier wrench was a rare occurrence, but it seems like they're just throwing new product **** at the wall and see if any of it sticks. I can see a rare use for these, but not for me. As I said, their strength is their bit sockets.

The obsession with "I didn't pay 3X as much for it on a tool truck but managed to break it and want a free one for the rest of my life" never ends here.

 

[finn]

I don’t get the almost unhealthy obsession with warranty on tools here.

If it breaks because it’s a bad design, why would I want it replaced, and if I break it because of my own stupidity, why should the manufacturer replace it for free?

Especially on something as inexpensive as a hand tool.

I can see the worth of a warranty on a thirty to sixty thousand dollar car, but on a $10 to $100 tool?

 

[mikey03]

The obsession with "I didn't pay 3X as much for it on a tool truck but managed to break it and want a free one for the rest of my life" never ends here.

capri Tekton harbor freight and Astro figured out how to do it at the same quality level as vim for less money than vim is asking tbh

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I don’t get the almost unhealthy obsession with warranty on tools here.

If it breaks because it’s a bad design, why would I want it replaced, and if I break it because of my own stupidity, why should the manufacturer replace it for free?

Especially on something as inexpensive as a hand tool.

I can see the worth of a warranty on a thirty to sixty thousand dollar car, but on a $10 to $100 tool?

I bought a brand new mountain wrench set and the 13x15, without touching a single bolt, had locking up issues out of the box. They refused to warranty it. Didn't like Tooltopia or wherever I bought it, who directed me to call Mountain. I've seen tool truck ratchets lock up off the truck. I've had chrome sockets used only on hose clamps crack, 3/8 drive 10mm only used on M6x1 hardware with hand tools split, numerous. Chrome sockets improperly hardened which wear at 100X the rate of every other socket in the set when used on the same ratchet as the rest of the set. They're so soft they look like you impact on them but the drive side is perfect obviously because I don't. Impacts improperly machined and the internals tear up from the mechanical friction, bearings on die grinders locking up after ~1 month of use, die grinders that won't even rotate out of the box. Brand new ratcheting wrenches all binding up and auto reversing, protective sockets with the inner plastic cast wrong and it won't engage with the lug nut fully. I've snapped the gears on 8" long 3/8 ratchets by hand, I'm 6'2 190, not a big guy. Screwdrivers, Phillips, the tips crumble with the force from my hand holding the driver and work piece. Improperly staked pins on flex head ratchets falling out, almost into a cylinder I had the plug out of.

The replacements/repaired versions of all of those tools work 100% fine and provide a long life. Stuff get made wrong, there's a defect rate, that's life. If it's a major US market tool brand, I probably have it. I want a warranty because of legitimate defects in manufacturing at a minimum. I get not covering wear; that's a function of price and target market.


I agree about a replacement of a tool that's not meeting your needs. Pliers are a good example of that, I don't want replacement of crappy locking pliers. The problem is SOMEONE is going to get one of these ratcheting wrench tools from VIM that will be DOA, and that person then gets to buy a single on top of already buying the set unless VIM decides to be nice.

I have a 13mm wright grip I spread by hand. This thing is like a 13.3, loose. No wrench extenders, no double wrenching, it's like 7" long tops. IDK how that is anything but made wrong, or maybe I'm ready for WWE - THE MECHANIC!!!! I whack somebody over the head with a scan tool and then bite a screwdriver handle off the shank.

 

[finn]

I bought a brand new mountain wrench set and the 13x15, without touching a single bolt, had locking up issues out of the box. They refused to warranty it. Didn't like Tooltopia or wherever I bought it, who directed me to call Mountain. I've seen tool truck ratchets lock up off the truck. I've had chrome sockets used only on hose clamps crack, 3/8 drive 10mm only used on M6x1 hardware with hand tools split, numerous. Chrome sockets improperly hardened which wear at 100X the rate of every other socket in the set when used on the same ratchet as the rest of the set. They're so soft they look like you impact on them but the drive side is perfect obviously because I don't. Impacts improperly machined and the internals tear up from the mechanical friction, bearings on die grinders locking up after ~1 month of use, die grinders that won't even rotate out of the box. Brand new ratcheting wrenches all binding up and auto reversing, protective sockets with the inner plastic cast wrong and it won't engage with the lug nut fully. I've snapped the gears on 8" long 3/8 ratchets by hand, I'm 6'2 190, not a big guy. Screwdrivers, Phillips, the tips crumble with the force from my hand holding the driver and work piece. Improperly staked pins on flex head ratchets falling out, almost into a cylinder I had the plug out of.

The replacements/repaired versions of all of those tools work 100% fine and provide a long life. Stuff get made wrong, there's a defect rate, that's life. If it's a major US market tool brand, I probably have it. I want a warranty because of legitimate defects in manufacturing at a minimum. I get not covering wear; that's a function of price and target market.


I agree about a replacement of a tool that's not meeting your needs. Pliers are a good example of that, I don't want replacement of crappy locking pliers. The problem is SOMEONE is going to get one of these ratcheting wrench tools from VIM that will be DOA, and that person then gets to buy a single on top of already buying the set unless VIM decides to be nice.

I have a 13mm wright grip I spread by hand. This thing is like a 13.3, loose. No wrench extenders, no double wrenching, it's like 7" long tops. IDK how that is anything but made wrong, or maybe I'm ready for WWE - THE MECHANIC!!!! I whack somebody over the head with a scan tool and then bite a screwdriver handle off the shank.

Our experiences vary greatly.

Got my first set of ratchets in 1966, probably before you were born.

Broke exactly one 3/8 drive socket, using an adapter to a 1/2” breaker bar, so it was my fault, and one crappy Craftsman 3/8 raised panel ratchet locked up in about 1990.

Like I said, if you have issues with a brand, chalk it up and move on to another supplier.

Why waste time going after what you perceive as hot garbage.

Life’s to short to stress out over inconsequential things like tools.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Our experiences vary greatly.

Got my first set of ratchets in 1966, probably before you were born.

Broke exactly one 3/8 drive socket, using an adapter to a 1/2” breaker bar, so it was my fault, and one crappy Craftsman 3/8 raised panel ratchet locked up in about 1990.

Like I said, if you have issues with a brand, chalk it up and move on to another supplier.

Why waste time going after what you perceive as hot garbage.

Life’s to short to stress out over inconsequential things like tools.

I'm a 1990 myself.

The brands with those listed failures include Wright, Proto, Snap On, Matco, Astro Pneumatic, VIM, Air Cat, MAC, Williams USA, Cornwell USA, Tekton, etc. Hard to just move on, I'd be out of brands. And that's all ignoring the cheap stuff I just trashed, those listed are all good quality brands. I think snap on had a run of bad 10mm semi-deeps because I was cracking those like crazy for ~2 year period and then never broke one since. All M6x1 bolts holding brake hose brackets down to the hub, all with hand tools.

Even top notch stuff fails. It ***** but that's life. I don't like "no warranty" because I've taken the shrink wrap off and found a defective tool. Like the mountain wrench. So I spend ~125 for the set, then got to immediately spend another ~30 to buy the 13x15 wrench that was defective without seeing a bolt.

I get VIM not wanting my 36" 3/8 extension on these, nor the warranty liability. If a tool is made properly, it will work hard and perform for long periods of time. The more you buy, and the more you use them, the more chance you have for failure early in life that's a straight up defect. Same way cars get pushed off the assembly line because they don't start. Infant mortality. Per the Koon trucking video, the failure appears the pin area. I still might buy these, but I will lose my mind if I need to replace a defective tool out of the box on my own dime.

 

[L.Cheapo]

...or maybe I'm ready for WWE - THE MECHANIC!!!! I whack somebody over the head with a scan tool and then bite a screwdriver handle off the shank.

Quite possibly the funniest thing I've read on GJ.

 

[Callelle]

What should their tools cost? Keep in mind they're not as big as say Apex and all it's subsidiaries

Doesn't matter if they're not as big as Apex, Apex actually makes their tools, as well as tools for companies outside their group. VIM doesn't make anything, their pricing should be right along side other mid tier brands (Capri, Tekton, Astro, Icon, etc.).

 

[nicks78camaro]

Doesn't matter if they're not as big as Apex, Apex actually makes their tools, as well as tools for companies outside their group. VIM doesn't make anything, their pricing should be right along side other mid tier brands (Capri, Tekton, Astro, Icon, etc.).

Fair point. I guess the better question would be what would those companies charge for these tools if they made them? I wouldn't imagine they'd be much cheaper.

 

[finn]

I know a lot of you have been waiting for these since they were teased last year. They are ratcheting wrench ends that you can put any 3/8" extension in the base. 12 point.

I was really excited for them but now I'm on the fence between the price and the lack of warranty. Vim Tools put out an announcement today in their weekly Tool Tuesday video on YouTube that these will NOT have any warranty. Because of the concern that someone might misuse them by putting too long of an extension and generate too much torque and break them.

Vim also said that a smaller set, with 8-10-11-12-13 will be released later this year.

I'm a lot less excited given lack of any warranty, anyone who buys these will be playing manufacturer roulette, hoping you dont get one that has a defect. There's a nearly 100% chance at least some will be defective from the factory and that buyer will be on the hook for that loss.

NORA150XL - VIM Tools

6 PC. 12PT NANO FLEX OFFSET RATCHETING ATTACHMENT SET - 3/8" DRIVE (14 - 19MM)

vimtools.com

Where does it say no warranty on these.

Nothing in the catalog listing says these are excluded from the limited lifetime warranty.