What is this ratchet/driver called?

[Andy Griffith]

And where can I get a higher quality version?

I've had this thing in my box for several years and never used it until last year when it saved my bacon several times. Working inside RV's, replacing kitchen and bathroom sinks, I tried every conceivable combination of tools to get up behind the sink and get at the fasteners.

Finally I tried this combo and was able to get the fasteners out, just barely. Had some trouble with the thing slipping into neutral.

This one is a harbor freight version and I'm hoping to find one that is of higher quality?

Thanks

 

[NastyNate]

Pics?

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

And where can I get a higher quality version?

 

[srmofo]

I give up, whats it called?

 

[emeraldcoupe]

it's a ratchet/driver combo thingy, right?

 

[Mr_fixit]

how about a basin wrench. NO neutral, but sounds like what you needed...?

 

[davesnothere]

I think you are talking about a duckdoo.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Yeah, this might help.

 

[Avgas]

I like the husky model

http://www.homedepot.com/buy/tools-...ets/husky-8-piece-bit-ratchet-set-138670.html

 

[Danglerb]

No one name will find them all, bit driver, bit handle, bit ratchet, and screwdriver ratchet or ratcheting.

What you have is a pretty old design, works ok, but more teeth make it better and/or smoother. Wera makes the bit ratchet, Titan has a similar tool. Many like the GearWrench Micro Driver set.

 

[jkruger54]

I have a similar tool that has a one way roller bearing as the ratcheting (actually non-ratcheting) device. Bought it from the S-truck many years ago. The bits have a round shaft and fit a knurled knob handle too.

 

[Biomed]

And then there is the Chapman stuff:

 

[Jwrightkustomz]

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947478000P?prdNo=5&blockNo=5&blockType=G5

They have some with different offsets as well.

 

[diggerrick]

They have some with different offsets as well.

Yep - I have the 7pc set w/ (3) drivers:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947477000P?mv=rr



I also have the HF version in my toolbags, and yes, they are bacon savers!
Most recent use was installing an under cabinet radio/cd & dvd player/tv in the kitchen for my wife.

 

[Rob Cornwell]

Bit Driver

I like the more modern ones...

 

[Harvey Melvin Richards]

The Husky version has worked well for me, I have several.

I also have a Chapman, it is also a very good tool. However, unless Chapman has changed their wrench, it takes proprietary bits (although still 1/4" hex) and to reverse the driver, you flip it over. Sometimes in tight spaces you can unscrew a fastener into an obstacle, and with the Chapman, you can't screw it back in to remove the wrench.

 

[oldtools]

Here is a high quality bit ratchet driver. It is a Snap On. Got it for $10. Almost brand new.

 

[Jawn]

Here is a high quality bit ratchet driver. It is a Snap On. Got it for $10. Almost brand new.

Would you mind sharing the part number for that thing?

 

[oldtools]

would you mind sharing the part number for that thing?

tmm830

 

[oldtools]

And where can I get a higher quality version?

I've had this thing in my box for several years and never used it until last year when it saved my bacon several times. Working inside RV's, replacing kitchen and bathroom sinks, I tried every conceivable combination of tools to get up behind the sink and get at the fasteners.

Finally I tried this combo and was able to get the fasteners out, just barely. Had some trouble with the thing slipping into neutral.

This one is a harbor freight version and I'm hoping to find one that is of higher quality?

Thanks

I also have the Craftsman ratchet bit driver. It also tend to go into neutral quite often. I would not recommend it if you are annoyed by that.

 

[abbeylives]

I thought it was called an access wrench. I used that term with the tool truck and he knew what I meant.

 

[Ed_EOD]

Great. Now I must add that Chapman set to my want list. All US made!

I hate you guys.

I have the Blue Point 3 offset set. It has got me out of a few binds before.

 

[SMKS]

I like the husky model

http://www.homedepot.com/buy/tools-...ets/husky-8-piece-bit-ratchet-set-138670.html

+1 to this.

That same one is also branded Blackhawk. I have it and it works really well.

You'll see the exact same one rebranded by lots of different companies. It's actually made by the Taiwanese company Hi-Five.

http://www.newtools.com/pd_12.htm

Hi Five is one of the few companies that make gear wrenches. I believe they control one of the patents. You'll find their products relabeled under many different names.

 

[wreckerman5357]

I have a Blue Point bit ratchet. I use it quite a bit and it is a quality product, much nicer than the Craftsman in my opinion. Check out Snap-On's website or look on the truck if you have one. I seem to remember paying $25 or so for mine on the truck. It is also one of the only Blue Point items still made in the USA if that is a big deal to you.

 

[Toymeister]

HF calls it 8 Piece Right Angle Screwdriver and its 3.99

http://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-right-angle-screwdriver-92630.html

Or you can spend 525% for the snap on, which I am sure is much better.

 

[bgott]

I bought the Craftsman set and they drove me nuts. When you are in a tight spot, which you usually are when using these little ratchets, it is just about impossible to use them without bumping the switch and having them free wheel. I then bought the Blue Points and they work really well.

 

[Wayne02]

I don't care for the craftsman ones.

 

[Andy Griffith]

I also have the Craftsman ratchet bit driver. It also tend to go into neutral quite often. I would not recommend it if you are annoyed by that.

I bought the Craftsman set and they drove me nuts. When you are in a tight spot, which you usually are when using these little ratchets, it is just about impossible to use them without bumping the switch and having them free wheel. I then bought the Blue Points and they work really well.

Thanks, I kind of suspected that might be the case given the ratcheting mechanism is the same style as HF one. I realize that going into neutral is not an issue for others but it's a deal breaker for me. Nothing like being all wedged up under the tiny RV sink counter with your arm up behind the bowl trying to remove the mounting screws when the damn thing keeps slipping into neutral. Compound that with the fact that I get one click for rotation and it's enough to send me over the edge.

It's really too bad because I quite like the aggressive offset and short length on the craftsman ones.

 

[bart1]

I bought the husky one from recommendations off here. Great little tool when I've needed it. The Wera one looks really nice, as well.

 

[flintsghost]

That's a bit driver. The best I've seen is either the Snap On version or the MAC. I don't know if MAC sells theirs separately. I got mine in a MAC large driver set this year (SPMR123B-RAT). I got the entire set for $100 on Ebay. MAC sells several versions of that set and only one version has the little bit driver ratchet in it. The MAC # is MR5BD but I haven't found it anywhere else. It just happened to be there in the set and has been a very handy item for me.

 

[Skin]

The Wera one looks really nice, as well.

Works good, reverses on its own every once in awhile. Absolutely not worth what i paid though [$35-$40 just for the bit ratchet] especially since it isnt even made in Germany. Get a GW or Sunex set.

 

[Andy Griffith]

I was going to sears yesterday to pick up something else and noticed they had one GW microdriver kit left so I picked it up as well.

Generally I don’t buy bit kits anymore as I’ve found they take up too much room in my bag so I keep the drivers separate and carry one bit kit that I made up in a quality box.
But I could not find just the GW driver by itself, though I understand now that the HD driver may be the same as the GW?

I played with the GW set a little and must say that I’m disappointed in the quality. The first time I opened the case one of the two plastic hinge points broke off, rendering the lid useless. I’ve learned that any of these ‘kits’ are only as good as their case and this one is very poor.

I’m also am not fond of having the big 5/16 end on it and would prefer the overall length to be closer to the HF or bluepoints/Cornwell styles (4”). And, when using it I found that one end of the retainer spring that is supposed to ride in the slot inside the splines would pull out when I remove the bit. The whole ratcheting mechanism just seemed poorly made. I’ll be returning this on Monday I believe.

Those of you with the HD ratchet have any problems with it? Guess I'll take a look when I'm in there tomorrow.

 

[lauver]

I like the husky model

http://www.homedepot.com/buy/tools-...ets/husky-8-piece-bit-ratchet-set-138670.html

+1. The Husky model works well and is smooth as silk. The bit's that come with them don't last all that long. So buy the Husky bit ratchet and add some high quality replacement bits when the Husky bits give out. Good to go!

 

[bart1]

Works good, reverses on its own every once in awhile. Absolutely not worth what i paid though [$35-$40 just for the bit ratchet] especially since it isnt even made in Germany. Get a GW or Sunex set.

I bought the GW and Husky on the same day and returned the GW. Husky is smaller and marked Reverse Gear.

 

[Steevo]

+1. The Husky model works well and is smooth as silk. The bit's that come with them don't last all that long. So buy the Husky bit ratchet and add some high quality replacement bits when the Husky bits give out. Good to go!

+1 - I have the Husky/HD one and it works great.

 

[diggerrick]

I used one of the HF "right angle screwdrivers" with a square bit to reverse the doors on our refrigerator Friday night. It was the ONLY way to get to some of the screws, and I'm laughing now at some of the other comments as I also kept knocking it into neutral. PITA, but the only way to GITERDONE.

I don't think the Snap-On bit driver posted earlier would have fit.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Alright, the verdict is in and the decision made. Winner goes to the Husky.

The husky is shorter and slimmer, it feels more so than the picture illustrates. The splined mechanism is tighter in the ratchet head and has less play than the GW. The husky uses a different bit retaining method that feels more secure than the GW and doesn't have the problem of the retaining wire end popping out when removing a bit like the GW has. Also the husky has the traditional 6 point design vs the multi-spline deal on the GW. For a bit driver I like the regular 6 point design better. The husky claims 52 teeth, 7* arc, and the GW claims 6* arc. As a practical matter I couldn't tell any difference between the two, and they are both miles ahead of the HF ratchet in this regard.

The husky is $17 and change, and the GW was $24.

I would prefer the husky to not have the 5/16 end on it as I don't think I even have any 5/16 bits and I would like the ratchet to be shorter in overall length. But I'll try it like it is and if it ends up being an issue I'll just cut the 5/16 end off and shorten the overall length.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[Even 11]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Pc-1-4-Dr..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item20b3afd788&vxp=mtr

I have these ones, I think they are branded Sunex. I got them through Ace tool co a few months back. Like em a whole ton, but I think they were $20-25ish when I got them.

-Dane

 

[bart1]

Andy's experience echoes mine. I keep a PH2 in the 5/16 end and have a 1/4 square adapter in the case with it as well. I figure the 5/16 must be stronger.