90 Degree Ratchet screwdriver hell!

[daventess]

Looking for a small, decent socket/screwdriver set with a 90 degree handle thing. Nearly bought one that looked great but someone posted a photo and the handle is barely as long as his finger, so despite 87% of the 3,000 reviews being 5 star, the 7% who say it's too small and flimsey sway me.

Next up, one in a case that doesn't hold anything in. No good. Next up, one that is not magnetic, so reviews say no good.

Right, found one. It's had 478,562 reviews, sold over 5 million units with 96% 5 star reviews, but 2% have posted pictures of the ratchet breaking when tightening anything harder than an Ikea table leg. So clearly I can't buy that one.

Ahah! Now we're talking. A "bish-bash" Bosche. Can't go wrong with that. 87 billion units sold, and 92% of the 149 million reviews give it 5 star. Except someone has pointed out that it's no good for cars because this particular unit is not made in Germany any more, but China, and the quality is embarrassingly poor. Only good for making technical lego kits.

Why is there so much choice??? I vote for there only being one option for absolutely everything, from spanners to dogs.

Ah, nurse is here...

 

[68c]

Make sure it has a reverse. Been caught out using a ratchet ring spanner and a philips bit. In a tight spot you can unwind the screw then butt up against the other side. Then you cannot get the tool out!

 

[Gromett]

Looking for a small, decent socket/screwdriver set with a 90 degree handle thing. Nearly bought one that looked great but someone posted a photo and the handle is barely as long as his finger, so despite 87% of the 3,000 reviews being 5 star, the 7% who say it's too small and flimsey sway me.

Next up, one in a case that doesn't hold anything in. No good. Next up, one that is not magnetic, so reviews say no good.

Right, found one. It's had 478,562 reviews, sold over 5 million units with 96% 5 star reviews, but 2% have posted pictures of the ratchet breaking when tightening anything harder than an Ikea table leg. So clearly I can't buy that one.

Ahah! Now we're talking. A "bish-bash" Bosche. Can't go wrong with that. 87 billion units sold, and 92% of the 149 million reviews give it 5 star. Except someone has pointed out that it's no good for cars because this particular unit is not made in Germany any more, but China, and the quality is embarrassingly poor. Only good for making technical lego kits.

Why is there so much choice??? I vote for there only being one option for absolutely everything, from spanners to dogs.

Ah, nurse is here...

Can you provide an example of the kind of thing you mean? I am not sure what you mean sorry.

 

[olley]

I think he means a ratchet.
Hilka are good or go posh go snap-on

 

[Carpmart]

Halfords professional tools are very decent quality and lifetime warranty.

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[Richard n Ann]

These are very good, had one in the van since new (9 years) never failed very handy, I worked on the scooter a couple of times taking starter motor off, new battery etc

Bahco SL25 25 Piece Socket Set (1/4") https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B011S63GGY/?tag=mhf04-21

 

[MichaelT]

I think if you use them 8 hours a day for a job then snap on or similar but for occasional use then any reasonable set will do. Make sure its half inch drive not quarter.

 

[Roby2008]

Amazon product ASIN B00I8MYMT2If you want German quality then try these, I have some of their tools, worth the price...

 

[Ditcha]

I carry one of these for the Moho covers most stuff needed and top quality.

Teng Tools T1268 68 Pieces 1/2 inch Drive Socket Set

Shop for Teng Tools T1268 68 Pieces 1/2 inch Drive Socket Set from Toolden! The teng tools socket set comes with Plastic carrying case with a latch lid.

www.toolden.co.uk

 

[daventess]

Thank you all for your suggestions. It was a bit of a red-wine rant on how review lead we are, no matter how questionable the reviews.

Jeremy Hardy once did a sketch on the news quiz about how you used to go to a travel agent and just be given a holiday, whereas now you spend 8 months researching only to find someone on trip advisor had critisised the soap dish and you have to start all over again ...

I'm only an occasional tool wielder. I find that the less I do it, fewer things break.

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[Gellyneck]

I've got one of these https://www.bahco.com/gb_en/1-4--ratcheting-bit-screwdriver-with-pistol-handle-pb_808050p_.html along with a boxed set of torx / socket / etc bits and it works well.

If anything tougher needed just a standard socket set (1/4 / 3/8 / 1/2) as required.

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

Don't forget Bahco are owned by Snapon now although good before should be quality.

 

[The Coops]

Parkside from Lidl, 3 year warranty and on sale from Thursday good enough for everyday use.

 

[L' Hobo]

I carry one of these for the Moho covers most stuff needed and top quality.

Teng Tools T1268 68 Pieces 1/2 inch Drive Socket Set

Shop for Teng Tools T1268 68 Pieces 1/2 inch Drive Socket Set from Toolden! The teng tools socket set comes with Plastic carrying case with a latch lid.

www.toolden.co.uk

Teng Tools also do a number of smaller sets too. I have a 1/4inch drive one, about the size of an old rolling tobacco tin, slightly expensive but it has a lifetime guarantee, used it for years and it's brilliant!

 

[L' Hobo]

Teng Tools also do a number of smaller sets too. I have a 1/4inch drive one, about the size of an old rolling tobacco tin, slightly expensive but it has a lifetime guarantee, used it for years and it's brilliant!

I should have said, the set is housed in a container 'about the size of an old rolling tobacco tin'

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[David and Sally]

These are very good, had one in the van since new (9 years) never failed very handy, I worked on the scooter a couple of times taking starter motor off, new battery etc

Bahco SL25 25 Piece Socket Set (1/4") Amazon product ASIN B011S63GGY

I got one of those. Very good

 

[jockaneezer]

One of my old apprentices bought me these two Facom ratchets for my birthday a few years back. They've a really fine ratchet action which is great for restricted access, have "push button" release for the socket, but the major advantage with them is you can rotate the black plastic handle along it's axis and it will turn the socket !

 

[Gromett]

I think he means a ratchet.

I was wondering which tool to recommend. and....

These are very good, had one in the van since new (9 years) never failed very handy, I worked on the scooter a couple of times taking starter motor off, new battery etc

Bahco SL25 25 Piece Socket Set (1/4") Amazon product ASIN B011S63GGY

The best bit of kit in my toolbox, I couldn't recommend this socket set enough. This and the Wera Kraftform 20 screwdriver make a great combo and cover most tasks in the motorhome.

But Bahco also do a very similar deep socket set Bahco SL25L which I am considering replacing my SL25 with. But the SL25 fits in the back pocket of my jeans the SL25L won't

Don't forget Bahco are owned by Snapon now although good before should be quality.

Wouldn't sway me. But Bahco have always been considered higher end.

 

[daventess]

This was one of the ones I was looking at :

Amazon Link

until I saw this picture :

I'm not 100% sure that will stand up to much, though that's not based on much experience.

Though to be honest, it won't get much use, either ...

 

[Orion]

This was one of the ones I was looking at :

Amazon Link

until I saw this picture :

View attachment 811185

I'm not 100% sure that will stand up to much, though that's not based on much experience.

Though to be honest, it won't get much use, either ...

I have a mini set of sockets and bits with a small ‘wing’ type ratchet like that - might be even shorter - from Seeley, and it’s very useful for getting into tight spaces for small nuts or screws. Wouldn’t consider it for the bigger stuff though, for which I have a few Facom and Teng Tools sets of different sizes depending on the vehicle it’s carried on - motorcycle, quad, truck or MoHo.

Those twisting handle Facom ratchets as per post #17 by jockaneezer are really useful, and have got me out of a couple of tight spots (literally!).

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[scotjimland]

I have a small pocket size 1/4" Gedore socket set.. had it for about 30 years ..
the plastic insert long gone ..

buy the best you can afford, quality is remembered long after price is forgotten..

 

[mitzimad]

i always found anything that housed the bit in or on the screw driver to be tat however ive had a couple of the bahco ones and they do work

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

These are very good, had one in the van since new (9 years) never failed very handy, I worked on the scooter a couple of times taking starter motor off, new battery etc

Bahco SL25 25 Piece Socket Set (1/4") Amazon product ASIN B011S63GGY

Bahco, good gear, especially their adjustable spanners, really wide jaws for the size of the tool.
Mike.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Been using my Hilka socket and screwdriver set for 40+ years now. 1/2 + 1/4 drives Imp+Metric. £21.00 when new.
Mike.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Britool, they used to make some lovely tactile spanners, but then they changed the shape.
Mike.

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[Gromett]

Bahco, good gear, especially their adjustable spanners, really wide jaws for the size of the tool.
Mike.

I carry a single pair of Knipex Pliers Wrench. They are expensive but replace all my adjustable spanners and mean I rarely get my proper spanner set out these days.
Really, really, really recommend this. I have thrown my adjustable spanners in the F-it bucket. That box of tools you will probably never need, are not worth selling but are too good to throw in the bin.

Check on youtube for reviews.

 

[Pixies]

I have a small pocket size 1/4" Gedore socket set.. had it for about 30 years ..
the plastic insert long gone ..

buy the best you can afford, quality is remembered long after price is forgotten..

View attachment 811194

At my age, I don't even buy green bananas in case I don't get to see them ripen

 

[scotjimland]

At my age, I don't even buy green bananas in case I don't get to see them ripen

maybe.. leave them in your will..

I have tools my dad left me... all great quality that I'll leave to my sons and grandsons..

 

[scotjimland]

This was one of the ones I was looking at :

Amazon Link

until I saw this picture :

View attachment 811185

I'm not 100% sure that will stand up to much, though that's not based on much experience.

Though to be honest, it won't get much use, either ...

I bought that this size for working on Singer sewing machines that have slot head screws .. it can access places a normal driver, even a chubby can't..

 

[daventess]

I must red-wine-vent more often - some great replies here, cheers!