90 Degree Ratchet screwdriver hell!

daventess

daventess

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Fleurette Wincester
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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...
 
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Bought this little dinka set from Lidl can't remember when or how much but it's handy.

20230919_162222.jpg
 
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I keep this in the van, good quality and covers most situations….

www.ebay.co.uk

Brüder Mannesmann M98430 Bit Set Ratchet Socket for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Brüder Mannesmann M98430 Bit Set Ratchet Socket at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!
www.ebay.co.uk

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This little kit has helped us in some very tight spaces

www.ebay.co.uk

Parkside Precision Socket Spanner Set 23 Piece Set | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Parkside Precision Socket Spanner Set 23 Piece Set at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.
www.ebay.co.uk

Similar to some posted by others
 
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L' Hobo said:
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!
Click to expand...
I would recommend Teng i have had one set for over 20 years and it has handled all the abuse my 20 year old, 30 year old and 40 year old self could heap on it.
I now have 4 different Teng sets, you can pick them up 2nd hand pretty cheaply too.
They have a guarantee and i've only ever had need of it once, to replace allen bit that snapped.
 
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daventess said:
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...
Click to expand...
If you’re after quality, Snap-On, Facom or Bristol. Halfords Professional range also very good. Just saying, 50 yrs Engineering.
 
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I ended up buying the Bahco SL25 for twenty quid. Will almost certainly do everything I'm capable of tinkering with right now, and if I get better at it I'll probably know what upgrades or extras I need.

Cheers, y'all.

Now, about crimping tools for small, 12v wires .... :)

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daventess said:
I ended up buying the Bahco SL25 for twenty quid. Will almost certainly do everything I'm capable of tinkering with right now, and if I get better at it I'll probably know what upgrades or extras I need.

Cheers, y'all.

Now, about crimping tools for small, 12v wires .... :)
Click to expand...
Don't bother with the cheap ones, any ratchet type are good 👌
 
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Gromett said:
I agree. I just bought a £7 silverline set and they have been as good as gold.

If you are doing electrics it would also be worth buying a ferule crimp as well.
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I was going to buy that one, but the delivery is Monday and I need it by the weekend.

Ended up getting this one which will be here tomorrow.
 
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Hi folks. I’m a big fan of Parkside from Lidl. I know professionals who use them. 1/4 drive socket set is the answer
 
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Looking at all the recommendations I'm wondering what I would ever use them for. I think I'm more likely to use plumbing or electrical tools to med things in the van not dismantle the engine 🤔
 
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MichaelT said:
Looking at all the recommendations I'm wondering what I would ever use them for. I think I'm more likely to use plumbing or electrical tools to med things in the van not dismantle the engine 🤔
Click to expand...

I'm only going to take off the indicator covers (requires a 90 deg ratchet driver for my inexperienced hands), and rewire a couple of 12v fuses that appear to have been nailed onto the woodwork under the floor instead of run to a fusebox. Some of those recommendations look wonderful but complete overkill for me, too.

Some of the reviews on some of the cheaper things I was looking at said things like "barely used to 10 times before it broke". I doubt I'll use mine thrice, but if I do then I might be justified in buying something a bit more expensive should it break...
 
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daventess said:
I'm only going to take off the indicator covers (requires a 90 deg ratchet driver for my inexperienced hands), and rewire a couple of 12v fuses that appear to have been nailed onto the woodwork under the floor instead of run to a fusebox. Some of those recommendations look wonderful but complete overkill for me, too.

Some of the reviews on some of the cheaper things I was looking at said things like "barely used to 10 times before it broke". I doubt I'll use mine thrice, but if I do then I might be justified in buying something a bit more expensive should it break...
Click to expand...
I'm thinking more of a tool kit to carry in the van for "running repairs "
 
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john prince said:
If you’re after quality, Snap-On, Facom or Bristol. Halfords Professional range also very good. Just saying, 50 yrs Engineering.
Click to expand...
Agreed, when I use to service and fix my own excavators and dozers I tried all sorts, some well known brands would last a few uses once the hammer or extension bar got to them😁 my Snap On ratchet is still working 30+ years on.
I have some Halfords Professional tools I keep in the motorhome and they are quality tools.
 
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MichaelT said:
I'm thinking more of a tool kit to carry in the van for "running repairs "
Click to expand...

My issue is, at this moment in time, there's not much I can repair. So my needs are quite modest. Hopefully that will change.

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daventess said:
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...
Click to expand...
Look at the Tengtools one. The ratchet is small but is really good quality and the extension that comes with it is magnetic and the bits are of really good quality as well. My first one got nicked and I got it's replacement off Amazon.
 
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MichaelT said:
Looking at all the recommendations I'm wondering what I would ever use them for. I think I'm more likely to use plumbing or electrical tools to med things in the van not dismantle the engine 🤔
Click to expand...
I use them for pretty much everything inside the van and most stuff under the bonnet that is not heavy mechanical.
I have a grab and go toolkit that covers pretty much 90% of jobs. Carrying the small ratchet kit is preferable to my big spanner roll and big socket set which is rarely used and also saves me having to run back as well.
 
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This is my kit. I use the toughbuilt electricians pouch. It has a handle, an over the shoulder carry strap and a belt clip system.
I bought some additional clips which I have screwed to the inside of the van and will put one in my workshop when I move in.
This means I can transport it and have it ready to go where ever I need it. It also has a very useful kick stand so stays standing when you are working.

I have the following in it.

small hammer
stripped screw remover.
non contact voltage detector (handy for EHU diagnostics)
Full multimeter
Bahco SL25 compact socket set (brilliant)
Small electricians screwdriver
Stanley knife
Wera Kraftform Screwdriver kit.
Alan Key set with ball on long end.
Wire stripper
Large side cutters, pliers and long nose pliers.
Small flush cutters, needle nose pliers and small side cutters
The most excellent Knipex plier wrench.
DeWalt 32 bit impact driver bit set - (DT70523TS-QZ)
Magnetic led work light with built in torch.
Tape measure
Black and Red electricians tape
Self amalgamating tape

Pretty sure that is it.

But I grab that for pretty much any job I get called to or need to do in my van and it is rare I need to delve into the main toolboxes.

I have bolded what I would consider the bare minimum toolkit to take away in my motorhome. But to be honest I think this toolkit is my own personal minimum now.


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Hi Folks. Something I picked up years ago is a fixing that clamps to a bench, but of wood, or anything else, that holds a set of wise grips. This means you end up with a vice. It is light, uses the grips you have anyway and allows you to hold items while working.

With regards standard of tools. There is a thing called VFM. Value for Money. If you use a tool once every 5 years, is it worth buying a Snap-on product. If you absolutely need it to do the job, a £2 market special might not be relied upon.
Also think about every tool doing more that one job, so reducing weight.
Check out the small screwdriver sets that have a range of bits. Some included small sockets up to 13mm. What about a quality adjustable spanner rather than a full set? Always worth a review.
 
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daventess said:
Ended up getting this one which will be here tomorrow.
Click to expand...

Just got it - it weighs a bloomin' ton! Hope that means it's good, or at least better than me ...

Might have to take it out for the weighbridge.

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daventess said:
My issue is, at this moment in time, there's not much I can repair. So my needs are quite modest. Hopefully that will change.
Click to expand...
You are hoping for things needing repair????? :oops: Or just learning more! :giggle:
 
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Blaydon said:
Hi folks. I’m a big fan of Parkside from Lidl. I know professionals who use them. 1/4 drive socket set is the answer
Click to expand...
Parkside stuff is ok, will do the job you bought it for and more besides. If you wear stuff out then you obviously use that tool a lot so next time buy a better one for the task, like that 10mm 1/4" drive socket you use a lot or your PZ2 screwdriver bit.
I have to be very selective when putting tools in the van but there are some bits of my hilka socket set from 1979 that still go in, on my third rachet though.
 
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Of course if you can still drive there is generally a cheap tool shop in the next town where you can buy something to fix up the hab thing that snapped.
 
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