HBR3 Double Ended 1/4" Hex Bit Ratchet

I compared over 20 brands and decided on this one from VIM Tools. It has a GearWrench style ratchet with a knurled wheel (quick-disk) on top for turning by hand. This is used when there is not sufficient friction between the work pieces to actuate the ratcheting mechanism, i.e. when first threading in a fastener. Both the ratcheting and box ends have stops at their tops to keep the bit from going all the way through and a retaining clip at their bottoms to keep the bit from falling out. This tool is small in every dimension which makes it truly a close-quarters tool. But don't let the size fool you. It still has room for a 52-tooth gear head which means just under 7' arc swing (a couple descriptions state 48-tooth but I actually counted 52 clicks in a complete rotation). Couple that with its 3-1/2" length and it only requires 0.42" of handle movement to advance the ratchet one click. The ratchet action is solid and reliable...just like you would expect from a GearWrench. When you are concerned about over-torquing the ratchet you use the box end. This tool also accepts Leatherman bits and holds them securely in the ratchet end as long as you align the sides of the bit properly with the retaining clip. There is a slight offset which gives almost 3/8" additional knuckle clearance when ratcheting than the bit length provides by itself. VIM Tools bit ratchets (models HBR3, HBR4, and HBR5) are made in Taiwan by HI-FIVE PRODUCTS DEVELOPMENT CO. with a website at NewTools dot com. HI-FIVE re-brands their tools for other companies as well. For example the VIM Tools model HBR5 is just like one offered by GearWrench, Husky, Durston, KD Tools, and others. The different brands I researched before buying VIM Tools were Wadsworth, Wiha, Victorinox, Bahco, Sunex, Wera, Topeak, Chapman MFG, GearWrench, Lang Tools, Titan, Husky, Stanley, Great Neck, Craftsman, Powerbuilt, KD Tools, Neiko, Sealey, Maxcraft, Mueller-Kueps, Bon-Aire, Ampro, Bostitch, and Tekton. I carry a number of things at work doing Industrial Maintenance. This HBR3 ratchet pairs nicely with my ChannelLock 804 adjustable wrench. They are high quality tools and the smallest in their class. So this is a high quality tool, a good value, and great as an Every Day Carry (EDC) tool since it is the smallest of the high quality bit ratchets (lowest cost too I might add).

Buena calidad

This little bit ratchet goes where no other screwdriver can! I bought this little ratchet for working in tight places around aircraft electronics, and I can honestly say there's no tool in my box that can go all the places this little guy can go. The ratchet is fine toothed, smooth operating, and has held up to regular use. The thumb wheel makes it easy to advance the ratchet, as long as you don't have giant Shrek hands. It's so small that I can imagine it will break if you really torque it, but that's not what this little tool is meant for. If you work in tight areas with awkward angles and you need a ratcheting offset screwdriver, this tool, or perhaps the HBR5 ratchet also by VIM tools might be for you. The main difference between this tool and the HBR5 is that the HBR5 has a ratcheting bit side and and a 1/4 inch drive ratchet, whereas this tool has a ratcheting bit side and a non ratcheting bit side. I think that makes the HBR5 a bit more versatile, and if you had to choose just one I'd say that one would be the better choice. I don't personally use the non ratcheting bit side very often on this tool. That being said, I don't regret buying it, and I will probably buy the HBR5 soon too. It's always handy for me to have a tiny tool that can get in tight places, so a socket ratchet would be worth the thirty bucks they're asking for it on amazon.

Exelente bastantr util y compacta ideal para un edc

This little tool may be small, but it's a solid, well designed tool, serious tool. It's not a toy, and when you need it, YOU NEED IT. In my case, I was replacing the multifunction turn signal, high beam, cruise control, etc, stalk on my 20 year old truck. One of the screws to remove is partially blocked by the center of the steering wheel. Turning the wheel didn't give clear access. Removing the screw could be done with a driver bit, a couple extenders and a driver handle, but to reinsert the screw you want to get it threaded right, and that process is less tolerant of angled insertion of the bit into the screw head. Enter this: it's a heavier duty, more versatile version of what used to be provided in microcomputer repair kits. Those are cheap, and in mine the bit couldn't be removed. I was stuck with a slotted on one end and one size of Philips on the other. Leave out the fact that there is a Japanese spec (JIS) for a Philips-like head you will encounter when working with laptops, say DIY to replace a battery. Well, this tool can accommodate any 1/4" hex bit: slotted, Philips, JIS, Torx, square, hex, etc. It has solid grip of the bit and is easy to reverse the ratchet. I keep it in a drawer for special tools so I can find it because there is no creative finagling a different solution which we DIY'ers are usually able to do.