Archived from the Tools In Action forum (Hand Tools). This thread is read-only.
I think this one tops the list of most gimmicky tool to date. It is a 1/4 inch drive ratchet on one side and a 3/8 on the other. The ratcheting mechanism itself wobbles. The ratchet is also extendable an extra couple of inches. The only thing it is missing is an led light.
I’ve found one at my local Bunnings with 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 drive. I actually think for a ‘get out of trouble’, they are a cool idea, as long as the price stays reasonable.
Yeah, I got my brother a cool through type socket set from HD this Christmas. He had bought one for his work truck from Lowe’s (Kobalt) but they didn’t have it any longer. I found the Husky one at HD and gave it to him for Christmas. Screwy looking set but I guess it’s great for wrench turners.
I wouldn’t use it for a main ratchet. I would think it would be fine to keep in a vehicle though.
I had a husky stubby ratchet that was double sided with a 1/4″ and 3/8″. It worked for me, I don’t know what the deal is with the wobble feature, usually when stuff wobbles it sucks and yet they advertise it
Don’t discount the use of wobble, it’s in the design of some sockets for a reason. Gearwrench has a feature on their extensions where if you put the socket on it will wobble, and if you push the socket on all the way it is stiff. Wobble is basically the same thing as a universal, it lets you get the socket into areas where going straight-in won’t work. I’ve used the wobble feature on my Gearwrench stuff a lot, it comes in really handy.
ChrisK1970 wrote:
Yeah, I got my brother a cool through type socket set from HD this Christmas. He had bought one for his work truck from Lowe’s (Kobalt) but they didn’t have it any longer. I found the Husky one at HD and gave it to him for Christmas. Screwy looking set but I guess it’s great for wrench turners.
If you’re talking about “pass-through” sockets, I just bought a set of Gearwrench. I saw them and had to buy a set, more of a whim than anything else. But, I’ve actually used them quite a bit, more than I thought I would. It’s amazing what we see as gimmicky or silly, but wind up buying and liking.
Wobble extensions are quite popular and most manufacturers that cater to mechanics offer them.
Pass through sockets……They’re gimmicky, but functional. There are some applications where they are the best tool for the job, but there are VERY few such instances.
I’m not a fan of these 2 headed ratchets. I’m old school in that respect as I prefer a dedicated tool for a specific task. They’ve been around for years and have been offered by many manufacturers, even Proto, but I just don’t care for them.
I’m right there with you conductor. I would much rather use a separate 1/4 and 3/8 ratchet as well. I don’t think I have a single wobble extension, I primarily use flex sockets though.
I have one of these ratchets. I got it back late summer last year from the wife who is a manager at sears. They were given out at a Sears convention in Vegas.
I’ve found it works well when removing front wheel tub to firewall supports on 60’s/70’s ford trucks.The wobble feature comes in handy in tight quarters in this application.
Other than that–meh
It’s intended market appears to be for apartment/condo dwellers kitchen tool drawer.
I have one of those little Titan branded stubby flex rats that’s 1/4″ and 3/8″. It actually makes a damn fine ratchet for bit socket as both my allen and Torx sockets have 3/8″ and 1/4″ drive on the same rail.
Over time though, as I’ve gotten better at pinpointing the correct size before I go to my box, I find myself using it less and less.