I was taking off a storm door and needed a very low profile right angle driver to get screws out at the top... He Mulwark was the only driver with a profile low enough for the gap. This vid helped me select it. Thanks
I love my Wera set, but now there is an Icon locking flex head set for $40 that is pretty nifty that converts to T handle using the end of the ratchet as a bit holder and has a handle extender for more torque and lifetime warranty. Both sets led to the demise of my Kobalt sets, which look very similar to the Gearwrench set.
Great overview. I have the Wiha set for about 3 years and although I really like it the directional lever is easily reversed inadvertently. Bits are great quality.
I've been using the Wiha set a lot lately. I agree with you, I'll occasionally find out it got flipped inadvertently when I'm working in a particularly tight space. Funny coincidence, I broke my first of those Wiha bits yesterday too!
@Doresoom Tool Reviews. Thanks for another thorough review on those 1/4" hex bit ratchet sets. Covered everything anyone should ask except long term usage ( what stood up over time). Makes it easier on what I would want to buy. Hope you and your family stay safe and well.
Thanks! I've had the Gearwrench for about two years, and the Wera for around six months. No problems with either of them so far. The rest I've had for about a month, so I can't really comment on longevity for those.
Just watched an aviation channel recommend the gearwrench for certain reasons, I start in an aviation job in less than a month. That gearwrench is discontinued and a used or nos ($120 on ebay) version is like finding hen's teeth in 2024
I've found that the thinnest, strongest ratchet is the most useful for super tight applications. That Mulwark might be the most useful for a lot of automotive applications. The Titan is on the other end of the spectrum-probably not a bad tool, but won't work in the tight spaces these other units are made for.
The Mulwark is almost worth buying for the stubby bits alone, even if they aren't the best quality. I've looked for other sets of short bits, but usually just end up finding the Vim half cut bit set, which is really pricey: amzn.to/3b7kliI
@@DoresoomReviews I purchased the Mulwark and it's a POS for my application. I looked into SK-11 (Made in Japan, low profile 52 teeth), klein, wera, and eastwood. What's your recommendation for an ultra low profile, high tooth count ratchet with harden steel gears?
Check out the UltraSteel 1/4 Inch Drive Mini Ratchet! it's similar to the Mulwark but it has 36 teeth so it's pretty smooth and it has a 1/4" socket adapter on one side. I took a grinder and cut off that 1/4" adapter off so I could really get in tight areas.
I had bought the Titan 1 about 9 months ago. i think I payed closer to $10 and the bits that come with it are stubby and I didn't want all of the other bits as I have them already. I picked it up at O'Reilly's
The gear wrench ratchet has an offset that can sometimes negate the head thickness so the comparison may not be fair there. If I could find one of the flat ones with a 72 tooth head….
Some remarks being an Wera owner and use it frequently. The metric set does not come with those square driver bits. And also, after some time using this set the bits will start to lose the tight fit in the case and will fall out if the user isn’t careful. Beside that, it is a great set and I would not trade it for any other set.
Thanks for the heads up on the Wera - I've had mine about six months so far with no problems. I don't have the metric version, but I think they replaced the square drive with posidriv instead as you pointed out.
You’re channel is costing me some money, my friend. The Sunex, Wiha and Wera all look great. Love how compact the Wiha is. But that Wera kit is great. I’d be super happy with either….but yeah you just cost me $80. Haha.
There’s a new contender that you should check out. It’s not the cheapest but harbor freight released a mini flex-head ratchet and bits set. It’s like $40 without coupons
The titan probably just needs to be cleaned. Btw the Taiwanese factory making the gear wrench makes loads of different versions for many different brands/ companies using the same exact internals, I would not be surprised if they also make the Wera. GM power torque, Topeak ( these 2 are identical) Craftsman, gearwrench, Facom ...you nane it.
Felo of Germany is my Favorite then Gearwrench next. Wera is nice with the full fastener options but I prefer a case, at my stage of life I'm just not going to contaminate my current tool lineup
@@litpapi9046 Its been very hard .... I finally found some in stock, 25 miles from my house after calling and visiting many HF's ! They were cool enough to put 2 on hold for me , left work early and scooped them bad boys up! I'm giving one to my nephew 😎👍
Found the snap on tm72 to be a good bit ratchet, had to snipe it to remove a 8mm hex fill plug in jaguar transmission, yes i have a 1/4hex 8mm bit from a mac master set
Wera ratchet direction change lever gets changed accidentally during use. Wiha magnet came out attached to end of bit. I use Wiha box set with Wera ratchet regularly. I also customized the bits to suit my medical engineering use.
Seriously?? Seems really bad for the Wiha and suboptimal for the price Wera charges. I might still buy one or both, just crazy that at the price point you’d think it wouldn’t be an issue. I’m a mechanical design engineer too. Mostly ocean systems which use similar materials to biomedical Engr
@@stevebean1234 I was able to put Wiha magnet back in ratchet head with some epoxy. Really the best thing about my setup is the Wiha compact metal case and the Wera ratchet. The instruments I work on are so crowded with tight access.
@@bobleader9006 thanks, i really appreciate this. right now im working a soul crushing consulting-type job, though i have some money to buy/upgrade tools to keep the rest of my life. hence, not much opportunity for me to put these things through the crucible just now. this Wiha/Wera discussion is similar to a Klein vs Wera retractable bit driver purchase I had been researching where the best path forward is probably to just buy both... just wanted to make sure i'm not going overboard. hoping to be prepared so once i'm back in grey collar work my life is smooth. thanks for sharing your experience
Thanks! I think you're right about Wiha, but Wera pronounces their brand with a "w" at least in their North American markets. Here's a video from their official RU-vid channel ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Dq5A2-CfilE.html
@@DoresoomReviews LOL...I know. It's America!! But Europeans do say Vera. I don't know why they write it with a W but pronounce it with a V?? LMAO Cheers
I've seen a video of the wera ratchet being used with an insane amount of torque by putting a pipe on the handle--it may have been used to remove lug nut from car, but I don't remember exactly. I don't need that ratchet but I would like to buy it.
@@DoresoomReviews Toptul (Taiwan) is the OEM which makes the same bit ratchets for: > Wera 8001 A & 8008 A, Würth Zebra 0965014230, and KS Tools 918.1560 (Germany) > Facom R.180 and R.PEPB (France) > Tone BRS20 & BRFS27, and Deen DNR2F-05HSET (Japan) > Mac Tools SBDR3S, Matco AMBH & AMR, and Prestacycle 77129 (USA). > Toptul GABW3103 and GADW3401 (Taiwan) • Facom, Würth, KS Tools, Deen, Tone and Mac Tools have a flex head version. • All of the models above have the same ratchet head with only the handle and lever designs being different. • Both the Deen 20th Anniversary Edition and the Würth come available in a Black-out/coated version. Also, here is Wera UK's vid removing a lug nut from a car: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-jfflEZAOWps.html
Thw icon with the locking flex head and extra handle and bits for $40. Oh and yes everythingnelse i own is snap on and mac so dont think that im just cheap
I love the Wera set, mine goes everywhere with me(hunting and fishing). I did hear somewhere that the ratchet can handle 80 ftlbs before breaking not sure if thats true though.
You're probably right. I think I heard it pronounced soo-nex somewhere a while back but I can't remember where. Edit: You're absolutely right, I went and watched some of their videos on their website. Now I can pronounce Ree-oh-bee, Kuh-nip-ex, and Sun-ex correctly! 😆
@@DoresoomReviews saying kuh nip ex is like saying ku nife haha... but thats how they pronounce it, many people say nip ex. Porsche is another one, its Porsche-a
I thought it would be pronounced "Vera" too, but their official RU-vid account pronounces it "Wera" in this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xqxpe_LCitQ.html
@@DoresoomReviews I think that's for the English speaking crowd Nate, here's a German video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--R5yCmSaiws.html
I always laugh when you get to talking @autobahndan I just started a channel for various tools etc used for working in new and old Jeeps, and to document my journey learning how to weld (besides just burning something and dumping filler with a stick unit lol) and man, y’all are good. I suck. 😜
GREAT review Wiha is always a good choice but can be a bit pricey I have their 4mm micro bit set & regualar screw driver set after my Mulwark style bit ratchets died I've been looking for QUALITY replacements I have a really tiny ratchet I got but... doesn't look like it can take much torque it's Bostich brand
If you're looking for something fairly low budget but still good quality, I think the GearWrench is your best bet. If you want the best of the best, I'd go with the Wera or Wiha. The Wera is by far my favorite bit ratchet, but the Wiha set is the most versatile since the bits are rated for use in an impact driver too.
Can you add the SK-11 low profile ratchet kit to the list? At my work we use SK11 (Made in Japan) tools. The low profile ratchet kit has 52 teeth and my co-workers swear on them. They'd buy like 5 sets of each tool to offset the $100 shipping cost. LOL.
Victorinox makes a really nice ratchet. Too bad it's a tad pricey. I tried one that a friend had. I like that it doesn't have a reverse lever. Just something to go wrong. I was really impressed with the quality.
@@firesurfer You're right, except you only get the bare tool and not the bits, extension bar and the plastic holder that holds all the items together... :/
@@firesurfer At least we can all spend our $ how we like 👍 Just scooped up 2 Icon 1/4 " locking ratchet set from HF and they're badass, the YT reviews don't do it justice, even the case feels premium! And all for $44 , can't beat that!
I have a Wiha set. The ratchet may look cute, but is essentially worthless. The Wiha ratchet is designed poorly. More specifically, is far too easy to reverse while using it. It is very aggravating. I bought a VIM Tools HBR3 and the problem was solved.
I've occasionally run into the same problem with the Wiha reversing depending on how I'm holding it. I like the bit assortment that comes with it enough to overlook the problem. I think the Wera is still my favorite bit ratchet - maybe I'll have to try the VIM!
Is the ratchet in the Wiha set the same ratchet that is sold in the ‘3 Piece Mini Bit Ratchet and SlimFix Bit Holder Set which is set (sku# 38060)?. They look the same to me but the latter is more expensive.
Hazet makes some nice tools, but where did you find that ratchet for under $50 at a reputable retailer? KC Tool has it listed on sale for almost $90: www.kctool.com/hazet-863hpb-fine-tooth-1-4-reversible-bit-ratchet/
The GW case sucks. The ratchet has more than proven itself in a number of situations for me both at work and at home though. I bought specific bit sets to use in different situations for it as well as different length bit holders. I’ve learned not to use it too fast or it will self reverse, especially on the 1/4 side. It’s a really versatile tool.
If you have to use a cheater bar with these, you're doing something wrong! 😂 That being said: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-jfflEZAOWps.html