VIM Tools 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).

High quality. Very compact, it fits in the case with my bits. Always needed a bit holder and finally bought this one after reading all the good reviews. Love it

Bit ratchet is made well , has smooth action on ratchet itself. I use it regularly and it's holding up well including the finish.

I do lot of close work with PC watercooling where I have to work in spaces where there’s barely enough room for the 1/4” bit to fit, let alone a tool to hold the bit. I have other low-profile ratchets but they are often still have too much height after installing the bit. I end up often using the bit and turning it with a pair of pliers. Very awkward and I often drop the bit. I later found those measuring spoon style fixed bits, which where a huge improved ent, but they don’t ratchet. Always wondered if there was a ratchet which could hold a bit just with a through hex opening. So glad I found this. While it can be somewhat challenging to actually insert the bit into the opening, it has a very firm grip once it does, so you know it won’t inadvertently slip out. Very well made and a huge time saver when doing limited space precision work.

Made in Taiwan, not China. 👍 Big plus for me. I wouldn't have bought it otherwise. Very very tiny. Not great as a tool to use all the time as your main screwdriver. It's very awkward and slippery to hold. But it gets into tight spaces that many other tools can't. So it's a great addition to a good Wera screwdriver (or whatever you prefer). Back drag on the ratcheting mechanism is very mediocre. Not great, not the worst. But you can easily finish screws by hand if you can reach them. Or use the spinner on the back of the tool. Or spin the bit by hand. The main ratchet side only adds around 0.1 inch to the length of the bit. The breaker bar side adds a little more. Bits are held by a clip but fairly easy to remove. Which I guess is either good or bad depending on your preference. Overall good at what it needs to do which is fit into tiny spaces. Fur 16 dollars I think it's a great addition to your kit.

These work great for getting to screws and/or small nuts and bolts in places that are nonassessable for normal size tools and/or where you need a 90° screwdriver. Love it! Every guy should have one of these in their arsenal of tools!

Heart of a great mini-driver kit.

Holds the bit very strong. Really small and fine tooth for tight places. I use it as an aircraft mechanic and all my coworkers use the same concept.

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

Extremely small and so far good quality. I’ve been using it daily for a year at work and so far have not broken it. Most of its competition is overpriced oversized abominations so by virtue of not being that it’s a winner. I tied a wire loop through the non ratcheting end so I could do some speedy swinging with my fingertip, works great. Good buy overall.

I use this on aircraft and it works well in tight places. I have seen other brands break and this one is still going strong. I like that both ends are 1/4" so if one day the ratchet quits on me it's not totally useless. I don't expect it to though, I've put some pretty good torque on it and it held up.