Thanks for revisiting this thread. I have been modifying mine for a bit now that I am back into the advmoto thing. I will post pictures soon of what I have come up with... JG
"Anybody know where we can get higher quality tool bits? These little things give me all kinds of trouble." We use Apex brand in aviation, seem to hold up very well.
Work in aviation too. I have seen some "mechanics" get lazy and use a #8 four-wing Torq in a #10 four-wing Torq slot or #8/#10 four-wing Torq in a #1/4" four-wing Torq slot with various results. The bits break after a while and the screw slots inevitably end up getting buggered. I'll have to check and see who we use, but I think it comes down to whichever way the wind is blowing sometimes considering at times I've eaten up bits like popcorn at the movies and other times one bit will suffice for weeks on end. Maybe this is obvious, maybe not... Several things that help you break bits: The blades are not a correct fit for the slot/recess they need to fit. Dirt or some-other foreign matter in the slot/recess causing a high-stress point on a blade whereby the torque applied is multiplied many times over resulting in... Damaged blades, starting twists or bends. Lousy material, low quality. On occasion, the screw is over-torqued or just "fused" in-place and needs to be loosened by some other means. The amount of pressure or torque applied to overcome that resistance is just too high for the fastener to be released and the bit just goes beyond it's design limits. Some solutions to mitigate problems are: Use high quality bits. Make sure the slots/recess of the screws are as clean as possible. Use the correct size bit for the screw. Replace damaged bits. Replaced damage screws. Use the proper torque if known, required or stated. And have several spares on hand...
The above suggestion are good ideas once everything else is correct. Some type of impact wrench or driver can be useful too. The desired usefulness can also be construed as a measure of how much damage you want to perform on the side of your hand or the fastener you want remove or even the item that the fastener is attached to if you're using the hammer/mallet assisted type - what fun!
I looked at the Kobalt Xtreme Access sockets today at Lowe's. It seems like a great way to carry more tools with less weight/mass, but I'm concerned about their functionality. In my experience, a tool that does everything does nothing well. Metric and SAE sockets all in one? Sounds too good to be true. http://www.lowes.com/pd_379762-2232...694346&Ntt=379762&pl=1¤tURL=&facetInfo=
Those are spline sockets and they work great on all types of fasteners. I will be looking for a set as these are cheap.
JesusGato - is that a 3/8 and 1/4 combo ratchet or a box end wrench with two ratcheting adapters? If it's a combo ratchet would love to know the brand
The original set posted is no longer available at least in Kommyfornia, this is the replacement and looks pretty sweet, you don't need deep sockets with these. Spline wrenches do everything they claim and are pretty much bullet proof. Don't know about the ratchets here but Ill have a look and report back. http://www.lowes.com/pd_379759-2542...d 1/4-in Drive Socket Set&CAWELAID=1381799467
Check your local Lowe's. They were closing the original sets out in stores only for around $20. I didn't see a need for the 1/4" drive for my motorcycle tool kit, so the 3/8" set was perfect for me.
Quote: Originally Posted by RAZR so you should NEVER get a fanny pack tool kit Quote: Originally Posted by swingset I wear mine over a kidney belt. Been down on it so many times I couldn't count, hasn't been an issue. I´´ve been down hard last year and had not one scratch except for a broken collar bone, right underneath a 5 inch maglite flashlight I was cleverly carrying in my external upper pocket. Coincidence? I don´t think so...
Klim NacPac: Klim Scramble Pak. I use a "High Seirra" backpack and a Fox fanny pack. Very similar to above items. Totally rugged, they've been beat, dragged, kicked you name it. Tough stuff!
I tell people this all the time who call me, 9 times out of 10 they were turning the fasteners the wrong way to begin with.
Picked up one of the Husky 1/4" x 5/16" mini ratchets couple days ago - pretty slick. Bought the Lowes version as well for comparison. Lowes was a little kit with several bits for $9 vs $17 for Husky at HD. Husky mechanism switch worked more easily and the actual bit socket is 6-sided vs the Lowes which felt crusty and has a spline bit socket. Anyone sourced any 5/16 shank bits other than short Torx bits? Seems the Torx are all I can find online but I'd love to find some 3" - 6" long Hex and Torx bits with the 5/16 shank size...
I use mine with a 1/4" hex adapter and an extension most often. But you could get a hex extension too. Seems better to me to carry one extension than a bunch of long bits, even if you could find them.