Tool Review: RadioShack 6400187 23-Piece Mini Tool Ratchet Set

Key Features:
 +   Good bit/socket selection
 +   Good grip
 -   Can't turn ratchet position to off


RadioShack sells some neat tools, but they are often over-priced.  The RadioShack 23-Piece Mini Tool Ratchet Set (model #6400187) is no exception.

This set includes a small ratcheting offset driver, a set of bits, and a set of sockets.  There's also a 2" bit extender.  It's a good variety to keep around the house or in a tool bag.

There are 12 bits of several different types: three slotted bits, three Phillips bits, three star bits, and three hex bits.  The nine sockets are all SAE sizes, ranging in size from 5/32" to 1/2".  The bits are a little more rounded than you'd like to see, but function well enough.  The sockets are good and fit nicely onto the driver.

The driver itself has a good rubber and plastic handle that provides a decent grip.  It ratchets easily, and the ratchet direction can be changed with a slide switch.  There is a small plastic thumbwheel that can help in tight places where you can't swing the driver around.

Switching from the bit driver to the socket wrench is simple, and you can have both a socket and a bit attached at the same time if you want.  To use the socket wrench, you just remove the black plastic thumbwheel.

The 2" extension bar is just barely magnetic.  I don't know if it's supposed to be, because the packaging doesn't say, but it looks like every other magnetic extension bar I've seen.  If it does have a magnet, the magnet is horrible, or way too small, because it only just barely picks up very small screws.

The case that the set comes in is good, and can be used to store the tool and sockets in.  It is easy to open and easy to access the bits and sockets.  It has a hole at the top so you can hang it from a hook or peg.

This tool had a list price of $13.39 when I saw it.  However it must not have been selling well, because it was on clearance for just $1.47.  For $1.47, I'd snatch it up every time -- the bits and sockets alone are worth that price.  However, I wouldn't pay any more than $4.00 or so for this tool set.  It's a decent extra set to keep in case of emergency, but it's not worth anywhere near $13.39.  RadioShack.com was selling it for $10.97 (not sold on the site anymore) and Amazon.com has it for $9.97, both of which are overpriced for what you get, but are still better than the in-store list price.

RadioShack tool reviews

Tool Sets:
- RadioShack 6400187 23-Piece Mini Tool Ratchet Set

Tool Reviews: Stanley 85-721 3-Piece 3/8" Drive Professional Grade Spark Plug Socket Set

Stanley is a reputable brand, known for good-quality tools. The Stanley 85-721 3-Piece 3/8" Drive Professional Grade Spark Plug Socket Set definitely falls into that category. The set comes with three different size sockets: 5/8", 3/4", and 13/16". These are three common sizes for spark plugs (the last size fits many lawn mower spark plugs) so it's a good basic set to have if you plan on changing or removing plugs. All three of the sockets use a 3/8" drive, so you'll need a 3/8" drive ratchet or an adapter.

The sockets are solidly-made, with Stanley's Max-Drive design for better performance. They won't damage your plugs, and they do a good job of both loosening and tightening spark plugs.  They seem very well-made, and so far have held up well over time.

The sockets come in a small sturdy plastic case which can be stuffed in a tool bag or hung from a wall or peg board.  The case can be hard to open at first, but it gets easier with use.

Amazon sells the Stanley spark plug socket set for $9.55, which is comparable to many other socket sets, and with the Stanley sockets you'll be getting good-quality tools that will last a long time. Eventually, you may want a larger spark plug socket set, but if you're just starting to work on engines or you don't work on a wide variety of engines, this set should work out well.  I give this spark plug socket set 4 out of 5 stars.

(Originally published on Epinions.com in slightly different form, November 2012)

Tool Review: Husky 179 681 19-Piece 1/4" Mini Socket Set

Husky makes many different tools and tool sets.  One of them is the 19-piece 1/4" mini socket set (model# 179 681), which I saw sitting on a shelf in Home Depot and bought because it was only five bucks or so and the only socket set I had at the time was a free one I got when I opened my checking account.

This Husky set comes with everything you need for a basic starter socket set.  It has a stubby ratchet (with a comfortable rubber grip), eight different-sized metric sockets, nine different driver bits, and a bit holder that fits onto the ratchet.  And it all comes conveniently stored in a small plastic case with a spot for everything, which makes the set easy to transport.  The only problem with the case is that it does not latch; a sliding plastic tab opens and locks the case.  The tab is sufficient if the case remains stationary, but if you put it in your trunk or somewhere else where it will move around, the case could work its way open.  Everything inside the case is reasonably secured, however, so even if the case opens inadvertently nothing should spill out (unless you hit a big bump or the case drops on a hard floor).  There is a little bit of room in between the wrench, bits, and sockets so that you can fit an extension bar or two.

The sockets range from 4mm to 12mm, and each one has its size imprinted on the side.  The screwdriver bits include three Phillips bits, three slotted (flathead) bits, and three hex bits.  Unlike with other socket sets, none of these sockets lock onto the ratchet's 1/4" head, but they all fit snugly enough that you don't have to worry about them falling off by accident.  As is typical with Husky products, this set comes with a lifetime warranty.

Being a mini socket set, it may not provide enough torque or force for large jobs, but it works great for most tasks around the house.  The ratchet turns smoothly, and its rubber grip makes it easy to hold on to.  The only limitation I've come across so far with this set is that the sockets are too small to fit the bolts on my lawnmower wheels, but for everything that it fits it works great.

Unfortunately, you can't find this particular set on the Home Depot website anymore, but you may still be able to find it on a store shelf for a few bucks.  Amazon.com had it for sale, but it's listed as unavailable right now.  I give this socket set 3 out of 5 stars.  If you can find it for $5 or so, it's a good deal.

(Originally published on Helium.com, Sept 2010)

Husky tool reviews

Drivers:
- Husky 74460 2-Piece Micro Screwdriver Set
- Husky 74500 7-Piece Nut Driver Set
- Husky HD-74502 8-in-1 Torx Screwdriver Set

Pliers:
- Husky 1066 2-Piece Pistol Grip Pliers Set
- Husky WS-24-10 10" Self-Adjusting Groove Joint Pliers

Socket Sets:
- Husky 179 681 19-Piece 1/4" Mini Socket Set

Great Neck tool reviews

Screwdrivers:
- Great Neck Essentials 21011 8-in-1 Precision Screwdriver
- Great Neck FC006 22 Piece Drivemaster Screwdriver Set
- Great Neck NRGN2 2-Piece Stubby Screwdriver Set

Socket Sets:
- Great Neck PSO40H 40-piece ratchet and socket set

Tool Review: Great Neck PSO40H 40-piece ratchet and socket set

Key Features:
 +   Good variety of sockets
 +   Two drive sizes
 -    Spin disc is not very functional


If you walk into a Home Depot, AutoZone, or other hardware store or auto parts store, you can often find a ratchet and socket set for under $10.  If you walk into a Big Lots, the set you'll probably see is the Great Neck PSO40H 40-piece ratchet and socket set, listed for $5.

This set includes one ratchet with 3/8" drive, an adapter for 1/4" drive, a 3" extension bar, and a whole bunch of sockets, for both 3/8" drive and 1/4" drive.  One kind of neat tool that it also comes with is a plastic spin disc -- a small plastic circle with a 3/8" square cut out so you can use it to turn bolts and screws in tight places.  The spin disc is cool in theory, but is very cheaply-made, doesn't fit the sockets well, doesn't give much grip, and won't hold up to high-torque use.  This spin disc is a very cheap alternative to a thumbwheel ratchet.

The ratchet itself is usable but not especially well-made.  It's good to have as an extra ratchet.  There is some grip on the handle, more than you might expect.  It functions as it should, is reversible, and works for both loosening and tightening.  It holds up under a decent amount of force.  It does not look like it was machined very carefully -- the bottom is uneven and something inside wobbles.

The sockets are about what you would expect, nothing spectacular but not too bad either.  There is a good variety, with both SAE and metric sockets included in the set.  Most of the sockets are 1/4" drive sockets.

The set comes in a plastic carrying case that is more useful than cases some other socket sets come in.  Everything fits well in its place, and the case has a handle for easy carrying.

The PSO40H ratchet and socket set is not a high-quality tool set, but for $5 it's not a bad buy.  You get the 3/8" to 1/4" drive adapter, which is always nice to have, and the 3" extension bar, which could come in handy a lot.  Those two pieces alone, purchased separately, would probably cost close to $5 by themselves.

As a bargain, this set is worth around $5.  But if you're shopping for a primary ratchet and socket set, or one that you'll use often, I would spend a little more money and get a nicer set.

This set is currently listed at $9.97 on Amazon.com-- slightly over-priced compared to other sets you could get at that price.  I would not recommend spending more than $5 or $6 on this socket set.  But if you do decide to buy it on Amazon, it is eligible for free shipping.

Stanley tool reviews

Levels:
- Stanley 42-240 Pro I-Beam Level

Multi Tools:
- Stanley 84-519 12-in-1 Multi-Tool
- Stanley T16 FatMax Multi Tool

Pliers:
- Stanley 84-096 5" Needle Nose Pliers

Screwdrivers:
- Stanley 66-344 4-in-1 Pocket Screwdriver
- Stanley 66-358 Stubby Ratcheting Multibit Screwdriver
- Stanley 69-189 FatMax Ratcheting Screwdriver

Socket Sets:
- Stanley 85-721 3-Piece 3/8" Drive Professional Grade Spark Plug Socket Set

Utility Knives:
- Stanley 10-099 Classic 99 Retractable Utility Knife
- Stanley 10-788 InstantChange Retractable Knife