PakRatchet

[Nikos]

Here's an interesting contraption: the PakRatchet.

Quoting from the toolmonger:

Both the PakRatchet and its little brother, the Pocket PakRatchet, store a set of sockets and an extension right in the handle so you can grab the ratchet and go.

The full-size PakRatchet stores seven sockets and a 3″ extension in the handle. The 3/8″ drive ratchet is available in both metric and imperial versions — it’s made from a high-torque composite that’s non-conductive and resists corrosion. The 6-point sockets are chrome vanadium steel.

The Pocket PakRatchet also stores seven sockets and a 3″ extension. It comes in either a 1/4″ or 3/8″ drive in both imperial and metric version and is made from a high-torque composite — presumably the same material as its bigger brother.

The 3/8″ drive PakRatchet and Pocket PakRatchet include 10mm, 11mm, 13mm, 14mm, 15mm, 17mm, and 19mm metric sockets or 3/8″, 7/16″, 1/2″, 9/16″, 5/8″, 11/16″, and 3/4″ imperial sockets. The 1/4″ drive Pocket PakRatchet ships with either 6mm, 7mm, 8mm ,9mm ,10mm ,11mm ,and 13mm metric sockets or 1/4″, 9/32″, 5/16″, 11/32″, 3/8″, 7/16, and 1/2″ imperial sockets.

Duluth Trading Company sells the 3/8″ drive imperial version of the PakRatchet for $20 and the 1/4″ imperial version of the Pocket PakRatchet for $15 plus shipping.

Definitely not the first of its kind, but interesting nevertheless.

[zepla]

Interesting indeed! I always like pocket size tool kits and ratchets in particular.

This thing is really something that you would see/feel before buying it, I guess. Is it bulky made out of cheap materials or really pocketable and well made? But on that price I would not expect the world and might be interesting enough to take a chance and just get it and see how it turns out.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I think Topeak did something similar

[Zed]

I think Topeak did something similar

yeah they did mike , i remember looking at one in LBS , handy things, 

[sjian]

I bought the 3/8" Drive version (both imperial and metric) today.  The composite feels like cheap plastic.  The logo on the front is fine, but the company logo on the back is blurry and the part of the handle that folds into the rest of the tool seem to be only held in place by friction.  The build quality seems to be rather poor.

On the plus side, the ratcheting mechanism seems to have fine detents (estimating 3-5 degs) , and the sockets are 12 point rather than 6.  The price was the key seller for me though, I managed to get each tool for $15 CAD each.

I will try to post more of a review after I have using it thoroughly.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I'm looking forward to your thoughts on it.  It looks like an interesting tool.

Def

[scrappy]

Looks interesting, I am interested in what others think

[sjian]

After a week of use here are my thoughts on the 3/8" drive version.

It's a rather big and heavy tool, over 21cm x 5cm.  I don't have a scale for weight, but I estimate it being the same weight as 4 x leatherman waves (you know you're an multitool addict when a leatherman wave is a measurement of weight).  Being only a socket ratchet, it's rather a single purpose tool rather than multipurpose or "multitool".

However, being pretty much the same design as a normal ratchet, that means there aren't a lot of compromises in terms of the functionality.  The two differences I've experience so far from a normal ratchet is:
-It can't get into tight spaces as easily, but in most situations this can overcome with an 3/8" extension
-The plastic construction means this will not be as heavy duty as a metal socket driver, because the plastic is oversized for the housing, you can still put quite a bit of torque onto it, but I would not trying putting my full weight into the tool.  (I have not experienced any cracking or bending in the plastic yet after removing corroded and striped 1/2" nuts)

One thing I realized with using this tool, is that socket bits will probably not go missing unlike my toolbox where missing socket bits is common and on the odd occasion, new bits appear (I'm convinced my toolbox must have some sort of teleportation portal).

In terms of philosophy of use, I'd say this makes a good replacement for those start 10-12 piece socket sets that you might keep in a small toolbox, glove compartment in a car or storage compartment in a motorcycle.  However it seems to be too big and heavy for pocket/belt carry, especially since you realize that a lot of the time, you need another wrench or socket driver on the other end of the bolt or nut and possibly an extension. 

Another possibility is a backup set.  Although most of my tools have lifetime warranties, it's a hassle that in the rare event that it does break, I need to go the store to wait for a replacement.

I'd say the PakRatchet is not much different having a socket ratchet and a bag of bits in terms of the use and portability.  The pros and cons are very minut so if you already have a socket set, so don't expect groundbreaking innovation out of the PakRatchet.  However it does organize it a lot better and it's nice to have everything in one closed package. 

I will try to reply to any comments, criticism and questions to the best of my knowledge.