A reader noticed and asked about the one-piece bit socket shown in my review of a Wera Zyklop sliding T-handle.
These are PB Swiss Tools bit sockets with 5mm straight hex tips. I have these in 1/4″ drive and 3/8″ drive sizes. As usual, I bought just two samplings to get a feel for the products. This way I’m not out too much money if they don’t get used a lot, and if I splurge for a set I then have a duplicate or two in the size I use most.
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Bikes often come with a lot of metric fasteners, with the most common ones requiring 5mm hex tools. I will often use these in lieu of a bit holder with removable 1″ 1/4″ hex insert bit. They also come in handy when tightening certain fasteners with a torque wrench.
There are pros and cons to these sockets. On the plus side, their tips are very well machined and very precise. You also get a little more reach compared to other types of bit sockets. These fall somewhere between standard bit sockets and long/extended reach bit sockets, and PB Swiss also offers an even longer version.
On the downside, you cannot replace the tips. If they break, you need a new socket. Bit holder sockets, and press-fit bit sockets such as the SK bit sockets I recently reviewed, are better options in that regard. If they break. I have been using PB Swiss hex keys and screwdrivers for a while. They don’t wear easily, and I have yet to break any of my PB Swiss tools.
They’re also a little pricey, but not as much as you would think. Each is regularly priced at about $10-$14, and there are a couple of set options as well. That’s not bad for Swiss-made tools.
I don’t use these bit sockets often, but I do like them a lot. The added reach is worth it, and the sockets are top quality, from the square recess to the precision tips. I don’t use metric hex keys as much as fractional ones, and so I haven’t bought a set yet. PB Swiss doesn’t make any in inch sizes, but if they did I would have bought a set of the short and long ones by now.
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These sockets are available in 3-6mm in 1/4″ drive, 4-10mm in 3/8″ drive, and T20-T50 in 3/8″ drive. You can buy them individually, and there are also a couple of sets options:
- 1/4″ 3-6mm short (V6.210H-4)
- 1/4″ 3-6mm long (V6.211H-4)
- 1/4″ 3-3mm short and long (V6.Set)
- 3/8″ 4-10mm short (V10.210H-6)
- 3/8″ 4-10mm long (V10.211H-6)
- 3/8″ 4-10mm short and long (V10.Set)
- 3/8″ Torx T20-T50 long (V10.400H-7)
I couldn’t find these in the latest PB Swiss catalog (huge PDF), but the 1/4″ sockets have model numbers starting with V6, and the 3/8″ ones V10.
Buy Now(via Tool Lady)
Buy Now(via Count On Tools)
With Count On, there’s no category to link to, you have to search for “drive socket” to see their offerings.
I bought these from Amazon back when they still sold PB Swiss Tools directly.
fred
While not in the same league as PBSwiss – there are manufacturers who make 1 piece hex and Torx driver sockets – purportedly for impact duty. Here is a link to some of ones from Grey Pneumatic:
http://www.gpsocket.com/products/category.phtml/hex_drivers/3_8/
Peter
Not sure if they sell these ones but PB Swiss seems to sell stuff on amazon
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=bl_sr_hi?ie=UTF8&field-brandtextbin=PB+Swiss&node=228013
Stuart
Those are sold by Count On Tools, on Amazon. They ship them to Amazon for shipping and fulfillment.
Count On and possibly other distributors put pressure on PB Swiss to cut Amazon off because Amazon was undercutting others’ pricing.
That’s why Amazon doesn’t sell PB Swiss directly anymore.
I’m happy to see more PB Swiss on Amazon, regardless if by Amazon directly or not, as free shipping helps with the costs. I wrote about this previously at https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/pb-swiss-tools-back-at-amazon/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
I checked, and they don’t have these up on Amazon right now.
jesse
Vim (Durston Mfg.) makes several of these sets, e.g. http://www.amazon.com/Durston-HCT50-T50-1-Torx-Driver/dp/B003V5KVRS/ . In my experience their tools are a good value.
fred
I have quite a few Vim (Durston mfg.) tools – dating back to the 1970’s. Some of their earlier tools were made in the USA – but ones like the #176 fan belt wrench that I bought – while practical – was not of any great quality. The current Vim tools – made in Taiwan (as Jesse says) are of good value – decent quality (actually IMO better than the earlier USA-made tools) – but nowhere near that of PB Swiss.
jesse
But nowhere near the price either.
Peter
Thanks for clearing that up.
Chris
I’ve had a set for some time now, and use them often. They won’t break and are extremely good if not the best hex bits I’ve ever used. I personally love them and are going to buy a set of the torx bits for black friday. They simply don’t get any better than this. Only downside with PB Swiss is I wish they made more sizes, imperial sizes, etc.
superautobacs
I’ve have about half a dozen hex sockets (mix of 1/4″ and 3/8″ drive). The thing that surprised me was the lack of scalloping on the female side on a few of them. All it had was one through-hole for ball retention. On the ones that do have the scalloping on all four sides, the machining was not clean, nor was it the right profile. Other than being disappointed with that, they’ve proven their worth.
Scott
I’m wondering if these would be a better option for mobile bicycle repair that a set of t-handle hex wrenches.