A few days ago, we posted (or rather reposted) about the Gearwrench MicroDriver mini bit and socket set, and someone asked about a ratchet and screwdriver bit set that doesn’t come with sockets. We’ve posted a few examples here before, such as the Wera Bit Ratchet, Beta bit set, and a deal post on a Bostitch set.
Today I discovered, or actually rediscovered, this Sunex 38pc set, in Amazon’s Spring Event tool promo. It seems to be a good answer to Nathan’s request for a mini ratchet kit box with just bits and no sockets, and only when drafting the intro of this post did I realize that I linked to it in the long-ago Bostitch post.
This Sunex mini ratchet and bit set comes with a small 1/4″ hex ratchet, a quick release extension, and 36 screwdriver bits:
- 4 slotted bits
- 6 Phillips bits
- 6 Pozidriv bits
- 6 hex bits
- 14 Torx bits (regular and security)
It’s currently priced at $19.
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Also Consider
- Wiha 35pc Set
- Bahco 26pc Set – this set also has a double-ended tool with ratcheting and box ends
- Wera Bit-Check Set – I own one of these, love it!
- Wera Tool-Check Set – with ratchet, screwdriver handle, bits, and also imperial or metric sockets
First Thoughts
Sunex is one of those brands that I’ve known about for years, and I’ve always considered them to be a mid-entry-priced brand, and so they’re largely invisible to me. I bought a Sunex specialty wrench set a few years ago as part of a holiday deal, and it’s “okay.” Based on what I’ve seen and heard, I’d rank them a little below Tekton, but above Neiko, Tacklife, and other such brands.
Frankly, I’d be more inclined to go with the Gearwrench MicroDriver set, although I’d wait for it to drop to $18 or $19 again, or lower. Or I’d spend a little more, such as for the Wera set. The downside of that Gearwrench set is that you’re paying for some tools you might not need or want, and with the Wera sets, higher quality comes with a higher price.
For the money, this does look like a compelling bit ratchet and screwdriver bit set. For just under $20, you get a 72-tooth bit ratchet and some variety in the screwdriver bits, all packaged in an aluminum case.
If it’s the choice between say a Tacklife bit ratchet set for $13, or this Sunex set for $19, I’d go with the Sunex set. Their user reviews seem to be positive, and although Sunex isn’t as visible a brand as others these days, they’re a more established brand that I’d sooner trust over direct-to-Amazon tool brands.
For my own needs, I went with an inexpensive mini bit ratchet first. In this photo, that’s the Craftsman bit ratchet centered between a Wera bit ratchet and Proto 1/4″ drive ratchet. I also had the Gearwrench MicroDriver, which I might have purchased earlier than the Craftsman (sorry, I really don’t remember), but more often than not it was used separate from most of the tools it comes bundled with.
After using the Craftsman and Gearwrench bit ratchets mainly with other brands’ screwdriver bits, I eventually made the pricey jump to Wera. This set from Sunex kind of averages things out, and might have been appealing to me as my first screwdriver bit ratchet experience.
What I’m trying to say is that I can see the appeal in this Sunex set, although it’s not something that I would personally choose today. But if I had not had prior introduction into bit ratchets, or needed a new set for a portable tool box or similar, this set would likely at least make it to my shortlist.
Bit ratchets are one of those tools that you don’t quite need, but they are very well suited for tasks where a standard 1/4″ ratchet and bit adapter are simply too tall or bulky.
If you have used this bit ratchet set, do you recommend it? Do you have other recommendations for a set like this?