108 Mini Finger Ratchet , Blue

What an amazing little tool. It feels high-quality and it performs very well. I’ve already used it several times to get in the hard-to-reach spaces where I could never get a driver. I’ve been using a hex bit inside of a quarter inch crescent wrench. Or grabbing a hex bit with a pair of needle nose pliers. This is a far better solution. On the one hand it has a good versatility having a socket on the other end. But that also adds to the length. I would like an option to only have a hex bit or to take the socket side off. This could be simply a flat disc with the hex shaped hole in the middle so you would actually be adding no length whatsoever to your bit. I wonder if somebody makes one of these. But I’m not going to takeoff stars because it’s essentially a different tool than one that I would like. For what this is, says it performs well and has excellent fit and finish. I’m particularly impressed with its ratcheting and the number of teeth. This is a precision made a little machine. You can even add a long socket to the end to act as a handle for those situations where you would like it to be a little longer.

The key features to look for in any device like this are: Ratchet or non-ratchet selection, number of teeth in ratchet, Force required to operate ratchet, Diameter of finger driver, Overall Length, contour of finger wheel, texture of finger wheel, pliability of finger wheel, whether a dual driver is needed, quick release function, and resistance to automotive contaminants. The weight to be applied to these factors depends on the individual and the use intended. For this device the major factors are: fine tooth; small; round, checkered, blue anodized aluminum finger wheel; dual driver 1/4-inch square (M) and 1/4-inch Hex (F) so no bit adaptor is needed. The dual drive also enables a ratchet off feature by the addition of a spinner. Max Diameter is 1.110 inches. Overall length is 1.399 inches. The width of the finger wheel is 0.433 inches. This is the smallest diameter device of this type. It is close to the shortest device of this type, the Iron Bridge being shorter. The ratchet mechanism is the same as in the AmPro T19087. In most cases, with small fasteners with little resistance, the Cal-Van will behave like it has a center off function until the resistance of the fastener becomes fairly strong. Beyond the point at which the resistance from the fastener becomes fairly strong, since the Cal-Van 108 is a dual drive, a ratchet off feature can be incorporated by installing a spinner on the side not in use at the time. For instance, if you are using the 1/4 hex drive, a spinner may be installed on the 1/4 square drive side. For starting fasteners where a rocking back and forth is needed, the ratchet is stiff enough that you probably will not need a spinner. Purchase of the Cal-Van 108 assumes that you already own or have access to sockets, adapters, extensions, screwdriver bits and “spinners”. The Cal-Van 108 is light in weight and great for general household use, electronics, hobbies and fine repair. Constant use of the checkered finger wheel is likely to be hard on your finger-tips if you apply much pressure and torque. If you are working on cars with large sockets you should probably investigate something else. The Wilmar and SK products are a good bet. The Cal-Van 108 has black oxide coating on the drive parts. The finger wheel has a blue checkered aluminum outer ring. Other than aluminum, the manufacturer does not indicate what materials are used or where the device was made. The finger ratchet has 72 teeth or 5-degree rotational increments and operates smoothly with moderate force. The ratchet action is fairly stiff (subjectively, due to the small torque radius) and therefore the use of this device with a “spinner” such as the Cal-Van 104-3 will be needed to hold the drive stationary while ratcheting (if that is desired). The hex bit portion accepts 1/4 screwdriver bits and retains the bit through the use of a retaining magnet. The 1/4-inch square drive portion has the typical ratchet drive spring loaded ball to retain the socket under use. There is no quick release feature. A plastic ring with 9 radial tabs at the base of the 1/4 inch square drive controls the direction of ratchet action by rotation. There is no non-ratchet setting on this device (no center off). The ratchet mechanism appears the same as the one in the AmPro T19087. You will need an adaptor (such as the Cal-Van Master finger driver set Part number 100 and a Napa 7755957 3/8 square drive to 5/16 screwdriver bit holder) to use 5/16 screwdriver bits with the AmPro T19087. With my right hand and with some discomfort I can apply 10 inch-pounds of force with this device using a KD tools 2955 torque wrench with a 1/4 inch drive as a measuring tool. This low torque is due to the small diameter of the device. As a comparison, I can apply about 20 inch pounds with the Pittsburgh 67973, and 45 inch pounds of force with the Wilmar WQ1716 3/8 inch square drive finger ratchet. If your application requires pushing on the Cal-Van 108 such as installing wood screws, you probably want to select a device that has no drive on the palm side such as the Wilmar products. I cannot comment on the ability of the plastic parts on this device to withstand oil, grease, gasoline, brake fluid etc. If you have a hostile environment you may want to consider an all metal construction such as the Pittsburgh 67973, which is also larger. AmPro, Garret Wade, Palm Ratchet, Pittsburgh, Iron Bridge, and OEM Tools also make a 1/4 drive with 1/4 hex screwdriver bit driver. For automotive use I would consider the Wilmar W1716 set which has a bigger cushioned grip area and are generally heavier. Or consider the Pittsburgh 67973 if you are working in oil, grease, gasoline, or brake fluid. I suggest that you combine this device with the Cal-Van Master finger driver set Part number 100, and the Tekton 2841 bit set for maximum versatility. For those who do not need all of the bits in the Tekton set, consider the Craftsman 92536 which has 12 Phillips and slotted S2 bits. The first Cal-Van 108 that I received had a defect in the 1/4 square drive (M) end [improperly installed ball and spring] which was quickly replaced [By Amazon, at no cost to me] with one that functioned properly.

It's tricky at first. Trying to figure out how to change directions without instructions. When I first got it to change I couldn't figure out how I did it. Then when I got it to change again I couldn't remember how I did it. But it's a really cool tool. I wóuldnt use it to break anything loose or to tighten something real good because it feels like it would snap something inside. But all in all for the money, it was a good buy.

This is a super handy and well made little tool. I do a fair share of work in tight spaces and with smaller sockets and driver bits. When starting or unthreading screws or small nuts and bolts, a full sized screwdriver or quarter inch ratchet wrench can be a hassle, especially when trying to turn with one hand. This little thing really works well for that, and does sockets and driver bits. It is a comfortable diameter so it is easy to hold and turn. Be aware that it's small size makes it easy to misplace though. Full marks for quality as well.

If you can't get your hand and a tool into the work space, this just might do it for you. If you can just get a few fingers in and all you need is to ratchet the thing, this is about the best solution I can think of. Yes, you can use ratchet extenders, etc., but there are definitely situations where there's just not any room for all of that - or a way to get around an obstacle. I've noticed reviews that talk about how it only works one way - the one I got sent works in both directions. They must not have noticed the arrows on the switch mechanism. Granted, some explicit instructions may not have been a bad idea. As for durability - it's hefty enough and works just fine. This is not intended to compete with a 3/4" SnapOn ratchet set. If you're hand isn't going to get it loose - you're not going to get it loose and I can't imagine the parts falling apart because of that. Especially for the price, this is a great little tool to have in your arsenal.

This ratchet will accept standard hex-shanked bits, so will be nice to use with the bits you already have, when in cramped quarters. It has two issues though, both of which I think are significant. First, there is no lock position; it only ratchets, one way or the other, making it unsuitable for making adjustments where you may need to turn something either way. Second, nothing secures the magnet in place. Mine came out with the bit the first time I removed one. It will be difficult to re-insert, as it wants to stick to the sides; I'm hoping that rolling up some paper into a tube will do it; I'll then add a drop of fingernail polish and hope that keeps it in.

No complaints so far. Minimal use - bought for a specific job and got it done. The clicks could be a little tighter since it’s for tight spots but again - it got the job done.

I was really hoping I would like this more. It's very compact. Not much bigger than the non-ratcheting versions in my Cal-van tools finger driver master set. The back drag is HEAVY though. I'm on the fence whether to keep it or not. The ratcheting aspect seems less useful if it's difficult to get it to ratchet.

Facilidade para fazer reparos, na remoção de porcas e parafusos sextavados!

compact well made little tool, should prove handy in tight spots.

magnet that holds bits in place fell out after first use and now hex bits just fall out the end now

Really good little tool for hard to reach spots, where there’s really no room to work. I would definitely buy it again if I ever lost this one