711L Bit Ratchet for Leatherman?

afishhunter

afishhunter

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Oct 21, 2014
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Anyone get the 711L 1/4 inch hex EDC ratchet bit driver for their Leatherman that uses the flat bits?
The You Tube review I saw was positive. However, he hadn't had it long so didn't know about long-term durability. I figure it won't hurt to ask here where some may have long-term experience with it.
View attachment 1784053
Costs $1.99 (plus $8 shipping from Taiwan) more than Leatherman's standard bit extension, and about the same with shipping as Leatherman's ratcheting bit extender.
It can use both the flat bits and standard hex bits.

I'm wondering if it is worth getting, or if the LM standard bit extension would be better.

Won't order until next month if I decide to get this or the LM bit extender. "Get Both!" isn't a viable option.

Thanks in advance.
 
Interesting, I hadn't seen this idea before.
I use the standard bit extender.
 
afishhunter said:
Anyone get the 711L 1/4 inch hex EDC ratchet bit driver for their Leatherman that uses the flat bits?
The You Tube review I saw was positive. However, he hadn't had it long so didn't know about long-term durability. I figure it won't hurt to ask here where some may have long-term experience with it.
View attachment 1784053
Costs $1.99 (plus $8 shipping from Taiwan) more than Leatherman's standard bit extension, and about the same with shipping as Leatherman's ratcheting bit extender.
It can use both the flat bits and standard hex bits.

I'm wondering if it is worth getting, or if the LM standard bit extension would be better.

Won't order until next month if I decide to get this or the LM bit extender. "Get Both!" isn't a viable option.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
I saw it for $22 + $8 shipping, which makes the price a bit questionable. Where did you find it for $1.99. I also saw the video of TX Tool Crib, and I trust his reviews, but as you mentioned he hasn’t had for a long time.
 
Dimashkieh said:
I saw it for $22 + $8 shipping, which makes the price a bit questionable. Where did you find it for $1.99. I also saw the video of TX Tool Crib, and I trust his reviews, but as you mentioned he hasn’t had for a long time.
Click to expand...
You misread it. :( "$1.99 plus $8 more than the standard bit driver or with shipping about the same as the LM ratcheting bit extender." is what I said.
Cheapest I've seen is $22 plus $8 shipping for one without bits.
I don't need more hex bits, so no need to get the higher priced one that has bits, or two of them without bits for call it "$50", since I only have one LM.

$30 isn't "chump change" to me.
The other option I'm looking at is a flat ratchet bit driver set with 6 basic bits for around $10~$12.
 
afishhunter said:
The You Tube review I saw was positive. However, he hadn't had it long so didn't know about long-term durability. I figure it won't hurt to ask here where some may have long-term experience with it.
Click to expand...
It looks like a modified variation of the same design used in the Topeak Rocket ratchet and the Power Torque 1/4" ratchet (GM4315). If my memory serves me well enough, there are at least one or two other companies who also sell it under their own branding. They all feature the same 60 tooth design. It's been around for a while.

I have one of those versions. It's durable. It's well made. There are reviews for those too if you're curious.
 
afishhunter said:
Decided to get this instead, at half the price. Will order it 05/01.
Click to expand...
Oof. I was going to suggest the Power Torque, but I just checked and the price has gone up. When you factor in tax and shipping, it's not so cheap anymore.

I did find something else though. You might wanna check out the Vim Tools HBR3 1/4 bit ratchet. I've seen it as low as 13 bucks in a couple places.
 
afishhunter said:
Decided to get this instead, at half the price. Will order it 05/01.
View attachment 1791558
Click to expand...
I have one of those, works fine. I got some cheap bit extenders (4") and small rubber bands to keep as a small kit.
It also made me wonder why Leatherman didn't stick a ratchet in the Skeletool, where the carabiner is. That space is much wider and thicker, which gives space for a really beefy ratchet.
Then ditch the knife, stow a 2" bit extender on the other arm.
 
afishhunter said:
Anyone get the 711L 1/4 inch hex EDC ratchet bit driver for their Leatherman that uses the flat bits?
The You Tube review I saw was positive. However, he hadn't had it long so didn't know about long-term durability. I figure it won't hurt to ask here where some may have long-term experience with it.
View attachment 1784053
Costs $1.99 (plus $8 shipping from Taiwan) more than Leatherman's standard bit extension, and about the same with shipping as Leatherman's ratcheting bit extender.
It can use both the flat bits and standard hex bits.

I'm wondering if it is worth getting, or if the LM standard bit extension would be better.

Won't order until next month if I decide to get this or the LM bit extender. "Get Both!" isn't a viable option.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
I have no experience with this exact item, but I will tell you that is a high quality well proven tool.

You'll notice on the thumb wheel that it says REVERSE GEAR, it was made in Taiwan by a company named HI-FIVE.
They make all the bit ratchets marked Reverse gear on the thumb wheel.
From Topeak, Prestacycle, VIM, Wurth, Deen, KS Tool, GM Power Torque, Toptul, Wera, Facom, Usag, Blackhawk, Mac, Rujoi, Icon, and of course this 711.
Those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head at least, they've been around over 10 years and are time proven to be a great tool.

That is essentially the same as this GM Power Torque I carry with my bond at work.
20210601-172149.jpg
20210601-171902.jpg
I prefer this over having a bit driver on my multitool, because I usually only need a 2nd #2 and 1/4 for those times theres a screw on both sides of something.
I carry it with the 2 bits in it, and if I do need a different bit on occasion theres more in my tool bag In my locker.


This GM Power Torque version is $14 at any o'riley auto parts, and comes in a very pocketable case too.
20211202_090255.jpg
 
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afishhunter said:
Decided to get this instead, at half the price. Will order it 05/01.
View attachment 1791558
Click to expand...
That's a cheap piece of junk that's nowhere near as good.
Get the GM Power Torque from Orileys auto parts , the price has gone up but it's miles ahead in quality compared to this crappy thing.
Same tool as the 711 thing, but doesn't fit into a leatherman or their flat bits I don't think, same time proven high quality 60 tooth mechanism made by the same manufacturer in Taiwan.
The company is called HI-FIVE, if it says REVERSE GEAR on the thumb wheel they made it and you can trust the quality.

I prefer American made whenever possible, but nobody can really compete with HI-FIVE.
The Lang bit ratchets are great but not as low profile and refined, and the Chapman is a useful tool but the design is 86 years old and it shows.
 
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Hickory n steel said:
I have no experience with this exact item, but I will tell you that is a high quality well proven tool.

You'll notice on the thumb wheel that it says REVERSE GEAR, it was made in Taiwan by a company named HI-FIVE.
They make all the bit ratchets marked Reverse gear on the thumb wheel.
From Topeak, Prestacycle, VIM, Wurth, Deen, KS Tool, GM Power Torque, Toptul, Wera, Facom, Usag, Blackhawk, Mac, Rujoi, Icon, and of course this 711.
Those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head at least, they've been around over 10 years and are time proven to be a great tool.

That is essentially the same as this GM Power Torque I carry with my bond at work.
View attachment 1792435
View attachment 1792436
I prefer this over having a bit driver on my multitool, because I usually only need a 2nd #2 and 1/4 for those times theres a screw on both sides of something.
I carry it with the 2 bits in it, and if I do need a different bit on occasion theres more in my tool bag In my locker.


This GM Power Torque version is $14 at any o'riley auto parts, and comes in a very pocketable case too.
View attachment 1792448
Click to expand...
I do like that GM Power Torque.
I'll see if Orileys sells that online. The closest store to me is around 45 miles off, over in Twin Falls. Be a heck of a trike ride now.
Because of Guv'ner Little's long lasting assisted living lockdown, I haven't ridden the trike since Feb. 2020. Not too long ago, a 80-90 mile ride was no big deal. Now? I know my knees and hips are not as good ... much stiffer ... and I'm probably not as physically fit. I need to work back up to "a 60~70 mile ride is a short trip." ☹️ Oh well. At least I'm not inna wheelchair ... yet. 😁
 
there also the version that looks like a mini ratcheting box wrench if you want that version.
The Vim Tools hbr3 can be had for as low as $12, same mechanism and OEM in a slightly different format.
I personally don't like the angled heads as much on that style and don't need the fixed box wrench on the other end, but it's still an affordable compact option for this tool and I have 2 because of that.
 
Drop bear said:
What I was going to recommend. And you won't murder your knife with that one.

And gerber centerdrive. Takes normal bits. So you wouldn't need to have two different sorts.
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Three. 😁
I'm already bringing along 36 1/4 hex drive bits (and a ratcheting "T" handle I've had for maybe 15 years), and a 100 piece (plus the drivers and a few other goodies) electronics 4mm hex bit set.

Yes. I do have the 1/4" hex to 4mm Hex adapter to use the 4mm bits with the "T" handle.

The "T" handle's bit holder is a little worn. The Leatherman bits just spin. Don't catch at all, at all. It is magnetized, so they don't fall out and get lost, at least. The LM bits work in the 2.5 inch magnetized 1/4" hex bit extension, though. 😁👍

Now if I can get to my tool box and get the security bit set I have ... Then again, I'm not sure if I will ever need some of those esoteric security bits I've only needed once in 30 or so years again ... I probably won't, but you never know ...🤔
 
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if you wanna spend up at about $40 you could get the " new " ( been around under other names for years ) Icon locking flex head from Harbor freight, it's the cheapest / easiest way to get it since most other versions are $70-$90 from foreign tool brands that have little to no presence here in the US.
Lifetime warranty too and easily handled since HF is everywhere.
 
Since my post is related, I'm posting it here.
For a week I've been researching the best (available) bit ratchet sets with the same locking flex head bit ratchet. in my country, apart from FACOM (?), the most available isn't ICON (trading brand) and whatnot but KS TOOLS (trading company) and TOPTUL (manufacturer). Either company sells various(!) compiled boxed sets to include dis amazing ratchet+extension pairing, and also the parts alone, which i find intriguing. I'd prefer the sets with the bits only, i.e. without the sockets.

For a week I've been researching the best (available) bit ratchet sets with the same locking flex head bit ratchet made by HI-FIVE TAIWAN. in my country, apart from FACOM (?), the most available isn't ICON (US trading brand) and whatnot but KS TOOLS (geman trading company) and TOPTUL (taiwanese manufacturer). Either company sells various(!) boxed compilations with this ratchet+extension pairing, and also the parts alone, which i find intriguing.

Oh, the toptul 16€ ratchet and 3€ extension are in stock, inexpensive (mas shipping), good to see! The toptul boxed set for 26€ is temporarily out of stock. The ks tools boxed set has been retailing for 25€ at Master Outillage. Currently, due to the global economic situation, prices have been hiking and availability has gone down, so I'm still empty-handed because I'm not willing to pay 55$ (for a toptul GADW4501 or a ks tool equivalent set): that's over +100% of what the stuff went for, only 4 months ago. Of course, i'd want a box, otherwise it's too easy to lose the ratchet around da house.

Anyway, I am going to end up with either the toptul or the ks tool‎ 918.3015 or just the ratchet parts, it's just a matter of time: which stuff becomes available first at a fair price target of 26-36$. Imho, I could afford 45-55$ for the ICON/Toptul/KS Tools boxed set but my personal joy (of ownership/usage) would be less since i doht use such tools often enough to make the expense worthwhile.

EDIT: order placed. i've pulled the trigger on the ks tools box (instead of the toptul): even smaller weight&size, nice red color, TORSIONpower™ bits, life-time warranty, noice! in my order i also added the infamous 911.2080 set for a total of 46€ shipped (29+17), instead of outrageous 76€ (55+21) on amzn gemani. nice, all of the mentioned ks tools stuff is made in the taiwan (incl. the bits!), not the chinas. and btw on the internets you may see pics of the ks tool set with black or with red inlays; as i found out, red is the current production version, and i wuv it! 🥰
hope dis helps, greetz ftw 🥳

i'll post photos of my flex head bit ratchet stuff when i finally got my hands on it.
 
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Just so you know all of these bit ratchets marked " Reverse gear " on the thumb wheel are manufactured by the company HI-FIVE.

Btw some variants of the flex head like the WURTH, KS TOOl, VIM, and Rujoi are longer which I don't like as much.
Here in the US the icon is the only reasonably priced option for a nice set at all, and it's also the only affordable option for the standard length variant of the ratchet too.
The next best option for us is the Blackhawk set for about $60, but they're hard to find for some reason.
Just the ratchet is $60 from MAC, the VIM Tools RBF400K I have was $40 for the ratchet + extension + adapter and it's the longer variant.

The prices are definitely higher than I'd like them to be, but we are kind of getting shafted here in the US because we don't have as many companies contracting/ importing them so we take what we can get.
 
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