WFMC Super Deluxe Mini-Ratchet Tool Set Review
I first got my hands on a mini-ratchet set from Wadsworth Falls Manufacturing Co. back at the 2011 Kickstart Classic Motorcycle Ride. At a gas stop, I noticed that one of the bolts had rattled out of a fellow rider's tappet block on his Panhead. Luckily, the bolt was laying right behind the tappet block by the timer. Unluckily, it was the back bolt, which is tough to reach.
I asked if anyone had a really small ratchet with a Phillips head driver. Before I knew it, someone was handing me a little red box with a mini-ratchet plus a variety of bits. The mini-ratchet made quick work of reinstalling the bolt, and I was impressed by the workmanship that went into this pocket-sized tool set.
What Comes in the 52-Piece Super Deluxe Set
When I returned from the ride, I ordered a mini-ratchet tool set for myself. I chose the 52-piece "Super Deluxe" set, which came with the most bits and tools. Here is what they are able to fit in a 2-15/16-inch wide x 1-3/8-inch high x 4-7/8-inch long box.
Four Tools
- Super-Mini ratchet L, 4-9/16 inches long, WF-71
- Screwdriver handle
- Extension, 4-9/16 inches, WF-70
- Bit end cap
Three 12-Bit Caddies with 44 Bits
- 12 hex bits: .050-inch, 1/16-inch, 5/64-inch, 3/32-inch, 7/64-inch, 1/8-inch, 9/64-inch, 5/32-inch, 3/16-inch, 7/32-inch, 1/4-inch, 5/16-inch
- 8 metric hex bits: 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm
- 9 slotted bits: #0, #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #8, #10, 1/4-inch
- 5 Phillips bits: P0, P1, P2, P3, P4
- 1 Reed & Prince bit
- 8 "6 spline" bits: T9, T10, T15, T20, T25, T27, T30, T40
- 1 1/4-inch socket adapter
Small Ratchet, Tight Spaces
The mini-ratchet has a short 12-degree arc for working on sensitive jobs that need a delicate feel. It also has the strength to produce 400 inch-pounds of torque when you need it. Those are the two details that make the set useful on a motorcycle: it can fit into places a normal ratchet will not, but it is still a real tool.
The current WFMC Super Deluxe mini-ratchet listing still describes the set around the same idea: compact tools, a molded case, a Super-Mini ratchet, screwdriver handle, extension, bit end cap, and a wide assortment of English, metric, slotted, Phillips, Reed & Prince, spline, and socket-adapter bits.
Why It Works in a Motorcycle Tool Kit
The tool set is made in the USA with a lifetime warranty and could be picked up online for around $75 when I bought mine. Since space is a premium on a motorcycle, having a compact tool kit that can handle so many different jobs is a definite advantage. I keep mine in my windshield bag, so it is easy to reach when I need it.