These sockets and drivers won’t fall apart in use
Issue 34: Jan/Feb 2004
THE 41-PIECE TOOLKIT FROM LINK TOOLS IS A VERY NICE SET of sockets and drivers with solid steel forging and a chrome finish that just feels good in your hand. The unique locking mechanism that holds the pieces together was first developed by founder Pete Roberts in the 1960s. It uses sliding collars that lock each piece to the next and won’t come loose accidentally. You can string together both extenders and the UniDriver between the ratchet handle and the socket, giving you about 18 inches of reach, and not worry about anything ending up in the drink.
The high-point of the kit is the universal-joint attachment, a well-machined and versatile tool that will solve most of the tricky tight-access situations so often encountered when working on marine engines.
While it’s true that any socket currently in use is secured by the locking mechanism on the ratchet handle, the rest of the sockets, drivers, and attachments are very vulnerable to a spill. The molded plastic case lacks what I consider an essential feature in an on-board toolkit — a positive lock feature that holds onto each piece that’s stored in the case. The pieces all nestle nicely into the slots designed for them, but there’s nothing but gravity holding them in place. If the case slides off of a seat or table when it’s open, you could have 39 of the 41 pieces rolling around in the bilge. Just as “north” changes every few seconds on a boat in motion, so does “down.”
The set includes the Link Automatic-Locking ratchet handle, the UniDriver, two extenders, and the Universal joint, plus 9 SAE sockets (5⁄16 inch to 13⁄16 inch), 11 Metric Sockets (8 mm to 18 mm), two spark-plug sockets (5 ⁄8 inch and 13⁄16 inch), and these socket-mounted bits: Torx 25, 30, 40, 45, 50; Hex 3⁄16, 5⁄16, 3⁄8, 6 mm, 10 mm; Phillips bits #1 and #2; and 5-mm and 9⁄32-inch slot bits, all in a custom-molded plastic case.
The 41-piece kit lists for $249.99 on the Link Tools website, but I’ve seen it listed at about $180 both at Link Tools (on special) and elsewhere on the web. Check it out at www.link-tools.com.
Thank you to Sailrite Enterprises, Inc., for providing free access to back issues of Good Old Boat through intellectual property rights. Sailrite.com
