Wright Tool Compact Flex Head Ratchet

[JWC86]

Anyone have experience with this ratchet?

 

[Chrome Vanadium Cody]

I do, what do you want to know about it? I like it and use it a lot but it's not as small as I expected. I think at some point they made a change to making this ratchet based on their larger 2492 high strength 1/4 ratchet instead of their 2400 or 2426 1/4 drive normal ratchet-which this picture doesn't reflect.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

It's a nice ratchet. The pivot pin fell out doing spark plugs on a 3.0l GM motor. Warranty was not convenient. I bought it used but visibly brand new from a member on here. I don't think the original version had the pivot.pin properly staked.

Handle is comfortable, head compact.

 

[CGarage]

Looks like old, vintage ratchet tech and design to me.

 

[ecotec]

Looks like old, vintage ratchet tech and design to me.

Is it dual pawl?

 

[vssjim]

Is it dual pawl?

yes

 

[ecotec]

yes

I have too many ratchets to be in the ratchet buying game… I have tapered off a lot… but I got a 1/2” Wright 4494 at a flea market, and I love it.

I know a lot of people will not spend money on round head ratchets anymore… but the dual pawl Wrights are pretty terrific.

I changed out my work ratchet a few times over the years. I am on my fifth ratchet in 29 years, and right now I am using a 3/8” dual pawl contour Wright. It really has been a joy to use.

 

[IndyGarage]

I've had one of those for many years. It's a 3/8 drive in a 1/4 ratchet handle.

Great for getting into tight spaces for light duty ratcheting. Couple of caveats: The flex head does not lock and moves around fairly easily and it's a fairly light duty tool. Essentially it's a 1/4 inch ratchet. If you start pushing it like a 3/8 ratchet, you will break it easily.

I also have the non-flex head version and it's probably even more useful - I would buy both of them again.

 

[CGarage]

Not sure why someone would buy this over a Gearwrench or Matco locking flex head in 3/8 drive.

 

[Chrome Vanadium Cody]

This one isn't a dual pawl. They still just have single pawl for their 1/4 drive ratchets and their compact 3/8 in 1/4 body ratchets. Hopefully they'll release a dual pawl version sometime soon.

I said this above but the current models have the pawl and body from their 2492 1/4 drive high strength ratchet but with a 3/8 drive stud. This has pluses and minuses but it's what makes this ratchet unique in its class and worth owning. Wright doesn't release a torque rating for their 2492 ratchet but they do claim that it is the strongest 1/4 ratchet available. Snap On's 1/4 drive t72 is rated at 90 ft lbs, so using the logic of Mitch Hedberg's "roundabout aids test," the wright 2492 can handle at least that. So yes this ratchet is weaker than a typical 3/8 drive ratchet but out of the 3/8 in 1/4 body options, this is the strongest one.

 

[autobon7]

Not sure why someone would buy this over a Gearwrench or Matco locking flex head in 3/8 drive.

I would simply because of what the Apex Tool Group did.......getting rid of Armstrong and promoting Gearwrench. Will never buy another Gearwrench product. This is just me and I know others may not agree but thats ok.

 

[CGarage]

I would simply because of what the Apex Tool Group did.......getting rid of Armstrong and promoting Gearwrench. Will never buy another Gearwrench product. This is just me and I know others may not agree but thats ok.

It’s called business. If they had been making money with that business unit, I am sure it would have been kept alive.

 

[autobon7]

It’s called business. If they had been making money with that business unit, I am sure it would have been kept alive.

I get that.....but just because it's "business" doesn't mean that I have to like or agree with that decision. They could have pooled their resources and refocused on Armstrong.....a company that had been in business for over 100 years if I remember correctly. For comparisons sake Gearwrench was launched around 96-97.

 

[CGarage]

I get that.....but just because it's "business" doesn't mean that I have to like or agree with that decision. They could have pooled their resources and refocused on Armstrong.....a company that had been in business for over 100 years if I remember correctly. For comparisons sake Gearwrench was launched around 96-97.

If you apply that methodology to other areas of your routine spending, I doubt there would be very much that you could buy.
The US economic system over the past ~ 100 years has been based on capitalism.
With it comes extinction.

Who cares if Gearwrench was launched in the 1990s. The ratchets are far more advanced than what most US companies are producing.

In fact, most of the tool innovations are coming out of Taiwan these days.
Not the US or Europe.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I have it and love it. Wicked small.

 

[autobon7]

If you apply that methodology to other areas of your routine spending, I doubt there would be very much that you could buy.
The US economic system over the past ~ 100 years has been based on capitalism.
With it comes extinction.

Who cares if Gearwrench was launched in the 1990s. The ratchets are far more advanced than what most US companies are producing.

In fact, most of the tool innovations are coming out of Taiwan these days.
Not the US or Europe.

Like I mentioned above......some may not agree with my take on this and Im ok with that.

 

[BlackVersa2]

If you apply that methodology to other areas of your routine spending, I doubt there would be very much that you could buy.
The US economic system over the past ~ 100 years has been based on capitalism.
With it comes extinction.

Who cares if Gearwrench was launched in the 1990s. The ratchets are far more advanced than what most US companies are producing.

In fact, most of the tool innovations are coming out of Taiwan these days.
Not the US or Europe.

Why are you even replying here if you don't have anything to add? Oh wait, it's garage journal.

 

[CGarage]

Why are you even replying here if you don't have anything to add? Oh wait, it's garage journal.

Go and read my post above.

Why spend more money to get a product of inferior performance and capability?

Wright makes a high quality tool- I respect and like the company.

That said, it costs more for less capability than alternatives available.


P.S. Please explain to all of us what you have added to this thread?

 

[BlackVersa2]

Sounds like you changed your tune there. Looks like an old ratchet. Then, they're ok.

I like wright tools, own more than a few. What else can be contributed besides opinions at this point?

 

[CGarage]

Sounds like you changed your tune there. Looks like an old ratchet. Then, they're ok.

I like wright tools, own more than a few. What else can be contributed besides opinions at this point?

No tune change.

The design is an “old” ratchet design.
My major complaint is that most of the US tool companies are not keeping up with foreign companies who are innovating. It’s atrocious.


Sorry, I didn’t realize I must have hurt your feelings and that of your “pet” tool company.


If you expand your horizons beyond Wright, you will have improved tool user experiences and your feelings will (potentially) be hurt less.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I've tried GW and don't plan on buying anymore of their ratchets. I hate detents and floppy joints. I'll gladly buy a tested design made in the USA ratchet over a ratchet from a company that continues to race to the bottom in quality.

 

[CGarage]

I've tried GW and don't plan on buying anymore of their ratchets. I hate detents and floppy joints. I'll gladly buy a tested design made in the USA ratchet over a ratchet from a company that continues to race to the bottom in quality.

I hate detent and floppy joints as well.
I only own two GW flexhead ratchets.
The rest of mine are locking flexheads.
The mechanism I find to be far superior, but folks I know who turn wrenches every day seem happy with non-locking versions as they have become used to it.

For most applications today, where access is a challenge and space is at a premium, the market is filled with better choices.

I hope that Wright (and Williams) will begin to offer more modern designs (particularly ratchets) that are competitive amongst the major players who are offering tools that are up to date with the demands of the modern work environments (increasingly becoming harder to access with limited working space due to miniaturization).

 

[JWC86]

I've tried GW and don't plan on buying anymore of their ratchets. I hate detents and floppy joints. I'll gladly buy a tested design made in the USA ratchet over a ratchet from a company that continues to race to the bottom in quality.

I think the GW head itself are decent, at least the 84 and 90T. But yes I also can’t stand detents and floppy flex heads. I have a set of GW 90T locking flex heads and the only time I use them is the very odd occurrence that I need a locking flex.

I like Snap-On non locking flex heads and IMO Nepros has the best flex head design with the tensioned Teflon bushing but that’s getting a bit off topic.

I’m looking for a medium/long length compact 3/8 flex head which is how I stumbled on the little Wright. If it was a little longer I would have probably just bought it already, still might if I can’t find something longer.

 

[Mgdoug3]

Locking flex is occasionally handy which is why I have them in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2. Non-locking is handy when I'm in a tight spot and need to move the handle around to clear obstacles. My most used ratchets are Snap-on Dual 80s and SK LP90s. I'm one of the few people who like the LP90s but I did have to modify my 3/8 and SK has very limited offerings. Since Great Star took over, I haven't bought anything SK.

I don't look for Wright to design a new ratchet. Wright has always been geared towards to the industrial side vs automotive. Rugged and reliable is top of the list. There's more room to work so thin ratchets isn't a top priority. With SK up in the air, perhaps Wright will try to enter the pearhead ratchet game but I think they'll stick to their bread and butter for now.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I think the GW head itself are decent, at least the 84 and 90T. But yes I also can’t stand detents and floppy flex heads. I have a set of GW 90T locking flex heads and the only time I use them is the very odd occurrence that I need a locking flex.

I like Snap-On non locking flex heads and IMO Nepros has the best flex head design with the tensioned Teflon bushing but that’s getting a bit off topic.

I’m looking for a medium/long length compact 3/8 flex head which is how I stumbled on the little Wright. If it was a little longer I would have probably just bought it already, still might if I can’t find something longer.

I saw a thread on here not long ago about a Matco ratchet that's 3/8 in a 1/4 body. Can't remember if you have to buy a 1/4 ratchet and make it yourself or if you can buy it that way. If you're looking for compact and length, I would look into if you're willing to pay tool truck prices.

 

[JWC86]

I saw a thread on here not long ago about a Matco ratchet that's 3/8 in a 1/4 body. Can't remember if you have to buy a 1/4 ratchet and make it yourself or if you can buy it that way. If you're looking for compact and length, I would look into if you're willing to pay tool truck prices.

I think the Matco would have a detent flex head thou?

 

[Mgdoug3]

There's never been a Matco truck in my area so I've never had my hands on one but I believe you're correct. GW is very close to Matco but from what I've gathered, Matco is more refined.

 

[Chrome Vanadium Cody]

Setting aside conversations about business and innovation for a sec, the Wright 3440 flex joint is detented so if that’s a dealbreaker that’s understandable. I would prefer it if they made it without that too

 

[Chrome Vanadium Cody]

Incidentally the longest 3/8 in 1/4 body non detented flex ratchets I know of that are available stock without frankenratcheting some things together are the SK 3767, Snap On FCF72, or Koken 2726Z-3/8(L160). All are about 6 1/4".

 

[1982fxr]

If you apply that methodology to other areas of your routine spending, I doubt there would be very much that you could buy.
The US economic system over the past ~ 100 years has been based on capitalism.
With it comes extinction.

Who cares if Gearwrench was launched in the 1990s. The ratchets are far more advanced than what most US companies are producing.

In fact, most of the tool innovations are coming out of Taiwan these days.
Not the US or Europe.

Most of the innovations are coming out of the US. Many of the tools themselves are coming out of Taiwan.

And many of the tools are coming from US owned companies.

 

[CGarage]

Most of the innovations are coming out of the US. Many of the tools themselves are coming out of Taiwan.

And many of the tools are coming from US owned companies.

The innovations are coming out of Taiwan more so than the U.S.

Some of the companies in Taiwan are U.S. subsidiaries, yes.

 

[IndyGarage]

Not sure why someone would buy this over a Gearwrench or Matco locking flex head in 3/8 drive.

I have the Gearwrench 90 tooth locking flex head in addition to these.

You probably wouldn't buy this Wright over the Gearwrench, nor would you buy the Gearwrench over the Wright - because they are two different products for different use.

This is a tiny - 1/4 ratchet handle flex head with a 3/8 drive on it. It is excellent for getting into tight spaces.

The Gearwrench 3/8 locking flex head is a great ratchet - but it's about 3x as long as this Wright. You would rarely use one where the other can work.

 

[B_Bimmer]

The only thing I have to add to this thread is; gearwrench *****.

 

[CGarage]

I have the Gearwrench 90 tooth locking flex head in addition to these.

You probably wouldn't buy this Wright over the Gearwrench, nor would you buy the Gearwrench over the Wright - because they are two different products for different use.

This is a tiny - 1/4 ratchet handle flex head with a 3/8 drive on it. It is excellent for getting into tight spaces.

The Gearwrench 3/8 locking flex head is a great ratchet - but it's about 3x as long as this Wright. You would rarely use one where the other can work.

I totally understand that it is a different product.
Astro and Snap-On offer mini 3/8 ratchets in 1/4 inch drive bodies.

That said, there is more flexibility in use offered via other ratchets on the market.

 

[CGarage]

The only thing I have to add to this thread is; gearwrench *****.

Not a Gearwrench fan in particular, but I own dozens of ratchets from every premium brand.
The Gearwrench/Matco locking flex heads are amongst my favorite. I own Snap On, Stahlwille, Nepros, Facom, Hazet, USAG, etc

 

[assassin10000]

I saw a thread on here not long ago about a Matco ratchet that's 3/8 in a 1/4 body. Can't remember if you have to buy a 1/4 ratchet and make it yourself or if you can buy it that way. If you're looking for compact and length, I would look into if you're willing to pay tool truck prices.

It's a make it yourself. I've made 4 so far.

I think the Matco would have a detent flex head thou?

Locking flex.

There's never been a Matco truck in my area so I've never had my hands on one but I believe you're correct. GW is very close to Matco but from what I've gathered, Matco is more refined.

Yeah, the Matco is definitely more refined.

The older gear wrench locking flex is super annoying to use, as the lock is double sided and not very stiff. Likes to unlock itself all the time and has way more slop.

I haven't used the newer 120xp, so maybe they improved... but I could say for sure.




Depending on which Matco ratchet you convert, its about 6", 9" or 12" long.

 

[JWC86]

It's a make it yourself. I've made 4 so far.

Locking flex.

Yeah, the Matco is definitely more refined.

The older gear wrench locking flex is super annoying to use, as the lock is double sided and not very stiff. Likes to unlock itself all the time and has way more slop.

I haven't used the newer 120xp, so maybe they improved... but I could say for sure.




Depending on which Matco ratchet you convert, its about 6", 9" or 12" long.

When the head on the Matco is unlocked is it detent or smooth?

 

[VolvoRyan]

I've had one of those for many years. It's a 3/8 drive in a 1/4 ratchet handle.

Great for getting into tight spaces for light duty ratcheting. Couple of caveats: The flex head does not lock and moves around fairly easily and it's a fairly light duty tool. Essentially it's a 1/4 inch ratchet. If you start pushing it like a 3/8 ratchet, you will break it easily.

I also have the non-flex head version and it's probably even more useful - I would buy both of them again.

I bought one of these a year or so ago. Overall, I love this little ratchet. Mine has detents in the flex mechanism to keep the head from flopping. I'm not a "dentent" guy, but these aren't bad. Would buy one again in a heartbeat.

Not sure why someone would buy this over a Gearwrench or Matco locking flex head in 3/8 drive.

The handles are much longer on both of those options, IIRC. I have a stubby 120XP in 3/8", but the detents are real chunky on those. The head on the 120XP is pretty big, too. After my GW 90T flex-head purchase (I should have flush $150 down the toilet), I'll echo others' comments: GearWrench is garbage.

-Ryan

 

[VolvoRyan]

When the head on the Matco is unlocked is it detent or smooth?

Technically detent..... but barely. You can hear a little clicking, but you can't feel it.

-Ryan

 

[VolvoRyan]

There's never been a Matco truck in my area so I've never had my hands on one but I believe you're correct. GW is very close to Matco but from what I've gathered, Matco is more refined.

Matco and GearWrench shouldn't be used in the same sentence. The Matco feels like a Swiss watch at the flex mechanism. GearWrench is seemingly made from parts that weren't designed to go together. I bought the whole set of 90T locking-flex a year ago. Worst tool purchase ever.

-Ryan