3/8 stubby flex ratchet?

[EmptyWallet]

So far I'm thinking of going with the Gearwrench Flex Stubby in 3/8's flavor to match the rest of my ratchets. I like that it's 60 tooth, smooth, and not crazy priced.

What other options are there? Who else runs a flex stubby?

 

[JDS968]

I have a NAPA NB42 3/8" flex stubby. I like it and I use it, although I suppose I would prefer one with a locking flex head. Either way, it's an effective, well-made tool (in the USA as far as I know) and I would recommend it.

 

[blacK20]

snappy has a 3/8" flex stubby but you pay big bucks for it.

 

[franzdom]

Does it have detents on the flex? I was looking at the Kobalt recently, it was really nice and 72T but it has the detents. Some like those, I think I prefer not having that feature.

 

[bassbone52]

MAC has a real nice one. Has a quick release, too.

 

[odelay01]

I saw a new Craftsman stubby flex head at a pawn shop that looked interesting. I don't remember the COO.

 

[Hiball]

I have a SK Stubby Flex, I think ive only used it once or twice.

 

[Fedwrench]

Just about everybody offers a stubby 3/8 flex. It boils down to what you like in price, tooth count, handle shape, etc. I know cripe distributing had Napa and Gearwrench stubby 3/8 drive flex heads for $11 each plus shipping.

The Napa has 36 teeth and a quick release.

 

[JDS968]

Does it have detents on the flex? I was looking at the Kobalt recently, it was really nice and 72T but it has the detents. Some like those, I think I prefer not having that feature.

Yeah, I hate the [non-locking] ones WITHOUT the detents. The NAPA NB42 has very positive detents.

 

[EmptyWallet]

Just about everybody offers a stubby 3/8 flex. It boils down to what you like in price, tooth count, handle shape, etc. I know cripe distributing had Napa and Gearwrench stubby 3/8 drive flex heads for $11 each plus shipping.

The Napa has 36 teeth and a quick release.

Cripe had the NON-flex stubby for $11. I bought one from them. If they have the flex stubby also, then that's news to me! Point me in that direction!

 

[TheGrooveking]

About a month ago Sears was blowing the GW 3/8" stubby ratchets for $11 and flex head version for $12.50 .

TheGrooveking

 

[Flatintoone]

I have a Craftsman "Professional" 3/8 stubby flex ratchet. My understanding is that it's RP ratchet guts in a polished body. That said, this occasional user doesn't hate it like I hate my RP ratchets.

 

[bart1]

Check out the Wright 3440, 3/8 flex in a 1/4" body.

 

[sk farmer]

Check out the Wright 3440, 3/8 flex in a 1/4" body.

a much more useful tool. a stubby 3/8 will gather dust in your box compared to a compact.

 

[franzdom]

I use the stubbies a lot more than the compact, because I change brake pads a LOT. For caliper removal the stubby just feels good in my hand. I break the caliper bolts with a longer flex ratchet then move to the stubby or flex stubby, that is if I don't have room for the impact, which is the case about half the time because the caliper bolts are behind struts on many front brakes.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I just replaced an older CM on with the GearWrench. I like the GW much better becuse it has four more dent locations, more teeth, and a smaller head. For the money or even twice as much, the GW is tough to beat.

 

[willhollin]

I just replaced an older CM on with the GearWrench. I like the GW much better becuse it has four more dent locations, more teeth, and a smaller head. For the money or even twice as much, the GW is tough to beat.

Which model is this?

 

[concealer404]

I have a NAPA NB42 3/8" flex stubby. I like it and I use it, although I suppose I would prefer one with a locking flex head. Either way, it's an effective, well-made tool (in the USA as far as I know) and I would recommend it.

Not USA, but still a nice tool. It's the same as the Gearwrench the OP is asking about.

 

[4x4gearhead]

I think bart has the right idea with a 3/8 anvil in 1/4 in body, I use mine all the time. I have a matco one that is my go to stubby.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

Which model is this?

The GW is the one EmptyWallet was asking about.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014ZXVVA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Travisnd]

I just bought the regular GW stubby for $14 shipped new off ebay!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251097592376?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

 

[vga]

I have the tiny SO 3/8 flex head ratchet and I love it. Changed out the oil cooler gasket on my 944 last sat and this saved me alot of time inside a very tight area! Love this ratchet!!!

 

[EmptyWallet]

I just bought the regular GW stubby for $14 shipped new off ebay!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251097592376?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

Got that one. Need a flex!

 

[shoturtle]

I like the gw flex, they are pretty well made, better then what I made. I was given a HF multi flex, took out the middle section. And now I have a 72t flex. The selector is questionable. If I were to buy one, I would go with the kolbalt or GW with your price point and need of a fine tooth ratchet.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

The newer Kolbalt is also a good choice. The head is much thicker than the GW. The Kolbalt does have more teeth until the GW switch over to the 80 tooth count or someone drops in the CM 84 T or Matco 88 T kit in one. All of this could make a difference in tighter places where a stubby flex plays.

 

[shoturtle]

1.4 degree on a 4 inch stubby is not a whole lot of swing angle. 60t is more then enough. Now if it was a long ratchet in a tight place that 1.4 degree would make a noticable difference.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

Every little bit helps in real tight spots. I don't plan on swapping out my 60T on my GW for the 80T or 88T. The Lower profile on the GW is also an added benefit over the Kolbalt. Again, the stubbies role is for tighter spots.

 

[shoturtle]

The only time I have seen where 1.4 degree made a difference is on a intentional obstacle. And if it is that tight, that 1.4 degree will mean 1/2 hour to remove. I would disassemble thing down further to open things up.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

Does not matter much to the next guy/s what you've only encountered so far. Means little to them when they might be on a job where every MM of clearance counts.

Bigger is bigger and smaller is smaller, not much more to it.

 

[Jim85IROC]

Just about everybody offers a stubby 3/8 flex. It boils down to what you like in price, tooth count, handle shape, etc. I know cripe distributing had Napa and Gearwrench stubby 3/8 drive flex heads for $11 each plus shipping.

The Napa has 36 teeth and a quick release.

That's the one I have. I bought it mainly because it has the same head & guts as my bent-handle Craftsman flex head ratchet that I've long coveted as my favorite ratchet. Now that most of the Craftsman stuff is made overseas, I thought it would be a good idea to pick up a cheap spare. Since then, I've found it to be a very useful tool for any type of fastener work that doesn't require a long handle to break things free. Bending the handle back makes it fit nicely into the palm of my hand for quick work. The lack of tooth count really doesn't phase me, since the short handle gives you plenty of room to swing it anyway.

 

[softailgarage]

I have both Gearwrench and the Craftsman flex. I like the Craftsman better, just has a tougher feel to it, but we're talking about a difference of about 10 bucks per wrench.

 

[shoturtle]

Does not matter much to the next guy/s what you've only encountered so far. Means little to them when they might be on a job where every MM of clearance counts.

Bigger is bigger and smaller is smaller, not much more to it.

1.4 degrees is less then a mm with a 4 inch stubby. That difference is negated by the nature play you get form the socket to the fastener.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

1.4 degrees is less then a mm with a 4 inch stubby. That difference is negated by the nature play you get form the socket to the fastener.

Like I said, I don't plan on changing my 60T. The thinner head with a lower profile is the bigger deal.

 

[billymade]

This set; is pretty impressive, if you like Gearwrench ratchets...

GearWrench 81230 4 Piece Full Polish Flex Handle Ratchet Set

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1....,cf.osb&fp=a2e370afc0354df8&biw=1012&bih=724

 

[Hiball]

IMO.. It would take a special Condition that would prevent a 60 tooth ratchet from removing a fastener, The Difference between 80/88 and 60 is just Silly Close.

 

[JDS968]

Not USA, but still a nice tool. It's the same as the Gearwrench the OP is asking about.

Good to know, thanks!

I have the tiny SO 3/8 flex head ratchet and I love it. Changed out the oil cooler gasket on my 944 last sat and this saved me alot of time inside a very tight area! Love this ratchet!!!

The FKF80?

I'd like to get a 3/8" Dual 80 stubby flex head, but only if it were locking. I just got an FHX80 today, and while it's very cool, I guess I can see why that weird locking mechanism might not fit well into a stubby handle.

The newer Kolbalt is also a good choice. The head is much thicker than the GW. The Kolbalt does have more teeth until the GW switch over to the 80 tooth count or someone drops in the CM 84 T or Matco 88 T kit in one. All of this could make a difference in tighter places where a stubby flex plays.

Wait, so does that mean I can drop a Matco 88T kit into my NAPA NB42, if they are in fact the same? Is this just a "plug and play" conversion, no parts need to be modified for proper fit?

 

[shoturtle]

IMO.. It would take a special Condition that would prevent a 60 tooth ratchet from removing a fastener, The Difference between 80/88 and 60 is just Silly Close.

Like I said the only times I seen that condition, is a mock up to prove the higher count teeth will turn. no click vs 1 click barely.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

Good to know, thanks!Wait, so does that mean I can drop a Matco 88T kit into my NAPA NB42, if they are in fact the same? Is this just a "plug and play" conversion, no parts need to be modified for proper fit?

I don't know the Napa ratchet so , I can't speak as to what can or can't be done with it.

Neither the GearWrench or Kolbalt flex stubby is 4" long. The GW is 5" and the Kolbalt is 5 1/2" long. The GW feels better in my hand compared to the Kolbalt.