Gearwrench flex head issue/flaw? Who has these please read..

[chris5790]

So I just bought this 4 piece gearwrench 120XP long handle flex head ratchet set from my matco truck. I haven't used them yet and noticed an issue. They don't lock but a ball let's them clicking maybe 8 different positions. On the 1/2" and 1/4" drive ratchets the straight position the handle is a few degrees outward which seems good so your knuckles don't hit. But one the two 3/8" ratchets the handle is opposite. It is inward so your knuckles scrape. It seems wrong. Is this how they are or is it a factory deflect?

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[gj67stang]

Comment removed due to brain malfunction. :tard:

 

[chris5790]

I did that the problem is the ratchet head gears for the positions are aligned wrong. And even if that did fix it the label would be backwards. Anyone have these?

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[MattVette89]

Have you tried taking the head off and reversing it to see if that changes the angle?

edit - 67stang beat me to it while I was snoozing.

 

[gj67stang]

I did that the problem is the ratchet head gears for the positions are aligned wrong. And even if that did fix it the label would be backwards. Anyone have these?

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Which set is is this? How about a picture from the "front"?

 

[chris5790]

They aren't with me but it's the 120xp long handle flex head set

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[chris5790]

Has to be a defect right?

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['sallgood]

I just checked my 84's. Dead straight. Email Apex.

 

[gj67stang]

Comment removed due to brain malfunction. :tard:

 

[chris5790]

I did that. The handle is perfectly centered so it is identical forward and reversed. So it doesn't change anything

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[Mechtech]

Flipping the handle won't change anything. The detents are machined into the ratchet head and they aren't moving. It may be possible to flip the ratchet head by changing the mechanism so that the drive is on the opposite side of the ratchet head case, but without better pictures of how they're constructed this may or may not be possible.

 

[chris5790]

It's not possible the head is all one piece.. Guess I'm calling apex

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[gj67stang]

Flipping the handle won't change anything. The detents are machined into the ratchet head and they aren't moving. It may be possible to flip the ratchet head by changing the mechanism so that the drive is on the opposite side of the ratchet head case, but without better pictures of how they're constructed this may or may not be possible.

I did that. The handle is perfectly centered so it is identical forward and reversed. So it doesn't change anything

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:tard:

My apologies, as you are both correct. Major brain malfunction on my end. Sorry for wasting your time with my babbling.

Good luck talking with the manufacture.

 

[1950mercury]

They're fine.

 

[chris5790]

They're fine.

What do you mean? Even if that was right why would the half in be opposite?


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[71goldss]

Mine aren't much better! Purchased during the big Trident 120xp sale a couple of years ago. The off angled heads and nicked up plating almost had me sending them back. They're fine for the little that I use them, but I'd pass if I had it to do over!

 

[chris5790]

Mine aren't much better! Purchased during the big Trident 120xp sale a couple of years ago. The off angled heads and nicked up plating almost had me sending them back. They're fine for the little that I use them, but I'd pass if I had it to do over!

Wtf is up with that I thought gearwrench was suppose to be good. Seeing as long ratchets are for hard fasteners I would think not having to loose your knuckles everytime is pretty basic... I am taking mine back. Anyone know of good long handled ratchets matco and snap on are so much money..

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[ADSR]

mine are off too. If you want perfect, by SO.

 

[1950mercury]

It's a ratchet. Why don't u try using it and see if it's an issue. They are not a precision tool. But flex heads with detentions are annoying anyway.

If you that unhappy that you are going to return them. Check out Armstrong locking flex they are the same as matco but a lot cheaper

 

[71goldss]

Wtf is up with that I thought gearwrench was suppose to be good. Seeing as long ratchets are for hard fasteners I would think not having to loose your knuckles everytime is pretty basic... I am taking mine back. Anyone know of good long handled ratchets matco and snap on are so much money..

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Lots of good praises for the new Harbor Freight long handles here on GJ. Sadly they don't have any detents at all, which makes me pass on them. Some like detents, some don't! Overall though, they appear to be impressive quality.

 

[Hiball]

Wtf is up with that I thought gearwrench was suppose to be good. Seeing as long ratchets are for hard fasteners I would think not having to loose your knuckles everytime is pretty basic... I am taking mine back. Anyone know of good long handled ratchets matco and snap on are so much money..

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IMO your claim of "Loose your knuckles everytime" is a bit dramatic, I mean these are flex head ratchets, If the situation doesnt warrant a tool with the ability to flex in "EITHER" direction, simply use a standard fixed head ratchet. Obviously your dissapointed with the tool, You paid for it, Send it back.... but there isnt a brand alive that is free of the occasional defect, No matter the cost involved. I also purchased the 120xp from Trident and mine had flash rusting and pitting in the chrome something fierce.. I wasnt happy but i also dont cringe when they take a trip from the engine bay to the concrete floor.

 

[oldldh]

Mine are fine...

Contact Apex, and see what they say...

 

[chris5790]

IMO your claim of "Loose your knuckles everytime" is a bit dramatic, I mean these are flex head ratchets, If the situation doesnt warrant a tool with the ability to flex in "EITHER" direction, simply use a standard fixed head ratchet. Obviously your dissapointed with the tool, You paid for it, Send it back.... but there isnt a brand alive that is free of the occasional defect, No matter the cost involved. I also purchased the 120xp from Trident and mine had flash rusting and pitting in the chrome something fierce.. I wasnt happy but i also dont cringe when they take a trip from the engine bay to the concrete floor.

Yeah I was exaggerating but when I put a socket on it can't sit in place cus the handle is in the way and hits. It's just disappointing that othet people have the problem and I might get others the same way even if I send them back..

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[Hiball]

Yeah I was exaggerating but when I put a socket on it can't sit in place cus the handle is in the way and hits. It's just disappointing that othet people have the problem and I might get others the same way even if I send them back..

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The Socket wont sit flush because of the Handle Offset? I cant fathom how a standard socket size in any of the 3 sizes represented would extend into the Hinge area, Possibly... some of the specialty low torque sockets, but even then i just dont see it. Maybe some pictures?

 

[chris5790]

The Socket wont sit flush because of the Handle Offset? I cant fathom how a standard socket size in any of the 3 sizes represented would extend into the Hinge area, Possibly... some of the specialty low torque sockets, but even then i just dont see it. Maybe some pictures?

No I just mean on a flat surface, say a flat belly pan or something you can't use the ratchet in straight position the handle will hit the surface before the socket can sit flush on the nut. Not that I couldn't get by like that I just think that that is pretty ridiculous for a professional tool company to not be able to machine their tools straight

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[Fedwrench]

It's a non issue. I have several generations of Gearwrench ratchets from 60 tooth to 120xp. On most of the flex heads, the head is slightly forward. It's just the way they're made and it by no means affects the ratchets performance. Now if you can't work past the non issue, either get your meds updated or return them for a refund. Don't try to exchange them because, you will most likely get ratchets made the same way. My Matco ratchets are the same way.

There's no way using that ratchet with a socket on a flat surface would it's operation be impeded. Lay the ratchet on a table lifting up on the handle keeping the square drive flush against the table, the handle doesn't touch the table because, it's not that fat and the head offset issue you're complaining about is in decimal points. You've got plenty of air space between ratchet and table.

 

[1950mercury]

It's a non issue. I have several generations of Gearwrench ratchets from 60 tooth to 120xp. On most of the flex heads, the head is slightly forward. It's just the way they're made and it by no means affects the ratchets performance. Now if you can't work past the non issue, either get your meds updated or return them for a refund. Don't try to exchange them because, you will most likely get ratchets made the same way. My Matco ratchets are the same way.

There's no way using that ratchet with a socket on a flat surface would it's operation be impeded. Lay the ratchet on a table lifting up on the handle keeping the square drive flush against the table, the handle doesn't touch the table because, it's not that fat and the head offset issue you're complaining about is in decimal points. You've got plenty of air space between ratchet and table.

Thank you...someone else with some common sense....

 

[rayh91]

My Matco locking flex is the same way, flops either way just a hair. It's a new (warranty) ratchet too. I noticed it after a few uses. The one it replaced didn't have that problem.

Doesn't really bother me anymore.

 

[chris5790]

It's a non issue. I have several generations of Gearwrench ratchets from 60 tooth to 120xp. On most of the flex heads, the head is slightly forward. It's just the way they're made and it by no means affects the ratchets performance. Now if you can't work past the non issue, either get your meds updated or return them for a refund. Don't try to exchange them because, you will most likely get ratchets made the same way. My Matco ratchets are the same way.

There's no way using that ratchet with a socket on a flat surface would it's operation be impeded. Lay the ratchet on a table lifting up on the handle keeping the square drive flush against the table, the handle doesn't touch the table because, it's not that fat and the head offset issue you're complaining about is in decimal points. You've got plenty of air space between ratchet and table.

Im not gonna keep talking about it but I can't put the drive flush on a table the handle will get in the way. At least on mine. I don't know when I said I couldn't work past it I was just asking if it was normal and I got my answer.

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[chris5790]

My Matco locking flex is the same way, flops either way just a hair. It's a new (warranty) ratchet too. I noticed it after a few uses. The one it replaced didn't have that problem.

Doesn't really bother me anymore.

Does the matco ratchet have detents or can it flex freely anywhere?

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[kythri]

The detents on my 120XP ratchets have yet to cause me any issues...

 

[Vigo]

Lots of good praises for the new Harbor Freight long handles here on GJ. Sadly they don't have any detents at all, which makes me pass on them. Some like detents, some don't! Overall though, they appear to be impressive quality.

I have a long handled 3/8" flex HF and a long handle 1/2" flex 120xp gearwrench.

I dislike the detent on the GW and i may defeat it. BUT, i also dislike that the HF flex gets loose so quickly and won't seem to stay tightened without occasional use of a vise to tweak the yoke tighter and then put it back together.

So, either way i am not PERFECTLY happy, but as others have said these are far from dealbreaker problems and if i wasn't used to having to futz with stuff occasionally, then i wouldn't need tools in the first place, right?

I've got about $80 in the pair and would recommend either to anyone looking for long handle flex-head on a budget that don't expect tool nirvana.

 

[trxrx7]

I have the same set, all are straight except the 1/4 is the same way as your 3/8 that your complaining about, I have used these for about a year and a have now and it does not bother me.

 

[1950mercury]

Does the matco ratchet have detents or can it flex freely anywhere?

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The matco is a locking flex,same as the Armstrong they are the best flex head out imho.
Unlocked they have no detentions. Get it were u want it and lock it in position if need be

 

[Fedwrench]

The matco is a locking flex,same as the Armstrong they are the best flex head out imho.
Unlocked they have no detentions. Get it were u want it and lock it in position if need be

Ya know Gearwrench makes those locking flex head ratchets now

Same mechanism as found on Armstrong/MATCO except that Gearwrench's locking switch can be activated on both sides of the flexhead base and is made in Taiwan.

 

[chris5790]

Ya know Gearwrench makes those locking flex head ratchets now

Same mechanism as found on Armstrong/MATCO except that Gearwrench's locking switch can be activated on both sides of the flexhead base and is made in Taiwan. [emoji38]

There is no locking switch on the GW. It's a ball that let's it click through the detents. I just like to be able to have it unlocked sometimes.

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[chris5790]

The matco is a locking flex,same as the Armstrong they are the best flex head out imho.
Unlocked they have no detentions. Get it were u want it and lock it in position if need be

Anyone tried the Armstrong and the matco? Is the tooth difference noticeable or worth the difference at all? I could get the Armstrong and rebuild the head If I really wanted couldn't I?

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[Fedwrench]

There is no locking switch on the GW. It's a ball that let's it click through the detents. I just like to be able to have it unlocked sometimes.

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You sir are incorrect. Those are the old style non locking Gearwrench flex head ratchets.

I am referring to the locking models Gearwrench recently came out with that are just like Armstrong/MATCO aside from not being US Made.
See the switch where the handle meets the ratchet head in the attached link?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OL2X7RQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

They even have a monster 2 foot long version in 1/2 drive.

 

[Charlief]

Why don't you return it to the Matco guy and have him take care of it.

You bet if this was bought off a snappy truck all hell would break loose here and people would be calling for the dealers head to roll!

 

[chris5790]

You sir are incorrect. Those are the old style non locking Gearwrench flex head ratchets. [emoji38]

I am referring to the locking models Gearwrench recently came out with that are just like Armstrong/MATCO aside from not being US Made.
See the switch where the handle meets the ratchet head in the attached link?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OL2X7RQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

They even have a monster 2 foot long version in 1/2 drive.[emoji481]

Wow now I'm pissed I bought the d version lol. Nice

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