Gearwrench Flex head or reversible?

[surgeofprotection]

Looking to get some gearwrench ratcheting wrenches. What is your preference between flex head non-reversible or reversible?

 

[Mr_B]

Tricky that one and I got both, went for flexi as thought be more usable in various conditions but fixed reversable is my preference to use so flexi gets used only wjen a must.
With flexi you want them tight and with bolt rhat can be tightened or shimmed if needed.
My set was geartech taiwan 72 tooth, seem pretty decent and take fair bit of leverage well so far .

 

[potato]

locking flex

 

[Aqua-Andy]

Started out with reversible but tool guy traded the set out for the flexhead when they came out. I was always breaking the ratchet mechanism in the reversible wrenches. This was 10 or so years ago so they may be better now, I have never broken a flexhead.

 

[gdocktor3]

Tricky indeed. I have both as well. Flex or locking flex is probably the best option, though I've never actually needed locking flex heads. Reversible flex head are the king of all though. FYI you can get the flex heads from Advance Auto Parts for $35 per set. Buy online and pick up in store. Last I knew that was the best bang for buck. http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...P?searchTerm=gearwrench+flex+ratchet+wrenches

 

[jdlong]

Tricky answer for sure as you can never have enough styles and patterns it seems. For basic situations, I tend to favor non locking flex and non reversible fixed because they are compact and I am not inadvertently triggering levers when grasping around the wrench head when speed spinning. Plus I am always flexing the handle when turning to get more swing so the locking feature would hardly be used. On the other hand, you will find the angled box head on reversible fixed to be convenient in many situations. Spline drive reversible flexes with the offset spline drive rings are really nice around countersunk fasteners, exhaust flange lips, etc. Add to the list stubby flex and fixed for even more awkward situations. If I was to start out it would be non locking flex (detents would be nice) and non reversible fixed for the reasons above and they are cheapest. The latter styles and patterns would follow.

 

[Ign]

If you must have GW don't get reversible anything.

If you want reversible (I would) get something made by Kabo.

If you want reversible flex, Williams.

 

[MrGiggles]

I much prefer a reversible, but my experience with GW reversibles has been bad. The selectors are garbage, especially on the smaller sizes.

 

[jdlong]

I much prefer a reversible, but my experience with GW reversibles has been bad. The selectors are garbage, especially on the smaller sizes.

I heard that a lot and went with Carlyle. Have no issues other than inadvertently triggering them on occasion.