Locking Flex Head Ratchets: Gearwrench, Armstrong or Carlyle

[jsmeece]

Hi all
Kind of new to the forum, been reading for several months before joining. Anyway, I am not a professional mechanic just a DIYer (very experienced worked professional in my early 20s, but no longer) and have been researching locking flex head ratchets. Well maybe I should say trying to figure out which brand to purchase. I have several Gearwrench ratchets (36, 60, 84 and 120 teeth) and like them. Have a few Armstrong ratchets including the 60 tooth 3/8 flex head, like it too, but it does not have the locking flex head. Have a few Napa ratchets, but they are not the Carlyle brand, like them too, but I think they are all 1/2 drive.

I would like to get the Armstrong Maxx locking flex head ratchets, which seem to be getting harder to find now that Armstrong is no long manufacturing them. However, my concern with Armstrong is since they are out of business (very sad) worried if I ever have a problem with any of them they would be hard to get them replaced. I have stripped several older Craftsman ratchets by not using breaker bars (learned my lesson), they have since been rebuilt. Have been upgrading my ratchets slowing when I have extra funds. My wife can look at a vehicle and brake something on it! A friend has some snap-on locking flex heads and I really do not like the location of the locking mechanism on his snappys, he is a Ford mechanic. Sorry for the long post, SO my question is this, which Brand (Gearwrench, Armstrong, or Napa Carlyle) would you recommend?

 

[WhiskeyRanger]

Good luck finding the Armstrong. I tried getting one a couple years ago and couldn't find one... at least not new. They probably show up used from time to time but I didn't bother searching.

 

[Mr_B]

carlyle locking flex ratchets all based on 72T
If warranty big thing then Napa wins, if spec big thing then gearwrench wins.
I like the gearwrench better for design, easy buy at good price online .

 

[jumbojak]

I have the 1/4" Carlyle locking flex. This is the first locking flex I've bought and I have to say I'm not all that impressed with the locking feature. It seems to have broken, though not completely. It'll hold a position until you put it on a bolt and then it wants to click between positions. It's still a good ratchet. I just wish I had bought the regular flex model.

After another month or so of use I might write up a review.

 

[metaldad]

cripe ran into a large quantity of armstrong. they now only have 4 types, none of which you're looking for.
http://www.cripedistributing.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?limit=30&q=armstrong+ratchets
epsteins, has sets, of which you dont want.
https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/catalogsearch/result/?q=armstrong+ratchet
check back frequently with both places. their inventory turnovers frequently
ebay, has 350+ listings, first quick scan, turned up several

 

[BIG BACCHUS]

If you like the MAXX ratchets (I do) it might be good to buy them in the drive sizes you need, then stock up on their repair kits. The ARM11982 repair kit for the 3/8 is $15 on ToolTopia and they are in stock. The MAXX series ratchets are still on Amazon. I would recommend them. If that doesn't sound good to you, I would highly recommend Gearwrench, as well. Never had a problem with them.

 

[Mowerdoctor]

I absolutely love this ratchet. Very slim head for a 3/8 and very smooth think it was $30 at napa

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[JohnDeere1]

I'm a big fan of Carlyle ratchets they have the smallest profile head than any other ratchet and they are tough.
Gearwrench is probably cheaper but just as nice.
But if I were you I'd get the Matco locking flex head used which is your best bet and it's identical to the Armstrong maxx I have a non flex long Matco from the new manufacturers and it's very nice way better than the old ones alot tighter specs.

 

[thatguysb]

i have a gearwrench 84t Comfort grip locking flex head, i also have a Carlyle non locking flex head. I grab the carlyle 100% of the time, quality is on par with the gearwrench and i got the carlyle passed on to me, was quite used also.

So carlyle gets my vote, highly impressed by their ratchets. would buy in a heartbeat.

 

[MJD1]

Napa has the locking flexhead on sale thru the end of September. The 16" or so long 1/2" drive was 55$. The 1/4" drive is a fairly long ratchet as well, but the 3/8" is more of a standard length. The locking mechanism is better than the snap on , in my opinion. For a little over 100$ , you could have all 3 drive sizes.

 

[John in OH]

I absolutely love this ratchet. Very slim head for a 3/8 and very smooth think it was $30 at napa

I just bought the Carlyle 1/4 and 3/8 drive locking ratchets as shown in Mowerdoctor's pic above. Really nice ratchets!! On sale at NAPA until end of Sept. The 1/4" drive is about $30 and the 3/8" is about $40.

 

[lilxtra]

I have a Cornwell that has become my go to ratchet over my Snappy F80

 

[mbshop]

Never seen a locking flexhead. What purpose does it serve ? No, this is not a trick question.

 

[Rarified27]

The Matco locking flex are nearly identical to the Armstrong like someone above mentioned. Definitely worth looking at, just be prepared for the price jump.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I have a Cornwell that has become my go to ratchet over my Snappy F80

The F80 is not even a flex head. Wrong discussion in this case.

Never seen a locking flexhead. What purpose does it serve ? No, this is not a trick question.

The locking features literally locks the head into whichever flexed position the user choose. It will not let the head go floppy.

 

[cgaengineer]

I have this one and love it




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[ihateminimumwage]

I just bought the Carlyle 1/4 and 3/8 drive locking ratchets as shown in Mowerdoctor's pic above. Really nice ratchets!! On sale at NAPA until end of Sept. The 1/4" drive is about $30 and the 3/8" is about $40.

Don't tell me that!

I've been thinking giving these a shot to replace my Snap-on fixed head QR ratchets in 1/4" & 3/8". It's been driving me nuts that Snap-on doesn't offer a locking flex QR ratchet.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I have this one and love it




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I want that one!

 

[Snakebyt]

I absolutely love this ratchet. Very slim head for a 3/8 and very smooth think it was $30 at napa

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Anyone know if they make an extra long version of this?

 

[cgaengineer]

I want that one!

It’s pretty badass, not going to lie!


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[cgaengineer]

It’s pretty badass, not going to lie!


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Made in the good ole USA...splurge, your knuckles will thank you!


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[LXCam]

I have the 1/4" Carlyle locking flex. This is the first locking flex I've bought and I have to say I'm not all that impressed with the locking feature. It seems to have broken, though not completely. It'll hold a position until you put it on a bolt and then it wants to click between positions. It's still a good ratchet. I just wish I had bought the regular flex model.

After another month or so of use I might write up a review.

Based on these guys comments and my own now it seems to me you have the exception. My experience is just the opposite with Armstrong. I've given two of their locking head units a shot and ended up pissed off enough to give them away.

This past weekend I used my be Carlyle 1/4" all weekend and I absolutely luv this thing. I couldn't be happier about every single detail. There was even one series of assembly where that narrow head saved my ***. I'm going to go ahead now and buy these in both 3/8" n 1/2" since I don't have a locking flex head that works in those sizes.

 

[mbshop]

Huh, during all my years I cannot remember ever wishing I had a tool like that. I had flex heads but liked that they could be changed on the go to say. Other than that, good to know there is such a thing and folks find a need for it.
thanks,

The F80 is not even a flex head. Wrong discussion in this case.



The locking features literally locks the head into whichever flexed position the user choose. It will not let the head go floppy.

 

[thatguysb]

i cant see a locking flexhead making sense, A regular one with a spring detent is just enough. The ones without the spring detents tend to get loose after a while, thats my only problem, but just a lil tighten ever so often and its good to go.

 

[jsmeece]

Thanks everyone for the replies.
First let me say that I do not like the location of the Snap-On locking mechanism halfway down the shaft, plus cost to much for a home user.
I do not think Cornwell or Harbor Freight make locking flex head ratchets.

Hey LXCam, what did you not like about the Armstrongs?

So, the consensus seem to be the Carlyle over the Gearwrench and the Armstrong Maxx. I forgot about the Carlyle having the quick release, may look at the a little closer. Really wanted the Armstrongs but the price of them have double since production stopped.

 

[John in OH]

Thanks everyone for the replies.
First let me say that I do not like the location of the Snap-On locking mechanism halfway down the shaft, plus cost to much for a home user.
I do not think Cornwell or Harbor Freight make locking flex head ratchets.

Hey LXCam, what did you not like about the Armstrongs?

So, the consensus seem to be the Carlyle over the Gearwrench and the Armstrong Maxx. I forgot about the Carlyle having the quick release, may look at the a little closer. Really wanted the Armstrongs but the price of them have double since production stopped.

If dollars are a factor, don't forget that the NAPA sale on the Carlyle locking flex heads ends Sept. 30.

 

[Mr_B]

carlyle and gearwrench best 2 for sensible money
carlyle needs be while on offer and gearwrench wants be taiwan coo .

 

[LXCam]

Thanks everyone for the replies.
First let me say that I do not like the location of the Snap-On locking mechanism halfway down the shaft, plus cost to much for a home user.
I do not think Cornwell or Harbor Freight make locking flex head ratchets.

Hey LXCam, what did you not like about the Armstrongs?

So, the consensus seem to be the Carlyle over the Gearwrench and the Armstrong Maxx. I forgot about the Carlyle having the quick release, may look at the a little closer. Really wanted the Armstrongs but the price of them have double since production stopped.

They would not hold the lock. Heck I already have those styles. I bought them because there are instances where I need that angle firmly secured and every time I turned around it'd just flop over on me. The ratcheting action was fine though.

 

[Mowerdoctor]

I think the carlyle is available in a longer pattern but the best I remember it didn't have the comfort grip

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[shawhite]

Might want to check out ebay I found my snapon locking flex head for 1/2 retail brand new. Also for anyone that has not used the snapon it can be set to lock at the set detent angles or you can make it work like a non locking flex head

 

[jumbojak]

Based on these guys comments and my own now it seems to me you have the exception. My experience is just the opposite with Armstrong. I've given two of their locking head units a shot and ended up pissed off enough to give them away.

This past weekend I used my be Carlyle 1/4" all weekend and I absolutely luv this thing. I couldn't be happier about every single detail. There was even one series of assembly where that narrow head saved my ***. I'm going to go ahead now and buy these in both 3/8" n 1/2" since I don't have a locking flex head that works in those sizes.

That could well be the case. Like I said, the ratchet still works fine. It's just that the head won't hold a position in use. You can lock it and not have it flop around buy as soon as you pull on a bolt it tries to straighten out. For all I know they all do that though.

 

[Mr_B]

I think the carlyle is available in a longer pattern but the best I remember it didn't have the comfort grip

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All have comfort grip that I seen, I got 3/8 long and standard, long being 13.6", the 1/2 long is just under 18" . nice ratchets at the sale price plus easy every day warranty .

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

I have 3/8 and 1/4 Gearwrenchs, the 1/4" is OK, but the 3/8 wont stay locked anymore and I have only had it about 6 months. Kinda wish I had bought the non locking. I may try a Carlyle next, or just get a non locking flex Pittsburgh. I have one of the Pittsburgh Pro's at home it has been great for the price, if it gets to floppy just tighten the screw a little.

 

[LXCam]

That could well be the case. Like I said, the ratchet still works fine. It's just that the head won't hold a position in use. You can lock it and not have it flop around buy as soon as you pull on a bolt it tries to straighten out. For all I know they all do that though.

Too comical, that's my exact complaint I had about the armstrong units. The Carlyle stayed locked all weekend no matter what position or amount of force applied.

 

[M6erfan]

I have the Carlyle locking flex and love it. I've used it consistently for over a year with no problem. Plus, I think they're on sale through Sep.

I've had both GW and Armstrong ratchets and IMO the Carlyle is much better than either of those. Comfy grip, small head, QR, good lengths, lifetime warranty... no brainer for me.

 

[cgaengineer]

Might want to check out ebay I found my snapon locking flex head for 1/2 retail brand new. Also for anyone that has not used the snapon it can be set to lock at the set detent angles or you can make it work like a non locking flex head

That’s what I like about mine.


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[Shark Pilot]

I bought the 3/8 long handle locking flex (https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQR38LFLQR?searchCategory=800.8008&searchIndex=Prod+Tools) and it has become my favorite go-to ratchet . I have since bought the 1/4 and 1/2 drive versions as well. One thing worth mentioning about these is the size of the drive head which smaller than most, if not all, other brands. In fact, I have a 3/8 Koken Zeal ratchet (Zeal is line of Koken designed specifically for tight access) and the Carlyle head is the same size as the Zeal. Coupled with Zeal sockets the Carlyle is great for tight access situations which is an added bonus.

 

[LXCam]

I bought the 3/8 long handle locking flex (https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQR38LFLQR?searchCategory=800.8008&searchIndex=Prod+Tools) and it has become my favorite go-to ratchet . I have since bought the 1/4 and 1/2 drive versions as well. One thing worth mentioning about these is the size of the drive head which smaller than most, if not all, other brands. In fact, I have a 3/8 Koken Zeal ratchet (Zeal is line of Koken designed specifically for tight access) and the Carlyle head is the same size as the Zeal. Coupled with Zeal sockets the Carlyle is great for tight access situations which is an added bonus.

Now that's awesome to hear. I have a 3/8" set of zeal sockets and have thought about buying the ratchet too. But last night I sat down and ordered both the 1/2" and 3/8" (LH) so I'll go pick those up on Monday. I'm so damn happy with my 1/4" rat I'm actually excited to give these a try.

 

[jsmeece]

Thanks for the information guys, I just ordered three Carlyle locking flex head ratchets in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2, total price was $147 and change, which included shipping and tax.

 

[LXCam]

Excellent. I picked up my 1/2" yesterday and the 3/8" will be in today. I decided to try out the 1/2" head locking mechanism and stuck a deep socket on her, then in the vise. I tried about 6 different positions total on both sides of straight and put a fair (not excessive) amount of pressure in both directions and the lock didn't let go. So far I'm damn happy. Had I even looked at my Armstrong rats sideways the lock would have let loose on me.