Flex head ratchets

[Qualitytools]

I have a Cornwell 3/8 flexhead, a Stanley 3/8 Flexhead with the extendable handle and a Wera Zyclop flex handle also in 3/8. The Wera has the largest head of all as it has a round head and will pivot 180 degrees. I use them all and like them all!

 

[scubadoober]

Powerbuilt Pro tech flex head ratchets.

https://www.powerbuilt.com/collections/pro-tech-ratchets-accessories?page=1#33EmMaezrU5zhHL8.97

Thin head with quick release, crisp ratcheting action, various lengths from normal to extra long. comfortable all metal handle. shop ebay for the best deal.

I have one of the powerbuilt Pro ratchets in 1/4" flex and love it. I would also recommend the Proto J5257F and J5457F. The 5257F is listed as 8.5", but it actually measures 10.5".

 

[Tallpilot]

Here's some pictures of a stubby 84T flex next to the 18" non-flex Tekton, both in 3/8". Depth is about the same but Tekton clearly wins in width.

Watch Tekton on Amazon though. Lots of NOS out there and you want to make sure you get the new design.

I know it isn't quite apples to apples but that's what I own and nobody else posted any comparison pictures. I only have roto heads in Carlyle and no point in comparing to my Snap-on. The Tekton does have a smaller head than my FHX80A.

Edit: I forgot I also have a bent handle flex from Tekton. Added for reference.

 

[Jaysreal]

I am looking for a set of flex head ratchets. 1/2", 3/8", and 1/4".

Uses are everything from automotive to working on machinery at work.

I have zero interest in truck brands. Due to my lurking here mostly i am interested in the pro brands such as SK, Proto, and the like. I am not opposed to other brands. I buy once and cry once within reason.

I like the idea of a slim head as most likely I will use these in confined spaces. I also like a easy to use warranty if necessary. I dont need a locking flex head but a nice positive detent would be awesome.

Not fond of buying from Fleabay. To many bad experiences.

More Info needed to give you a proper rec:

Comfort grip?
Quick release?
Opposed to German, Chinese, Taiwanese, Japanese?
Fine tooth?
Fully polished, semi polished, black oxide?
Knurling?
Fully sealed, semi sealed?

Many of us have seen a lot over the years so the more specific you get the better. In my opinion a ratchet is one of those things that is so personal that you want a good grasp on the features you want.

Also, you are aware Proto=Mac Tools for the most part? While I am of the opinion that the Proto 90's are better than the Mac Axis simply because of the handle, Proto is essentially a truck brand. SK Tools technically is too:
https://sktools.com/content/sktools/en_US/mobile-distributor.html

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[BBQguy]

Here's some pictures of a stubby 84T flex next to the 18" non-flex Tekton, both in 3/8". Depth is about the same but Tekton clearly wins in width.

Watch Tekton on Amazon though. Lots of NOS out there and you want to make sure you get the new design.

I know it isn't quite apples to apples but that's what I own and nobody else posted any comparison pictures. I only have roto heads in Carlyle and no point in comparing to my Snap-on. The Tekton does have a smaller head than my FHX80A.

Edit: I forgot I also have a bent handle flex from Tekton. Added for reference.

Thank you!

 

[BBQguy]

[/I][/I][/I][/I]QUOTE=Jaysreal;7620013]

Comfort grip? No
Quick release? Indifferent
Opposed to German, Chinese, Taiwanese, Japanese? Doesn't matter
Fine tooth? Sure
Fully polished, semi polished, black oxide? Polished
Knurling? Indifferent
Fully sealed, semi sealed? Indifferent



Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]

I use my tools. I might even use a ratchet as a hammer when nothing else is in reach.
Minutae does not play into my tools and choices.
I seek a reliable tool, reasonable value, and a decent warranty if and when needed.
I figure if the tool makes my job easier one time, it's paid for itself.
I prefer tools that if I upgrade, I can pass the old ones onto my kids.

 

[Mr_B]

The GW 84T are that cheap I wouldn't be bothered on warranty too much and for sure it very likely be ballache using it .
Tekton about best at similar cost that have decent easy warranty .
Tekton should be releasing the longer handle versions soon .
Carlyle do some nice ratchets but best flexi slim head ones (inspired from stahwille head design) come with comfort grip only and more spendy .

 

[d.mcfarland]

Ok BBQguy what are you thinking?

We all can keep arguing, but without knowing what you're thinking we are just wasting our time.

 

[Jaysreal]

Comfort grip? No

Quick release? Indifferent

Opposed to German, Chinese, Taiwanese, Japanese? Doesn't matter

Fine tooth? Sure

Fully polished, semi polished, black oxide? Polished

Knurling? Indifferent

Fully sealed, semi sealed? Indifferent

I use my tools. I might even use a ratchet as a hammer when nothing else is in reach.

Minutae does not play into my tools and choices.

I seek a reliable tool, reasonable value, and a decent warranty if and when needed.

I figure if the tool makes my job easier one time, it's paid for itself.

I prefer tools that if I upgrade, I can pass the old ones onto my kids.

SK or Gearwrench, Carlyle are very limited in metal handle, flex head options and Proto can be quite expensive for what you're getting. SK are known to take a lickin' and keep on tickin', can be upgraded to "DT" mechanisms if you want fine tooth and seems to be a standout especially when it comes to "hammering" and pass-ability. They can be had at reasonable prices at hje as well as others: https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/tool-brand/sk-tools.html?cat=1728

Gearwrench would an option as well, some of them have a little of a thicker head to help cope with your occasional hammering. Some have flex with detents, some have flex with lock but I'm not sure what specific options are available with only the metal handle

In terms of reliability, SK have been using their round head design for like 80 years, only recently have they introduced "drop ins" to make them fine tooth and their pear head ratchets.

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[BBQguy]

Ok BBQguy what are you thinking?

We all can keep arguing, but without knowing what you're thinking we are just wasting our time.

Looking around and at pricing. Coupled with recommendations from GJ...
I am going to go with the GW 120T flex head ratchets, non locking.

Thank you everyone for your input. I appreciated it.

 

[Nero]

No one actually pays list for Snap-On. Wait...do they?

80 - 48 = 32.

Quick mafs.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Snap-o...h=item442220eb9a:g:J-kAAOSwK-ZbPnpW:rk:1:pf:0

So whats the price of a Carlyle 3/8th flex head? Nobody's paying list price for it and its not in the real deal flyer, where can us peasants (or OP) get one for its extra special on sale price? If its not on sale in the real deal flyer, its more expensive and as such OP should get something else...no?

What I've found out is that the Napa Real Deals Flyer is just a small amount of what they actually have on sale for that quarter; you really need one of their catalog books and to use Napa's website to see what the actual price of something is. Some of the stores also use Napa rewards which is additional money off as well.

 

[nbpt100]

With AAP getting rid of GW, warranty may not be that easy. There are posts that warranting GW isn't great through Apex. I have no direct experience with it, I don't own any GW.

I noticed Advance Auto is getting rid of Gear Wrench. I wonder if that has something to do with it.

I have been looking at a flex head 120XP. It will be interesting to see where they end up. That may influence my decision.

 

[Mr_B]

Looking around and at pricing. Coupled with recommendations from GJ...
I am going to go with the GW 120T flex head ratchets, non locking.

Thank you everyone for your input. I appreciated it.

84T is better

 

[protegeV]

84T is better

I keep hearing this. Is the 120t just a gimmick? Seems excessive when 70-80t has been the tried and true standard across numerous brands for so long.

 

[Mr_B]

120 tooth is marketing numbers, you get less arc swing by reducing lash in ratchet mechanism and flex handle but that spendy manufacturing .
slender head and more durable single pawl of the 84T is way more useful than 34 extra ratchet points and as 2 staggered pawls need extra tight tolerance be true swing arc benefit you not seeing much arc benefit at GW quality/price .

 

[plinker]

I keep hearing this. Is the 120t just a gimmick? Seems excessive when 70-80t has been the tried and true standard across numerous brands for so long.

I've used a 120 a co worker had, it was nice, not sure on the long term use compared to the 60/75/84/88 tooth style. The 120 was noticeably bigger overall (head thickness/size) compared to the 84's I have.

I like the 84/88 style simply due to them being about the thinnest profile available (in a variety of configurations). Everybody (it seemed) was rebranding them, so parts are common and they're a proven design.

I dont see the 120 being better simply because 84 & 88 tooth ratchets make anything finer kind of pointless since you really dont notice the swing arc much under 6*, and the 120's not being as thin or thinner means they have much of an advantage over the 84/88's.

YMMV.

 

[M6erfan]

Yeah, over 72T I don't really see much benefit. I think it's just a marketing thing more than a useful thing.

And I agree with Mr_B & Plinker, when I looked at the 120XP's a year or so ago I thought the heads were cartoonishly large. Also, I thought they had a fair amount of back drag. I left empty handed and not too impressed...

 

[Jason280]

I have flex heads in Proto, Cornwell, Matco, MAC, Snap On, Craftsman, Gearwrench, and just about any other brand you can think of...but my favorite is the round head Proto.

 

[nbpt100]

Interesting that some here think more than 72 teeth is not value added....The trade off on head size counters the smaller arc..to paraphrase.

I don't have a real opinion on this. I have and use a VIM roto ratchet with 144 teeth and I think it is pretty nice. Smoother and very noticable in ease of use. Much better than some 72 tooth ratchets I have used in the past.

I agree that back drag is an issue. High back drag can make for a frustrating experience. Some of that comes down to lubrication. there was a good post on here a while back on lubricating ratchets mechanisms. Recommended lube was super lube with teflon.

Currious what more folks think on 72 teeth vs. a higher number. Is it value added? Can it be done well with a smaller overall size?

 

[Mgdoug3]

I like my 120xp ratchets. I never experienced the shortcomings like other people on here. Besides being slightly thinner head, one benefit the 84 tooth models have is the availability of rebuild kits. There's several kits that will work. On the 120xp, only the 120xp kits will work.

 

[Formula]

I love my snap on flex head ratchets for work. For home use I bought a set of Titan extra long flex heads. Got them really cheap and they've been taking a beating for years. At the time I think I paid $60 shipped for the set

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06VVYWQLH/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[plinker]

Interesting that some here think more than 72 teeth is not value added....The trade off on head size counters the smaller arc..to paraphrase.

I don't have a real opinion on this. I have and use a VIM roto ratchet with 144 teeth and I think it is pretty nice. Smoother and very noticable in ease of use. Much better than some 72 tooth ratchets I have used in the past.

I agree that back drag is an issue. High back drag can make for a frustrating experience. Some of that comes down to lubrication. there was a good post on here a while back on lubricating ratchets mechanisms. Recommended lube was super lube with teflon.

Currious what more folks think on 72 teeth vs. a higher number. Is it value added? Can it be done well with a smaller overall size?

Moving from 60 to 84/88 tooth is a noticeable difference, 72 to 84/88 not as much unless you are in a really tight spot and even then you may only get a couple clicks at a time.

Ratchet lube can be subjective, the 60/75/84/88 tooth ratchets do not like grease, causes problems. It's best to use an oil, I use air tool oil, others use ATF, ete...

 

[visionguru]

120 tooth is marketing numbers, you get less arc swing by reducing lash in ratchet mechanism and flex handle but that spendy manufacturing .
slender head and more durable single pawl of the 84T is way more useful than 34 extra ratchet points and as 2 staggered pawls need extra tight tolerance be true swing arc benefit you not seeing much arc benefit at GW quality/price .

I recently did some suspension work on my own car. There was a 17mm bolt with very tight room to swing, but needed a lot of torque to remove/install.

My SnapOn SHLF80A barely worked. The GearWrench 120GXP 1/2" flex was much better in that situation. In most situations, 120 position or 80 position doesn't make any difference, until the room gets really tight.

 

[ChrisLS8]

I got rid of my 120xp. The head size and thickness compared to the comically high backdrag even with superlube made it my least favorite to date followed by the RP

 

[wiens80]

Laws of diminishing returns come into play. 24T - 72T is a big deal. Seems like 72-90 teeth is a good balance. With that said every opportunity to use my Proto 24T ratchets I take.


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[428PI]

I used Craftsman fine tooth 3/8 flex until they quit servicing it and they gave me a coarse tooth which I don't care for as much. Now, that I work at a place that supplies tools and I love the locking flex heads. I say they are a must have now. They use Matco at work.

 

[M6erfan]

Laws of diminishing returns come into play. 24T - 72T is a big deal. Seems like 72-90 teeth is a good balance. With that said every opportunity to use my Proto 24T ratchets I take.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I hear ya. My Ko-kens are 'only' 24t but I reach for them first every time. There have been some instances when 24t wasn't enough, but its pretty rare. I work on a lot of older stuff though, not so much in modern tight engine bays.

 

[Mr_B]

I recently did some suspension work on my own car. There was a 17mm bolt with very tight room to swing, but needed a lot of torque to remove/install.

My SnapOn SHLF80A barely worked. The GearWrench 120GXP 1/2" flex was much better in that situation. In most situations, 120 position or 80 position doesn't make any difference, until the room gets really tight.

I found the bulk and swing slop of 120xp counteracts the extra teeth .
Decent made 72 to 90 tooth seems just as usable to me and that using them 8 to 10hrs a day .

 

[Nfenimore]

One of tool gifts from my wife this year was the Gearwrench set. The feel good in operation for sure.

 

[four.cycle]

last one left:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Proto-1-4-Drive-Flex-Head-Ratchet-6-37-64-Brand-New/323610089137

J4757F Proto 1/4" 72-tooth flex head. $30 bucks shipped.

 

[Fedwrench]

last one left:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Proto-1-4-Drive-Flex-Head-Ratchet-6-37-64-Brand-New/323610089137

J4757F Proto 1/4" 72-tooth flex head. $30 bucks shipped.

That's a great Italian made copy of the Facom palm control ratchet but, its head is just too thick in 1/4 drive. 3/8 & 1/2 drive it's awinner-winner chicken but, not so much in 1/4 drive.

 

[JBH]

That's a great Italian made copy of the Facom palm control ratchet but, its head is just too thick in 1/4 drive. 3/8 & 1/2 drive it's awinner-winner chicken but, not so much in 1/4 drive.

The FUP (Facom-designed, USAG-made, Proto-branded) isn't really a "copy" in that it's made by the same company that makes the design for Facom (and Würth, and perhaps some others), and of course Facom, USAG, and Proto are all SBD brands.

As for head thickness, honestly I never noticed it in use on mine. (I only have FUP in 1/4" drive) But yeah, it is fairly thick compared to other 1/4" drive ratchets. Still, it's a pretty good tool.

 

[M6erfan]

Yeah, that Facom 1/4" Palm Control does have a thicker head but I find that it doesn't matter too much in practice.

BTW, mine's just an F, made in France. That's how long I've had it

 

[dan360]

I have zero interest in truck brands.

Oh d-d-d-dear.....

 

[Fedwrench]

The FUP (Facom-designed, USAG-made, Proto-branded) isn't really a "copy" in that it's made by the same company that makes the design for Facom (and Würth, and perhaps some others), and of course Facom, USAG, and Proto are all SBD brands.

Now. I'm talking before the consolidation under SBD when Facom was French made and USAG was its own Italian company. Besides, USAG has dropped the palm control disc on their current ratchets and doesn't offer this type of flex head ratchet any more.

 

[wiens80]

I hear ya. My Ko-kens are 'only' 24t but I reach for them first every time. There have been some instances when 24t wasn't enough, but its pretty rare. I work on a lot of older stuff though, not so much in modern tight engine bays.

Mmmm Ko-ken, that is on my list to buy. I can’t notice any slop when the next tooth engages, unlike some of the fine tooth I have.


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[Mr_B]

^
yeh koken ratchets good precise manufacturing .

 

[Iluvbeer]

Anyone tried the 90 tooth Tektons?

 

[Tallpilot]

Anyone tried the 90 tooth Tektons?

Excellent ratchets for the price. Smooth mechanism with low backdrag and fairly small heads. No hassle warranty but according to the specs on the website it would take some pretty serious abuse to break any size but the 1/4".

They aren't quite good enough to make me sell my dual 80s but for specialty needs like extra long, bent handle and stubby they compliment them well.

 

[Iluvbeer]

Excellent ratchets for the price. Smooth mechanism with low backdrag and fairly small heads. No hassle warranty but according to the specs on the website it would take some pretty serious abuse to break any size but the 1/4".

They aren't quite good enough to make me sell my dual 80s but for specialty needs like extra long, bent handle and stubby they compliment them well.

I’m thinking the stubby and the bent shaft flex head in 3/8 is in my very near future.