Locking Flex Head Ratchets -- Comfort Grip --Bang for Buck?

[ZenkiS14]

So I've been lurking and reading for a while, but havent posted anything yet. I got spoiled a couple weeks back using some of my buddies tools at his shop, and the one that stood out the most was his Matco Eighty-8 locking flex head comfort grip 3/8" ratchet, it really made me want something solid like that. My toolbox currently is full of US Craftsman stuff and Tekton ratchets.

I dont have the budget nor can I justify a $200 ratchet for my home use, but I do want something to fill that slot, a locking flex head comfort grip ratchet, probably a mid length 3/8", and a 1/2". I've been looking for the right piece at the right price. The only thing that's really caught my attention is the new 90T Gearwrench locking flex head ratchets, seems like a nice pieces, but I havent touched them yet. I think i'd rather have a quick release head though if it exists. These Gearwrench pieces have also been hard to find in stock.



What else should I be looking at? What brands/pieces are in that world of home affordable, but premium quality fit and finish. I know nothing will be that Snap-On Matco except for those brands, but my budget and use doesnt support them currently.

Thanks guys!

 

[Mr_B]

I would look at the older gearwrench 84T as they better made and can use matco 88 repair kit and in 2pc sets can be very cheap if hunt online .
Other affordable option and pretty good tool is the Carlyle locking flex heads, these are nice ratchet heads and when on a real deal they good value .
Unfortunatly you been spoilt as the Matco is a top class locking flex design .

 

[jsmeece]

Carlyle at Napa when on sale. 3/8 drive Part #CHT R38LFLQR about $72 when not on sale. I paid $25 a few months ago for one, I have two.

 

[Skin]

Carlyle can't be unlocked. My favorite is Matco which Gearwrench is a clone of so on a budget I'd go that route.

 

[lardy1]

I have two each of Carlyle and Gearwrench. For me, it's Carlyle.

 

[Rarified27]

I have the Carlyle as well. It's outstanding. The NAPA deals really make them great buys and the slim head design is also thin on the sides, making it more compact than the ratchets where the head is just flatter.

 

[ZenkiS14]

Carlyle is 72T vs Gearwrench 90T

Noticeable?

What about fit/finish and overall feel of the mechanisms on both?

 

[measuredtwice]

The Carlyle has been out of stock online since the last sale. Unless your local NAPA has them, you'll have to wait until they restock. That might be a while... it's already been a while. ...and then you'll want to wait for the price to go down to $20-25 and that will probably be a long time from now.

I paid $20 for it. At that price, I think it's a good value but I don't think it's worth the full retail. NAPA really jacked up the price over the years. The locking mechanism works really well but it can not be unlocked. So you would need 2 ratchets if you want both locking and non locking. The lock works really well compared to other designs. The ratcheting mechanism is nothing special in my honest opinion. I've read posts praising the ratchet mechanism but I don't agree. It's just okay. I'd definitely recommend removing the plastic cover with a pick and disassembling the ratchet so that you can add some lube. It is dry and has a high back drag. A little lube helps but it still not the smoothest. I'm not saying it's bad but don't expect top of the line like some claim. I don't have the Gearwrench and can't compare it.

 

[Dave455]

First of all, realise that what you have asked for, which is home affordable but premium quality, does not exist.

Every tool, indeed just about every product, is a compromise of some sort. Some compromise on price, some on quality, some in the middle, but there’s always a trade off.

It strikes me however, that you have picked two brands at almost opposite ends of the scale. Matco towards the top on price, Gearwrench towards the bottom, wheras you need something more mid range, or at least comparable quality to the Matco without paying for a truck or warranty.

Bearing in mind all the things you wanted, fine tooth, locking flex head, comfort grip, I’d probably be looking at something like Stahlwille. German made, everything you need, quality probably as good as Matco (probably better). The downside is probably the shipping. Here in the U.K. I’m probably paying the equivalent of about $80 for that tool, but you’re either going to have to pay to have it shipped, or buy it from a U.S. stockist. I suspect the former is cheaper.

Can you compromise on the “fine tooth”? If so, one clear best option for me would be the KoKen. There’s a thread here dedicated to KoKen, and I’m thinking they’re exactly what you are looking for. I know these are available in the U.S. for about $75

 

[Mr_B]

Tooth count no big deal, what more important is mechanism lash as a poor 90 have no better swing arc than a tight tolerance 72 .
The ratchet heads are really nice compact design on the carlyles, locking mechanism is push button which while not greatest design it is fairly robust unlike the gearwrench .
It doesn't have lock/unlocked selection like matco/gearwrench .

 

[toddmorr]

Carlyle is 72T vs Gearwrench 90T
Noticeable?

yes, it is. But its also rarely needed.

 

[toddmorr]

It is dry and has a high back drag. A little lube helps but it still not the smoothest. I'm not saying it's bad but don't expect top of the line like some claim.

agree, snipping the spring helps a bit too.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

i went with the carlyle myself but i did consider the gearwrench but i prefer a store vs online

 

[chevy302dz]

Not sure if they make a comfort handle version but Oreilly's sells a locking flex that is a slim head and works well cheap

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...8-inch-drive-ratchet-handle/ptt0/gm6179?pos=7

 

[vssjim]

I have the 90 tooth you show up front and really like a lot.

 

[Fedwrench]

I think the Gearwrench 90 tooth locking flexhead ratchet with black/orange comfort grip handle is probably the best bang for your buck version.

Is it perfect? No but, it's close and offers decent value. I think there's a bit too much play in the ratchet head when it's locked. I think on the 1/4 drive version I have, there's too much space between the handle fork and the bottom edge of the ratchet head. I like the crisp ratcheting action. I like the slightly longer length. I like the shape of the comfort grip handle.

I don't see any reason to put a MATCO repair kit inside any Gearwrench ratchet aside from the BFR5TK kit, which converts a 1/4 ratchet into a 3/8 drive ratchet in a 1/4 drive body which is something Gearwrench doesn't offer.

The Carlyle locking 72 tooth flexhead ratchet is a nice ratchet but, it isn't perfect either. As others mentioned, there is no unlocked mode. I don't care for the way the lock release button sticks out a bit. I'm not a fan of quick release ratchets. The Carlyle quick release flexhead ratchet head, is the same as the Powerbuilt Pro ratchet head.

 

[belvedere]

Another vote for Carlyle on sale.

 

[Zewnten]

My local napa says they are discontinuing certain carlyle ratchet models.

I was looking at ordering the ez red 22" ratchet, runs a bit less than $70, but has good reviews.

 

[Fedwrench]

My local napa says they are discontinuing certain carlyle ratchet models.

That's been going on for more than awhile now. Many of the Carlyle 90 tooth ratchets are no longer available.

 

[Zewnten]

The one in question for me was the 1/2 locking flex with comfort grip

 

[ZenkiS14]

I sure do like the look and QR feature of the Carlyle tools, although it seems they are discontinuing the sizes that I would want.

So I found the Gearwrench 81298T 3pc set in stock, and went ahead and got that. I am classically a QR ratchet guy, hopefully I don't miss that feature too much.

 

[qqzj]

The husky has both qr and gw kind of locking mechanism.

Sent from my SM-G981U1 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[BrandoJames]

I got spoiled a couple weeks back using some of my buddies tools at his shop, and the one that stood out the most was his Matco Eighty-8 locking flex head comfort grip 3/8" ratchet, it really made me want something solid like that. My toolbox currently is full of US Craftsman stuff and Tekton ratchets...I dont have the budget nor can I justify a $200 ratchet for my home use, but I do want something to fill that slot

I picked up a Matco 88 locking flex for $80 (used) on eBay. If you want professional quality tools, you might consider buying used. However, I bought that Matco 88 locking flex right before the Covid lockdown. On eBay, it seems that prices have spiked on used pro tools over the last year. There's a used Matco 3/8” BFR128LF on eBay right now, identical to mine--for $110 (link below).

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Matco-Tool...sh=item2f533fa63a:g:-FMAAOSw6bZgED3x&LH_BIN=1

 

[sk farmer]

I picked up a Matco 88 locking flex for $80 (used) on eBay. If you want professional quality tools, you might consider buying used. However, I bought that Matco 88 locking flex right before the Covid lockdown. On eBay, it seems that prices have spiked on used pro tools over the last year. There's a used Matco 3/8” BFR128LF on eBay right now, identical to mine--for $110 (link below).

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Matco-Tool...sh=item2f533fa63a:g:-FMAAOSw6bZgED3x&LH_BIN=1

or you could have bought the one for sale here like i did. far cheaper than ebay.

 

[BrandoJames]

or you could have bought the one for sale here like i did. far cheaper than ebay.

You got a Matco 3/8” BFR128LF locking flex far cheaper than $80? That ratchet goes for $162 new on Matco's website. I'm calling bull***t, sorry.

 

[Mr_B]

The one in question for me was the 1/2 locking flex with comfort grip

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQR12LFQR

had these as cheap as 50bucks.
Silly thing is they cheaper in UK than USA these days which bit irish lol .
not bad ratchets if wear them in then clean and grease/tweak spring if feel needed .
Far more real world usable than most of the midrange locking head ratchets and warranty usable .

 

[lardy1]

I bought both my Carlyle's from a UK seller on eBay. I'm sure I have no warranty but they were considerably cheaper.

 

[ZenkiS14]

had these as cheap as 50bucks.
Silly thing is they cheaper in UK than USA these days which bit irish lol .
not bad ratchets if wear them in then clean and grease/tweak spring if feel needed .
Far more real world usable than most of the midrange locking head ratchets and warranty usable .

How'd you catch those for $50? I cant find the carlyle stuff on sale at all.

 

[measuredtwice]

How'd you catch those for $50? I cant find the carlyle stuff on sale at all.

It was actually much cheaper. In Dec, the 1/2 was $25, the 3/8 was $18.50 and the 1/4 was $14.50. The capture is from the catalog in December.Shows how much they are gouging before the sale.

As I mentioned previously, they have been out of stock online since the sale. Expect it will be a long time before the price goes down again since they don't even have any stock.

 

[Mr_B]

^
makes you wonder if they be changing out supplier ! .
Those prices are like HF pitts pro price but a way better ratchet

 

[ZenkiS14]

Man, no kidding!! I'll have to keep an eye out!!

 

[sk farmer]

You got a Matco 3/8” BFR128LF locking flex far cheaper than $80? That ratchet goes for $162 new on Matco's website. I'm calling bull***t, sorry.

i meant far less than the the 110 in the ebay link you posted.

as far as price i paid? that is between toddmorr and i but he had it listed at 90. i told him i would take it at the lowest price he offered to me. he set a shipped price much lower than 90 and i accepted. paid him in cold cash and should have it in few days.

so anyway, call ******** if you want but i can tell you one thing, i don't ********.

i was actually shocked. i waited almost a week thinking someone would jump on it but they didn't.

 

[ZenkiS14]

I'd love to catch a deal on some Matco stuff...maybe someday, for now though i'm excited to check out these GearWrench ratchets, should be delivered today!

 

[Will_Yetter]

I REALLY love my 90T Gearwrench. I have the locking flex comfort grip 3/8 drive and it is awesome. I much prefer the locking mechanism of the GW over my much more
expensive Carlyle long handle comfort 1/2”.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[measuredtwice]

I'd love to catch a deal on some Matco stuff...maybe someday, for now though i'm excited to check out these GearWrench ratchets, should be delivered today!

We expect a full report with photos!

 

[ZenkiS14]

Well, got them in, honestly, in hand feel and everything feels great. The finish on them is not as nice as my Tekton pieces, couple knicks in the forging under the chrome, but the feel and fit is very nice. Looking forward to working with these.

Getting the home cart setup

 

[Skin]

Small correction, ratchets are forged not cast.

 

[ZenkiS14]

*forgings...

thx

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I have the Armstrong locking flex heads in 3 /8" and 1/2" drives. They are pretty much the same at the Matco with a different a handle shape and only 80T. The guts switch out with the Matco 88T and Gearwrench 84T. My Armstrongs are my go to ratchets and I like them quite a bit. I also like my 84T Gearwrench ratchets that I have.
Having the locking switched recessed on the Armstrong/Matco is something that would be nice to have on the GW's. Nice set you went with though, I'm sure you'll like them.

 

[ron350]

Amy idea if Napa will put their ratchets on sale again?

I am looking for a Carlyle R38LFLOR.