Comfortable flex head ratcheting wrench set recommendations please

[308guru]

I’ve used Gear Wrench (non flex) ratcheting wrenches for many years. I’m tiring of the thin pointy edge and how uncomfortable they are when pulling hard. They work well, but I want more comfort to (hopefully) help with hand/wrist pain.

Any suggestions on a comfortable set of metric ratcheting flex head wrenches? I’m interested in moving to flex heads.

Thanks.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Topic subject line is ratchet and your post states wrenches, so clarify please.

 

[NFT5]

I’ve used Gear Wrench (non flex) ratcheting wrenches for many years. I’m tiring of the thin pointy edge and how uncomfortable they are when pulling hard. They work well, but I want more comfort to (hopefully) help with hand/wrist pain.

Any suggestions on a comfortable set of metric ratcheting flex head wrenches? I’m interested in moving to flex heads.

I hear what you're saying, having used the GearWrench flex head ratcheting rings. The sharp edge on the handle drives me nuts, too, but it was the best choice in a bad bunch at the time. Some other brands have come out with more comfortable handles but, really, the best way is to get into a tool store and try some out. For me, Sidchrome and SP Tools are big improvements and Milwaukee seem to have headed in the right direction as well. Other brands in your market? Sorry, can't help.

Flex heads? I'd be inclined to say "Don't bother". The locking ones, like GearWrench, have a tendency to break while the non-locking ones just flop around like a rag doll.

 

[sparky 1971]

The standard Gearwenches are brutal, I have them up to 25mm and 1-1/4 as well as a 1-5/8 and rarely, if ever, use them.

I had a caliper seize up on my Express 2500 yesterday and managed to make it to a buddies transmission shop to fix it. Of course, I didn't have the right tools and had to borrow some, which included a Cornwell 21 or 22 mm ratcheting wrench. I didn't feel any discomfort breaking the caliper bracket bolts loose and they were effing tight. Those might be just a little out of the price range though.

At home, I've been using the Astro Nano's in most places that I would have used a flex ratcheting wrench before. Those are actually a joy except for the times the wrench is too long. The actual flex head ratcheting wrenches I do own are garbage and don't do much more than piss me off. One of these days, even though I know better, I'm gonna try to use them and end up pitching them straight into the trash. I also have the Icon non flex reversible wrenches; those are nice but don't go large enough but maybe the flex heads have the same handle. Another set that I have in both metric and SAE are Gearwrench X beams. Those are probably the most comfortable, but they aren't reversible so don't get used very often and I don't know if there is/was a flex version. I don't even know if they are made any longer, a couple years ago the 9/16 locked up and I couldn't find another anywhere outside of ebay and for a ridiculous amount of money that I wasn't about to pay so I tried the GW warranty and much to my surprise, got a replacement in the mail.

 

[308guru]

Topic subject line is ratchet and your post states wrenches, so clarify please.

Doh! Topic updated. Looking for wrenches.

 

[nicks78camaro]

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

 

[nicks78camaro]

10 PIECE METRIC FLEX RATCHETING WRENCH SET SRFM102PA | Matco Tools

www.matcotools.com

 

[308guru]

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

Those certainly do look comfortable.

While I didn’t mention a budget, they are far out of mine.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

The Williams (also sold as Blue Point) wrenches are really nice. I have some singles I've been using professionally for years with no complaints. Definitely more comfortable than my regular Gearwrench sets.

Look up MWS-12RCF

 

[Paco Pena]

I like the Gear Wrench ratcheting wrenches but never pull hard on them. I use a regular wrench to break it loose first.

Paco

 

[Callelle]

The Icon double box (mountain wrenches) are plenty comfortable, and I'm a 6'9" gorilla that leans on them plenty without them giving. If you want ratcheting combos, I like my Mac Precision Torques.

 

[ecotec]

If you are talking about flex head combination wrenches, you should look at the Williams Taiwan.

 

[gears]

I love my Cornwell double flex wrenches.

 

[nicks78camaro]

Those certainly do look comfortable.

While I didn’t mention a budget, they are far out of mine.

I agree they're insanely priced

 

[KnurledNut]

Anyone handled the SK X-Frame flex heads?
I have some of the original USA nonflex ones and the beam is thick.
Wondering if they are the same or if they have thinned it down for the flex version.

 

[308guru]

These Milwaukee's seem to have a thick profile with a nice rounded edge. I'll have to see if I can locate them at a local store to check them out.

(15PC) Metric Flex Head Ratcheting Combination Wrench | Milwaukee Tool

The MILWAUKEE® 15PC Metric Flex Head Ratcheting Combination Wrench offers 2.5° arc swing, 144 ratcheting positions & MAX BITE™ grip for 25% more torque.

www.milwaukeetool.com

 

[308guru]

The Williams (also sold as Blue Point) wrenches are really nice. I have some singles I've been using professionally for years with no complaints. Definitely more comfortable than my regular Gearwrench sets.

Look up MWS-12RCF

Hard to find any pictures of these wrenches from the side. Not sure if I'd like the selector for fwd/rev, I've been using the "flip it over" direction change for quite some time.

 

[Steve_P]

I have Ez-Red, Mountain, Tekton and Gearwrench and they all seem about the same. None of them are anything comfy like a Williams USA Supercombo (non-ratcheting) wrench because the ratcheting wrenches all have thin beams for low profile. If you really want comfy, then you need something with a dedicated handle like the tool truck examples above. It's like how modern thin head ratchets all have thin metal grip portions; if you want more comfort, then it's that ratchet with a hard handle or comfort grip.

 

[assassin10000]

Kabo made extra longs (icon, k-tool, mountain, platinum, etc). With the opposite head gripped in your hand, it's better than most comfort wise.

You can remove the smaller head off one side and add heat shrink if you want to make it even more comfortable.

 

[ecotec]

I have Ez-Red, Mountain, Tekton and Gearwrench and they all seem about the same. None of them are anything comfy like a Williams USA Supercombo (non-ratcheting) wrench because the ratcheting wrenches all have thin beams for low profile. If you really want comfy, then you need something with a dedicated handle like the tool truck examples above. It's like how modern thin head ratchets all have thin metal grip portions; if you want more comfort, then it's that ratchet with a hard handle or comfort grip.

Yes… they do not have the SuperCombo ratcheting wrenches in flex-head.

Before Covid, when there were more sales and coupon codes, there used to be really good deals on the Williams wrench sets.

I have the reversible SuperCombo ratcheting wrenches, and they are super comfortable.

I love wrenches with bigger and more rounded beams.

This style… but, they are, obviously, not what the OP is looking for.

 

[assassin10000]

Yes… they do not have the SuperCombo ratcheting wrenches in flex-head.

Before Covid, when there were more sales and coupon codes, there used to be really good deals on the Williams wrench sets.

I have the reversible SuperCombo ratcheting wrenches, and they are super comfortable.

I love wrenches with bigger and more rounded beams.

This style… but, they are, obviously, not what the OP is looking for.

X-beams are pretty nice if you can live without the flex.

85888 12 Piece 72-Tooth 12 Point XL X-Beam™ Ratcheting Combination Metric Wrench Set - Gearwrench

Count on GEARWRENCH to get the job done. Get the 85888 12 Piece 72-Tooth 12 Point XL X-Beam™ Ratcheting Combination Metric Wrench Set here.

www.gearwrench.com

 

[nicks78camaro]

X-beams are pretty nice if you can live without the flex.

85888 12 Piece 72-Tooth 12 Point XL X-Beam™ Ratcheting Combination Metric Wrench Set - Gearwrench

Count on GEARWRENCH to get the job done. Get the 85888 12 Piece 72-Tooth 12 Point XL X-Beam™ Ratcheting Combination Metric Wrench Set here.

www.gearwrench.com

Looks like the flex heads are discontinued but I am pretty sure i have a set I don't use.

 

[FTG-05]

Why not these?

Loading…

www.harborfreight.com

 

[ecotec]

Why not these?

Loading…

www.harborfreight.com

If they do a decent coupon (35-40%), then, that is probably the way to go.

At retail, 199.99 for the ICON metric 12pc set vs 226.99 for the Williams metric 12pc set… I would spring for the Williams.

 

[FTG-05]

Yea, I hardly buy anything from HF at retail, especially the more expensive stuff like tools.

 

[Madjik Man]

I got these fairly cheap on Marketplace. Very comfortable. My only issue is they’re not reversible which is always a preference of mine.

 

[308guru]

I got these fairly cheap on Marketplace. Very comfortable. My only issue is they’re not reversible which is always a preference of mine.

Those do look nice. I'll have to keep an eye on MP to see if anything pops up price worth giving a shot.

I'll also get hands on the Icons next time I'm at HF.

 

[Twisted Sid]

If they do a decent coupon (35-40%), then, that is probably the way to go.

At retail, 199.99 for the ICON metric 12pc set vs 226.99 for the Williams metric 12pc set… I would spring for the Williams.

June 1st-7th Icon wrenches are 35% off

 

[Sumboodie]

I've had the Gear Wrench flex heads for a long time. Bouggt them when I worked at a lube "tech" for Sears around 2002 or 2003.
No complaints. Had a 1/2" wear out and getting it replaced was a pain. Ended up 2 though and my Dad another they never would respond when I offered to send it back. (Their site was erroring with an AK address so I tried my folks in Maine)
Are the new ones different?

 

[Sumboodie]

June 1st-7th Icon wrenches are 35% off

Seriously? I just dropped ~$300 on the 2 Snap On clone sets they carry.

I just checked. They are $130 now. Were around $160 2 weeks ago.

 

[Twisted Sid]

If you're within the return window, usually they will give you the difference if you go in with a receipt or they can look it up by your phone number.

 

[Sumboodie]

If you're within the return window, usually they will give you the difference if you go in with a receipt or they can look it up by your phone number.

I ordered online, No HF in AK. Just Vevor in Fairbanks.
Had to ship to my folks, HF wanted almost $70 for shipping.
They used to be decent on that.

 

[bonneyman]

I got these fairly cheap on Marketplace. Very comfortable. My only issue is they’re not reversible which is always a preference of mine.

Is it just me, or do the wrench handles seem obviously shorter the bigger the box size becomes? I mean the length of the 8mm is wild but the 18-19 look like normal wrenches do. Perhaps they were concerned about strength when breaking bigger fasteners so limited the torque with shorter (albeit thicker) handles?

 

[Madjik Man]

Is it just me, or do the wrench handles seem obviously shorter the bigger the box size becomes? I mean the length of the 8mm is wild but the 18-19 look like normal wrenches do. Perhaps they were concerned about strength when breaking bigger fasteners so limited the torque with shorter (albeit thicker) handles?

The handles do become shorter as the head size increases. The overall length of each wrench is uniform.

If I’m being honest the larger size wrenches’ handles feel better/more balanced in my XL sized hands. The longer handles on the smaller sizes seem awkward - but still a great wrench to use.