Whay is the best flex-head ratcheting wrench?

FiftyCalAl · Apr 14, 2009

What are the BETTER flex-head ratcheting wrenches?

I am trying to replace all of my 'run-of-the-mill' tools with the best stuff I can. Most of my life I have used Craftsman tools and been fairly satisfied. for special applications I have bought the best tools possible, but 'around the house;; I have not needed the best (I thought).

Having just bought a larger place and planning on expanding with new construction and working on the 'mini farm' , I am going to invest in 'lifetime' tools. I have been buying Knipex pliers, Wera drivers, Snap[On ratcheting drivers, etc. I have decided that if it is not made in USA or Germany, it isn't that great. I have been using www. Chadstoolbox.com. Any other recommendations on great retailers?

I have Klein pliers/cutters now after getting about $400 worth of new electrical tools before starting this remodel this year. I will probably sell all those in favor of Knipex brand.

I am looking at which wrenches are best. I think the Wera Zyklops is the ratchet series I may get, but as far as wrenches- not sure.

I looked at some flex head GearWrench wrenches, and like the concept, but they are made in Taiwan. Does anybody have a recommendation on ractheting flex head wrenches? Not sure if reversible feature is needed or not. Any thoughts on wrenches?

I am not a fulltime pro that needs to use the stuff daily, but want )almost( the best. I sorta feel Snap on is a bit overpriced. Looking at SK. Any thoughts are VERY appreciated. I realize that life is too short to use anything but the best; plus I have a toddler daughter who I want to inherit great tools.

I am glad I found this forum; seems like you guys are all intersted in helping each other out. Thanks in advance! Alan

Paladin · Apr 14, 2009

I love Sk ratchets and wrenches and the Zyclops I think is a matter of preference. The Zyclops is made by Wera, which means it is high quality, but it is UGLY in my opinion.I wouldn't buy it based solely on aesthetics.
As far as which is the "best"? That is WAY to subjective to opinion and you'll hear everything from Snap On to Cornwell and every other US brand in between. Totally up to you and what you can afford and feel comfortable with.

PS: Welcome to GJ! :thumbup:

Bo Heck · Apr 14, 2009

I didn't know there were ratcheting wrenches even made in the US. The ones from Taiwan work great for me but if you've made up your mind you want US, don't know what to tell you. The SK are made in Taiwan, someone that owns the Snap-ons can chime in if they're US or not.

autoace · Apr 14, 2009

Remember when it comes to ratcheting wrenches, ALL brands at least have Taiwan or China mechanisms, even the Hazet brand

Snap-on are also import mechanisms etc.. etc... Gearwrench are aok, I use them, and I didn't see any great improvement with Cornwell or Snap-on ratcheting wrenches except the slightly different looks.

The Muffin Man · Apr 14, 2009

Welcome to the forum Alan!

These days with so many corporations outsourcing their products, I really think that country of origin doesn't hold much weight with respect to quality when regarding products from name brand companies. In the case of generic discount tool store wrenches... the above opinion is out the window.

Many forum members seem to like the Flex-head ratcheting wrench from Gearwrench. Personally I don't own any of their flex-heads (or any Gearwrench wrench for that matter) so I can't attest to Gearwrench's quality. A quick search should turn up some information to help you make your decision :beer:

.

Edit: A reversible option is not needed in a flex-head wrench. The main reason that standard ratcheting wrenches offer one is so that the wrench can have an offset.

Vulturej · Apr 14, 2009

I own Husky & GearWrench flex combo wrenches. I have not had a problem with either brand.

GT89mustang · Apr 14, 2009

FiftyCalAl said:
I have Klein pliers/cutters now after getting about $400 worth of new electrical tools before starting this remodel this year. I will probably sell all those in favor of Knipex brand.

Why do that? Klein makes good electrical tools...

Chris Adams · Apr 14, 2009

In ratcheting wrenches I have;
Gearwrench, (flex and regular, very good, bought from Sears, from ACE hardware and other places)
Geartech, ( Flex. These are the ‘sleepers’ as they cost very little at HF and are every bit as good as the Gearwrench flex.)

non-flex;
Armstrong, ( reversible, not flex, tool truck grade, nice wrenches)
Craftsman, (can’t tell them from the generics, but they work good0
Mastergrip (decent, nothing fantastic, really cheap from Costco)
Pittsburgh ( short, and super large. The short work great, look, feel like Gearwrench but were super cheap at HF. The super large are old style, prone to rust, but work. Got them free but they must have come from HF.)

So far I haven’t bought a bad gear wrench. The big HF ones aren’t the same technology, and I really shouldn’t count them but they are gear wrenches..

I go to gear wrenches first in most jobs. I don’t cheat them, I don’t hit them with anything, I do use them hard.
The Geartech flex wrenches are the first out of the box on most jobs.

olds394 · Apr 14, 2009

I own the large Gearwrench set and can't get over the box saying a wrench 1 1/4" in size is a "precision tool not intended to free frozen etc...". I just don't think of that size in that way.

back2class · Apr 14, 2009

I have Stanley and am pleased with them. I fee any more spent is money wasted.

oldtools · Apr 15, 2009

I also have the Gearwrench flex head. Work great so far. The HF flex head spline ratcheting wrench (with aluminum handle) look really high quality thought I do not own one.

FiftyCalAl · Apr 15, 2009

GT89mustang said:
Why do that? Klein makes good electrical tools...

AGREED! No DOUBT! But after finding Klein, I replaced all my run of the mill tools. Then I was turned onto KNIPEX, and now I have found the best pliers, cutters I have ever used. Knipex just seems so ergonomically superior and will suffer more (ab)use. When I bought Klein, it seems I had to start going through the whole rack to find the "best" of the item I was looking for. Some pliers were to stiff to even open up and had other detractors.

I am not sure I am going to sell them, but I also am not sure I can afford to keep them all as extras either since I am buying rather expensive alternatives.

I really appreciate all of the responses so far, escpecially to a nube's first post! :thumbup:

r0meyrome · Apr 15, 2009

I own flex stubby and flex combination Gearwrench ratchet wrenches and theyre excellent.

tankboy_taylor · Apr 15, 2009

I use the gearwrench with np. Cornwell Tools also has a real nice set of flex head ratcheting

Danglerb · Apr 15, 2009

First wrench in my hand for most jobs is a non gear normal combo wrench because I KNOW its not going to have any clearance issues. What the box end can't get to, the open end usually can. I have GearWrench brand in stubby and normal sizes, and use them as often as I can on repetitive tasks that a power tool isn't a better option to use.

My preference is a light smooth gear mechanism, like the GearWrench brand has, and I don't force them EVER. If I need to hit a wrench with a hammer, its going to be a box end unless I have a good reason to use something else.

I understand the buy the best now that I can thing, but its really not about the wrench, its what your wrenching on. I'm not collecting Craftsman raised panel wrenches, but I'm not getting rid of them either, they work just fine.

Welcome to the forum.

Mike83 · Apr 15, 2009

Matco makes ratcheting combos, made in USA (perhaps only the main part of the wrench), but holy smokes they are expensive. I just sent in my 13mm for warranty and saw that it cost $35 new. That is $10 more than Snappy.

SK makes nice ratcheting wrenches, but Gearwrench is going to be a great value when 1/2 off at Sears, although that may be a moot point for you since cost doesn't seem to be an issue.

Bo Heck · Apr 15, 2009

Armstrong boasts their wrenches are made in USA, and I believe that includes the gearwrenches, but I'm not sure if they have the flex type you want. You can check their website.

buening · Apr 15, 2009

Craftsman also makes flex ratcheting wrenches, but they don't have the selection of sizes that most do. My local Menards carries Allen brand as well as the GearWrench and appear to be similar in price. JH Williams and Blackhawk make the same type as well but is priced higher. I'd imagine every brand has these made by now. To me, expansion is an important part in selecting what brand to go for unless you don't mind multiple brands in a set.

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but the mechanisms in probably all of these flex ratcheting wrenches are imported regardless of the brand on the wrench. I don't picture a flex wrench as something you grab when you need a ton of torque, so the strength of the better US steel that the wrench beam is made of compared to Taiwan shouldn't matter much. If something were to break, it'd likely be the ratcheting mechanism which is imported. Get something that you can easily warranty in my opinion.

If you are buying extra long non-ratcheting wrenches where a ton of torque is applied, then get the best US made product because you will need the extra thickness and strength. For something like this, it mostly comes down to brand preference because it isn't a heavily abused tool. Merely my two cents though

FNFS2000 · Apr 15, 2009

GT89mustang said:
Why do that? Klein makes good electrical tools...

Good maybe, but not the best thats for sure.

Spookrider · Apr 15, 2009

The simple Gear Wrench flex head is a pretty good product. I do oil change for a Nat. Chain. I have "beaten" on the some simple flex hear Gear Wrench for an year or so and they are holding there ground. No problem, I like to get a set when the money come around where I get some.

bchee · Apr 15, 2009

If you get a flex head, I recommend a locking flex head. Craftsman, Stanley, and Blue Point have them. The Stanley and Blue points are Taiwan made, like most every other ratcheting wrench. The locking feature seems to keep the wrench on the fastener better.

The locking mechanism on the Craftsman and Stanley are different. I messed up the locking part on a Stanley wrench. I think the tooth that keeps it locked got damaged. The ratcheting part is fine though.

I believe the Craftsmans are US made, no?

Delray · Apr 15, 2009

The Gearwrench, SK, and Craftsman I have are all very good. I have heard there are places you can lock in a non-reversing wrench. I like reversibles as they save time. Non locking flex that flop are next to useless.

Monte · Apr 15, 2009

The Stanley version looks like its made by Hifive click
The craftsman version has "USA" on them... somebody call the FTC to verify

ToolGlutton · Apr 15, 2009

Craftsman ratcheting wrenches do not have 14 mm in their sets. For that reason, I will never buy them.

bchee said:
If you get a flex head, I recommend a locking flex head. Craftsman, Stanley, and Blue Point have them. The Stanley and Blue points are Taiwan made, like most every other ratcheting wrench. The locking feature seems to keep the wrench on the fastener better.

The locking mechanism on the Craftsman and Stanley are different. I messed up the locking part on a Stanley wrench. I think the tooth that keeps it locked got damaged. The ratcheting part is fine though.

I believe the Craftsmans are US made, no?

Derek1387 · Apr 15, 2009

ToolGlutton said:
Craftsman ratcheting wrenches do not have 14 mm in their sets. For that reason, I will never buy them.

thats funny... thats the exact same reason i didnt buy them!

bchee · Apr 15, 2009

Monte said:
The Stanley version looks like its made by Hifive click
The craftsman version has "USA" on them... somebody call the FTC to verify

yeah, I got one of those picts from the Newtools site.
I'm sure you are right that Hi-five makes the Stanley version. Probably the husky one too. The direction arrow looks the same

oldtools · Apr 16, 2009

Monte said:
The Stanley version looks like its made by Hifive click
The craftsman version has "USA" on them... somebody call the FTC to verify

I also have the SK spline flex ratcheting wrench. They also have "USA" on them. Do we need to report SK too?

GDA · Apr 16, 2009

Re: What are the BETTER flex-head ratcheting wrenches?

FiftyCalAl said:
....

I looked at some flex head GearWrench wrenches, and like the concept, but they are made in Taiwan. Does anybody have a recommendation on ractheting flex head wrenches? Not sure if reversible feature is needed or not. Any thoughts on wrenches?

Alan

Alan

I have a set of flex head combo Gearwrenches in metric from 10-19 and after 4 plus years of tough use they still feel and work like the first day I go them. I am not sure where mine were made back then but based on my experience I'd highly recommend them.

GDA

FiftyCalAl · Apr 16, 2009

Excellent comments, folks! THANKS!

So is it pretty unanimous that the flex head should be of the locking variety?

Is the SK Spline feature a true help, or more of a gimmick?

oldtools · Apr 16, 2009

FiftyCalAl said:
Excellent comments, folks! THANKS!

So is it pretty unanimous that the flex head should be of the locking variety?

Is the SK Spline feature a true help, or more of a gimmick?

It suppose to work on 6 different fasterner heads, but so far I have only run into hex head so I don't really get to test it on other fasterner heads. It work fine on the hex head.

bchee · Apr 16, 2009

oldtools said:
I also have the SK spline flex ratcheting wrench. They also have "USA" on them. Do we need to report SK too?

which ones do you have? I have the stubby SK spline ratcheting and mine are Taiwan made (on the box, not on the wrenches themselves)

oldtools · Apr 16, 2009

bchee said:
which ones do you have? I have the stubby SK spline ratcheting and mine are Taiwan made (on the box, not on the wrenches themselves)

I just check it again. You are right. It does not have "USA" on it. It say made in Taiwan on the box. I was mistaken with the SK impact extension that say USA on it that I bought at the same time. I can't believe I pay so much for it. I should have bought the HF version instead and save some money.

zuspiel · Apr 16, 2009

Yes, I'd go for a locking flex, too. I had some POS Kobalts that I just recently replaced with GW XL locking flexes. IMHO, the XL version is worth it. The locking lever doesn't catch as easily and it can only come unlocked on the return stroke, not when you're applying force to the fastener. Much easier on the knuckles... Also, the beam has slight knurling on one side, makes it easy to tell which way round to hold the wrench for the direction you want. Finally, they are about the same length as my SOEXes i.e., they are quite long.

Diesel_Crawler · Apr 17, 2009

I have a set if the regular flex head and stubby from Gearwrench and I love them! They come on sale at Canadian tire from time to time for $10.00 so i bought one set, went back the same day and got both SAE/Metric sets of regular and stubby's

bry@n · Apr 19, 2009

I have a set of Craftsman flex heads and I like them a lot. I had a Blue Point set and didn't like them at all. My SO dealer actually took them back and gave me a truck credit for them.

vssjim · Apr 19, 2009

the Craftsman branded ratcheting wrenches are labeled USA made and the bodies of the wrenches are thicker than the GW branded tools, they don't hurt my hands like the GW branded one do. For me they are worth the little difference in price as after years of working not hurting you hands anymore than you have to is a good thing.

SgtRauksauff · Nov 1, 2010

*** Edit *** Whoa, sorry 'bout resurrecting an old thread, I just happened to come across it through Google and didn't check the date.
***

I've had my friend's tools in my garage for the duration of his army enlistment. he's got a set of Blackhawk (by Proto, but I think MAC and/or Stanley affiliated) flex-head ratcheting wrenches. I love those things. they're NOT locking flex-heads, but the flex joint is stiff, so that you don't need to lock it. plus, no stupid extra button/lever to fill with grease/grime/grit or get caught in tight spaces.

his 10mm and 15mm had walked away before he left, so I went and bought some Gearwrench ones from sears (not the craftsman ones, I didn't like them).

the heads on these things are SUPER floppy, to the point where I spend more time re-adjusting than I do spinning the wrench. Not to derail the post, but how can the action be stiffened up on these things? or are they just junk that needs to be replaced?

--sarge

DrkMtnDew · Nov 1, 2010

I like the gearwrench. they have worked well for three years or so. the only thing i would do different is to get the locking flex version.

gReves · Nov 1, 2010

Without a reversing option, you guys arn't worried about getting into a tight by backing the bolt/nut all the way out to where the wrench is against somthing (i.e. the frame, eng block, ect..) and not being able to get the wrench off?

SgtRauksauff · Nov 3, 2010

if it comes that close, I just use the open end of the wrench. In that case, chances are high that the bolt itself won't come all the way out either, so the engine/whatever might have to be raised/lowered/moved in some way anyways. in which case, it might turn into using a standard ratchet/socket.

--sarge

Whay is the best flex-head ratcheting wrench?

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