Input before puchase of new Ratchet.. Flex-Head or Roto-Head

shanker · Jan 4, 2011

I dont have enough $$ to buy both, but I'm wanting to buy a new Ratchet, either a Flex Head or Roto Head.

If you could only have one, which one would be the more frequently used?

I do all my own wrenching on my automobiles as a hobby, including restoring a couple of cars right now...but I've found that if I had a new 3/8 ratchet that could possibly get in a few tighter spaces, it would make some jobs much easier.

mrholeshot · Jan 4, 2011

Roto-head by 10 miles

Davefr · Jan 4, 2011

mrholeshot said:
Roto-head by 10 miles

Agreed!

Bull · Jan 4, 2011

I do prefer my SK roto-head over my Cornwell flex head in terms of function. I use the Cornwell more because the handle is awesome.

I'd go for the roto in your position.

tonydanzah · Jan 4, 2011

another roto

SCscoutguy · Jan 4, 2011

Roto head by a mile. I have the Snap On, SK and Pittsburgh and I actually prefer the Pittsburgh ones from HF over the others.

Simplespeed · Jan 4, 2011

My snap on roto is the only wrench i use anymore since i bought it. Even though its like 10 inches long, you can still get it into some tight spaces. 100 teeth doesnt hurt either.

littlekillertoad · Jan 4, 2011

I'd say roto too. I use both, but I think I like the roto better.

shanker · Jan 4, 2011

Ok...so roto it is...what brand...I'm not afraid to hunt down the ultimate roto-head.

I'm very fond of the Proto tools I have...but REALLY like the Snap-On Handles...

Monte · Jan 4, 2011

roto from Proto

Davefr · Jan 4, 2011

shanker said:
Ok...so roto it is...what brand...I'm not afraid to hunt down the ultimate roto-head.

I'm very fond of the Proto tools I have...but REALLY like the Snap-On Handles...

I have this one and am happy with it:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...8&group_ID=225&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

These get good feedback too:
http://www.tooltopia.com/search.aspx?find=81225

mrholeshot · Jan 4, 2011

shanker said:
Ok...so roto it is...what brand...I'm not afraid to hunt down the ultimate roto-head.

I'm very fond of the Proto tools I have...but REALLY like the Snap-On Handles...

Snap-On for the ultimate. The gearwrench version if the SO is too pricy

Simplespeed · Jan 4, 2011

Davefr said:
I have this one and am happy with it:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...8&group_ID=225&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

These get good feedback too:
http://www.tooltopia.com/search.aspx?find=81225

Thats the snap-on i have. The handle is nice and comfy but i hate how it looks. When the grip gets old and crappy i guess you could put a hard handle on it huh?

Davefr · Jan 4, 2011

Simplespeed said:
Thats the snap-on i have. The handle is nice and comfy but i hate how it looks. When the grip gets old and crappy i guess you could put a hard handle on it huh?

Just throw on a new grip for $6.55:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/parts/pro_det.asp?Item_id=89478&group_ID=24831

ajchien · Jan 4, 2011

im in the same market for a roto ratchet. what do you guys think about the gearwrench 81225?

SMKS · Jan 4, 2011

I used to have the Gearwrench and it was very nice. I now have the HF version. It's not quite as smooth as the Gearwrench, but is about half the price.

Simplespeed · Jan 4, 2011

Davefr said:
Just throw on a new grip for $6.55:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/parts/pro_det.asp?Item_id=89478&group_ID=24831

i dont care for the soft grip too much.

SCscoutguy · Jan 4, 2011

stephen9666 said:
I used to have the Gearwrench and it was very nice. I now have the HF version. It's not quite as smooth as the Gearwrench, but is about half the price.

I agree with what is said above. I have the Kobalt 3/8" roto which is made in the same factory by Gearwrench and I like the HF Pittsburgh allot better than it.

SMKS · Jan 4, 2011

SCscoutguy said:
I have the Kobalt 3/8" roto which is made in the same factory by Gearwrench and I like the HF Pittsburgh allot better than it.

Hmmm.... I actually liked the GW better. It had a smoother action. Still, the HF is nice. Also, I just bought a HF for around $10 using the 25% off coupon on New Year's day. You can't beat that price. The GW is $28 + shipping.

shanker · Jan 4, 2011

so I'm browsing the big tool companies sites...

and wow...Mac Tools has a HORRIBLE website to search for tools on...its slow and un-organized..

the Snap-On is nice...does Matco have a Roto-Head? I was unable to find one on their site.

canuckian · Jan 4, 2011

I have a SO FHNF100 on its way to me at the moment. I've wanted this one ever since i first tried one out. buttery smooth......

dj00140 · Sep 23, 2011

I am going through the same debate, it seems to me if your at a sharp angle (almost aligned with the bolt) and you have a roto head and tried turning it it would just bend the bolt, but if you had a flex head since it is on the side of the drive when you turned the handle it would have a better chance of turning????

Squankum · Sep 23, 2011

Got a flex-head years ago, it didn't move me. You freaks got me intrigued by the Wera Zyklop, and then I discovered the $12.99 rotohead 3/8"' ratchet at HF. Pittsburgh Pro, made in Taiwan.

Ratchet guts aren't world class, but this thing has no business being as good as it is @$13! It's one of my fave ratchets. And it sold me on rotoheads.

Then I got a new SO FHNF100, 'cuz I believe in leverage.

And I still yearn for Zyklop. Wish the 1/2" was longer.

Being able to raise to vertical and crank like a ratcheting nutdriver, I thought that was the main appeal. Turns out I love being able to choose my handle angle, and the head geometry just feels better to me somehow.

BQuicksilver · Sep 23, 2011

I have the black hard handle SO rotos. I feel they're the ultimate. I did get a 1/2" genius knock off to complete the set. I prefer hard handles on an item like this that WILL get greasy.

Bikes&Bowties · Sep 23, 2011

Is there a reason both isn't an option. I got a broken gearwrench roto from a friend that I'll warranty and Just bought a Matco flex. Personally using a snappy roto and flex at work they both strive in different areas.!

dwm · Sep 23, 2011

If I could only own one, it'd definitely be a rotohead, and it'd be the Zyklop. They have become my go-to and I'm about to buy a second set of them to hang on the pegboard in the attached garage. The 1/2" one is a bit short, I wish they made a longer-handled version. But the 1/4" and 3/8" are definitely keepers.

jtfc · Sep 23, 2011

One word of caution with roto ratchets. I had a Napa (gearwrench copy) set of roto ratchets 3/8 and 1/4. The 1/4 was awesome especially as a ratcheting nutdriver. Same with3/8 except when using larger sockets 3/4,11/16 etc if you used the ratchet as a nut driver the part of the handle that holds theratcheting mechanism sticks out enough to knock the socket off. Talking to my snap on guy he said snap ons roto wouldn't do that but I don't own a snap on roto so...over all minus the previous mentioned problem they were nice but I prefer flex head and occasionally use a roto. Just my .02

dankicksass · Sep 23, 2011

The Snap-On 100-tooth is a buttery-smooth dream to use. I've got a half dozen Gearwrench and Kobalt roto-ratchets that do a great job for $30 a pair though. Never seen a 1/2dr model, but I know they're out there from some China-brands.

Danglerb · Sep 23, 2011

I use a shallow Snapon socket on a 8 to 12 inch HF wobble extension with the HF stubby swivel head ratchet. Handle orientation is straight to the side for torque and straight up like a screwdriver to spin, with all the fastener angle from the wobble.

markw365 · Sep 23, 2011

I've got the original Roto head, SK 3870 and love it. You can get them on ebay cheap.

GTVi · Sep 23, 2011

Roto head works for me...whats the tally now?

shampoop · Sep 23, 2011

Locking flex

HICKS · Sep 23, 2011

The GW roto is my go to ratchet, I love it!

shanker · Sep 23, 2011

this is an old thread of mine...and my ratchet collection is 15X was it was when I started this thread...but I have flex heads, locking flex heads, and roto heads now

back2class · Sep 23, 2011

You guys must be very gentle on ratchets, I spun the POS plastic handle loose from my HF 3/8 rotohead the first time I used it turning it like a large screwdriver. Basicaly, there is only some glue to hold it on.....would happen again as it is a design flaw so no point in warranty. Agree, the head and guts are as well made ratchets costing $50-$100...very high quality and love it except for the poor handle quality/design. I think this is one of those threads where user comes into play. There is no way anyone who uses their tools hard would not have the same issue I had and the OP has to realize this kind of varaition in point of view when reading these threads.

here are the pics of the HF roto ratchet fail
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=109224&showall=1

Greatbear · Sep 23, 2011

I have both styles in my arsenal. The rotos are great for using like "screwdrivers" or half-turn-and-flip, the flex heads can be used much like speeder handles. Both are on par as far as conventional (perpendicular) use. Most of the rotos can be easily adjusted for the amount of swivel tension/friction, especially after some wear has taken place. Not so much with some flex heads.

ajchien · Sep 24, 2011

Greatbear said:
I have both styles in my arsenal. The rotos are great for using like "screwdrivers" or half-turn-and-flip, the flex heads can be used much like speeder handles. Both are on par as far as conventional (perpendicular) use. Most of the rotos can be easily adjusted for the amount of swivel tension/friction, especially after some wear has taken place. Not so much with some flex heads.

Sounds like the roto is like a breaker bar, and a flex is like a speeder. Intereting, I'll have to try to use my flex like a speeder to see how it goes sometime.

Flash21 · Sep 24, 2011

I'm definitely surprised by all the votes for roto over flex...to me, the roto feels more awkward with the pivot point at the head. Maybe I haven't given it a fair shot enough to get used to it.

treasureseeker · Sep 24, 2011

I have a 1/4" and a 3/8" roto Snap On ratchets and have never used them. I can see a use for the 1/4" as I only have a few 1/4" ratchets and the others are standard length.

dwm · Sep 24, 2011

To me, the big advantage of a rotohead is being able to break a fastener loose and then spin it off with the ratchet in a screwdriver type position. Of course it only works if you have room to do that... and when you do, the Zyklop is head and shoulders above the others IMHO. The ability to lock it in position, in combination with the speed sleeve and a very good screwdriver-type handle, means my other rotoheads have been collecting dust and I find myself fetching the Zyklops wherever they are. That's why I'm buying duplicates soon.

Input before puchase of new Ratchet.. Flex-Head or Roto-Head

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