1/2 Long Fine Tooth Flex Ratchet? (Mac or Cornwell)

[vibblueser]

Got a dilemma. I went out and from ebay purchased a Mac VR2690FPA. I expressed my need to my gf about a long flex ratchet and she went out and got me a Cornwell SRF72L. Both are great ratchets. I am sure either one would work fine. Main difference I see is the dimples on the Cornwell for the flex mechanism. Looking for some advice as to which one you guys would rather have in your arsenal? GF has said that I should keep whichever one is better. The loser could possibly end up in the classifieds here so feel free to submit an offer, (that could influence my decision as to which one to keep).

Cornwell
Teeth: 72
Length 27.5
Metal Handle

Mac
Teeth: 90
Length 26
Rubberized Handle.

Sorry no pics but they are both brand new, The cornwell is noticably thicker, I feel like an elephant could stand on it without flexing.

Look forward to any and all opinions.

 

[bobcatdan]

Pick the one you like best. Pictures wouy be handy so I know exactly which ratchets you are talking about. I'm far too lazy to Google part numbers.

 

[Fedwrench]

I'm not sure but, I seem to remember the square drive snapping on the Cornwell long 1/2 drive flex head. Might try to search the forum.
Which brand dealer do you have visiting you for warranty service if needed?
The MAC Axis series just released 1/2 drive recently so, there might not be much info out on them. I have the MAC Axis in 3/8 drive flex head in 9.5, 13, and 18 inch long versions and I really like them. On the other hand, I've sold off all of my Cornwell tools.
Why not just keep both, put them through their paces, and then make a decision?

 

[Skin]

The detents are clumsy and antiquated and Cornwell doesn't actually make the 72 tooth innards (bodies forged by them though). If I were choosing one without any other bias or attachment I'd keep the MAC. Its newer and I think the mechanism is a lot more refined as opposed to whatever Cornwell could find in Taiwan and shoehorn into their ratchets. Its way passed time for team blue to spend some money and update their domestic tooling/designs.

 

[Wamsutta]

Being that the Cornwell has such an extremely comfortable handle, for me the choice would be easy. The comment above about the detents in flex joint being clumsy and antiquated is very surprising to me. My opinion of my 3/8 drive Cornwell flex head would be the exact opposite.

 

[Skin]

It cant be tightened and wants to be in 1 of 3 or 4 spots. How that's better than a friction fit flex joint is beyond me. MAC flex ratchets use to be the same but they saw the light and changed with the new Axis ratchets.

As far as the handle the MAC is a comfort grip so its a wash although I do agree Cornwell metal handles are excellent as far as metal handles go.

 

[Hiball]

It cant be tightened and wants to be in 1 of 3 or 4 spots. How that's better than a friction fit flex joint is beyond me. MAC flex ratchets use to be the same but they saw the light and changed with the new Axis ratchets.

As far as the handle the MAC is a comfort grip so its a wash although I do agree Cornwell metal handles are excellent as far as metal handles go.

The Newest release of 30 and the 72 tooth Cornwell ratchets do have a torx adjustment on the hinge. Why they just don't get rid of the detents is beyond me, maybe it's on the horizon.

 

[shockwave]

The specs on the Mac looks promising

And the Cornwell has the best chrome handles out there imo but the detents can be annoying and head mechanism is Asian

The big thing is see how you like the chrome handle vs rubberized handle

 

[Wamsutta]

It cant be tightened and wants to be in 1 of 3 or 4 spots. How that's better than a friction fit flex joint is beyond me. MAC flex ratchets use to be the same but they saw the light and changed with the new Axis ratchets.

As far as the handle the MAC is a comfort grip so its a wash although I do agree Cornwell metal handles are excellent as far as metal handles go.

Okay now I think I understand: You're saying the TYPE of joint is clumsy and antiquated, not necessarily Cornwell's version of the detent joint. In that sense, I can agree with you. I prefer an adjustable friction joint as well, but as far as detent joints go, Cornwell in my opinion has the best. When MAC had their detent joint, the detents were not strong enough to support the weight of the handle without going out of position. By comparison, Cornwell's detent joint stays in place when holding the ratchet by the head.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Cornwell.

 

[monkeyspanners]

Keep them both! Alternate usage.

 

[vibblueser]

I appreciate all the input thus far. Unfortunately it is going to be a difficult decision and financially I cant do the garage journal special of keeping both

Any further help or input much appreciated.

 

[TOOLFREEQ]

I don't care for the cornwell 72s! They have a very tight mechanism that has way too much tension! It makes it extremely hard to back out a loose bolt after the bolt has been broken loose. My dream ratchet is a cornwell handle, snap on dual 80 head with the matco locking flex mechanism.

 

[Wes J]

It just seems to me that a 26" long ratchet would be so long that it would always be in its own way. I like my 18" long 1/2 ratchets. For those very rare times that I might need to lean a little harder, I have a 24" breaker bar. The breaker bar was a lot cheaper than a ratchet for infrequent use.

All that said, I think the Mac is a better design.

 

[monkeyspanners]

I appreciate all the input thus far. Unfortunately it is going to be a difficult decision and financially I cant do the garage journal special of keeping both

In that case keep the one your gf bought you

 

[Spoiled Bradt]

I appreciate all the input thus far. Unfortunately it is going to be a difficult decision and financially I cant do the garage journal special of keeping both

Any further help or input much appreciated.

If the others are all like my 3/8 Mac flex 90, I'll have the complete set, ratcheting and non, withing the end of the year. My 72 Cornwell 3/8 long is an embarrassment in comparison. So are the dual 80's.
If money were any issue the Gearwrench is pretty slick for it's price. I have a complete set of 84's. The Mac is still on an entirely different level.
They knocked it out of the park this time. Time and only time will answer any durability issues. Computers usually solve that question while on the drawing board in this day and time.

 

[MattVette89]

I bought a detent style flex head and got rid of it immediately. I just don't care for that style.

 

[Stevenn1]

I got the Snap-on locking flex Dual 80.
They are Awesome!

 

[Renchi]

In that case keep the one your gf bought you

This is sound advice.

 

[PureLeaf]

Yea, they're similar enough that I'd keep the one the g/f gave you. And tell her how great she is, how much better she is at picking tools for you blah blah. Earn some brownie points and encourage her to buy you more tools!

 

[Stevenn1]

Keep them both. But tell gf the one she got u is your favorite.