1/4" flex ratchet
- Thread starter neuralsnafu
- Start date
bpjr
Well-known member
Heads up on the HF flex. I have a 3/8" and the flex is so loose it flops around. There is no good way to tighten it up and no way to lock it.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The problem with the wright 1/4 drive flex head linked is that it's not meant to handle a lot of torque. Yes, i know it's 1/4 inch drive but, I demand a lot of my 1/4 drive ratchets and I had a wright that disappointed me.
Indy125
Well-known member
I had one that did this as well, used the lifetime warranty with no issues and walked out the door with a new ratchet!
How to Fix a Floppy Flex-head Ratchet (Harbor Freight Pittsburgh Pro)
YouTube - Jul 10, 2016
^ just warranty it with the easy lifetime pitts pro tool warranty. new ones suppose have improvements to flexi tightness . i got set of these in mobile box & no complaints so far for cost plus if break or get fault i'll get it replaced quick and easy.
I agree. Easier to warranty swap at HF.
Carlyle also has the locking flex R14LFQR on sale if non USA is acceptable. https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQR14LFQR
Edit oops... Just saw it was all ready posted above.
Carlyle also has the locking flex R14LFQR on sale if non USA is acceptable. https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQR14LFQR
Edit oops... Just saw it was all ready posted above.
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Crescent roto ratchet set, 1/4 and 3/8 drive.
I bought this set for about $26 after shipping on ebay (I think from Cripe)
http://www.cripedistributing.com/crescent-crw17-2-pc-1-4-3-8-roto-ratchet-set.html
Not quick release but I really like the roto part. As far as I can tell the Gearwrench rotos are the same tools.
I bought this set for about $26 after shipping on ebay (I think from Cripe)
http://www.cripedistributing.com/crescent-crw17-2-pc-1-4-3-8-roto-ratchet-set.html
Not quick release but I really like the roto part. As far as I can tell the Gearwrench rotos are the same tools.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
But if you were out in the middle of nowhere, 1000 miles away from civilization, which brand would you choose if you had to bet your life on it?
Wamsutta
Well-known member
For me it would be the Snap-on 936 series. All the guts in that thing fits together so tight and precise, it would be my end of the world go to war ratchet.
Why would I be 1000 miles from civilization? Why would I bet my life on ratchet? What is my budget? Do I only have this ratchet or is there sockets included? How about extensions and universal joints? What am I working on?
Wamsutta
Well-known member
If you were in the middle of Greenland trying to rescue a fallen B-29 bomber, and there was no Harbor Freight to run to for warranty exchange, which ratchet would you have with you to depend on?
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/military/b29-frozen.html
I'd carry whatever my financial backers were willing to spring for. If Harbor Freight happened be a sponsor that'd be fine with me. Just pack two or three of each and we'll make it through alright.
If I had the HF ratchet, it'd use a piece of paper to get rid of the slop as posted in the video.
How about my budget? Or is unlimited? If its a gov't project, and cost was no object, yes, I would get all top of the line tools. If I had to pay for it, I would consider all my options and what my budget can manage.
rustbucket5
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2015
- Messages
- 252
GW 120 xp would be my vote, very nice ratchets. one of my other favourites is my tekton rotohead
I'll chime in on the Carlyle R14LFQR, I bought one a couple years ago and use it all the time. It's become my go to over Facom, S-O, etc. I did a mini review on it a while back...
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=306902
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=306902
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Let's say you and your business partner were both near broke because you spent almost all your money on spare parts to get the plane in good enough flying condition to fly out of there. You're in a make or break situation and you can only have one 3/8 drive ratchet with you; which ratchet are you going to choose?
Well I guess if S-O can deliver a rebuild kit mid flight...
Point is, I've had S-O ratchets lock up, fail; whatever. Money better spent on parachutes in your scenario...
Besides, if it were life and death I'd rather have 5 HF ratchets that ONE S-O ratchet
Wamsutta
Well-known member
I've never had that happen, but to be fair, I've never used any of my SO ratchets often enough to need a rebuild kit. I envy you guys who get to use them enough to wear them out.
ken w.
Well-known member
If your using a 1/4" ratchet , you should know the limits with a 1/4". You shouldn't be taking lug nuts off with it. If you that worried about it not holding up you should bump up to a 3/8" drive. I'm pretty hard on my tools , but you need to know what to use where and don't do stupid things with your tools. I've broken my Snap On ratchets and the Craftsmen. It happens. I've never broke a HF because it's usually the last ratchet I pick.
Anything can fail. Anything. Brand new or not. Thats why there's redundancy
WTH? It says $90 when I look. Do you have a NAPA pro account or something?
It comes back to budget. I would buy the best ratchet that I could afford from a set price point, be it a $10, $20, $30, $50 or $100. If i had only $10 to spend, I'd be getting the best of the group of $10 ratchets. Same goes for the $100 price point.
It also depends on personal preference; long, stubby, regular handle, comfort grip, locking, non locking, quick release, non quick release, tooth count, etc.
Personally, I'd buy a few different types of 1/4 ratchets with that $100 instead of just one ratchet.
I got the same thing when I checked Orlando, $90. Try changing your store location.
No, dearest I seen it is around 60bucks, assume is location related perhaps on price !
I'm going try pick up the locking 1/4 carlyle flexi today as at current deal of under 35bucks it a total steal for quality/spec/design you getting .
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I just reserved that Carlyle 1/4 ratchet through a local NAPA and it was $32.99. Will go get it later this week. I have a shorter handle flex/ball head Cornwell that I like but it is well worn. Also have a 3/8 teardrop flex Cornwell that I like that is well worn. If anyone knows of a great deal on a replacement along the lines of the Carlyle, post it. I bought the 1/2 long handle flex Pittsburgh Pro from HF for $19 with coupon and like it so I might try a 3/8
which can still be purchased new, although labeled as a Williams tool now
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/282168596718?chn=ps&dispItem=1
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
but you didn't link the 1/4 drive flex head model which is the subject of this thread
The snap on 36 tooth ratchet is often lost in the current ratchet tooth wars of finer & higher ratchet tooth counts but, 13 or so years ago, it was the measure by which other ratchets were judged.
They get smoother with use too!!but you didn't link the 1/4 drive flex head model which is the subject of this thread
The snap on 36 tooth ratchet is often lost in the current ratchet tooth wars of finer & higher ratchet tooth counts but, 13 or so years ago, it was the measure by which other ratchets were judged.
I know.. but didnt think it mattered, as I was just trying to show that Williams is using the older snapon head now. Im sure they make a flex though
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007YREAF8/?tag=atomicindus08-20 for 38 bucks why wouldnt anyone buy one of these?
Carlyle flexi locking 3/8 in long or standard both good price via online ordering
short 40.99 https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQR38LFQR
long 54.99 https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQR38LFLQR
Having tried the 1/4 i'm buying both long short locking 3/8 as really good at that price plus warranty decent/easy/quick .
100tooth rotohead is nice too and think that also bit of deal online order price .
Don't like carlyle tool color of blue/yellow but tool good enough forgive that .
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bcradio
Well-known member
Yes, there are ways to tighten it up, but it takes a few spare parts to do. Not bad at all really.
Carlyle version with quick release and locking flex on sale for $33.
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQR14LFQR
Dag gum this site. I just ordered one even though I don't really need one. I sure hope the locking mechanism works better than the POS 3/8" Armstrong I bought a couple years ago.
dutchgray
Well-known member
The Wright does have one of the smallest heads you will find short of those bit ratchets and a hex to square adapter, which can be useful.
I have and would recommend the SK, the 1/4" drives are the best of their roundheads and just lovely to use.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Yep and it has a nicer handle too.
bcradio
Well-known member
Dag gum this site. I just ordered one even though I don't really need one. I sure hope the locking mechanism works better than the POS 3/8" Armstrong I bought a couple years ago.
Darn, now I am tempted to get one of these also even though I do not need it.
Youre forgetting about the mini Sunex ratchet that comes in the 9723 kit
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sxt-9723
visionguru
Well-known member
I have 2 Snap On 1/4 ratchets, GearWrench, Craftsman, and generic brands. Somehow I feel 1/4" dr ratchets fall into the category of "anything would work well, no big difference".