12” vs 18” 3/8 flex ratchet?

[pontoon]

Hi, I currently have an 8” flex head 3/8 ratchet (FF80a). I’m looking to get a longer 3/8 so either the FLF80a (12”) or the FLLF80a (18”). Which would you get and why?

 

[pizza]

both because gj?

 

[johninct]

I have the 18" 3/8" drive Snap-On breaker bar and have not used the 11" one since but I am sure I will run into a place where the 18" one won't fit. I am guessing with an 18" ratchet, that problem of not fitting will be even more.

 

[cmandp]

My most used ratchet is a 3/8" drive flex head about 12" long. So I'd go with that. There are times when 18" long might be handy but you should probably using 1/2" if you need more torque in my opinion.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

both because gj?

Pretty much.

18inch for doing things you should be using 1/2 for, but 1/2 doesnt fit. 12inch for regular use. 18inch is more of a specialty tool. If you can only have two, and one is the 8inch, I'd get the 18.

FWIW I have the 18 inch standard and flex. They're amazing.

 

[bob15]

Start with the 12". The 18" just makes it easier to break the internal guts of the ratchet. Plus, the 18" gets in the way more times than not.....

 

[gtsgarage]

I agree both!

I recently added the 12” flex and standard to the 8”. Big difference.

This weekend I really wanted more. I don’t own a 1/2” to 3/8” adapter and was using a 3/8” T50 socket. Needed more leverage.

I added the 17” non flex arrives today.

Here are the flex and standard next to their longer counter parts.

 

[pontoon]

Start with the 12". The 18" just makes it easier to break the internal guts of the ratchet. Plus, the 18" gets in the way more times than not.....

Have any of you broken the internals of a snap on 3/8 ratchet? I recall seeing stress tests where the square drive end breaks off first. The teeth might be getting hammered too... I wouldn’t know.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Probably the 12 inch one. If you need 18 inches it should probably be a breaker bar not a ratchet. Or a 1/2 ratchet maybe.


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[setfocus]

12" is a pretty good length for most 3/8 drive work, in my opinion. I've been wanting a snap-on FX80A for a while but I've already got the matco 12" lockingflex

I've been thinking of getting a longer 3/8 ratchet for when I need more reach or for a really stubborn bolt where a 1/2 drive ratchet and socket won't fit. I can't decide between the matco 15" or 18" lockingflex

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[Ralf11]

some co.s make extendable ratchets, so that's another option

if I were going to get two at 12" and 18" I'd get 3/8" 12" and 1/2" 18" long - both flex

no wait, that's what I already have...

 

[chappys4life]

12" here too does everything i need. Usually a breaker bar or 1/2' if i need more umph

 

[gtsgarage]

Just got the FLL80 it is a “specialty tool” very long. Love it!

It’s huge.

F80, FLF80A, FLL80

 

[bob15]

Have any of you broken the internals of a snap on 3/8 ratchet? I recall seeing stress tests where the square drive end breaks off first. The teeth might be getting hammered too... I wouldn’t know.

Snap On 3/8" drive: no
Snap On 3/4" drive: yes

Armstrong long handled 3/8" ratchet: yes

 

[Chipm]

12" is my go-to ratchet. I got an 18", because my walking-around box is all 3/8 and I wanted some more leverage. The 18 has a lot of handle flex, and I find myself going to the 1/2" ratchet more often than not. If I had to do it again, I'd skip the 18 3/8 and just use 1/2 for higher torque needs.

 

[pontoon]

Ok thanks, I’ll probably get the 12” 3/8. I have the 18” 1/2” already. I guess if I absolutely need the length in 3/8 I’ll probably get away with either the 1/2” (possibly with reducer) or my 15” 3/8 breaker (wish I had gotten Snap On instead of SK for that breaker).

 

[seber]

I use a 12" flex 95% of the time. If I need 18" it's time for a breaker or 1/2" drive.

 

[General Geoff]

12" will be more useful for more situations than the 18". And it can duplicate the 18" functionality with a cheater pipe for $2 instead of an extra $160

 

[pontoon]

Just got the FLL80 it is a “specialty tool” very long. Love it!

It’s huge.

F80, FLF80A, FLL80

Woah thanks for that pic, it really puts it in perspective. I thought the 12” was right between the two but clearly I **** at math. The 12” is like 3.5” longer than the 8-9” ratchet and 6” shorter than the 18”. Dang that 18” ratchet seems cool though. I bet it’s really easy to take off 10mm 12 ft/lbs fasteners. Clearly a justified use of money.

Edit: just realized those are all fixed head ratchets. Maybe the lengths differ. I have the f80a too and seem to recall it’s shorter than the FL80q.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I have a SK LP90 flex which is around 11" and a soft handle dual 80 flex. I can't remember the model number but it's around 14" long. I actually use the SK one more because it's easier to get into places and easier to clean.

If I were to do it again, I would probably get the hard handle version because the dual 80 is an amazing ratchet and the beam is thicker so it doesn't flex as much. A longer ratchet is great until it's so long it isn't as useful.

 

[demarpaint]

I use a 12" flex 95% of the time. If I need 18" it's time for a breaker or 1/2" drive.

That works for me as well.

 

[CR888]

I have a 15" 120xp flex head ratchet which I find a very good size, not too long but long enough to get much more torque and reach than 8-12'' ones. I agree 18" is sorta 1/2" territory.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Both, but get the 12 first. The 18” is great especially for applications where you need a long reach in a tight area but it doesn’t get used nearly as much as it’s a little too long usually. I have yet to break mine and have put cheater pipes on it. I would have preferred to use a 1/2 ratchet but space constraints are a *****.

My 12” locking flex snap on 3/8 is my most used ratchet by far.

 

[qwik]

I’ve broken my 12” (pawl teeth) but not my 18” 3/8’s, both F80 heads.

 

[Fedwrench]

The 12 inch version will be much more useful than the 18 inch version. I would start with the 12 inch model.

However, i think MATCO's 15 inch locking flex head comfort grip 3/8 ratchet is the sweet spot.

 

[hudd1256]

I also agree with both. I use my 12” and 18” twice as often as my 8” working on equipment. I find my self only using the 8” ceremonialisly.

Pardon I can’t spell very well.

 

[gtsgarage]

Woah thanks for that pic, it really puts it in perspective. I thought the 12” was right between the two but clearly I **** at math. The 12” is like 3.5” longer than the 8-9” ratchet and 6” shorter than the 18”. Dang that 18” ratchet seems cool though. I bet it’s really easy to take off 10mm 12 ft/lbs fasteners. Clearly a justified use of money.

Edit: just realized those are all fixed head ratchets. Maybe the lengths differ. I have the f80a too and seem to recall it’s shorter than the FL80q.

I don’t have the extra long flex to compare but you can see the relative lengths in this pic.

The flex are on the right. That’s the FL80 second from left and FLF80A far right the long versions of the two. So you can see the flex is longer than the non flex.

Assume the same for the 18” so the flex would be even longer than my 18” non flex.

I also have the 1/4” in flex and non flex as well as the 1/2” non flex. I feel pretty covered.

 

[pontoon]

I don’t have the extra long flex to compare but you can see the relative lengths in this pic.

The flex are on the right. That’s the FL80 second from left and FLF80A far right the long versions of the two. So you can see the flex is longer than the non flex.

Assume the same for the 18” so the flex would be even longer than my 18” non flex.

I also have the 1/4” in flex and non flex as well as the 1/2” non flex. I feel pretty covered.

I don’t know, you could also buy all of the Mac and Matco ratchets just in case a fastener has a brand preference

J/k, I’m a huge Snap On ratchet fan, and envious

I think I’ll get the 12” flex for now.

 

[gtsgarage]

I don’t know, you could also buy all of the Mac and Matco ratchets just in case a fastener has a brand preference

J/k, I’m a huge Snap On ratchet fan, and envious

I think I’ll get the 12” flex for now.

I hope these are the last ratchets I ever buy and my kids take them when I don’t need them any more.

 

[bonneyman]

Just got the FLL80 it is a “specialty tool” very long. Love it!

It’s huge.

F80, FLF80A, FLL80

Damn that's a LONG ratchet! Are you sure it's not a billy club disguised as a ratchet?

Now, if that were a TUFF 1 Roto-head.....Hmmmm.

 

[anndel]

I have and use both. I use the 12" so I don't over torque cylinder heads.

 

[pontoon]

Not long after getting the 12” I found an absolutely perfect use for it.

Tight squeeze, kind of deep in the engine bay, medium torque, 17mm bolt head

It looks like the 18” would have worked there too. Glad I pulled the trigger on something