3/8" Flex Head Ratchet

[Fedwrench]

The current Tekton 3/8 drive flex head ratchet has 90 teeth. If you're changing spark plugs on an american V8 engine, get the bent handle. Otherwise, choose the straight handle. Don't forget that if you order from Tekton.com you get free shipping once registered and rewards points that spend like cash on future purchases.

 

[Gunfixr]

The current Tekton 3/8 drive flex head ratchet has 90 teeth. If you're changing spark plugs on an american V8 engine, get the bent handle. Otherwise, choose the straight handle. Don't forget that if you order from Tekton.com you get free shipping once registered and rewards points that spend like cash on future purchases.

I have two such vehicles...............
90 tooth is fine, I wasn't set on a specific tooth count, more of an overall what fits my needs.

 

[Gunfixr]

I ended up getting the tekton, the 12" long bent handle. It's also the quick-release. I figured sticking it down into some tight spot might be better with the socket locked on.
Changing spark plugs on an American v8 was what made me want a flex head, and I have another to do before long.
I'll see how the detents work out. However, it looks simple to simply remove the detent plug in the handle, or perhaps fabricate a smooth end plug to make it close to free flex, if I feel the need.
I got it off amazon, as I was already ordering from there, but it appeared that it's a tekton store on amazon, the price was the same as direct. These days, i'm not buying a lot of tools. There's some areas i'd like to fill in, specifically in impact sockets, at some point, but I have no idea when.
I want to thank all of you for your advice. What I ended up getting is not what I was first thinking of getting, and that change came from this thread. But, I think I will be better served by what I did get.

 

[lardy1]

I doubt you'll regret spending the money on a Tekton ratchet. I personally think they're one of the best tool values out there currently. Hard to beat them for home use.

 

[setfocus]

I've got 5 ratchets that have a flex of some sort

Snap-on 1/4 drive swivel head with grip THNF72
it fits in some tight places but the swivel design seems to absorb some torque. I'll have issues breaking a nut/bolt loose, switch to my F80 3/8 ratchet, which is less than an inch longer, and she pops free

Snap-on 1/2 drive 18" locking flex SX80B
love this ratchet

EZ Red 12" long 1/4 stick
one end is 1/4 square drive, other is 1/4 bit holder, both ends have locking flexes (can't be left unlocked). They also make a version with 3/8 and 1/4 square drive ends. I sometimes forget I have this tool... and the backdrag kinda *****

SK 3/8 drive 10.9" flex round head 45183 with the double tooth mech installed
love the old style and the feel of the knurled handle. I bought it for at home but took it to work to try it out... it's still at work but the head is big and bulky, doesn't fit in tight spots

Matco 3/8 drive 12" locking flex with grip
was my go to 3/8 ratchet, now it needs another rebuild and the grip looks like **** but I no longer have a matco guy/truck that stops by it does give me an excuse to buy the snap-on FX80A locking flex ratchet that I've been wanting

The snap-on locking flex can be left unlocked but it's easy to accidentally bump the button back into the locked position

I wrench professionally, so I go for easy warranty and high quality on heavy use tools... But for a budget, I'd look at the tekton flex head or an older gearwrench 84 or 90 tooth locking flex ratchet, the gearwrench's use a similar design to matco for the lock

 

[OneDollarSaab]

The Proto/Mac 90 tooth, hands down. Nice long handle, solid mechanism.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

Craftsman 3/8 long flex ratchet is pretty nice, not Snap on, but good for the price.