3/8" Flex Head Ratchet

[Gunfixr]

Some may have seen the "trans issues" thread I started not long ago. If you followed it, you know I did the recommended tune up.
I have the GW 1/4" 90, and 3/8" and 1/2" 120, and so far, like them quite a bit. But, my older ratchets are the 80s-90s craftsman teardrop locking with the very coarse mechanism, except for an SK 3/8" round head stubby. A couple of the plugs were a little tight to get into, a universal joint just wasn't working. I finagled my way through, but was thinking a flex head would've been nice. I have used a friend's snap on 3/8" flex head once or twice, I think it's a bent handle.
I did a search, but the few threads that came up were all at least a year old.
So now i'm in the market for a flex head. 3/8" definitely, not sure about the other sizes. I got the GWs through a local parts store, so returns are easy, if I need to. They don't have the GW 120 flex.
I'm not really sure about flex detents vs non detents.
I want a decent tool, that is not likely to fail a diy'er. I'm going to get the job done, but I try to take care of my tools.
So, what's the opinion on non-tool truck versions, not looking to spend more on one ratchet than the other three combined, and the opinion on detents vs no detents. Standard length, could be a bit longer.

 

[plinker]

Locking flex over detented, though both are nice to have at times. I have a couple Gearwrench detented units in 3/8 and they get used enough to keep them, per say. A locking flex stays put when locked and there is benefit to it. When I use a detented flex head it's cause I want it to flex at different times when in motion or around parts/components to clear them. I have a Husky "short" flex head ratchet (say 8-1/2"-9" OAL) that I use when I need access, kinda wish it was locking at times.

For locking flex it's hard to beat the Matco/Armstrongs IMO. A 12" locking flex is my typical go to in 3/8 at work. Gearwrench is similar, but slightly different locking set up in the 84 tooth series. On a budget, the GW gets my vote, unless you can find an Armstrong at a decent price. The 60/72/84/88 tooth Matco/Armstrong/GW/clones are nice regardless of flex type as the head is quite thin and that's a good thing with a flex head.

 

[Fedwrench]

The Snap on FLF80 3/8 flex head ratchet and the Matco 88 tooth locking 3/8 drive ratchets are really sweet ratchets at around $150 each off of the truck. Gearwrench 60/84/90 tooth models are also sweet for a lot less coin.
I really like this 3/8 drive Tekton flex head ratchet: https://www.tekton.com/3-8-inch-drive-x-12-inch-flex-ratchet-srh21112

It's has nice chrome, crisp 90 tooth action, good balance and at $38 a bargain Especially if you register at Tekton.com then get free conus shipping plus 10% back in rewards points that spend like cash when you order from them.

Capri also offers a budget friendly 3/8 drive flex head ratchet but, its head isn't nearly as thin as Gearwrench's depite being referred to as a low profile ratchet.

If you're hung up on back drag, the Ko-Ken 72 tooth 3/8 drive zeal flex head ratchet is the one for you.

I don't what fits your hand the best so, it's hard for me to recommend a flex head ratchet but, these are the ones I like. Good luck in your quest

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Gearwrench locking flex head is nice. So is Matco version. Capri is who I’d look at also I’m very impressed with their ratchets and they are cheaper than Harbor Freight and much better. If you order from their site you get points to use towards your next purchase and they are always giving rewards and bonus items too. Could not be happier with my Capri. SK has some nice ones too.

 

[d.mcfarland]

 

[Old Man Roger]

I have flex, locking flex, and swivel. I tend to use the swivel 99% of the time.

 

[Old Man Roger]

I want to use my stubby flex more, but it just sits there and looks at me most of the time.LOL

 

[Gunfixr]

So, I get flex, but what is locking flex, or is that the lock that retains the socket?
And swivel?

 

[Old Man Roger]

So, I get flex, but what is locking flex, or is that the lock that retains the socket?
And swivel?

On mine you set the angle and push in a little pin so it no longer flexes.

 

[Old Man Roger]

The SK one in the middle is swivel.

 

[plinker]

So, I get flex, but what is locking flex, or is that the lock that retains the socket?
And swivel?

Locking flex is pretty much the same as a regular flex, except it locks the head at a particular angle or offset so it wont flex when you dont want it to. Typically has a switch of sorts built into the handle. It's handy when the angle you are working at is repetitive in motion and changing the angle of the ratchet handle when in motion would be annoying at best.

Quick release would be for holding the socket to the anvil. The swivel or roto ratchet is similar to a flex head but has a different point where is swivels, they can be used similar to a nut driver at times. They're handy in 1/4 drive.

 

[Gunfixr]

OK, the flex part locks. I've seen swivels just never used one. I'm guessing there is some reason/advantage with the pivot point being in the center of the head?

ETA: nvm, plinker's post must've appeared while I typed...

 

[Old Man Roger]

OK, the flex part locks. I've seen swivels just never used one. I'm guessing there is some reason/advantage with the pivot point being in the center of the head?

ETA: nvm, plinker's post must've appeared while I typed...

The swivel gives you all the advantages of a flex, and the added advantage of being able to still push with the ratchet. A non-locking flex moves if you push with the ratchet. And like mentioned above, you can use it as a nut driver. Very handy when you can’t use your fingers to turn the nut.

 

[Old Man Roger]

When I say push, I mean to push the socket onto the nut.

 

[Gunfixr]

I understood what you meant. I appreciate all the explaining. I've seen most of these, and used a few, but having never wrenched for a living, my exposure has been limited, to an extent.
For the particular job I referenced in my op, changing plugs, the swivel would've allowed me to push the socket onto the plugs, vs me having to reach down in there and do it by hand. Although, I had it on a short extension, how easily does it swivel?

 

[Old Man Roger]

I understood what you meant. I appreciate all the explaining. I've seen most of these, and used a few, but having never wrenched for a living, my exposure has been limited, to an extent.
For the particular job I referenced in my op, changing plugs, the swivel would've allowed me to push the socket onto the plugs, vs me having to reach down in there and do it by hand. Although, I had it on a short extension, how easily does it swivel?

Freely

 

[Gunfixr]

So, something as heavy as a spark plug socket, on a 1" to 3" extension would simply dangle down as you reach it into the work area...

 

[plinker]

The tension can be adjusted on the yoke screw for tighter/looser, they usually swivel nicely though.

 

[Gunfixr]

OK, yeah, I was thinking too freely might kind of interfere with the swivel advantage, at least at certain times.

 

[Old Man Roger]

OK, yeah, I was thinking too freely might kind of interfere with the swivel advantage, at least at certain times.

Never been a problem, like I mentioned it’s my go to ratchet. Spark plug socket would only swivel till it hit the ratchet. With a loose flex ratchet the socket will swivel till it’s parallel with the ratchet handle, that’s a problem.

You also learn to turn the ratchet sideways while approaching the work piece. That way you control which way the socket would swing. Hard to explain, but you get a feel for it.

 

[KnurledNut]

OK, yeah, I was thinking too freely might kind of interfere with the swivel advantage, at least at certain times.

VIM and some others even offer a locking roto-head.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Sometimes I’ll choke up on the ratchet and use my finger to direct the extension and socket.

 

[Gunfixr]

Never heard of VIM.
So far, just about all the tool names given for swivel have some sort of cushion grip handle, which doesn't really interest me.
Pretty much everyone outside matco, snap on regular flex have detents, but the number of them varies.
On the locking flex, does it have resistance when unlocked, like a regular flex?

 

[Gunfixr]

Found the vim, wow, that's a fine tooth count.
Another cushion grip handle.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Never heard of VIM.
So far, just about all the tool names given for swivel have some sort of cushion grip handle, which doesn't really interest me.
Pretty much everyone outside matco, snap on regular flex have detents, but the number of them varies.
On the locking flex, does it have resistance when unlocked, like a regular flex?

Like most things with detents, they start off pretty stiff but loosen up with age. My SK swivel has a normal handle. No cushion.

I normally wouldn’t bother with a Kobalt ratchet, but there was a clearance on flex head ratchets at Lowe’s for 5 bucks. Surprisingly it’s a pretty nice ratchet, I think 120 tooth count. I wouldn’t try breaking a lugnut loose with it LOL but it’s pretty good for what it is, and it has a regular handle.

 

[finn]

I would go with the detested over the locking.

I have a SnapOn locking ratchet that I sent in to warranty several weeks ago. The locking slider froze up, due to corrosion. That’s just something more to go wrong. Never had an issue like that, or any issues at all with my other SnapOn or various other ratchets.

Not sure why it’s taking so long for SnapOn to send the replacement, though. Three weeks seems excessive. with a

 

[Gunfixr]

I looked up sk, I have a 3/8" round head stubby that i've had forever, and it's sweet, I feel no need to get another stubby.
I must admit, i've mostly been prejudiced against round head ratchets. Around '90 or so, I broke a couple, one a 1/2", tightening bolts. No cheater, just pulling on them. That was when I bought the old craftsman teardrop coarse tooth ratchets. A friend gave me the sk almost a decade later, he had two. It sat ignored for a long time, until I needed a stubby. The only other round head I have is a matco 3/4" I picked up cheap in a pawn shop, it's been fine, but, matco, of course.
Using a friend's snap on flex head made me want some fine tooth ratchets. I'm not hung on the absolute finest tooth, least back drag I can get, but the old coarse craftsmans can be frustrating sometimes. I kept them, for "brute" work, but I also have breaker bars.

I went to the sk website last night, I did not find a single swivel head there.
Armstrong had nothing, except routing you to GW, crescent, and I think Campbell, all made by apex, which I know isn't bad.
I did look at tekton as well.

What i've found so far in flex: in GW, the 120p has 4 detents, the 90 has 6. In tekton 80? or 90? ( I looked at so much, kinda a blur), has 9 detents. You can have std or cushion grip handles, or locking flex.

In swivel: GW, tekton, and vim, did not find sk. Vim has locking, and I believe detents, something like 17 or 18. Finest tooth count at 140 (2.5 degree swing). All had cushion grip handles. Did see craftsman, I think said USA.

I didn't really look at Capri, I think I will. I do have a 1/4" torque wrench from them, only used it on one job, but it was fine, and it seems nice.

I looked at matco and snap on. Unless I find nothing else suitable, i'm not inclined to spend that much. I realize that the rest doesn't have the same quality, and I accept that. I have zero truck access, i'd have to buy it online. Hf, HD, and Lowes are all 30 miles away, so, warranty not too far out.

I've held cushion grips in stores, but not used one. The old craftsman rectangular can be a bit uncomfortable when really leaning on it, but I find it fine otherwise. The round snap on style, which my GWs have, I find comfortable to use. Not a big fan of checkered, the sk stubby is like that, but you can only lean on a stubby so much, so not a big deal.

If sk had a smooth handle swivel, i'd probably go with that. I'll look more at Capri. Reviews listed complaints about the 4 detents in the GW 120, and I can understand that. The 6 in the 90 is better, but if I go flex non-truck brand, right now, leaning towards tekton 9 detent. They would be shallower, and give some "control", with less force to be somewhere you don't want it to be. Unless Capri changes my mind. Prob go with the 12" length, gives another 3/8" drive option over my std 8" GW.

I'm not in some terrible hurry. I dropped a bunch yesterday on farm and vehicle stuff, been off work two weeks, could go up to five. So, I got time to make this decision.

 

[Old Man Roger]

I think SK calls them Roto head ratchets, but I believe I saw a thread on this forum talking about them maybe not making them anymore. Someone still makes them. I’ve seen them on eBay, don’t remember the name brand though.

 

[plinker]

Never heard of VIM.
So far, just about all the tool names given for swivel have some sort of cushion grip handle, which doesn't really interest me.
Pretty much everyone outside matco, snap on regular flex have detents, but the number of them varies.
On the locking flex, does it have resistance when unlocked, like a regular flex?

With the Matco/Armstong style and the GW style to some degree, they have some resistance when unlocked, somewhere between a detented and a basic flex head (no lock or detent, just a pin/screw). The Snap-on's have their own style lock, I'm not sure if they can be left un-locked off hand. It's not as solid a lock as the other brands, I've seen coworkers have issues with them.

 

[Fedwrench]

#80290 SK 3/8" Drive 90 Tooth Teardrop Low Profile Flex Head Ratchet (SK80290)

#80290 SK 3/8" Drive 90 Tooth Teardrop Low Profile Flex Head Ratchet

www.harryepstein.com

Be warned, SK has some quality control issues with their 90 tooth flex head ratchets in all drive sizes. When my 3/8 arrived, the direction switch would barely move and the flex head didn't have a smooth range of motion. I believe if you register with Epsteins and sign in, the price might be lower. SK is forcing dealers to use minimum advertised pricing. It will lead to their demise again.

 

[Gunfixr]

That's pretty sweet right there.

 

[JackLeg72]

Are the Williams or Carlyle ratchets any good?

Williams B-52EHFB $48.73 Williams Flex Head Ratchet, 3/8" D | Zoro.com

Order Williams Williams Flex Head Ratchet, 3/8" D, B-52EHFB at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.

www.zoro.com

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQR38F?impressionRank=12&searchCategory=c68.s12&searchIndex=Universal

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQR12FQR?impressionRank=12&searchCategory=c68.s12&searchIndex=Universal

 

[Zewnten]

Carlyles are stiff on the back drag but very nice, kind of expensive though when not on sale.

Dis-regard the following, but I'll leave it in so the thread makes sense: Someone here mentioned williams is the same as HF? Dont know if its true but you could test it cheaper there. As stated below I confused two companies

 

[measuredtwice]

Someone here mentioned williams is the same as HF? Dont know if its true but you could test it cheaper there.

90% of what you read on the internet is advertising and the remaining 200% is exaggerated or false.

The Williams B-52EHFB is made in the USA and is essentially the same as the old 36 tooth Snap-On. Williams is a Snap-On industrial brand.

 

[measuredtwice]

Are the Williams or Carlyle ratchets any good?

Williams B-52EHFB $48.73 Williams Flex Head Ratchet, 3/8" D | Zoro.com

Order Williams Williams Flex Head Ratchet, 3/8" D, B-52EHFB at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.

www.zoro.com

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQR38F?impressionRank=12&searchCategory=c68.s12&searchIndex=Universal

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQR12FQR?impressionRank=12&searchCategory=c68.s12&searchIndex=Universal

The Carlyle locking flex head ratchets are ridiculously overpriced unless they are on super sale for around $25. The locking is the feature that makes those ratchets interesting. The internals are mediocre at best. If you don't need a lock then there are lots of other Taiwan ratchets that are similar and cheaper than the typical inflated prices from NAPA. The locking flex is easy to use and works well but there is no way to keep the ratchet unlocked. So if you want both locking and non locking, then you would need 2 ratchets. The ratchets are shipped without any lube. If you are knowledgeable, it can help to disassemble and lube. Some have a plastic cover you will need to remove to access the thin wire clip that holds the internals in place. If you want to reuse the plastic piece then you will need to be careful but it is not essential --some just toss it.

The Williams USA b-52ehfb is the old 36 tooth mechanism from Snap-On. The old Snap-On rebuild kits are interchangeable with the Williams. They have a very long spring that gives it a strong drag. If you are knowledgeable, you can trim the spring to reduce the drag. They are well made ratchets but the strong spring and low tooth count won't be competition for something like the Proto 90 tooth ratchets which are very smooth and high tooth count.

 

[drtyler]

Carlyles are stiff on the back drag but very nice, kind of expensive though when not on sale. Someone here mentioned williams is the same as HF? Dont know if its true but you could test it cheaper there.

William Tool in Taiwan may make ratchets for Hatbor Freight.

Williams, which is formerly J.H. Williams Tool Company, in the USA does not. Two different entities.

 

[macgee]

I have a Mac 3/8 older (90's) high tooth count that has three distinct indents that I really like with a spring pressured ball bearing, I like it more than my Snap-On.
All of it is a personal taste but I really like my Mac, has a great feel and when angled it stays where it should but still easy to swivel when asked. I'm betting you can find one on FleaBay for a good price ($40 and up); making them a good value. Rebuild kits still readily available.

 

[Gunfixr]

So, it's been awhile, but finally getting back to this. Here, a lot of **** has flowed under the bridge. Anyway, I did look at the Capri.
I've pretty well settled on the tekton with the 12" handle. The swivel head has detents, but 9 instead of the 6 the GW has. The tekton is 80 tooth over the 120 of the GW, or 72 in the Capri. The Capri head swivel has no detents, some complaints that it swiveled too freely. A couple complaints on the tekton, breaking the swivel pivot screw, but that could easily be "hold my beer while I break loose this rusted in 3/4" bolt".
So, one more question for you guys, you've been so helpful already.
A bent handle over a straight one?

 

[Mgdoug3]

I have the GW 120 xp flex ratchets but I hate detents and there's a little slop in the joint. Otherwise decent ratchets but I can't remember the last time I have used them. Tekton seems to make decent ratchets too but I have switched to USA ratchets.

I only have one bent handle ratchet. It doesn't get used much either but sometimes it's handy. You can sometimes use it like a speed wrench. If I was only buying one flex head ratchet, I would get a straight one.

 

[kelpaso1]

So, it's been awhile, but finally getting back to this. Here, a lot of **** has flowed under the bridge. Anyway, I did look at the Capri.
I've pretty well settled on the tekton with the 12" handle. The swivel head has detents, but 9 instead of the 6 the GW has. The tekton is 80 tooth over the 120 of the GW, or 72 in the Capri. The Capri head swivel has no detents, some complaints that it swiveled too freely. A couple complaints on the tekton, breaking the swivel pivot screw, but that could easily be "hold my beer while I break loose this rusted in 3/4" bolt".
So, one more question for you guys, you've been so helpful already.
A bent handle over a straight one?

Cant stand detents. And bent handle hands down.