3/8 offset flex head ratchets?

[anti-everything1990]

What you got, what you like, what you use it for? The craftsman one is cheap but for some reason I thought I remembered seeing a raised panel one but the only one I can find is a full polish handle one. This might be the one situation where I would actually prefer the Raised panel.

 

[jim1987]

I assume you mean the bent handle flex heads? Great for some spark plug jobs. I use a kobalt one deal from Lowes for $10, got a few, and look one heated it up and bent it my self.

 

[anti-everything1990]

Yeah, bent handles. I cant find the kobalt ones? I can find the spark plug kit but i can only find the one with the flex head, not bent handle ratchet.

 

[Travisnd]

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=237784

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I use this for spark plugs. Snap on fhof936. Just enough bump combined with the flex head to get behind headers, but not to long to get caught on other things.

 

[jim1987]

Yeah, bent handles. I cant find the kobalt ones? I can find the spark plug kit but i can only find the one with the flex head, not bent handle ratchet.

I bent it myself with a torch and pipe. Since it was so cheap to begin with. I also took another one and tacked welded the head to be fixed straigh with one more being normal.

 

[BK13]

Snap-On has a Dual-80 that I'd like to try, Gearwrench does as well (84 tooth I think), and maybe Carlyle. I'm sure all the truck brands have them.

 

[anti-everything1990]

woah that Snap on fhof936 is pretty sweet. To do it yourself jim1987 did you just get it glowing red then give it a good pull?

 

[jim1987]

woah that Snap on fhof936 is pretty sweet. To do it yourself jim1987 did you just get it glowing red then give it a good pull?

Actually just a bright orange. Then gentle pull. You'd be amazed how easy is to bend once its glowing. But do it in a well ventilated area. I think.chrome emits a harmful chemical when torched.

Then just bend to desired angle. (In a vise obviously) this also lets you out the bend where you want on the handle. But if you care about rust, put some kind of coating where the torch was. Then after you have it bent, sumberge is ice or at least cool water to let it temper again. Do this while its glowing still.

 

[anti-everything1990]

Thanks for the know how jim1987! Ill have to give this one a try!

 

[RV77]

I use this for spark plugs. Snap on fhof936. Just enough bump combined with the flex head to get behind headers, but not to long to get caught on other things.

Thats my go-to ratchet.I put an orange HH on mine though

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I probably would have done hard handles, but my snap on guy stopped by before his vacation and only had soft grips. I re gripped them all to look them same. I really like that ratchet too.

 

[jim1987]

Thanks for the know how jim1987! Ill have to give this one a try!

Not a problem. Like I said for the $10 I paid for each kit, it was worth doing

 

[Bill Ramsey]

I bent the Kobalt ratchet 22 degrees, without heating it. Simply used a 20T press. Worked great and almost no effect on the plating.

 

[Rakoprtr]

I bent the Kobalt ratchet 22 degrees, without heating it. Simply used a 20T press. Worked great and almost no effect on the plating.

Is this the regular kobalt flex head they got at lowes could u post a pic I have a extra one and a 20t press at work might have to give it a try any tips on which way to lay it in the press or anything

 

[Bill Ramsey]

Is this the regular kobalt flex head they got at lowes could u post a pic I have a extra one and a 20t press at work might have to give it a try any tips on which way to lay it in the press or anything

Yes, this is the ratchet that was part of the 4-piece spark plug set that Lowe's clearanced last year. I removed the head (torx screw), and wrapped handle in tape. Two arbor plates were arranged to support the ends of the handle. A 1 1/2" scrap of brass round stock was used between the press and the ratchet handle - this minimized marks on the handle and probably provided a rounded pressure point for the bending. (I did this at my cousin's machine shop so I realize not everyone has a piece of solid round brass lying around, but imagination always provides a solution). It will flex back a little when pressure is released, so you'll have to keep working it in slow stages until you get the bend you want. I did 22 degrees, so hopefully yours will be able to go that far without breaking.

Here's a pic of the finished product. I didn't think to get pictures of the process - my bad on that. Good luck.

 

[Wamsutta]

JRFB72 Cornwell