a question for those that prefer flex head ratchets.

[racin72charger]

This whole discussion is void if you just purchase locking flex heads.

One ratchet to rule them all...

Thread ender right there, my preference is a Matco BFR128LFT.

 

[burke753]

Yeah I have 2 locking flex Matco ratchets, one locking flex Armstrong and 2, 5 inch stubby flex head Matco's all in 3/8 drive. Then I have a 24"locking flex head 1/2" drive and a 6"locking flex 1/4" they're all I use everyday. I only own 2 fixed ratchets. My small Armstrong 1/2" and my EZ red 3/4" drive ratchet. Can never go back to a fixed ratchet for my go to again. They just seem to slow things down and get in the way.


Sent from my iPhone 6 using Tapatalk.

 

[HighPlainsWrencher]

I rarely use a fixed head ratchet but if I do its a f80 other than that in 3/8's drive I use a flex head 99.9% of the time. In 1/2 drive I traded all my flex ratchets in for flex locking.

 

[Dust Devil]

Checked out the snap locking flex heads on the truck today. I like.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I prefer a strong locking flex head ratchet, and that's the only ones I really trust. Don't care too much for the non-locking flex head ratchets. I like being able to lock the handle at a slight up angle for handle clearance.

If I'm putting huge torque on something I would swap the flex head out to a breaker bar or a strong fixed head ratchet.

 

[eyeballengineer]

Have flex, non locking. conventional and others all sizes. My go to ratchets are the swivel head SO, The pivot point is directly over the socket so they never get that weird side load twist that a flex gives. My flex are the least used other than 1/2 drive

 

[d.mcfarland]

^^ Good point indeed.

 

[03silvergt]

I dont own any fixed head ratchets, no use for them. I have all Snap on Flex heads, FLF80, TF72, SFL80, And the really long Snap on flex 1/2 dr. No use for breaker bars either with these ratchets. They are like having a ratcheting breaker bar.

For those that say they use a breaker bar for high torque, every breaker bar I have seen has a flex head.

And those that say they cant get to the bolt with the flex head without it being at an awkward angle, Thats what extensions are for.

 

[rumb]

I recently picked up a gedore ratchet off CL model number 1993gu-3 and I don't think I'll ever go back to fixed ratchets because you can easily lock and unlock the swivel feature and once locked there is zero play in any direction


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

It's rated only for Max. torque 300 N·m! Fixed had can hold 500-600 Nm and even more!

 

[LordPsychon]

Flex heads are good for getting into tight spaces and changing torque angles but the downside is that they can't deliver as much torque as a fixed ratchet. Locking flex heads are superior in one way in that the torque is applied equally along the distribution arc - non-locking heads have a variable rather than a fixed arc so torque is unevenly applied. I have both flex heads and I find myself opting for the locked version more than the unlocked version for the above reason.