Armstrong indexing ratchets

[bimmer630]

http://www.armstrongtools.com/ratch...10-996-1-4-drive-indexible-ratchet.html?buy=1

Does anyone use one of these? I have an older proto one with a clunky Mac coarse tooth mechanism in it, and want to upgrade to a fine tooth ratchet. This armstrong version is the same one that mac sells now, I actually ordered it through my mac guy but it was on backorder for what seemed like forever and I never asked about it again.
Looks like the head doesnt pop into the "freewheel" position far enough to allow the handle to swing all the way around the ratchet head and use the push-pull motion to speed fasteners off or on, or am I wrong?
My proto version, and the old SO one I used to have, both allow you to make a full rotation to speed the bolts off

 

[Ign]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=262229

 

[Tronyadorable]

NO. Never used an 'indexing ratchet" and I assure you I never will...nor will I need to.

 

[jim1987]

If you wanna cheap one, just get some at harbor freight. You'll never use it. Lol.

 

[CarsonConcepts]

I have a 1/4" and 3/8" Blue Hawk version I got on clearance from Lowe's a while back. Don't use them often but have saved some headache a few times. Namely on 3-Bolt exhaust flanges where one of the bolts is at the 12 o'clock position in an exhaust tunnel. Allows you to get up and over the exhaust piping.

~ Carson

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I have a Black Hawk indexing ratchet and have never used it. I bought it for the sockets that came with it. I honestly wouldn't buy one unless you had a specific application for it.

 

[benzoni]

I had the fine tooth Mac version. It works great and you can get to some bolts with ease that would otherwise be a pain, the problem with mine was after about 5 uses had to have the Mac guy warranty it, for the ratcheting mechanism i believe and then after a few more uses the pins in the indexing mechanism started to break. Our Mac man went out of business before I could get warranty again so I was out of luck on that. No it would not lock into freewheel, just springloaded back to lock.

 

[Jarhead0408]

I have the 1/2 version. It's beefy as all get out, but I've haven't used it so far.

I keep telling myself that I'll find a use for it the next time I take mounting bolts out of the top of my transfer-case. I guess one day I'll find out!?

 

[filtered]

I have a 1/4" Armstrong and no it doesn't pop into a "freewheel" position. If you're interested i'll sell it. I haven't really found a use for it yet.