Bent Handle Ratchet

[groundcoat]

Greetings all and happy new year.

Do I need a bent handle ratchet and in what circumstance would I use it? I do a fair amount of driveway auto repair.

Thanks! Rob

 

[Bottlecapdigger]

I had one, found it was more of a pain than an advantage. I straightened the handle in the press and found that I was using it more. BCD.

 

[Chucktin]

Dunno about bent handles but I have found that a quality ratchet with a wrist joint saved my knuckles more than not!

 

[seber]

I have one in the back of the drawer. I tried using it for a while and gave up.

 

[BrandoJames]

Greetings all and happy new year. Do I need a bent handle ratchet and in what circumstance would I use it? I do a fair amount of driveway auto repair.

For DIY use, not sure a bent handled ratchet is the way to go.

Consider a flex head ratchet instead, and make sure it's fine tooth (72 tooth or higher). Also consider a flex ratcheting box wrench set for tight clearances.

Flex Ratchet recommendation: Snap-on Dual 80 Flex. Budget option = Titan Flex.

Flex Ratcheting box wrench set recommendation: Tekton.

 

[PelicanPines]

Flex head all day long...

Too much trouble straightening the bent handles.

 

[Fedwrench]

Probably not but, some people really like them.

Back in the day, they were handy for replacing spark plugs on huge V8 engines.

I have a couple that seldom if ever get used but, that's me.

I use the hell out of a 3/8 drive 12 inch long flex head ratchet with a straight handle though.

 

[619DioFan]

Come in handy for spark plug removal in some applications. I recently picked up the swivel head ratchets in 1/4 and 3/8 drive from HF, these have turned out to be very useful. HF also sells a flex head ratchet that has an additional flex joint in the handle ( 72 tooth ratchet ) this one has been very useful in a number of tight clearance situations. I haven't used my bent handle ratchet in quite some time.

 

[sberry]

I traded a flex in on a new one from Sears. The only one they had in stock was a bent, I like it more than I thought I would.

 

[RKA]

I bought one before I ever had a flex head ratchet and loved the added flexibility it gave me. After getting a straight handled flex head, I think I’ve used it once or twice. If I didn’t have it handy, I would have found another way, so it’s not all that necessary IME.

 

[signcrafter]

I have a snap on bent handle flex head and love it. I use it all the time. Depending on the job a lot of times it's my go too ratchet.

 

[tom-ky]

I have a snap on bent handle flex head and love it. I use it all the time. Depending on the job a lot of times it's my go too ratchet.

Is this what you have?
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Dua...Standard-Handle-Bent-Flex-Head-Ratchet/FBF80A

Had one since the start of my wrenching career(36 years) and would be lost without it.

 

[mr.lemons]

I've not used one but have seen guys spin them a bit like a roto ratchets. This vid explains it after 1:10.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9IEa10aWrEI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[azchrisf]

I've found we use them most for working overhead, particularly removing oil pan drain bolts.

 

[milwaukeephil]

I use mine for the back bolts that hold on caliper brackets.

 

[04chase]

work great on transmission flex plate to converter bolts , v8 car spark plugs .

i prefer round head swivel ratchets so you can flip 180 or use as a nut driver.

 

[SlowPoke-Canada]

I love mine in lieu of a speed handle for those obscenely long fine thread bolts... cordless tools more or less make them both obsolete however.

 

[Rabid Badger]

I use mine for the back bolts that hold on caliper brackets.

This is the most common application I'm aware of. Would have come in handy the last time I did brakes.

 

[vssjim]

Probably not but, some people really like them.

Back in the day, they were handy for replacing spark plugs on huge V8 engines.

I have a couple that seldom if ever get used but, that's me.

I use the hell out of a 3/8 drive 12 inch long flex head ratchet with a straight handle though.

That seemed to be the deal for sure back in the V8 sedan days, Champion Spark Plug's "Plug Master" ratchet was first available in straight flex version for a time when flex ratchets were a new deal. Then they reissued the "Plug Master 2" which came out next with a bent handle flex. Not sure who made them for Champion Spark plug company but it was more than one company for sure as the ratchets look really different over time. I know at one point New Britain Machine Co. made them in the seventies for sure. So maybe the spark plug deal pushed the bent handle deal back in the day.

 

[64merc]

I've had one for 10+ years but have never used it. I'm going to make it a point to try and use it soon!

 

[Reese]

I wouldn't be without some kind of long handle flex ratchet. I've never noticed much difference between straight and bent handle.

 

[Wamsutta]

I have a snap on bent handle flex head and love it. I use it all the time. Depending on the job a lot of times it's my go too ratchet.

Same here.

I use mine for the back bolts that hold on caliper brackets.

Same here.

 

[darkzero]

These don't really qualify for what the OP is talking about but these are the only bent handle flex head ratchets I own. Bought em new 20 yrs ago & can't remember ever using them. They're more like novelty items to me.

 

[sparky 1971]

If you have one, chances are you will use it. I have a SK model. I don't use it very often, and if I didn't have it, wouldn't miss it. There have been a few times I got it out because the way the handle is bent, it kept me from scraping my fingers on something that was in the way. My advice is buy one and try it.

 

[rockidr4]

Sensible answer: if you don't know what a tool is for, you don't need it

Tool addict answer: you need that took

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

 

[mr.lemons]

What is the main purpose for the bent handle? Is it to keep your hand clear of obstructions or is it to do with keeping force applied on the same plane or closer to the same plane as the fastener?

So in the case of spark plugs does the bent handle help keep the socket straight and therefore not snap the plug or is it simply for clearance?

 

[Wamsutta]

What is the main purpose for the bent handle? Is it to keep your hand clear of obstructions or is it to do with keeping force applied on the same plane or closer to the same plane as the fastener?

So in the case of spark plugs does the bent handle help keep the socket straight and therefore not snap the plug or is it simply for clearance?

For spark plugs, it keeps the handle from banging into the valve cover. For disc brakes, it keeps the handle from banging into the rotor. Being on the same plane as the fastener is an added bonus; also easier on your wrist.

 

[Matt XYZ]

Well I just got my Tekton bent handle flex but haven't tried it out yet. I plan on using it for SBC spark plugs and brakes as mentioned above. I hope I get some use out of, but based on the comments in this thread it doesn't sound like many like them. I actually ordered it after reading about how useful they were on another GJ thread!

 

[Stooge]

I have a snap on bent handle flex head and love it. I use it all the time. Depending on the job a lot of times it's my go too ratchet.

I have one of the last gen 936 3/8 Snap On bent handle flex head ratchets and even with owning newer Snap on ratchets, the older bent handle is what I end up using most of the time. Im not sure why, I just like using it

 

[mr.lemons]

For spark plugs, it keeps the handle from banging into the valve cover. For disc brakes, it keeps the handle from banging into the rotor. Being on the same plane as the fastener is an added bonus; also easier on your wrist.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I have a a Gearwrench that I use for some oil changes. Makes getting the filter off easier than with a straight handle flex head. I wish the head could lock though. I've used it for other things where I wanted the clearance.

They just make things go faster or with less effort in some cases.

 

[Steve_P]

Probably not but, some people really like them.

Back in the day, they were handy for replacing spark plugs on huge V8 engines.

I have a couple that seldom if ever get used but, that's me.

I use the hell out of a 3/8 drive 12 inch long flex head ratchet with a straight handle though.

This. I think the original purpose was spark plugs on big engine cars. IIRC Champion even marketed these. I've never owned one or needed one in 30+ years, but I also dont own a 429 Mustang

 

[GCS]

I have a snap on bent handle flex head and love it. I use it all the time. Depending on the job a lot of times it's my go too ratchet.

^^^ this

 

[Dave455]

I have one, a Snap On that appeared on “special”!

For some jobs I find it invaluable - e.g. removing brake pad pins or unbolting brake callipers.

I thought I would also find a lot of other uses for it, perhaps working in engine bays around obstructions, but in all honesty I haven’t found a lot of automotive applications where a regular flex head wouldn’t work as well. That’s not to say that that there aren’t any, it all depends what you work on.

I used to do tool changes on a complex machining centre, and the bent handle used to be just the perfect tool for that, as the flex handle needed to be at 90 degrees to clear the tool post, but would then foul the coolant system. The manufacturers instructions showed a hex key being used - only in their dreams..!

 

[joe_pinehill1]

I have a Craftsman 3/8 flex bent handle. It was basically required when doing the timing belt on my Volvo 850.

 

[rcbk00]

I bought the Carlyle bent handle when Napa had their big sale last year. I wasn't sure I needed it, but it was cheap, so I figured, "Why not?" It's a nice ratchet- the head is really small and I like the detents the flex joint has (my other flex head ratchets don't have detents). I've used it mostly for brake jobs and spark plugs. I wouldn't say it's a must have tool, but for the money I paid, it's nice to have in the toolbox.