Wondering what everyone's favourite extra long 1/2 ratchets are... Looking at Mac, Snap on, Gearwrench etc no Matco around this area at all so their out of the question... What do you use the most, what are you impressed with? Let me know
Best 1/2 extra long ratchets?
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Mr Ratchet
Well-known member
I like my Armstrong Max locking flex head. It's pretty much the same thing as the Matco with flats on the front and back of the handle. Should be able to get Matco on line. The 84 T Gear wrench is similar as well. It's locking lever is slightly different than the Matco/Armstrong. The GW is a better deal though.
BolognaBlake
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I know you said no Matco, but if you're looking for a locking flex head, I like theirs the most.
Aside from that both the Mac and Snap on are great. Which guy warranties with out hassle? I'd buy from that one.
Formerjeeper
Well-known member
Tekton has one I have been considering if that would be on your list. Strength testing looks impressive.
Not sure how long you're looking for, but I have a Snap On SLF80A which comes in at 24 inches.
Expensive, but I will never get rid of it. I actually bought it for one job I was doing a few years ago and I needed the extra leverage (without using a cheater pipe). Let's just say it can hold about 200lbs of human standing on it without breaking.
shop.snapon.com
Expensive, but I will never get rid of it. I actually bought it for one job I was doing a few years ago and I needed the extra leverage (without using a cheater pipe). Let's just say it can hold about 200lbs of human standing on it without breaking.
Snap-on Store
Rabid Badger
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I like my Powerbuilt. Compact, strong detent on the flex head, very low backlash keeps the arc swing to a minimum.
Amazon.com: Powerbuilt 649956 Pro Tech 1/2-inch Drive x 25-inch Long Reach Ratchet Contour Handle - with Extra Long Handle Ratchet, Flex Head, 72 Tooth: Home Improvement
Amazon.com: Powerbuilt 649956 Pro Tech 1/2-inch Drive x 25-inch Long Reach Ratchet Contour Handle - with Extra Long Handle Ratchet, Flex Head, 72 Tooth: Home Improvement
www.amazon.com
demarpaint
Well-known member
Snap-on SLF80A.
A long flex head 1/2” ratchet was my very first purchase off of the Snap-on truck. 24” or so long, not the locking variant, don’t remember the exact model number off the top of my head. Very happy with it, well worth the money for my uses. Never put a pipe over the handle, but have done my best to kill it but it just keeps on working perfectly. Even jumping up and down on the handle it doesn’t even miss a beat after the abuse.
The Critic
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Snap On SLF80A
Wrench97
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24" Snap On without a doubt.
ihateminimumwage
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Coworker has the 24" Tekton in his service truck, liked it so much I ordered one to keep in mine. Taking the place of a 24" Snappy since I was told employer can be difficult about reimbursing Snap-on in a case of theft.
Ditto - but I believe in big breaker bars first.
I think the S-o long 1/2" flex ratchet makes similar sized (1/2" drive, 24" long) breaker bar obsolete. But that's just me. . .
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u118224
Well-known member
I too have a Snap-On, SLF80A I think. Great ratchet, it's nice when you need it. That Powerbilt someone referenced for $50 looks like a great deal.
Ign
Well-known member
Surprisingly, somehow (yeah, that's sarcasm) this has been discussed before, and some have even posted concrete, measurable values on handle diameters
Here, redwrench60 gives diameter on an SLL80A (I eventually purchased one of these, too)
www.garagejournal.com
And here I posted diameters for a Tekton and PowerTorque:
www.garagejournal.com
Here, redwrench60 gives diameter on an SLL80A (I eventually purchased one of these, too)
Why no 24" Long Fixed Head Snap-On 1/2 Ratchets?
Has anyone wondered why Snap-On doesn't offer a 1/2" Dual 80 24'' fixed head ratchet? I mean, they make ridiculous ratchets like the super long 1/4" flex head, so why not something more useful. With the popularity of the Tekton and MAC (and upcoming Proto) versions, can we petition Snap-On to...
www.garagejournal.com
And here I posted diameters for a Tekton and PowerTorque:
Need a beastly 1/2" ratchet
So the NAPA about an hour from me that had 1 of the Carlyles actually had 2.... ...so similar to "the first rule in government spending" as cited in the movie Contact -- why buy one when you can buy two for twice the price -- I got both ;) I seriously thought about buying more when I bought...
www.garagejournal.com
Yes, it does. That's the nice thing about using the SLF80A. It's essentially a ratcheting breaker bar.
joel63
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IMO; is there anything else?
Al Borland
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In before someone else says:
"..ANY ratchet is "extra long" if you have the right piece of pipe..."
"..ANY ratchet is "extra long" if you have the right piece of pipe..."
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BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Snap-on most likely is the one I’d go with for that. Since you are going to put a lot of torque on it so I’d want one with a good warranty.
sponfit
Well-known member
Beerman
Well-known member
I’d go with SK.
finn
Well-known member
I picked up the SnapOn in essentially brand new condition, along with about a dozen SnapOn and Matco 3/8” and 1/4” ratchets at an auction for $75 a couple of years ago. Not sure why the bids stalled, but it worked out great for me. I have had other, older SnapOn ratchets for years, but the 24” cushion handle flex head is a work of art.
On the other hand, I picked up a similar Kobalt for $67 for the Arizona house last winter, and it’s not bad for the price.
I don’t think I will wear out either one in my lifetime.
On the other hand, I picked up a similar Kobalt for $67 for the Arizona house last winter, and it’s not bad for the price.
I don’t think I will wear out either one in my lifetime.
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Kscardsfan
Well-known member
a Red Green fan as well I seeIn before someone else says:
"..ANY ratchet is "extra long" if you have the right piece if pipe..."
visionguru
Well-known member
My favorite is SHLF80A, basically a break bar, 25 5/8", a little too long when things are in the way. When I did the suspension, I used 17" long Gearwrench 120XP, 81306P:
plinker
Well-known member
I like Matco ratchets in general, you can buy online, but 
I have a 24" fixed head from them that I use regularly, particularly when I dont want to risk breaking my Armstrong 17" locking flex. Finding those is not exactly easy or cheap.
That said, I'd go Snap-on as you are probably putting a lot of force on it. I do prefer a fixed head as the flex joint can be a weak point, but it depends on how you use it and what you want to spend. Flex is more versatile, so there's that.
And that said, I will attempt to use 3/4 drive if/when possible as I dont like the way longer 1/2 drive stuff can flex at times. Without adapters is best.
I have a 24" fixed head from them that I use regularly, particularly when I dont want to risk breaking my Armstrong 17" locking flex. Finding those is not exactly easy or cheap. That said, I'd go Snap-on as you are probably putting a lot of force on it. I do prefer a fixed head as the flex joint can be a weak point, but it depends on how you use it and what you want to spend. Flex is more versatile, so there's that.
And that said, I will attempt to use 3/4 drive if/when possible as I dont like the way longer 1/2 drive stuff can flex at times. Without adapters is best.
joel63
Well-known member
Is that bent handle ratchet a 1/2 inch or 3/8 drive?why yes, yes there is...
You have some nice stuff in there.
Kscardsfan
Well-known member
What did you use to coat your hammer handle?