TheToolEnthusiast
Well-known member
There is a guy on YouTube that took a 25” Breaker Bar and 1/2” Flex Head ratchet from Harbor Freight and combined them for like $45.
Best 1/2 extra long ratchets?
- Thread starter Fusion13
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joel63
Well-known member
Yeah, I got one new, but I don't know why. I don't think I've used it yet, but maybe it will come in handy some day.
Kscardsfan
Well-known member
That’s nice. Beats the hell out of wrapping them with trainers tape lol.
Pontiac787
Well-known member
Agreed. And if you watch eBay, they can be found for pretty reasonable prices.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
@TheToolEnthusiast
A button or countersunk hex cap screw would be pretty good for that application.
Looks like a neat idea.
A button or countersunk hex cap screw would be pretty good for that application.
Looks like a neat idea.
joel63
Well-known member
You had to change spark plugs?
nah - that's easy & 3/8" fodder
I was trying to figure out if there is a fuel leak ahead of the firewall on a Vanagon; also discovered the crud I thought might be dissolved undercoating on the sensors was from a crappy CV joint boot that burst. The Snappy did great tho... much better than my aged and injured body.
I was trying to figure out if there is a fuel leak ahead of the firewall on a Vanagon; also discovered the crud I thought might be dissolved undercoating on the sensors was from a crappy CV joint boot that burst. The Snappy did great tho... much better than my aged and injured body.
sparky 1971
Well-known member
I have the Gearwrench locking 24" and the Mac locking 26". They have their place, but they are so big that I don't get either one out very often at all. The Mac is built like a tank, but I really don't care for the fact that it is always locked. I can leave the Gearwrench unlocked with the pivot screw tightened and use it as a traditional flex head. You could also check out SK. They have a LP90 24" in both fixed and flex. I don't have experience with either one, but I do have the 15" flex head 1/2" drive and it's my favorite of all the 1/2"s that I have.
Lucid Moments
Well-known member
Damn I would love to have one of those, but no way I can justify the $350+ for a new one. Guess I will watch Ebay to see if I can find a deal.
NAPA Carlyle is the way to go. Their 1/2” blue handled flex head is an absolute beast and will do anything the SnapOn will do. I’ve heard nothing but great things about NAPA’s hand tool warranty. Save yourself the money and don’t deal with that overpriced tool truck nonsense.
txvwnut
Well-known member
I’ve got an SO and a Tekton. My only complaint about the Tekton is the directional lever, it moves past the body when you switch directions, other than that it’s been a decent ratchet.
sz0k30
Well-known member
I have a SO ratcheting head that i put on my breaker bar.
Lucid Moments
Well-known member
I like the extra length of the Matco. I am assuming the Carlyle is 24"?
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Is your Tekton ratchet the old style with the knurled handle?
The only recommendation I can give you is to buy one with easy warranty replacement.
I'm assuming we're talking about 1/2 drive ratchets that are at least 24 inches long?joshmodelskidoo
Well-known member
Carlyle long handle locking flex head with comfort grip is what i have and I really like them
Draftpick1
Well-known member
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- Mar 22, 2018
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I have a Armstrong Maxx 1/2 locking flex, it’a a Matco clone and I even upgraded the 60 tooth Armstrong to Matco’s 88. If the locking flex breaks I can put Matco parts in
joel63
Well-known member
I know what you mean.
Xcursion88
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2013
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- 785
I have the SK 24" LP90 and I have no complaints. Got it during one of the steals and deals events for $137 shipped to me door. I use it daily and has saved me a lot of time. Would buy again. Snap-on is great and wanted one but it was twice as much and the Snap-on driver I knew at the time got out of the business.
Agreed 100%. Matco has probably been the best/most used for me. Snap-On makes excellent examples. Mac has been my least favorite and least reliable but has been warrantied no problem...
anndel
Well-known member
Snap-On SLF80A
Something worth considering, whichever you buy, is that higher tooth counts make a more noticeable difference the longer your ratchet gets. Because the handle is so long, it is swinging further between clicks.
I have the XL flex head Gearwrench 120xp for that reason, even though I don't particularly like the 120xp ratchets otherwise (heads are bulky).
I have the XL flex head Gearwrench 120xp for that reason, even though I don't particularly like the 120xp ratchets otherwise (heads are bulky).
Lucid Moments
Well-known member
I just picked up a 1/2" X 24" long Tekton ratchet. I haven't needed to use it yet, but it all seems good on initial inspection. It has a very acceptably smooth mechanism and level of back drag and I anticipate no issues from it. It does not have a flex head which I admit is a negative as a flex head is indubitably useful in a tool of this length. At the end of the day I bought this to put in my truck as a "side of the road" tool in case I really need it. And for that I think it will do quite well, and it will certainly be available for use in the shop if I need it there. I have a number of Snap-On ratchets and I love them, but I just couldn't see paying the price for a Snap-On long format ratchets for as little as it would get used.
Tennessee Cattleman
Well-known member
I like the Snap-on Duel 80 extra long, have several and these ratchets and they are the only Snap-on tools that I consider a must have for myself.
Congrats, they really are a sweet tool. Every time I grab my SLF80 I think about how nice of a tool it really is.
AngryBeaver
Well-known member
Great choice. I have four snap ons. One at my home shop, one at work and one on the service truck. They’ve replaced breaker bars. I’ve yet to break or bend one with a 4’ Cheater on it.
(the 4th one is a chrome handle locking flex I just got with a tool box I bought and looks new). Going to eBay it since I csnt stand locking flexes. They are like training wheels, for adults.
(the 4th one is a chrome handle locking flex I just got with a tool box I bought and looks new). Going to eBay it since I csnt stand locking flexes. They are like training wheels, for adults.
boom10ful
Well-known member
Just bought the Matco 30" 1/2 drive locking flex head ratchet to replace my 24" Gearwrench. Nothing against the Gearwrench but the handle flexes when loosening bolts. Doesn't seem to be a problem on it though since it always returns back into shape. I'll keep it for home use.
DSS
Well-known member
Snap On and forget about it, and I don't say that often
wafrederick
Well-known member
Gearwrench has a 24 inch fixed head ratchet too in 1/2 drive
garfieldzzz
Well-known member
The best part of the SO flexhead (or a flexhead ratchet in general) over a breaker bar is that the handle svivels also towards the socket which can make life a lot easier