Danaher Flex Head ratchets

[TheGrooveking]

I figured a few others may be interested in a few photos of some of Danaher's flexhead ratchets.

The Armstrong is what you get when when you order quick release flex head from McMaster Carr. The picture in the catalog looks like a Craftsman flex head fine tooth ratchet, which obviously they stopped producing years ago, but I was hoping of course for the Craftsman, since I should of bought years ago. Of note the ratcheting mechanism is a lot tighter than the Craftsman.
The Matco head is thinner and has more than twice the teeth of the other two, but at a price that is more than twice of the others.

TheGrooveking

 

[Diesel-Mech]

I'm a fan of the Danaher (Matco in particular) locking flex heads, I think Danaher has the best locking system on the market.

 

[Hiball]

Is it me or does the Fork on the Matco look Thicker (Wider)? I dont have any Craftman flex ratchets to compare to my Newly Aquired Matco's.

 

[bursty]

I really need to get my hands on a Matco 88

 

[TheGrooveking]

Is it me or does the Fork on the Matco look Thicker (Wider)? I dont have any Craftman flex ratchets to compare to my Newly Aquired Matco's.

The forks are wider, but you need to factor in that on one side it has the coutnerbore for the button head cap screw. The Armstrong and Craftsman are pinned.

TheGrooveking

 

[Hiball]

The forks are wider, but you need to factor in that on one side it has the coutnerbore for the button head cap screw. The Armstrong and Craftsman are pinned.

TheGrooveking

I just took the Flex portion apart, Mainly because i was curious to how it worked (Yeah.. the little detent ball went flying, No Worries i found it). In my mind the counterbore on the Matco isnt really that big of a deal, Most of the broken flex ratchets ive seen break near the bottom of the fork and there is alot of real estate between that counterbore and the base of the fork on that Matco. Ive always been kinda leary of purchasing Matco Ratchets (Because the whole Danaher/Craftsman thing) but i must say it appears the Matco is not only beefier at the fork but maybe also where it starts to fork from the Handle portion. Could you confirm? I went over and helped my buddy this weekend as he was putting a motor back in his work truck and i threw my New Matco 88's in the Truck. I Used all his Extensions and Sockets but decided to give them a workout, He primarily uses Snap on Ratchets along with Genius Sockets and it seemed everytime i sat my ratchet down he had it in his hand. LOL.. Most of his Snap on Ratchets are 36 series, So it was quite the difference for him.

 

[TheGrooveking]

The Craftsman is 0.760 wide, measuring it on the flats(sides) of the fork and 0.591" thick front to back. The Matco is 0.895 at the same location, note the Matco fork side have a slight radius to them, so the dimension I've listed is at the widest and 0.552" thick front to back, this dimension does not include the locking mechanism or its lever. The Matco shank is 0.525" diameter right before it starts to taper up to the fork (this is a tough one since the taper leads right into the shank), it would be easier if I had my optical comparator at home.

I left the Armstrong at work, so I'll have to get those dimensions tomorrow.

TheGrooveking

 

[muddyjoe15]

I really need to get my hands on a Matco 88

Same here!! I love there long 1/2" ratchets!

 

[diesel research]

I have the armstrong maxx locking flex. Looks pretty identical to that matco. The thinner head, the locking mechanism, think it also uses a cap screw?

Of course the handle is different, using the "trademark" (not actual trademarked) squared handle grip of most armstrongs similar to the kobalt ratchets.

Thought about putting a matco 88 kit in it but have been hearing of dealers frowning upon that, not to mention it's moving pretty smooth as-is.

I find myself not using the flex so often, and usually keeping it locked straight. One thing I have found (and other members warned of) is the lock switch "feels" identical to the direction switch, so you are prone to goofing up the first few times you attempt to switch directions by feel.

 

[shampoop]

I'm a fan of the Danaher (Matco in particular) locking flex heads, I think Danaher has the best locking system on the market.

looks like the same locking design as my gearwrench ratchets. i like my SO locking system better.

 

[Aklass]

I own an 88 and I hate the locking system! it gets stuck in lock unless its at the right spot, or I use some pliers/vice grips to force it out. Other than that I love the thin head and the wide hips, because the wider the fork the less you get a floppy head

 

[TheGrooveking]

Same here!! I love there long 1/2" ratchets!

The Matco 24" ratchet is on sale until the 15th I believe. It is normally $224 and is now $172 IIRC.

TheGrooveking

 

[Hiball]

looks like the same locking design as my gearwrench ratchets. i like my SO locking system better.

I wasn't aware that gearwrench made a locking flex ratchet, I thought they all used the detent system. Pictures?

 

[powertrip]

I own an 88 and I hate the locking system! it gets stuck in lock unless its at the right spot, or I use some pliers/vice grips to force it out. Other than that I love the thin head and the wide hips, because the wider the fork the less you get a floppy head

Are we talking about ratchets here or women?

 

[bimmer630]

I dont have a matco truck locally, does anybody know where I can get an 88 tooth rebuild kit (i think it will fit in there) for my old BR11t 3/8 long ratchet?

 

[diesel research]

contact dave blank

 

[Hiball]

The Craftsman is 0.760 wide, measuring it on the flats(sides) of the fork and 0.591" thick front to back. The Matco is 0.895 at the same location, note the Matco fork side have a slight radius to them, so the dimension I've listed is at the widest and 0.552" thick front to back, this dimension does not include the locking mechanism or its lever. The Matco shank is 0.525" diameter right before it starts to taper up to the fork (this is a tough one since the taper leads right into the shank), it would be easier if I had my optical comparator at home.

I left the Armstrong at work, so I'll have to get those dimensions tomorrow.

TheGrooveking

Thanks, For Posting up the Info Groove.

 

[Dolsontools]

I dont have a matco truck locally, does anybody know where I can get an 88 tooth rebuild kit (i think it will fit in there) for my old BR11t 3/8 long ratchet?

a BR11t is a 36 tooth ratchet, you cannot put an 88 tooth head in it.
if you had a 60 tooth BFR11T it could be upgraded to 88 tooth.

 

[bimmer630]

a BR11t is a 36 tooth ratchet, you cannot put an 88 tooth head in it.
if you had a 60 tooth BFR11T it could be upgraded to 88 tooth.

thanks for the info, I didnt know that. that *****

 

[4x4gearhead]

My boss has what I believe is an old wright made matco flex head 1/2" 18" handle, I was comparing it to my armstrong locking flex head 18" and I have to say, that old wright is a much better ratchet

 

[bimmer630]

Wright still makes those