Decent Quality Long Handle Flex Head Ratchets?

[Quercus]

Hey y'all,
I'm needing to replace the belts on my old Suzuki Grand Vitara, and the tensioner is loosened with a 10mm allen socket. Snug fit in there, as they all seem to be, as well as farther down than a regular-length ratchet can reach. I could just buy a serpentine belt tool, but I'd rather get something more versatile, like a 3/8" long-handled flex head ratchet to do the trick.

On a budget, so unless I can find something used the truck brands are out. How are the Northern Tool Titan or Neiko long handle flex heads? Only 36 teeth in the pawl...

Titan from Northern Tool: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200378682_200378682

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C5NGSCE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[organ]

Harbor Freight?

 

[toolmutt]

I don't know if it's in your price range, but I really like my Armstrong MAXX.

http://www.amazon.com/Armstrong-11-994-8-Inch-Locking-Ratchet/dp/B000I1WG26

 

[DTB]

Might try the new Napa Carlyle locking flex ratchets. I haven't seen them yet, or heard any reviews on here but I don't know of many locking flex ratchets that are sold in stores. I'd probably buy the Armstrong Maxx flex ratchets, since they now are 88T.

 

[vincentshumai]

Armstrong Maxx is on my to buy list, trying to find it for a little cheaper though

 

[zkling]

Not sure if it is long enough, but the kobalt is pretty nice for the money.

 

[Banshee365]

Gearwrench 120XP long handle flex head. I absolutely love mine, it's the one I pick up the most.

 

[Quercus]

See, guys, this is perfect. Lots of options to browse. Thanks!

 

[flyingek]

I had that titan on it only lasted 8 months the selector for back and fort fell off , then i went i got the ezred one better quality

 

[oldldh]

I'm a set kinda guy...

But the GearWrench 81210F 84 tooth is available for around $ 40.38 from www.tooldiscounter.com ...

The 120 tooth 81210P (Cushion Grip--Pictured) is $ 44.06 from the same source...

The 84 tooth set 81230F is $ 87.66...

The 120 tooth set 81230P is $ 94.97...(My set is pictured...)

For an additional fifty bucks, you get a 1/2" drive, a 3/8" drive stubby, and a 1/4" drive, and the foam tray to keep them in...

 

[ChrisLS8]

Look up the Pittsburgh Pro 67994. Its one of my favorite long reach ratchets. Also has the lowest profile head Ive seen yet.

 

[General Geoff]

Look up the Pittsburgh Pro 67994. Its one of my favorite long reach ratchets. Also has the lowest profile head Ive seen yet.

Winner winner chicken dinner. Awesome super low profile 1/4" and 3/8" head.

 

[Quercus]

Mmmm. Not a big HF fan, but something that low-profile would be awfully nice.

 

[General Geoff]

It's very strong, I've leaned on it hard (probably close to 150 ft lbs) and it did not skip a tooth or bend.

Close-up of how thin the 3/8" head is:

 

[wild cowboy]

Mmmm. Not a big HF fan, but something that low-profile would be awfully nice.

It's built as well as any Snap-On tool I own, so always keep an open mind!

 

[metaldad]

masterforce 1/2 flex head............. made in USA, $39, made by apex
http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...uick-release-drive-flex-ratchet/p-1503254.htm

 

[Ign]

Wild cowboys previous thread about the HF
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=264928

 

[AndrewV]

I personally love my gearwrench's.
only one's above them in your range that i own, are Williams kobalt ratchets.

 

[619DioFan]

Winner winner chicken dinner. Awesome super low profile 1/4" and 3/8" head.

I have this one and the short non flex version. really great tools. I also have a complete set of ratchets from Titan tools. really like the titan tools ratchets.

 

[Quercus]

Thanks for the advice from everyone.

I stopped by Harbor Freight on my way home from a motorcycle ride today, and they had one of the thin flex head double ratchets left on the shelf. The heads were pretty tight, not floppy, so I used my coupon, got over myself, and picked it up. The length, thin profile and flex head will get that tool into some tight spots, I suspect.

 

[ADSR]

Armstrong Maxx is on my to buy list, trying to find it for a little cheaper though

HJE is getting them in with the new 88 tooth sets.

 

[JonDick13926]

Gearwrench 120XP long handle flex head. I absolutely love mine, it's the one I pick up the most.

I'll second that for it's value.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Hey y'all,
I'm needing to replace the belts on my old Suzuki Grand Vitara, and the tensioner is loosened with a 10mm allen socket. Snug fit in there, as they all seem to be, as well as farther down than a regular-length ratchet can reach. I could just buy a serpentine belt tool, but I'd rather get something more versatile, like a 3/8" long-handled flex head ratchet to do the trick.

On a budget, so unless I can find something used the truck brands are out. How are the Northern Tool Titan or Neiko long handle flex heads? Only 36 teeth in the pawl...

Titan from Northern Tool: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200378682_200378682

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C5NGSCE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Use a long handle breaker bar. Am I wrong? I know it don't ratchet but you can probably hoof it. If it needs to come off you have to get creative with what you got which means swivel, extension, whatever you got on hand.

On the lower end I'd say ezred if you can find it. Titan stuff ain't bad. I just bought their offset long 3/8 and 1/2 good but low tooth count; wonder if simple offset will work. The 1/2 has a long handle maybe use a 1/2 to 3/8 reducer on that one; the 3/8 isn't long at all though. I think the 1/2" is something like 13 bucks on autozone clearance?

 

[Jarhead0408]

Glad to see you picked up the HF flexhead.

I'll say that when I first saw it I thought it looked gimmicky. Boy was I wrong! You can't go wrong for the price! Awesome tool and extremely low profile.

 

[bulletpruf]

Armstrong Maxx and Carlyle. Have both. Very nice quality.

The Titan 1/2" long handle flex head is the same as the MAC, I think, but for a lot less $$$. Have this one, too.

Scott

 

[stg454]

I have the Kobalt one. Very pleased with it. I used it to change the belt on a Jeep Wrangler. It worked great very well built. I'm going to get that HF one too!

 

[dnschmidt]

I'd bet a bunch this particular HF double flex is made by KABO as the shifting lever has their design. KABO is a good as it gets in Taiwan. Everything they make is first class including most of Carlyle's tools for NAPA.

 

[ChrisPace]

120XP GW is an awesome choice, as mentioned by many here. They are the same parent company as Armstrong. Not sure why they only put the 120XP mechanism in GW only though. My guess is a lot of the tool brands mentioned here all come from them as well.

 

[smokeyburb]

I have an old S-K (or maybe it's a Husky) that I scored on a popular online auction site. Very handy when I need it.

 

[joseph.a.owens.9]

I have a Stanley flex head I got at Walmart it works don't care to much for the handle.

 

[toplessHO]

I have the old Husky (USA made) and love it.
I did twist off the drive once doing something I shouldnt have(13/16 plug wrench socket on trailer lug nuts) but it was warrantied.

 

[BK13]

I have the Kobalt one. Very pleased with it. I used it to change the belt on a Jeep Wrangler. It worked great very well built. I'm going to get that HF one too!

I'm probably going to buy that one. I'm sitting on a couple of gift cards that I'll use for something. Ratchet or circular saw, probably.

 

[frankush]

AAP with coupons.

That's where I got mine from. When they have a 30 or 40% off deal, which is pretty often, It's well worth the price.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...P?searchTerm=armstrong+ratchet&zoneAssigned=1

 

[Quercus]

Use a long handle breaker bar. Am I wrong? I know it don't ratchet but you can probably hoof it. If it needs to come off you have to get creative with what you got which means swivel, extension, whatever you got on hand.

On the lower end I'd say ezred if you can find it. Titan stuff ain't bad. I just bought their offset long 3/8 and 1/2 good but low tooth count; wonder if simple offset will work. The 1/2 has a long handle maybe use a 1/2 to 3/8 reducer on that one; the 3/8 isn't long at all though. I think the 1/2" is something like 13 bucks on autozone clearance?

Great idea, but I can't get enough clearance and swing room in there with my 1/2" breaker bar. I think the cheapo Pittsburg Flex head ratchet will likely do it. Good to know other quality options for the future, as well.

 

[Cope]

That's where I got mine from. When they have a 30 or 40% off deal, which is pretty often, It's well worth the price.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...P?searchTerm=armstrong+ratchet&zoneAssigned=1

15% off and a $25 online gift card isn't too shabby.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/o/sitewide-promotion

 

[Quercus]

Glad I got the HF flex head, after all. It was my first crack at changing belts, and I'm still picking the scabs off of my arms and hands!

The HF ratchet gave me just enough clearance to stuff down into the tiny space between fan and belts and pulleys, grab the bolts, and then get into the hex head recess to move the tensioner. Worth it!



Helped with the spark plug change, as well. Nice to load up a socket on the 1/4" side, and have the next size you'll need ready to go on the 3/8" end, too.

 

[Jarhead0408]

Glad it worked out for you man. That tool is one of HF's gems.

 

[General Geoff]

Great action shots!

 

[rodsnratfinks]

Looks like I'm headed over to Harbor Freight soon (like I need another ratchet).

 

[Malczewski]

EZ-Red easily wins this contest.
http://www.ezred.com/product/38-drive-x-1634-long-locking-flex-head-with-chrome-grip-set/