Double Flex vs Single Flex ratchets

[blackwire]

Looking at affordable flex ratchets for home use. Which is better:

This single flex ratchet from Tekton:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KLY1CG6/?tag=atomicindus08-20


Or this double flex from Harbor Freight

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-heavy-duty-flexible-ratchet-96369.html

Looking for something better to use than a universal joint attachment. Is a flex ratchet any better? Is the double flex really useful, or just a gimmick?

 

[franzdom]

Flex are very useful, double flex much less so.
Flex ratchets and universal joints both have their uses, sooner or later you will need both of these. I have never needed a double flex, and I wouldn't want to use it when I didn't need it. I am sure it solves some sort of issues but for me it is so far seen as irrelevant (gimmicky).

 

[OutsideMachinist]

Gimmick.

 

[madcrisis]

The double flex is a gimmick but that being said the HF is actually a decent ratchet. Youll never need the second flex joint and sometimes it can get annoying. Sometimes it is nice, I like to bend it into a u to rapidly back out nuts. Its nice when you do that because you dont have the whole handsle swinging. Also get 3 of them. One to keep regular, one to turn into a stubby(just take the center section out), and one to put on the end of the big breaker bar your gonna get too!

 

[BirdMobile]

Someone on this forum did a writeup on taking the HF double flexy and turning it into a stubby single flex ratchet, I was tempted, but found a nice Kobalt stubby flex recently at a thrift store, so I didn't pursue it.

 

[thesilverone]

Gimmick.

boom

 

[shockwave]

go for single flex double flex might have one use out of 1000 but with a flex you have to make sure they are flush with the fastner which a double flex i can see not being able to seat flush and rounding fastners

 

[SMKS]

Armstrong locking flex for the win.

It's more money, but it's also more better-er.

I prefer a locking flex over pretty much any non-locking flex ratchets, single- or double-jointed. As previously mentioned, the double-jointed ratchets are mostly a gimmick.

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/Ratchets/11-994.html

 

[Askme42]

Armstrong locking flex for the win.

It's more money, but it's also more better-er.

I prefer a locking flex over pretty much any non-locking flex ratchets, single- or double-jointed. As previously mentioned, the double-jointed ratchets are mostly a gimmick.

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/Ratchets/11-994.html

Scary I just copy and pasted the same link.

 

[creativecars]

Armstrong locking flex for the win.

It's more money, but it's also more better-er.

I prefer a locking flex over pretty much any non-locking flex ratchets, single- or double-jointed. As previously mentioned, the double-jointed ratchets are mostly a gimmick.

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/Ratchets/11-994.html

Agreed, Someday I am going to get set of the locking flex head ratchets. Years ago I traded a pos floppy headed SO for a Mac... at least it had detents.
To the op Stanley makes an extendable locking head flex ratchet.

 

[BirdMobile]

Agreed, Someday I am going to get set of the locking flex head ratchets. Years ago I traded a pos floppy headed SO for a Mac... at least it had detents.
To the op Stanley makes an extendable locking head flex ratchet.

Husky also makes an extendable locking flex, or ar least used to. I have one, it's a decent ratchet... though I still plan on buying the Armstrong 3/8 locking soon.

 

[Myth]

I saw some new? 3/8 flex head long handle ratchet at Harbor Freight today. It feels very smooth, and well made! They also have normal length and 1/2 drive ones.

http://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-long-handle-flexible-ratchet-62333.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-flex-head-ratchet-62321.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-flex-head-ratchet-62320.html

 

[RedneckWelder]

I prefer a single, locking flex head ratchet. You can leave it unlocked if desired but I prefer to lock them.

My favorites are the locking flex head, long handled (24") 1/2" drive ratches with comfort grips. I believe Snap On and Matco are the only ones that make these specific styles.

 

[jim1987]

Husky also makes an extendable locking flex, or ar least used to. I have one, it's a decent ratchet... though I still plan on buying the Armstrong 3/8 locking soon.

Same ratchet.

 

[steed andersen]

Looking at affordable flex ratchets for home use. Which is better:

This single flex ratchet from Tekton:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KLY1CG6/?tag=atomicindus08-20


Or this double flex from Harbor Freight

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-heavy-duty-flexible-ratchet-96369.html

Looking for something better to use than a universal joint attachment. Is a flex ratchet any better? Is the double flex really useful, or just a gimmick?

I have a Dual 80 Snap On single flex that I use often and the HF double flex that I rarely use. That said, when I need the double flex (underside of riding mowers,etc.) it is awful handy and saves me busted knuckles and time. Its like offset wrenches. They may set in your box a year without use but when the job comes up that requires one they sure are nice.

 

[bcradio]

I saw some new? 3/8 flex head long handle ratchet at Harbor Freight today. It feels very smooth, and well made! They also have normal length and 1/2 drive ones.

http://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-long-handle-flexible-ratchet-62333.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-flex-head-ratchet-62321.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-flex-head-ratchet-62320.html

I have never seen these before... they must be new.

 

[DodgeMech]

if you need detents on a flex ratchet, you're doing it wrong....FLHF80 FTW

 

[jeepinerdeep]

That double flex unit is just silly. Stay with the single and it'll grow on you.

If it's the universal joint you hate, have you tried using a quality impact universal? They don't flop all over the place and bind up like a chrome knuckle?

 

[flying eyeball]

I have never seen these before... they must be new.

must be...they've been clearing out the current Rats

 

[jim1987]

Not new

 

[creativecars]

if you need detents on a flex ratchet, you're doing it wrong....FLHF80 FTW

Yes, it must be operator error if you don't like the pos SO design...

 

[Tronyadorable]

C'mon man.............

 

[creativecars]

lol, I see they learned how to put a detent in their ratchets.
Pretty nice set you got there.

 

[Automag88]

If my flex head Snap On didn't have a lock on it I wouldn't like it nearly as much. Whenever I try to use it without locking the head I struggle with it

 

[bcradio]

Not new

yes new

 

[bonneyman]

I made myself a double flex for a specific job once. Right before discovering that they did make them. Was too far along to stop the project so I finished it.
Then took a old Bonney flex and made it an indexable ratchet, convertible back and forth as needed.
They are crude, but you can't have too many rats!