Dual 80 Snap-on Ratchets

[littleponderosa]

I'm damn sure this has been covered before, but I'm after some opinions.

Worked a pile of OT in the last 2 months and decided to spend some hard earned cashola on a few ratchets. I'm in need of 2 decent all-around 1/4" general purpose and simply want 2 new 3/8" ratchets.

Thinking I need a T72 in 1/4" and a FL80 in 3/8".

So what would you gents spend some money on? Locking flex head or standard flex? Or be content using universal (flex) sockets and go another route? Bent handle in 3/8"? Choice is not limited, but the budget unfortunately is.

Not looking to break the bank but I'd go approx $500 for all, slightly more if necessary. Or, buy more than 4 and spend close to my purchasing number?

Always willing to listen and learn. Old dogs can learn new.

Thanks fellas.
Bill

 

[Buckgnarly]

My favorite is the FHL80, hate flex heads that do not lock. Second favorite is the THL72, I use a hard handle on that one though, not the soft like my 3/8.

 

[mrjaw14]

for locking flex I'd go matco 88's or the OEM version Armstrong MAXX flex heads. For a non-flex head a fl80 or tl80 the snap-on are hard to beat. i have them both and like them a lot. Before you get the snappy rats, see if you like hard handle or comfort handle and buy which ever version you like. Mine are hard handled, I kind of wish they were comfort grip, but I got them in a set so that wasn't an option for me.

Unless you need a short 1/4", The T72 is kinda short. I wish they made one in between the T72 and the Tl72

 

[Need more space]

Love my locking flex head!! Only way to go with a flex head.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Asking between Standard, Flex or Locking Flex on here could yield you a lot more confusion than you started with...

Between the options you're thinking about, I'd go with the locking flex Snap-Ons first, and if possible supplement with the standard length ratchets.

My go to ratchets at work are Williams flex heads (and now SK & Snap-On Rotos), but if I had the money to spend, I'd buy locking flex in a heartbeat. I have the Dual 80 standard ratchets that I use when in more cramped spaces when the flex ratchets are too long (the T72 is a tiny little thing).

Now, here comes all the "Save money and buy Armstrong Locking Flex and Bahco Dual 80s" comments...

 

[mrjaw14]

lol, only reason I mentioned Armstrong/Matco was the way it locks vs the Dual-80 way. some folks bump the button and hate it, others love it. Just presenting options. I personally think the dual 80 mechanism is the best out there

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Its all a preference thing. I have all non-locking flex without any kind of grip.

 

[panknuckshovel]

If you aren't sure about the flex options, grab the new flex head ratchet from Harbor Freight. It doesn't lock, but for the $12-$15 it will run you it is a good way to figure out what you want for not alot out of pocket. Might even end up being all you want, quite a few raves about them on the board.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

lol, only reason I mentioned Armstrong/Matco was the way it locks vs the Dual-80 way. some folks bump the button and hate it, others love it. Just presenting options. I personally think the dual 80 mechanism is the best out there

Wasn't picking on ya, your comment went up as I was typing mine.
Hell, I'm the one updating a thread on more affordable tool truck equivalents, not like I have room to give anyone ****.

Unless you need a short 1/4", The T72 is kinda short. I wish they made one in between the T72 and the Tl72

Oh, and even for my crack about Bahco Dual 80s, their 1/4" 6950 ratchet is a comfort grip, and about 9/16" longer than the T72 (4-7/16" vs 5"), so that's as close as you'll get to the middle ground with Dual 80 guts between the T72 & TL72.

 

[Bruce57]

My preference is the non locking dual 80 flex.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

I'd get a Williams Flex in each drive size and a Bahco non flex in each drive size. Use them for a while and decide which one is your favorite. If you like one of the Williams flex units,upgrade that one to a SO Dual 80 with your leftover money.

If you decide you hate the non-locking Williams flex units, you are not out a lot of money.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Just buy them used and you can usually sell them for what you paid for them if you don't like them. I've done this exact thing a few times and I've come out ahead more times than not.

I have all Dual 80s, but you really should try to get your hands on a Matco/Armstrong to compare them to as many prefer them.

 

[joel63]

The T72 and the FL80 fit the bill very well as far as basic ratchets go.

As for locking or non-locking flex head ratchets, I would be hard pressed to advise. I use non locking.

 

[jvitez]

+1 on locking flex heads.

I don't see the need for a bent handle ratchet unless you have very specific things you work on, or can deduct the cost of your tools. A flex head should do just as good as a bent handle, and better as you can adjust the handle angle.

I have one non-locking and one locking flex head, and greatly prefer the locking one.

 

[cheechi]

I own a TL72 and an F80. Knowing what I know now after using them, I would have got an FL80, FLF80, and a different brand of the 1/4". Had my TL72 rebuilt twice it just doesn't stay working properly for long. I genuinely would recommend the Armstrong or GW over it every day of the week.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Knowing what I know now after using them, I would have got an FL80, FLF80, and a different brand of the 1/4". Had my TL72 rebuilt twice it just doesn't stay working properly for long.

I've had no issues with my T72, but it doesn't see nearly as much use as my Gearwrench flex 1/4" has, or even my Williams flex 1/4" (which has half the teeth of the T72, but is twice as smooth... Figure that one out. )

 

[peaceonesxwai]

Wish they had a quick release locking dual 80, that would be my new favorite over my fhlrf80

 

[cheechi]

which has half the teeth of the T72, but is twice as smooth... Figure that one out.

That's how it starts. Then it basically gets 'fixed' as in you can ratchet it, and it ratchets fine, but it turns the fastener while ratcheting so as to undo everything you did on the last stroke. It's not back drag it's like back drag on steroids. And there's nothing mechanically wrong with it.

I thought at first it's cause I bought it off ebay but it worked fine when I first got it. I'm not a pro so I flagged down a driver. He sold me a rebuild kit, put it in, put in the SO lube even. Great for the equivalent of like 200 fasteners. Don't know for sure just an estimate. Same thing again. I had moved so I had to find a different driver and he warranted the repair kit since it had only been a few months ago and I told him how it all went. It's ok now but it's already not as good as it was when first rebuilt.

both drivers and both kits they took out, there was no wear, no broken teeth, neither of them had any useful explanation for me.

Nearly everything I do is 1/4" on a regular basis since I'm not an auto tech. So I'm back to the HF ratchets (which are more than fine, I just wanted to treat myself to the SO) or the 120xp. I do like the handle length of the TL72 quite a bit but other than that like I said I really couldn't recommend one.

 

[Strouty]

I just bought a locking flex (SHLX80A), I was torn, but I figured since it can be left in the non locking position I would give it a go.

 

[T_Roze]

Personally I prefer a bent handle non locking flex head. Keeps the hands above the surface when pulling straight, and works like a speed handle when put on the straight up position.

 

[NorCalWrenchin]

Comfort grip non locking flex all day long. Locking flex heads ****.