seber
Well-known member
Lately I've been using a cheater on my 1/2" ratchet more often than I'd like. Do those extendable ratchets have the strength to do what a cheater does, or are they just a gimmick?
Extendable ratchets
- Thread starter seber
- Start date
Ton ton
Well-known member
Has anyone tried the 3/4" ratchet from ez red? It is extendable i believe.
richfinn
Well-known member
Facom sell extendable ratchets in flex-head or fixed
I just use a long handle Snap-On as my main 1/2" ratchet
If I need to go up to that drive size, I'm either barring an engine over or breaking loose a tight fastener
That said I do like standard length ratchets for torquing bolts as you have more "feel"
Best of both worlds, I guess is the advantage
I just use a long handle Snap-On as my main 1/2" ratchet
If I need to go up to that drive size, I'm either barring an engine over or breaking loose a tight fastener
That said I do like standard length ratchets for torquing bolts as you have more "feel"
Best of both worlds, I guess is the advantage
Ign
Well-known member
I love them, it's kind of the best of both worlds. I've got a nice Duralast in 3/8" but it's no longer available in Duralast's race to the bottom.
I have a Crescent in 1/2" which is a little clunky but not terrible.
I used to think they were a gimmick but once I started using them (particularly the 3/8") I changed my mind.
I have a Crescent in 1/2" which is a little clunky but not terrible.
I used to think they were a gimmick but once I started using them (particularly the 3/8") I changed my mind.
I also have the 1/2" extendable ratchet from HF. It has quickly become my go-to ratchet for suspension work, rusty bolts, etc.
I just like how you can extend it, break the bolt loose, then shrink it back down to loosen it quicker. I love the thing.
The older I get, the less effort I want to expend. So if I can make the ratchet a little longer for the bolt-break, or for the final tightening-turn, I'm gonna do it. Makes jobs easier, and that's the name of the game in tool-purchases, isn't it?
SeisMec
Well-known member
Cheater pipes don't need to be especially strong. The further from the head, the less shear stress.
I've got the 1/2" drive HF one also. Would guess from feel that the head will fail before the extensible handle. But would probably prefer a relatively slow deformation of the handle over a more instantaneous failure in the head. It's clunky and ill balanced to use with the handle collapsed. When you extend the handle, there are locking detents on a fixed spacing. Feels much better in the hand than the usual sloppy fitting cheater.
Not trying to push the HF model in particular, but the next time you see any bodies variation IRL give the extending handle a try. Your opinion is likely to change.
I keep the one from HF in the trunk of each driver for tire changes. Unfortunately it has gotten a lot of use. Fortunately it does a good job as a breaker bar. There is a Youtube video of someone testing it to failure. It's pretty impressive.
HF version is not flex head, right? I think the Husky one at HD is the best. But that thing is not cheap.
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app
SeisMec
Well-known member
Correct. HF 1/2" extendable is NOT flex head.
Was unaware of the Husky 3/8" drive, extendable, flex head. $33 doesn't seem too bad, but I'm a roto-head guy and will stick with my jiggered-up 12" -
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=455826
About $20 bucks total.
Was unaware of the Husky 3/8" drive, extendable, flex head. $33 doesn't seem too bad, but I'm a roto-head guy and will stick with my jiggered-up 12" -
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=455826
About $20 bucks total.
Extendable ratchet can be very nice, especially for guys without a lift. When you are done under the car's belly, you want to use every bit of space available.
In principle, it could happen that you can get the ratchet in position in its short form, but extend it when working. But that is just theory, I have never experienced that yet.
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app
In principle, it could happen that you can get the ratchet in position in its short form, but extend it when working. But that is just theory, I have never experienced that yet.
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app
I have a Facom extending ratchet. The flex head pivot seams to be the weak point as if bends under load.
Hazet 916HPLG looks awesome.
Load limit 1000 Nm (738 ft lb) (not sure if the claimed 1000 Nm is while extended).
Length 414 to 614 mm (16.3 - 24.1")
Hazet 916HPLG looks awesome.
Load limit 1000 Nm (738 ft lb) (not sure if the claimed 1000 Nm is while extended).
Length 414 to 614 mm (16.3 - 24.1")
I didn't even think of it from a storage perspective such as a vehicle. Alright, I'll have to pick one up and give it a try, you guys pretty much sold me.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
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Ign
Well-known member
I didn't even think of it from a storage perspective such as a vehicle. Alright, I'll have to pick one up and give it a try, you guys pretty much sold me.
I too carry a 1/2" in my Jeep for the same reason - it's arguably 2 tools in one.
I didn't even think of it from a storage perspective such as a vehicle. Alright, I'll have to pick one up and give it a try, you guys pretty much sold me.
It's waaay better than the wimpy 10" long factory POS. I pair it up with a set of Tekton flip lug sockets.
https://www.tekton.com/1-2-inch-drive-6-point-impact-flip-socket-set-4950
jgromada
Well-known member
i have the HF 1/2 " extendable. It is pretty stout. Really like it.
Crazyjake8493
Well-known member
I've been using the same HF 1/2" extendable ratchet for a few years now, including a year of heavy use doing RV mechanic work. I'd buy another one tomorrow if I broke it.
SeisMec
Well-known member
It has a lifetime warrantee.
This is the exact reason I bought the one below. $12.00 +Tax delivered is hard to beat and it appears to be identical to the HF model, but with satin chrome and a different grip. If it breaks,
who cares?https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B08G44TMQY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Qualitytools
Well-known member
This is the exact reason I bought the one below. $12.00 +Tax delivered is hard to beat and it appears to be identical to the HF model, but with satin chrome and a different grip. If it breaks,
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B08G44TMQY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Thanks, I just grabbed one as I don't have a 1/2 drive one but I do like my 3/8 Stanley
Well, Had one of these sitting in my toolbox for years and never used it. I thought it was kind of gimmicky when I purchased it on sale. However now in my late 60's laying on a yoga mat in the driveway, dreading doing another sit-up to go back to the tool box and retrieve yet another tool. I used this to help get my oil filter off. It just gave me that extra mechanical advantage I needed. Now I love it!
they handy tool, facom are nice and high-five do some sweet ones (image below) but not easy find state side .
https://i.postimg.cc/k4q2zWTJ/IMG-20220206-164509.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/C5JrkCQz/IMG-20220206-164417.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/Dzt9wc9h/IMG-20220206-164259.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/k4q2zWTJ/IMG-20220206-164509.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/C5JrkCQz/IMG-20220206-164417.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/Dzt9wc9h/IMG-20220206-164259.jpgProfessional Tool User
Well-known member
The shop foreman at the shop I used to work at has one. The only noticeable downside to it is that flexes like crazy when the ratchet is fully extended.
Davegvg
Well-known member
Love my facom extendable flex head.
anndel
Well-known member
I just use my SO 1/2" long ratchet. If that doesn't work a SK 30" breaker bar with a cheater pipe.
WWheeler
Well-known member
I bought a Klutch (Northern Tools brand) 3/4 dr extendable ratchet a few years back and it's served it's purpose. It's not a tool that gets used all that often but it's been reaped on more than a handful of times by me and my boys. It extends to 30" IIRC and we sure can't break it unless maybe if we were to put a cheater pipe on it. lol
Iridium rand
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2021
- Messages
- 218
I’ve had so many experiences with extendable metal poles breaking (radio antennas, magnetic pickup tools etc) that I’m automatically wary about the idea of a ratchet using one, but I’m sure they work well enough if so many companies make them. been looking at that ez-red too but again, I feel like ESPECIALLY in a 3/4 or 1” drive it wouldn’t be sturdy enough