Flex head or non-flex head torque wrench?

[bmwpower]

I'm in the market for another torque wrench. I would like a 250ft-lb torque wrench. Should I get a flex head or not? I'm thinking the flex head might be nice for hard-to-get-to spots, but on the other hand I'm thinking it might be flexing when I want it to stay straight (like on high torque fasteners) and then bam!....I bust a knuckle.

Any experience with flex head torque wrenches? I don't see an aweful lot of them, so maybe that should tell me something.

 

[toolfreak]

I prefer flex head torque wrenches since they allow you to get into more spots without using an extension. They do take a little getting use to at first but that's the only way I would buy them now. I like using flex head so much that almost all the ratchets I use are that way. You just have to remember that if you're not careful you will hurt yourself.

 

[NSXSOON]

I have this Snap-on flex head :
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...id=958&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all
The head is pretty rigid as in very little play and stays put (not locking though) where you put it. The flex is a nice feature that I have used many times. This wrench will not "take a set" like most click type wrenches if you forget to return it to 0 before putting it away.

 

[dropride]

I have the same one as NSX, works great.

 

[toolfreak]

That's the model I have and after using them, I won't go back to micrometer style torque wrenches. They are so much faster to set and you don't have to worry about backing them off. I have a 1/2 and a 3/4, now I jsut need the 3/8 to replace my micrometer style and I'll be happy.

 

[Deafautotech]

i have snap on 50 to 250 ft lbs flex 1/2 torque wrench and i paid 80 dollars from my snap on guy one year ago... i dont use it much because i dont work so much... i do lot of oil changes, tire rotates, check engine lights, and more... for tire rotate- i use snap on 45ft lbs to 200 ft lbs which it can stay same 100 ft lbs for all day then i set it back to 0 after i am finish at my work...

 

[ImportTuner]

The three torque wrenches I own are all non flex head; haven't found a real need for flex head yet ...

 

[krusty the clown]

i've lost enough skin on my knuckes........i use a flex head.

 

[Deafautotech]

i've lost enough skin on my knuckes........i use a flex head.

My Ivy Tech automotive teacher always told me ( he was Ford Technician) that i always can lost skins after work hard when bust the knuckle or cut or chip... but remember that the skin maybe stay there .... it help me to remember about that... it is happening to me a lot... i did trying to avoiding to bust my hands... but it is never happen to be a day of NO hand or knuckle bust...

 

[GDA]

I have the flexhead techwrenches and when working in tight places on front suspension and difficult places on my Discovery I am glad I got them.