Flex Head Ratchet Locking or Non - Locking

[Retroman]

Going to be buying my first flex head ratchet in 3/8" Just a DIY'er light mechanic work (hope to do more) home repairs type of stuff. I can get a nice Gearwrench 3/8" and 1/4" flex head set for roughly the cost of the 3/8 locking flexhead. Are the locking heads that much better? Any other brands to consider? not going to be buying SO or tool truck brands and Icon flex heads are recalled. I thought Gearwrench was made in Taiwan so one on Ebay NIB and it stated made in China?

 

[nicks78camaro]

I have and enjoy ratchets that flex but do not lock or have detents/notches.

 

[kb1982]

I picked up the Gearwrench 120xp set about a year ago and they are from Tiawain. I prefer non locking myself, but cant stand a floppy head. My 1/2 inch drive can hold a 7/8" sunnex impact allen socket without any problems.

Sent from my LML713DL using Tapatalk

 

[rijndael]

I prefer flex head ratchets, with detents/notches, and without a lock.

 

[Retroman]

So do the HF PP and most other non locking have detents and notches?

 

[rijndael]

All of the HF ones I've seen lack them. Carlyle has them.

 

[Mr_B]

carlyle flex heads pretty nice.
gearwrench 84T not bad for cost you find 2pc set but locking ones do have habit of lock slipping if used a bit harsh .
maybe look at tekton and see if the got flex heads out yet in the new 90T design .

 

[view2000]

I recently purchased the long ez red 3/8 flex head ratchet with the locking mechanism.

Did some brake job last weekend and I used the ratchet. The ratchet has detents as well. There were a few times where I had to change the angle of the head and sometimes I had push the opposite way to allow the locking mechanism to release and be able to change the angle. Not a big deal but is something I don't have to do with my long Duralast 1/2 ratchet.

 

[DSLTRK]

So do the HF PP and most other non locking have detents and notches?

No, but the Craftsman and Kobalt ratchets do.


If I were you, I'd grab the Gearwrench flex, because their ingenious locking design performs as a free pivot when unlocked, then can lock firmly when you want it to.

I have never been a fan of the spring detent flexheads; they never seem to hold the head where you need it.

 

[crasher98]

No, but the Craftsman and Kobalt ratchets do.


If I were you, I'd grab the Gearwrench flex, because their ingenious locking design performs as a free pivot when unlocked, then can lock firmly when you want it to.

I have never been a fan of the spring detent flexheads; they never seem to hold the head where you need it.

x2 - I have both non-locking (ancient craftsman) locking (GW) ratchets, but if had to replace them I'd only get GW locking because it does both.

 

[Yarpo]

The Gearwrench, non locking flex head ratchets are some of my favorite. Owned them for years, but have been using them everyday for almost a year now. No issues.

 

[jsaw]

Locking flexhead for me. The best of both worlds.

 

[SRSemenza]

This is really a personal preference and situational thing. I tried non-locking with detents and hated it. I like the locking better.

Seth

 

[Legion Prime]

Personal preference all the way here, neither is objectively better. You may have some scenarios where one might be preferable, but it's all dependent on who's using it. Personally I prefer the non locking non detent because if there are set locations for the head, where I want the handle to be always seems to be right in between two of them. Some people may hate non locking/detent heads because the head moves on them. Yup that happens, nonetheless they're still what I prefer.
On the subject though, my favorite style has always been the bent handle flex head. I always knew them as spark plug ratchets but I'm sure there are plenty of other names for them. Tekton makes both this style and good ratchets. Also try checking out Williams.

 

[Citation]

You might also consider roto ratchets. I have both flex heads and roto. I prefer roto.

 

[Citation]

This is the roto set I bought. Not sure if this is the same seller so don't take this as an endorsement.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Crescent-C...419385?hash=item4d9d974939:g:34IAAOSwSKBdn0e9

 

[Cheapskate]

Ratchets are cheap enough is there really any reason you can't have one of each? There are probably going to be situations were you prefer one over the other. Buy the cheaper one first and if you think the more expensive one would come in handy buy it when you have the extra money or find it on sale.

Because lets face facts, if you're like the rest of us you're probably going to wind up with well over 2 dozen ratchets eventually anyway.

 

[seber]

I have been using non locking flex for about 50 years. It is all I use. I tried a detent type once and found the detents slowed me down. The ratchet kept snapping to an awkward angle. I've never tried a locking type but if you are used to a rigid ratchet I can see where that might have appeal.

 

[lardy1]

I have SK nonlocking , Gearwrench locking and Carlyle locking. I'm domestic tool oriented but I have to say that I reach a lot for the Carlyle. Even when the flex isn't needed. I bought that ratchet sight unseen and knowing it's import. Both of which I don't warmly embrace. But, in my opinion, the Carlyle locking flex is one hell of a nice ratchet.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I definitely prefer locking for the reason of being able to easily put the ratchet on a bolt in a tight area

My favorite, most used ratchet is a 11” handle 3/8 locking flex head Snap On. Gearwrench makes a similar ratchet for about $25. It’s long enough for leverage but short enough for working in most areas


I have little use for non flex ratchets in general. Being able to adjust the angle of the handle for clearance is a godsend. My fixed handle ratchets generally just stay in the toolbox

 

[shockwave]

For the price I would get the 2 piece gear wrench locking 84t chrome 1/4 and 3/8 all you need I just picked up for 50 perfect for any diy work

 

[Retroman]

I ended up ordering the 4 piece GW XP 120 ratchets they should arrive on Tuesday. I think they should be all I need I still have my old Craftsman and a few other brands of regular non locking ratchets. . I looked everywhere I could find and the price was the same $108.00. Probably should have ordered from somewhere else as Amazon collects tax here in NV. I need a few more extensions and universal's and now that I think about need a good set of 1/2" sockets don't have a whole lot in that size.

Thanks for the time you took to reply, I appreciate and value your opinions.

 

[Aqua-Andy]

I'm in the non locking group. If the locking mechanism was done right I would be a convert but I have not tried one I like yet. My favorite ratchet is a non locking SO that I purchased back in the early 90's. Snap On uses a spring clip in the head that holds the tension, it was rebuilt on the early to mid 2000's because the head became floppy and it is still going strong. I tried an Armstrong 3/8 a few years ago and the locking head started slipping within a week of purchasing it, I returned it to Amazon. I Purchased a Gearwrench 1/2 inch locking flexhead for work to use on one particular job and that head started slipping within a few uses, I need to try to warranty that one. If the Matco version is more robust I would spend the money but I have lost faith in the design. I have a Snap On locking flexhead that I purchased when the dual 80's first came out and that uses a very robust design but it will not stay unlocked due to the switch design. So yes I would prefer a locking if done right but I have not found one yet.

 

[marineman]

I have both in my box. The locking ones are gear wrench with the selector lever for locking. I have never used them in locked position so I guess I'm in the non locking camp but if you get one that can be used either way there's no reason to specifically avoid locking

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[giants]

I'm in the non locking group. If the locking mechanism was done right I would be a convert but I have not tried one I like yet. My favorite ratchet is a non locking SO that I purchased back in the early 90's. Snap On uses a spring clip in the head that holds the tension, it was rebuilt on the early to mid 2000's because the head became floppy and it is still going strong. I tried an Armstrong 3/8 a few years ago and the locking head started slipping within a week of purchasing it, I returned it to Amazon. I Purchased a Gearwrench 1/2 inch locking flexhead for work to use on one particular job and that head started slipping within a few uses, I need to try to warranty that one. If the Matco version is more robust I would spend the money but I have lost faith in the design. I have a Snap On locking flexhead that I purchased when the dual 80's first came out and that uses a very robust design but it will not stay unlocked due to the switch design. So yes I would prefer a locking if done right but I have not found one yet.

Thanks.

Has anyone had problems with the locking flex heads slipping?

 

[Tallpilot]

Personal preference for sure. I find detent flex heads to be the worst since they force you into discreet positions and don't hold very well. Tekton are particularly bad at this with very weak spring tension. I like their ratchets otherwise. My favorite are Snap-on locking flex because it's the best of both worlds. I also like roto heads.

As others have mentioned you will end up with a fairly large collection of ratchets if you hang out on this forum very long. Try different types in the cheaper brands then upgrade the ones you use the most.

The Gearwrench 84T is a good mechanism so is the 90 tooth found in Tekton. Gearwrench flex heads have detents so they are not my preference. But the other decent quality non locking flex heads without detents are the 72T mechanism I think is worse.

 

[Bighead38]

Get a roto ratchet. I hate using flex after getting the roto style.

 

[Olafur]

Long(ish) flex heads are fantastic tools in tight areas. And then the locking flex can be king when trying to reach bolts behind something and get the socket to grab on bolt covered in dirt. Also when applying great force in such areas the flex-lock can offer support and save busted knuckles.

When you have more room the flex lock can be annoying if it can't be kept unlocked. Yes Snap On does this on 3/8" locking flex heads but the execution isn't good enough. You have be very careful not to touch the locking button on the handle so it doesn't flip into "locked". Otherwise fantastic tool. So is my 1/4" Gearwrench 84t none locking flex with detent ball. For the money it's a steal - half the time I use it as spinner.