Flex head ratchet wrenches - do you use yours?

[RTcat]

Local Sears has their Craftsman flex head ratchet wrenches on sale, plus I've got a gift card left from Xmas. Just don't know how much I'd ever use them.

If you've got a set, how much use do they get? What applications do you use them on. I'm not a mechanic, just a DIY guy...

Thanks in advance.

 

[n8n]

I don't have any and don't really miss them, honestly.

I'd be tempted to say don't buy Craftsman, search out something better anyway like Gearwrench or Armstrong/Matco - or maybe just upgrade your ratchets to begin with.

I used nothing but Craftsman RP ratchets for years and they were good enough. Then I bought a Kobalt 1/2" set because it was super cheap and that was my new favorite ratchet. Then I found GJ, and ended up sourcing some old Williams dual pawls... used the 3/8" for the first time the other day (and that was the first "good" 3/8" I've ever had) and my immediate reaction was "where have you been for the last 20 years!"

Sad thing is that Williams is probably even older than the Craftsman ratchet it replaced... if only someone had told me when I was buying my first tools!

 

[mr overdunne]

edit. the wrenches kickass too. lol.

 

[Stooge]

you're referring to the ratcheting flex head combination wrenches, right? the gearwrench non reversible flex heads are my go to for lower torque applications, use them all the time and there have been many instances when they made easy work of an area that would have been a massive headache otherwise. i'd definitely buy them again if i suddenly didnt have them for some reason

 

[jim1987]

Yup. Every time I can. Fwiw though gearwrench flex heads go on sale 29.99 quite a few times a year. So just remember that when factoring in your decision.

 

[RTcat]

Thanks for the input everyone. I'll have to check out the Gearwrench ones closer.

 

[cheechi]

I have GW non flex in reg & long pattern, and reversing non flex Williams stubbies.

Flex head ratchet is usually all I need. I had some flexes many years ago, before most rats got finer teeth (at least when all rats went above 60t, not just the truck brands) and there was a need back then. Nowadays, I'm sure someone has a need weekly or even daily for one but I don't.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have a Craftsman RP 3/8" flex head ratchet that I use a lot. Many times it is just for the extra torque (length).

 

[92integra]

I've got the X beam flex head set from gear wrench... all I use for flex head they were great but after excessive use they heads become really floppy and they don't work quite as well and since these aren't your normal gear wrenchs I can't get anyone to warranty them

 

[cheechi]

after excessive use they heads become really floppy and they don't work quite as well

Need Gearwrench ******

Jokes aside, when these first came out GW branded, I got some, and was disappointed at how fast they went floppy. Tightening didn't help, wound up selling them for almost nothing

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I work on predominantly the same stuff. Usually a flex socket is good. I have a 5 piece husky set I use 1/2" from enough. Heavy small set. Doesn't say where they are made.

 

[bahcoswed]

I am a ratchet stuff freak and allways want to use my rat wrenches!(Both flex and fixed head)But when I begin to wrenching in my cars they are for the most in very tight spots and these wrenches are to f###ing fat compare to regular combo wrenches And when spaces are enough I rather use my Snapon flf80 3/8 flexhead ratchet! But my new facom ratcheting reversible combo wrenches are really thin so I am going to get them a chance


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[HaroRider]

My 3/8" Matco 88t is my go to ratchet.