Flex Head Ratchets - Which type do you prefer and why?

[impactims]

I have seen 3 types:

-Locking

-Detents

-Free floating

I personally have never had a locking flex head ratchet.

I have a few free floating and detent style flex head ratchets. My free floating are all Snap on, my detent ratchets are MAC and Cornwell.

Honestly, flex head ratchets have always been a "last resort" type of tool for me. Never are they a go-to. Straight fixed heads are always the go-to. And when I do use a flex head ratchet, free floating have been the first choice. But then again, my detent ratchets are all new acquisitions, so not much time to give them a chance but I like the idea and the technology enough to put them in the tool box.

Thoughts?

Which do you prefer and for what situations? I honestly find very little real world use for flex head ratchets. Sometimes I literally think they are a novelty. Lots of coolness factor but very little real world practicality. But then, lots of people buy them, so I must be missing something.

 

[Pasha]

I like roto heads and the single detent version that Koken uses.

 

[Sumboodie]

Whatever the dual 80 Snap On is. Bought a couple when they came out maybe 20ish years ago.

 

[Callelle]

I was always partial to normal flex heads, until I was spoiled by how nice locking flex heads are. They're literally the best of both worlds between flex head and straight.

 

[LWB]

Free floating flex heads is all I use now. Don't know why, just ended up that way. My first choice is a flex head wrench.

I have locking flex heads and fixed heads in my box and never use them.

 

[seber]

I only use floating flex heads. I have a detent type that is just awful. It is always at the wrong angle. Never felt the need for locking flex.

 

[AEAdam]

Agree. I think the key is, the friction style flex heads are best when they work well. When they don’t you think, “I wish this had detents or a locking mechanism”. So my thinking is, detents and locking mechanisms are for manufacturers who can’t produce a good friction flex head.

More: Friction flex heads seem like the easiest, cheapest style you could make. But they actually require pretty tight tolerances to work well and reliably.

My view from a user perspective, the friction style is a little better to operate.

 

[impactims]

Agree. I think the key is, the friction style flex heads are best when they work well. When they don’t you think, “I wish this had detents or a locking mechanism”. So my thinking is, detents and locking mechanisms are for manufacturers who can’t produce a good friction flex head.

More: Friction flex heads seem like the easiest, cheapest style you could make. But they actually require pretty tight tolerances to work well and reliably.

My view from a user perspective, the friction style is a little better to operate.

Friction style?

Never heard of this one. Got an example?

 

[KnurledNut]

The Snap-on FX80A was my only 3/8 ratchet at work for several years. I needed the most function in one tool due to limited storage space. I got to know that ratchet well.
The lock mechanism is in the handle and can be disengaged by shifting it down and to the right, putting it in neutral.
I will say, their is a learning curve to it, but it works very well once you get used to it.

If you have never had a locking flex head, then you probably don’t know what you’re missing. It largely depends on what you do with it as to whether its advantageous or just an annoyance. For example, the locked position is handy for me when fighting diesel filters with a strap wrench. Also, the design of this Snap-on allows me to start with it unlocked to get the angle I need on a fastener and then once I get it where I want it, a quick easy thumb bump of the button locks it to finish. I find this less cumbersome than the Matco toggle style lock when used this way, but it is also easier to accidentally bump when you don’t want to.

 

[mreisner]

The Snap-on FX80A was my only 3/8 ratchet at work for several years. I needed the most function in one tool due to limited storage space. I got to know that ratchet well.
The lock mechanism is in the handle and can be disengaged by shifting it down and to the right, putting it in neutral.
I will say, their is a learning curve to it, but it works very well once you get used to it.

If you have never had a locking flex head, then you probably don’t know what you’re missing. It largely depends on what you do with it as to whether its advantageous or just an annoyance. For example, the locked position is handy for me when fighting diesel filters with a strap wrench. Also, the design of this Snap-on allows me to start with it unlocked to get the angle I need on a fastener and then once I get it where I want it, a quick easy thumb bump of the button locks it to finish. I find this less cumbersome than the Matco toggle style lock when used this way, but it is also easier to accidentally bump when you don’t want to.

I sure wish they would go back to that design, the new one *****.

 

[DAWrench]

Fristion style?

Never heard of this one. Got an example?

Ever heard of Snapon.

 

[AEAdam]

Fristion style?

Never heard of this one. Got an example?

Yeah. Not sure what people call it. The basic flex head that holds its position, to varying extents, due to friction. You called it "free floating" but that's not quite right. "Locking" and "detent" refer to the manner in which the head resists flopping around.

I think I said it somewhere else. If you clamp a ratchet head lug in a fork or what I would call a clevis, you might think you needn’t machine the parts perfectly because you can always tighten the pin to squeeze the clevis to take up any slop. A manufacturer might be inclined to always machine the lug a little thin. If it’s a hair too thick, they may not be able to get the head to fit, resulting in part scrappage. So they might think a gap in that joint is preferable because you can pull up the gap by tightening the pin. I mean, what's the big deal? How hard can it be?

Snap On’s basic flex head can’t have more than a few thousandths of slop in their joints if that. It's an extremely close tolerance joint. Just a small amount of preload makes that joint stiff and because you are bearing on flat surfaces, it stays that way for a long time.

Just 100% speculation, I think the people who run Koken are socket nerds (with deepest respect). I'd be willing to bet if they made a flex head ratchet, it would be great. Smooth throughout its range with just the right drag. You really have a "give a darn" to do this right. I'd also be willing to bet some of the HF flex head won't be as nice, because those manufacturers don't give a darn. I could be totally wrong. All I do know is Snap on "friction" flex heads are very very nice. And I also know that's not an easy assembly to mass produce.

 

[mreisner]

In addition to tight tolerance, they also have a split washer in there to maintain tension, almost like a tiny round lock washer.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

So my thinking is, detents and locking mechanisms are for manufacturers who can’t produce a good friction flex head.

Except there are some manufactures that make both styles (locking/friction).

I prefer locking by a large margin. I I like the Matco/Armstrong now Icon style the best. GW and Husky use a similar style as well. Lock it in the straight position and it's like a fixed head. Leave it unlocked and it works like a non-detent. Just tighten the screw to get you desired floppyness. In awkward positions the locking is a nice feature and can save your knuckles.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Fristion style?

Never heard of this one. Got an example?

I assume that's tongue-in-cheek but

I think the flex head on the Tulsa tools stubbing ratcheting wrench sets work really well. Compare it too. But I really like how the flex head works on these wrenches

https://olsatools.com/products/120-tooth-stubby-ratcheting-wrench-set-metric?variant=41307849818163

 

[dnschmidt]

Floating flex for me. See no purpose for the detents or locking variety. B54 Williams is my all time favorite.

 

[Steve_P]

I like "floating", but it must also be a friction fit so the head doesn't flop around. This takes higher tolerances, so it seems that a lot of non-tool-truck manufacturers shy away from it today to maintain a price point. The Matco 88s I have are locking, but they're a nice friction fit so it's not necessary to use the locking.

 

[zendriver]

I have a 3/8 floating old Thorsen picked up at an auction, couple years ago, first flex head ratchet I've owned.

Handy, but don't really care for it flopping around.

Checked out the locking icon demo at HF, I think I might like that better.

 

[impactims]

I assume that's tongue-in-cheek but

I think the flex head on the Tulsa tools stubbing ratcheting wrench sets work really well. Compare it too. But I really like how the flex head works on these wrenches

https://olsatools.com/products/120-tooth-stubby-ratcheting-wrench-set-metric?variant=41307849818163

No, I seriously have never heard a flex head ratchet described as having a friction design to it. I was envisioning something that utilizes clutches of some sort so that it will move, yet stay put when you let go of it. The clutches or whatever other friction material would keep it from moving unintentionally. This is what I was envisioning.

 

[impactims]

Ever heard of Snapon.

Yup. A dealer comes to me every week. Been that way for a long time. I highly recommend their product.

 

[impactims]

Yeah. Not sure what people call it. The basic flex head that holds its position, to varying extents, due to friction. You called it "free floating" but that's not quite right. "Locking" and "detent" refer to the manner in which the head resists flopping around.

I think I said it somewhere else. If you clamp a ratchet head lug in a fork or what I would call a clevis, you might think you needn’t machine the parts perfectly because you can always tighten the pin to squeeze the clevis to take up any slop. A manufacturer might be inclined to always machine the lug a little thin. If it’s a hair too thick, they may not be able to get the head to fit, resulting in part scrappage. So they might think a gap in that joint is preferable because you can pull up the gap by tightening the pin. I mean, what's the big deal? How hard can it be?

Snap On’s basic flex head can’t have more than a few thousandths of slop in their joints if that. It's an extremely close tolerance joint. Just a small amount of preload makes that joint stiff and because you are bearing on flat surfaces, it stays that way for a long time.

Just 100% speculation, I think the people who run Koken are socket nerds (with deepest respect). I'd be willing to bet if they made a flex head ratchet, it would be great. Smooth throughout its range with just the right drag. You really have a "give a darn" to do this right. I'd also be willing to bet some of the HF flex head won't be as nice, because those manufacturers don't give a darn. I could be totally wrong. All I do know is Snap on "friction" flex heads are very very nice. And I also know that's not an easy assembly to mass produce.

Ok, so we are using two words to describe the same thing. Got it. You are talking about snap on’s flex head that does not use a detent nor a lock. I called it free floating and you called it friction. I understand now.

 

[Ohio Andy]

No, I seriously have never heard a flex head ratchet described as having a friction design to it. I was envisioning something that utilizes clutches of some sort so that it will move, yet stay put when you let go of it. The clutches or whatever other friction material would keep it from moving unintentionally. This is what I was envisioning.

to be honest, I never gave it a thought as to what to call it.... But based on the name I guessed. But also if you ask my wife she'd tell you my brain does not work in a normal way... In her mind, that's a good thing. Others may not agree.

 

[Fedwrench]

Love flex heads, probably my reach for first type of ratchet in different lengths, with or without comfort grip. Detents don't bother me. I like Tekton's. I also like locking flex heads as long as there's an unlocked mode. Carlyle & Capri come to mind for having a locking flex head without an unlocked mode. NO detents or lock is ok too as long as there isn't excessive head slop in any direction. I prefer some type of screw in the handle fork to provide for adjustment if possible. I like Mac & Proto versions that have the ears on the head instead of using a forked handle.

 

[sparky 1971]

From what I have in my own arsenal, I prefer the free floating, but I have the screw cranked down tight so the head won't flop around. The only locking flex I have is a Mac and it's locked all the time, something I don't care for but since it's also 26" long, it rarely gets used so I deal with it. I have both lengths of Tekton 1/2" drive ratchets; those have the detents, but to be honest,I don't think I've ever used either one of them so I can't give an opinion on that style yet.

 

[kbeefy]

I grew to dislike flex heads because of some gearhead ratchets I have. They seem to be always loose or the lock gets bumped and they flex when you don't want them to. I also have some 'free' and some detent type flex heads that I rarely use.

About 6-7 years ago I got a locking Mac 3/8 XL ratchet. That thing is so nice, I love it. The push button lock release is far better than the lever type ones my gearwrench ones have, have more angle adjustments, and I love the length. I went from hating flex heads to this one being my go-to ratchet.

Well, this thread is worthless without pictures, so here is the only one I can find of my favorite ratchet. It's the long one in the middle...




I just realized there are 3 more flex head ratchets in the same pic. I rarely use any of those.

 

[KnurledNut]

I like Mac & Proto versions

The only locking flex I have is a Mac

I got a locking Mac 3/8 XL ratchet.

I have handled the Mac but have never used it. Would love to try one out some day.
Pics appreciated kbeefy!

Carlyle & Capri come to mind for having a locking flex head without an unlocked mode.

My current go-to ratchet is like this and not being able to unlock it has bit me in the **** a time or two. You can kinda hold the button down and override it but its awkward at best.

 

[impactims]

Love flex heads, probably my reach for first type of ratchet in different lengths, with or without comfort grip. Detents don't bother me. I like Tekton's. I also like locking flex heads as long as there's an unlocked mode. Carlyle & Capri come to mind for having a locking flex head without an unlocked mode. NO detents or lock is ok too as long as there isn't excessive head slop in any direction. I prefer some type of screw in the handle fork to provide for adjustment if possible. I like Mac & Proto versions that have the ears on the head instead of using a forked handle.

Ok, so if a flex head is what you reach for first, this tells me that you use a flex head even when no flex is needed.

Doesn't the flex feature become a nuisance when no being used (this is my experience)? I don't see why you wouldn't go for a "rigid" ratchet when no flex is required and leave the flex head for when flex is needed.

Help me understand this.

 

[Fedwrench]

Ok, so if a flex head is what you reach for first, this tells me that you use a flex head even when no flex is needed.

Doesn't the flex feature become a nuisance when no being used (this is my experience)? I don't see why you wouldn't go for a "rigid" ratchet when no flex is required and leave the flex head for when flex is needed.

Help me understand this.

You are correct that I use a flex head even if no flexing is required.

My flex heads never become a nuisance. I have fixed head ratchets in various lengths as well that I can use but, often don't.

There's no rhyme or reason to what I use. Sorry, I can't explain it but, it works for me.

 

[AEAdam]

Ok, so if a flex head is what you reach for first, this tells me that you use a flex head even when no flex is needed.

Doesn't the flex feature become a nuisance when no being used (this is my experience)? I don't see why you wouldn't go for a "rigid" ratchet when no flex is required and leave the flex head for when flex is needed.

Help me understand this

I think it has to do with the quality of the ratchet. What I used to encounter was the maddening unintentional repositioning of the flex head when trying to seat the socket.

This is not an issue with a good ratchet. The Snap on flex heads are pretty stiff. I’m not convinced one needs non flexing ratchets. The std snap on flex heads work just fine.

 

[impactims]

I think it has to do with the quality of the ratchet. What I used to encounter was the maddening unintentional repositioning of the flex head when trying to seat the socket.

This is not an issue with a good ratchet. The Snap on flex heads are pretty stiff. I’m not convinced one needs non flexing ratchets. The std snap on flex heads work just fine.

That doesn't explain why you wouldn't just use a non-flexing ratchet in the first place. What's the benefit to a flex head ratchet when no flex is needed? There must be a benefit if you shoot for the flexing ratchet over a rigid ratchet.

 

[mp23]

Can’t believe there is not more love for the roto heads. By far my favorite

 

[seber]

I have one non flex ratchet in the drawer. I'm not sure it has ever been used. A good tight friction fit on a flex the way Snap-on does it is never in the way. I've never felt the need for a lock. I do own a detent style ratchet that is also never used, That one is never at the right angle no matter what I'm doing.

 

[AEAdam]

That doesn't explain why you wouldn't just use a non-flexing ratchet in the first place. What's the benefit to a flex head ratchet when no flex is needed? There must be a benefit if you shoot for the flexing ratchet over a rigid ratchet.

Right. Guessing this has to do with the specifics of the ratchet and the job.

Here’s what I think: If a flex head ratchet holds its position well, it functionally has all the benefits of fixed ratchet plus.

Just imagine we’re doing front engine work, or…even just lug nuts. Lots of times we”re gonna use deep sockets on lugs where they are not needed just to give hand clearance. That or an extension. On front engine work, you may not have room for an extension.

The advantages of flex heads are:
1) you can put your hand exactly where you want it
2) given the choice between moving the handle position via flexing and adding an extension, the flex is better mechanically. Ideally we want our ratchet head as close to the contact surface under the bolt head as possible.

I was thinking earlier about how ratchet length changes things. When I think about flex heads, the ones I use 90% are long flexes. But I have short flexes too and I prefer them generally for the exact same reasons.

For automotive, I recommend people START with some versions of FHLF80A and a stubby, and SHLF80A and a 1/2 impact gun. For 1/4” drive, a T72 is a must have and the 1/4” long flex as well THLF72. That’s where I would START. When I assembled my “Lube tech” box for my kids, that’s what I put in it. I later added an old worn out F80 which I fell in love with. But the snap on 3/8” long flex is probably the ratchet I use most often. If could only have one ratchet, this would be the one. I have my old craftsman version of this I carry around in my truck.

To be clear, if it’s a quality tool, I see no disadvantages of flex heads over fixed head ratchets, in any length. (For automotive).

A bit more. See if this makes sense. Having your tool in line with the bolt head means there’s no secondary over turning moment. So the single most energy efficient tool we have is a 0 degree offset (box) wrench. On paper, this is the ultimate tool. I have them, but they simply don’t work in many places. A 15 degree (std) offset box wrench is almost always more useful (which is why they make them). A non flex ratchet is an offset 0 degree tool. The offset part isn’t great physics wise. In practical use in automotive, I personally find they are really inferior tools.

Good questions. Hope my answers make sense. I never really thpught about it until now

 

[AEAdam]

Can’t believe there is not more love for the roto heads. By far my favorite

I don’t have one, but I wouldn’t distinguish between them for this conversation. Rotos are only different in where they flex. Otherwise everything in this thread applies to them as far as I can tell.

Just my thoughts: one of the biggest differentiators between rotos and non rotos is rotos can be flexed such that they can be used like screwdrivers. So why is it Snap on seem reluctant to put hard screwdriver handles on them?

I really like snap ons old hard handled screwdrivers. So I bought a hot mess of ratchets with those handles. What I liked about those handles for screwdrivers, I don’t like on ratchets. Those are 2 very different grip types. The squareish handle was designed for twisting, not lifting.

And yet the one ratchet where a twisting handle makes sense, is pretty difficult to get with that handle.

I think the snap on soft grip is ideal. They nailed the size and shape. And it’s low weight over chrome handle counterparts means faster ratcheting and less energy required. Foam gripped ratchets are significantly easier to use. I think the only legit complaint is cleaning them.

 

[impactims]

Can’t believe there is not more love for the roto heads. By far my favorite

I have 2 snap on roto heads. Round head, 100 tooth. A category of their own I think.

 

[98ssuck]

I have generally switched to flex heads. A big reason for this is how much better they fit in my pocket with extension and socket.

Locking dual 80 1/4 is my favourite If I ever need another 1/4” or 3/8” drive ratchet it be this or its successor. Not sure how this could be meaningfully improved upon.

Have tried
William 1/4” non locking flex head
Snap-on 1/4 speeder non locking flex head
Proto(facom) 3/8 non locking flex head
Snap-on dual 3/8 non locking flex head

They all work okay. But the locking head is just better imo.

 

[Rabid Badger]

I don't see any reason to discriminate. They all come in handy for different tasks.

 

[drokihazan]

I really love the new Snap-On locking flex-head style that no one seems to like and is probably going to be discontinued. They only shipped it on 3/8, too. I like the rocker switch, both of my ratchets with it never seem to bump in-out of lock unintentionally, it's rock solid stable, I don't have that big bulbous switch bumping into stuff.
I mean, really like them. My most used ratchet is a standard length 3/8 locking flex with a Cynergy hard handle swapped onto it. It's a shame so few share my experience or opinion on it.

 

[Ditchdigger]

My first snap-on ratchet purchases were locking flex heads. I was concerned the flex would be a problem if I didn't need it and I figured the locking flex was the "best of both worlds".
Over the years they were all replaced with non-locking flex heads. I have yet to be in a situation where I I needed them to be fixed and the snappy locking mechanism sucked anyway, unlock it so it flexes and it would immediately lock itself again.