Flex Head vs Non Flex for Extra Long Ratchets

[Ole Slewfoot]

Oout of 20ish ratchets in my work truck, the only flexes are the HF $10 3pack stubbies. I go weeks without using them. I did have a decent long flex, but really didn't miss it since cordless took over the handle back speeder job.

 

[Tonyuk]

They are worth every penny.

I'll tell you what's not worth the money:
Income tax, property tax, and insurance.

But there's some guys that are so cheap that they still wouldn't buy Snap-on even if they had no bills to pay.

Maybe because snap-on are hardly the best tools out there.

You pay for the name. It's people like yourself that allow them to charge such a high mark-up.

 

[Zewnten]

For the DIY guy I always recommend locking flex heads from Carlyle, on sale of course.

 

[Wamsutta]

Maybe because snap-on are hardly the best tools out there.

You pay for the name. It's people like yourself that allow them to charge such a high mark-up.

They are more than a name. They are tools that function very well and are a pleasure to use. They never aggravate me like Asian import tools do. Are they the best tools available on the planet? Yes I think they are.

 

[leoxdeng]

I have broken one while using it as a breaker bar. The danger is only as a result of the situation. I'm not worried about a tensioner flexing all of 4" while being 20"+ away from my face especially when the vehicle is off. I would be worried trying to heave great leverage with the handle of the bar and my hands' trajectory being anywhere near my face.
I think that GetEmSnappy is worried about having a finger over the rim of a pulley with the belt over the finger while the tensioner breaks or slips or the tool breaks or slips. The obvious solutions to that are to hold the tool with one hand outside of the belt's path while either adjusting the belt by hand in the lines between pulleys or with a screw driver or some such. When I can I like to have the belt position so that the last pulley is the automatic tensioner.

I understand now - I too pull the belt onto the tensioner last! And I use a 24" long tool to do the belt (as opposed to using my hand) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0039U5T8Q/?tag=atomicindustr-21

 

[Tonyuk]

Tone do a good line of longer ratchets, they're a Japanese company although i'm not too sure where the tools are made, i have this one;

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B00EY6AWQ8/

Its very good. With a flex head i would recommend one with a spring & ball detent to stop it flopping about too much.

I don't have any long fixed head, i use flex head ratchets 90% of the time.

 

[leoxdeng]

I would only be concerned if you aren't putting a drift pin in, and are attempting to hold the tensioner while installing the belt. I've seen people get their hands trapped when a socket jumps off the tensioner because they were too lazy to put in the proper drift (or the drift breaks/jumps for some reason).

Good habits over tools in general. Even a Snap-on socket could slip off.

When I watched a YT video to learn to do serp belt the guy did put a drift pin into it to hold tension - but his car was XC90 D5. When I did it on my XC90 T6 (Volvo part 31251250) - I couldn' find the hole to put a pin - so can only assume it's a different version of tensioner that doesn't come with a pin hole?

I do agree that's a very important safty step though - I'll take out the old tensioner tonight to see if I can find that pin hole

 

[leoxdeng]

They are more than a name. They are tools that function very well and are a pleasure to use. They never aggravate me like Asian import tools do. Are they the best tools available on the planet? Yes I think they are.

When I first started out I had the exact same hesitation towards forking out $$$ for good quality tools - but I learned in a painful way that cheap tools fail you when you need them most.

So I'm now of the opinion to buy less tool (and be really selective asking if I really need it) but buy good quality - I generally buy used vintage Britool, Gedore and Facom.

I don't think I'll need an extra long 3/8 flex head unless the job is exceptionally awkward in tough to reach and super tight clearance - in such circumstances I'll want the best quality tool - saving myself from the unwanted additional pain from a poorly functioning tool

 

[leoxdeng]

Tone do a good line of longer ratchets, they're a Japanese company although i'm not too sure where the tools are made, i have this one;

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B00EY6AWQ8/

Its very good. With a flex head i would recommend one with a spring & ball detent to stop it flopping about too much.

I don't have any long fixed head, i use flex head ratchets 90% of the time.

Thank you - just look it up on ebay - it's 72 teeth and cost £70 shipped to UK from Japan so not that cheap - currently FLLF80 is offered at £90 brand new on ebay UK - so I'm more inclined to buy the latter given the small price difference

 

[Whoismiked]

Harbor Freights 3/8" ratching breaker bar and double flexing 3/8 ratchet with their heads swapped will give you these.. (And a lifetime warranty)

For some reason the picture you posted is not showing up for me

Does anyone have a picture of this or can explain this a bit better please, mainly what product exactly are you referring to as "double flexing 3/8 ratchet". I may be interested in trying this.

 

[Whoismiked]

Harbor Freights 3/8" ratching breaker bar and double flexing 3/8 ratchet with their heads swapped will give you these.. (And a lifetime warranty)

For some reason the picture you posted is not showing up for me

Does anyone have a picture of this or can explain this a bit better please, mainly what product exactly are you referring to as "double flexing 3/8 ratchet". I may be interested in trying this.

Can anyone explain this please?

 

[Mgdoug3]

I believe what he's saying after looking at pictures from Harbor Freight is that the head from the ratchet will fit on the 17" breaker bar giving you an extra long 3/8 ratchet.

 

[Whoismiked]

I believe what he's saying after looking at pictures from Harbor Freight is that the head from the ratchet will fit on the 17" breaker bar giving you an extra long 3/8 ratchet.

Thanks man! Guess I got confused and thought he meant a certain specific ratchet.

I am going to try and find time to take a trip to HF and see if I can put one together, I would wouldn't mind a cheap long beater ratchet.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I think it might be a specific ratchet and breaker bar. Here's the link to the ratchet: https://m.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-heavy-duty-flexible-ratchet-96369.html

Here's the breaker bar: https://m.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-drive-ratcheting-breaker-bar-66388.html

 

[Whoismiked]

I think it might be a specific ratchet and breaker bar. Here's the link to the ratchet: https://m.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-heavy-duty-flexible-ratchet-96369.html

Here's the breaker bar: https://m.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-drive-ratcheting-breaker-bar-66388.html

Ah! That must be it! I couldn't figure out what double flexing meant, but that's surely the one.

Thank you!

 

[joel63]

They are more than a name. They are tools that function very well and are a pleasure to use. They never aggravate me like Asian import tools do. Are they the best tools available on the planet? Yes I think they are.

+ 1

I know NASA uses Snap on.

 

[Danglerb]

I'm thinking any extra long handle ratchet without a flex head is going to have clearance issues too much of the time.

 

[leoxdeng]

Thank you Danglerb - and I totally agree. I have just bought a new SO FLLF80 for £80 from online auction . Someone was selling a slightly used one for £60 but damn I missed that one!