Flex or Fixed Ratchet Heads - TW

[rhp]

All things being equal, on a 1/2" drive torque wrench, range: 25-250 ft. lbs, would you prefer a Flex Head or a Fixed Ratchet Head?

 

[Merkava_4]

I'd rather have a flex, but it's not really necessary unless you're torquing wheel lugs.

 

[autoace]

I usually prefer a flex head, but fixed ratchets have a place at the end of long extensions, where clearance isn't an issue.

 

[nissan_crawler]

I prefer fixed.

 

[bmwpower]

Fixed for that high torque range.

 

[Merkava_4]

Some of the flex torque wrenches like the P.I.'s have a very limited range of motion; so they're almost like a fixed head anyway.

 

[myslow2002gt]

I have never needed a flex head on a torque wrench.

 

[Merkava_4]

I have never needed a flex head on a torque wrench.

Well ... bully for you.

 

[myslow2002gt]

Well ... bully for you.

Ha!

To be fair, most of my torquing is done on an engine stand.

 

[petty4243]

i would like a flexhead, but most of the torquing I do is on lug nuts.... have to use short extension most of the time for fender clearance... currently only own a non flex..... do agree though... if i was working ostly on rebuilding engines, non flex would be my choice

 

[GDA]

Flex - on suspension, front end, brake jobs and engine work with the motor still in the car the additional articulation is nice to have.

 

[Big Bad Jon]

I have flex and would not have it any other way. They are really handy.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Forgive my ignorance, but isn't flexing, the reason for an angle gauge?

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Forgive my ignorance, but isn't flexing, the reason for an angle gauge?

No, the angle gauge is for torque-to-yield fasteners. Where you torque the fastener then turn it a certain number of degrees.

 

[66HertzClone]

Isn't the use of a flex head ratchet at any angle that changes it's length going to alter the torque applied?

 

[nissan_crawler]

no.........

 

[volvo420coupe]

the measured torque at the fastener is the same, you just have to pull a little harder to achieve it when the head is flexed.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

The flex on the ones I have found in catalogs online, are almost all limited to 15°, so the change in length is insignificant.

As far as having a flex or rigid, it all depends on what you might use it for. I had never used one until a co-worker checked one out of the tool room at work, as all of the torque wrenches we usually use were already out. I was pleasantly surprised at how much easier the slight flex made the job we were doing, so a few weeks later when I was doing another job in a tight area, I stopped and walked past one toolroom that I knew did not have the flex head and on down to the one that did (another 900 ft or so in the other end of the building) It made a knuckle scraper of a job into a piece of cake. Not long after that, I bought a 3/8 drive and a 1/2 drive from Tooltopia. Free shipping on orders over $100, fast too, I had mine in about three days.

Charles

 

[Treeman]

I concur with the others that like the flex head. To me, it seems like I get a more solid connection to the nut (maybe more accurate?) with a socket/flex head only compared to when I try to use a torque wrench with a long socket or socket with extension. Like Merkava said, they only flex about 15 degrees max.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

All right for all of you that have to have yours checked (NissanCrawler), do the flex ones get out of spec, easier, or farther then your fixed ones? (all mine are fixed and have done the job so far, but if I find a deal..........)

Thanks

 

[nissan_crawler]

No clue, I don't own any flex ones. I can't imagine it would make any difference, though.