Help me find a QR Locking Flex Ratchet

[M6erfan]

I have quick release ratchets (FR80,TR72) and flex head ratchets (936's) but can't seem to find a LOCKING flex head QR ratchet. Looking for 1/4" & 3/8"...thanks

 

[babylou]

Koken

 

[Skin]

None USA made that I know of. Its hard enough to find a USA made ratchet with quick release let alone both features.

EZ-Red has a few locking flex with quick release but they're either super long or extendable.

http://www.ezred.com/product/flex-hd-ratchet-xtndbl-setlocking-hd-mr14flmr38flmr12fl/
http://www.ezred.com/product/38-drive-x-1634-long-locking-flex-head-with-chrome-grip-set/

SteelmanPro (same company behind Chassis Ears) also has some more normal style but the locking mechanism is basically a boxy sleeve. Not sure how it works but it looks a bit cumbersome. Believe it or not but Walmart is one of their suppliers (surprising only because they're pricey) so you can see if they have them on the shelves.

http://steelmanpro.com/hand-mechanics-tools/ratchets.html


I believe both companies source products from Taiwan.

 

[rice rocket]

Wera.

 

[Skin]

I have read too many issues about those Zyklops ratchets from people who have used them professionally or long term to recommend them. Apparently it doesn't take much to break the locking flex feature.

 

[M6erfan]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I looked at the KoKen's but only 24 teeth & not widely available. The EZ Red's look interesting but way too long and not interested in extendable.

I considered the Wera but pricey. More concerned about the plastic pieces not being durable.

The search continues...

 

[paulsomlo]

Good Luck

I spent some time last spring searching for a teardrop head, locking flex, high tooth count, with QR, and came up with only one brand, which I can't even remember now. The locking mechanism was a spring loaded detent affair with a button that you push to release the head, which didn't offer enough positions to be worthwhile. It was Taiwanese, I believe, and for some reason I'm thinking it was sold at Lowes, although I'm not sure that it was Kobalt. I did check with frankstools.com and came up empty handed, so I'm not sure that Koken offers one. At least they didn't back then. What I really wanted was one that has the lock like Armstrong offers. I gave up, and bought a used Snapon 80t flex w/QR and no lock,no detents.

 

[M6erfan]

Guess there's not much of a market...

 

[paulsomlo]

Surprising, isn't it. You'll find that a lot of the members here don't care for QR, some only because it's not what they're used to. Truthfully, I find non QR to be very frustrating with oily/greasy hands, which is usually the case.

 

[Fedwrench]

Carlyle.

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/C...p-Flex-Locking-3-8-/_/R-CHQR38LFQR_0438142641

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/C...-Flex-Locking-3-8-/_/R-CHQR38LFLQR_0438142640

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/C...p-Flex-Locking-1-4-/_/R-CHQR14LFQR_0151389659

 

[M6erfan]

Nice Fedwrench!

Have you used them? If so, any thoughts?

 

[paulsomlo]

Here's the one that I saw on Lowes website, K Tool International: http://www.lowes.com/pd_445706-48001-KTI22093_1z0xos1__?productId=50374186&pl=1&Ntt=ratchets

The Carlyle seems to be the same pushbutton release locking mechanism, which is five positions on the K Tool.

 

[Fedwrench]

Nice Fedwrench!

Have you used them? If so, any thoughts?

Sorry, I have not. Although I have Matco, Armstrong, and Gearwrench locking flex head ratchets, I never really use the locking feature and don't have too many quick release ratchets.

However, I do own two Carlyle 90 tooth ratchets with comfort grips. One is a short handled 1/4 drive version and the other is a 3/8 drive 9.5 inch long or so 3/8 drive flex head ratchet. Both quickly became the ratchets I reach for first and are my favorites. They have served me well for more than a couple of years now.

 

[M6erfan]

BTW, reason I'm looking is early arthritis is creeping in so QR is more & more of benefit to me, though I've always liked it...

 

[M6erfan]

Thanks Paul

Been looking through the Carlyle website, their sockets look nice too. Prices seem a little hi for Taiwanese tools but I'll have to check them out in person next weekend. Singed up for the "club" just in case

 

[M6erfan]

Ordered this one from my local Napa...

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/C...p-Flex-Locking-1-4-/_/R-CHQR14LFQR_0151389659

$35, will be here Wed.

 

[Wamsutta]

That looks like it's going to be very nice.

 

[paulsomlo]

Looking forward to a report.

 

[popparoach]

sry ,your avatar has me thinking about the cold....

 

[Roosa]

Have found the Armstrong locking flex head ratchets to be some of the best quality I have gotten to use thus far. I own the 1/4,3/8,1/2 and all are incredible, made in the U.S. too. No quick release function but have never had a seized socket on the drive and they see quite a bit of rain and snow as well (the life of a generator mechanic). I have found with a quick release function in the ratchet head, tooth count is severely diminished.

 

[Conductor562]

You'll be happy with it. I've got a few Carlyle items laying around and like all of them. That's a surprisingly low price on the ratchet. Carlyle is usually kinda high for Asian, even if it is "good Asian"

 

[M6erfan]

You'll be happy with it. I've got a few Carlyle items laying around and like all of them. That's a surprisingly low price on the ratchet. Carlyle is usually kinda high for Asian, even if it is "good Asian"

I was surprised (pleasantly) at the price too. Carlyle is having a sale for Sept.

Their website is a little weird however, pricing seems to be all over the place but if you put an item in your basket it will show you the price for your local store. At least that's how i think it works...

 

[stonesfan68]

You found a great deal. That ratchet is selling here for $50 here in Houston.

 

[rice rocket]

How about the Matco AR6LFT?

 

[M6erfan]

How about the Matco AR6LFT?

Is that quick release?

 

[Skin]

No, Matco doesn't make quick release ratchets. Its the old 32 tooth model though and might accept a Craftsman QR main gear if you were really determined.

 

[rice rocket]

Is this not QR?

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/AR6LFT/1-4-6-locking-flex-ratchet/

 

[Fedwrench]

Is this not QR?

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/AR6LFT/1-4-6-locking-flex-ratchet/

no. that black round thing on the ratchet head is the back of the gear.

 

[M6erfan]

no. that black round thing on the ratchet head is the back of the gear.

Thanks, thought so...

 

[rice rocket]

Huh weird.

I wonder why they would make both the AR6LFT and the the AFR68LFT with two different head designs.

 

[dkop1]

Craftsman has long handled, flex head, quick release. Not sure if they have short handle, they only had long at my local ace hardware. Admittedly I'm not a fan of newer craftsman tools.... It seems only the socket rails are US made anymore, and a lot of the chinese stuff seems to have poor quality control. However, I did buy a 3/8 dr. long handle flex head with quick release, and it is certainly functional for $22. a bit rough, doesn't lock on the flex but it does have detents. Plastic reverse lever that kind of sticks out past the head when you've got torque on the ratcher (about 1/16" past the head). But again, for the price, it works, and meets most of your requirements. The locking detents are fairly strong, and I won't say it's never slipped past them when I've used it, but it generally stays where I set it

 

[lightning02]

Craftsman has long handled, flex head, quick release. Not sure if they have short handle, they only had long at my local ace hardware. Admittedly I'm not a fan of newer craftsman tools.... It seems only the socket rails are US made anymore, and a lot of the chinese stuff seems to have poor quality control. However, I did buy a 3/8 dr. long handle flex head with quick release, and it is certainly functional for $22. a bit rough, doesn't lock on the flex but it does have detents. Plastic reverse lever that kind of sticks out past the head when you've got torque on the ratcher (about 1/16" past the head). But again, for the price, it works, and meets most of your requirements. The locking detents are fairly strong, and I won't say it's never slipped past them when I've used it, but it generally stays where I set it

10 years ago I bought 2 of them. This was before the plastic lever and alot of China ****. It was a great ratchet. I still have it to this day. My father actually stold my other one lol I worked on commercial trucks with it (heavy spec dump trucks that weight 40-45tons when loaded) and it's never skipped a beat. I wouldn't say the new ones USA or china made ones are even half as good as the older ones like I bought are. When and if it breaks I'm just going to have it fixed by sears and sell it off. I know the new parts they install will never run as good or last as long. Sad since it's such a great ratchet but like everyone says there are bigger and better things nowdays for half as much with higher tooth count which is nice.

 

[dkop1]

10 years ago I bought 2 of them. This was before the plastic lever and alot of China ****. It was a great ratchet. I still have it to this day. My father actually stold my other one lol I worked on commercial trucks with it (heavy spec dump trucks that weight 40-45tons when loaded) and it's never skipped a beat. I wouldn't say the new ones USA or china made ones are even half as good as the older ones like I bought are. When and if it breaks I'm just going to have it fixed by sears and sell it off. I know the new parts they install will never run as good or last as long. Sad since it's such a great ratchet but like everyone says there are bigger and better things nowdays for half as much with higher tooth count which is nice.

I'm always on the lookout at flea markets for Mac, snap on, SK, Bonney, and old Craftsman to replace the things I have that are just acceptable. Never really looked for flex head ratchets before, but I might have to keep an eye open

Sent from my MotoE2 using Tapatalk

 

[M6erfan]

She's here...

 

[M6erfan]

EDIT: My thoughts posted herehttp://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5197344#post5197344

 

[paulsomlo]

The locking flex - is it a spring loaded button? And is it always engaged when the button is not depressed? How many locking positions?

 

[M6erfan]

The locking flex - is it a spring loaded button? And is it always engaged when the button is not depressed? How many locking positions?

-Yes the locking button is spring loaded, always engaged unless the button is depressed.

-13

Edited previous post...

 

[paulsomlo]

Thanks, M6er - there may be one of those ratchets in my future.

 

[iScream]

After reading this I decided to order one but the price jumped to $54 when I selected buy online. I think I may go with the Armstrong 10-994 from HJE instead. It isn't QR so doesn't fit what you wanted but I'm thinking it will work for me.

I like the extra length of the Carlyle compared to my Gearwrench 1/4" ratchets though. That's the only thing making me hesitate on the Armstrong right now.

 

[NonSenCe]

wondering if these napa tools like carlyle are available anywhere else.. (that sells them to overseas/ europe for reasonable prices.)