How Do You Like Your Flex Head Ratchets

[dnschmidt]

Personally, I don't like detents in my flex head ratchets. I don't like the tool jumping to a specific angle. I want infinite adjustment and I like the head to be relatively free. Not floppy but able to be moved to any position.

Most flex head ratchets these days use detents. My question to the panel is whether you like this or not. Normally, when I use a ratchet I use it with two hands. One on the head and the second on the handle. I see no advantage of having detents since I'm controlling the head with my left hand.

So DETENTS OR NOT. That is the question.

 

[ken w.]

I do not like detents or a locking flexhead.

 

[rice rocket]

I have the locking flex Armstrong, there's no detents.

 

[DTB]

Don't care for the detents on my MAC flexhead ratchets. I have the non locking Snap On ratchets. I have the screw tightened up so they don't move much. I also have Matco locking flexheads ratchets. I prefer the locking Matco ratchets the most,Snap On second, and detent versions last

 

[Dj.SammyOaks]

im not a fan of detents either. I have a matco locking flex head and love it because you can actually just leave it unlocked if u want and its firm enough to not flop around.

 

[abachman]

I do not care for the detents either. Wrench just seems to flop arount too much.

 

[BirdMobile]

I loves me the Roto Head ratchets... but for flex-heads, I prefer no detents and a TIGHT flex joint.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Let me help you out here: it's roto-head. My favorite.

And it's flex-handle. Of which I have one, with no intent to acquire more.

 

[BirdMobile]

Let me help you out here: it's roto-head. My favorite.

And it's flex-handle. Of which I have one, with no intent to acquire more.

Thanks for the correction.
As for the flex-handles, have you looked at the Armstrong locking flex ratchets? They're REALLY nice...

 

[Holzarbeiter]

I prefer locking flex head

 

[purplezr2]

I have a matco locking and a snap on non-locking. Not sure why I own the snap on as the matco will do both. I like the matco due the ability to be non-locking when necessary.

 

[sberry]

I got a flex head in 2 drive sizes and use it strictly as a problem solver like most other flex devices. Even ratchet wrenches, have used them half a dozen times in a few years. We use common sockets, good selection of extensions, a wobble here and there, combo wrenches and a handful of double box and a couple with offsets.
Most of the rest of it is in the way preventing me from getting at the common items. I have a few things collected, a couple sets of swivels in 3/8 and an impact set for occasion. But I don't find a lot of investment in it all worth it just in case. We might have something in a reasonable priced set but likely isn't widely duplicated like the commons are. Some of those there is a dozen of each.

 

[DodgeMech]

Flf80...non locking flex head non detent ratchet

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Have both detent and non-detent.... I make good use of both, but favor the detents.. Detents often make it easier to align a socket onto a bolt when there is no room to get your other hand on the socket.

 

[creativecars]

I like detents much better than a floppy head...
I had a snapon that just had a pin, no detent or the ability to tighten it up. What a POS!!! A 3.99 Buffalo was better than that thing.
Finally traded it off for a MAC. I really like a long handle flex and would really like the Armstrong locking flex.

 

[BirdMobile]

Have both detent and non-detent.... I make good use of both, but favor the detents.. Detents often make it easier to align a socket onto a bolt when there is no room to get your other hand on the socket.

A tight flex joint will do the same thing, and give you finer control of the angle.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

A tight flex joint will do the same thing, and give you finer control of the angle.

So true; wish they had an adjustment to keep them tight.. Something about a 40-60 hour workweek that loosens them up..

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

No detents, no locks. I use Snappy flex heads and like them; never felt the need for detents or locks. I had a couple Mac with detents and they never provided any benefit over a standard flex.

 

[mrborohachi]

locking flex+ I hate my SO flex head 3/8 so many knuckle busts on caliper bolts
my SO is the older pin not new torx screw version tho

 

[sberry]

Those bolts are torqued up tight, the drive is too small and a simple 1/2 straight ratchet saves the skin, makes it easy. I use a flex about once a year on a sparkplug maybe but under a car on all the brake suspension never. Impact with correct length socket and extension if humanly possible.
A universal is rare and a last resort. We use it to bump something loose and not like a screaming banshee at every opportunity. Same for a flex, what I got works if I use it when I need to.
When I was a kid wore out a couple ratchets, smaller ones, now 1 good one would last me the rest of my life.
Part of the angle work was done with a breaker bar in the day.

 

[dgxlh]

I don't like detents

 

[sberry]

I found there is probably a good tendency to want to make all the tools smaller but as I age I use a drive larger. I got a 1/2 air ratchet, it kind of goes with impact at times, uses same sockets and can do some work on 1/2 bolts without ruining the tool.
My helper will beat himself up if I would let him, standing 2 ft away from a 1/2 drive,,, work 20 minutes to do what would have took 20 seconds.

 

[u118224]

I have 2 flexheads, with without locks or detents and one with detents. I prefer no locks and no detents.

 

[ar_rahko]

I have several locking flex head matco ratchets and they work great. I mainly use those even when a flex head is not needed since you can lock it in the straight position. They are my favorite ratchets.

Sent from my ZTE-Z990G using Tapatalk 2

 

[dnschmidt]

The screw vs. pin debate interests me. Does the screw actually have the ability to tighten up the head? I'm asking this to those that have screw head flex head ratchets as it doesn't seem to me that it could make any difference. If it does please let me know. When I see this arrangement I say to myself how is an 8-32 screw going to move the 1/4" thick wings around the head of the ratchet to make much of a difference. Can an 8-32 screw exert that much force.

To me the reason for using a screw rather than a pin is ease of assembly. With a screw you put it together with a screwdriver with a pin you need an arbor press. I think they use the screw simply for expediency. If it actually does something please let me know.

 

[toolmutt]

I have an Armstrong locking flex and a Proto Spinflex which has detents. I prefer the Armstrong because I can use it locked or unlocked depending upon the need.

 

[BirdMobile]

The screw vs. pin debate interests me. Does the screw actually have the ability to tighten up the head? I'm asking this to those that have screw head flex head ratchets as it doesn't seem to me that it could make any difference. If it does please let me know. When I see this arrangement I say to myself how is an 8-32 screw going to move the 1/4" thick wings around the head of the ratchet to make much of a difference. Can an 8-32 screw exert that much force.

To me the reason for using a screw rather than a pin is ease of assembly. With a screw you put it together with a screwdriver with a pin you need an arbor press. I think they use the screw simply for expediency. If it actually does something please let me know.

The screws on all of my flex-handle ratchets allow you to tighten up the flex joint.

 

[KSB]

I started using an FLF80 about 6-8 months ago, it is my go to ratchet. I have not used my regular length ratchet since it got the FLF80.

I tightened the screw on it once to make it a little stiffer than when I got it.

I have never used a flex head with detents, but I don't think I would bother after getting this ratchet.

 

[SASORacing]

Yes with Matco ratchets the Allen bolt does have an impact.

 

[KinzeMech]

If I don't find some uses for my flex head ratchet wrenches soon, they may come home to make drawer space available for other tools at work.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Cornwell detents are worlds better than Craftsman. That said, I'm not a huge fan of either. I like the locking Armstrong better. They all work, it's just personal preference.

 

[Askme42]

Thanks for the correction.
As for the flex-handles, have you looked at the Armstrong locking flex ratchets? They're REALLY nice...

Yes they are. Love my armstrongs.

 

[dnschmidt]

OK, so the screws do work. I certainly believe all of you but it sort of makes me wonder about the steel. I never thought that a small screw could move two 1/4" thick steel wings. Learn something everyday.

 

[vandezand]

I have a craftsman China flex. Its alright. I really want a flex head Armstrong. Using the craftsman is a Pita. The flex is okay its just the tooth count...or lack or

 

[motocross77]

I like them for some jobs but most of the time I am grabbing a regular ratchet

 

[WVBrady]

...I see no advantage of having detents since I'm controlling the head with my left hand...

I remember the first time I needed to use my flex handle; it had detents, but they were not strong enough. Not only did I have to lie on my back under the car and hold my right arm up for an extended period of time, I also had to hold up my left arm. I couldn't even rest my shoulders on the ground; I had to stretch up with my left arm just to reach the head of the ratchet.

It reminded me of when my dad was in grade school and the teacher would punish students by having them hold out an eraser at arms length for an extended period of time. If that doesn't sound hard, try it!

 

[03silvergt]

Snap on FLF80 my go to ratchet. I sold all my non flex head ratchets. I only have snap on flex head ratchets now. I don't see why anyone would need a locking flex head.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

OK, so the screws do work. I certainly believe all of you but it sort of makes me wonder about the steel. I never thought that a small screw could move two 1/4" thick steel wings. Learn something everyday.

I was curious also, as the ProTo 5457F 1/2" drive that I recently purchased has the allen screw... I removed the screw and there is a "rather serious" looking coil spring that maintains tension.. I put the screw back in and tightened it tighter than it originally was, and the head became stationary...
I doubt the steel wings moved, but rather the extra pressure on the spring resulted in the head becoming stationary..... I do like this setup, and am pondering the 3/8" version as a replacement for a poor old worn out floppy
Snap-On that suffers with just a very worn out pin...

 

[DodgeMech]

I'm not sure what's inside the flhf80's screw hole, but I know tightening the screw will make the head less floppy...I usually loosen the screw half a turn on a new ratchet personally

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I'm not sure what's inside the flhf80's screw hole, but I know tightening the screw will make the head less floppy...I usually loosen the screw half a turn on a new ratchet personally

I am rather curious about the newer Snap-On setup, whether they do have a tension spring...