How Do You Like Your Flex Head Ratchets

[OutsideMachinist]

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.

When the ratchet has the drive side facing up and/or it is is a tight spot you can barely reach. A non locking flex can be a real pain in the *** sometimes. That said I havent used a snapon flex head maybe its a bit better in that regard.

 

[Ruger_556]

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

No spring, bolt just clamps the two ears together. At least that's what mine are and they're 2 years old... I love my locking flex, if you really want no lock just click the selector back and over. I've found a lot of people don't know about that.

 

[Wakefield]

Going by what is in the Williams breaker bar the screw is an axle bolt,there is a friction lock washer looking thing in a sort of countersink and the axle is the proper engineered length for when the threads are fully seated with the bolt tight. So I suspect having the bolt loosened would lower the torque needed to break the joint at the ears or shoulder of the bolt. A tool man also told me something to that effect that the tension is not supposed to be adjustable but is determined by the washer. So possibly if weak the washer could be replaced.

 

[bcradio]

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

Incorrect:
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-8-in-drive-flex-head-quick-release/p-00944815000P

I like them better without the detents myself

 

[Wakefield]

No spring, bolt just clamps the two ears together. At least that's what mine are and they're 2 years old... I love my locking flex, if you really want no lock just click the selector back and over. I've found a lot of people don't know about that.

So the locking flex is different than the breaker bar and/or the non-locking flex ratchet? I thought the joint and handle for the regular flex ratchet was the same as the breaker bar SN24C which I thought was similar to the Williams breaker bar which I took apart

 

[Ruger_556]

So the locking flex is different than the breaker bar and/or the non-locking flex ratchet? I thought the joint and handle for the regular flex ratchet was the same as the breaker bar SN24C which I thought was similar to the Williams breaker bar which I took apart

Nope, same as the breaker bar... No spring or washer that I noticed (I wasn't looking either admittedly (Bolt loosened up so I took it apart and put a bit of locktite on the threads). If there's one there I looked right at it and didn't see it... I've done this on 2 ratchets and a breaker bar.

 

[Wakefield]

Trying to attach a picture of an obsolete type of breaker bar but the friction washer is there
Warning : that spring washer likes to fly out when you pull the head out from between the fork ears,it is a good idea to pull a baggy around the head of the tool at that point
a big 3/4" drive thing can have a pretty aggressive lockwasher in there
notice the sort of countersink and that was in the Williams that used the bolt with a Torx drive I think the tool man who used to service Vienna VA and might still (Mr. Coleman?) tightened the joint very tight on the breaker bar I bought from him

I think Snap On owns that picture