How much weaker are flex head wrenches

[Bennylava]

I've always thought that flex head wrenches and ratchets must be weaker. You've traded thick solid metal for a hinge. But how much weaker are they?

And when do they wear out and become floppy and loose? I own them but every time I'm putting pressure on them, I'm wondering if that's the time the head is going to snap off. I never have that thought when using a non flex head wrench or ratchet.

 

[jsaw]

I have never broken any flex heads. I did have a Snap on flex head ratchet that got a little bit loose.. Warranty took care of it.

 

[WWheeler]

None of the ones I have is it possible for me to bend or break without putting some sort of cheater on it, and that's not something I'm likely to ever do. I've powerlifted on several of them using everything I've got from my toes to my fingertips and even though I'm typically sore AF for days after doing anything that stupid the tools are always still ready for more.

 

[APEowner]

I can't speak to other brands but I've been using Snap-On flex heads as my primary ratchets for over 30 years and I've never broken one.

 

[seber]

You will break the anvil long before the flex handle.

 

[cgrutt]

I've always thought of them as similar to breaker bars. If the breaker bar won't break the ratchet shouldn't either. With that said I have had some uneasy feelings using flex head ratchets but never actually broke one.

 

[Wrench97]

The ratchet mechanism is the weak link, you'll break that long before the flex parts.

 

[American Locomotive]

You will break the anvil long before the flex handle.

The ratchet mechanism is the weak link, you'll break that long before the flex parts.

Modern ratchet mechanisms are so strong, that you almost always shear the anvil off the ratchet before the mechanism slips/breaks. ...and flexhead joints are so strong, you basically always will shear the anvil off before the flex joint will break.

 

[speed bump]

I've had a few long 1/2" ratchets and breaker bars where the ears started stretching enough that they would fail eventually so I replaced them.

I think the boys at work broke one of the 24 inch gear wrench ones I bought (don't know the details just saw a warranty claim come through on an invoice).

 

[Steve_P]

You will break the anvil long before the flex handle.

In the Project Farm test, the Mac ratchet failed at the hinge joint. IIRC, this was the only flex ratchet he tested.

 

[Wrench97]

Modern ratchet mechanisms are so strong, that you almost always shear the anvil off the ratchet before the mechanism slips/breaks. ...and flexhead joints are so strong, you basically always will shear the anvil off before the flex joint will break.

That is on a ratchet, on flex head ratcheting wrenches the ratchet is going to break first or at least the ones I've had do.

 

[65k10]

I've had a few long 1/2" ratchets and breaker bars where the ears started stretching enough that they would fail eventually so I replaced them.

I think the boys at work broke one of the 24 inch gear wrench ones I bought (don't know the details just saw a warranty claim come through on an invoice).

That's what I've noticed from Ebay listings. In the rare event I see one with spread ears, it's probably a 24", 1/2 drive ratchet. I've also seen a handful of auctions with long Mac 1/2 locking flex heads where there is a crack at the location of the head that the locking teeth are machined into.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

I have only use flex ratchet to fasten nut not to loosen. Breaker bar or impact wrench.

 

[Formula]

I’ve got a set of the Matco extra long flex head wrenches. I’ve had them for over ten years and cranked on them very hard. Never broke one yet.

 

[pbon]

I have broken a few in my most used sizes like 10, 12, 13 and 14mm. Gearwrench or below quality, all flex head. Maybe a snap on would have been fine but 1 cost more than an entire wrench set from a lesser company.

 

[zendriver]

I have only use flex ratchet to fasten nut not to loosen. Breaker bar or impact wrench.

Same here.

I just use them for the speed/convenience of removing/replacing, not busting the fastener loose.

 

[VolvoRyan]

You're not breaking the "flex" part of these tools without a cheater pipe. Or a YouTube channel.

-Ryan

 

[M635_Guy]

Breaking it isn't something I'd worry about.

Floppiness is, but they make drugs for that I mean they have lifetime warranties for that...

 

[nh_yota]

I've had a 15" Craftsman USA 1/2" flex head ratchet for 20 years and it's my favorite "big" ratchet for working on my truck. I had a 15" Craftsman USA breaker bar that literally fell apart after a few years and I couldn't get replacement parts so I used the flex head ratchet as my primary breaker bar for a while until I got a 24" breaker bar from Tekton. I like using the flex head ratchet to break bolts loose under the truck because sometimes you just don't have the swing arc clearance between the truck and the ground to use a solid breaker bar.

 

[nbpt100]

I use Gearwrench, Tekton and C'man flex head ratcheting box wrenches. Nothing fancy. Basic decent tools with lifetime warranty. I certainly have had concernes in the past of them breaking on loosening a tough nut or bolt. But never had an issue. I would never hit them with a hammer or put a pipe on the end of them. I have solid wrenches and breaker bars for that. Those who are afraid of loosening a bolt with them are a little overly concerned. Just use them as they are intended and you will be fine.
All of the guys who break them on Youtube are abusing them to failure.

 

[39CAMC]

I use Gearwrench, Tekton and C'man flex head ratcheting box wrenches. Nothing fancy. Basic decent tools with lifetime warranty. I certainly have had concernes in the past of them breaking on loosening a tough nut or bolt. But never had an issue. I would never hit them with a hammer or put a pipe on the end of them. I have solid wrenches and breaker bars for that. Those who are afraid of loosening a bolt with them are a little overly concerned. Just use them as they are intended and you will be fine.
All of the guys who break them on Youtube are abusing them to failure.

Yes this, except I have GW, Tekton and Kobalt. I use them a LOT, daily and have only broken 1 or 2 in 5 years. I don't hang a 3 foot cheater off them but I do lean on them when needed and am not gentle.

DaveW

 

[nbpt100]

Yes this, except I have GW, Tekton and Kobalt. I use them a LOT, daily and have only broken 1 or 2 in 5 years. I don't hang a 3 foot cheater off them but I do lean on them when needed and am not gentle.

DaveW

Out of curiosity what parts broke? The ratchet mechanism or the hinge? Which brand(s) broke? if you can recall? Thanks.

 

[39CAMC]

Out of curiosity what parts broke? The ratchet mechanism or the hinge? Which brand(s) broke? if you can recall? Thanks.

I think I broke the hinge on a super long 17-19mm combo Tekton but I was really leaning on it And something in the ratchet on a 13mm Gearwrench.

DaveW

 

[Mr_B]

i've had the clevis pin/bolt snap and the ears spread on long ratchet ring wrenches .
they do better than you would initially think but in pro use you can soon get them sloppy .

 

[Nutria]

No breakage here, but I've picked up a couple of floppy ones at sales. Lots of ways to fix that:

Tightening a flex-head ratchet?

Anyone have an idea for tightening a (really) loose flex-head ratchet? It's the kind with no ball detent and a pin, no bolts. I tried pummeling it with a deadblow and bending it slightly with a vise. I also tried filing down a washer but there's no way you can do it with the tiny clearance...

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