How useful are long straight no flex ratchets?

[Kscardsfan]

I have a long 3/8" Mac that is nice for hard to reach places, I never really thought about it for leverage/torque. For access, it's hard to beat.

 

[mjdarg]

For me it depends on the scenario, but if I have the space, I will flex the ratchet so there is no reaction torque that could cause the socket to slip off the fastener. Imagine 80° between ratchet handle and head. I do this especially when working with fasteners with high torques, or when I can't get a hand on the ratchet head to keep it on the fastener. I do like using long fixed head ratchets, but the flex head becomes more useful as the handle gets longer and can interfere with other things. My experience is mostly automotive at home.

 

[mikey03]

Stubbies aren’t for power. Put the head of it in your palm and use your thumb and the side of your index finger to ratchet it. (so upside down).

Sometimes the flex stubbies will conform to your hand better. Try it again, holding it upside down as I’ve described. The advantage of the stubby is it’s speed. Crack loose with long flex, then switch to the stubby or a T72 1/4” drive. Speed and feel.

I’ll give that a shot that’s an interesting trick.

I always thought the point of the stubby was if the longer ratchet didn’t fit. So you couldn’t break it with the long flex. If you can get the long flex on to break it then why not finish it with the long flex why swap to the stubby?

Also I thought the stubby is good if your starting a bolt in a place you can’t fit your fingers to start it by hand and don’t want to risk stripping it so you use the smallest handle tool possible to give you the best feel to start it and make sure the threads catch.

 

[nicks78camaro]

I always go for my flex ratchets first whether it's 1/4" 3/8" or 1/2" drive.

 

[AEAdam]

I’ll give that a shot that’s an interesting trick.

I always thought the point of the stubby was if the longer ratchet didn’t fit. So you couldn’t break it with the long flex. If you can get the long flex on to break it then why not finish it with the long flex why swap to the stubby?

Also I thought the stubby is good if your starting a bolt in a place you can’t fit your fingers to start it by hand and don’t want to risk stripping it so you use the smallest handle tool possible to give you the best feel to start it and make sure the threads catch.

There are no rules to how you use your ratchets. Whatever works for you is fine, right?

On paper, what you are saying makes perfect sense. But I never really have that problem in reality. If anything, the stubby is a bit of a disadvantage in tight areas because your hand takes up space. For me, generally, I start with a long flex assuming any non interior fasteners are gonna be hard to loosen. Because even fine toothed ratchets need room to swing (and stubbies don't), I find stubbies just faster, both off and on.

When space is tight and I can't fit my long flex, it's usually wrench time. But that's just me!

 

[Dakotadadv8]

Snap On stubby flex ratchets are interesting. May need to add to ratchet inventory, never thought about them.

 

[seber]

I have two standard length flex heads and two long flex heads. Those are what I use. The non flex long and standard have been in the box for over forty years and may have been used once or twice, but I don't remember it. I do remember using the stubby fixed once about three years ago. The stubby flex was added about that time but also has not been used. There have probably been times when a fixed ratchet might have save a little time, but not as much as it would take to get to the box and grab it. Just not worth it.

 

[nicks78camaro]

Skip the long no flex, get a long flex locking

 

[joel63]

Bro I spent an hour reading old threads today and it’s insane that it’s about a clean 50 50 split of people who say they love flex and will use it all the time and never touch fixed and the people who say they hate flex and only use it as a last resort.

I really guess I need to put in my reps and see what works for me because this like a chocolate versus vanilla thing

Now you got it.

I like to use the long non flex first.

 

[Callelle]

Locking flex heads and more recent ratchet designs have made straight ratchets obsolescent, in my probably unpopular opinion.

 

[Schurkey]

Locking flex heads and more recent ratchet designs have made straight ratchets obsolescent, in my probably unpopular opinion.

Depends on the strength/reliability of the locking mechanism. IF (big IF) the lock is sturdy, you're right.

 

[mikey03]

I’m seeing good arguments for every size and style of ratchet

short fixed because on small sizes, you struggle to develop torque on the short handle ratchet and if it’s flexing you struggle more to the point where maybe you can’t get enough torque

short flex because on small sizes you are using it because you struggle to have clearance so you need flex to get more clearance to fit the tool

regular fixed because it’s regular length for a reason, just about right torque for each size in the suitable socket range for the ratchet and most of the time you don’t need flex

regular flex because regular length as said before but the flex can conform to your hand and if your struggling to get enough torque and the ratchet is flexing on you then maybe jump up a drive size since you got overlaps

long flex because maybe it’s about clearance to tight spots

long fixed because maybe your using this like a breaker bar and need all the torque and any lost to flexing won’t let you break the bolt

extra long flex and fixed both for the same reasons as regular long version but with even more clearance ability or torque ability

so that’s 8 different styles and yea I’m ignoring locking flex because i haven’t used one I like and they seem bulkier

then I start thinking well maybe I make the strategy around drive size since there’s overlap and you can usually go up or down if you need more torque go up if you need more clearance go down

so by that thought maybe skipping 1/4 long and extra long fixed is okay If the flex version isn’t letting you torque it enough it’s prob on upper end of 1/4 range and you can go to 3/8

and maybe skipping 1/2 in short and regular is okay because if you need more clearance drop down to 3/8 just run 1/2 in long and extra long maybe both fixed and flex of each idk

and for 3/8 since it overlaps with both 1/4 and 1/2 you might be called upon to use it in any sense for more torque or more access so maybe you should get one of each

or maybe to be more slick with your toolbox you can skip the top and bottom end of 3/8

maybe what you really need is a fixed and a flex of one of every length ratchet like a 4” a 7” a 10” a 18” and a 24” but just one of each and then pick the drive size that makes the most sense since you got overlap of socket sizes.

im going to wind up owning 100 ratchets someday but im trying to figure out a good set of snap ons in the size and style to be a good core set.

 

[Fedwrench]

I’m seeing good arguments for every size and style of ratchet

short fixed because on small sizes, you struggle to develop torque on the short handle ratchet and if it’s flexing you struggle more to the point where maybe you can’t get enough torque

short flex because on small sizes you are using it because you struggle to have clearance so you need flex to get more clearance to fit the tool

regular fixed because it’s regular length for a reason, just about right torque for each size in the suitable socket range for the ratchet and most of the time you don’t need flex

regular flex because regular length as said before but the flex can conform to your hand and if your struggling to get enough torque and the ratchet is flexing on you then maybe jump up a drive size since you got overlaps

long flex because maybe it’s about clearance to tight spots

long fixed because maybe your using this like a breaker bar and need all the torque and any lost to flexing won’t let you break the bolt

extra long flex and fixed both for the same reasons as regular long version but with even more clearance ability or torque ability

so that’s 8 different styles and yea I’m ignoring locking flex because i haven’t used one I like and they seem bulkier

then I start thinking well maybe I make the strategy around drive size since there’s overlap and you can usually go up or down if you need more torque go up if you need more clearance go down

so by that thought maybe skipping 1/4 long and extra long fixed is okay If the flex version isn’t letting you torque it enough it’s prob on upper end of 1/4 range and you can go to 3/8

and maybe skipping 1/2 in short and regular is okay because if you need more clearance drop down to 3/8 just run 1/2 in long and extra long maybe both fixed and flex of each idk

and for 3/8 since it overlaps with both 1/4 and 1/2 you might be called upon to use it in any sense for more torque or more access so maybe you should get one of each

or maybe to be more slick with your toolbox you can skip the top and bottom end of 3/8

maybe what you really need is a fixed and a flex of one of every length ratchet like a 4” a 7” a 10” a 18” and a 24” but just one of each and then pick the drive size that makes the most sense since you got overlap of socket sizes.

im going to wind up owning 100 ratchets someday but im trying to figure out a good set of snap ons in the size and style to be a good core set.

It's just a ratchet, don't over think it.

 

[swsman]

Locking flex heads and more recent ratchet designs have made straight ratchets obsolescent, in my probably unpopular opinion.

Not sure I agree with that, many instances of locking mechanism having issues during heavy usage.

There is place for both styles, each has pros and cons.

 

[DtiG]

for 1/4", telescopic locking flex
for 3/8" same
for 1/2" (high torque) telescopic, no flex.

I hate flex ratchets without lock. they tend to get loose and then you have to use them with 2 hands.

 

[Chris_Hamilton]

I may be in the minority but I absolutely hate a flex head ratchet. Only when I absolutely have to use one will I. Way I look at it with most things if you have room to flex the ratchet, you have room for an extension and a regular ratchet. I just hate they way a flex head moves around on you when using it.

 

[SwissMetric]

Haven't used any since ages typically I find some workaround using more or less odd tool combinations.
As most hand tools I can use are Stahlwille or PB, flexible ratchets are not much an option. I never liked the ones from Stahlwille and using the flexible handle with a removable ratchet adapter is just cumbersome (too bulky). I never found articulated handles great to use (neither cardans nor cardan sockets).

Of course mileages widely vary.

 

[demarpaint]

IMO they all have their place. I've had a few occasions that I remember where the lock gave out or a flex alone was sloppy. Other times where just a long straight ratchet was needed to apply considerable force, where a breaker bar and 12 point socket made access more difficult than the ratchet.

 

[dchawk81]

It's just a ratchet, don't over think it.

It's okay. Any time he thinks of a tool, he starts a thread.