How useful is a flex head ratchet?

[ZRX61]

The GW one I have isn't very useful at all, it still flexs, but doesn't ratchet. Hope to catch the Mac truck today to warranty it.

 

[The Muffin Man]

I also use a flex-head ratchet majority of the time. Initial tightening and loosening is much quicker when the handle is parallel to the drive square.

Flyingvette, you should pick up a high tooth count flex-head ratchet, they make wrenching a whole lot less stressful

 

[Hawk321]

I don't work without my flex...a shop without a flex head is non pro

 

[fordbroncodave]

You obiviously need to buy better flex head ratchets.

i got a couple snap on 30 toothers. they probably need to be replaced but they are not broken yet.

Once you get your first flex head ratchet, it won't be enough. You'll need different handle lengths from stubbies to 2 foot, different drive sizes, and varying handles comfort grip, offset, all steel, etc.
I prefer the offerings from Matco and Gearwrench. Their thin heads and fine 60 tooth action make work a lot less like labor.
For a nice mid length flex head ratchet the Snap on FHF80 is nice too.

only if you have 5 of everything in one drawer at work, then your fine

lies..all lies. I have 1-1/4,1-3/8 stubby, 2-3/8 normal, 1-3/8 long flex, 1-1/2 long on my cart at all times. All get used everyday and I have several 5-6 more in the boxes at the shop and another 10 or so at home. Mostly craftsman and gearwrench rachets at home of course, my blood isnt that rich for all tool truck brands at home. For the money I really, really like the danaher rachets, and they are warrantied in house at NAPA

I HATE looking for a rachet.

multiple ratchets of the same variation in the same drawer is annoying

With those concerns, you must have some inferior rats? What flex do you own? How much torque are you loosing due to flexing joints?

a couple snap on flex head 30 toothers. they have a decent amount of wear on them

Must not be a locking one. I've never had a non-locking ratchet but I have had non-locking flex head ratcheting wrenches and they flip up easy causing ****** knuckles shortly thereafter. Will never buy those again.

see, doesn't take very long before you try pulling back on the ratchet and all of the sudden the angle changes and you hit your hand. ouch

 

[Art From De Leon]

The first ratchet I reach for is a flex-head. My personal favorite is my old black handled 3/8" drive Snap On. I have a Dual 80 full metal flex head in 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drive also, but the hard handled one is my most favorite one of all.

The ONLY bad thing I can say about them is that the handle on the 1/4" drive looks funny, and is out of place with its brethern and sistern. This causes the others to tease and shun him, but he gets back with a few well timed silent, but deadly, clicks from his mechanism.

 

[Old Donn]

hey old don, you talking about the metro cruise here in grand rapids?

No, not that I wouldn't like to. I stick to the metro Detroit area. There's something going on every night during the summer. 2 reasons I stay local. 1) Gas prices. The old Chevy wants 94 octane premium, only gets 13-15mpg IF I play nice. And, 2) I love that old car, but it's miserable to take long rides in.

 

[Ralf11]

necro bump

 

[Shelbylex]

Ok, let’s bring it back...
I prefer non- flex. However, this summer I had to adjust hand brake at an angle and my SO 3/8 flex was the only one that made it easy and convenient. Need to have at least one of these just in case...

 

[demarpaint]

IMO every tool box needs at least one flex-head in 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drives. Having them in long and short versions is a plus too. Mine get used often. Then you'll discover 90 tooth versions are nice for tight places. Having locking flex-heads can come in handy too.

 

[lardy1]

I have a version of flex and locking flex in the three major sizes. Flex isn't always necessary but it sure is nice to have when needed.

 

[dubdoc]

I bought one, thinking I needed one. I used it once, hated it, and never used it again.

 

[jgromada]

i think the next ratchet i will be getting is a long handle 3/8 LOCKING Flex head. I have a non-locking one, but i have thinking locking one would be nice.

I do have a Locking rotary head from VIM i really like.

But you know what is a useful addition when you have everything else? An extendable ratchet like this!

I have one in my Junkyard toolkit when i am out parts scavenging. Don't want to carry too much stuff with you & this has a lot of flexibility. Bring penetrating oil as well in addition to a cheap 1/2 impact.

 

[dnschmidt]

If you have a putt putt here and a putt putt there you're golf score is really going to ****.

 

[M6erfan]

...If you get a LOCKING flex head, its the best of both worlds!

This^^^. I'm not a fan of non-locking flex ratchets

 

[Jack84]

This^^^. I'm not a fan of non-locking flex ratchets

Gedore makes a nice 3/8 locking ratchet.


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[lugnut71]

All i own is flex head ratchets, all three drives, use them every day. i however dont and wont ever own a locking flex.

 

[seber]

I bought my first 3/8 flex head 45 years ago. I don't believe I've ever picked up a fixed head since.

 

[d.mcfarland]

All i own is flex head ratchets, all three drives, use them every day. i however dont and wont ever own a locking flex.

Seem really against it. Why so much hate for them? Maybe you had a bad experience.

 

[sparky 1971]

I second that. Go for an Armstrong or Matco flex and you will be solid. Their a little more expensive, but if you get them new off Ebay that can save you quite a bit. There was new Armstrong 1/2's Maxx for $100 shipped for a while on Ebay. I wish Gearwrench made a locking one.
If you get a used flex, obviously you make sure the head isn't floppy as it can likely be a pita from "what I read" to fix.
-Another alternative to a flex is a swivel, but cannot say how they compare.

Gearwrench does make locking flex heads. 1/4", 3/8" and two lengths of 1/2" drive. I have all of them. I put Matco guts in the two 1/2" drives.
And... Flex heads can be very useful at times. I prefer my old SK 3/8 regular handle over everything else, but there are times the flex is better.

 

[Fialaja]

I recommend a flex in each drive size and a stubby 3/8ths...

 

[davethorik]

I am another one of those "never used a flex head ratchet of any kind before I came to GJ" types. However now I like them for different things, although my default go-tos will probably always be fixed head, long length ratchets unless otherwise dictated by job.

I have found that in use, I really have never NEEDED a locking flex head. I have more actual use time on "standard" flex heads and the type with detents (Wright, Cornwell). I do own all 3 types just in case.

I also really like roto-ratchets, I have SK in 3/8 and Snap-on in 1/4. I have been using the Snap-on quite a bit recently working on my motorcycle and I quite like it for that general task.

 

[VolvoRyan]

From a 1/4" stubby to a 17" handle 1/2" drive, flex heads are indispensable. Doesn't matter if you're a pro or a DIYer.

The Matco locking flex heads are wonderful, though GW has what looks to be the same mechanism.

-Ryan

 

[oh1ws6]

I'll grab a flex head 9/10 times. My go to ratchets are the flf80 3/8 and the tf72 1/4. Fixed heads have their place though. That's why you need atleast one of every size and combination just to make sure you're covered

 

[richfinn]

I think the extra length of most flex-heads is what most people really like about them, the articulated head though is the real star of the show when your working in tight quarters and need clearance to get at an awkward fastener

If you like a longer ratchet its a no brainer get the flex-head!!!

Personally I like the non-locking versions, but I totally understand the lock adds another dimension if you require it and can see how it would save time on certain tasks

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I like the flex heads honestly I didn’t think their would be much use for them but I was wrong. My most used ratchet is my Matco locking flex head 88 teeth the thing is amazing it’s my go to ratchet and the only ratchet I have from the tool truck.


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[m6z]

They're certainly useful, but I almost always grab a fixed head ratchet first.

 

[finn]

In general, I like flex head ratchets, but I have, for the most part, had very poor luck buying used ratchets of any brand, with a few exceptions.

Most, but not all, of my flex head ratchets have come from estate auctions, and the price has been reasonable, but the condition hasn’t been the greatest. One was essentially new, and has been great, but at the other end of the spectrum, at least two have been replaced, a couple rebuilt, and about six or ten are in need of rebuilding.

It’s not strictly the fact that they are flex heads, although the flex and locking features have both been wear and problem points. The retention ball and ratchet mechanism common with regular fixed head ratchets have also been trouble points. I am talking primarily Snapon here.

Point is, used ratchets bought sight unseen are a pig in a poke. Maybe worth it if you get them cheap and have the time and temperment to deal with garbage. I would rather work with my tools than on them, plus I am not a shop, so I have no dealer to fix garbage.

Both Snapon and Matco have been ok to deal with, but I have pretty much sworn off of used ratchets.

 

[Taco Truck]

Gearwrench does make locking flex heads. 1/4", 3/8" and two lengths of 1/2" drive. I have all of them. I put Matco guts in the two 1/2" drives.

That 24" 1/2" Gearwrench ratchet is probably my best tool purchase of 2019.