Locking flex head ratchets

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Hey guys. Been out of the shop environment for a while now. I've been working at home with gearwrench 120xp flex head ratchets. I like them but would enjoy a locking flex head. What I don't want to give up is the ability to turn a fastener in a tight space and very little back drag. I lube with ATF. Anyways, I'm looking for a long flex head 3/8 and 1/4. Also, any suggestions on a stubby 3/8? I'm not looking to spend hundreds. I loved the Matco locking ratchets but they're a bit spendy.

 

[sk farmer]

low back drag? then stay away from the 120's. good ratchets, i have some but the 60 or 84 tooth versions have smaller heads and enough teeth to work with.

the high tooth game is more hype than real world benefit.

 

[M6erfan]

I have the Carlyle CHT R14LFLQR 1/4" drive and like it a lot. Ticks all your boxes, they also make a 3/8" version CHT R38LFLQR. They're pricey when not on sale but if you can wait they go on sale several times a year. One member just had some in the GJ classifieds so look for them there too.

 

[Aqua-Andy]

The nicest stubby 3/8 ratchet that I have found is the SK 45173.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

low back drag? then stay away from the 120's. good ratchets, i have some but the 60 or 84 tooth versions have smaller heads and enough teeth to work with.

the high tooth game is more hype than real world benefit.

Hey, if there's something with less back drag than the 120, I welcome it. Maybe I just haven't used enough ratchets to compare to. Any snap on I've used I wasn't impressed with, but I don't think I've used a dual 80 either

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I'll check those out, thanks!

 

[d.mcfarland]

Armstrong was the go to locking flex head on this forum before they went under.

Possible to still find them on the used market, but could always pay a slight premium and get the Match version.

MAC sells them also from their website.

 

[MattT]

MAC sells them also from their website.

Can the MAC be unlocked to use it as a regular flex head?

 

[AngryBeaver]

I don't understand the infatuation with locking flex heads. they are more cumbersome and less useful than regular flex heads.

Locking flex heads are training wheels for ratchets.....

 

[MattT]

I don't understand the infatuation with locking flex heads. they are more cumbersome and less useful than regular flex heads.

They're good for mobile work. Takes the place of both regular & flex head ratchets. Locking at an angle also sometimes helps with getting the socket on a fastener.

Not sure if you're aware of this but the Armstrong/Matco ones can be used locked or unlocked. The Snap-on I had wouldn't stay unlocked reliably.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I have the Carlyle CHT R14LFLQR 1/4" drive and like it a lot. Ticks all your boxes, they also make a 3/8" version CHT R38LFLQR. They're pricey when not on sale but if you can wait they go on sale several times a year. One member just had some in the GJ classifieds so look for them there too.

They're on a "monthly special" right now. Is that what you're referring to? Maybe I'll buy them while on sale. I'm a sucker for a good ratchet lol

 

[techieman33]

The 84 tooth gear wrench ratchets are available in locking flex.

 

[Professional Tool User]

There's the GW 84 tooth locking flex head ratchets, the EZ red quick release extendable locking flex head ratchets (plus other Made in Taiwan ratchets that use the same parts), and the powerbuilt/Carlyle quick release flex head ratchets (plus other Made in Taiwan ratchets that use the same parts).

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Looking at the carlysle. Are they quality? Smooth, strong?

 

[M6erfan]

Looking at the carlysle. Are they quality? Smooth, strong?

I've had mine for a few years now. Great quality, plenty strong and very smooth IMO. Some don't like comfort grips and those Carlyle are only available with comfort grips but I like them and they have been holding up great in my shop. Plus easy lifetime warranty if you have a Napa near by.

FWIW, the same head internals are available from PowerbuiltPro & Tone Japan but not in locking flex configuration.

Edit: Here's a mini review I did a while back...
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=306902

 

[Wamsutta]

Hey, if there's something with less back drag than the 120, I welcome it.

If there's a ratchet out there with next to zero back drag, a Cornwell lubed up with green Permatex brake grease would be it. And it's 30 tooth too.

 

[sk farmer]

I don't understand the infatuation with locking flex heads. they are more cumbersome and less useful than regular flex heads.

Locking flex heads are training wheels for ratchets.....

that is pretty useless comment. i don't see how they are more cumbersome. the gearwrench locking and regular flex ratchets are nearly identical and my locking armstrong are no more cumbersome than any other flex ratchet i have. what i hates is a sloppy, floppy flex head that won't stay in place. i will take a flex ratchet with detents or a tight flex any day.

if your locking flex can only be used in a locked position or unlocks by itself there is something wrong with it and or you are using the wrong one.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

1/4 Carlyle locking is on sale for $42, 3/8 on sale for $53 and 1/2 on sale for $70. The only one I'd be missing is the longer 3/8. Are these good prices or do they go cheaper?

 

[sk farmer]

Hey, if there's something with less back drag than the 120, I welcome it. Maybe I just haven't used enough ratchets to compare to. Any snap on I've used I wasn't impressed with, but I don't think I've used a dual 80 either

most of my experience with locking flex heads comes from the armstrong 60 tooth versions but i am well versed in the 60,84 and 88 click single pawl armstrong/matco/gearwrench danaher ratchets. i have dual pawl 120 gearwrench and husky locking flex dual pawl 100 click ratchets. i am not a big fan of the dual pawls even though they share the same lineage and design.

i have seen no advantage to making the jump to 100 or 120 clicks. from 60 to 84 or 88 yes but honestly it is hardly noticeable and i can't think of the last time i put down a 50 tooth because it had too few clicks.

merk is correct on a cornwell being smooth with no backdrag but they have one hell of a swing arc and the standards ratchets are just too damn short!

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Isn't the xp120 a 60 tooth gear with dual pawls around it? So would the carlyle 72 tooth single pawl be an upgrade?

 

[MattT]

merk is correct on a cornwell being smooth with no backdrag but they have one hell of a swing arc and the standards ratchets are just too damn short!

Merk uses RLL. I think Wamsutta is his cousin

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

So is three consensus that Carlyle will hold up well?

 

[Mr_John]

Isn't the xp120 a 60 tooth gear with dual pawls around it? So would the carlyle 72 tooth single pawl be an upgrade?

Yes, and the pawls are offset, so the engagement on each side is different - amounting to 120 different positions on a 60 tooth cog. It's a fairly novel and ingenious design, that seems to work very well - as I own a set of them, and would put them up against anything at any price.

 

[uncwstudent]

Carlyle all the way. Best flex heads I've ever owned!

 

[jsmeece]

Carlyle all the way. Best flex heads I've ever owned!

Same opinion I have, wonderful locking flexhead ratchets. I have all three 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2.

 

[Tallpilot]

I have the Carlyle CHT R14LFLQR 1/4" drive and like it a lot. Ticks all your boxes, they also make a 3/8" version CHT R38LFLQR. They're pricey when not on sale but if you can wait they go on sale several times a year. One member just had some in the GJ classifieds so look for them there too.

What gripes me about Carlyle is they have 90 tooth heads in their fixed ratchets and 72 in the flex heads. WTF? I do like the locking mechanism though.

 

[Tallpilot]

Yes, and the pawls are offset, so the engagement on each side is different - amounting to 120 different positions on a 60 tooth cog. It's a fairly novel and ingenious design, that seems to work very well - as I own a set of them, and would put them up against anything at any price.

It works fine it just has higher back drag on account of needing more springs than a single pawl design. If lowest back drag is the goal the 84 tooth wins.

 

[jsmeece]

What gripes me about Carlyle is they have 90 tooth heads in their fixed ratchets and 72 in the flex heads. WTF? I do like the locking mechanism though.

I maybe wrong, but I think it may have something to do with the flexhead being quick release (72 teeth) and the regular ratchets being non quick release have 90 teeth????

 

[spoon671]

I have a set of Stahlwille quick-release locking flex-head - here's my 3/8” (452QR). Backdrag is what you would expect from 80-teeth, right around SO, not as low as Gedore though. Locks at 0/30/60/90.

The selector switch has nice tactile feedback and is recessed a bit, as is the QR button. Flex button seems to protrude a mm or two. Ratchet is FOD. Cannot be unlocked for use as non-locking flex. [emoji481]

 

[jumbojak]

I have a set of Stahlwille quick-release locking flex-head - here's my 3/8” (452QR). Backdrag is what you would expect from 80-teeth, right around SO, not as low as Gedore though. Locks at 0/30/60/90.

The selector switch has nice tactile feedback and is recessed a bit, as is the QR button. Flex button seems to protrude a mm or two. Ratchet is FOD. [emoji481]

Is that made in Taiwan? Looks eerily similar to my Carlyle locking flex.

 

[spoon671]

Is that made in Taiwan? Looks eerily similar to my Carlyle locking flex.

It's made in Germany, but definitely has similar locking mechanism to Carlyle according to photos I've seen. That's why I posted! I've never had my hands on Carlyle flex, though. Do they have an auto-detent button that must be depressed to allow adjustment?

 

[spoon671]

Found this video on Carlyle locking flex QR, got a good view of the locking mechanism. Can't really go wrong for the price, it seems. The flex button seems to protrude up a bit and looks to be metal, which I don't know if anyone thinks that feature will cause damage to anything they are working on, but probably not.

I have never seen videos by this person but he bad mouths SO ratchets in this video just FYI.

 

[kythri]

I have never seen videos by this person but he bad mouths SO ratchets in this video just FYI.

He's also an idiot - "Snap-on has no ratchets with a quick-release!"

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Watching that video, the only questionable thing with the Carlyle ratchets is how high the button sticks up. Will it get caught on wiring... clamps... bump a shroud on the way down, etc. The Armstrong ones were recessed, weren't they? I don't have much experience with locking ratchets besides the snap on and matco. I like Matco personally.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I just want something durable I can work in tight spaces with. I like the gear wrench but multiple times I've tried to wiggle on a socket from above and the non locking head folds. Also, I like the quick release because retrieving a socket after it falls off ***** too!

 

[MagnusM4]

I’m also a big fan of the Carlyle. I’ve got the long locking 3/8 flex and it’s probably my favorite ratchet.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I think the mac ones would be my top picks but it would be like $400 for a set. Can the carlyle ratchets be had cheaper than I listed?

 

[jumbojak]

It's made in Germany, but definitely has similar locking mechanism to Carlyle according to photos I've seen. That's why I posted! I've never had my hands on Carlyle flex, though. Do they have an auto-detent button that must be depressed to allow adjustment?

The button isn't a problem in my experience. Harder to knock in then you'd think.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

That stahlwille looks similar to the mac one I spotted.

 

[Tallpilot]

I think the mac ones would be my top picks but it would be like $400 for a set. Can the carlyle ratchets be had cheaper than I listed?

They are often in the real deals flyer for ~50% off. The flyer is quarterly IIRC. The prices vary quite a bit but when they get serious about moving inventory the prices can be very appealing.