Locking flex heads

[Zelatore]

I've decided I should pick up a couple of flex head ratchets and have been searching for a tx72 and fx80 trying to get an idea of the going rate on these used.

But it seems the locking flexes are hard to find. Plenty of standard flex, just not many(any) lockers.

Am I missing something here? The lock seems like a great idea...I only have one no-name flex head now and rarely reach for it since I hate having it flex when I don't want it to. Are there some drawbacks to the locks that I'm overlooking?

 

[Subyroo651]

I am a huge fan of the locking flexes. Snap-On is good, Matco seems to do it better.
They can be left unlocked so they fill the non-locking role as well. Armstrong is a great alt to Matco(same Mfg). I have an Armstrong 1/4" & 1/2", Snap-On Fx80 and Matco 3/8" all locking.

 

[kc-steve]

I currently own a Snap-on flex head non-indexing FHF80. I picked it up on Craigslist for a song. It was rare that it turned up. It is tight and there is a Torx adjustment to tighten it up.

Since they are around $130 new, I don't think you'll find one for less than $70 or $80, just guessing.

Steve

 

[redline380]

im a big fan of the matco 88 lock flex head. all the older snap on flex heads i have seen are very floppy and that would annoy the hell out of me. i also love the 88 tooth action. im sure snap on makes excellent locking head versions too, but ive never used one so i can't have an opinion on those.

 

[Sloasszx3]

88 tooth 3/8th Dr Matco locking flexhead is my go to ratchet. Always comes in handy and I've put quite a bit of torque on it bandit handles like a charm.

 

[Zelatore]

I'll expand the search to include the matco 88s. Thanks guys!

 

[vintagefan]

I currently own a Snap-on flex head non-indexing FHF80. I picked it up on Craigslist for a song. It was rare that it turned up. It is tight and there is a Torx adjustment to tighten it up.

Since they are around $130 new, I don't think you'll find one for less than $70 or $80, just guessing.

Steve

Nice! I just picked up one for $60 cash from a buddy, brand new (you can tell there hasn't been a socket on it, still has the black coating).

I hadn't gotten a chance to check what they go for, but I knew I got a good deal, since you can barely find a plain F80 for that sometimes.

He said he has a whole box full where that came from too.

 

[chris6278]

Definitely recommend Matco/Armstrong locking flex heads

 

[Zelatore]

Nice! I just picked up one for $60 cash from a buddy, brand new (you can tell there hasn't been a socket on it, still has the black coating).

I hadn't gotten a chance to check what they go for, but I knew I got a good deal, since you can barely find a plain F80 for that sometimes.

He said he has a whole box full where that came from too.

Well hey, I've got $60....maybe even $65 for a finder's fee....hook a brother up!

 

[dirtydogintex]

sorta like a bunch of Wilton vises? *ducks*

 

[ianguilly]

I have all for snap on, locking and non in 3/8, and 1/4. The non locking if relatively new from snap on are pretty tight, and can be adjusted.

 

[Fireball027]

I have both locking Matco and Snap on. I prefer the Matco one however. Either way you can't go wrong.

 

[Jarhead0408]

Here's one used.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=184735

 

[PinkLinc]

Buy the Armstrong version on Amazon and drop a Matco 88 repair kit in it. I just did that and got an awesome new ratchet for about $80 total.

 

[jetmech09]

Use a snappy 3/8" locking professionally. I have no complaints, although I do hear the lock mechanism fails at high torques, but I haven't seen it.

 

[dsmnickk90]

Buy the Armstrong version on Amazon and drop a Matco 88 repair kit in it. I just did that and got an awesome new ratchet for about $80 total.

The newer Armstrong already have the 88tooth kit in the 1/4" and 3/8" but kept 60t in 1/2"

 

[jmm]

I have a Snap-On FHX80. It's a long cushion-gripped locking flex. It splits time with a little Facom as my daily driver.

I have a few issues with it, the most obvious being the cushion handle. They aren't designed to last very long. No matter, I suppose, that's what the warranty is for. Besides that, the locking button is too high up on the handle to easily switch angles in the middle of use. The locking button also can shift from unlocked (free swing of the angle) to locked with minimal accidental force. The former is probably unique to the long-handled versions of Snap-On's locking flex ratchets; the latter is likely endemic to all of their flex ratchets (unless the design has been changed).

That said, I've come to like the ratchet so much that I've learned to work around these 'limitations'. It's got more than enough leverage to tackle big stuff -- I added 20, 21 and 22 mm 3/8 sockets to my drawer since the ratchet can handle it. And though it is a big ratchet, it also has the finesse to handle fasteners on the other end of the spectrum. Other perks, there are something like 10 locking positions for the flex head. As previously mentioned, there's a torx screw to add or back off on the tension when the selector button is in free swing mode.

In my opinion, there's none better than the Dual 80 design. Matcos are good ratchets, no doubt, but I'll take a Snappy all day.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

I have all three Armstrong locking flex ratchets at home and the 1/2 at work. all with 84 tooth kits I them and they are great. I am industrial maintenance and it holds up to my abuse.

I have a 3/8 snap dual80 flex ratchet it flops all over the place. I might weld it in the straight position.

 

[SMKS]

Armstrong locking flex head for the win.

Gearwrench/Matco/Armtrong 84/88 tooth kit upgrade optional, and not necessary, IMO. The 60 teeth it comes with is plenty.