Locking Flex

[DrkMtnDew]

Has anyone ever had any issues with either the Matco or Snap-On locking flex ratchets? Recommended purchase?

 

[Fedwrench]

I have both Armstrong and Matco locking flex head ratchets in 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 inch drives. I've never had any problems with the locking feature, as I rarely use it. It's there if I need it but, I've only used it a few times.

 

[mrholeshot]

Ive got to get me one of those

 

[wrenchr]

I have the 3/8 snap on and have had the 1/2 and 1/4 as well, they are very nice to have. I bought the 3/8 off of the truck about 5 years ago for $105.00

 

[wafrederick]

I have the Matco 1/4 drive locking flex ratchet and like it.Matco has the better design,a metal posi lock.Snap On better go back to the drawing board,the lever for the locking part is made out of plastic and breaks easily.Read this on facebook a lot and were replaced a lot.

 

[mspecperformance]

no experience with the locking flex portion of the dual80s but the matco and armstrong locking flexes are great. I own several.

 

[bchee]

I have danaher locking flexes (1 armstrong, 1 matco).
The only thing I don't like is that the reverse lever and locking lever are the same shape, and roughly the same size, so I find myself accidentally switching one or the other.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

I've heard talk that in situations involving a lot of dirt and grease, for instance a heavy equipment service truck, that the snap-on lock will jam up and fail to operate. From the pictures, the Matco version looks a little more forgiving and easier to clean in that type of environment.

 

[spv]

I have a Snap On FX-80 flex head ratchet. The one thing that I do not like about it is the play when locked. It would have been far better if they used finer teeth for the flex head lock mechanism to make it "tight".

 

[padronanniversary]

love my snap on ones.

 

[wrenchr]

I have a Snap On FX-80 flex head ratchet. The one thing that I do not like about it is the play when locked. It would have been far better if they used finer teeth for the flex head lock mechanism to make it "tight".

I have the 936 one and it is very firm.

 

[scottmlew]

I have a few SO locking flex and I like them...no Matco to compare to. However, one useful feature of the SO (that Matco may have, I'm not sure) is that it can be "unlocked" by moving the locking switch down and to the side...when I want a non-locking flex ratchet, I do have one to use, but if you don't, then this may be a consideration (and from time to time I'm lazy and I don't want to go get the other ratchet so I use mine in unlocked mode).

 

[bchee]

Matco can also be "unlocked"

 

[Cumminst100]

I have a snapon tx936 and Armstrong 1/4 with matco 88 guts I think I like the Armstrong better the locking mechanism seems more positive to me

 

[mrshaun]

Never in nine years has the lever break on the x series ratchets. Tx fx sx

 

[Seanbev24]

Never in nine years has the lever break on the x series ratchets. Tx fx sx

I call BS. Wafrederick's matco dealer's uncle read about it on Facebook

 

[truckdriver]

I call BS. Wafrederick's matco dealer's uncle read about it on Facebook

Actually it was Wafredrick's matco dealer's uncles sun's baby momma's brother.

 

[mrholeshot]

Never in nine years has the lever break on the x series ratchets. Tx fx sx

Yeah but lets talk about the head

 

[shotgunfatcat]

Ive got to get me one of those

Maybe you will finally have a dual 80. I am waiting for you to get one.

 

[mrholeshot]

Maybe you will finally have a dual 80. I am waiting for you to get one.

I'm thinking about it but I need a new fixed handle 15-16 inch 1/2 ratchet. I have Snap-On Flex but someone made off with the other about a year ago. I have very Old SK that I need to retire and I'm looking at a Wright for 54 dollars vs 143 dollars for the Snap-On. It does nothing but turn engines over. I just don't know if I want to drop that much into a ratchet that doesn't see hard use. I could get away with a 24 tooth for what this one needs to do. Just has to be long handle and not many places build them or are readily available to me. I thought about having my SK powdercoated because the chrome is flaking off the handle. I don't need chrome flakes in new engines. I shoved a peice of heater hose on it for now but I'm just ready for a new one. With Snap-On my local dealer by my home is a stone cold ******** to people who don't buy from him. Had he had a better attitude that may have been differant but not to the extent of my old dealer. If Duralast made a long handle 1/2 I'd be all over it.

 

[Griff93]

I've had problems out of my 1/2 long snap on. It will pop loose under load. I've had a kit put in it several times and it still does it. Most of the time they won't stay in the unlocked position either. I've had two of these. I stuck a picture up of a long 3/8 that I broke the handle off in the broken 3/8 ratchet thread. That one never gave any problems as far as the locking flex part other than the handle issue. I have an armstrong locking flex that I like a bit better. If I buy anymore locking flex ratchets, they will be this style.

 

[Sterff]

I have both Matco and Snap-on locking flex ratchets and I would recommend the Matco. I personally think they are easier to lock and unlock. Also you can use the Macto in the unlocked position.

 

[shotgunfatcat]

I'm thinking about it but I need a new fixed handle 15-16 inch 1/2 ratchet.


If Duralast made a long handle 1/2 I'd be all over it.

Ha, Yeah my long handled snappy is great for turning over motor's. I wish it was a dual 80 though.

you are really liking the Duralast ehh? You might have now convinced me to pick one up in a store, but I will set it back down after I look at it, lol.

I only own one flex head, some older long handled round head matco, which I thoroughly hate. And the joint on it is about as loose as a 2 dolla ******. I am going to cheat the system and warranty it (it needs to be warrantied anyways), sell it, than buy myself a new snap-on, unless I feel satisfied with the replacement.

 

[mrholeshot]

you are really liking the Duralast ehh? .

Actually quite well. I have used nothing else since the day I got it as I'm doing some ********* testing on it. I pulled a 396 Chevy apart with it using the ratchet and dead blow hammer. I've taken off wheels with it and put them back on. Put it on my wheelchair axle and rode it around for a half hour and then used it for every other thing I needed a ratchet for since day one. I've been doing my best to wear it out. It will be a month soon so I figure I'll have a years worth of wear on it, I can tell you already I wouldn't hesitate buy another. Absolutly great ratchet.

 

[stricht8]

Yeah but lets talk about the head

Oh, nothing a skilled welder couldn't fix.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

I noticed on the websites that both matco and snap-on offer 17 and 24 inch locking flex ratchets. my question is, is the matco 88 and the dual 80 good choices for these long ratchets or would a coarser tooth design handle the torque better.

 

[bsaint]

I have the FHF80 ratchet and it doesn't lock so I am looking to get rid of it for a locking flex head. I find I need this feature a lot. So we're saying that matco pretty much makes the best one. Any less expensive ones that lock well?

 

[Griff93]

Look at the Armstrong. They are the same lock setup as the matco and of course function just as well.