Locking vs non-locking flex head ratchet

[whateg01]

I can't think of a reason other than potentially locking is weaker because there's material removed from the design to fit the locking mechanism, but seems pretty unlikely to be a problem. So, is there any reason to not buy a locking flex head ratchet if given the choice?

 

[WWheeler]

I use both, with no preference for either.

Sometimes I want the head fixed in a certain position which can really help, if not be the only way to, get on a fastener in an awkward tight spot.

Other times I like that the handle can move while turning, which can save time when there are otherwise obstructions in the path of rotation. It takes a good flex head though to be able to do that. The head's got to be just tight enough not to be floppy with a socket on it, even a large deep well, but still let you swivel the handle while turning. Some flex heads you can adjust that level of tightness, and some you can't.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I can't think of a reason other than potentially locking is weaker because there's material removed from the design to fit the locking mechanism, but seems pretty unlikely to be a problem. So, is there any reason to not buy a locking flex head ratchet if given the choice?

IMO yes, but I like lots of options. Someone once commented my keeping of an FL80 and a Flex head Matco88 on my cart was redundant. I disagree, even if both were of the same brand.

Obviously the flex offers more features, and with something like a Matco 88 tooth you're not adding much bulk. So what downside does the flex offer? For one you're going to wear out the flex mechanism over time. The pivot point is inherently weaker than a solid piece of steel. When your ratchet is used in the unlocked position it will become floppier over time as the U shaped area wears. BTDT, even with a warranty I just don't want to do so if I can help it. I've done this to a couple 3/8 ratchets as you can really put some power through a longer 3/8 ratchet which is an inherently small handle size.

The other issue is wobble, when putting maximum force on the ratchet. The mechanism to lock the head always has a little play, and at really high torque loads you can start wiggling the ratchet as you increase the force which increases your likelihood of slipping off the fastener or hurting yourself. Sort of like getting death-wobble on a long flex head that doesn't lock where you start swinging back and forth and need to abandon to pull/push attempt. So much so that I don't like 1/2 drive flex ratchets without locking mechanisms because that can get dangerous fast.

That's mostly an issue at really high torque loads, but I specifically don't like flex head anything for exhaust work as a result It's not uncommon with a fastener glowing red I still apply enough force on a ~11" 3/8 ratchet to cause it to auto-reverse and pop off the fastener when it finally cracks free. SK, gear wrench, snap on, matco, basically anything can be coaxed to react that way at high torque loads and sudden changes in resistance.


With all of that said, one could absolutely use just a good quality locking flex as their main ratchet. I just like optimal solutions when possible.

 

[whateg01]

IMO yes, but I like lots of options. Someone once commented my keeping of an FL80 and a Flex head Matco88 on my cart was redundant. I disagree, even if both were of the same brand.

Obviously the flex offers more features, and with something like a Matco 88 tooth you're not adding much bulk. So what downside does the flex offer? For one you're going to wear out the flex mechanism over time. The pivot point is inherently weaker than a solid piece of steel. When your ratchet is used in the unlocked position it will become floppier over time as the U shaped area wears. BTDT, even with a warranty I just don't want to do so if I can help it. I've done this to a couple 3/8 ratchets as you can really put some power through a longer 3/8 ratchet which is an inherently small handle size.

The other issue is wobble, when putting maximum force on the ratchet. The mechanism to lock the head always has a little play, and at really high torque loads you can start wiggling the ratchet as you increase the force which increases your likelihood of slipping off the fastener or hurting yourself. Sort of like getting death-wobble on a long flex head that doesn't lock where you start swinging back and forth and need to abandon to pull/push attempt. So much so that I don't like 1/2 drive flex ratchets without locking mechanisms because that can get dangerous fast.

That's mostly an issue at really high torque loads, but I specifically don't like flex head anything for exhaust work as a result It's not uncommon with a fastener glowing red I still apply enough force on a ~11" 3/8 ratchet to cause it to auto-reverse and pop off the fastener when it finally cracks free. SK, gear wrench, snap on, matco, basically anything can be coaxed to react that way at high torque loads and sudden changes in resistance.


With all of that said, one could absolutely use just a good quality locking flex as their main ratchet. I just like optimal solutions when possible.

Seems you're comparing flex head to fixed. I'm buying a new flex head to replace an older craftsman flex head. Just trying to decide if the locking head has a downside. Like I can unlock it if I don't want it locked. I guess there's slightly more bulk in that area of the handle to allow for the locking mechanism. But is that or the weaker handle really a problem?

 

[whateg01]

Perhaps worth adding, I'm comparing a gear wrench locking flex head to a tekton non-locking. I don't see locking on tekton website so I'm assuming they don't make them.

ETA: I keep seeing that Honda, I mean gearwrench, is going downhill so I ordered a pair on non-locking tekton. My craftsman doesn't lock and it's been ok. I can certainly see where it would be handy at times but I have lived without for 50 years.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Perhaps worth adding, I'm comparing a gear wrench locking flex head to a tekton non-locking. I don't see locking on tekton website so I'm assuming they don't make them.

ETA: I keep seeing that Honda, I mean gearwrench, is going downhill so I ordered a pair on non-locking tekton. My craftsman doesn't lock and it's been ok. I can certainly see where it would be handy at times but I have lived without for 50 years.

Understood. I think it depends on the design. For gearwrench I would not consider their locking mechanism to take up any extra space so in my mind you should always go locking. FWIW I had an older 84 tooth locking flex in 1/4 drive, and the head is just limp if the lock is off, no detents to hold it. The tekton 3/8 flex I have does have detents, but the click/clack noise while using it if the handle flexed annoyed me so I got something else. Still a good buy though, solid mechanism from tekton, feels good to use, good grip.

 

[WWheeler]

[...] I'm buying a new flex head to replace an older craftsman flex head. [...]

The old Craftsmans had a spring ball bearing that snapped into detents in the flexhead so it would hold pretty reliably at a number of positions. Some didn't like that aspect of them so much but I sure do. I always found it was kind of a nice in-between of locking and non-locking.

I have more than a handful of locking and non-locking flexheads of various brands (including a bunch of old Craftsman, Snap-on, Matco, Williams, Gearwrench, Tekton, etc) and every one of the locking ones I have do not swivel as tightly/reliably when they are not locked as a good non-locking ratchet does. They tend to have a bit looser/floppier head to where you almost have to use the locking feature especially with any sort of larger heavier socket.

IMHO my Matco are by far my fave locking flex ratchets, and Snap-on are my fave non-locking.

 

[Tundra1]

I saw an ad that in a few days icon ratchets will be 40% off. I think all their options are either fixed or non-locking though.

 

[CJM8515]

i prefer non ball bearing/detent style and really prefer snap on flex period. the tolerances make them tight and easy to use locking or not.

now, for 1/3 the price capri brand flex non locking are REALLY nice.. cant say enough good about them

 

[Snapped-off]

I don't care for locking. I had a snappy a decade ago and traded it back to the truck for the non-locking version.

 

[LWB]

I use a snappy non-locking. I have a locking one somewhere but never use it.

 

[Fedwrench]

Of the zillion or so ratchets I have, many are locking. However, i rarely use the locking feature, just don't. Perhaps I like having that option should the need arise. I'm fond of the old Armstrong/Matco locking lever. Gearwrench copied it but, for some reason the Gearwrench version doesn't work as well. Gearwrench has a new push button locking flex head ratchet that works really well but, I'm not sure how much the hole for the push button weakens the handle. Lastly the small head, 72 tooth locking flex head ratchets from Carlyle don't have an unlocked mode. The head is always locked.
The Capri flex head ratchets are really nice but, they use the old school bat wing pawl gear design so, there's only a few teeth engaging the drive gear in each direction, Nice ratchets at a good price though. Besides, who wouldn't want a goat head logo engraved on their ratchet head

 

[Shoreline_]

The old snap on locking mechanic *****. The new snap on mechanism ***** in a different way. If I had one flexhead ratchet it would be locking, non detent, slightly longer than average . My goto ratchet is not locking but there are times I gotta bust out the locking matco.

 

[redwrench60]

I prefer a Roto head ratchet for my non-locking “flex” ratchet, and then a locking flex ratchet. I also keep a bent handle flex head as a third option in non fixed ratchets.

 

[Rinspeed]

I prefer non-locking myself.

 

[Matt_Imp]

Look at it as an excuse to buy more tools. Get a fixed head, locking, detent, and non locking flex head.

 

[Etchase]

Gedore 1993 G-U3 Let’s you adjust from locking to indexing to flex. Mine got lost in transit, so I can’t comment on how well it works.

 

[CS454]

Matco locking flex head on a 30" ratchet has been fantastic for **** like getting the socket onto weirdly angled NOx sensors about 24" from where I could reach em by hand... otherwise I typically shy away from flex head anything.

 

[whateg01]

Matco locking flex head on a 30" ratchet has been fantastic for **** like getting the socket onto weirdly angled NOx sensors about 24" from where I could reach em by hand... otherwise I typically shy away from flex head anything.

That's not one of the options I was looking at, but ok.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Depend more on the specific tool (brand) than the whole category. Snap-On SLX-80A is as strong as (and more sturdy) than my SO breaker bar.

For the most part, the locking mechanisms on these tools are placed where the tool doesn't need to be strong.

-Ryan

 

[CS454]

That's not one of the options I was looking at, but ok.

Apologies if my point was lost, was pointing out that a non locking flex head would've made such jobs incredibly inconvenient due to try to almost "pull" on a socket. Hence, locking flex or fixed wins for me.

 

[whateg01]

Don't remember if I updated or not but I ended up buying a 3/8 1/2 long handle tekton set. I wanted the quick release anvil. Seems like a lot of things where you can get 2 or the 3 requirements but not all 3. They arrived right before my trip to Brazil so I won't get a chance to try them out until probably middle of next month.

 

[Callelle]

After finally being spoiled by a locking flex head Matco 88 a few months ago, I see literally no reason to pick no locking over locking other than cost. If you don't want it locked, leave it unlocked, but the versatility of being able to keep it in one angle is the nicest thing. There are no downsides.

 

[johninct]

I used my Snap-On T-72 series locking flex today. I locked it 1 notch in so I could put pressure on the bolt head.

 

[whateg01]

After finally being spoiled by a locking flex head Matco 88 a few months ago, I see literally no reason to pick no locking over locking other than cost. If you don't want it locked, leave it unlocked, but the versatility of being able to keep it in one angle is the nicest thing. There are no downsides.

That was what I had been thinking. Thanks for confirming. A little late since I ordered the tektons but thanks!

 

[bonneyman]

I prefer non-locking myself.

I agree. So long as it's not loose and floppy.

 

[Rinspeed]

I agree. So long as it's not loose and floppy.

My Snap On is very tight and precise, if it wasn't I probably wouldn't feel the same about FHs.

 

[seber]

I have both but the locking is almost never used. There are times when it has an advantage but normally a tight flex is a better fit. For me, the ability to use the ratchet as a speed handle trumps a lock that prevents that.

 

[joedodge]

Love my non locking flex and Roto head ratchets that I use daily at work. Never have cared for the locking flex or seen a need

 

[autobon7]

Both have their place but I will grab the locking first. Have left many non locking (used) ratchets on the table over the years due to being floppy and sloppy.