Long vs Long flex handle

[SC-AW11]

Hey guys,
On Snap On student site deciding which ratchets to get . My first choice is chrome vs comfort grip. I know its been beaten like a redneck wife, but if you have any input, feel free.
I think I am gonna go with a few comfort grip for home, along with #RAT936 which is basic dual 80 3pc set of regular chrome handles. And then all chrome for future work box. I figure at work chrome is faster to clean, time is money, and don't have to worry about ruining grips. I can go slower and take my time at home so grips would hopefully last longer.

Another question I have is basically, is it redundant and/or unnecessary to have fixed long handles like a fl80, if you have a flex long handle like a flf80?

Thank you!

 

[SC-AW11]

This guys seem to have the Dual 80 bases covered lol

 

[joedodge]

All my comfort grips pulled off with daily pro use.i traded to chrome handles and will never look back. I've got a flex head and a fixed get both you won't regret it you have two ratchets don't always have to switch sockets and some times the flex is a gain sometimes a loss

 

[SC-AW11]

Cool, very good perspective. I think I read someone said their grip slipped off, but that was only one I think I read so I didn't think it was common. Sometimes a gain, sometimes a loss; pretty interesting. I think I can picture it being a loss, as well as a gain. Thank you man! You always have good information lol

 

[dirtydogintex]

In my book robustness trumps 'comfort' when it comes to tool grips
and
smooth and slick surfaces are easier on my hands than sticky, tacky, clingy when the hours start piling on.
If it's cold I wear gloves....

Other than for real cramped work, get the long flex first then the fixed later.
The fixed doesn't have to be long handled - you can have a cheater outta some small dia pipe/tubing or use a breaker bar....

 

[ianguilly]

Both.

 

[I van putski]

The comfort grip ratchets are a little bit longer and that helps in certain situations.
I prefer the grips and to have both fixed and flex heads.

 

[mrjaw14]

I use a regular handle where I can to save wear on the flex joint. Then I'll swap to flex ratchet if needed. Also keeps me from using flex when I don't absolutly need it, which helps stay squarely on the fastener and not pull the bolt head at odd angles and risk breaking it off. maybe I'm too paranoid of breaking the bolt, but seems like cheap insurance.

 

[jjjrmx5]

As for long or long flex in 3/8" drive, I suggest both.

Each has its purpose.
If you have neither, I suggest flex first if you do not have one.

As for comfort grip, that is a matter of choice. My soft grips have gotten chewed up over time from either the handle knicking on a metal part , fastener or sometimes grinding out on the bottom if working in a wheel well or close confines.

Soft grips falling off? I have not heard of that.

If ya wear gloves, the plain chrome will do you fine. They can get slippy if greasey, but are easy to clean.

 

[joedodge]

Ya it was crazy I have a 1/2 and 1/4 ratchet that were fine but my 3/8 ratchets the handles would literally pull of my dealer replaced the handles once and then finally gave me chrome handles and sent the comfort grip ratchets back to snap on. im much happier with the chrome handles as stated the comfort grips are cute for the ones who collect tools but in the real world they just end up trashed.

 

[Rico.]

It all comes down to how much money you want to spend. If you have a bottomless wallet
I say buy one of every type and have all your bases covered. If however like me your middle
name is not Midas, then buy the smart way. The long flex can do everything a long fixed
can do, but the long fixed cannot do everything the long flex can do.

So I bought the flex long in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" and put the money I saved on not
buying an extra three fixed long ratchets in other tools. I'm just a DIYer so the extra bit
of time making sure I'm on the fastener properly is not an issue. If you're using them
professionally or have the money then why not get both.

 

[Hyster Gareth]

Look at Williams for a flex if funds are tight.

 

[03protege]

The flex has become my primary ratchet, it is great being able to have a small 30 degree angle just to give you a hair more room and you don't have to worry about killing a knuckle.

Also I am pretty sure most my ratchets from here on out with either be some form of comfort grip. I have Snap-On hard handles and Gearwrench soft handles and both are much more comfortable than a round steel handle. My I just have sensitive hands but the comfort grips allow me to put a ton of extra torque on the fastener.

I find that I go back to using a standard ratchet whenever there is a hard to reach fastener that is somewhat deep, it is near impossible to fit the flex head on it. I am sure if you had a locking flex this would be a non issue.

Also replacement grips are really cheap from Snap-On.

 

[chammyman]

chrome handle and fixed head.

Diesel and oil destroy the comfort handles, they slide off and swell or peel apart.

Hard plastic handles tend to pull off the end after a bit of use and effort.

Flex heads fold and you mash your hand on something sharp. Or they snap at the pivot.

 

[03protege]

It all comes down to how much money you want to spend. If you have a bottomless wallet
I say buy one of every type and have all your bases covered. If however like me your middle
name is not Midas, then buy the smart way. The long flex can do everything a long fixed
can do, but the long fixed cannot do everything the long flex can do.

So I bought the flex long in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" and put the money I saved on not
buying an extra three fixed long ratchets in other tools. I'm just a DIYer so the extra bit
of time making sure I'm on the fastener properly is not an issue. If you're using them
professionally or have the money then why not get both.

This is what I did, Long flex ratchets and have other short fixed heads.

 

[JoeyMitch]

My first ratchet was an F80. Then my uncle gave me his old FL936 which had chrome chip and I got it warrantied for an FL80 (I didn't have to send the FL936 back). Then my hard handle had a crack in it so they sent an FH80 and I didn't have to send the old one back either. The soft handle was nice, but it got very dirty fast. I asked if they had just a hard handle to send me and they said they would check but they just send me an F80 and I got to keep the other ratchets too.

I like the chrome handle better. My go to ratchet is the FL80. None of my 8 Snap On ratchets are flex heads and I never needed one either.
I mostly work on boats and small engines.

 

[Farmall450]

I think either one will treat you well. I wear gloves mostly, personal preference.

 

[SMKS]

Armstrong Maxx locking flex. Best of both worlds.

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/Ratchets/11-994.html

 

[epmills]

Chrome handle locking flex head, best of every world.

 

[nuklbstr83]

chrome handles. buy flex & fixed *IF* you have the $. better to spend the $ now @ 50% off, instead of regretting it later at full price.

 

[cammok5]

I like the chrome handle better. My go to ratchet is the FL80. None of my 8 Snap On ratchets are flex heads and I never needed one either.
I mostly work on boats and small engines.

flex is good for working on i/o
i use mine for spark plugs on my i/o. keeps the handle from hiting the manifolds and a longer extention would be hiting the flor of the boat.

 

[shockwave]

I mostly use the flex handles where straight ratchets I use more for precision work like threading or spark plugs but the flex handles with comfort grip from snap on are great and easy on your hands while dealing with high torque fasteners but attractive to oils thou

 

[JoeyMitch]

flex is good for working on i/o
i use mine for spark plugs on my i/o. keeps the handle from hiting the manifolds and a longer extention would be hiting the flor of the boat.

That is true. I have the universal spark plug socket so that wasn't a problem but it would be if I didn't.