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Looking for a 15” ish handle 3/8 flex head ratchet

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bsaint

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I am looking for a flex head 3/8 drive ratchet longer than 10” but shorter than Snapon and Cornwell 18 and 17” long 3/8 ratchets. I found a gearwrench one but not sure if Its any good. Any other suggestions would be great.


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lardy1

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SK 45183 is my go to ratchet. Just under ten inches. Not a newfangled low profile unit, however. I love it though.
 
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Fedwrench

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MATCO makes one, as does all the other tool trucks.EZ RED has a telescoping one. Gearwrench flex heads are fine. Their comfort grip versions are longer than the all metal handled versions. Gearwrench is moving from 84 teeth to a 90 tooth platform. I would stay away from the 120xp versions but, that's just me. napa's carlyle has a few offerings. Powerbuilt pro has long flex head ratchets. There are many options available besides the tool truck.
SK's 90 tooth flex heads seem to be plagued with quality control issues. The 3/8 flex I bought didn't flex properly, and the direction switch binds.
Proto precision series 90 tooth models are sweet but, overpriced. Ensure that if you buy Mac or Proto, that you get an updated model with the screw heads on top of the ratchet head. :beer:
 
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bsaint

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Fedwrench said:
MATCO makes one, as does all the other tool trucks.EZ RED has a telescoping one. Gearwrench flex heads are fine. Their comfort grip versions are longer than the all metal handled versions. Gearwrench is moving from 84 teeth to a 90 tooth platform. I would stay away from the 120xp versions but, that's just me. napa's carlyle has a few offerings. Powerbuilt pro has long flex head ratchets. There are many options available besides the tool truck.
SK's 90 tooth flex heads seem to be plagued with quality control issues. The 3/8 flex I bought didn't flex properly, and the direction switch binds.
Proto precision series 90 tooth models are sweet but, overpriced. Ensure that if you buy Mac or Proto, that you get an updated model with the screw heads on top of the ratchet head. :beer:
Click to expand...


I have a 15” matco 3/8 breaker bar and I love it. Just want it ratcheting. The thing is I dont have a matco guy anymore.


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Fedwrench

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bsaint said:
I have a 15” matco 3/8 breaker bar and I love it. Just want it ratcheting. The thing is I dont have a matco guy anymore.


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Click to expand...

I would watch eBay because, I believe current list price on the 15 inch locking flex head comfort grip ratchet is $189.95. You can always order through MATCO tools.com.:beer:
 
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bsaint

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Yea and Im not a huge fan anymore of the matco 88 ratchets now that Ive used them so long.


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setfocus

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If I remember correctly, the new blue matco ratchet is only made in the 15" locking-flex 3/8 drive size, if you're also into blue tools.

Snap-on's FLF80 and FX80 are both about 11.5" long. There's a 13" mac axis ratchet too. Most companies that make a long flex 3/8 ratchet are around the 12" mark in length

I've got the matco 12" locking-flex, the SK 45183 mentioned above but with double tooth mech installed (which is actually 10.9"), and a regular length snap-on F80, for my 3/8 ratchets. Never felt much of a need for anything longer than 12ish inches, in 3/8 drive. If I need more leverage, I jump to my 1/2 drive snap-on SX80, that's about 17.5" long
 
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Tallpilot

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toolaholic said:
A 12 inch tekton : https://www.tekton.com/long-flex-ratchets
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That's 12.9" the way everybody else measures their ratchets. I'd go with that as the price/performance leader. Snap-on non-locking is 11.5" or 18". If you insist on 15" then you have already figured out Matco is the only option. They have the best locking mechanism just not the best ratcheting mechanism.

Personally I think the FHX80A at almost 12" (-1/16") is the best all around 3/8" drive ratchet made and it's cheaper than the 15" Matco.

Let us know what you choose.
 
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Skin

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MAC or Proto make a 13". The Proto in particular has a awesome fattened coke bottle style knurled handle and is probably one of the nicest looking ratchets available. The new revisions have screws going through the back of the head. If I didn't like my QR so much theirs are all I'd own for flex with that much stronger reversed hinge.

stercorarius said:
8510071e31997a94e25e0dd23a26b6a2.jpg

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OneDollarSaab

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Skin said:
MAC or Proto make a 13". The Proto in particular has a awesome fattened coke bottle style knurled handle and is probably one of the nicest looking ratchets available. The new revisions have screws going through the back of the head. If I didn't like my QR so much theirs are all I'd own for flex with that much stronger reversed hinge.
Click to expand...

Yes, get this ratchet. I bought the Mac comfort grip 13" flex-head for my brother-in-law's birthday and later decided I had to have the Proto for myself.
 
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CR888

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15 inch is a great size, you can put a good amount of torque through this size. I have a Gearwrwnch 120xp 1/2" flex ratchet and it's great. Really given it a work out and it's always worked well. That Proto looks nice.
 
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Mgdoug3

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I think the Snap-on rubber grip handles are around 14" long. I can't remember the model number but it was the first SO ratchet I bought and I'm glad I did.

Edit: I also like my SK 3/8 LP90 flex. If I don't need the extra leverage and working on a messier job I prefer the SK over the SO. Both are great ratchets (the edge probably goes to the SO) but I like using the SK better. I like using the shorter flex and the SK is also lighter.
 
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bsaint

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CR888 said:
15 inch is a great size, you can put a good amount of torque through this size. I have a Gearwrwnch 120xp 1/2" flex ratchet and it's great. Really given it a work out and it's always worked well. That Proto looks nice.
Click to expand...


Maybe Ill check it out with mac and wait for a sale. I do love the proto handle.


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HFlashman

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On the Proto website, only the 3/8 inch 12 11/16" flex head has the screws on the top of the ratchet head. I wonder if it hasn't been updated and applies to all sizes?
 
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OneDollarSaab

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HFlashman said:
On the Proto website, only the 3/8 inch 12 11/16" flex head has the screws on the top of the ratchet head. I wonder if it hasn't been updated and applies to all sizes?
Click to expand...

I don't know actually, and to avoid accidentally getting old stock I ordered an open box item on eBay that had the actual picture. You might also find one if you have a tool store that stocks Proto nearby.
 

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Skin

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HFlashman said:
On the Proto website, only the 3/8 inch 12 11/16" flex head has the screws on the top of the ratchet head. I wonder if it hasn't been updated and applies to all sizes?
Click to expand...

The heads are identical so all the 3/8 new stock should be the same. I think Zoro and Napa drop ship directly so someone can ask Proto if that's the case with what they ship out.
 
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Skin

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Same head yes. You should be able to get a Proto for similar or cheaper through the Napa flyer or Zoro with a coupon.
 
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bsaint

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Well I was nervous about hearing the sk binding up. Not a huge fan of Proto customer service. I like my dual 80s. Cornwell didnt have an option. I couldnt flag down the mac truck. So I called my old dealer in Findlay Ohio (Alex Dean - best SO rep out there) and he hooked me up.


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Mgdoug3

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Did you get the soft handle flex (FHLF80a I think)? That was my first SO ratchet I bought. Only downside is that it made me buy more SO ratchets.
 
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bsaint

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Yes that’s the one. Its my like 4th dual eighty and prob my 7th or 8th snappy ratchet. I have mixed in with it matco and mac ratchets. So I have one of every type except offset and gearless, just not all the same brand.


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Mgdoug3

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I use my SK LP90 more often since it's easier to clean but I have no complaints with any of my SO ratchets. After buying a hard handle one, I think I'll stick to them. I like the bigger handle and easy to wipe off grease.
 
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