NEW Capri locking flex head ratchets

[Callelle]

I dunno if anyone pays much attention, but Capri has been teasing releasing locking flex heads for the better part of a year now. I just got the email that they released today. 90 tooth, extra long comfort grips. They look pretty good to me so I'll probably be ordering myself a set fairly soon.

90-Tooth Locking Flex-Head Soft Grip Ratchets

Capri Tools 90-Tooth UltraFine Locking Flex-Head Ratchet with soft grip handles, offering comfort, reach, and precision for any job.

capritools.com

 

[Steve_P]

I have their long 90T fixed ratchets and they're really nice- although I rarely use them because fixed head and long means limited fitment. If they came out with these a year or two ago, I definitely wouldn't have bought the few Snap On that I have. The Capri heads are thicker than Gearwrench 90T, Matco 88T, Tekton 90T, and about the same as the Snap On 72/80T. But the Capri 90T are nice ratchets.

 

[Fedwrench]

Glad to see they retained the goat head logo on the ratchet head. I'm assuming there's no unlocked position on the ratchet

 

[KnurledNut]

Wonder why they premiered it on XXL ratchets? Seems logical that the standard length flex heads would have more demand. I’m guessing these are William Tools TW sourced.

 

[Steve_P]

Wonder why they premiered it on XXL ratchets? Seems logical that the standard length flex heads would have more demand. I’m guessing these are William Tools TW sourced.

Williams? The division of Snap On? If so, no. These are a similar design to the rest of the 88-90T ratchets I listed above. They're closest to Tekton in mechanism design due to the cylindrical locating boss on the rear of the gear.

 

[drtyler]

Williams? The division of Snap On? If so, no. These are a similar design to the rest of the 88-90T ratchets I listed above. They're closest to Tekton in mechanism design due to the cylindrical locating boss on the rear of the gear.

William Tools – torque wrench, wrench handle, torque multiplier manufacturer in Taiwan

www.wtools.com.tw

William Tools, not Williams

 

[Hakeem]

Wonder why they premiered it on XXL ratchets? Seems logical that the standard length flex heads would have more demand. I’m guessing these are William Tools TW sourced.

Seriously. A 20.5” 3/8 ratchet??

 

[Fedwrench]

Seriously. A 20.5” 3/8 ratchet??

That's given me pause on the ratchets. I have a few 15 inch flex head ratchets that I seldom use due to their length. Once in a while the length comes in handy but for most tasks, they're too long. I can't see the usefulness in a 20 ich long flex head but, that's just me. I think the 12.5 inch long 1/4 drive ratchet is handy and the 25 inch long 1/2 version may be the best of the lot at $80 separately if it's stout. The other thing I'm worried about, is if the lock button creates a weak spot in the ratchet I have Mac and Gearwrench ratchets with similar lock button placement and I haven't had any issues. However, occasionally someone posts a picture of a MAC locking flex head that fails at button area. Of course, you never know if a cheater pipe was used or not. I doubt if Capri will release a shorter length version of this set. I'm happy that Capri released new tools.

 

[Mr_B]

I much prefer telescopic handle versions (decent manufacture effort ones) as you can adjust length to match job at hand thus you got far more usable/useful tool .
Facom do some and high-five done some super ten head style ones for a few rebrands .

 

[65k10]

Wonder why they premiered it on XXL ratchets? Seems logical that the standard length flex heads would have more demand. I’m guessing these are William Tools TW sourced.

I wonder if they did that since they already have standard length flex heads in their 72 tooth line and did not want to have the new ratchets eat into their existing line. I do agree that I hope they expand the line. I find a 25" long 1/2 ratchet to be very useful for regular use, but super long 1/4 and 3/8 ratchets see much less use compared to their standard length versions.

That's given me pause on the ratchets. I have a few 15 inch flex head ratchets that I seldom use due to their length. Once in a while the length comes in handy but for most tasks, they're too long. I can't see the usefulness in a 20 ich long flex head but, that's just me. I think the 12.5 inch long 1/4 drive ratchet is handy and the 25 inch long 1/2 version may be the best of the lot at $80 separately if it's stout. The other thing I'm worried about, is if the lock button creates a weak spot in the ratchet I have Mac and Gearwrench ratchets with similar lock button placement and I haven't had any issues. However, occasionally someone posts a picture of a MAC locking flex head that fails at button area. Of course, you never know if a cheater pipe was used or not. I doubt if Capri will release a shorter length version of this set. I'm happy that Capri released new tools.

I have seen some Mac 1/2 locking flex heads break at the head where the teeth are for the lock mechanism. Mac used a fairly large bolt for the pivot compared to a similar Matco 1/2 ratchet and it does not leave much metal on the ratchet head.

 

[j3rf]

Seriously. A 20.5” 3/8 ratchet??

First 3/8 drive ratchet I pull out of my cart is my Snap On FHLLX80G Extra Long Flex-Head. Leverage is very nice when loosening things I can't get an impact on.

 

[Hakeem]

First 3/8 drive ratchet I pull out of my cart is my Snap On FHLLX80G Extra Long Flex-Head. Leverage is very nice when loosening things I can't get an impact on.

why not a Long 1/2”?

Leverage is great but 20” is awful long for a general purpose 3/8”. I think ~13” is a more versatile size. Maybe I’ll change my mind after I try one

 

[j3rf]

why not a Long 1/2”?

Leverage is great but 20” is awful long for a general purpose 3/8”. I think ~13” is a more versatile size. Maybe I’ll change my mind after I try one

3/8 drive is smaller in size in every other dimension, including the sockets. Only problem with extra long 3/8 drive flex head ratchets is that they are prohibitively expensive as until recently, the one place you can obtain one is a tool truck. Taiwan rebranders only offered at most a 15" long flex head ratchet.

 

[sparky 1971]

Seriously. A 20.5” 3/8 ratchet??

I agree. My least used ratchet is a 15" LP90. I bought it thinking it would be great, but it's too effing long. About the only thing I've found it useful for is belt tensioners. My second least used is a 12" long 1/4" drive. Again, too long. I will add that #3 is a 26" long 1/2" drive, but I used it today for the first time in four years.

 

[KnurledNut]

3/8 drive is smaller in size in every other dimension, including the sockets. Only problem with extra long 3/8 drive flex head ratchets is that they are prohibitively expensive as until recently, the one place you can obtain one is a tool truck. Taiwan rebranders only offered at most a 15" long flex head ratchet.

I had a Powerbuilt Pro Tech 17” flex long before the majority of people had ever heard of them. Also available as Tone. And SP Tools offers one that length too. I have an 18” TEQPro breaker bar. But I do understand your point.

 

[Taco Truck]

Wonder why they premiered it on XXL ratchets? Seems logical that the standard length flex heads would have more demand. I’m guessing these are William Tools TW sourced.

Me too. I'm a little bummed. I've been following up with them about these periodically for about eight months and was excited to hear they were released because I assumed there'd be a 17ish inch 1/2" version which I could use to round out my ratchet set. I don't think Carlyle carries that similar locking flex (Hi Five made I think) anymore which is what I initially wanted which is why these were so appealing. Anyhow, if anyone has one of those Carlyles or an Armstrong locking flex about 17 inches long they're looking to offload, shoot me a message.

 

[Taco Truck]

Facom do some and high-five done some super ten head style ones for a few rebrands .

Can you tell me who that ratchet is branded for? If it comes in 1/2" that could be perfect for me.

 

[boxy30]

Can you tell me who that ratchet is branded for? If it comes in 1/2" that could be perfect for me.

I’m not Mr_B but am aware that Suekage Pro-Auto is one of the hi-five rebrands with telescoping length, available in 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2. They can be found cheaper potentially via Japanese drop shippers.

Suekage Pro-Auto Telescoping Ratchet

 

[Taco Truck]

You're awesome, man. Thanks!

 

[Mr_B]

Can you tell me who that ratchet is branded for? If it comes in 1/2" that could be perfect for me.

That one was Premier brand 3/8 drive part number AK8983
The 1/2" drive is part number AK8984
You can find them on Amazon & eBay at times, prices were fairly cheap back when bought mine but that pre ukraine & pre covid times .

 

[Taco Truck]

Thanks, man!

 

[Taco Truck]

Good news, fellas.

 

[Yarpo]

First 3/8 drive ratchet I pull out of my cart is my Snap On FHLLX80G Extra Long Flex-Head. Leverage is very nice when loosening things I can't get an impact on.

Not a snap on for me, but some of my most used are my extra long flex heads also.
BFR188LF - 18.5 inches 3/8"
AFR128LF - 12.25 inches 1/4"

Extra leverage is nice as you noted, able to get a different approach and stand off not cutting my hands on **** since I can reach farther.

Interesting ratchets tho, the 1/4" capri looks to be a good deal at 40 dollars

​

 

[asm154]

Efficiency matters when you are on the clock. That’s why many professional auto repair technicians own extra long ratchets like these. They eliminate the need for a breaker bar most of the time and gain access to hard to reach fasteners without having to remove additional parts.

My second most used 3/8 ratchet is an 18” Mac Axis flex head (next to my Matco 13” locking flex). I mostly use it for overtightened drain plugs and spark plugs, and hard to reach fasteners.

Just got the Capri ratchet set. Ironically, the 1/2” and 1/4” Capri ratchets are fantastic, while the 3/8 *****. I like the 1/2” better than the Mac Axis locking flex, which I sold off.

The issue with the 3/8 is the locking button. The spring is probably a bit too tight or too long or gets bound up, making unlocking it to move the head between its fixed positions more difficult than it should be.

Update: After taking it apart and adding a little superlube to the button, spring under the button, and locking position teeth, the button and flex head are now operating smoothly. I’m not sure how much the lubrication helped, as I think something was off during assembly, probably the spring positioning, but it sure didn’t hurt.

 

[bwringer]

I'm very interested in locking flex head ratchets, but I'll definitely be joining the crowd over here on the Group W bench that's waiting for standard length.

As above, I really do not understand why you'd want a tool designed for restricted access situations to be that goddurn long.

And soft handles make me crazy too, but I suppose that's mostly personal preference. Hopefully they'll be available without the creepy swollen squishy oil absorber condoms on the grabbin' end.

 

[nicks78camaro]

Got a set of these delivered today, the 1/4" drive version does not lock unless it is in the straight position. I emailed them and they want me to send the ratchet back for inspection since it's a brand new design. When they receive my ratchet they said they will send me a replacement. Hopefully it's better.

 

[Chipm]

Those are cool, but I would like them in chrome handles