Replacing my workhorse Dual 80 - suggestions?

[jeff13m]

My work horse 3/8 Snap-On dual 80 flex head with long handle (FLF80A) is missing. i've had it for 15 years maybe longer, i have no idea, and its never given me a problem after daily abuse. while i am waiting for it to show up to work, i need to replace it asap. the mystery of its disappearance is being investigated (stolen? left somewhere? its unclear but i've never lost a tool in almost 30 year of doing this job).

i can probably go a few days without but not much more. its like my security blanket or something. I have a bunch of other ratchets, Matco, SK, Proto, Bluepoint, Mac, and other Snap-On ratchets, but this one was my partner. I like the Matco 100 gear stuff in the 1/4 inch and my old pre 2000s Proto 1/2 is amazing. I'm not interested in the budget brands, no offense but I make a living with these things and don't have time to run to the local whatever to get a replacement - that said, i have gear wrench, craftsman, older Kobalt, huskey, Ikon, and others at home but this isn't for home use. i don't mind paying for it as long as it makes sense.

So question to the crowd - do i:
(1) replace with the same exact model (is it the same as back then?) then i'd have two of these if the old one shows up or
(2) go for the extra long handle Dual 80 or
(3) try out the new Snap On Cynergy 100 tooth long handle? I've read the reviews but haven't tried it out since i don't have a truck that comes by anymore. or
(4) Something new? any suggestions?

 

[Tynee]

I have a couple tools in my box that if they went missing, I'd have a new one on order that day. If I thought I couldn't get the same one again, I'd go looking for used on eBay. That sounds like the kind of tool you're missing right now.

 

[charbar]

I feel the same about my FLF80A. I own(ed) a couple of them and if I was without I think I would just quit turning wrenches

I lost one of my FLF80As a little while back.....wrenched with the second one for awhile but finally bought a FLF100 a few weeks ago. I don't know why but it's hard going from the 80 to the 100. I really tried to make the 100 my go-to ratchet and put the 80 back in the service truck, but every time I grab the 100 out of the tool box I find myself wishing it was the 80. Might be all in my head, but like you, the FLF80A has been an extension of my right arm for 15+ years.

I guess what Im trying to say is to just get another FLF80A if you want to be happy.

 

[bcradio]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
I'd get the same thing again personally

 

[jeff13m]

I have a couple tools in my box that if they went missing, I'd have a new one on order that day. If I thought I couldn't get the same one again, I'd go looking for used on eBay. That sounds like the kind of tool you're missing right now.

Bro - i am on ebay right now. . . . i've been reading on here that the newer snap-on stuff isn't like the older stuff. thanks man

 

[jeff13m]

I feel the same about my FLF80A. I own(ed) a couple of them and if I was without I think I would just quit turning wrenches

I lost one of my FLF80As a little while back.....wrenched with the second one for awhile but finally bought a FLF100 a few weeks ago. I don't know why but it's hard going from the 80 to the 100. I really tried to make the 100 my go-to ratchet and put the 80 back in the service truck, but every time I grab the 100 out of the tool box I find myself wishing it was the 80. Might be all in my head, but like you, the FLF80A has been an extension of my right arm for 15+ years.

I guess what Im trying to say is to just get another FLF80A if you want to be happy.

i knew someone here would understand - sounds weird to me too, like maybe i should get a different one, you know? but thanks for this perspective, really brings it home for me. even the one with the extra handle, i don't know what if it don't fit like the old one you know? probably stick with what i know right?

 

[jeff13m]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
I'd get the same thing again personally

thanks man - leaning that way

 

[Andres26tnt]

just get another dual 80

 

[Firebrick43]

If your using to make money, no doubt, get another dual 80

 

[charbar]

Bro - i am on ebay right now. . . . i've been reading on here that the newer snap-on stuff isn't like the older stuff. thanks man

I don't know about that I guess...Ive bought a few dual 80s in the last five years, with two probably being within the last year or two and I they seem just as good as my old ones.

 

[jeff13m]

I don't know about that I guess...Ive bought a few dual 80s in the last five years, with two probably being within the last year or two and I they seem just as good as my old ones.

good to hear - how do you like the FLF100? would you get the FLLF80?

 

[jeff13m]

just get another dual 80

thanks bro

 

[jeff13m]

If your using to make money, no doubt, get another dual 80

thanks man

 

[Wamsutta]

i've been reading on here that the newer snap-on stuff isn't like the older stuff. thanks man

There's a slight chance the grip will be bigger than the one you lost. We never did get that figured out for sure.

 

[JWC86]

I'm a big fan of the dual 80 myself. I have a bunch of the ranging in age from 20+ years to 6 months old and the new ones feel every bit as good as the old one to me.

Be careful buying used on ebay, lots of clapped out junk on there(some very lightly used ones to but you really have to watch for them).

I've tried probably 12 or more other ratchets and nothing comes close to the dual 80 for me.

 

[jeff13m]

There's a slight chance the grip will be bigger than the one you lost. We never did get that figured out for sure.

good to know - really ***** with my old one going missing. that thing was like my right hand

 

[jeff13m]

I'm a big fan of the dual 80 myself. I have a bunch of the ranging in age from 20+ years to 6 months old and the new ones feel every bit as good as the old one to me.

Be careful buying used on ebay, lots of clapped out junk on there(some very lightly used ones to but you really have to watch for them).

I've tried probably 12 or more other ratchets and nothing comes close to the dual 80 for me.

good to know you don't see a difference either. yeah, ebay is a **** shoot - i almost don't mind paying full retail knowing its in good condition and the real thing. i noticed facebook market place prices are cheaper but its so cheap i don't trust it. so many convincingly good fake knock offs out there now - i bought a "mac" branded socket once but when i got it was deformed so it set me back on time and money. i also tried 10 different brands but none come close to the Dual 80 either.

 

[Wamsutta]

These are all the original small grips on the FHF80.

 

[jeff13m]

These are all the original small grips on the FHF80.

interesting - mine was the chrome handle so i might be ok. but you have four of them? in the same color? dude . . . at least get different color handles man. i love it though - looks good!

 

[FigN⋅m]

These are all the original small grips on the FHF80.

Is there any chance in heck you could mic the red ends and the widest portion of the black grip?
I recently acquired my first FH80DT and was a little surprised at the proportion of the grip.
(but likely not nearly enough to do anything about it.) I was unaware there may be gen. differences

 

[Wrench97]

I too have the new FLF100, and the FLF80 the 80 is still my go to the 100 is ok works well but just doesn't have the same feel as the 80.
I also have a Matco locking long handle that I much prefer to the the Snappy original FLX80.

 

[Wamsutta]

Is there any chance in heck you could mic the red ends and the widest portion of the black grip?
I recently acquired my first FH80DT and was a little surprised at the proportion of the grip.
(but likely not nearly enough to do anything about it.) I was unaware there may be gen. differences

Yes the widest point is slightly less than 1-1/6" measured at the [ a ] in Snap-on.

 

[seber]

Considering how spoiled you are by the one you lost, the only way you are going to be happy is by replacing it with the same thing or with a Koken. Nothing else will compare.

 

[garfunkle24]

FLF80 is my very favourite ratchet. I have lots of others and have tried many more. I'd replace with the exact same in a heartbeat.

 

[JWC86]

Considering how spoiled you are by the one you lost, the only way you are going to be happy is by replacing it with the same thing or with a Koken. Nothing else will compare.

If your(the OP) considering Koken keep in mind the selector switch is backwards to Snap-On(and most other ratchets) if you have been using a Snappy for 30 years it will probably drive you nuts. Most people say it doesn’t bother them but for me it’s a full stop.

 

[jeff13m]

I too have the new FLF100, and the FLF80 the 80 is still my go to the 100 is ok works well but just doesn't have the same feel as the 80.
I also have a Matco locking long handle that I much prefer to the the Snappy original FLX80.

What did you not like about the FLF100? I also have a few matco eighty8 the small 1/4 is awesome but the larger 1/2 i don’t like at all. Not sure why either.

 

[jeff13m]

Considering how spoiled you are by the one you lost, the only way you are going to be happy is by replacing it with the same thing or with a Koken. Nothing else will compare.

Not familiar with the Koken thanks for introducing me to a new name. Might need to check it out. But yeah, I’m leaning towards just getting another 80.

 

[jeff13m]

If your(the OP) considering Koken keep in mind the selector switch is backwards to Snap-On(and most other ratchets) if you have been using a Snappy for 30 years it will probably drive you nuts. Most people say it doesn’t bother them but for me it’s a full stop.

Oh **** thanks man. Yeah that would mess me up bad especially since I’m pretty sure all of my ratchets go the same way. It’s one of those things that I don’t pay attention to anymore so that would probably take some getting used to.

 

[shibertus]

Check out the Nepros NBR390AFL

 

[Wrench97]

What did you not like about the FLF100? I also have a few matco eighty8 the small 1/4 is awesome but the larger 1/2 i don’t like at all. Not sure why either.

It's not that I don't like it, it's just not the same feel.

 

[Samuel D]

It's not that I don't like it, it's just not the same feel.

Well, how is the feel different?

 

[charbar]

80 beside the 100. There is a difference for sure. Not a whole lot but when you are used to something it's enough of a difference to drive you crazy. Like Wrench97 said....no reason to hate the 100.....but it's just not an 80.

good to hear - how do you like the FLF100? would you get the FLLF80?

No. The FLF80A is the perfect length for me....if I need a longer handle I put a cheater pipe on it.

And hell no on the comfort grips. Cant get a cheater pipe to fit tight, handle takes up to much room in tight spaces, and honestly I would just feel like a pu$$y if I owned a ratchet with the comfort grip. There goes that mind thing again!

 

[jeff13m]

Check out the Nepros NBR390AFL

thanks man - will do. i've found tools from Japan aren't that bad, especially the JIS standard screwdrivers.

 

[jeff13m]

80 beside the 100. There is a difference for sure. Not a whole lot but when you are used to something it's enough of a difference to drive you crazy. Like Wrench97 said....no reason to hate the 100.....but it's just not an 80.








No. The FLF80A is the perfect length for me....if I need a longer handle I put a cheater pipe on it.

And hell no on the comfort grips. Cant get a cheater pipe to fit tight, handle takes up to much room in tight spaces, and honestly I would just feel like a pu$$y if I owned a ratchet with the comfort grip. There goes that mind thing again!

bro - i am the same way, need the cheater bar and the comfort grip gets in the way in tight spots. actually i thought my old 80 was stuck in the cheater pipe but it wasn't . . . still looking for the damn thing. Good to know about the extra length not doing anything for you - i may just get the same exact 80. the length on the 100 might ok too. thanks for posting that picture, didn't notice the size difference on the flex head joint too. appreciate it amigo.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

I have the FLF100 works great needing the reach and access on recent project, but the long flex dual 80 looks nice. I don't have it to compare, I only have the standard F80.

 

[ronkz650]

I like the KTC BRSW3L roto head ratchet a lot. I have the Snap-on long handle as well, but it's comfort grip, and as mentioned a couple posts back, that ruins it a lot of time. I'm just a home mechanic though. I have Snap-on, koken, Ktc, old Craftsman, Nepros. I still like the KTC best.

 

[jeff13m]

I like the KTC BRSW3L roto head ratchet a lot. I have the Snap-on long handle as well, but it's comfort grip, and as mentioned a couple posts back, that ruins it a lot of time. I'm just a home mechanic though. I have Snap-on, koken, Ktc, old Craftsman, Nepros. I still like the KTC best.

Never heard of KTC either. Thanks man. Need to check this one out too.

 

[jeff13m]

I have the FLF100 works great needing the reach and access on recent project, but the long flex dual 80 looks nice. I don't have it to compare, I only have the standard F80.

Yeah I’m still side eyeing the 100 with the extra long handle just to see how I might like it. The 80 with the long handle is just perfect. This whole experience made me realize I need to expand my long handle ratchets.

 

[joel63]

My work horse 3/8 Snap-On dual 80 flex head with long handle (FLF80A) is missing. i've had it for 15 years maybe longer, i have no idea, and its never given me a problem after daily abuse. while i am waiting for it to show up to work, i need to replace it asap. the mystery of its disappearance is being investigated (stolen? left somewhere? its unclear but i've never lost a tool in almost 30 year of doing this job).

i can probably go a few days without but not much more. its like my security blanket or something. I have a bunch of other ratchets, Matco, SK, Proto, Bluepoint, Mac, and other Snap-On ratchets, but this one was my partner. I like the Matco 100 gear stuff in the 1/4 inch and my old pre 2000s Proto 1/2 is amazing. I'm not interested in the budget brands, no offense but I make a living with these things and don't have time to run to the local whatever to get a replacement - that said, i have gear wrench, craftsman, older Kobalt, huskey, Ikon, and others at home but this isn't for home use. i don't mind paying for it as long as it makes sense.

So question to the crowd - do i:
(1) replace with the same exact model (is it the same as back then?) then i'd have two of these if the old one shows up or
(2) go for the extra long handle Dual 80 or
(3) try out the new Snap On Cynergy 100 tooth long handle? I've read the reviews but haven't tried it out since i don't have a truck that comes by anymore. or
(4) Something new? any suggestions?

I would go with (1)
I 've not heard overwhelming reports/reviews on the F100 up to this point.

 

[richfinn]

Oh **** thanks man. Yeah that would mess me up bad especially since I’m pretty sure all of my ratchets go the same way. It’s one of those things that I don’t pay attention to anymore so that would probably take some getting used to.

Also bear in mind the Ko-ken has a very compact head and super low backdrag (it's like butter)

The ***-backwards reverse lever is a very small price to pay for the advantages you gain if you work on Euro and Japanese cars