snap on 1/2 ratchet ?

[ijason]

hi i have been buying snap on ratchets, 1/4 and 3/8 drive i have flex-locking and straight in both drives but on the 3/8 FHX80 i have it has a plastic button and worried it could rub on something and brake. now I'm ready to buy my 2 1/2 drive versions straight and flex type but wanted to know if i should just go reg flex or flex locking? what would you all do?
Thank you

 

[Petey156]

I like the locking feature, because you can lock it strait and then it serves as 2 ratchets?

 

[92integra]

why buy a straight one when a locking flex would do the same thing????

 

[ijason]

Because the smsllest 1/2 dr locking ratchet is 18 inches long and the stright is 12 inches so id like both and its what ive done for my 1/4 and 3/8 so far all snap-on

 

[AndrewV]

I have the sf80a, non locking flex basicly. Never had an issue with it since they came out. Head has never been "floppy," just stays in place.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

I like non locking

 

[1950mercury]

Non locking. The locking matco or armstrong has a much nicer locking setup.

 

[Askme42]

why buy a straight one when a locking flex would do the same thing????

Amen. I have a few straight ones that came in set but other than that I have my locking armstrongs and I just don't see where straight would ever be an advantage.

 

[Askme42]

I like non locking

The beauty of locking is just don't lock it and it's non locking. Locking straight and it's a regular ratchet.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I like non locking

Me too. I've never felt the need for locking.

 

[devoncoolman]

The locking ratchets have an unlock feature as well so it can be used as a non-locking flex. They are preference related in my opinion. I only have one locking flex 3/8 and i love it but never felt the need to buy them in the other drive sizes.

 

[uk-doctor]

ive got the standerd length 1/2 s80a and the longer flex head, ive never felt the need for a locking flex head. not sure why they dont make a shorter length locking head thow but tbf ive never had one

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

The beauty of locking is just don't lock it and it's non locking. Locking straight and it's a regular ratchet.

I've only had experience with a Snapon locking 1/2 ratchet and it was terrible, to each their own but I will stick with my regular and non locking flex ratchets

 

[Ruger_556]

Locking flex, FX80 and the SX80 are my favorite ratchets. Non locking is just maddening to use reaching in a tight spot. If you bump anything trying to get the socket on the bolt head you have to reach up with your other hand and fix it. They like jumping off once they're on too and then you have to do the same thing. Locking you just set it and it stays. Some guys love the non locking though so clearly preferences vary

I don't see the love for the Matco locking design though, I know that makes me the only one but the SO design is nicer I think.

 

[IsaacJ]

All I have are non locking, I used my BIL's SO locking flex head on a project and hated it. if I tried to leave it unlocked, I would almost always bump the button and it would not flex when I wanted it to. But if we all liked the same thing, everybody would drive Hondas. (no offense to Honda lovers out there)

 

[ijason]

thank you all for your great advice. like i said before i want both a straight and flex locking because they come in two sizes, the locking one is min 17& something inches, where the straight is 12 inches so it's why id like both plus i have the same setup in 3/8th and 1/4 drive and I'm a tool junky so its a collection too
Thank you all.

 

[Bruce57]

I prefer the non locking. My Snap on stays where I want it and moves if I need it to.