Stubby flex ratchet

[seber]

I'm fed up with round head ratchets. Before I spend my allowance on a Snap-On flex head stubby, I thought I might try the Titan from Wallmart. $11 for a different name. Has anyone tried cutting off the 1/4" drive stub on this? Other than the stupid double boss what do you think of the ratchet? I know it doesn't cost much, but anything I buy means a long drive from here in the middle of nowhere, Tx.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I have a 3/8 stubby flex from Gear Wrench. It's the 120xp model. I've been happy with it. Out of the four piece set, I use it the most. I still reach for my SK's first though.

 

[HondaCBMan]

There's also this Carlyle from Napa. It is the one I'm considering purchasing. Couldn't find much about it on these forums though.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQR38LFS

 

[Wamsutta]

Black - FHKFD80A

Blue - FHKFD80AB

Green - FHKFD80AG

Orange - FHKFD80AO

Perl Blue - FHKFD80APB

Pink - FHKFD80AP

Red - FHKFD80AR

Yellow - FHKFD80AY

 

[Mr_B]

Napa carlyle good option but anything half decent taiwan and 72 tooth or more going be fine in a stubby .
Stubby's I use most are gearless, waste of money buying snapon stubby as simply don't need the strength while if wanting a long 1/4 ratchet snapon makes sense .

Titan at walmart less than 15bucks, easy strip it and cut the 1/4 square off and refinish the top smooth on bench grinder, rebuild it with some red grease and 3 or 4 drops of atf oil and it be butter smooth .
Plenty decent options from that price up to 50 bucks, even at 50bucks you want be using it daily warrant the cost or have very specific design criteria of the ratchet .
I'd buy the titan 2pc gearless stubby's too if make the trip ...

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I have the 84T Gearwrench and it's worked well so far. Not too expensive either.

 

[seber]

I have a pretty complete set of Snap-On ratchets but missing the SO stubby flex. I pretty much only use a long flex and stubby flex. Everything else in the box just sits. No need for gearless.

 

[Mr_B]

I wouldn't be without gearless stubby's
You may want keep set snapon out of preference but no need to as plenty good options at wide range of prices for the light duty they get .

 

[The Fall]

This one is highly underrated: https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/minature-flex-ratchet-5-1-2-contour-handle-e997.html

 

[seber]

Absolutely no more round head ratchets. I hate them. It is what I have now and I'm done with it.

 

[Mgdoug3]

Round heads are an acquired taste. I prefer them but others wouldn't give their worst enemy one. I don't need anymore but I ****** up any cheap SK I get my hands on since parts are easy to come by.

You should stop by your Wal-mart, Advanced Auto (Gear Wrench) or NAPA (Carlyle) and try out a few ratchets and go with what feels best. For around $25 or less you can find a ratchet that you will want.

 

[Mr_B]

carlyle ratchets are damn decent plus warranty currently simple and quick, gearwrench 84T pretty nice too and cheap if hunt around .

 

[The Fall]

Absolutely no more round head ratchets. I hate them. It is what I have now and I'm done with it.

That's fine. However, there's a huge difference between the garbage you find at HF and autoparts stores and quality round heads by SK, Wright and even the old Proto Challengers. I don't know what you've been using. If I'm really hammering down on a long-handle ratchet, I'll take my SK over my FL80 every time. I've had the FL80 rebuilt. That won't be an issue with the SK. I like pear heads too. I just prefer round heads.

The Wright ratchet I recommended is incredibly compact and can get into places pear heads can't. You can't go wrong with the Snap-on stubby. That's where the brand has always shined and one of the few places I feel the premium price is worth it.

 

[WWheeler]

This one is highly underrated: https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/minature-flex-ratchet-5-1-2-contour-handle-e997.html

That's a GREAT little ratchet. I wouldn't call it under-rated though. I don't think I've heard anyone who has used one say anything but how awesome it is. It's definitely not as well-known or widely available as it should be, considering.

 

[seber]

I have Williams B52, SK, Wright, and Proto round heads. Still don't like them.

 

[The Fall]

That's a GREAT little ratchet. I wouldn't call it under-rated though. I don't think I've heard anyone who has used one say anything but how awesome it is. It's definitely not as well-known or widely available as it should be, considering.

Yeah, I was referring to how relatively obscure it is compared to its competitors.

OP: Then round heads clearly aren't for you as you've tried the best. My friend at work only uses fine-tooth Snap-on ratchets. I still wouldn't go cheap. I had the CMan stubby flex and it left a lot to be desired, although it wasn't used often.

 

[Yarpo]

https://www.jbtoolsales.com/gearwre...4-tooth-stubby-flex-head-ratchet-full-polish/

You can get decent stubby ratchets pretty cheap. This dropped to 22 dollars a few weeks ago, at that price point you'd save money and time instead of chopping up a ratchet

 

[anndel]

I have a 3/8 stubby flex from Gear Wrench. It's the 120xp model. I've been happy with it. Out of the four piece set, I use it the most. I still reach for my SK's first though.

+1. I needed one within a week to do some engine work against the firewall and my SO driver didn't have any. I got the GW version from Amazon in a few days. My SO drive got some in after 2 months and though I didn't need it I was going to buy one from him for bringing them in but he asked if I still need it since someone else wanted one. The GW ratchet works great.

 

[sk farmer]

i have no idea why people still want stubby ratchets. i have standard and flex sk stubbies. since picking up my first compact 3/8 ratchet i have never used them i have compact 3/8 sk ratchets in regular, flex and long as well as 3/8 compact wright flex and 3/8 titan compact roto.

i have never said "boy i wish i had a bigger, fatter ratchet to fit in a small space".

maybe the figure they will break them but i never have.

 

[Wamsutta]

i have no idea why people still want stubby ratchets.

I'd be using that Snap-on stubby all the time if I had one. They're great for backing off fasteners in tight areas after the initial torque has been broken.

 

[sk farmer]

I'd be using that Snap-on stubby all the time if I had one. They're great for backing off fasteners in tight areas after the initial torque has been broken.

did you even read my post?

i am not stupid, i know when a person would use one. if the fastener is already free as you said, there is no need for full size ratchet head. a compact ratchet will fit in a confined space better than a stubby ratchet. especially a stubby pear head. the flex point is nearly half way down the total length of the tool.

 

[Wamsutta]

did you even read my post?

i am not stupid, i know when a person would use one. if the fastener is already free as you said, there is no need for full size ratchet head. a compact ratchet will fit in a confined space better than a stubby ratchet. especially a stubby pear head. the flex point is nearly half way down the total length of the tool.

If I used a full size ratchet head to break a fastener free, all I need now is a ratchet with a shorter handle to back the fastener out. If I switch to a 1/4 drive ratchet, then I either have to get an adapter, or a whole new socket/extension setup in 1/4 drive.

And if that's still not a good enough reason for you, I'll say the Snap-on stubby with the hard handle just feels good in my hand.

 

[CR888]

Probably the smoothest lowest back drag ratchet I own is a stubby flex 3/8" GW 120xp. 1-2 coils clipped off each pawl spring, a few drops of oil & they are butter smooth with hardly any back drag at all.

 

[Wamsutta]

Now if you guys are talking back drag, the winner of that is the Eugene Cornwell 30 tooth. Practically no back drag at all.

 

[sk farmer]

If I used a full size ratchet head to break a fastener free, all I need now is a ratchet with a shorter handle to back the fastener out. If I switch to a 1/4 drive ratchet, then I either have to get an adapter, or a whole new socket/extension setup in 1/4 drive.

And if that's still not a good enough reason for you, I'll say the Snap-on stubby with the hard handle just feels good in my hand.

wtf dude? you still didn't read did you?

do pictures help?

the first two pics have stubby 3/8 ratchets at the top with an assortment of compact 3/8 ratchets not 1/4.

the third shows a size comparison between sk stubby, sk compact and wright compact ratchet.

the fourth shows an sk stubby flex and a titan roto ratchet.

to the op, i know you asked for pear heads but in the world of stubby and compact ratchets there are far more choices in round head but at least this gives you an idea of what is out there.

 

[Mgdoug3]

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the 3/8 compact SK mechanism the same as a 3/8 thumbwheel? I wouldn't mind a compact ratchet but maybe slightly longer handle than the 40190.

 

[sk farmer]

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the 3/8 compact SK mechanism the same as a 3/8 thumbwheel? I wouldn't mind a compact ratchet but maybe slightly longer handle than the 40190.

yes, all of sk's 3/8 compact ratchets are based off the 1/4 mechanism. sk offers a long handled compact. it is in the pictures above.

honestly, the titan compact 3/8 roto ratchet like pictured above is a great compact 3/8 ratchet. it is something nobody else offers and one of my favorite ratchets. if i could only keep one of the ratchets in the pictures i posted above the titan would be it.

 

[Wamsutta]

wtf dude? you still didn't read did you?

do pictures help?

the first two pics have stubby 3/8 ratchets at the top with an assortment of compact 3/8 ratchets not 1/4.

the third shows a size comparison between sk stubby, sk compact and wright compact ratchet.

the fourth shows an sk stubby flex and a titan roto ratchet.

You're missing the boat dude. When you're laying on the stretcher having your heart attack, it'll be too late to get a snappy hard handle flex stubby in your hand. Live now before it's too late!

 

[Mgdoug3]

What's the model number of the longer SK compact? 4517x? "X" is the missing number.

 

[sk farmer]

You're missing the boat dude. When you're laying on the stretcher having your heart attack, it'll be too late to get a snappy hard handle flex stubby in your hand. Live now before it's too late!

simply amazing or pathetic depending on how you look at it. i am am emr and my son is a paramedic. i have used an aed to save someone's life. trust me, the guy didn't worry about having a hard handle ratchet in his hand and i didn't go home with a burning need to buy more (i do have one) after the fact.

if i am laying on a stretcher having a heart attack i pray that someone can help me so that i can spend more time with my wife, family, pets and friends. if the biggest thrill you have is a hard handle stubby dual 80 i truly feel sorry for you and your lack of understanding about what is truly important.

 

[KDoug]

I realize the OP doesn't want a round head, but I was kind of curious about the Blackhawk 34948B 3/8 stubby flex ratchet. I haven't seen anybody else mention them. Supposedly it's "Made in USA according to Proto's website, but it's probably more like made here with global materials. I've noticed their other ratchets that claim to be made in the USA aren't stamped. Are they garbage? I know there's better out there, but you can get one for $22 shipped on EBay. Doesn't seem too bad.

 

[sk farmer]

What's the model number of the longer SK compact? 4517x? "X" is the missing number.

the long compact is 45171, the flex is 3767 and the standard handle is 45179.

sorry i missed your question. i was distracted by the life and death importance of a hard handle rather than my normal answer of providing pictures, giving honest answers and real life experience.

usually i try not to engage the trolls but sometimes they just need to be set straight, even if they don't get it.

 

[Mr_B]

simply amazing or pathetic depending on how you look at it. i am am emr and my son is a paramedic. i have used an aed to save someone's life. trust me, the guy didn't worry about having a hard handle ratchet in his hand and i didn't go home with a burning need to buy more (i do have one) after the fact.

if i am laying on a stretcher having a heart attack i pray that someone can help me so that i can spend more time with my wife, family, pets and friends. if the biggest thrill you have is a hard handle stubby dual 80 i truly feel sorry for you and your lack of understanding about what is truly important.

Good dose of reality here.
Snapon has it's place but that place is not stroking it in your hand for tool ************ pleasure or for brand bragging .
In dying moments or if evaluating true pleasure of life a 3/8 stub flex handle with a snapon logo really don't have a place lol .

 

[seber]

I have no doubt not everyone has a need for stubby ratchets. Where they are important is when you are working shoulder deep in an area where only one arm will fit, especially if you can't see what you're doing. One hand on the ratchet, two fingers on the socket guiding it onto the hex head and now you realize the ratchet is working the wrong way. this is where round heads really fail. Just thumb the lever on a pear head and go to work. Putting that same fastener back in is when you want a flex to get the alignment with the hole using just two fingers and a ratchet in your hand. The breakaway or final torque may still require a regular ratchet with innovative extensions but heaven help the man who has to use that for the whole operation.

 

[woody1407]

Probably the smoothest lowest back drag ratchet I own is a stubby flex 3/8" GW 120xp. 1-2 coils clipped off each pawl spring, a few drops of oil & they are butter smooth with hardly any back drag at all.

X2 on the GW 120xp stubby flex

 

[1foxracing]

There's also this Carlyle from Napa. It is the one I'm considering purchasing. Couldn't find much about it on these forums though.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQR38LFS

I have the non-locking version of that ratchet and use it mostly as a sparkplug ratchet for motorcycles. Works fine in that application.

 

[jcbarry]

I have the stubby 3/8" flex ratchet from gearwrench. Came in a set that also included a long 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" flex head ratchets. Around $100. I honestly rarely use the stubby, but it has worked great when I have needed it.

Also I never understood all the love for round head ratchets. Ive tried all the reccomended brands (SK, vintage Craftsman, etc) but never really fell in love. To each his own.

 

[Mgdoug3]

People have different preferences. I'm the opposite of you. I use the stubby of out the flex set the most and I will go out of my way to grab one of my SK ratchets. I have learned that the tools don't make the mechanic. I know of a farmer like me that only buys John Deere tools, generators, air compressors, etc (even though JD just paints them green and slap a sticker on it) and I doubt he even knows how to tie his own shoes. He looks like he knows what he's doing though.

 

[jshillin]

I have a 3/8 stubby flex from Gear Wrench. It's the 120xp model. I've been happy with it. Out of the four piece set, I use it the most. I still reach for my SK's first though.

X2 on the GW 120xp stubby flex

Yep, I use the heck out of mine. I grab it out of box all of the time, definitely one of my most used ratchets.

 

[ngk22r]

There is always the 1/4 short flex head with a 3/8 gear you can do/get from a variety of makers.