Swivel Head Ratchets

[Bruce57]

I have Snap on flex ratchets and a 3/8 SK swivel. I use them all and feel they are worthwhile to have them. I have not come across a situation where I needed the swivel instead of the flex head. I am a service tech and use my tools all day long.

 

[AndrewV]

Tried them a couple times, liked my flexs better. Just mho.

 

[ttpete]

Aren't the newer SK/Facom ratchets (like Montanafordman's) even finer tooth than standard SK fare? I only have the older style with the chrome rectangular selector knob, not the plastic like pictured. it is also a 43875, the one you bought in 1965 is a 3870.

That's correct. I used that ratchet for just about everything working in the indie shops. Went through several rebuild kits. Then it was stolen when my truck was. I eventually found another new one, and by that time, I was working for Ford and didn't really need it for much. So it sits in my box, and gets used once in awhile.

 

[abvw]

Long before I had access to a Snap-on truck, I bought a few GearWrench ratchets based on the raving reviews here on GJ. One of them was the 1/4" rotohead ratchet. There are countless reviews here on rotoheads and the general consensus is that they are "nice and a joy to use" as it doubles as a nut driver.

I broke the rotohead on the first valve cover bolt on a 2001 Honda Civic. Didn't even get to use the nut driver feature yet and it has already been stripped, rendering the ratchet completely useless. Got it swapped out many months later and the new one broke again on the first 12mm intake manifold bolt I put it against. What a piece of junk!

Since then, I dismissed every type of round head variant ratchets regardless of make/model/brand. I can spin down a fastener twice as fast with a flex head ratchet, with half as much effort (the flex joint works very well like a speeder), and I can put much more torque on the end of the handle at 45 degree without having to worry about the ratchet rolling off or pinching my support hand.

I just don't get the hype .......

 

[SASORacing]

For me personally flex heads look better aesthetically. The roto swivel heads look like something that walked out of a alien space craft Also the flex heads look stronger due to the way the heads are connected to the handle. My 2c.

 

[ttpete]

For me personally flex heads look better aesthetically. The roto swivel heads look like something that walked out of a alien space craft Also the flex heads look stronger due to the way the heads are connected to the handle. My 2c.

The single hinge joint ones get loose and floppy quickly. The Champion Plug Masters were this type. The S-K gimbal type ratchets were and are much stronger, allow use as a spinner, and can be tightened up with an allen wrench. It took a long time for SO to copy them.

 

[nicksnothereman]

I own most variations of ratchets except the swivel heads. I have been considering buying a set because I can see where they can be useful over a regular flex head. What are my options on buying a good quality set? I assume Snap On are the only ones offered now that are USA made? I have played with the GearWrench swivels at the store and thought they seemed pretty flimsy, but I've never used them.

Don't care for the design so I don't own one. Pretty much the taiwanese (gearwrench, harbor freight, others) would be in my tolerance range (price wise) but still haven't picked one up.

I'm sure the other truck brands besides matco (which is probably taiwanese) have a roto ratchet that is us-made but it's (again) not where I'd spend my money. I'll be honest though, I didn't see a whole lot of purpose with a flex head until I bought one so the roto heads probably also have their place in certain situations but probably similar situations as a flex head.