Swivel Head Ratchets

[JDon99]

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.

 

[jim1987]

I wouldn't mess with them. Never use them as a diyer. Frankly they irritate me. Lol

 

[97tbird]

I've got a snap on one, looks identical to the gear wrench ones. its ok, not my go to rat.

 

[akpolaris]

I've got a snap on one, looks identical to the gear wrench ones. its ok, not my go to rat.

I agree, I own a couple and they have there time and place but not every time or all the time

 

[sparky5982]

I've had the gearwrench ones in 3/8" and 1/4", and I've found them to be quite good. They've held up well. These are versatile tools - the extra movement in the handle can get these into all sorts of unlikely places, and then they make for a quick spinner once the bolt is loose. Two drawbacks: The head is noticeably wider than a standard ratchet and gets in the way more often than you might think. Second, I don't like the squishy comfort handles. Not big on soft handles from anybody. Give me a nice, contoured steel handle any day.

All in all, not my go-to ratchets, but I use them frequently. Would buy again.

 

[franzdom]

Wera is a nice option

 

[DodgeMech]

the 100 tooth snap off is a nice one, but too damned bulky in a lot of instances

 

[espyking83]

The entire flex/swivel head concept is a gimmick imo. As a professional mechanic I have yet to see where they are a better option than a traditional design. I have bought several over the years and have either sold or traded them all away. Better off with swivel sockets or wobble-head extensions imo.

 

[Brownsfan]

I have the Snap On 1/4 and 3/8. I have found the only one I ever use is the 1/4. It's REALLY useful doing interior work. Use it as a ratchet to break bolts loose then flip up as a nutdriver. Really useful.with the Snap On magnetic sockets. Also when starting bolts using as a nutdriver is great. Not so much in the 3/8 drive.

 

[DodgeMech]

The entire flex/swivel head concept is a gimmick imo. As a professional mechanic I have yet to see where they are a better option than a traditional design. I have bought several over the years and hae either sold or traded them all away.

dude, flex heads are saviors...can be used as a speeder, then there's the giant swing of options of where to put the handle when applying torque...i couldn't live without my FLHF80...that i just left under a ******* truck...oh well, snap on comes in the mornin...got to get a new one i guess

 

[espyking83]

dude, flex heads are saviors...can be used as a speeder, then there's the giant swing of options of where to put the handle when applying torque...i couldn't live without my FLHF80...that i just left under a ******* truck...oh well, snap on comes in the mornin...got to get a new one i guess

If I cant find use for one in the hell-hole of a King Air 200 then I really dont see the point. I have a drawer full of speed handles and ratcheting adapters that I use 100x more than I used flex heads. When you say putting torque on it, do you mean for breaking bolts?

 

[DodgeMech]

If I cant find use for one in the hell-hole of a King Air 200 then I really dont see the point. I have a drawer full of speed handles and ratcheting adapters that I use 100x more than I used flex heads. When you say putting torque on it, do you mean for breaking bolts?

yes...of course you do your damndest to get it as straight as possible, but sometimes it don't work out...fuel lines and brackets and other **** in the way...

i had to use my backup FL80 a few times this week and i felt like i was in the stone ages

 

[cyato]

I have all three Snap On swivel head ratchets and they are pretty much all I use. I'm not a mechanic, so it depends on what your situation is, but for me it is so handy to break a bolt/nut loose, then swivel the handle straight and spinning out the bolt/nut like a nutdriver. (I think Brownsfan has an echo...) Most of my experience is on automotive interiors, but it's never been a disadvantage (for me) over a regular or flex head when under the hood or suspension work. For tight situations, I'll go with a flex head wrench or something else. I definitely don't consider them a gimmick. Friends and co-workers have gone with the Gear Wrench versions as a lower cost alternative after using mine, and they seem happy with them.

 

[Smokenarrow]

Like the above poster i have all 3 sizes of the Snappys. I absolutely love them. The 1/4" and 1/2" are lifesavers. They seem to work when nothing else will. The 1/2'' Snappy is long for the extra torque that is needed. The 3/8" is my every day go to wrench. It is pretty much all I use and I have a drawer full of regular Snappys and C-mans that I hardly ever pick up.

 

[vssjim]

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.

There are alot of USA made choices as in SK. Proto, Wright, Cornwell just to name a few.

 

[stonesfan68]

dude, flex heads are saviors...can be used as a speeder, then there's the giant swing of options of where to put the handle when applying torque...i couldn't live without my FLHF80...that i just left under a ******* truck...oh well, snap on comes in the mornin...got to get a new one i guess

The OP is asking about swivel- head ratchets, not the flex-head ratchet. I love my FLHF80 flex-head, too.

The swivel-head that I use the most is the 1/4 inch drive version. I use it to break bolts loose and then swivel the head to use as a screwdriver. It is very handy to use in that fashion. I'm just a DIY guy, not a professional.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[ChevyEFI]

There are alot of USA made choices as in SK. Proto, Wright, Cornwell just to name a few.

SK discontinued the 43875 when they parted ways with Facom.

They also discontinued the 3870, sadly.

I don't remember seeing the others but I'd be interested in seeing them if they're current production.

 

[MrJason]

I picked up a Long Handle Swivel 1/4" Titan 72T ratchet, and I'll be damned. . The quality is really good and exceptional value for the dollar.
I paid something like $24 via Amazon.

Happy hunting,
Jason

 

[davethorik]

I just bought an S-K 3870. I have wanted one to try for a while now. I am fairly certain I can see applications for it on my motorcycle. I have used it twice to put furniture together, and it already made itself useful. Using it as a ratcheting spinner is a nice ability to have.

 

[Jarhead0408]

I've got 3 of the SK 1/2" ones. Never needed to use one. Can't imagine I'd use a 3/8" one either. But I like having them anyways.

 

[1950mercury]

I have the 72 tooth harbor freight. Cant beat them for as little as i use them. Super strong but the drag os pretty bad compared to dual 80's

 

[ChevyEFI]

I've got 3 of the SK 1/2" ones. Never needed to use one. Can't imagine I'd use a 3/8" one either. But I like having them anyways.

I'm unaware of an SK swivel head 1/2" ratchet. Only flex handle.

Thread direction, next exit.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I bought the Snap On in 3/8" and my initial impression is it's badass. I haven't had a chance to use it yet, but it will likely become my go to and I have 3 different Dual 80 3/8" ratchets. It's definitely not a necessity, but Snap On ratchets make me warm and fuzzy inside.

 

[bwringer]

I have the 72 tooth harbor freight. Cant beat them for as little as i use them. Super strong but the drag os pretty bad compared to dual 80's

Me too. I have the 1/4" version, and I use it all the time on motorcycles. I am honestly surprised how useful it has been.

The swivel is wearing a 10mm deep, and I have other inexpensive 1/4" ratchets with 10mm shallow, 8mm, and 12mm sockets pretty much permanently attached. I might go get a few more 1/4" swivels for this purpose, in fact.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I have the HF swivel heads I keep in my truck box. I am not a huge fan of them. They take some getting used to. I got them because they had all 3 sizes and if they get stolen, then so be it. I also keep forgetting they have a release on them. I prefer a regular flex head.

 

[Jarhead0408]

I'm unaware of an SK swivel head 1/2" ratchet. Only flex handle.

Thread direction, next exit.

Shows how often I even pick them up! Went outside and looked and lo and behold, they are 3/8"! I've never even needed to use it before. I guess with the size and heft it's always seemed to line up well with my larger 1/2" ratchets.

 

[d.mcfarland]

The SK are nicer than Gearwrench by far.

I think the advantage is that the swivel head has an indefinite number of positions unlike the tradition flex head having just 6 or so indents.

 

[jim1987]

The SK are nicer than Gearwrench by far.

I think the advantage is that the swivel head has an indefinite number of positions unlike the tradition flex head having just 6 or so indents.

If they have indents. My duralast and Carlyle flex ratchets have no detents, infinite number of positions. And they are both very tight.

 

[d.mcfarland]

If they have indents. My duralast and Carlyle flex ratchets have no detents, infinite number of positions. And they are both very tight.

Oh ok good point Jim. I've only ever owned ones with indents. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[jim1987]

Oh ok good point Jim. I've only ever owned ones with indents. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[Dirty Diesels]

The entire flex/swivel head concept is a gimmick imo. As a professional mechanic I have yet to see where they are a better option than a traditional design. I have bought several over the years and have either sold or traded them all away. Better off with swivel sockets or wobble-head extensions imo.

Hey these ratchets come into there own on brake calipers and awkward areas in and around common rail fuel lines.

 

[mrjaw14]

I've got the two gearwrench ones. I use the 1/4 all the time to bust a low/mid fasteners loose, then use as a nut driver where I can't undo the rest of the way by hand. Skid plates for oil changes are where these shine, small engine repair, or paired with a 1/4 square to 1/4 hex insert bit socket for a fine tooth ratcheting screwdriver.

I've not really used the 3/8" as much, but I can see it maybe being used in a confined area where I'm wrenching on a strange angle. I don't think they are a gimmick at all.

 

[Danglerb]

I use the 1/4 swivel HF stubby a lot, almost my go to because its flexible in application, rarely do I need to go back to the box for a different ratchet.

OTOH you have to go with what you like, if don't like a swivel, use what you do like.

 

[skruft]

I have a few of them around but have had very rare uses for them although I have worked in my cars for a long time. I have used the swivel adapters much more. I think automakers tend to put fasteners where they can be reached without swivels.

 

[Rickster]

I have used an SK roto-head as my go-to ratchet for years until I bought a used Snap-on roto-head with the black hard handle.... As great as the SK is the Snap-on is better! I even bought the 1/4dr version and that's a really nice one too!

 

[sonvolt]

I have both the snap on and gearwrench versions and I find them useful in hard to get to places

 

[montanafordman]

I REALLY like my SK roto head. Mine is the fine tooth version made when SK was owned by Facom. I wish SK had a 1/4 version. One of these days I'd like to get a Snap-On hard handle 1/4 inch also.

 

[ttpete]

I REALLY like my SK roto head. Mine is the fine tooth version made when SK was owned by Facom. I wish SK had a 1/4 version. One of these days I'd like to get a Snap-On hard handle 1/4 inch also.

+

It's not like the S-K is anything new, I bought my first one in 1965. Back then, S-K was the only quality firm making fine tooth ratchets.

 

[kenburkholz]

To Skruft,
Don't believe for a second that car makers try to make any thing easy for the people who work on the cars. Even back just before my dad retired,he was frustrated by the way things were assembled. Like crossmembers that were bolted in with nuts and bolts with no way to get to the nuts on the inside of the box section of the frame, and this was back in 1975! when things were so much simpler. Good luck, Ken.

 

[davethorik]

+

It's not like the S-K is anything new, I bought my first one in 1965. Back then, S-K was the only quality firm making fine tooth ratchets.

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.