The ultimate 1/4" flex ratchet?

[Greg5OH]

Im on the hunt to find the right 1/4" drive locking flex head ratchet, steel handle.
Criteria are: 1) needs to be high quality. Minimum backlash, quality locking components.
Head cannot get floppy (shouldnt matter with locking flex I assume)
Thin profile everywhere, metal handle, at least 6" long.

Snapon was my first thought, i dont like the little wart surrounding the button. I understand its use but adds thickness.
6.25" length



Matco:
Locking mechanism looks quite bulky and IMO handle looks un ergonomic. 6.25"



MAC. This one looks really nice. But is the shortest at 6" super compact looking though and handle looks like you can module it easily.




Then I stumbled upon the GW units. slim head like the MAC, and 7" long..the 6 may be juuust tiny bit too short. I have a std length 4.5 1/4 drive if i need short handle:



Thoughts? What do you use?

 

[LXCam]

I've sure been happy with my Carlyle

 

[Greg5OH]

I've sure been happy with my Carlyle

I have only found soft handle ones on NAPAs website. I dont like.

 

[Notbn]

The Matco and gearwrench designs are almost the same dimensionally. If you like the gearwrench you'll like the Matco.

I have a short fixed head 90T gearwrench. It's a good feeling ratchet, although I haven't used it too much to really test its durability.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

IME with the 84tooth GW locking flex heads - the mechanism to lock them is nowhere near as nice as matco/armstrong ratchets were. It's much cheaper and crappier, little piece of thin metal vs. the beefier matco design. Still works fine.

 

[joseywales]

I just used the GW version, to reinstall the bumper of an ‘04 CRV. Only a couple bolts, but i was laying on the ground (cardboard) and reaching awkwardly to get in there and run the bolts in. Tiny incremental turns at times, with awkward angles. No complaints…even the cardboard did well, but I just upgraded to a 1/4” treadmill mat. Just a little something between me and the earth

 

[unslow1]

Take a look at the Gearwrench 81030.

 

[BTJHP]

Powerfist 8594590.

 

[ForrestT]

Powerfist 8594590.

How do I get one of these in the US?

 

[lardy1]

That Powerfist looks remarkably like my Carlyle (which I really like and use a lot).

 

[BTJHP]

How do I get one of these in the US?

Good question. I think they are only available at Princess Auto. If I can ever find a source I'll post it. The closest thing I own is the Powerbuilt non locking flex head by the same OEM.

 

[BTJHP]

That Powerfist looks remarkably like my Carlyle (which I really like and use a lot).

Yes. It's the Super Ten by Hi-Five.

 

[Fedwrench]

My spin: The MAC Axis locking flexhead's head is on the thick side. There is no unlocked mode, the head is always locked This is the same with Carlyle and anyone using a push button lock.
I find the locking mechanism on Gearwrench locking flex head ratchet to be not as good as the one on Matco. However, with Gearwrench, you can access the lock from either side. Gearwrench would be my choice because, it has the thinnest head (non 120xp), crisp action, and good balance.

 

[plinker]

The Gearwrench is ok, I kept unlocking it by accident though. I do like the older detented Gearwrench ratchets I have. (all are 60/84 tooth units).

I also have a few Matco's, which I use the most at work. The lock lever isnt recessed like the 3/8 & 1/2, but has not caused much issue. The 9" & 12" are very useful in general. I picked up a second 9" and put a 3/8 kit in for spark plugs, pretty much a life saver on Subaru's

 

[KnurledNut]

The ultimate plain handle 1/4” locking flex?

Its not been made yet.

All the current offerings have shortcomings.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Does the Gearwrench have stiff detents like the non-locking flex-head 120XP?

-Ryan

 

[sk farmer]

i have an armstrong, the same head as a matco. a very nice ratchet.

i also have the gearwrench 90 click with handle. very similar with a longer handle.

both have thin heads with a smallish diameter and no large knobs or other obstructions.

both can be used locked or unlocked. i would not hesitate to get either one again.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

My pick is the Matco. They also come in 9" and 12" lengths. Second pick is the GW which is very similar at a reduced price. Levers seem fine on both brands to me. The Matco/Armstrong have the lever recessed into the handle a little, which I like. I have a 8" fixed head Matco and have been kicking around the idea of getting the locking 9".

 

[Dakotadadv8]

OP nice post with the options, now I have to buy another tool. Never thought about 1/4 drive locking flex since the standard SO t72 works well, but SO TX72 standard locking flex for $148 is interesting, too late to add to Santa's list.

 

[Greg5OH]

My pick is the Matco. They also come in 9" and 12" lengths. Second pick is the GW which is very similar at a reduced price. Levers seem fine on both brands to me. The Matco/Armstrong have the lever recessed into the handle a little, which I like. I have a 8" fixed head Matco and have been kicking around the idea of getting the locking 9".

Just found the 9” this may be the ticket! Almost too long, something like 7” may be ideal but id rather a quality lock over the reported flimsy GW unit

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Does the Gearwrench have stiff detents like the non-locking flex-head 120XP?

-Ryan

I have a gearwrench 84, and an armstrong with matco88 guts in it. GW is 1/4 drive, armstrong 3/8

Gearwrench is floppy with no resistance if the locking lever is undone. The pin which holds the head to the handle is just pressed in, no way to adjust. The armstrong will also move freely with the locking lever undone, but the tension is adjustable with a screw. Pretty sure it's a torx.

 

[Nachito13]

I’m happy with this 9 inch Proto.

 

[ste6168]

I have nothing of interest to add, except that I am glad I am not the only one that does not like soft handles. Oddly enough, on pliers though, I prefer the Knipex comfort grips.

 

[Tools4Me]

This post might not interest the OP, but I tried out several locking flex head ratchets. I didn't like any of them for various reasons, so I sold them all off.

In general, I also don't like loose/floppy heads, fixed position detents, or quick release buttons on flex head ratchets. My ideal flex head is Snap-on style. No positioning detents, but some resistance to movement built into the joint itself by the use of a split washer inside the joint. That's what I use in 3/8" and 1/2" drive. The problem for me was, I don't like 1/4" drive Snap-on ratchets. Too much backdrag and the ratchet heads are often too big to get into tight areas. My main 1/4" flex ratchet is now a chrome handle GW 84 tooth. I duplicated the Snap-on flex head joint I like, by using a Dremel to grind away the original flex positioning detents. The handle mounted detent spring ball remained installed, to press against the flex head and give the head constant swivel resistance. My GW flex joint now feels exactly like a Snap-on flex joint, but I also have the noticeably thinner head and lower backdrag of the GW 84 tooth head. Sometimes it's easy to find the perfect tool for your needs, other times that tool doesn't exist so you have to come up with something you can be happy with.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

Just found the 9” this may be the ticket! Almost too long, something like 7” may be ideal but id rather a quality lock over the reported flimsy GW unit

The GW is far from flimsy. Here is a photo of a 3/8" and 1/2" Husky that I have at work which is the same as the GW. I have the 7" 90T 1/4" locking flex head ordered for work that should be here in a few days. I've held one and worked the lever already. All of my flex GW ratchets have the hinge screw as do these Husky's and my Armstrong's at home. I flipped the Husky locking levers around and will do the same to the GW once it comes in. That way they lock/unlock in the same direction as my Armstrong's which is the same as the Matco's.

 

[lardy1]

I’m happy with this 9 inch Proto.

That one's on my "some day" list.

 

[Notbn]

oops wrong thread!

 

[Greg5OH]

Santa came early!

Snap On QD3FR250A

Ooo nice!
im waiting on a call back for a set of 3 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 snapon torque click wrenches off a guy, rhe 3/8 is flex. Very useful for engine work

 

[Greg5OH]

So this isnt a 1/4 drive, but a 3/8 but I think I just found the holy grail.
Notive where the lock mechanism is? All the other Snappys I have seen the wart up by the head..not nice.
If you moved this wart to the left 90 degrees to be easily accessible by thumb....ill take 2 in each size.

 

[VolvoRyan]

I have a gearwrench 84, and an armstrong with matco88 guts in it. GW is 1/4 drive, armstrong 3/8

Gearwrench is floppy with no resistance if the locking lever is undone. The pin which holds the head to the handle is just pressed in, no way to adjust. The armstrong will also move freely with the locking lever undone, but the tension is adjustable with a screw. Pretty sure it's a torx.

Thanks for that. I don't like clunky detents, but I also don't like floppy.

I have nothing of interest to add, except that I am glad I am not the only one that does not like soft handles.

We are the few.

-Ryan

 

[Greg5OH]

I just had my new to me matco 3/8 locking flex rebuilt. The locking lever is very stiff, will be next to impossible to unlock with with gloves on. Dealer said it will loosen up with time.
Dont think ill be going matco for the 1/4 drive version.

I really wish snapon still made the locking flex with the button near the handle like the FDX 3/8 i posted earlier

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I just had my new to me matco 3/8 locking flex rebuilt. The locking lever is very stiff, will be next to impossible to unlock with with gloves on. Dealer said it will loosen up with time.
Dont think ill be going matco for the 1/4 drive version.

I really wish snapon still made the locking flex with the button near the handle like the FDX 3/8 i posted earlier

Try adjusting the tension on the set screw that holds the neck to the ratchet head. The head needs to wiggle slightly to unlock, and they do break in a little.