Torque wrenches - flex head vs. fixed head?

[BreeStephany]

I am looking to take advantage of my Snap-On student discount while I still can and have been looking at investing in 1/2" and 3/8" SO TechAngle torque wrenches to use in my everyday as a 3rd year apprentice / soon to be journeyman electrician, airframe & powerplant mechanic and hobby / shadetree auto mechanic.

I have been eyeing the 3/8" Drive TechAngle Flex-Head Torque Wrench and the
1/2" Drive TechAngle Flex-Head Torque Wrench.

I have primarily used fixed head torque wrenches in the electrical and auto fields, but used a mix of flex head and fixed head wrenches in the aviation field and really came to appreciate the ability to use them in tighter spaces where a fixed head can't work. I haven't noticed that much difference in accuracy, but again, my experience with flex-heads was only as a student, so I figured I would reach out to others for opinions.

With that said, I already have a 1/4" drive fixed head torque wrench (MAC), 2 3/8" drive fixed head torque wrenches (MAC & Husky) and a 1/2" drive fixed head torque wrench (Husky), but am looking to invest into some tooling that is a little more accurate and easier to have calibrated.

Would love to hear everyone's thoughts on whether to invest in fixed head or flex head.

 

[MattT]

I find flex useful on 3/8" drive. Never wished I had it on 1/2" drive though.

 

[Tallpilot]

I just got a 1/2 tech angle and a cheaper Asian flex head in 3/8. That little bit of flex is nice for the extra knuckle clearance. The Techangle is awesome and with your discount is a great value.

Be careful with angles on the 3/8. If you exceed the maximum over torque which is easy to do with torque to yield bolts it will go into error mode and need service.

 

[SS5150]

Go with the flex version. There's times a fixed head won't squeeze into a spot you need it.

 

[Patrick73RS]

I have flex head in both. I’m happy with them and see no need to change to fixed.

 

[Professional Tool User]

If you have bought and used a flex head ratchet, you'll know how handy a flex head can be. The same applies for a torque wrench.

 

[seanb02]

I've used both. I prefer the flex personally. Honestly have never come across a need to have a non flex, but there are times that a flex is needed or much more convenient.

 

[Tonyuk]

If you can afford the flex head then go for it.

 

[Wamsutta]

Be careful with that term "fixed head." Snap-on refers to that as being non ratcheting.