Who makes a good flex head ratchet?

[Bottlecapdigger]

I just got a new flex head ratchet with the thumb switch. (Master Craft maximum) but after I got it home and started using it I find I almost need a screwdriver to pry the smaller sockets off. Maybe once it's wore in a bit it might get easier but I doubt it. This got me thinking is there a manufacturer out there that makes 1,flex head, 2, thumb switch, 3, push button socket release, and 3, with the longer handle.

Also money is no object for this purchase. BCD

 

[Bretny]

Thats prob almost every major tool manufacturer and this is like asking whats your favorite #2 philips screwdriver. So many awnsers and none will be wrong.

With that being said the craftsman ergo ratchet will check all your boxes but the gears strip. My USA made ones lasted 11yrs...chinese 2months. I went to husky.

 

[Bretny]

The craftsman ERGO will check all your boxes but i couldnt get one to last more than 2 months. I recently exchanged a USA made one i used for 11yrs for a chinese one...so stay away from craftsman.

O and i went to husky for my long handle 3/8 flex. Teeth feel smooth, convenient for me to exchange if needed.

Edit: damn no service lost my original post..i thought.

 

[Batscat]

Gearwrench.

 

[81turbota]

With money being no object..
Snap On FRX80A fits your requirements.

FHRLF80A is the long handle w/grip. Quick release non locking flex.

FHRX80AO Is locking flex quick release with grip.

 

[Ton ton]

Snap on, I will let you pick the model.

 

[parks31]

I have to agree the snap on ones are great. I recently picked up the locking flex and regular flex both with comfort grip.

 

[d.mcfarland]

 

[parks31]

I have one of those Stanley's also!

 

[Professional Tool User]

If the Maximum 72 tooth ratchet or one of the other cheaper Canadian tire ratchets, I can understand why you want to upgrade. If you have the Maximum 90 tooth ratchet, it's near identical to the Gearwrench 84 tooth ratchets. You might want to play around with it and see if you like it.

If you feel like burning money, Snap on and Mac should have something to fit your needs. Tekton has a line of quick release flex head ratchets. The Princess auto Powerfist locking flex head seem to be nice. If you don't mind an extendable handle and a locking flex head, there's EZ red. If you need a long flex head ratchet for breaking stuff loose, there are those Pro point ratchets that show up on the Princess Auto flyer every now and then.

 

[M6erfan]

Jeez, there's a lot. You didn't mention locking or not and not sure what your definition of 'long' is, so.... Carlyle, Tone, Ko-ken, Snap-on, PowerBuilt Pro, BlackHawk, GearWrench, Tekton, etc. etc.

 

[nieuport17]

I have one. It is actually not bad. Not my go to ratchet however.

 

[jimmyin3D]

Facom JXL171 it’s extendable, flex head, and quick release. Made in Taiwan dust proof head and the extendable shaft doesn’t rattle around like the husky/Stanley versions.

It’s fast become my most used ratchet next to my SO 3/8 in 1/4 body Roto ratchet.

 

[Catch_22]

Gearwrench soft handle.

I started with this after looking for weeks and using quite a few. I wanted a snap on FHLF80A (I used a buddies for a few days to test with) but I didn't want to pay for a snap on.
The gear-wrench was priced right and I like it a lot, I bought another for my car/junkyard kit and use both all the time.

That said, I also picked up a snap on FHLF80A two years later.

I don't know why, but it just feels better. Less teeth, 4x the cost and nearly no difference in dimensions to the GW. Its probably in my head but I do reach for it more and I have no idea why.

 

[Aqua-Andy]

If money is no object I would go Snap On! I have several SO ratchets that are Pre dual 80 and they still feel better than the Taiwanese ratchets made today. SO also has the about the perfect head joint design. I have a Mac Axcess 90 tooth flex head and the joint is just crappy, it is either too loose or it binds up if you try to snug up the screw. It also does not hold adjustment for more than a month or two. My SO ratchet heads hold the perfect tension for at least a decade.

 

[lardy1]

Like a broken record...……...I'm beyond pleased with my Carlyle/NAPA. It became my favorite ratchet right out of the box.

 

[mr.lemons]

Facom JXL171 it’s extendable, flex head, and quick release. Made in Taiwan dust proof head and the extendable shaft doesn’t rattle around like the husky/Stanley versions.

It’s fast become my most used ratchet next to my SO 3/8 in 1/4 body Roto ratchet.

Surprised how much I like my Facom JXL171 as well. Keep expecting it to bend or fall apart with it being telescopic but it's been very dependable.

 

[Blt2Lst]

Love my older snap-on flex head ratchet, not sure which model, it is one of my favorite tools.
It does like to hold onto sockets which is a good thing and can be a pain to remove a socket with greasy hands but it's better than having sockets fall off on their own.

 

[rijndael]

I'm really liking my Carlyle locking flex heads. Here's the 3/8"
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQR38LFLQR
You can get them on ebay, from UK sellers, for about half off.

 

[Rabid Badger]

What drive size?

What handle length?

 

[sweet victory]

I'm a fan of the Snap On's, but would very much like to try a Mac Locking Flex Head Axis ratchet.

 

[seanb02]

I've tried a lot of different ratchets over the years. Thought I was good with the selection I had. Then I needed a super long flex 1/2" for a specific application and ended up with Snap-on. That ratchet is perfect in every way to my particular preference. Now I have their ratchets in all the drive sizes in my most commonly used styles.

If you want the best that would be my recommendation. If you don't need the best there is, go with a Carlyle. They make great ratchets, and you won't be able to tell the difference if you haven't used a Snap-on.

 

[DSLTRK]

... is there a manufacturer out there that makes 1, flex head, 2, thumb switch, 3, push button socket release, and 3, with the longer handle.

Also money is no object for this purchase. BCD

Snap-On # FRLLF80

 

[woody6904]

Carlyle or Powerbuilt Pro Tech

 

[ChrisLS8]

Lol is this question serious? That's basically every brand out there

 

[Wamsutta]

I like Snap-on for their detent-less wrist joint. I prefer the free swinging friction joint.

 

[chris6278]

For flexheads i always go with Matco locking flexheads. Not a fan of Snapons locking ones

 

[Bottlecapdigger]

Thanks for some of the pictures, the SO look like they will fit the bill, I like the idea of the comfort grip. I got talking to a friend and he just traded his old ratchets in and upgraded to the comfort grips and very pleased with then. Now for me time to go shopping, and also need to decide if I like the locking flex or not. I will research some of the other brands too. This is so fun! Shopping for tools! BCD.

 

[JBH]

Surprised how much I like my Facom JXL171 as well. Keep expecting it to bend or fall apart with it being telescopic but it's been very dependable.

I haven’t used my Facom or USAG extendable flexes much - wish they made a 1/4” drive model - but they are very nice. Gedore is smoother with lower backdrag and lock, but their handles are relatively short. If that’s not a concern, and one doesn’t need a quick release, Gedore is where the smart money goes.

The other one yet unmentioned is Stahlwille. I don’t know about other sizes, but the 1/4” model is longer than most 1/4” drive ratchets. I wish they had one more lock detent to allow easy use as a spinner handle, but otherwise that’s probably the locking flex to beat right now.

 

[81turbota]

Just be aware the SO comfort grip gets dirty and torn up fairly quickly with any real use. They are also fairly large and can get in the way in certain situations. Replacements are cheap however.

I like the comfort grip. I have a few with it, most without.

 

[eschoendorff]

I have that in the Husky livery. I hate how the extending handle rotates during use. Other than that it’s ok. Nothing super special though.

 

[Rj555]

I have a Gearwrench flex head in 1/2, 3/8, and 1/4 drive. I have had them for a couple of years now. I like them.

Dozens of answers and no wrong answer.

 

[platypus20]

I have that in the Husky livery. I hate how the extending handle rotates during use. Other than that it’s ok. Nothing super special though.

The Stanley version (at least the 2 I have), the handle does not rotate, its keyed to the inner shaft.

 

[MarineScott]

I have several Snap On flex head ratchets with long and short handles, love them, but my all time favorite is my Matco 3/8 thin head locking flex head.