What style of flex head ratchet do you prefer?

Uncle Ben · Mar 22, 2013

Which style of flex head ratchet do you prefer? The style that has the flex point a few inches from the center of the drive, or the style that has the flex point directly in line with the center of the drive? (see photo examples below)

I'm not asking about brand, or style of handle, etc....just your preference of the position of the flex point is what I'm curious about. Thanks!

sk farmer · Mar 22, 2013

this, armstrong locking flex

jjjrmx5 · Mar 22, 2013

Both.

Roto head is great for using for both breaking bolts free and then flipping up and using as a spinner.

True flex is great for 3/8" and 1/2" drive where you need more power.

Thus why i own both styles.

Different tools for different puposes to a degree but there is always the ever ubiquitous big range of crossover duties.

hofferwood · Mar 22, 2013

sk farmer said:
this, armstrong locking flex

Agreed "Locking flex" :thumbup:

sberry · Mar 22, 2013

I got a Sears 3/8 that needs to be replaced. Its just a pain in the ****, the ball and mech is ****. I got them, rarely use. I am a straight drive power tool junkie.

ChevyEFI · Mar 22, 2013

I don't call a roto or swivel ratchet a flex ratchet.

I have never cared for the flex handle. If they don't lock or aren't ultra stiff, they are a bit odd to angle to suit the bolt without using both hands.

The roto style being centered, is a little more easily placed & doesn't need to be too stiff. That said, it takes up some width.

Hondarider · Mar 22, 2013

I just got this Wera Zyclops...it's beyond ****...can't wait to use it this weekend.

SMKS · Mar 22, 2013

Armstrong locking flex for the win. I don't really like non-locking flexes. The Armstrong can also be used unlocked, if you want.

But as mentioned, rotos are also handy.

jmm · Mar 22, 2013

I guess it's splitting hairs, but I don't think of a roto rat as a true flex. I like both, but my daily driver at work is a long handle locking flex.

jjjrmx5 · Mar 22, 2013

Hondarider said:
I just got this Wera Zyclops...it's beyond ****...can't wait to use it this weekend.

Jeebus!

That Zyklops has f^%$ing hips wider than Kim Kardashian. :lol:

I can't think of a single place that would work or fit for me outside of the occasional home use.

Like trying to fit a really fat girl into a 18' sailboat's v-berth.
Ain't gonna happen.

I didn't realize Zyklops heads have gotten so big.
Awesome tool and still Made in Germany but not svelt at all.

Bummer.

dink · Mar 22, 2013

I only use the Wera Zyklop in 1/4" and 3/8"

Danglerb · Mar 22, 2013

Both. I have HF roto and Snapon flex head, different tasks suit each tool. Most used is a stubby 1/4 drive HF roto.

richfinn · Mar 22, 2013

The less moving parts and plastic bits the better for me. Saying that I still like my spinflex.

jmm · Mar 22, 2013

jjjrmx5 said:
I didn't realize Zyklops heads have gotten so big.
Awesome tool and still Made in Germany but not svelt at all.

Bummer.

I thought the Zyklops was made in Taiwan?

I really like Wera's t-handles and screwdrivers, but the Zyklops + Koloss make me cringe.

jjjrmx5 · Mar 22, 2013

jmm said:
I thought the Zyklops was made in Taiwan?

I really like Wera's t-handles and screwdrivers, but the Zyklops + Koloss make me cringe.

I just assumed the set above was COO Germany based upon what I have seen.

The locking head 1/2" drive set above no idea. Again, not matter the drive size, it's waaaaaaaaaay too hippy and big.

Pumpman1968 · Mar 22, 2013

sberry said:
Its just a pain in the ****....

Quote of the day! :lol:

rusty65 · Mar 22, 2013

I prefer non locking flex ratchets although the only flex ratchets I have are non locking so might be a bit biased

.

dirtydogintex · Mar 23, 2013

chris142 · Mar 23, 2013

The top one. And I hate the locking flex. It always locks in a position that's off just enough to goof me up.

Skin · Mar 23, 2013

jjjrmx5 said:
I just assumed the set above was COO Germany based upon what I have seen.

The locking head 1/2" drive set above no idea. Again, not matter the drive size, it's waaaaaaaaaay too hippy and big.

The sockets are definitely made in Taiwan. Fairly certain the ratchets are too. They were never made in Germany, best case would of been the Czech republic.

scouting · Mar 23, 2013

I like the regular style flex, you have the power to break bolts free and then it instantly converts to a speeder handle. With the roto, you have to twist it like a screwdriver. The flex acts like a speeder, but with less leverage.

Edit: that may not be clear, to clarify I usually rotate the flex handle vertical to the bolt and spin the upper end of the ratchet around the bolt. I can't find any images, but it should be clear enough.

ChevyEFI · Mar 23, 2013

I'm not sure I've ever read of a roto breaking any part other than the round ratchet mechanism internals. Do those of you stating the flex is better for breaking bolts free just like how it feels when using it as a breaker over the roto stuff?

For that matter, of all mine, I've only ever broken a tm737 (internals) and a square drive on an SK 3870 (me standing on a 4' prybar to get wheel nuts off is a lot of force)

Chadwilliam1 · Mar 23, 2013

I prefer locking flex ratchets. At home I have Armstrong's with 84 tooth kits in them 1/4,3/8 & 1/2.
At wprk I have the 1/2 armstrong and 1/4 and 3/8 snap on and i dislike the snap on locking mechanism very much. I mostly use 1/2 at work so its no big deal.

theknurl · Mar 23, 2013

scouting said:
I like the regular style flex, you have the power to break bolts free and then it instantly converts to a speeder handle. With the roto, you have to twist it like a screwdriver. The flex acts like a speeder, but with less leverage.

Edit: that may not be clear, to clarify I usually rotate the flex handle vertical to the bolt and spin the upper end of the ratchet around the bolt. I can't find any images, but it should be clear enough.

+10

bobcatdan · Mar 23, 2013

When it comes to long 1/2" ratchets, the lock on my matco makes it nicer then my non locking SO. I do not like SO locking set up. My 24" matco is the only locking flex head I have and I do not feel I'm missing on the other sizes. As to flex vs roto. Total toss up however I probably use rotos more. If I could only have one 1/4" ratchet, it would be my SO roto.

wise · Mar 23, 2013

I love my non-locking flex Dual 80's. I covet the Snap-On Hard-Handle Swivel Head.

Thing is though, if you tilt pair-head ratchets back the whole way, they make a great makeshift speeder by holding one hand near the end of the handle, and spinning with the other hand right by the joint.

redline380 · Mar 23, 2013

Matco 88 locking flex here. Its locked straight when you want it, and flex head the other times. I still need to buy the 1/2 version, but have green comfort 3/8 and 1/4

skiingman · Mar 23, 2013

I have examples of locking, non locking, and roto. I think I like the roto the best in 1/4" and the non-locking for the rest. I find the rotos kind of annoying in larger hands, and the locking feature while occasionally useful seems like overkill to me after owning both.

TheGrooveking · Mar 24, 2013

sberry said:
I got a Sears 3/8 that needs to be replaced. Its just a pain in the ****, the ball and mech is ****. I got them, rarely use. I am a straight drive power tool junkie.

+1, Craftsman flex heads are the worst I've ever had the misfortune to hold, they use to be regulated to being in my car's trunk emergency kit but the Sears Gearwrench blow out in 2012 changed that, their now in the collection drawers. I must remember to put a note in there reminding my heirs to scrap them as they will be a scourge on humanity if not scrapped.

My preferences are Matco 88 tooth flex heads with cushion handles and Snap On for the roto-heads.

TheGrooveking

Adam McLaughlin · Mar 24, 2013

Round Head Fine Tooth
They don't want to "wrist" off of the bolt

Adam

jmm · Mar 24, 2013

Adam McLaughlin said:
Round Head Fine Tooth
They don't want to "wrist" off of the bolt

Adam

I've got one of those that I never give any credit on here. It's a Proto J5457f -- long handle, Facom mechanism. Got it from a member here in new condition. Thing was lacking when I got it -- mechanism didn't feel very good, and the head wouldn't flex all the way backward. The first really stuck bolt I broke free with it remedied that second problem. Took a while to fix the mechanism. First I added super lube, which made it better -- still didn't feel as good as my Facom ratchet. So I tried assembly lube in it, and now the thing feels like the excellent ratchet that it was designed to be.

With a little work, it's smoother than my 1/2" Dual 80. The head is almost the size of a 3/8" head. It'll go anywhere, and it's STRONG. The last job I used it on was changing out drive shaft collars which required final torque of 280 Newton meters. Highly recommended if you don't mind giving it a little tweaking.

Stooge · Mar 24, 2013

For 3/8 I have both a locking Armstrong and an non locking snap on, both around 12-13" and I find myself reaching for the non locking more often than the locking. Seems anytime I use the locking one, I eventually unlock it anyways, but I think its mostly because my Armstrong's ratcheting mech. locked up at one point, and even after fixing it, it had already made its way out of rotation. I have a swivel head Mac that I use from time to time but doesn't have the same confident feeling you get from the flexheads

What style of flex head ratchet do you prefer?

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