Do you like flex head ratchets?

[Elkins45]

I’ve been looking for an extended ratchet and many of them are flex heads. I don’t own one and honestly, while I can see their utility in certain situations they seem like they would be annoying to use. Also they seem like they would be more prone to breakage under hard use. Am I wrong and missing out on owning a great tool?

 

[GSCJR]

No, I prefer fixed.

 

[shortyb]

Only have one (about to order an Astro though ) and only use it for weird access places. Have a full set of flex head ratcheting box end wrenches though and I like using them. But for sockets, I prefer fixed head.

 

[bdcardinal]

I really like mine. The locking flex heads are a game changer. Those are a few of them, but I have a bunch of them.

 

[zzyzzx]

Pro Tip: You can own more than one ratchet. A flex head ratchet is something that you will wish you have bought several years ago.

 

[Trav]

I like and use both but many of the locking mechanisms are not the greatest, the one from Matco and Icon are the best I have used.
The worst are Snap on and push button types. JMHO

 

[HemiBenny]

If you do any amount of work on vehicles and many other applications, a flex head ratchet will save your bacon in certain situations.
I have a big drawer full of fixed and flex-head ratchets of varying lengths. The saying, "The right tool for the job", comes to mind.

 

[wavinwayne]

I have only one, a short Gearwrench 3/8" flex head. I thought it would come in more handy than it has. I can accomplish everything I need to with standard ratchets and a swivel here and there. My opinion would likely be different if I turned wrenches for a living.

 

[cptbarkey]

I've been using these two Gearwrench 120xp's almost exclusively since 2021 on several machines, no issues.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BTEXUY4?ie=UTF8&th=1

I have almost every Icon G1 variant, and a 3/8 G2 locking flex head, they are nice and feel great but not used anywhere as much. I suppose I will if the Gearwrench ever fails.

 

[MurkyAsparagus]

I thought they were a bit gimmicky. Then, I got one and I don’t not even use my normal ratchets anymore. The locking ones are fantastic. They’re just more convenient for me. I can loosen a bolt and then flex the handle all the way up for quick removal.

 

[xspeedy]

I have researching this topic heavily. There are various types, broken into three categories:

1) Free moving flex head
2) Detent flex head
3) Locking flex head

I think with time, the free moving ones allow any position but get floppy and don’t hold position well. The cheap Pittsburgh one I have moves out of position trying to get it onto the bolt. The detent ones hold position better but the positions aren’t infinite, so you have to pick among what they detent for. The locking seem to offer the best of both worlds.

I’m going to wait for the polished handle Icon G2 with the locking flex head and a good coupon deal or sale. The soft handle one is available now.

 

[PKFan]

I don't like them, but I see the need for them and own 2. I use them most often because they happen to be longer, so I grab them for leverage. I do not have any locking ones, though.

 

[Ausfahrt]

I hate flex head ratchets. Until I need one.

 

[jerryg]

You want one that flexs thru center of head not behind head in handle, much better to use!!

 

[D60]

I thought they were a bit gimmicky. Then, I got one and I don’t not even use my normal ratchets anymore. The locking ones are fantastic. They’re just more convenient for me. I can loosen a bolt and then flex the handle all the way up for quick removal.

This. I started using SnapOn flex heads and now I simply can't go back. Fixed ones seem crude, far less versatile and far more likely to drag my knuckles (despite the fact I'm kinda a knuckle dragger anyway)

Good joints shouldn't get sloppy and/or should allow for adjustment.

Personally I dislike locking in 95% of situations, and can't stand detents. Detents are never quite the right angle and want to "spring" to the next position with any amount of pressure.

Some guys like locking but I like the infinite (but controlled) "float" of a good joint.

I'd say force yourself to use a good flex head for the next several jobs, then see how you feel. It certainly is personal preference so your experience may not align with mine. I also prefer a 15" for my go-to 3/8" ratchet, so yeah I like the extra leverage -- it's just more practical for breaking fasteners that have been static for years or decades

 

[doitmyself]

Different, but sometimes I can scrape by with a universal joint (amount of torque is limited). And yes, I'm a shadetree wrencher, so don't bust my chops, lol.

 

[D60]

Different, but sometimes I can scrape by with a universal joint (amount of torque is limited). And yes, I'm a shadetree wrencher, so don't bust my chops, lol.
View attachment 321873

I also despise those because they're inherently unstable and want to "wrap up" into a ball under load. I do, however, prefer what I believe should be called "wobbles" or "swivels"

In reality the industry calls BOTH styles "universal joints'" which I find greatly annoying. The two are quite different in use and to call each the same thing is poor nomenclature IMO and only leads to confusion.

Make me king and I'll fix this problem right up.....

 

[demarpaint]

IMO flex-head ratchets come in handy in a lot of instances.

 

[TMoto]

Agree with others, they have their place and are very handy at times in those specific applications. Saves time, knuckles, and frustration. I have a Proto 3/8" drive that has a long handle that I really like.

However, if your concerned with damage from too much torque, that's what breaker bars are for.

 

[mojoe]

I prefer fixed, until I need a flex head. Then I really love a flex head.