Another update.
I get frustrated with things that don’t work properly. See some of my firearms threads, for example.
So, I decided to see what I could do with the LP90 3/8” flex head ratchet. It had already been oiled. I took a 3/8 in. square socket, put it on my 18v driver, and ran the ratchet for a couple of minutes in each direction at a few hundred RPM. A several thousand ratchet ”clicks” in each direction.
And then disassembled it, cleaned it with brake cleaner, put it back together with a little bit of Remoil gun oil. I keep it in the shop for wiping down tools. When it runs out, I will start using my stash of CorrosionX. Any way…
I then disassembled the handle. It turns out not only was there Loctite on the torque screw, so it couldn’t be tightened down properly, there was a lot of oil in there. I cleaned up the torque screw so that it could be fully tightened, and I cleaned up the oil so that the flex head didn’t move as easily.
I used the LP90 today.
After all this “break in” work. It actually works pretty well!
Fairly fine tooth, with low back drag, and the head isn’t flopping around anymore.
Now, I’m still a bit frustrated because it should’ve worked right out of the box. However, I am pleased to have a functioning tool.