What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Flex head or regular ratcheting wrenches?

dhcomp

dhcomp

1 ton status
 Premium
Joined
Mar 17, 2001
Posts
10,938
Reaction score
2,768
Location
Truckee, CA
Just don't use them to break the nut loose. It will break the ring inside the ratchet easily:wink1:. After that its a preference thing
 
i dont know about the craftsman but i bought some flex head gearwrenches over a year ago and i use them for just about everything including break bolts loose all the time and i havent had a single malfunction yet... the flex head make using them SOOOOO much nicer! the perfect tool to get into hard to reach places such as transfer case bolts transmission bolts etc etc:bow:
 
I have a flex-head ratchet ... which I had to have Sears replace 'cuz the old one split at the hinge point. I'd worry that the hinge would wear out in time.

I find I mostly use my normal boring, one-piece ratchet for breaking fasteners loose -- sometimes just breaking them =)) -- and then only when I need fiddly work do I go for the weird tools.

Same idea here: if it's only for the times you need it, fine ... but for frequent use, simpler is better.

-- A
 
I have full sockets, deep wall sockets, regular combinatino wrenches, etc.

So for the most part, these will be for specialty use. But in the last month or so, i've wanted a set REALLY bad for a few bolts i couldn't get a socket on.
 
I have flat, offset and flexhead in standard and stubby length... I generally use the offsets the most, but the flexheads are nice...
 
ryoken said:
I have flat, offset and flexhead in standard and stubby length... I generally use the offsets the most, but the flexheads are nice...
Click to expand...



If you didn't have the offsets, would the flex heads fit in most of the places you would use them?
 
Id go for em, I have a sent of Blue Point Angled Rachet Wrenchs and use the snot out of them. I dont break stuff loose with them though. I will admit though my flex head Snap-On rachets are holding up well. Been through 1 truck wreck and close to a year of use still holding up good. The pin is the only thing Im worried about.
 
all of them, straight, flex, and angle head, you will eventually need them all
 
i have both flex and straight end from mac. having the right tool for the job makes i differance. stright works good for areas that i cant get my finers into or dont want the head to flex, the flex head comes in handy as you can use it as a speed wrench. there are some instances though that a ratcheting wrench just wont fit regardless of flex head or not.
 
dhcomp said:
If you didn't have the offsets, would the flex heads fit in most of the places you would use them?
Click to expand...

I would probably take the flex over the flat... but as said, they all have their advantages...

I don't worry about breaking stuff free with em... out of about 5 sets of gearwrenches, I've had 2 or 3 gears take a sh*t, and my tools go thru he!!... I spend enough with the tool guys that warranties aren't an issue... for me it's more of an onging battle with corrosion, what with the boat bilges and all, as opposed to the occasional blown up gearhead......
 
Out of all of the ones I have the Blue Point fixed ones get used the most.
I buy the flex head ones, one at a time for specific applications.
You have to pay attention when using the flex heads, go to town and all of a sudden ya went to far to get the wrench off and ya can't back it up. Then you end up with a stubby open end wrench when you have to torch it off.

I have a set of Blackhawks that I friggin hate, the selector switch is a piece of crap. It always either goes to a neutral position or switches direction.
I wound up welding another wrench to the 14mm one. It's only task is to remove the EGR heatsheild bolt on a snub nosed Volvo. I don't need the leverage just the extra length. SK wanted $40 for a long 14mm.

The Blue Points have a selector switch like a ratchet, much easier to manipulate with one hand all twisted up. I double wrench them all the time too. I should have bought them the first time around.
 
Personally I prefer non-flex when it comes to ratcheting wrenches. I hate when I can't use a ratcheting wrench because the box end is too freaking large.

As you see, opinions can differ quite a bit. I am with Confedneck though, sooner or later you will need/want them all. Just decide which you feel like spending the money on NOW. Most guys seem to start out with flat non-reversibles. At least that is the most common ones out there. Personally I really like flat extra longs with an offset box.
 
most guys start out with standard offsets from what I've seen...

stubby versions of any wrench are a godsend to marine mechanics...
 
I've got a set of the flex and 3 flat for the sizes that I've needed to get into tight spots. I like the flex ones a lot-as long as they fit
 
ryoken said:
most guys start out with standard offsets from what I've seen...

stubby versions of any wrench are a godsend to marine mechanics...
Click to expand...

All mechanics. I bought mine for one purpose alone and have never used them for that, haha. I quit working at Mitsu so no reason anymore. But one manifold nut on the Lancers you cannot get to unless you remove the power steering pump and bracket. UNLESS you stick a stubby on it and use a prybar to turn the wrench ;). That one 14mm stubby saves about 45+ minutes on a job that if I remember right pays 1.5.
 
Went to pickup the reversible set, and they came off sale and were 10 or 20 more a set :( Don't need them immediately, so i guess i get to wait til they are on sale again!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom