I have never once snagged the button on my Snap-On locking flex heads. The locking mechanism is far superior and stronger to the Mac and Matco/Gearwrench type. They're not even in the same league. Makes me wonder just what actual work experience the people who complain about the Snap-On lockers have.
I like the Snap On 3/8 locking flex head over the Matco. In my opinion, the button on the SO is easier to control than the Matco. On the matco, you have to use your fingernail just to move the switch and it hurts after a while. Also the snap on feels way smoother when ratcheting. The 1/4 versions are a different story. I love them both. The flex head switches move like butter! Matco's ratcheting isnt as smooth as Snap Ons but it's still a damn good ratchet. Cant go wrong with either one.
Thanks for the comparison man. The only too truck that shows up to my work is Snap on. I decided to take the used Matco over the snap on options. Only downside is the flex head is weak.
Husky makes a great locking flex ratchet that looks alot like the matco , and it also has a quick release button which is great . It's 100 tooth. Been using mine professionally for years with no issues
Me too. I find it hard to shake this bias. Especially when using them both, I have a subtle internal anger every time I have to (albeit my fault) unlock the joint. I'm blessed to have owned both. Cheers my94silva1
How the hell. You broke my he lock on Matco ratchet. I have mine for 12 years Please do a video on how you use your tools. Thickness makes a Huge difference.
Gearwrench 3/8 locking flex head is more bang for your buck on a budget. The newer Matco ratchets aren't that really good. I had one. And everytime I got fluids in the interals it hydro locked up. Traded it for a 72 tooth 3/8 Cornwell ratchet.
ZetaN7, haha good to note bro! The Matco ratchet internals seem to have higher sensitivity to excess lube (or any fluid) -- they become self reversing lol!! To be completely fair I have owned 3 88T Matco ratchets (1/4" fixed, 3/8" both fixed and flex-head) and only the rebuilt 3/8" flex head had this issue more prominent than the others. Perhaps the wear made for more forgivable tolerances [IDK, just a guess]. I would be unhappy too if this locking up happened on the regular. Good to hear, I have been out of mechanics for awhile now but I'll look into the Cornwell ratchets. Best!
I’ve had the Matco BFR128LFM, Matco BFR128LF, Snap-On FX80A and Snap-On FHX80A. The Snap-On locking mechanism is very weak. The spring is very weak, so it causes the teeth not to fully mesh with the teeth on the head, and they end up breaking. I’ve broken those teeth twice. But as far as the teeth on the head and the internals, they’re damn strong. I abused those ratchets almost daily and the internals never broke. I’ve never broken either of my Matco ratchets and I’ve had them even longer than the Snap-On ratchets. I use them daily and have used “cheated bars” far too many times to count and they’ve never bent and the teeth haven’t broken. As far as the comfort grip handles, I like the Matco handles much better. The Snap-On has sharp edges on the top and bottom which dig into your hands if you need to choke up/down on the handle. The Matco handle is more comfortable and it holds up better. My Matco has the original handle while my Snap-On is on it’s second and about ready for a 3rd, but it’s not a big deal because Snap-On replaces them for free (even though that’s not actually their policy). Plus the orange and black looks better than red and black in my opinion. The Snap-On mechanism for the locking flex-head is annoying because it sticks out. It does sometimes get in the way. If you push the button down and to the right, the ratchet functions as a regular flex-head, but the button doesn’t stay in place off to the side. So if you’re working and you bump the button into anything, it goes back into the locked position. Very annoying. The Matco locking mechanism is recessed in the handle, so it doesn’t get in the way, and it doesn’t switch between the locked and unlocked position unless you flip it yourself. The chrome on all 4 ratchets seems very durable and there’s no significant difference between the two brands as far as the durability of the chrome. Snap-Ons chrome is slightly brighter, though. The Snap-On ratchets have less play between teeth, so there is less slop. The Matco has 8 more teeth, so it has a smaller swing before the next teeth engage. The Snap-On has 7 teeth engaged to the gear while the Matco has 8. But as I’ve said, I’ve never broken either. So these differences are negligible. The big difference is in the feel. The Snap-On Dual 80’s feel incredibly smooth and consistent. However, the Matco Eighty8’s have a lot less backdrag. I’d give the Matco BFR128LFM a 10/10 and the Snap-On FHX80A an 9/10.
What’s your opinion on comfort grip verse non comfort grip? I’m picky about my tools getting marred up and I’m worried I’d be annoyed by possible chunks or scrapes in the soft grip. Thoughts?
Personally, I feel soft grips are more handy. You can try a hard acetate handle version too. Regardless whether chrome, soft grip, or hard handle -- it's true with realistic use the handled end is going to get marred with sooner or later. A little off topic but I feel more comfortable having a soft plastic end (as such with the soft grip) when whipping the handle back and forth in an engine bay (or wherever) in the event I do contact something it is less harmful to the equipment. Back to it I mean I get it, you want to have nice tools. With a soft or hard handled ratchet is always a possibility to have a replacement handle as a backup if it gets too damaged for your liking. With a chrome end a marr or gouge is for the most part permanent. Hope this made sense and was helpful.
Just got the matco 1/2" drive 24" locking flex . Immediately regret it. The Snap on ratchet is far superior. Why make a USA ratchet that just tears up your thumbs to use???? I was a bit sticker shock of the Snap on, but at least the damn thing doesn't shred my thumbs using it
Oh and matco vs snap on when it comes to head design being shorter on matco actually makes no difference since a socket doesn't fit flush against the ratchet like on a fap on.
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I love my matco 3/8s locking flex head. I've yet to bust the locking bit, plus the handle is thicker than a snap on.
I have never once snagged the button on my Snap-On locking flex heads. The locking mechanism is far superior and stronger to the Mac and Matco/Gearwrench type. They're not even in the same league. Makes me wonder just what actual work experience the people who complain about the Snap-On lockers have.
I like the Snap On 3/8 locking flex head over the Matco. In my opinion, the button on the SO is easier to control than the Matco. On the matco, you have to use your fingernail just to move the switch and it hurts after a while. Also the snap on feels way smoother when ratcheting. The 1/4 versions are a different story. I love them both. The flex head switches move like butter! Matco's ratcheting isnt as smooth as Snap Ons but it's still a damn good ratchet. Cant go wrong with either one.
Thanks for the comparison man. The only too truck that shows up to my work is Snap on. I decided to take the used Matco over the snap on options. Only downside is the flex head is weak.
Husky makes a great locking flex ratchet that looks alot like the matco , and it also has a quick release button which is great . It's 100 tooth. Been using mine professionally for years with no issues
Personal experience with the Snap-On units make me partial to them in this comparison. Well done
I love my 3/8 fixed head Matco now i need the flex.
I like the non- locking ratchet👍🔧 i like the Macto/Husky locking design because you can easily switch to a non locking.
Agreed. It's quite a funky L pattern on the Snap-on. Thanks for stopping by.
@@YungJosh50 The snap on is a true locking ratchet tho because the matco's are just too finicky and unlock too easily.
*MATCO 88 for the win in ORANGE!!!* top ratchet!!!
i like non-locking myself we did not have locking when i started so thats what i'am use to
Me too. I find it hard to shake this bias. Especially when using them both, I have a subtle internal anger every time I have to (albeit my fault) unlock the joint. I'm blessed to have owned both. Cheers my94silva1
Good post sir. I use a non locking snappy.
I’ve never seen a non locking flex head Matco ratchet in recent design
How the hell. You broke my he lock on Matco ratchet. I have mine for 12 years
Please do a video on how you use your tools. Thickness makes a Huge difference.
Gearwrench 3/8 locking flex head is more bang for your buck on a budget. The newer Matco ratchets aren't that really good. I had one. And everytime I got fluids in the interals it hydro locked up. Traded it for a 72 tooth 3/8 Cornwell ratchet.
ZetaN7, haha good to note bro! The Matco ratchet internals seem to have higher sensitivity to excess lube (or any fluid) -- they become self reversing lol!! To be completely fair I have owned 3 88T Matco ratchets (1/4" fixed, 3/8" both fixed and flex-head) and only the rebuilt 3/8" flex head had this issue more prominent than the others. Perhaps the wear made for more forgivable tolerances [IDK, just a guess].
I would be unhappy too if this locking up happened on the regular. Good to hear, I have been out of mechanics for awhile now but I'll look into the Cornwell ratchets.
Best!
I’ve had the Matco BFR128LFM, Matco BFR128LF, Snap-On FX80A and Snap-On FHX80A.
The Snap-On locking mechanism is very weak. The spring is very weak, so it causes the teeth not to fully mesh with the teeth on the head, and they end up breaking. I’ve broken those teeth twice.
But as far as the teeth on the head and the internals, they’re damn strong. I abused those ratchets almost daily and the internals never broke.
I’ve never broken either of my Matco ratchets and I’ve had them even longer than the Snap-On ratchets. I use them daily and have used “cheated bars” far too many times to count and they’ve never bent and the teeth haven’t broken.
As far as the comfort grip handles, I like the Matco handles much better. The Snap-On has sharp edges on the top and bottom which dig into your hands if you need to choke up/down on the handle. The Matco handle is more comfortable and it holds up better. My Matco has the original handle while my Snap-On is on it’s second and about ready for a 3rd, but it’s not a big deal because Snap-On replaces them for free (even though that’s not actually their policy). Plus the orange and black looks better than red and black in my opinion.
The Snap-On mechanism for the locking flex-head is annoying because it sticks out. It does sometimes get in the way. If you push the button down and to the right, the ratchet functions as a regular flex-head, but the button doesn’t stay in place off to the side. So if you’re working and you bump the button into anything, it goes back into the locked position. Very annoying.
The Matco locking mechanism is recessed in the handle, so it doesn’t get in the way, and it doesn’t switch between the locked and unlocked position unless you flip it yourself.
The chrome on all 4 ratchets seems very durable and there’s no significant difference between the two brands as far as the durability of the chrome. Snap-Ons chrome is slightly brighter, though.
The Snap-On ratchets have less play between teeth, so there is less slop. The Matco has 8 more teeth, so it has a smaller swing before the next teeth engage. The Snap-On has 7 teeth engaged to the gear while the Matco has 8. But as I’ve said, I’ve never broken either. So these differences are negligible. The big difference is in the feel. The Snap-On Dual 80’s feel incredibly smooth and consistent. However, the Matco Eighty8’s have a lot less backdrag.
I’d give the Matco BFR128LFM a 10/10 and the Snap-On FHX80A an 9/10.
What’s your opinion on comfort grip verse non comfort grip? I’m picky about my tools getting marred up and I’m worried I’d be annoyed by possible chunks or scrapes in the soft grip. Thoughts?
Personally, I feel soft grips are more handy. You can try a hard acetate handle version too. Regardless whether chrome, soft grip, or hard handle -- it's true with realistic use the handled end is going to get marred with sooner or later. A little off topic but I feel more comfortable having a soft plastic end (as such with the soft grip) when whipping the handle back and forth in an engine bay (or wherever) in the event I do contact something it is less harmful to the equipment.
Back to it I mean I get it, you want to have nice tools. With a soft or hard handled ratchet is always a possibility to have a replacement handle as a backup if it gets too damaged for your liking. With a chrome end a marr or gouge is for the most part permanent.
Hope this made sense and was helpful.
@@YungJosh50 thanks! I’ll check with the Mac guy today about possible replacement handles.
Connelly Turnpike
Just got the matco 1/2" drive 24" locking flex . Immediately regret it. The Snap on ratchet is far superior. Why make a USA ratchet that just tears up your thumbs to use???? I was a bit sticker shock of the Snap on, but at least the damn thing doesn't shred my thumbs using it
Oh and matco vs snap on when it comes to head design being shorter on matco actually makes no difference since a socket doesn't fit flush against the ratchet like on a fap on.
What guy couldn't use an extra millimeter LMAO
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