'Flexi' spanners vs solid spanner

Amoeba

Amoeba

Amoeba

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Hi

Thinking of getting a set of the Halfords professional ratchet spanners, but undecided on whether to get the hinged ones or the solid ones:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_811703_langId_-1_categoryId_165572

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_811701_langId_-1_categoryId_165572

Price difference aside, does anyone have an opinion? The flexi ones look a lot more.. well flexible :p but I am concerned they might not be so easy to use if they flop around a lot.

Answers on a postcard! :D
 
Never owned any flex ratchets, I'm sure there is a use for them somewhere but I've never needed a set in 20 years of being a spanner monkey. :D
 
Get the solids, only ever had trouble with wobble head stuff. Not the spanner itself, just that you can put less & less leverage into it the further off the straight you go.
 
We've got the swivel head racthet spammers and they are invaluable for awkward to reach and see bolts.
 
Amoeba said:
Hi

Thinking of getting a set of the Halfords professional ratchet spanners, but undecided on whether to get the hinged ones or the solid ones:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_811703_langId_-1_categoryId_165572

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_811701_langId_-1_categoryId_165572

Price difference aside, does anyone have an opinion? The flexi ones look a lot more.. well flexible :p but I am concerned they might not be so easy to use if they flop around a lot.

Answers on a postcard! :D
Click to expand...
keeping it on an awkward nut with out flopping off plus the lack of lever from 45 degrees onwards. same goes for the floppy ratchets
 
Can't comment on the reliability of these things..

But I bet its one of those 1% jobs that you actually need it, ie you buy a decent solid set.. then 6months down the line you realise you can't get to a certain nut and curse the day you ever bought the straight spanners! :D
 
Hmmmm was hoping for a majority decision but everyone seems to have a different opinion :p

Normal spanners are ok but there are some occasions when I wish they were ratcheted. Still not decided about flex vs solid, I think the concern I have is exactly what SB118 has experienced.

Sigh -- will go in and take a look tomorrow I think ;).
 
daelo said:
Can't comment on the reliability of these things..

But I bet its one of those 1% jobs that you actually need it, ie you buy a decent solid set.. then 6months down the line you realise you can't get to a certain nut and curse the day you ever bought the straight spanners! :D
Click to expand...
I know... being an anal sort I was tempted to buy both sets just so I had the full collection :o.
 
Ratchet spanners brilliant, but flexi head ones after time loose there ability to stay ina certain position and go 'floppy' lol
 
Yeah I bought a flexi-head spanner and exchanged it, unless your car has been designed by a complete retard (and it's possible..) a ratcheting spanner alone should be more than sufficient, the flexi-head is just frustrating and you can never get much leverage anyway.
 
Ok thanks guys, to be honest I was erring toward the solids anyway so think that is what I will go for, despite them being twice the price haha :p.
 
I've been using ratchet spanners here for a few years now on the bike and they have been a god send for tight spaces. Still stiff after a fair bit of use (filthy mind) and if used at a straight angle just as good as a straight spanner. I guess on the bike they earn their keep more though as the tight packaging of a bike means you often cant get a normal spanner or socket onto a lot of nuts and bolts.
 
daelo said:
Can't comment on the reliability of these things..

But I bet its one of those 1% jobs that you actually need it, ie you buy a decent solid set.. then 6months down the line you realise you can't get to a certain nut and curse the day you ever bought the straight spanners! :D
Click to expand...
been there, done that you just persevere. besides the head stays in what ever position you put it in, but use it every day and it soon loosens up making them useless.

oh and when you need to put some effort in and it decides to flex bye bye knuckles
 
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I've got both types of ratchet spanners as well as two other types of solid spanners, they all have their place and all get used, but the flexi have only been used a few times in a year. But they are worth their weight in gold when you need an angle that the other sets don't cover.
 
Used the standard halfords ratchet spanners for a few years now. Always been reliable, reasonable quality tools imo.
I got most of mine as separates as I needed them. A full set like those would be nice though.
 
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