February 2023 - 31

Milwaukee Tool
Flex Head Ratchets
Tool reviewed by Brin Kline, owner of Assured Auto Works in Melbourne, Fla.
U
sing these locking flex
head and tight swing
ratchets saves the user
quite a bit of time over conventional
ratchets without the same
features. The flexibility of the flex
head design, not having to turn the
ratchet far before getting a new
bite, and the slim head are a perfect
combination for a ratchet.
The features of this ratchet help
improve the efficiency of a job, and
increased efficiency drives profit. No setup
was needed. Just remove the tool from the
packaging and start using the tool.
These ratchets came attached to a
plastic card meant to be hung and displayed
on a rack or pegboard display.
Appropriate pressure is required to remove
the ratchet from the plastic card, it's not so
easy that they would come off in shipping
or when displayed in retail stores, yet not
so difficult to be an inconvenience.
Every one of these ratchets claims to
have a 4-degree arc swing, and I believe it.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The Milwaukee Tool 3/8 " Drive 9 "
Flex Head Ratchet has a 4-degree
arc swing that provides technicians
the adaptability to work in spaces with
different angles. The ratchet head can
be locked into nine positions or left
unlocked for free movement during
use. The slim profile head and flush
directional and locking levers offer
accessibility in tight spaces. The allchrome
finish makes cleaning the flex
head ratchet easy. Also available in 12 " .
Circle 57 on card or click " PTEN e-inquiry " on
VehicleServicePros.com
You can barely turn the ratchet drive before
hearing the click from the ratchet gears
locking into place. I also like the locking
flex head. It's very helpful because you're
no longer forced to approach the fastener
straight on, but these ratchets have the
added benefit of being able to easily lock
the head into one of seven to 11 desired
positions (depending on the ratchet).
The switches for changing the direction
of rotation and for locking and unlocking
the flexible head are easy to use and in a
good location. The ratchets just feel sleek
and robust.
I like the laser etching on the tool,
but I'd prefer if the " on and off " lettering
and the lock and unlock symbols were
embossed instead.
On a couple of the ratchets, the finish
was not perfect. It'd take a very picky person
to notice or be concerned. I think they
look and feel great, and I suspect that it'd
be rare that anyone would have a problem
with the finish. Even though they feel like
a work of art, at the end of the day, they
are still tools.
We used these ratchets for wheel alignments,
brake repairs, wheel bearing, and
drive axle replacement jobs.
I have used similar types of ratchets.
When comparing these with brands with
higher price points, I'd say they did very well.
On a scale from one to 10, I would give
these ratchets a nine. Overall, I love them,
and they have features that I look for in a
hand ratchet. They feel like a good quality
tool, and I believe they will be good enough
to pass on through generations.
BRIN KLINE is the owner of
Assured Auto Works in Melbourne,
Florida, an automotive general
repair business with a mobile
diagnostic and module
programming division. He has
been in the automotive industry for 27 years. He
also teaches for Carquest Technical Institute and
Trained by Techs, is a member of ASA's Mechanical
Operations Committee, and president of the
Automotive Service Association of Florida.
This product was given to the reviewer free of charge from the manufacturer.
www.VehicleServicePros.com FEBRUARY 2023 PROFESSIONAL TOOL & EQUIPMENT NEWS 31
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February 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2023
