Maybe a dumb question - an open gear 'flex' ratchet

[bonneyman]

Did anybody ever make an open gear flex ratchet? Since the Thorsen/Action open gear ratchets are so tough and so small a head for their drive size, I'm wondering if anyone ever took that drive head style and made a flex ratchet out of it.

Seems to me like it would be a nice tool for tight spots. But maybe it's a dumb question.

[turnnut]

 tool talk update;   there are no such thing as a  dumb questions on this site.

 sometimes we have to be led in the right direction.

[bonneyman]

Well, I just kinda felt a little dumb, as I feel maybe I should know the answer to this.

[J.A.F.E.]

I think it's a reasonable question. I have never seen one unless you count specialty ratchets like an alignment ratchet.

[bonneyman]

Been thinking about this idea for a couple of days. Maybe I could make one? Have to get a (non-vintage) open gear rat, and cut the head off. Then mount it on one of the same company's breaker bars. Cutting would have to be precise, as the pawl spring sits in a hole going into the handle right where the cut would have to be to "flex" it.

Hmmm. Bouncing around ideas how this could be done. If anyone has a Thorsen 3/8" open gear with a buggared handle and a nice, long Thorsen breaker bar that's not being used I'd be open to buying them and giving this idea a shot.

I've got a vintage Thorsen I could trade for these items. I'd hate to cut it off, rather trade for something not vintage.