Which M12 3/8" ratchet ?

[theoldwizard1]

I am getting "analysis paralysis" !

I want an M12 3/8" ratchet, primarily to remove brake hardware bolts AFTER they have been cracked loose. Do I go cheap (non-Fuel) or full impact ?

 

[Rusted Nut]

I have Milwaukee 3/8” stubby impact, a low RPM high torque and a high RPM low torque ratchets. The stubby has lots of torque, the ratchets fit better in certain cases. The low RPM high torque is slow, but good for rusty fasteners. The high RPM/low torque (35ft/lbs) ratchet is great as a nut runner. If you’re getting one, I’d recommend the stubby.

 

[richfinn]

I am getting "analysis paralysis" !

I want an M12 3/8" ratchet, primarily to remove brake hardware bolts AFTER they have been cracked loose. Do I go cheap (non-Fuel) or full impact ?

Wait until the new M12 Ratchet models arrive in the first quarter of this year, then you can have higher speed and better torque.

 

[finn]

M12 Fuel high speed. The full impact seems too big around the head, from the few I have handled.

Or better yet, the latest Dewalt.

I have two M12 Fuel high speeds, (different houses), and a 12v Dewalt, for reference.

If you need more torque, opt for a regular impact like the M12 fuel (or the Dewalt Atomic).

 

[Farmall 1066]

I prefer the non-Fuel versions for 1/4 & 3/8, but my 1/2” is a Fuel.
The 3/8 sees the most use, but glad I’ve got them all.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I prefer the non-Fuel versions for 1/4 & 3/8, but my 1/2” is a Fuel.
The 3/8 sees the most use, but glad I’ve got them all.

Grrr ... I might have bought this non-Fuel version at $99, but not at $219

 

[cgrutt]

Grrr ... I might have bought this non-Fuel version at $99, but not at $219

Amazon has that kit for as low as $125 or ratchet without battery & charger under $100.

 

[Cruzan80]

Amazon has that kit for as low as $125 or ratchet without battery & charger under $100.

But everyone knows that most of the Milwaukee stuff on Amazon is counterfeit...

 

[f121]

High speed long neck. Gives much better access

 

[dr_clyde]

I am not sure if it has changed in the last few models, but in my experience the regular ratchets "free spin" down or "coast" when you release the trigger and the fuel ones STOP.

I don't know if this is due to the differences in brushed vs non brushed motors, or if the regular one I had used was just really old or something.

Anywho, this is a consideration for me, as it drove me nuts that the socket would continue to spin when I let the trigger go as I was used to my fuel one.

 

[Rusted Nut]

I'd get the high speed version, much more useful.

 

[duneslider]

I'm not a professional mechanic but I just bought the one listed above off amazon for 125 and its amazing. I really don't understand the need for the high speed or the fuel (more power). It did what I needed it to do. Largest I used it on was a 15mm but it was mostly used on a bazillion 10mm bolts. It had enough power to break almost all the 10mm's loose but the few it didn't I just broke loose and away it went. More power would have made almost zero difference for me and it was plenty fast, especially compared to me using a ratchet in tight conditions. Maybe if I was a professional mechanic a little faster would make a little difference but I don't think it would make too much difference honestly. What I do wish is that I had bought one a long time ago. I may someday consider the long reach version as well. If I was a mechanic I would probably get the 3/8 and the 1/4 but for me the adapter on the 3/8 to use the 1/4 stuff was just fine. 95% of what I did was using a long extension and or deep sockets so the adapter wasn't ever an issue. I frankly don't do much stuff that uses my 1/2" ratchets, most times if I am using 1/2 drive stuff I am using my big impact. I worried about the one battery but I used it for 2 days without charging and put it on the charger to be ready for day 3.

If the amazon one is a fake they are doing a dang good job on the fakes.

 

[jpaw]

I'd personally wait for the new one to be released.
I believe as of now the only ones available are the original, high speed and high speed extended.

 

[CJM8515]

wait for the new version to drop which is more powerful and better built. coming in late feb/early april

i have all milwaukee stuff. every impact gun, mult ratchets, etc. i prefer the 3/8 stubby gun for most work, it will do most anything you want. if you need more power you can opt for the M18 gun mid torque or go with the newer 3/8 stubby gun. the ratchets i prefer the non fuel version and mostly use them as nut runners. the head is smaller on the non fuel ones. im waiting for the new ratchets to drop though. prob get a 1/4 and 3/8 as they are the most handy.

 

[M635_Guy]

I have the FUEL Hi-speed. For the auto stuff I do, I like it a lot. I have no desire for the longer one - I don't use my longer regular ratchets nearly as much as my shorter ones, so I like won't get the extended-reach M12.

For example I did rear brakes on the family Mazda today, and used it on the caliper brackets and slide pins - no way a longer one would have been able to fit. Heck, even my pretty-short 3/8" SO torque wrench barely fit.

Anyway, the M12 ratchet is nice to have, but I do tend to reach for my regular ratchets first. (Flex-heads were the order of the day for access today)

 

[GirlnAgarage]

M12 Fuel high speed. The full impact seems too big around the head, from the few I have handled.

Or better yet, the latest Dewalt.

I have two M12 Fuel high speeds, (different houses), and a 12v Dewalt, for reference.

If you need more torque, opt for a regular impact like the M12 fuel (or the Dewalt Atomic).

Which Dewalt? 20v?

Lately I've been considering the same as oldwizard, a new M12 ratchet. I have a couple M12 tools already and like their compactness and run time ratio. But I'm also partially to Dewalt 20v.

 

[dnschmidt]

The correct answer is DeWalt. I have every Milwaukee ratchet they make (at least ten of them in total including FUEL, non-Fuel, and extended reach, the only one I don't have is the one with a hole in it that uses the special sockets - which they call THE INSIDER) and three DeWalt ratchets. The DeWalt in my experience have more torque by far than the Milwaukee. The extended reach versions are better in either brand as they can get deeper into the work. The current hot setup (which cost more money than I know you're willing to spend) is the sealed head Dewalt that comes with both 3/8" and 1/2" anvils. They also make a version with 1/4" and 3/8" anvils. The 20V Dewalt has an advantage in that they can use the 1.7A-hr Powerstack battery which is about the same size as their 12V batteries. The DCF510B already has more torque than the recently announced Milwaukee's have. and the reversing switch is much better. The DCF500B is 12V and has very good power as well.