Ratchet vs. Cordless Impact

[Aberdale]

There's been a lot of discussions on this site about which ratchet is the best, which ones are the best value, who's got more teeth, handle length, grip feel, etc. With the advent of cordless impacts, I'm wondering if ratchets will become less important, and only used when a fastener can't be reached with a cordless impact with an extension and a swivel socket.

Do you see ratchets being replaced by cordless impacts for most general work?

Who makes the best 3/8" cordless impact?

 

[countryroad82]

I don't use a cordless impact but I do use a 3/8 air powered constantly, and if I can use my cordless screwdriver (currently a SO, killed my old Bosch and I wish I bought another one) I use it. I will be the first to admitt I don't use my ratchets as much anymore as I used to but I still find myself buying them. They are like screwdrivers to me, I can't have enough!!!

 

[diesel research]

Not just cordless tools. Air tools as well. I find myself rarely using ratchets of any manual type. Still use them to do drain plugs, adjust brakes, and a few other things, but nothing to frequent.

Hence the reason I don't understand the obsession with sears sales on million piece chrome socket sets or whatever stuff pittsburgh pro is offering.

I find my compact impactor replaces a lot of smaller tools like 1/4 ratchet and screw drivers. Yet another tool that finds rare use.

BTW, I am not flat rate either, not pounding stuff out fast as possible just to pay the bills.

 

[Farmer Joe]

I love ratchets I do use a 3/8" gun or 1/2" (if its a larger bolt) pretty frequently, but only when there's no risk of breaking the head off the bolt. I'm looking into getting a cordless impact too, I co-worker of mine uses his all the time and its helps to get things done a little quicker.

 

[pipsters]

In my opinion as a home DIY with just cars, I can get by using a 3/8" chrome set, a 1/2" impact set, and the ratchets to use them. No real "need" for an air ratchet or cordless tools.

There are a few things where having an impact comes in handy and saves a ton of time, like timing belts where you remove the crank bolt, the top nut on shocks, etc. so one of those really is nice. But air ratchets typically just save time, and in my experience it's not that much time. Plus, I tend to do more damage with one.

For a full time mechanic I can definitely see the time savings an air ratchet would offer. Although, after using my 3/8" air ratchet I really don't like it. I am intrigued with the Harbor Freight impacting air ratchet. I don't like how the regular air ratchets have recoil.

I too don't get the obsession with ratchets and their various types. I would guess regular full time mechanics have less basic tools than us DIY guys and more diagnostic and other type equipment. The few images I've seen of pros tool boxes, they typically have a few sockets and wrenches and screwdrivers where you see some pics on here and wrenches take up 3 drawers and 2 drawers are dedicated for ratchets.

 

[jjjrmx5]

There's been a lot of discussions on this site about which ratchet is the best, which ones are the best value, who's got more teeth, handle length, grip feel, etc. With the advent of cordless impacts, I'm wondering if ratchets will become less important, and only used when a fastener can't be reached with a cordless impact with an extension and a swivel socket.

Do you see ratchets being replaced by cordless impacts for most general work?

Who makes the best 3/8" cordless impact?

This is like saying paint brushes are obsolete because paint sprayers and HVLP guns are much more efficient.

Sure, but it's a certain tool for a certain job.

For general down-and-dirty work or basic maintainence, cordless tools and cordless impacts are fine. You start to get into electronics and they really have very little role.

You get near a car's interior (aside from the seat bolts and a few others)and I'll pummel you in the head with a 1/2" ratchet til ****** if you use anything but hand tools as I've seen too many stripped fasteners and stripped holes to count with Neanderthals using the wrong tool for the wrong job.

Ratchets require finesse and in many cases parts, pieces or fasteners require finesse thus hand tools will indeed stay around. Slow or not, they are often the "better" tool for many jobs.

Oh, and ratchets never go dead in the middle of a job doing *&^**!, where's that back up ratchet that has a good battery.

 

[Farmer Joe]

I also don't really like air ratchets too much. I'll use them in the appropriate situations, but they're so noisy and pretty slow

 

[sargentl]

I still think ratchets/ ratcheting wrenches are extremely important because they can get into cramped spaces. In some engine bays it seems that there are more difficult to reach spaces than there are open impact accessible areas.

 

[Aberdale]

I've got a 1/2" air impact, and use it all the time on big equipment. It's much faster and tends to break loose stuck fasteners better than a ratchet. I've also had better luck using an impact on allen and torx head fasteners. I've stripped more of them using a ratchet. I'm considering getting a 3/8" cordless impact because of the experience I have had with the air impact.

I agree with the air ratchet. I don't see the advantage. I've tried using my 3/8" air ratchet and find that it's too slow, and the hose management is a pain. I see a cordless impact being a better solution if the clearance allows since there's no cord or hose in the way.

Dale

 

[diesel research]

You get near a car's interior (aside from the seat bolts and a few others)and I'll pummel you in the head with a 1/2" ratchet til ****** if you use anything but hand tools as I've seen too many stripped fasteners and stripped holes to count with Neanderthals using the wrong tool for the wrong job.

Don't worry, you won't see it. While you are busy not seeing it, the milwaukee M12 impactor will be dismantling your dash. Won't be any broken trim, screws, or stripped threads either.

 

[buildmyown]

Ive been using one of these for just about everything. Have an adaptor to put 1/4 or 3/8 sockets on it.
http://www.homedepot.com/buy/tools-...in-18-volt-cordless-impact-driver-172977.html

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

So many same topic threads, just switching the words.

 

[greasemonkey44]

Don't worry, you won't see it. While you are busy not seeing it, the milwaukee M12 impactor will be dismantling your dash. Won't be any broken trim, screws, or stripped threads either.

same here; r and r a dash on a ford free star to get at the heater core. would take hours without power tools. love my m12 cant wait to buy their cordless 1/4 ratchet

 

[blacK20]

Agreed. My m12 screwdriver and 1/4" hex impact gets used all day long whether it be tearing a dash apart or ripping off a valve cover.

 

[99LeCouch]

I'm decidedly a weekend warrior DIY'er on my own cars. My cordless impact makes mincemeat of high-torque fasteners like axle nuts, motor mounts, and lug nuts. It makes swapping to snow tires go much faster than cranking the lugs by hand. Tire rotations also go much faster. It's one of the best tools I've purchased. I may get a smaller one for more delicate work since my big one saves me so much time/hassle.

My ratchets and ratcheting wrenches also get used quite often. There are areas that my impact just won't reach, but a hand tool will.

They're complimentary. They both bring their own strengths to the garage.

 

[TheFarmer]

I use air/electric powered tools on removal and ratchets/torque wrenches on install. I've always been that way and I may not slam out flat rate jobs super fast like all other techs but my jobs never come back

 

[dwm]

I use air/electric powered tools on removal and ratchets/torque wrenches on install. I've always been that way and I may not slam out flat rate jobs super fast like all other techs but my jobs never come back

+1

This is one of the reasons I do as many of my own repairs as I can. I want all of the fasteners torqued to spec without stripping, I don't want broken speed nuts rattling around in my interior, etc.

 

[homesale]

Do air tools or cordless tools inflict more damage to fasteners than a ratchet?

 

[MattPersman]

small cordless impacts = godsend, not always room for them but if there is...use em. I have the 10.8 makita for a couple-few years and have been happy with it. is there anything better worth upgrading to? (a bit more power)

 

[diesel research]

+1

This is one of the reasons I do as many of my own repairs as I can. I want all of the fasteners torqued to spec without stripping, I don't want broken speed nuts rattling around in my interior, etc.

I have had more speed nuts break loose with a 3/8 ratchet then the impactor. No, a 1/4 ratchet was not appropriate when the speednut is in floor board and exposed to road salt. They break loose usually upon removal, not so much installation.

 

[Sterff]

You need both.

 

[Hammer1963]

Ther's a time and place for all tools. I coach Baseball and sell Baseball gloves etc. I once had a dad on an opposing team asked me " why do they make so many different baseball gloves styles/sizes, as long as it catches the ball, isn't that good enough " I then pointed out to him how many double plays we turned playing them. Same with tools, theres a reason why they make different tools and while I use cordless impact & ratchet religiously, I do need and use my hand ratchets daily. Simply put, time and place for it all.

 

[trexdoink]

I use air/electric powered tools on removal and ratchets/torque wrenches on install. I've always been that way and I may not slam out flat rate jobs super fast like all other techs but my jobs never come back

+2

Hit the nail on the head. You can strip out cast iron threads in a quickness installing with an impact. For example a trans bell housing or clutch housing to engine block bolt. Use a ratchet for assembly, better yet use a torque wrench if there is a torque spec.

I use a snap-on 3/8 cordless and am happy with it.

 

[Lost Road]

You can have my ratchet when you pry it out of my cold, dead hands!

 

[Farmer Joe]

you can have my ratchet when you pry it out of my cold, dead hands!

+1

 

[Brentocool]

Air rachets are going away. There is a time and place for them still. In my shop I can remember hearing them screaming all day long. And now I here zip zip! And yes 3/8 cordless impacts rock!! I use the **** out of my Snap on ! I even put a #2 bit on it and do dash work. There great. I hear the 1/2" ones are starting to come around now also. When I'm not using the cordless I like the old school Butterfly 3/8 impact. The young guys laugh at me when I use it. I really dont no why no body uses them anymore? They also laugh at me when I wear my mech vest?? Everybody wore them Back in the day? No more!! How about Coveralls??

 

[Farmer Joe]

I've never used a butterfly impact before I guess I'm one off those "young guys" lol. No one in the shop I work in has one, so I've never even seen one in action. What advtanage/disadvantage do they have? Just curious to see if it's worth picking one up or not

 

[Danglerb]

I have to remind myself to use a powertool as much as I can to pick up more speed. Most of the time I don't quite know what I'm doing, so I keep to manual tools so I have that time halfway into removing something to realize I shouldn't be removing it, or that screw etc. Once I know how to do something, its power all the way.

I'm thinking about setting up pairs of tools, full torque for disassembly, and something weaker or with the clutch adjusted for assembly, but I really prefer that last umph delivered manually and just spin things down with power.

 

[Brentocool]

I've never used a butterfly impact before I guess I'm one off those "young guys" lol. No one in the shop I work in has one, so I've never even seen one in action. What advtanage/disadvantage do they have? Just curious to see if it's worth picking one up or not

You can get in spots that you cant with a regular 3/8 impact. And sometime use it instead of the air ratchet. and it just feels better being right over the bolt or nut with your hand. And they usually have a swivel air chuck on them. They just feel good!!

 

[Brentocool]

I have to remind myself to use a powertool as much as I can to pick up more speed. Most of the time I don't quite know what I'm doing, so I keep to manual tools so I have that time halfway into removing something to realize I shouldn't be removing it, or that screw etc. Once I know how to do something, its power all the way.

I'm thinking about setting up pairs of tools, full torque for disassembly, and something weaker or with the clutch adjusted for assembly, but I really prefer that last umph delivered manually and just spin things down with power.

After you have been using one for awhile its natural! You learn control of it. Just like a backhoe operator can pick up a dime with his shovel.

 

[Farmer Joe]

So I'm guessing they operate like impacts, and not slow and loud like air ratchets, right? Sorry for silly questions, just never seen or used one haha

 

[Brentocool]

So I'm guessing they operate like impacts, and not slow and loud like air ratchets, right? Sorry for silly questions, just never seen or used one haha

Now your getting it!!! Mine is a Mac. And its old and works as good as the day I bought it. But you can pick up a cheap one and try it. Your gonna like it.

 

[Farmer Joe]

Yea, I'll look in getting one and giving it a try.

 

[intimidator3]

I to like The Farmer disassemble with air gun or cordless tools,but reassemble use 3/8 air ratchet and torque wrenches.And for homesale air guns can cause more damage,they can fracture or stretch bolts unknowingly to installer till it leaks or premutrely failes.I"ve been a diesel Tech for 24 years and have seen it first hand!!

 

[Brentocool]

I to like The Farmer disassemble with air gun or cordless tools,but reassemble use 3/8 air ratchet and torque wrenches.And for homesale air guns can cause more damage,they can fracture or stretch bolts unknowingly to installer till it leaks or premutrely failes.I"ve been a diesel Tech for 24 years and have seen it first hand!![

By hand or with power you still have to know what your feeling. I see guys over tighten **** all the time by hand! Drain plugs for one. Drives me crazy!!

 

[LGMechanical]

If I have to crawl up a big ladder to work on trailer marker lights or into a straight truck box to repair rollers I am thankful for my 3/8 Makita 18v impact. No longer do I need to drag an air line with me.

 

[fr0mastaj]

So I'm guessing they operate like impacts, and not slow and loud like air ratchets, right? Sorry for silly questions, just never seen or used one haha

Yes, its literally having a 3/8 impact gun in the PALM of your hand. I recently upgraded to an IR one. 200 ft/lb I love using it for brake jobs, easy on/off with everything.

http://www.toolbarn.com/ingersollrand-216b.html

And to stay on topic with the OP, i dont see being able to use an impact in most modern engine bays, there just isnt any room. I mainly use my impacts for brakes and suspension work. Everything else is ratchets.

 

[diesel research]

If I have to crawl up a big ladder to work on trailer marker lights

Freaking rusted robertson square head screws!

 

[Simplespeed]

I use my m12 3/8 impact under the hood and behind dashes ans all over the interior. The impact driver sees alot of interior work also. Probably the best tool iv bought and use every single day, aaaaaaaaallll day long. I cant remember the last time i used an air ratchet. Theyre great for timing chains but i havent done much of that in a while. Id rather use an air impact if not a cordless impact. Theyre used less but are still needed. Iv made due for 6 years with a crappy craftsman that has no torque and is loud as **** without a problem. It still looks new. I think it was 25 bucks new. I just dont use it cause its too slow for flat rate work.

Im thinking about picking up SO 1/2 and 3/8 cordless impacts for bigger jobs than the m12 can handle.

 

[tyyost]

Im thinking about picking up SO 1/2 and 3/8 cordless impacts for bigger jobs than the m12 can handle.

I thought the same thing, but picked up the Milwaukee M18 3/8 and 1/2 for less than one of the Snap On. It does everything I ask from my Ir 2131 and then some.