Air ratchets and angle impact wrenches，important or not?
- Thread starter falcon88
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theoldwizard1
Well-known member
What you want is an "impacting" ratchet. Also called a "reactionless" ratchet. HF 3/8" Earthquake is not bad. IR "Hammerhead" is probably top of the heap, but it is big and heavy.
There are some small, yet powerful 1/4" pneumatic ratchets on the market now.
There are some small, yet powerful 1/4" pneumatic ratchets on the market now.
kctyphoon
Banned
M7 has a hammerhead clone.. 180 ftlbs of torque I think.. For what the m7 stuff costs, and what you get in return - I think I would own a lot of their stuff if I was a mechanic.. Husky's reactionless ratchet (80 or 90 ftlbs maybe) can be found on eBay for around $35 unless the prices have changed.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Anyone looking at a "hammerhead" should check out the Astro Nano. End to end it is about the same thickness as the IR model and less cost.
It simply depends on what you do and what you are willing to go through to do it. Say you have to reach into tight locations with little to no room to swing a wrench or ratchet to remove a fastener. Some people have no problem bent over tediously moving a ratchet or wrench to very slowly get the fastener off. Me, I'm older and not the healthiest. I like to get it done as quickly and efficiently as possible. I use an impacting ratchet like my HF Earthquake (or the Husky/Sunex version) and get the damn fastener off now, not later. If I could afford it, I'd get the IR Hammerhead for additional torque. Air ratchets are good, but you have to mind your knuckles not getting rapped and you may have to break the fastener loose to use one.
Old Wizard - I have the Nano and it is great. Used it to remove very hard to reach torx bolts on a suspension and it was a breeze to do it. Easy to maneuver into place and more than enough power. It's small size and weight make it easy to use. +1 on the recommendation.
Old Wizard - I have the Nano and it is great. Used it to remove very hard to reach torx bolts on a suspension and it was a breeze to do it. Easy to maneuver into place and more than enough power. It's small size and weight make it easy to use. +1 on the recommendation.
Hammerhead and the MAC/Proto copies cant really be called reactionless ratchets, they're literally 90* impact wrenches. A reactionless ratchet is weaker, usually topping out at around 100 foot pounds and can still be used in a manual mode since it retains its pawl and gear.
Both are handy to have although air ratchets are often deafening so I hate them however the SP ones aren't too bad at all plus they're reactionless and very fast. Unfortunately they're also a necessary evil on flat rate, or just a really busy shop, since they speed up tasks so much.
The low profile sealed head air ratchets SP makes for MAC are nice too. A bit loud but having the directional switch accessible and easily flipped is almost worth it.
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lakeroadster
Well-known member
I rarely use my Craftsman 3/8" air ratchet... but there are times when I am glad I have it.
For instance, when changing the oil on my Tacoma 4x4... it has (9) bolts holding the skid plates on. The air ratchet makes quick work of removing those to access the oil filter.
For instance, when changing the oil on my Tacoma 4x4... it has (9) bolts holding the skid plates on. The air ratchet makes quick work of removing those to access the oil filter.
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jerseykat1
Well-known member
Air ratchets and angle impact wrenches，important or not?
how often have you use air ratchets and angle impact wrenches?
Which part of the work?
I did a review on both the impacting air ratchet and the hamerhead right angle impact.
i have them both iuse them both daily and they are great tools. No reason you cant get both since the HF ratchet is like 60 bucks with a coupon and performs... just look at my reviews here.
Harbor Freight / Husky / sunex impacting ratchet review CLICK HERE
IR 2015max hammerhead review CLICK HERE
jerseykat1
Well-known member
What he said.
it has about 450 ft-lbs of torque and fits in a lot of places. Not quite as small as the IR hammerhead but i am getting this gun in the near future.What he said.
Its not 450, its more like 250-300. Their spec is massively bloated. You also have to factor in your hand. The advantage to the hammerhead and hammerhead copies is your hand isn't in the way of anything.
Finky198
Well-known member
I've had the hammerhead for years now they are indispensable when they are working. No regular style non 90* impact no matter how small will fit in the same places as said above. Each tool has it range of use, and as you delve more into the industry you'll need a broader selection to fit in said places and make your self efficient
I would recommend get 3/8" 1/2" reg impacts first. Then purchase a ratchet/hammerhead as you see fit or both if fund are available.
I like IR but that just my preference. I would say I'm missing an IR max 3/8"D3 or possibly a HF 3/8" impact ratchet to make the system more complete...
I would recommend get 3/8" 1/2" reg impacts first. Then purchase a ratchet/hammerhead as you see fit or both if fund are available.
I like IR but that just my preference. I would say I'm missing an IR max 3/8"D3 or possibly a HF 3/8" impact ratchet to make the system more complete...
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Actually the new stubbies seem to meet their specs and exceed them even.
Review here -
He's a member here.
jerseykat1
Well-known member
I have seen that review. That guy does a great job reviewing them.
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Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
It really depends on what you work on. With the proliferation of more compact and powerful cordless tools, my air ratchets gather dust. I can't remember the last time I used them.
The 90 degree impact offers a little more reach than a compact impact wrench but, stubby impact sockets combined with a compact impact wrench can access most places. The IR hammerhead isn't the only option for a 90 degree impact. Chicago Pneumatic recently released their version which isn't as long and has the motor on the head. I think my compact impact is more useful than my hammerhead.
The 90 degree impact offers a little more reach than a compact impact wrench but, stubby impact sockets combined with a compact impact wrench can access most places. The IR hammerhead isn't the only option for a 90 degree impact. Chicago Pneumatic recently released their version which isn't as long and has the motor on the head. I think my compact impact is more useful than my hammerhead.
bcradio
Well-known member
With that being said, would you recommend getting the nano still? I have the 3/8" hammerhead and a standard 3/8" impact, but don't know if it is worth it to get the nano. At 450 ft-lbs I would certainly get it, but not so sure at 250.
AndyA
Well-known member
I have IR 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive air ratchets that I rarely use.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Impacting air ratchets are the way to go. The hammerhead free wheels, you cannot use it as a ratchet it is simply a right angle impact wrench.
The HF Earthquake for the money is amazing. The truly hot set up at the current time is the Astro Pneumatic 1128 3/8" mini model or the 1124 1/4" mini model. Both put out 50 ft-lb of torque have a free speed of 500 rpm and are smaller than your hand.
There is no kick back (the major problem with normal air ratchets) with any of these three models. These things are great.
The HF Earthquake for the money is amazing. The truly hot set up at the current time is the Astro Pneumatic 1128 3/8" mini model or the 1124 1/4" mini model. Both put out 50 ft-lb of torque have a free speed of 500 rpm and are smaller than your hand.
There is no kick back (the major problem with normal air ratchets) with any of these three models. These things are great.
With that being said, would you recommend getting the nano still? I have the 3/8" hammerhead and a standard 3/8" impact, but don't know if it is worth it to get the nano. At 450 ft-lbs I would certainly get it, but not so sure at 250.
I actually have the Nano. I like it and would recommend it. Have you watched the video review I posted before of four of the competing brands?
I actually have one too (M7 3/8 quiet) and rarely use it. My full size 3/8 isn't much larger, the difference in power is noticeable, and its very rare situations that the nano can fit where a normal 3/8 cant.
Personally im just not a fan. Seems like a fad with everyone coming out with their own color/brand of these nano impacts (they all seem to be coming from just 1 or 2 places).
Personally im just not a fan. Seems like a fad with everyone coming out with their own color/brand of these nano impacts (they all seem to be coming from just 1 or 2 places).
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It's okay if you're not a fan but you made a generalization about all of them and their specs based upon your experience with the 3/8 M7. Maybe you got a dud? I haven't had that experience with the 1/2 Nano.
jerseykat1
Well-known member
Sometimes a small difference in size makes all the difference in the world. It can sometimes save you a lot of time and frustration. I try every power tool that I have before I attempt to remove any faster by hand, doing it manually is last resort for me. So I like to have a good variety of different powered faster removers.
Besides the nano is only like 100 bucks. It's a no brainer. If it were 300 plus I would have to do more considering. It's an impulse buy IMO.
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bcradio
Well-known member
What full size 3/8 impact do you have? All the ones I see have about 300 ft-lbs including the one I own. This is why the nano at 450 ft-lbs seemed so attractive to me?
superautobacs
Well-known member
I've been using my SP-Air impacting air ratchet for 3 years now and really appreciate the speed it delivers. It stays in my brake servicing drawer.
The RPM speed must be double over what the typical air or cordless ratchet does. Having said that, I find myself using a cordless ratchet for interior and engine bay work as you don't have to deal with a hose, and there's better trigger control with them.
The RPM speed must be double over what the typical air or cordless ratchet does. Having said that, I find myself using a cordless ratchet for interior and engine bay work as you don't have to deal with a hose, and there's better trigger control with them.
Attachments
MG325 which will remain until IR finally releases the 2125. Understand that break-away and working torque can be two vastly different things. The M7 in use is weaker than the MG325. Also easily noticeable since everything is corroded in New England.
I don't disagree but it just hasn't been needed between a full size impact and a hammerhead. Breaking a fastener free by hand is often faster than jerking around with various air tools then you use the power tools to zip the fastener apart. Not sure about you but I don't empty my air tool drawer into my service cart for every task and running back and fourth is a waste of time. Long ratchet, long wrenches? Always handy. Im certainly not going to tell someone not to buy a tool if they want to though but on the basis of necessity I don't see it.
Is that air ratchet reasonably quiet? I found conflicting specs for that model with MAC listing its dba as around 90 and a supposed SP spec sheet for the SP branded one listing 83. Its bizarre because all the other specs match (specifically speed and torque).
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superautobacs
Well-known member
That is bizarre, because SP is the OEM.
One of the primary reasons I bought it was for its low decibels. I just HATE loud air ratchets.
I actually have the Nano. I like it and would recommend it. Have you watched the video review I posted before of four of the competing brands?
Their specs don't seem so "bloated" in the review. In fact they exceed their specs in the tests and any would get the job done.
And that video is at 90psi!
What power is generated at psi's we actually use?
jerseykat1
Well-known member
I'm just saying! Unregulated. That's my job.And that video is at 90psi!
What power is generated at psi's we actually use?
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dnschmidt
Well-known member
A very bad idea to use an IMPACTING RATCHET at higher than 110 PSIG. These particular tools, due to the way the impacting mechanism works, do not last long when over pressurized. I sell these things and I'll not warrantee any that are used at greater than 110 PSIG. Most true impacts don't care but impacting ratchets are very, very sensitive to this.