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Milwaukee M12 3/8 Cordless Ratchet (bare tool) $79

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JCarp90

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Dec 15, 2016
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39
I have one of those. Got it "Free" with my $99 Milwaukee M12 kit around Christmas time

This is the kit I bought: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...-4-in-Hex-Impact-Driver-Kit-2453-22/203807396 and they threw in that ratchet and another battery for free.

Back to the ratchet - I don't think it's worth $99. I would be surprised if it was capable of more than 15ft/lb. I find myself using it manually as a ratchet, then once it's loose using the power to back nuts/bolts off. Kind of useless IMO.
 
2

2manytools

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Feb 2, 2016
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This is the new price. There are a ton of drops on M12 tools. The circular saw, several lights, bare hammer drill, bare jig saw, the ratchets.... haven't noticed any battery drops though
 
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ihateminimumwage

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Jan 26, 2012
Messages
3,960
JCarp90 said:
I find myself using it manually as a ratchet, then once it's loose using the power to back nuts/bolts off. Kind of useless IMO.
Click to expand...
That means you're using it correctly.:D
These aren't built to break fasteners loose like an impact, just to spin them loose. I use mine daily over a standard ratchet, and it's to best thing ever for removing a lot of fasteners quick (sheet metal, body bolts, oil pans, valve covers, water pumps, etc.)
 
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2manytools

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Feb 2, 2016
Messages
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Mt Pleasant, MI
JCarp90 said:
I have one of those. Got it "Free" with my $99 Milwaukee M12 kit around Christmas time

This is the kit I bought: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...-4-in-Hex-Impact-Driver-Kit-2453-22/203807396 and they threw in that ratchet and another battery for free.

Back to the ratchet - I don't think it's worth $99. I would be surprised if it was capable of more than 15ft/lb. I find myself using it manually as a ratchet, then once it's loose using the power to back nuts/bolts off. Kind of useless IMO.
Click to expand...

look up the specs. it is 30 for the 1/4" & 35 for the 3/8. I personally would just get the 3/8 and use a reducer, but I'm sure there is a time or 2 that someone will need the extra clearance
 
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Ign

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Jul 7, 2006
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Butte Peak ND
ihateminimumwage said:
That means you're using it correctly.:D
These aren't built to break fasteners loose like an impact, just to spin them loose. I use mine daily over a standard ratchet, and it's to best thing ever for removing a lot of fasteners quick (sheet metal, body bolts, oil pans, valve covers, water pumps, etc.)
Click to expand...

This. I'm always amazed at how so many people are seemingly confused about how these work. It's a ratchet. It ratchets (unlike an impact wrench when not under power) so you can break fasteners or tighten them to your liking. The power is for all the in-between of just running the fastener down or out.

I realize some places including HF are selling air "impacting" ratchets. This is not an impacting ratchet and never claimed to be.
 
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JCarp90

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Joined
Dec 15, 2016
Messages
39
ihateminimumwage said:
That means you're using it correctly.:D
These aren't built to break fasteners loose like an impact, just to spin them loose. I use mine daily over a standard ratchet, and it's to best thing ever for removing a lot of fasteners quick (sheet metal, body bolts, oil pans, valve covers, water pumps, etc.)
Click to expand...

My point is that it doesn't break loose even the smallest 10mm nuts with low torque specs. Including my truck's oil pan (18ftlb spec) and my brother-in-law's Prelude oil pan (12lb/ft). Tried using this thing when I assembled my LS for the M8/M10 bolts and still - it was not near as useful as the M12 impact - which I just used for quickly tightening the bolts - I torqued to spec by hand like you're supposed to do.

I don't see how this saves any time if you have to use one tool to break a <20ft lb nut/bolt loose, then pick this up. Defeats the purpose.

2manytools said:
look up the specs. it is 30 for the 1/4" & 35 for the 3/8. I personally would just get the 3/8 and use a reducer, but I'm sure there is a time or 2 that someone will need the extra clearance
Click to expand...

I understand what the specs say - I'm giving you a real world review. Spend the $80 if you want, but as someone who owns one, I'm telling you I wouldn't.
 
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Cue

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Jul 25, 2013
Messages
291
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Zebulon, NC
JCarp90 said:
My point is that it doesn't break loose even the smallest 10mm nuts with low torque specs. Including my truck's oil pan (18ftlb spec) and my brother-in-law's Prelude oil pan (12lb/ft). Tried using this thing when I assembled my LS for the M8/M10 bolts and still - it was not near as useful as the M12 impact - which I just used for quickly tightening the bolts - I torqued to spec by hand like you're supposed to do.

I don't see how this saves any time if you have to use one tool to break a <20ft lb nut/bolt loose, then pick this up. Defeats the purpose.



I understand what the specs say - I'm giving you a real world review. Spend the $80 if you want, but as someone who owns one, I'm telling you I wouldn't.
Click to expand...

You must have a defective one :p

I use it daily and have for the past 4 years, could not live without it. I change valve cover gaskets on BMW's almost daily and it will break loose and then remove the bolts with no problem, the ones it wont break loose you use it as a normal ratchet by just pulling on it to break it loose, then hit the power. There is no need to use another manual ratchet at all even on the tightest bolt. Just give it a manual spin till its loose enough for the power to take over.
Door panel bolts, Interior bolts, Accessory bolts like Alternator or Pulleys are much easier to reach with this, just pull on it to break loose and go.


Try getting to a rear valve cover bolt with a standard ratchet and then turning it out manually, you will be there for a while where as with this you can just spin it out. This and the 1/4" one has saved me from lots of time and made many a job much easier. I would pay $200 for one if that was the price (dont tell Milwaukee :p)
 
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Caparris

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Nov 27, 2011
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939
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Greensboro, NC
Yeah if it wouldn't loosen a 10 ft*lb bolt then something is wrong. Mine would have broken or stripped it

I use it like a regular ratchet to break things loose then spin them on or off real quick. Sometimes a regular small impact works better, sometimes it doesn't, just depends on the application
 
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ishiboo

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Oct 27, 2010
Messages
9,481
Location
Oshkosh, WI
JCarp90 said:
My point is that it doesn't break loose even the smallest 10mm nuts with low torque specs. Including my truck's oil pan (18ftlb spec) and my brother-in-law's Prelude oil pan (12lb/ft). Tried using this thing when I assembled my LS for the M8/M10 bolts and still - it was not near as useful as the M12 impact - which I just used for quickly tightening the bolts - I torqued to spec by hand like you're supposed to do.

I don't see how this saves any time if you have to use one tool to break a <20ft lb nut/bolt loose, then pick this up. Defeats the purpose.



I understand what the specs say - I'm giving you a real world review. Spend the $80 if you want, but as someone who owns one, I'm telling you I wouldn't.
Click to expand...

You know it's a ratchet right? And the difference between a ratchet and an impact? Mine seems to take off bolts just fine, but the intent is you loosen it by hand like it's a normal ratchet, and then you use power to zip it off.
 
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saulvg99

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Jan 1, 2016
Messages
141
JCarp90 said:
My point is that it doesn't break loose even the smallest 10mm nuts with low torque specs. Including my truck's oil pan (18ftlb spec) and my brother-in-law's Prelude oil pan (12lb/ft). Tried using this thing when I assembled my LS for the M8/M10 bolts and still - it was not near as useful as the M12 impact - which I just used for quickly tightening the bolts - I torqued to spec by hand like you're supposed to do.

I don't see how this saves any time if you have to use one tool to break a <20ft lb nut/bolt loose, then pick this up. Defeats the purpose.



I understand what the specs say - I'm giving you a real world review. Spend the $80 if you want, but as someone who owns one, I'm telling you I wouldn't.
Click to expand...
You might have a defective one. Mine takes off 10mm just fine. Even some 13mm once in a while.

Sent from my Z958 using Tapatalk
 
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ihateminimumwage

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Jan 26, 2012
Messages
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JCarp90 said:
I've been thinking maybe that's the problem.
Click to expand...
It does sound like you got a dud. Is it just too gutless to spin stuff out, or is it shutting off and the lights are flashing that it was overloaded each time?

Mine will bog down on some really rusty bolts but still get them out before it stops with the flashing battery lights. It's a damn workhorse. I can crack head bolts loose manually and spin them out with it no problem.
 
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WhiffySpark

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Sometimes you have to pull the trigger before you put it on the bolt and the shock will knock it loose. I do it all the time
 
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winlinmac

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USA
Is there a next gen on the way that I'm not aware about? :headscrat

2manytools said:
This is the new price. There are a ton of drops on M12 tools. The circular saw, several lights, bare hammer drill, bare jig saw, the ratchets.... haven't noticed any battery drops though
Click to expand...
 
2

2manytools

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Feb 2, 2016
Messages
4,328
Location
Mt Pleasant, MI
winlinmac said:
Is there a next gen on the way that I'm not aware about? :headscrat
Click to expand...

No, I think it is to re-align to more realistic pricing. Many of those items were over priced, but I think that was to compensate for how many bundled deals they had going on. Though it doesn't make sense if they are giving it away free in the end. Perhaps the drops are to get more people into the 12v tools that got a starter kit during the holidays. Mark everything low one year, get everyone into that line, and chances are they will stick with it for a long time. HAHA

Last year during the '15 Xmas, the M12 lantern was $69, then after the promotional deals stopped, the price went to $59, but sure enough, it got back up to $69 for the holidays this year. Now that was the only tool I remember, as I was specifically eyeing it.

As for a replacement, for some reason I don't see a 'Fuel' ratchet anytime soon, but maybe (and hopefully).
 
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67King

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Nov 14, 2014
Messages
574
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Friendsville, TN (Knoxville area)
I use the M12 impacts to remove fasteners. I use the ratchet to install them (and torque if necessary).

I'd guess manufacturing and distribution costs are falling, and Milwaukee is lowering prices to wring out as many sales as they can now that their investment is amortized.
 
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Sanny81

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Feb 26, 2015
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558
Location
New Jersey
Just picked up the last one at my local HD. Unfortunately both my M12 batteries are at work so I can't try it until tomorrow.
 
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Catadj78

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Aug 11, 2014
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Alabama
JCarp90 said:
I have one of those. Got it "Free" with my $99 Milwaukee M12 kit around Christmas time

This is the kit I bought: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...-4-in-Hex-Impact-Driver-Kit-2453-22/203807396 and they threw in that ratchet and another battery for free.

Back to the ratchet - I don't think it's worth $99. I would be surprised if it was capable of more than 15ft/lb. I find myself using it manually as a ratchet, then once it's loose using the power to back nuts/bolts off. Kind of useless IMO.
Click to expand...


I got the same awesome deal. Haven't really used the ratchet though
 
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