Air impacts vs air ratchets? Do I need both?

[Kirbot]

So I've got a chance at a like new Earthquake 3/8 ratchet for cheap.

Right now all I have is a 1/2 earthquake air impact and... I love it, but it's definitely too big (and powerful) for some tasks.

I basically just want something for general use. Everything I don't want to use the big impact on.
Although part of the reason I want a 3/8 impact is because I want something to use with torx and hex sockets.
I used to use my old gun with with torx and hex all the time, but this one would just snap it off as soon as I touched the trigger.


I've never used an air ratchet, so I'm not completely sure what to think of them.
I've been wanting a 3/8 impact for a while, but what gets your vote? Should the air ratchet, or 3/8 impact come next?

 

[espyking83]

As a fellow Jeep owner I'd say impact all the way. Air ratchets are great, but they dont break those damned torx fasteners loose on Jeeps for ****. Id say 3/8 and 1/2 go impact, and the smaller stuff that doesnt get torqued a lot use a 1/4 mini air ratchet

 

[Harrison2]

air ratchets are more for quickness, long threaded bolts and creating alot of noise.

personally if i was going for a air ratchet, I would consider a cordless ratchet. but thats another story.

i would pass up the ratchet unless you really feel you need it, secondly using torx or hex that arnt impact rated with a impact gun is asking for trouble. A 3/8 impact would be my recommendation to you with a option to adjust the pressure/torque applied.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

A 3/8" air ratchet is GREAT for assembling cheap China **** with a thousand bolts/nuts.

 

[back2class]

I have 3/8 and 1/4 air ratchets. I have used the 3/8 only a few time in 10 years and the 1/4 maybe a dozen times. On the other hand, I have used my 3/8 impact many times and 1000's of times I have used my 1/2 impact. If I were beating the clock I would use the ratchets more often. But I am not on the clock...and unless I have tons of the same size fasteners or zero clearance issues they never come out.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I have both 3/8 and a 1/2 air impacts in my box and no ratchets, and no desire for an air ratchet (hate the noise with a passion, I have to wear earplugs when using one or it drives me up the wall)

I will be getting one of the Ingersoll right angle impacts, though, to fit into much the same space as an air ratchet while not slamming my hand against stuff like an air ratchet.

 

[Scimmia]

Air ratchets will go where a regular ratchet will with the benefit of being faster and less work. They won't do anything that you can't do with a regular ratchet though.

 

[NorCalWrenchin]

Ever since I got my m18 quick change impact driver I haven't touched my 3/8 air ratchet... I use my 1/4 FAR25 quite a bit tho...

 

[KDonkey]

The air wobbler ratchet is also good for when you don't have the space to swing a ratchet handle. Really made my day when I was having trouble with an alternator lug.

I don't know what kind of torque my 1/2 inch impact wrench is capable of. I mostly use it to remove large fasteners, but I used it on a ball joint puller recently. I'm usually afraid to use it. I have a cordless milwaukee 1/2 inch that I will grab if I just need to spin something - it's more difficult to let that get out of hand.

 

[DennisH2014]

The reality is they're different tools that are designed for separate tasks. I can tell you that personally, I'm extremely glad I had my 3/8" air ratchet when I replaced the clutch on one of my cars last summer. Plenty of torque, and much easier/quicker than wrenching by hand in a small space.

 

[sberry]

I have them in 3 drive sizes and a couple of 3/8

 

[rapid robert]

My 3/8 air ratchet sees little to no use. 3/8 impact gun is my most used air tool.

 

[bcradio]

My 3/8 air ratchet sees little to no use. 3/8 impact gun is my most used air tool.

Exactly this. Almost never use my 3/8 earthquake air ratchet. It is an impacting air ratchet which is very nice though. If you are getting a good enough deal, I'd get both.

 

[MrGiggles]

There are some situations where an air ratchet is nice. Timing belts on FWD cars is one example. Not enough room to fit an impact because of the fender/shock tower and it's a lot faster to run them in and out with an air ratchet. Usually just cover bolts that don't need a lot of torque. If given the choice a cordless one is favorable because of the noise.

Since they are so cheap I would go with both. You will use the impact a lot more so if you are gonna spend money, spend more on the impact.

 

[TomB19]

personally if i was going for a air ratchet, I would consider a cordless ratchet. but thats another story.

Ditto.

I have both an air ratchet and a cordless ratchet. I haven't used the air ratchet for a few years. I've used the cordless ratchet a couple of times in the last year.

Clearly, I don't need either but the cordless ratchet has a cool factor that makes it worthwhile. lol!

 

[MrGiggles]

The two biggest reasons I dislike using an air ratchet is because of the noise and the air hose. Cordless solves both of those.

 

[gayler]

Haven't touched an air ratchet in twenty years!

 

[ed_v]

The only use for an air ratchet is smashing your hand! Can't tell you how many times I've done it.

Ed

 

[DanInVA]

I believe the earthquake is an impacting style ratchet, so no busted knuckles. I say if the deal is good, go for it. There are times and places you won't be able to fit an impact gun. That ratchet can save you loads of time and effort here. I love my m12 cordless ratchet, but it doesn't have nearly the torque if a pneumatic. Pneumatic ratchets can use the extra torque to remove rusted/loctited fasteners that will trigger the overload protection on a cordless. They both have pros and cons, and to me cordless and pneumatic are useful for different things.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I don't use my air ratchet often, but when I need it it's a life saver.

 

[mrjaw14]

a lot of guys will "break" the fastener loose with the air ratchet BY HAND like a normal ratchet, not hitting the trigger, then using the air ratchet to run them out. I used mine just this past weekend on a F250 I was helping do a water pump in. Lots of long bolts holding everything on the front of the engine that would have taken a lot longer just going to down on a ratchet.

FWIW, I got mine "for free" when I bought my craftsman compressor. I gave the crappy impact wrench to my FIL and bought a IR231c 1/2 and a HF earthquake for 3/8. I used all three on this water pump job
air ratchet on all the long bolts
231C on the crank bolt
3/8" on the 4 bolts holding the pulley to the balancer (engine would rotate when trying to break them by hand

impacts are great for removing bolts in things that want to spin.

 

[Harrison2]

I don't use my air ratchet often, but when I need it it's a life saver.

 

[TomB19]

a lot of guys will "break" the fastener loose with the air ratchet BY HAND like a normal ratchet, not hitting the trigger, then using the air ratchet to run them out. I used mine just this past weekend on a F250 I was helping do a water pump in. Lots of long bolts holding everything on the front of the engine that would have taken a lot longer just going to down on a ratchet.

I was taught it ruins an air ratchet to make it hammer. I've always thought the correct technique was to break the fastener loose with the ratchet and then let the air twist the rest of the way.

 

[Kirbot]

I'm still leaning away from getting it, but I have to stop in HF anyway tonight, so I'll have a chance to fondle it some.

He only wants $30 for it.
I only really work on my Jeep now. And eventually I'll have something like an old CB350 motorcycle.
Just not sure if either of those really call for an air ratchet.

 

[MrGiggles]

Being an impacting ratchet I would jump on it, if it's in good shape.

 

[Kirbot]

Well, I still don't know if it's going to be the most useful purchase I've ever made, but I just went for it.

Just couldn't say no for $30

 

[stealthmagic27]

Brake jobs, timing belts, and turning out bolts in tight spots...I use my air ratchet all the time! How havn't people used them!?

 

[mrjaw14]

I was taught it ruins an air ratchet to make it hammer. I've always thought the correct technique was to break the fastener loose with the ratchet and then let the air twist the rest of the way.

maybe I mis-stated what I was doing. an air ratched can be used like a normal ratchet meaning using my hands to press the body to break the fastener loose without using the air, then once it's loose use the air to spin the fastener out. I'm not at all suggesting trying to use an air ratchet like an impact, or strike it in any way. Does this clear up the confusion?

 

[DanInVA]

Brake jobs, timing belts, and turning out bolts in tight spots...I use my air ratchet all the time! How havn't people used them!?

I can only assume that some people can swing a hand ratchet WAY faster than I can. I would rather squeeze the handle and let the air ratchet do the work for me

 

[Kev442]

I have been trying to decide which 3/8ths air ratchet to buy for a while without breaking the bank. I've about narrowed it down to the HF Earthquake or the Husky reactionless. Does the Earthquake have a noticeable increase in torque compared to all the run of the mill $29.99 air ratchets?

 

[Kirbot]

I have been trying to decide which 3/8ths air ratchet to buy for a while without breaking the bank. I've about narrowed it down to the HF Earthquake or the Husky reactionless. Does the Earthquake have a noticeable increase in torque compared to all the run of the mill $29.99 air ratchets?

IIRC the cheapies from harborfreight are RATED at 25 or 30lbs, and the earthquake is rated 70lbs. No telling how accurate any of that actually is though.

They're all rated 50lbs according to their website, but I know that's not what the boxes said when I was looking at them in the store.

 

[mechanicalmoron]

I've got an air ratchet, but no air... so my opinion probably doesn't mean much (not to mention, I'd like to hate them, since I can't use mine, but have an electric impact), but they mostly look like a really great way to twist or break wrists, and crush knuckles to the sort of pulp you never thought possible, all while not having a high torque capability or the ability to impact.

That said, they look really great for some assembly, or just really slow going/boring bolts where you can put a ratchet in easily, but can't swing it far enough, and have quite a ways to drive the fastener.

There's a "hammerhead" (or something like that) cordless impact in ratchet form, if I remember right - looked great, but I couldn't stomach the price, so I put it from my mind - but it looks like the absolute best option in terms of an automatic ratchet/impact.

 

[Kev442]

Well, I found the Husky reactionless on epay for 49.99 shipped, so after hemming and hawing for over three years and putting up with the 19.99 cheapie once in awhile when I absolutely needed one, I will have a nice one that I will use far more often. He has three left if anyone else wants one.

 

[skruft]

I would call the air ratchet "nice to have," more of a time saver than anything else, because all jobs can be done without them. I would like to try one of the new impact air ratchets. The air impact is more important for working on cars or trucks because some fasteners are impossible or near-impossible to remove without them. I have several of each in the shop and use impacts much more than air ratchets.

 

[sac02]

I would call the air ratchet "nice to have," more of a time saver than anything else, because all jobs can be done without them. ...

Yeah, but when you've got precious little space to swing a ratchet, an air ratchet is HIGHLY appreciated. When the alternative is backing out a long bolt, 1 ratchet click at a time... nobody likes sitting there spending 10 minutes spinning one bolt 5 degrees at a time.

 

[AnonymousToolGuy]

I found an air ratchet useful when dealing with a bunch of hose clamps. Normally though I just grab my M12 electric ratchet and it does a fine job for everything that's not torqued down very hard. I also have an AirCat 3/8" ratchet with something like 70 ft-lbs of torque, but I haven't needed it yet. It's kept in reserve for confined spaces where my M12 Fuel 3/8" impact won't fit.

Rarely ever pull out my 3/8" air impact. Most recent use was on a brake caliper mounting bolt because clearance was an issue and I had to hit it without being square on the head. The air impact had the peak torque to knock it loose (80 ft-lbs) with 2 hits and not damaging the head.

 

[warweapon762]

Exactly this. Almost never use my 3/8 earthquake air ratchet. It is an impacting air ratchet which is very nice though. If you are getting a good enough deal, I'd get both.

Husky Reactionless is basically the same thing, great torque. But can be had for like $50 on ebay.

 

[Kirbot]

Just thought I would update since I've had the ratchet for a while now......

I love it.
I've barely touched a hand ratchet since getting this and a flexzilla air hose.

 

[freudianfloyd]

Of course you need both. Two tools are always better than one.

 

[arz71]

3/8 butterfly impact is fast to use as well.