Air or Battery Ratchet?

[wolverinehusky]

Soliciting opinions as I'm trying to decide whether to obtain an air ratchet (e.g., Snap On 70 lb ft air) or battery powered ratchet (e.g., Milwaukee M12).

Not a professional mechanic or home builder. I currently service and mod my 18 Harley Road Glide. I plan to handle basic maintenance on my 12 Ram 2500 6.7 Diesel). Everyday man type home projects, e.g., fixing deck, fence, light plumbing and run of the mill stuff. Want an air or battery ratchet for convenience only (plus I just love tools). I do have a Bosch Impact Driver (3/8). Have a porter & cable pancake 6 gallon air compressor and a Husky 30 gallon 1.7 HP air compressor (pretty basic and under powered).

So air or battery? Air has more torque but in light of my needs I'm assuming a battery powered is fine for a DIYer and the vehicles I'm servicing/modding. But I go back and forth as air will definitely get the job done as well. So soliciting opinions.

Thanks in advance.

 

[velillen01]

I have both air and the m12 fuel 3/8 ratchet. I use the m12 a lot more but i use it all over the house. The air ratchet I use a lot more on the cars having maintenance being done when I need other air tools (air hammer for instance). For just a quick job like say removing a bracket...its the m12 most of the time.

Really I would say it comes down to if you plan (or already are) invested in a battery system (ie the m12). If you only want the one tool in a platform...stick with air. If you plan to pick up more tools in that platform then go battery.

The m12 3/8" stubby impact is a great companion to the ratchet too. More power than the ratchet and still light and compact. Wont get everything off but its a good compromise.

 

[dnschmidt]

Battery for two reasons. Air hoses get in the way and they aren't super powerful as normal (non-impacting) air ratchets sometimes are. So why would being super powerful be bad. ASK YOUR WRIST. A strong air ratchet can damn near break it when it stops after a solid make up. With the battery powered ratchets you can break bolts lose manually and then use battery power to back them out. Basically, that's all you need them to do. Also, when you put it back together you're not going to typically overtorque anything because they can't get much over 25 ft-lb.

 

[Handyandy23]

+1 for battery. I have both and use the M12 more. Even in the garage where I have a 60 gallon compressor and retractable air line the battery is still easier to grab. I wouldn't even think about dragging a portable compressor around the house to use an air ratchet.

Aside from portability the M12 is a million times quieter than my air ratchet, which is defeaning. And if you were worried about power the Fuel versions are quite powerful. I have the non-Fuel and it's good for smaller fasteners it's intended for.

 

[wolverinehusky]

This is all very very helpful and exactly the type of advice I'm looking for. Thank you.

 

[JerryC]

Forty years ago when I worked on motorcycles butterfly air ratchets were what we used. You could hit almost everything straight on and the butterfly was much easier and faster than a traditional ratchet.
Now, I think I'd use a small battery impact driver.

 

[Ign]

For me the air hose is guaranteed to find any bolts and tools I've maybe set on the front clip....and maybe I set something on the air box, too....and sweep every last one into oblivion. F hoses!

 

[Showkey]

Have both.........have not used the air ratchet in years. Sits right next to the air chisel, 3/8 and 1/2” air impacts collecting dust.

 

[danielbuck]

Battery for two reasons. Air hoses get in the way and they aren't super powerful as normal (non-impacting) air ratchets sometimes are. So why would being super powerful be bad. ASK YOUR WRIST. A strong air ratchet can damn near break it when it stops after a solid make up. With the battery powered ratchets you can break bolts lose manually and then use battery power to back them out. Basically, that's all you need them to do. Also, when you put it back together you're not going to typically overtorque anything because they can't get much over 25 ft-lb.

there are impact ( "reactionless" ) air ratchets that don't jump when they get tight. I love how small and fast the little SP ratchets are. they are fairly quiet too.

 

[jpaw]

If you can get by with battery power than by all means go that way.
It's not a knock on your compressor but you would never realize the full potential of that air ratchet and in most cases you can manually break a fastener loose then spin it out with a battery powered one.

 

[jpaw]

The biggest downside to battery is the size and weight to a comparable air tool.

 

[CJM8515]

I went with the non fuel versions for the simple reason the heads are MUCH smaller and fit in tight spots well. I mainly work on powersports stuff like atvs, dirtbikes, etc and cars. I have yet to find a flaw with the m12 non fuel stuff I got with the 3.0 compact batteries. For when I really want something off I have the M12 fuel impact guns in every size and the M18 fuel impact guns as well in almost every size.

 

[vanapplebomb]

What is best for you depends on what you are doing. For me, I use ratchets frequently in tight spaces. The last couple years, I have moved away from electric tools to air, because the tools are more compact and easier to maneuver in tight spots. Use a light weight 3/8 air hose with the 360 degree block and barrel style air swivels, and you will be able to fit that ratchet were you won’t get a battery operated tool. My 1/4” ratchet is loud, I will admit, but it is tiny, a huge advantage for me. My 3/8 reaction-less air ratchet is heavy because it has a pin clutch impact mechanism in it, but is worth the extra weight because it won’t slam your knuckles into a nearby object when you can’t get a good grip. The 3/8 is nearly as quiet as many electrics when spinning off a nut because it has a six vain air motor with a good exhaust silencer. It does get loud when the impact mechanism kicks in, but what you you expect with any impact hammer mechanism.

To each their own. Most people these days are moving towards cordless. I did the opposite and moved to air for most tools because they suit my needs better.

 

[Mr_B]

don't buy the snapon air ratchet .
You way better off with latest air tech and that reactionless impact air wrenches (look at kuani or astro) .
They small and powerful and far nicer to use.
I use them daily in my shop .
Milwaukee M12 is okay as head size sensible, snapon do best battery ratchet IMO if want get fussy, M12 battery platform is useful due to range of cheap bare tools .

 

[wolverinehusky]

GJ spoke and I listened. Just picked up the M12 3/8 at Home Depot. Thanks!


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[Tallpilot]

GJ spoke and I listened. Just picked up the M12 3/8 at Home Depot. Thanks!


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Excellent. When you find some things it can't reach, go pick up the long neck 1/4". That's the combination I use and I'm very happy with it. The Fuel versions have adequate power and you can break torque manually when needed.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

Not a professional mechanic or home builder.

if you have to pick only one side, probably battery powered tools.

I would say air tools back in the days, but battery power tools has been advanced so much these days, sometimes it's better than some of air tools out there.

 

[Aileron]

All the battery ratchets are just too long and bulky IMO. if I can fit a ratchet in that big, I can use a regular impact driver.

 

[Skin]

if you have to pick only one side, probably battery powered tools.

I would say air tools back in the days, but battery power tools has been advanced so much these days, sometimes it's better than some of air tools out there.

Air ratchets are still superior. You can buy a reactionless 40 foot pound 800rpm air ratchet vs a 40 foot pound 200RPM cordless and the pneumatic will be about half the length and half the price with 10x the durability too.

Honestly it comes down to convenience. Same with impacts with pneumatics being generally superior in all aspects except convenience. Just depends how much said convenience is worth to you.

The determining factor for most people should be whether they have a hose within arms reach all day. If yes then pneumatics are a better starting point.

 

[Buster21]

I've converted to battery power, about the only thing I use air for is filling tires and blowing off parts.

 

[dsimatt]

The biggest downside to battery is the size and weight to a comparable air tool.

Size air usually wins, weight is touch as you have to factor in pulling around a air hose.

I've got the SO 14.4 ratchet and haven't touched my pneumatic since I bought it.

 

[sberry]

I use air cause I have it a long time. If I was starting over would be battery.

 

[Mr_B]

Air ratchets are still superior. You can buy a reactionless 40 foot pound 800rpm air ratchet vs a 40 foot pound 200RPM cordless and the pneumatic will be about half the length and half the price with 10x the durability too.

Honestly it comes down to convenience. Same with impacts with pneumatics being generally superior in all aspects except convenience. Just depends how much said convenience is worth to you.

The determining factor for most people should be whether they have a hose within arms reach all day. If yes then pneumatics are a better starting point.

This all good points.
I have couple Kuani reactionless air wrenches, the nano one is third the size of the 3/8 fuel and more torque and 3 to 4 times as fast .
They really nice to use and don't bust your knuckles plus super durable .
I own the snap battery ratchet too and it nice tool when truly don't want an air hose or away from air supply etc, other plus on battery is less noise but that about it ....
What people forget is air tool evolving too and newer designs of air wrenches and air ratchets have incredible torque to size ratio, low weight, low cost and high durability even in tough environment/work conditions .

 

[dlwilson]

I have a full set up of air tools (Snap-on IR), but a couple years ago I got a Milwaukee cordless ratchet because so many people on the internet recommended it. I haven't used the air ratchet since. A few months ago I got the compact Milwaukee M12 impact because I saw so many people on the automotive TV shows using similar, and same thing -- haven't used the small impact since. In the last few weeks I've gotten the big M18 impact and the right-angle die grinder, and while I haven't used them nearly as much, I think they are going to push out some more air tools. The only thing left for the compressor is filling tires and media blasting -- I don't think you can do that with cordless.

 

[CR888]

I think air ratchets have evolved a lot more than battery in the recent years. The new micro/stubby/nano impact style reactionless pneumatics are simply awesome. The best of the battery ones don't come close in feature, spec, build/rebuild quality or performance but....sometimes you need to be away from an air source so cordless has its value. But it seems 9/10 recommend the Chinese Milwaukee's these days, I kinda just don't get it.

 

[dnschmidt]

I fail to see the difference between the "Chinese Milwaukee" and the Japanese SPAir or Taiwanese Kuani. Also, you're cheating. The impacting air ratchets are not the same as a conventional air ratchet. Milwaukee is a week away from releasing their new right angle M12 impact wrench with 220 Ft-lb of torque and it's the same size as their original ratchet. That will be a category killer.

 

[Mr_B]

It's not cheating it better design evolution .
The right angle wrench could be classed as cheating (air versions too) as it basically a super stubby impact wrench with a longer handle, the real concept of right angle impact was via bevel gear drive but that ***** a lot of power that battery can not spare .

 

[jpaw]

I really wish that they weren't referred to as reactionless impacting ratchets.
They are far from a ratchet and a weak excuse for an impact. All that they really do well at this point is spin fast.
I have one and it's not worth the walk to my box to get it 99% of the time.
At some point in the future I can see them improving enough to be useful but right now they are just to weak.

 

[jsaw]

I really wish that they weren't referred to as reactionless impacting ratchets.
They are far from a ratchet and a weak excuse for an impact. All that they really do well at this point is spin fast.

At some point in the future I can see them improving enough to be useful but right now they are just to weak.

I have a 1/4" impact air ratchet, it definitely is a ratchet, and it does impact, it is rated at 40 foot lbs it loosens fasteners that my 1/4" cordless will not touch, and it is about half as long as the cordless.

 

[Skin]

I really wish that they weren't referred to as reactionless impacting ratchets.
They are far from a ratchet and a weak excuse for an impact. All that they really do well at this point is spin fast.
I have one and it's not worth the walk to my box to get it 99% of the time.
At some point in the future I can see them improving enough to be useful but right now they are just to weak.

You're not really making any sense. I tested them out to be good for roughly 35 foot pounds. Considering the tool is only about 8" long and busts that loose by impacting, they absolutely work as advertised.

 

[Mr_B]

^
Yeh my kuani hits over 50ft/lbs easily and more if at 110-120psi dynamic .
You can use them like a ratchet and they far nicer use in confined areas with lot of obstacles .
I have the KI-2323 and KI-2328 . the 2328 does over 100ft/lb .
Use um daily in auto repair along with snapon battery ratchet .
Kuani do some nice tools, air nut spinners another handy thing have .

 

[B.S.A. (ret.)]

Good choice Wolverinehusky, I'm sure that you won't regret it. I had a stable full of air tools for years (just a home mechanic) and switched to the Milwaukee M18 platform about 2 years ago. Wasn't sure that I would like it so I kept all of my air stuff for over a year, "just in case". Dumped it all on Craigslist and the local pawnshop and haven't looked back. Have three chargers, batteries from 2.0 to 12 Ah and added leaf blower, weedwacker, chainsaw to my drill, impact, Sawzall, etc. Battery is the way to go in my case!

 

[P0234]

I've converted to battery power, about the only thing I use air for is filling tires and blowing off parts.

I'm down to blowing off parts. The cordless inflator while not as fast is still quicker than unrolling the hose and dealing with hose hassles.

OP, good choice on the M12.

 

[dnschmidt]

Mr. B. Be careful with using too high of an air pressure with the Kuani. I gave Eric O. a couple of these and he destroyed them because he doesn't regulate his 175 PSIG compressor. Astro has also had problems with their rebranded Kuani 1128 for exactly the same reason. 90 to an absolute max of 120 or these will die. The failure mode is quite interesting. They begin to auto reverse all by themselves.

The SPAir are not as powerful as the Kuani but are much better built. The new one with the blue rather than the red protective cap is close to the Kuani with respect to power. That's the hot setup.

 

[Mr_B]

I been using them over couple years at 110 to 125 max and no issues .
good tools for the price .

 

[99LeCouch]

Both for this weekend wrencher. I already have the hose reel centrally located, and those ratchets fit a lot of places my other tools won't. That said, my little battery impact driver is my go-to for small, exposed fasteners. Each has its place.

 

[Drunkonunleaded]

Is there really an advantage of using something like the M12 ratchet vs. a 1/4 impact driver with socket adapter other than in tight areas? I've been pretty stuck on the impact driver and simply using it on a lower setting for most "light" work. As much as I wanted a cordless ratchet, I don't know if I could justify it.

I like the idea of the OEMTOOLS cordless ratchet, but the price is pretty out there. It seems to solve the "bulk" problem of the M12 ratchet:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QRX1X7Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20