Air ratchet or M12 Cordless?

[Harrison2]

Im in the market for either a 1/4" air ratchet or the 1/4" Milwaukee M12.

I work auto body and some mechanical, already have the M12 Impact and a few batteries including the 4.0

Im leaning towards the M12 as I don't really like dragging a air line around and in cars however ive read reviews about it being clumsy and a little bulky.

Its main use will be for 10mm - 13 or 14mm head bolts, M8s. Nothing super tight, but the rat' head needs to be fairly small for fender wells and bumper bolts.

The M12 runs about $100, id spend about the same maybe a little more on a air ratchet.

Hit me with some air ratchet models and if you would go cordless over air.

 

[bigfunwmu]

The only place I use my air ratchet after getting my m12 3/8 is where it gets submerged in oil. I work in hydraulics, so this is occasionally a possibility.

Cordless is so much quieter and easier, only downside is it has a little less torque to break stuff loose. In the sizes you are working with, you should be able to break them loose using the m12 ratchet like a regular ratchet then spinning them off with power. The body is a little thick, but not too bad. The head is pretty slim.

Cordless is also MUCH easier to keep clean, no dragging a dirty air hose across everything to get someplace.

I don't like the 4.0 battery in the ratchet, the 2.0 lasts quite a while for me though. Works great in limited access areas with a universal joint or extension to save time.

 

[stikman56]

Those look small enough that I'd like to have one. Some of them are too big for the tighter places.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

dude....after you get the M12 you'll be wishing you had it all along. I got the 3/8" first, loved it, but was always adapting down to 1/4", so screw it, I bought the 1/4" M12 ratchet too. And I also got the 1/4" and 3/8" impact wrenches in M12. So nice having the choice for the job.

That being said, I got the Florida Pneumatic 1/4" air rat that has the torque/speed setting on it. Really like it...but never really use it now. .....

 

[jgorm]

My air ratchet sits in the tool box, year after year, and my dewalt impact gets used many times each week.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

After buying the M12, I sold my 3/8" air ratchet. It did nothing but take up space. I still have my mini 1/4" drive Cornwell, but I've used it maybe 3 times since the M12 moved in.

It's not much bulkier than most 3/8" air ratchets with a comfort grip, the small batteries give it plenty of run time, it's solid enough to break loose most bolts using it like a standard ratchet, and best of all it's quiet; NO HORRIBLE AIR RATCHET NOISE!

 

[Ign]

Agreed w all the above plus what the Milwaukee might lose in some areas of being bulky it gains with no stiff air hose and rigid coupling coming out of the bottom, IOW sometimes effective OAL is less. Granted, much of this can be mitigated in air tools w swivels or hose type.

 

[crazytrain]

I have the M12 1\4" ratchet and just bought a new Snap On 1\4" air ratchet. I use the M12 for interior work and light exterior stuff. The M12 is better suited for interior work and I don't have to drag a dirty air hose through a customers car. Under hood or under car I like my air ratchet. I use both everyday, I'd say get one of each and you won't be disappointed that you have both.

 

[chadster1]

I have both the 3/8 and 1/4 M12. They were the smallest cordless ratchets that I had seen. (Not sure if something smaller has come out) If you already have some M12 tools, it would seem like a no brainer to me. There may be some bolts you need to break loose first but that's true with any powered ratchet, air or cordless.

 

[MLB0611]

I have the M12 in 1/4 in and 3/8 in both get constant use, just as strong as most small body air ratchets. I still use my Full size 3/8 a good bit, but any were I would use a 1/4 air ratchet I use the m12