Air ratchets

[Djstorm100]

How many of you guys actually use them? When I had one seems like I would always reach for my standard ratchet more so than my air. When I did use my air and it couldn't break a bolt loose (something with in reason like a 12-15mm bolt head) I would use it to break it free then hit the button..which I know your not suppose to do but it was a 35 dollar autozone brand lol It lasted for a longggg time though.

Also to oil the gun just put a few drops in the air inlet ******?

 

[Dewaynep]

They are great for when you don't have enough room to swing a standard ratchet. I oil mine through the air inlet, a couple drops then run it for a second or 2.

 

[mrholeshot]

When you are on flat rate pay you keep it very close. Time is money and a good air ratchet pays you back many times over. For tinkering on my own stuff I rarely pick one up but when it comes to a money job My FAR72 is singing.

 

[crewchief888]

i rarely use one in the garage, and it's few and far between if i use one at work.
i have an old CP in the garage, and a SO far72 in my service truck.

they do have a use, but for me it's a very limited use.

 

[rayzor32]

thats cos it was junk buy a FAR72c, I almost never use a regular ratchet unless I have to, saves me tons of time.

 

[83diesel]

On big diesel engines it gets real tedious putting valve cover, oil cooler, front cover, etc bolts back on engines by hand. You can lose on a big job several hours not using an air ratchet. I don't always recommend everyone tightening with a air ratchet but can't hurt anything loosening bolts with it. After a while with a good air ratchet you become used to what it can break loose and how tight you are tightening hardware with it. A quality air ratchet goes a long ways.

 

[jay50]

I have to use one; flat-****, plus crippled up hands.

 

[canuckian]

I have a cheaper Campbell Hausfield 3/8 air ratchet I got at home depot. I've found it handy with long fine threaded bolts and a few times where there was no room to swing a ratchet but the big problem is lack of tourque for breaking a tight bolt/nut loose. I'm guessing I'll have more luck in that department if I get a better quality one.

 

[crawlin91]

I dont have an air ratchet yet, but I can imagine they would be nice. After several hours of wrenching my hands and forearms start to cramp. I could see it saving time and hassle especially in cramped spaces. I do alot without one, and dont neccessarily need it but it is on my want list.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I have an Ingersoll-rand comact 3/8" and an import 1/2". I use the IR a lot, it's a great ratchet.

 

[Case IH]

I wanted a 3/8 one for cristmas and got a dura block one and have yet to seriously use it..so i was sorta wonering the same thing

 

[Damian]

When you are on flat rate pay you keep it very close. Time is money and a good air ratchet pays you back many times over. For tinkering on my own stuff I rarely pick one up but when it comes to a money job My FAR72 is singing.

Amen.

I use my air ratchets whenever the hell I can. I'm not going to sit there and hand/finger a bolt loose or tighten if I can stick a wrench in there and do the job in 1/4 of the time. If I can fit the air ratchets in there, that's what's getting used.

 

[00S4Boy]

Something about air ratchets i cannot stand them. I'll either be using my a f80 or flf80 or an mg325.

 

[Merle]

maybe all fance/

 

[wafrederick]

I use my FAR7200 and FAR72B a lot.I do have them sent in to get rebuilt once a year,start to lose power due to use which is worth it and are not throw aways,$400.00 each.I do use them removing old spark plugs which are getting replaced anyway.When installing new spark plugs,a huge no and tighten them by hand.I have tried an IR109XP,not impressed and does not have the power of the FAR72B and FAR7200.

 

[atari]

I find them to be impersonal. It separates me from the feel of fixing things. I enjoy the feel of a good old fashioned ratchet in my hand. That being said I own 5 air ratchets. I have an 1/2" drive I-R that I really like but I have them in all 3 drive sizes. I think the 1/4 drive craftsman is pretty useful also. It's nearly priceless when it comes to dash work. Time is money, air ratchets are priceless.

 

[route246]

Invaluable in tight spots and with fine threads. Mine ***** a ton of air and is fairly loud but it saves a ton of time and grief.

 

[SS5150]

I've been using the $30 Home Depot specials, I think they're CH's. They've actually given me the best bang for the buck.

 

[michael murder]

Most times if I am under a car and doing anything but changing oil, I'm using the air ratchet. For me it's a huge time/labor saver. Sometimes I'll finish off fasteners I start with the air ratchet with a regular ratchet though.

 

[bmxr4life87]

As said before its a great timesaver. If I can't use my 3/8 impact I use an air ratchet I have smaller mac ones that are fast which makes a big difference to me I don't need a torque monster but they will still run a bolt down tight enough to makeme struggle to break it loose... My 3/8 finally **** the bed but my 1/4 is still going strong ill prolly wind up with a stubby or compact HF 3/8 just because I typically find a way to use my 3/8 impact

 

[blazsawgras]

i have 2 of them in 3/8 also have one in 1/4 all of them flea market or swap meet items but use them all time saves alot of time.

 

[dirtrider]

I think air ratchets are a great tool for a few specific tasks. But with that said I hardly ever use mine except for the few times I use it just for the sake of using it because it's been sitting forever. Now I am not a Pro and the air ratchet I own is a craftsman that is a few years old. But for home use for me it usually is more of a pain to turn on the compressor, pull the hose,oil the ratchet etc, and then still have to use a regular ratchet to initially break the bolt loose or tighten it. Not to mention my air ratchet is loud and probably not any faster than my hand with a regular ratchet

 

[baubau]

i use my blue point and IR 1/4 air ratchet all the time..i have 10 mm socket on one and 8 mm on other one....great time saver when taking body panels apart and putting them back ....indenspensable on bumper work too...

i dont like using 3/8 air ratchet unless i cant use 3/8 impact...

 

[Skin]

good time savor but if you're on your own clock you probably wont touch it. Between the noise and having your hand slammed into things its a pretty terrible tool to use. Impact wrench or hand ratchet here.

 

[Hammer1963]

If you like the 1/4" air ratchets, try the Matco 10.8 volt cordless ratchet. If you work in a body shop, you'll love this thing. Its not cheap, but it will pay for itself quickly in R&I and R&R work. As a matter of fact, the whole 10.8 Matco Infinium line of tools is outstanding. There's not a job that goes by that I don't use the 1/4" square drive impact, 1/4" drive ratchet and the cordless screwdriver on.