anyone used air ratchets from MAC tools ?which one better?

[falcon88]

hi ,is me ,the new auto mechanics student again.

the question for this time,How to choose a good air ratchet?

i just got a catalog from Mac tools,there are numbers of air ratchets.

but i don't know how to choose a good one.

what is important we should know about them?

anyone used MAC tools?

anyone can help?

thanks

 

[falcon88]

https://www.mactools.ca/en-ca/products/Power_Tools/Power_Tools_Air_Drive_Tools#d=g

 

[bcradio]

I like the reactionless HF 3/8" air ratchet. It is a great quality tool at a nice price. Tool truck wise, I'd look at Snap-On

 

[Xxslyer1]

Personally I have like 3 tools snap on simply because I flat ou t refuse to 3-6 times more for a product that does the same job. I use Mac 1/4 and 3/8 air ratchet and I tried the impacting air ratchet and wasn't exactly sold on it mainly because(I'm going to get flack over this) I use my air ratchet to break bolts loose rather then getting everything loose with a breaker bar then switching to air ratchet, saves me time and time is money. I've only snapped the head off a 3/8 Mac one time in 10 years. Still warrantied it. Ar-777 and ar-154 are my 3/8 ratchets and ar-250???? I think for 1/4" and I have flat out abuse that 1/4" daily!!!!! In all reality I'm grown fond of the rubber coated handled air ratchets as they allow me to still feel my fingers after 20min of continuous use. Bottom line, get what you need not what you want and you will be surprised how long it last.

 

[bdelmar2]

I have the ar778a its pretty good, very strong, sealed head, durable, and direction switch is not on back of head which is great.

Issue I have is its a little too short for me. Has a tendency to hit the trigger when getting into tight spaces, given its strength it will hurt you, or break something if you aren't careful.

I just ordered the ar1776 used from ebay ($80ish). Basically the same ratchet, but 2 1/4" longer and a tad lighter.

A friend of mine has had a 1776 for 10-12 years of daily use and its still runs fine. Actually why I bought the 778 as they were so similar - that and I got a good deal.

Either one is a very good air ratchet.

I don't know why more manufacturers don't put the direction switch somewhere other than on the back of the head.

 

[Rlfd213]

I don't know which is better but both my MAC air ratchets 1/4 and 3/8 are over 20 years old and still going

 

[K-Dog]

I have one of these with the rotating head.

http://www.mactools.com/en-us/Power...R249RH/1-4-Drive-Sealed-Rotating-Head-Ratchet

Its pretty surprising how often I actually use the rotating head feature.

It is the only MAC tool I own. I have used dozens of different 1/4 inch air ratchets and none of them have ever lasted as long as my MAC have.

 

[dudutzu905]

I have all of these and they all have their place/use, biggest feature for me is the flat head on the first 4, and the speed of the other 2
ar249-rh - 1/4" (rotating head)
ar250 -1/4" basically 249 with rubber handle
ar778 -3/8"
ar1776 - 3/8" extended 778
ar14rp -1/4" fast reactionless- love it, use it the most as long as there is enough room for it, still pretty small but head is bigger than the 249
ar38rp - 3/8" same as above with 3/8 anvil

 

[falcon88]

I have all of these and they all have their place/use, biggest feature for me is the flat head on the first 4, and the speed of the other 2
ar249-rh - 1/4" (rotating head)
ar250 -1/4" basically 249 with rubber handle
ar778 -3/8"
ar1776 - 3/8" extended 778
ar14rp -1/4" fast reactionless- love it, use it the most as long as there is enough room for it, still pretty small but head is bigger than the 249
ar38rp - 3/8" same as above with 3/8 anvil

 

[DSM_PWR]

I had a very nice MAC 1/2" dr. Air Ratchet (model AR050B) that I just sold last week. It was honestly the nicest air ratchet I've ever had.. I got it for really nice price but just couldn't justify keeping it for how much I would use it. I ended up flipping it for a profit. It is also sold branded as a Proto model number J150RSH (both MAC and Proto are owned by Stanley).

here is a video of someone reviewing the Proto version..

 

[Xxslyer1]

I have all of these and they all have their place/use, biggest feature for me is the flat head on the first 4, and the speed of the other 2
ar249-rh - 1/4" (rotating head)
ar250 -1/4" basically 249 with rubber handle
ar778 -3/8"
ar1776 - 3/8" extended 778
ar14rp -1/4" fast reactionless- love it, use it the most as long as there is enough room for it, still pretty small but head is bigger than the 249
ar38rp - 3/8" same as above with 3/8 anvil

I looked at the RH models and I just couldn't imagine ever using them enough, but lately there has been several times I wished I would have had it. I'm glad to finally hear of someone else that uses them that much, may be time to take another look at them.

 

[falcon88]

I looked at the RH models and I just couldn't imagine ever using them enough, but lately there has been several times I wished I would have had it. I'm glad to finally hear of someone else that uses them that much, may be time to take another look at them.

so ,it is should be really good?ok ,i will try to get it

 

[Parabellum]

I don't know if it still is, one time the MAC impact was a rebadged Aircat