GophersGarage
Well-known member
just like get some ideas. thanks
eg 1/4' Milwaukee ratchet
Post pics
eg 1/4' Milwaukee ratchet
Post pics
Auto technicians what electric tools are you using often that you can't live without?
- Thread starter GophersGarage
- Start date
kbeefy
Well-known member
I use my 3/8 and 1/4 impact drivers more than anything else.
OP
GophersGarage
Well-known member
thinking to order the 3/8' version from milwaukee
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
OP
GophersGarage
Well-known member
I currently have the m12 hex which is my go to for 1/4” stuff with adapter of coarse.
I don’t think it’s worth me getting the 1/4 drive that m12 has since it’s just like my hex .
What I have now (see pic)
Thinking a 3/8 fuel impact and the 1/4 ratchet in non fuel since it’s more compact
I don’t think it’s worth me getting the 1/4 drive that m12 has since it’s just like my hex .
What I have now (see pic)
Thinking a 3/8 fuel impact and the 1/4 ratchet in non fuel since it’s more compact
Attachments
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
An old snap on CT751 screw screwdriver. No one else has something as small. I don't think they make it any more.
M12 1/4 high speed ratchet, M12 3/8 stubby impact wrench. the Dewalt atomic 1/2 drive mini impact wrench 20Vmax, and M12 lights.
M12 1/4 high speed ratchet, M12 3/8 stubby impact wrench. the Dewalt atomic 1/2 drive mini impact wrench 20Vmax, and M12 lights.
DCF899. A big 1/2 impact was my most needed cordless tool during my auto tech days. It's the biggest time and body saver.
I mean, I could have used a pneumatic, but why?
That's not the only cordless tool I used often, but not having it would ruin my day whereas pretty much everything else could be done with hand tools.
I also used a Ryobi cordless ratchet a lot. That can really speed up some jobs. I don't think Ryobi is the best by any means - but I had the batteries and there wasn't a Dewalt version.
I used the big Bosch LED floodlight often too. I would get the Dewalt or Milwaukee underhood light if I was doing it now.
I mean, I could have used a pneumatic, but why?
That's not the only cordless tool I used often, but not having it would ruin my day whereas pretty much everything else could be done with hand tools.
I also used a Ryobi cordless ratchet a lot. That can really speed up some jobs. I don't think Ryobi is the best by any means - but I had the batteries and there wasn't a Dewalt version.
I used the big Bosch LED floodlight often too. I would get the Dewalt or Milwaukee underhood light if I was doing it now.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
I personally do not heavily use electric. I have 3 main tools, which I've found to be necessary enough to keep in my cart.
M12 long neck 1/4 ratchet. This spends a LOT of time with 8 and 10mm swivel sockets on it. Only a few times in the 2ish years I've had it have I needed my shorter version. 99.9% of the time, even doing dash work, the long neck is fine. And it kills the standard model in access. Honda v6 timing covers? All day baby. Thermostat housings and water outlets on the back of cylinder heads, it keeps your hands out of harm's way. Add locking extensions with holding sockets and you get a lot done quickly.
M12 fuel hex driver. This is mostly for trim and small fasteners m6 and below. Lets me use long bits for interior work, and I have an 8/10 flip socket that usually lives in it. It is NOT breaking free much bigger than a 10. Its mostly for things sunk into plastic, or with screw threads. Very nice for fender liners and obviously interior stuff. Itll pull coil pack bolts, but it's not pulling rusted in 10mm head under tray bolts.
M12 3/8 stubby. Good through m8 with swivel sockets, non-suspension m10 bolts. Good combination of size and power, throw a swivel socket on and it's my go to for brake pin bolts. Set it on power setting 2, and you can tighten banjo bolts and pin bolts by just rattling for a few seconds. Takes thought of trigger control out of the picture. It's not a real 3/8 gun, but size is the advantage here. Swivel on the electric for the pins, swivel on pneumatic takes out the bracket bolts. Clean the brackets, grease, hardware, pads, buzz together.
M12 long neck 1/4 ratchet. This spends a LOT of time with 8 and 10mm swivel sockets on it. Only a few times in the 2ish years I've had it have I needed my shorter version. 99.9% of the time, even doing dash work, the long neck is fine. And it kills the standard model in access. Honda v6 timing covers? All day baby. Thermostat housings and water outlets on the back of cylinder heads, it keeps your hands out of harm's way. Add locking extensions with holding sockets and you get a lot done quickly.
M12 fuel hex driver. This is mostly for trim and small fasteners m6 and below. Lets me use long bits for interior work, and I have an 8/10 flip socket that usually lives in it. It is NOT breaking free much bigger than a 10. Its mostly for things sunk into plastic, or with screw threads. Very nice for fender liners and obviously interior stuff. Itll pull coil pack bolts, but it's not pulling rusted in 10mm head under tray bolts.
M12 3/8 stubby. Good through m8 with swivel sockets, non-suspension m10 bolts. Good combination of size and power, throw a swivel socket on and it's my go to for brake pin bolts. Set it on power setting 2, and you can tighten banjo bolts and pin bolts by just rattling for a few seconds. Takes thought of trigger control out of the picture. It's not a real 3/8 gun, but size is the advantage here. Swivel on the electric for the pins, swivel on pneumatic takes out the bracket bolts. Clean the brackets, grease, hardware, pads, buzz together.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Funny, I thought you meant electric tools for troubleshooting electrical problems. My answer was Pico Scope.
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Milwaukee 3/8 Fuel electric ratchet. I love it. That and my 1/2 high torque impact for taking wheels off and suspension stuff. Those are the two Milwaukee things I own right now and I don’t think I could do without them. The other day I had to pull out air because my battery for the 1/2 crapped out and I thought I was going to die lol.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Always Pico. I certainly don't use mine every day, but it's a joy when I do.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
This is like nut-chunks in peanut butter (no thanks).
Electric vs air is a really personal thing. I hate full size electrics compared to air - too big, too heavy, nasty noises from their hammer mechanism. Pneumatic hammers don't bother me much aside from total gun volume, but I loathe that electric rattling. To each their own.
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Certainly air has its place. Nothing beats an air hammer period. My Milwaukee is much lighter than my coworkers Matco for sure that thing is a heavy beast. I ordered a 3/8 air gun that my boss has the same one of that I love. I bought the large Milwaukee mainly because I got tired of dragging around the air hose all the time and I didn’t think the mid torque or any other one would remove lug nuts but now I’ve seen them in action and know that they will.
ZRX61
Well-known member
Cattle prod for customers who want to argue about the bill..
OP
GophersGarage
Well-known member
My tools are Dewalt. Which I have many batteries for. I prefer to to stick to Dewalt for larger tools and M12 Milwaukee for smaller stuff.
That high torque Dewalt I was thinking about it but some guys said they are coming out with a Gen2 version of it.
I was thinking to go non fuel m12 1/4" drive regular ratchet since its compact and 3/8" fuel in long.
I have the m12 hex fuel which is great. I won't use it with adapter. eg 3/8" or 1/2" adapters.
Which is why I will order the 3/8" stubby impact today. Less bits to break off when dealing with larger 3/8 stuff.
Yuppers m12 impact stubby will order up. I have to research more swivel adapters to collected. I have some basic ones now. Which ones do you have?
3/8" short or long? I think they have a high speed now.
for the high torque stuff I think I will stick to Dewalt since thats the batteries I already have.
I have large compressor which I just want to use for my paint work or air hammer etc. I hate dragging the hose around and over fenders etc.
I have to research a new air hammer I think the ones talked about was the air hog? or something like that.
Regarding your mid torque Milwaukee for lugs that's pretty good but I don't think those will cut it here in the salt belt. But I could be wrong.
For me 3/8 impact and small 1/4 hex impact/driver get used the most for cordless tools. Also have a cordless drill. I prefer air for 1/2 impact
I did use the old makita 12v impact/driver (with the Milwaukee m12 style Batts) and an old snapon ct4410 3/8 impact
Made the switch to Milwaukee with the m12 3/8 stubby and fuel (not surge) impact/driver. Also recently got the m12 high speed ratchet in 1/4 drive. Don't use the ratchet that much, but I don't get into anything requiring pulling a dash. Just accessible blend/mode door actuators, window regulators, blower motors/resistors and such. My bread and butter is brakes and suspension work
I did use the old makita 12v impact/driver (with the Milwaukee m12 style Batts) and an old snapon ct4410 3/8 impact
Made the switch to Milwaukee with the m12 3/8 stubby and fuel (not surge) impact/driver. Also recently got the m12 high speed ratchet in 1/4 drive. Don't use the ratchet that much, but I don't get into anything requiring pulling a dash. Just accessible blend/mode door actuators, window regulators, blower motors/resistors and such. My bread and butter is brakes and suspension work
OP
GophersGarage
Well-known member
Just to clarify this is the 3/8" stubby everyone Is referring to
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I think it was the short I had looked at. Lightweight just wasn’t sure it would do the job. By lightweight I mean lighter compared to mine LOL. One thing Milwaukee needs to work on is improving their batteries to last longer than 8 months. Never been a huge Dewalt fan but I agree if that’s your battery platform then stick with it.