Butterfly versus Reactionless Ratchet?

[Harry6]

I am wondering whether a Harbor Freight 3/8 butterfly impact or 3/8 reactionless air ratchet would be a better choice.

This would be my second air tool - in addition to a regular 1/2 impact gun.

My use is only for my own cars. A regular air ratchet does not seem worthwhile to me. The butterfly seems like it would be useful, but I wonder if the reactionless air ratchet might be even better.

Both are rated around 75 foot pounds

What do you think?

Harry

 

[Drew_flux]

butterfly impact can be a tight fit at times.For a second air tool, I would recomend the ratchet.I think you will use this more than the impact, giving better value for money. You can always get a butterfly impact later.

 

[DanCo]

I am wondering whether a Harbor Freight 3/8 butterfly impact or 3/8 reactionless air ratchet would be a better choice.

This would be my second air tool - in addition to a regular 1/2 impact gun.

My use is only for my own cars. A regular air ratchet does not seem worthwhile to me. The butterfly seems like it would be useful, but I wonder if the reactionless air ratchet might be even better.

Both are rated around 75 foot pounds

What do you think?

Harry

I ordered a butterfly from HF a couple of years back for a coworker. It leaked right after the first use. The POS kept blowing out the O rings. I called them, and mailed me out a replacement. I was told keep the old one, and rebuilt it to better than new condition. Later traded it for a Blue Point air rat.

 

[pipsters]

I doubt the HF 3/8" ratchet is 75 ft-lbs. Seriously. The 1/4" is rated at 30 ft-lbs and barely does 15 ft-lbs.

That being said, do you own a 3/8" air ratchet? They are all, including the HF one, large, ungainly, noisy, and heavy. IMO they are mostly unusable.

IMO, stick with 1/2" impact and 1/4" quiet air ratchet. Most fasteners on cars are 8, 10, 12mm for the ones you are zipping off anyway. Anything bigger and they generally skip to 17, 19mm.