Choosing a battery ratchet

[kac0825]

Hello everyone of GJ. Like the topic says, I got my bonus check from work, and I'm in the market for a battery 3/8 ratchet.

After browsing a few threads there's a wealth of information and it's kind of overwhelming. I'm just wondering what everyone's first hand opinions are on the Milwaukee m18 (I think that's the fuel one?) compared to a r3130.

I'm a weekend warrior when it comes to working on my vehicles and my off-road rig. We do most of the work at a buddies who doesn't have an air compressor so that's why I'm looking at battery powered. Just want a nice balance between battery life and power.

Thanks.


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[metaleltr]

Milwaukee is probably the most compact, but the handle is big. No idea on battery life, dont know the specs on IR, but the M12 is only like 35 ft lbs. I do not believe Milwaulkee has a fuel (brushless) one available.

 

[Caparris]

M12 seems to be the most common and people are happy with it

Currently $119 for the 3/8" drive "kit" and includes a second battery for free. Cpo mileaukee has them

 

[kac0825]

M12 seems to be the most common and people are happy with it

Currently $119 for the 3/8" drive "kit" and includes a second battery for free. Cpo mileaukee has them

Im going to have the check that out, thanks.

Is the size difference between the 3130 significant? I'm only looking towards the IR because of the higher torque rating.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Hello everyone of GJ. Like the topic says, I got my bonus check from work, and I'm in the market for a battery 3/8 ratchet.

After browsing a few threads there's a wealth of information and it's kind of overwhelming. I'm just wondering what everyone's first hand opinions are on the Milwaukee m18 (I think that's the fuel one?) compared to a r3130.

I'm a weekend warrior when it comes to working on my vehicles and my off-road rig. We do most of the work at a buddies who doesn't have an air compressor so that's why I'm looking at battery powered. Just want a nice balance between battery life and power.

Thanks.


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3/8" won't do it for the drivetrain; not the m12 (which is the ratchet type; it's got 35 foot pounds; don't see an m18 version). Since you said "offroad" I'd assume that's where the most of your work would be done. You're gonna need one of their impact wrenches not a battery ratchet.

My opinion. Of course the rand one you mentioned only has around 50 foot pounds of torque. Not sure what you're planning on doing but the ratings aren't really high enough that they would be truly useful. What you probably want is one of their impact wrenches. But all things considered the rand one has a better torque rating because of the increased voltage and is the one you should probably go with.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I wouldn't worry too much on the torque specs, as cordless ratchets (along with air ratchets) are for spinning stuff off, not breaking it loose.

That said, I love my M12. No complaints from me so far.

 

[kac0825]

3/8" won't do it for the drivetrain; not the m12 (which is the ratchet type; it's got 35 foot pounds; don't see an m18 version). Since you said "offroad" I'd assume that's where the most of your work would be done. You're gonna need one of their impact wrenches not a battery ratchet.



My opinion. Of course the rand one you mentioned only has around 50 foot pounds of torque. Not sure what you're planning on doing but the ratings aren't really high enough that they would be truly useful. What you probably want is one of their impact wrenches. But all things considered the rand one has a better torque rating because of the increased voltage and is the one you should probably go with.

That's a really good point I didn't think of. But for example on the jeep I had to do the head gasket and all new seals for the upper. Hand ratcheting all of the bolts of the valve cover to the intake and exhaust just took forever, and since where we have do the work on the jeep doesn't have an air compressor. I was thinking battery because of the portability.

Do you have a recommendation for battery impact? I'd like to get a ratchet also, or eventually, so is love if the batteries where the same.


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[pipsters]

Lots of ratchet torque is not needed. Crack the nut/bolt and click the trigger to spin it off. Same with going on - spin it on then release and ratchet it by hand.

I have a 1/4" quiet air ratchet and a 1/4" impact driver and they both save a ton of time. The impact driver is 10x faster than the air ratchet but it can't get into a lot of the places an air ratchet can.

 

[nicksnothereman]

That's a really good point I didn't think of. But for example on the jeep I had to do the head gasket and all new seals for the upper. Hand ratcheting all of the bolts of the valve cover to the intake and exhaust just took forever, and since where we have do the work on the jeep doesn't have an air compressor. I was thinking battery because of the portability.

Do you have a recommendation for battery impact? I'd like to get a ratchet also, or eventually, so is love if the batteries where the same.


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I don't know man, internal work (for me) is somewhere where I'm going to take my time regardless. Would be easier for removing but still...

I don't own battery impacts but a lot of people on here recommend the milwaukee stuff. But at the price point you're looking at it might just be better to get a cheap(er) portable compressor setup that will have the flow you need. Some guys won't touch the harbor freight stuff but it's what I'd use in your situation; I think the milwaukee stuff is chinese anyway. Air tools won't put you on the hook for the batteries and is more modular tool wise (if you need to do something else).

Again...my opinion. Depends on how you work. Yeah it's easier just to grab an electric tool but it's not going to get the job done on a lot of the things you would need a "power" tool for. I think the electric ratchets are more/less for people doing a single redundant job. With some of the torque ratings might be something like oil changes. If you do varied stuff...just get an impact wrench preferably rated over 150 ft/lbs so you can get most of the bolts on cars off...could be a problem with the axle nuts though without heat/penetrating oil; or get a 'road' compressor setup.

 

[kac0825]

I don't know man, internal work (for me) is somewhere where I'm going to take my time regardless. Would be easier for removing but still...



I don't own battery impacts but a lot of people on here recommend the milwaukee stuff. But at the price point you're looking at it might just be better to get a cheap(er) portable compressor setup that will have the flow you need. Some guys won't touch the harbor freight stuff but it's what I'd use in your situation; I think the milwaukee stuff is chinese anyway. Air tools won't put you on the hook for the batteries and is more modular tool wise (if you need to do something else).



Again...my opinion. Depends on how you work. Yeah it's easier just to grab an electric tool but it's not going to get the job done on a lot of the things you would need a "power" tool for. I think the electric ratchets are more/less for people doing a single redundant job. With some of the torque ratings might be something like oil changes. If you do varied stuff...just get an impact wrench preferably rated over 150 ft/lbs so you can get most of the bolts on cars off...could be a problem with the axle nuts though without heat/penetrating oil; or get a 'road' compressor setup.

I appreciate the advice. When putting everything back together I'm pretty **** about tourqe specs, but I just feel it'd be easier pulling everything. But I wouldn't use not expect to use an air/cordless ratchet to pull rocker arms, ect, the more delicate stuff. Just save time on the bigger stuff.

I'll have to check lowes and HD and see if they have any sales. I worked at harbor freight and the sheer amount of warranties I processed kind of swayed me from a lot of their products. You just have to be careful and know what to get.

I'm going to check out the m12 ratchet and see what they have.


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