CORDLESS RATCHET...Milwaukee or Snap-on

[fowlwishes]

I am in the market for a cordless 3/8 ratchet. I have a Milwaukee 12V 1/4 ratchet and love it. I have no problem with it at all. But I have put my hands on the Snap On 3/8 cordless ratchet and like the feel of that ratchet better than the Milwaukee version.

The SO had a stouter feelings to it in my hand, but the only real advantage on paper is the head speed versus the Milwaukee. They seem to have about the same rated torque.

What is the consensus or preference?

 

[devoncoolman]

Snap-on seems to be stronger and built better. Mines held up well

 

[bobcatdan]

I have the older 12v and love it.

 

[Nanashi]

I have the 1/4" snap on and the head seems like it's skipping teeth lately. I could be wrong i use it hard but it's only 4 or so months old. I thought the heads where made up of all metal even the gears.

If you already have the 1/4" i wouldn't even bother with the 3/8" it doesn't have enough power for 3/8" work. The 1/4" is strong i just don't think the 3/8" is worth it. The little 3/8" impact they make is awesome though.

 

[fowlwishes]

My main concern is how small the Milwaukee ratchet head is. They used a smaller 1/4 drive sized head and put a 3/8 drive on it. So went the other way and designed it with a full 3/8 head. I have the habit of using the cordless ratchet to break bolts loose I probably shouldn't.

 

[cotjocky]

I don't own either, but have had both in my hands. Milwaukee is definitely smaller and somewhat lighter. Will be easier to get in tighter spots.

 

[Kenskip1]

You can get the Milwaukee in 3/8 or 1/4 drive. I have the M12 in 3/8. I abuse the snot out of it and it is still working fine.Great tool and for $99. you can't beat the price, Ken

 

[DHS]

Would the Milwaukee use the same batteries as your other one?

 

[JVB]

I have all Milwaukee m12 and m18 tools and have never missed a beat with any of them. They also have many extended battery packs that really help on long days. Have never used the snap on but I like that one battery fits all of my tools. Milwaukee tools have always held up great for me.

 

[Mr.3-5-7]

Since i bought my SO 3/8 last thursday i have been using it for evrything

 

[dowmace]

I have owned both, the snapon is rated at the same torque but in practice seems have more. I wouldn't go back to the Milwaukee, it is convenient that it takes m12 batteries but the snapon beats it in my opinion.

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk

 

[Skin]

Snap-On is a little longer and is fatter. You're right about the body being more solid though. That said you're also getting a worse warranty (SO 1 yr tool/batt, M12 is 5/3) and paying at least twice as much, 3x as much if any of the early year clearance deals come back where the kit was ~$120. I'd say Snap-On was a contender if it weren't for those two factors.

It hasn't come up, but i'll mention this as well, COO is kind of a mixed bag. The model tag on the Snap-On case says contents are USA, inside the charger is marked China, the batteries Taiwan, and the ratchet itself is not specifically marked though I suspect the mechanical components are USA with the electronics of Asian origin. Kind of shady for Snap-On to stick that USA COO online and on the zipper case ID tag.

 

[dankicksass]

Ingersoll and Mac both offer cordless ratchets in that size. I went with Ingersoll. It feels better in my hand than Milwaukee, which felt toy-like.

http://www.ingersollrandproducts.com/am-en/products/tools/Iqv-cordless-tools/iqv12series/r1130

 

[ADSR]

My vote goes for thr ac delco. I got the chance to use one and it's awesome! Almost Twice the torque of the milwaukee. 57ft,lbs is a beast. Its aluminum housings as well. 3/8 kit is under 160.

Im a milwaukee fan, but im going to order this soon.

http://www.acdelco-tools.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=60&product_id=106

 

[Skin]

Ingersoll and Mac both offer cordless ratchets in that size. I went with Ingersoll. It feels better in my hand than Milwaukee, which felt toy-like.

http://www.ingersollrandproducts.com/am-en/products/tools/Iqv-cordless-tools/iqv12series/r1130

I was looking at the IR when I was shopping for one and two things kept me away. The first is they've gone Matco on everyone and only include 1 battery in the kit, which is also not cheap (~$200). The second was the lack of a battery charge indicator. The latter is sort of cosmetic but for a tool released in the last 6 months it should have one.

 

[dankicksass]

The other tools from IR have two batteries in their kits. Doesn't Milwaukee only pack one battery in the ratchet box as well?

 

[ADSR]

The other tools from IR have two batteries in their kits. Doesn't Milwaukee only pack one battery in the ratchet box as well?

I believe you can buy one or two.

 

[BajaBound]

I love my milwaukee ratchet. Got to really use it today and I am super stoked on it.

 

[92integra]

I love my m12 ratchet it's great. I work with a guy that has the SO and it's speed is great and it's very robust with the battery pack on it for manually breaking loose fasteners.... Idk if he over did it manually breaking things loose but he already snapped the 1/4 " drive head off of it. Took a month to get rebuilt

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I was looking at the IR when I was shopping for one and two things kept me away. The first is they've gone Matco on everyone and only include 1 battery in the kit, which is also not cheap (~$200). The second was the lack of a battery charge indicator. The latter is sort of cosmetic but for a tool released in the last 6 months it should have one.

Another issue with IR cordless tools is they keep changing their platform so often, it makes the batteries obsolete within a couple of years. I'm a big fan of IR air tools, but that kept me away from the cordless line.

M12 gets my vote. Love my 3/8", always wondered if you could just order a replacement anvil in the other size if you needed to swap out. It would only be a 1 minute swap with a set of snap ring pliers...

 

[ryurgin]

Broke my last milwaulkee in 4 months flat at the shop. The new Snap-on just ... feels better. Doesn't slip on stubborn bolts/nuts as much. Haven't broken the head once yet either!

Downside: The batteries are hit or miss, will probably have to warranty one out of two within a month of buying.

 

[MattPersman]

Have the Milwaukee 1/4 abuse the dog **** out of it. Broke the drive after 7-8 months, I break bolts free with it daily. I sent it in and they gave me a new one. Took about a week. The one I got the light works different as in it stays on a little longer after releasing the trigger.

The snap on feels good but can't justify the price. I have had both of my lithium impacts in for service for at least a couple weeks now maybe 4. My love for snap on air and power tools is lessening each month or year.

 

[cheechi]

SO gives you plenty of ways to give them your money. If you already have the M12 I wouldn't think you'd get your money's worth buying the same tool again. It may be marginally better, but not enough for a second 'full retail price' worth.

 

[BlksnshN]

Not in your poll but I bought the Matco infinium 3/8 ratchet back in October. I talked my driver into throwing in a second battery since Snap On's comes with two for the same price.

Since purchasing the ratchet, I have not once picked up my 3/8 air ratchet. I use it to break bolts loose just like I would the air ratchet and have yet to have an issue with it. It's my favorite tool now, not having to drape an air hose all over everything is a godsend.

 

[bindernut]

I have the milwaukee m12 3/8" drive. I've had it better part of a year. I work at a John Deere dealer working on mowers, gators & such. I love it. Haven't used my 1/4" air ratchet once, and only used my 3/8" air ratchet 3 or 4 times on big bolts. Battery life is good, even running off my-locks all day.
Our snap on guy let a coworker borrow the snap on ratchet for a week. I used it a couple times. Not worth the almost double price tag. No lighter, bulkier, and I didn't think it had any more power.

 

[SS5150]

I've had the Milwaukee 3/8 and just got the 1/4, I like them both but wish they ran a little faster.

I really like the look of Snap On's but just couldn't take the price. I'd like to try one though.