Electric ratchet: worth it?

[Balog]

So the new Home Depot sale on the M12 Fuel combo kit has me really tempted. The drill and impact would be a nice upgrade to my extremely old nicad battery cordless stuff, but not really enough to justify $200 and an entirely new battery family. But I don’t have an electric ratchet and it’s extremely tempting.

I’m a purely shadetree mechanic, only doing stuff on the alternator/water pump/head gasket level. Now that my kids are getting older and looking to get their own cars I’ll be starting to do more. Would going from a manual to electric ratchet make a big difference?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Yes, both in wear and tear on you as well as total speed.

Some of them are low power nut runners. Others can actually break things free. The issue with the former is in some areas the tool is too large to swing and break something free. So now you need a second tool. The m12 high speed is a good example of that, but it will always be faster than hand tools alone.

 

[Skellyii]

Hard-core DIY here.
Pre-Covid, pre-retirement, I bought a cheap ($50-$60) non-name electric ratchet that came with two batteries off of Amazon. I was tired of dragging around the air hose, but wasn't ready to commit to the price of something like the M12, until I figured out if I would really like/use it.

If it worked out, I was thinking I would buy the M12.
It's worked out just fine, and I'm still using it. When it dies, I might look at another cheap one, or maybe the M12.

 

[JradM]

It's not a necessity, but it can speed up some jobs tremendously - to the point that doing without can be annoying once you've tried it. I turned wrenches for money for awhile - I think doing that without a cordless ratchet is irresponsible.

Not always though. Sometimes it's more annoying to switch back and forth between power and manual ratchets. It depends how many of the same fasteners you're tackling. I also don't have the same feel for tightness when using a cordless ratchet, even when turning it manually, so I find it less useful for tightening small fasteners (loosening though, it's always useful).

More tools is always the answer, but considering the work you're doing, it sounds like you could get by without it. It's the sort of tool that speeds up your work - it doesn't allow you to do new things you couldn't before.

 

[finn]

I bought both the M12 high speed and the Dewalt 12 v extended.

Somewhere I ended up with the regular M12 Fuel also. I think it was probably part of a kit similar to what the OP is looking at.

None of them are “must haves” for a non pro, but they all rank pretty high on the “nice to have“ list.

Of the three, I don’t really have a favorite.

The more you use them, the more convenient they seem to be.

 

[mikey03]

For most fasteners you wind up saving 10 seconds

but for some fasteners where all you got is room for the tool and a regular ratchet only got a 15 degree swing and your going to need to ratchet this thing 500 times to get it then you could save 20 minutes per fastener in those cases

at least I think so because I just bought mine last week and I got it because I came across a few fasteners that took me 20 minutes each to remove due to how limited ratchet swing was and if I had a cordless ratchet I think would have come off in an instant tbh

 

[308guru]

I say "no, not worth it".

Weekend warrior here. I purchased an M12 Fuel High Speed thinking it was going to the greatest thing. After using it a few times it now sits collecting dust and will likely get sold sometime soon. I found that it is so weak that I wind up breaking fasteners loose far more than I should have to. Not just the initial crack it loose, it's so gutless I have to keep working it like a ratchet to inch along corroded fasteners it's just plain annoying. I might as well have a traditional ratchet in my hand.

If your typical use would be nice shiny fasteners, hard joints that require just a crack to loosen, and many to run down/off at once, then sure it may be the tool to have. For me, the real world application seems very different than that pie in the sky scenario though.

 

[mjdarg]

I've got an M12 high speed ratchet. I find it useful when I am working in uncomfortable positions, such as leaning over an engine bay or lots of work lying on my back. It's much easier on my lower back to stand still and pull a trigger to remove a bolt than to loosen it by hand. Lots of the older guys at work also recommend using power tools when you can. The repetition of using fingers and hands to remove fasteners takes a toll on your joints, tendons, and muscles.

 

[u2slow]

I do all my own automotive work and never use a powered ratchet. The pneumatic one I bought 20+ years ago has but a few minutes of use.

I use air impact for heavy jobs, and battery impact for light work and as a speed-wrench.

 

[cruzer75]

I got one from amazon on sale for 40, bought one for my BIL as well, it's great, I use it a ton. It's not a torque monster but you can use it like a ratchet to break free a nut or bolt and then hit the lever and it zips it off. if it dies I would get another one.

 

[tincanoe]

Hard-core DIY here.
Pre-Covid, pre-retirement, I bought a cheap ($50-$60) non-name electric ratchet that came with two batteries off of Amazon. I was tired of dragging around the air hose, but wasn't ready to commit to the price of something like the M12, until I figured out if I would really like/use it.

If it worked out, I was thinking I would buy the M12.
It's worked out just fine, and I'm still using it. When it dies, I might look at another cheap one, or maybe the M12.

What ratchet did you go with? Like you (when you made your purchase decision); I'm looking at the cheap alternatives as I'm not sure how much I'll use it, and I just want to get my hands on one to try out. I've been eyeballing the AC Delco ratchets,confusing because there are so many variations.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I say "no, not worth it".

Weekend warrior here. I purchased an M12 Fuel High Speed thinking it was going to the greatest thing. After using it a few times it now sits collecting dust and will likely get sold sometime soon. I found that it is so weak that I wind up breaking fasteners loose far more than I should have to. Not just the initial crack it loose, it's so gutless I have to keep working it like a ratchet to inch along corroded fasteners it's just plain annoying. I might as well have a traditional ratchet in my hand.

If your typical use would be nice shiny fasteners, hard joints that require just a crack to loosen, and many to run down/off at once, then sure it may be the tool to have. For me, the real world application seems very different than that pie in the sky scenario though.

For M6 fasteners it does okay. M8 without crust or excessive locktite, it can do. Neither it can consistently just pop free with a trigger pull.

IMO Milwaukee went too RPM crazy on those tools., I have a high speed in 1/4, short neck, and the older 1/4 long neck "fuel" from before the high rpm craze with the bulkier head. The older model is much stronger than the 5ft/lb difference would suggest. It's just mechanical advantage of the gearing. Not everything needs to be a 175rpm snap on Brute model either.

The high speed is awesome for removing timing covers, valve covers, etc. But the same size hardware holding a bumper on? Not gonna make it, can't power through the rust and crust. I like it for assembly, prior to the torque wrench coming out. Just running threads and snugging things down. I wish they would have had the older fuel model for me to buy in short neck form, as I would have picked that over the high speed I think.

If M12 stays high-speed, when my 1/4 long neck dies I think I will be stuck with snap on.

 

[WildBill]

I have the Makita 12v ratchet, I don't always use it but it's great for stuff like oil pans and valve covers where you are messing with a bunch of bolts. Or anything you can barely move a normal ratchet on because of clearance.

 

[tamaraw]

Would going from a manual to electric ratchet make a big difference?

It's mostly for speed/convenience in repetitive tasks. Valve cover, timing cover, oil pan, trim panels, etc. or certain construction/architecture applications. It also technically gives you a zero degree swing arc.

Necessary? No. But if you are doing a lot of repetitive tasks, it could add up.

 

[JeepYJ]

I find them useful if you’re doing a bunch of repetitive fasteners- and an impact driver won’t fit. If you have one it can be handy but far down on the list of must-have-tools.

 

[mikey03]

Idk if I’m the only one or maybe I got unlucky but a few weeks in a row last month I came across jobs where I had no clearance to turn a ratchet more than like 15 degrees and it took me FOREVER to do the jobs I wasted like 4 hours in total on just a few fasteners where I could fit a ratchet but not turn it more than a little each time and if I had one of these I think it would save me hours

so I just got one a week ago haven’t used it yet but honestly I don’t see myself using it that much it’s more of a tight access tool for me tbh

 

[isb cornbinder]

So the new Home Depot sale on the M12 Fuel combo kit has me really tempted. The drill and impact would be a nice upgrade to my extremely old nicad battery cordless stuff, but not really enough to justify $200 and an entirely new battery family. But I don’t have an electric ratchet and it’s extremely tempting.

I’m a purely shadetree mechanic, only doing stuff on the alternator/water pump/head gasket level. Now that my kids are getting older and looking to get their own cars I’ll be starting to do more. Would going from a manual to electric ratchet make a big difference?

I have a Milwaukee 3/8" 12 volt/ I like t and have used it a lot.

 

[Roert42]

I love mine, I have the M12 3/8ths non fuel version. I was looking to buy into a battery system at the time ( had some porter cable stuff, but their lineup was limited at the time), and I liked the variety of the M12 so that's why I chose Milwaukee. I have no regrets, but porter cable has expanded their offerings, same with Dewalt and Makita. If I was looking to buy into a new system I would be looking at those closer too.

It's gutless, but it's great for a lot of things. When your working somewhere where you do not have access to an air compressor or don't want to fire up the compressor for whatever.

very good for assembly work with new parts or working on an engine.

It does not replace a breaker bar and a big impact for doing suspension work.

Everything I have is old and Rusty. I mostly use mine when rebuilding an engine, or doing top end work in the engine bay. Removing a radiator, replacing components with smaller fasteners, ect, ect.

 

[shakenfake]

I have a brushed Milwaukee I got in a holiday sale pack.
Don't use mine that much. I find myself reaching for my impact driver 9/10 times.

I do like it when doing assembly work as mentioned above. Disassembly is pretty decent too imo. I will buy another when this goes out but I would not buy another to upgrade.

 

[Steel_Rain]

Lots of good advice so far. I would agree with mostly everyone that it's not a MUST HAVE. Honestly, with a short 1/4" impact you can get most of the open work done. Most of the time these end up being nut runners for dis/assembly work and it sure beats dragging a hose around. I've HAD 5 and still own 3. Bulky for automotive sometimes, but they can serve a purpose. Watch the "Tools of Japan" thread in the coming weeks for something new I picked up that I'll compare to my full size electric ratchets.

 

[dnschmidt]

I say "no, not worth it".

Weekend warrior here. I purchased an M12 Fuel High Speed thinking it was going to the greatest thing. After using it a few times it now sits collecting dust and will likely get sold sometime soon. I found that it is so weak that I wind up breaking fasteners loose far more than I should have to. Not just the initial crack it loose, it's so gutless I have to keep working it like a ratchet to inch along corroded fasteners it's just plain annoying. I might as well have a traditional ratchet in my hand.

If your typical use would be nice shiny fasteners, hard joints that require just a crack to loosen, and many to run down/off at once, then sure it may be the tool to have. For me, the real world application seems very different than that pie in the sky scenario though.

You might want to consider a better battery as it does make a difference. The new M12 batteries (the 2.5 compact and the 5.0 XC) have way more juice than the previous generation. To see the difference watch the latest TTC video on the new M12 stubby. Pretty dramatic. I live in Phoenix so rust doesn't exist here so I love the high-speed, well because of it's speed, if I lived back home in Pittsburgh I'd go with the normal Fuel ratchets which do have more grunt or the DeWalt which are possibly the highest torque cordless ratchets available.

 

[CJM8515]

i have both a 1/4 and 3/8 non fuel milwaukee. i use the 2.0 and 3.0 and now 2.5 HO batteries. considering i mostly use them to work on motorsports toys-they excell as nut runners and general use tools. they will not yank a nutoff unless its small-but they arent for that. they run stuff on and off and frankly running stuff on it tightens it enough i dont need to double check w/my ratchet

other than that, not really use full

 

[Rusted Nut]

I have the 3/8” slow speed/higher torque, use it a lot. Saves your wrist, well worth it.

 

[wafrederick]

I love mine,no airhose to drag around.I have the Snap On 3/8 and Milwaukee M12 1/4 drive fuel ratchets.Only thing I did to them was put a knob in the selector to make it easier to change direction with one finger.Ratchet Knob makes it
www.ratchetknob.com

 

[Odd-job]

Oh man I might need to try one of these. And they are from Latham, NY my home town!

 

[Wrench97]

The one on special I think is the shortest of the group, a lot guy have issues breaking the small 12v battery since the ratchet is so short.

 

[Yankeefarmer]

I have had my M12 brushed 3/8 ratchet for a couple years now and it’s one of my most used tools. I especially like it for tasks like snugging lug nuts before hand tightening, although I’ll do that with my air impact on its lowest setting if it’s still out and connected. Like others have said, it’s principally a nut/bolt runner, but very useful in limited access work.
One application of it that I’m especially appreciative of is adjusting the blade angle on my Craftsman table saw. I made an adapter that replaces the handwheel on the saw with a 3/4” hex head, so I can use a 3/4” socket on the cordless ratchet to tilt the blade from vertical to 45 degrees. It’s a lifesaver compared to cranking that handle all those turns and then back again when done.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

Fortunate to have a compressor used Ingersoll Rand 3/8 air ratchet. Don't use it often but is useful. Thought about the cordless ratchet but some are gutless and heavier with battery.

 

[tak1313]

I LOVE mine. I have the original 3/8 M12, and the next gen brushless. Not because it's easier or faster (because they are), but because I'm a lazy@ss.

 

[mreisner]

I had the older non-high speed long neck fuel and it was nice but lacking. I replaced it with the high torque Snap On long neck and I am very impressed with it in the few weeks that I've had it. I also have the quarter inch long neck fuel Milwaukee and like it a lot too. As the years go by and my shoulders get worse and worse these things have made my life a lot easier. I work on everything from lawn mowers to large farm equipment, and being a one-man show the longer I can work in a day the better. It's also nice to not be as sore in the evening and head back to the farm the next day not aching.

 

[Mandres]

I already have a 1/4" impact driver that does most of what an electric ratchet would do. Plus it drives screws.

I'd like to have the Makita ratchet but I would only use it in places the impact can't fit and I haven't run into that enough to justify it

 

[JABgj]

I keep a 3/8 drive battery powered ratchet in my work box. Picked it up at a yard sale, it's a AC Delco and as long as it holds together, I will keep it around. Don't use it too often, but is nice to have to run fasteners up or down. Good to use when the space is tight and swinging a regular ratchet would take a while. Tried one of the USB Ryobi ratchets and it was a weakling, took it back the next day. Might look at Milwaukee when the time comes, but kind of spendy for irregular use.

 

[M635_Guy]

I have the original M12 Fuel ratchet and really glad to have it - it makes a lot of jobs that much faster and easier.

I still use regular ratchets a lot though.

 

[Balog]

Appreciate all the input. I’m in Seattle so rust isn’t a big issue here. Since this is only $30 off the price this whole quarter I may let it go for now. Really interesting range of experiences, especially with the different models. Thanks!

 

[Hakeem]

I have one and only use it on bigger jobs, just to save some time on a multiple hour task. Otherwise I prefer to use a manual ratchet. None of the cordless ratchets are as satisfying to use as a halfway decent hand tool.

Impact driver + socket adapter +/- right angle attachment can be a decent approximation of a power ratchet . Certainly not as nice to use as a dedicated tool.

 

[Rusted Nut]

I love mine,no airhose to drag around.I have the Snap On 3/8 and Milwaukee M12 1/4 drive fuel ratchets.Only thing I did to them was put a knob in the selector to make it easier to change direction with one finger.Ratchet Knob makes it
www.ratchetknob.com

Well that's cool. I'm going to order one.

 

[Cruzan80]

Not sure how much the Milwaukee is, but HD has the Husky on sale down to about $60-70 every holiday season. One neck length, only 3/8, proprietary charger, but it could let you see how often you use one. Seems to command a decent price used, as the price goes up the rest of the year, so it looks like more off new than it was.

 

[maplewood]

Good question and interesting replies. I've considered them a few times, like you when they are on sale. After I pass because I'm cheap, I try to keep it in mind the next time I'm working on the cars/bikes. Never seems like I'd have all that much use for it, or save very much time, as a home gamer. Would do wonders I'm sure if you have specific needs or repetitive tasks, but I spend way more time trying to figure out what I'm doing, or getting stuck things unstuck, than I do just quickly running a nut down.

 

[xjfish]

I have M12, Dewalt 12, and SO 14.4 ratchets. I use at least one of them daily and like them all. Favorite and most used is probably snappy 1/4" long neck. However, highly recommend M12 anything in your budget. Good value. Very useful and time saving tool. If you don't need to save time, possibly unnecessary for you.

 

[richfinn]

I have the High Speed M12 3/8", It gets used mostly for under hood work on newish cars. I like it (also have an air powered Snap-On FAR70 if I need some extra grunt)