Forida Pneumatic ratchets. Opinions?

[Mike F]

I haven't found much, if any, input on Florida Pneumatic tools-specifically 3/8" or 1/4" air ratchets. From their website I see that their products are either US made or from Japan (which I always thoght of as a good thing, as opposed to China or Taiwan). The tools seem quite reasonably priced, perhaps to much so, which has me wondering if they are any good. Does anyone have experience with them? For the price you can find some of their ratchets on ebay, it might be worth giving them a try. Warranty is 2 yrs.

 

[ron in sc]

I have the 1/4" drive model. It's not air powered though it's electric. It's very handy. Particlularly if you are working inside of car and removing a lot of small fasteners, like when you remove a dash. No air hose to deal with and no noise. I use it for all kinds of small stuff, a great addition to any toolbox.

The only negative is the batteries do not stay charged as long as I would expect them to during use. Not that big of a deal since unit comes with two batteries and they don't take long to charge.

If you want a 1/4" air ratchet I highly recommend the Snap on FAR25. The only thing I don't like about it is common to all air tools if used continuously, and that's they can be real loud so I wear hearing protection.

 

[Deafautotech]

if you plan to use air ratchet often as do lot of job on automotive??

i am work in chrysler dealership and i bought AR251 and it is very strong air ratchet and it will break loose bolt or nuts where i need to on under dash or transmission or engine area. But be careful to not stripped or broke half bolt when install it back on.
my work have mercury and lincoln shop as next door, one tech had one snap on FAR25 and he use it lot but most time he had one and he used it a lot (most of time)

But i recommend you a Mac tool AR251 as it have flat head where it have less part mechanical inside that will be long time than other ratchet.

 

[Deafautotech]

i Dont care how much noise bother me as i am deaf. but my tech friends sometime they complaint me about noise from air tool. i told them i bought used and rebuilt air tool and found some of them have missing of muffler. so well. oops

they finally are happy to heard no noise when i bought rebuilt IR 2135ti and i used it a lot and it is powerful air tool for me.

 

[Bruce T]

Florida pheumatic builds air tools for a lot of companies. One is the Husky brand at home depot. I was a rep for them a couple years ago and when I met the factory rep (my boss toured the factory) they said they made tools for a dozen or so companies one of which was Snap on (which my boss seen there). At the time, of the 15 tool they had in Depot, 8 were made in the us and the rest overseas. I have used them for years (because I got them free) and have been very happy with them overall. Hope that helps.

 

[Mike F]

if you plan to use air ratchet often as do lot of job on automotive??

I am a weekend warrior. The tools will see, I hope, many years of use. I do look for quality in a tool though. Better to buy quality once yhan cheap tools several times. And if I pass them on to my descendants, that's great too! I own tools from both my father and grandfather, and they are going strong.

 

[Deafautotech]

i would recommend you for mac tool AR251 or snap on fAR25 because it can be rebuild instead throw junk air tool. most of tech had FAR25 and they have it rebuilt few time because they abuse and rough it a lot while they work in shop. they said it is best air tool to do work.

i suggest you to buy good quality so you would not have a problem unless if had then talk with tool truck dealer about it.

 

[kartracer55]

Buy an IR103. Its less than 90$ and its a proven design. Matco also rebadges.


FP is rebranded by many companies, even CP. I wouldnt hesistate to buy anything made by them

Jim

 

[Deafautotech]

i forget about IR flat head air ratchet... it is good air tool.