Good 1/4" air ratchet???

[transammanv8]

I need a good 1/4" air ratchet. I had never used one until this week when a co-worker bought a mini 1/4" from Sears. It works good, but is a little hard to get into a few places.

I'm a helicopter mechanic, so I'll use it often and need something that will last. Am I better off to get a cheap IR or buy a higher end model? I'm willing to go as high as $250 if I need to. Also, we get an industrial discount on snap on (42% I think). Suggestions? Thanks.

EDIT: Almost forgot, I need a quiet model too. I had a Viking air drill that was so loud, they made me take it home, lol.

 

[bmwpower]

Aircat is supposed to be a nice unit.....and quiet:

http://www.aircat.com/cms/index.php?s=content&p=ratchet

Made in the USA too.

 

[maa139]

Can't go wrong with IR. You should be able to get plenty of ratchet for $250.

 

[kartracer55]

hmm... I have a viking air drill and I think its quiet as hell! Go figure... do you have the through handle exhuast with the green packing?

For quiet, Id say maybe go with the air cat, and compare it to the new titanium flat head IR they have... Its supposed to be great for tightspots, but I have never seen nor used one

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/IR-1215TI.html

Jim

 

[Charles (in GA)]

MAC markets a nice airratchet, thinner head than most, but a little wider and slightly bulkier motor. Much more durable and trouble free.

http://mactools.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ItemNum=AR1776

Also the sealed head version.......

http://mactools.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ItemNum=AR251

Charles

 

[SM Racing]

I have a Snap On Composite that is great. It is light and very quiet. It has a small head and fits in tight places.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=2819&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[z28toz06]

aircat quiet and small

 

[transammanv8]

hmm... I have a viking air drill and I think its quiet as hell! Go figure... do you have the through handle exhuast with the green packing?

For quiet, Id say maybe go with the air cat, and compare it to the new titanium flat head IR they have... Its supposed to be great for tightspots, but I have never seen nor used one

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/IR-1215TI.html

Jim

Yeah, the Viking had the handle exhaust with green packing. You would have to see the hangar I'm working in....probably 10-12 huge helicopters side by side, and everytime I used the drill, I would look up and have 5-10 people just staring at me. At least one person would always make a comment. My boss told me to lose it, so I sent it back on the 30 day guarantee. Kind of sounded like a V6 with glasspacks. Maybe there was something wrong with my drill? I bought a 3600 Sioux 1/4" palm/keyless to replace it.

I had been looking at the IR Titanium flat, but haven't heard from anyone that's used one. That Mac looks good too. I got to use some Mac air tools last week and really liked them. Thanks for the suggestions....keep em coming.

 

[kartracer55]

I have an IR1200 3/8 ratchet and its not loud but its rather high pitched.

I have that same drill and I think its rather quiet for an air tool....

If he didnt like that drill's noise then dont get an IR thunder gun... DAMN is that thing loud!! I dont think you were here for garagejunkies.net but my thundergun was the running joke lol

Jim

 

[drbill]

I have one of these http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=2819&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog nice and quiet.
It has lasted for many years, used daily in auto repair. But I do maintain it with oiling the air motor and greasing the head. It has lost some power but I think that is to be expected after more then 10 years of service.

 

[kartracer55]

Thats damn nice but I sure as hell cant justify one lol. Good stuff!

Jim

 

[sberry]

I bought a CP a while back from my jobber on sale for 60 or 70$, its as good as any. How much better could a snappy really be? Most of the extra cost is dealer markup, even the pricier ones were only 120$.

 

[deanmopar]

I have a Snap On Composite that is great. It is light and very quiet. It has a small head and fits in tight places.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=2819&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

DONT BUY THE SNAPON!!
i ve had three
they dont hold up to reel use
snap on only gives a short warranty
once you break it the only people who can get the parts are snap on

 

[sberry]

I am not a great snappy fan either, the stuff is good but too pricey and not that much better. I could have 3 or 4 CP's for the cost of one of those. If I was a young guy in the market for tools right now it would be that Allen stuff from Menards. The stuff is good and the payback would be fast considering I paid about 30$ for a set of 8 metric wrenches the other day. I needed a set to keep in a remote location and they were so reasonable it didnt even make sense to buy cheap Chinese junk. I used them a couple times and they are very good. I see a socket set, 70 pcs or something, like 69$., Like a buck a pc for sockets, snappy like 30 something a pc. Man, save enough to take a week off and go to Disney world and I am not that easly impressed by shiney objects. I spend what it takes but I dont give a rats *** about what "brand" a wrench is, at the point I got to use one I have other things on my mind and if it works it works, thats the point. I want them to make money, its the only way they are an asset, a payment to the tool man is a strict liability.

 

[SM Racing]

The Snap On was half price. I got the HOOK UP.

 

[evildky]

I got a Matco 1/4" it's no torque monger I think it can do about 20 lbst but for tight spaces it rocks, very small but the handle trigger can be touchy when sticking it into tight places