HF Mini air ratchets any good?

[johninct]

I was in HF and saw the mini air ratchets. They were so small. Are they any good? Does anyone (Tool truck) else make ones that small? Thanks!

 

[efb16acrx]

http://www.tooltopia.com/acdelco-anw305.aspx
http://www.tooltopia.com/astro-pneumatic-1119.aspx
http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/MT2844A/3-8-MINI-PALM-RATCHET/

I've got the matco one and I really don't use it that much. Realize they are basically just nut runners without the power to break anything loose. They are fast but I've always found if I have the room to get that and a air hose in where I'm working a bigger ratchet will fit too.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Mine was a bit stiff in the reverse/forward selector. It broke-in just fine, pretty happy with it overall, and I'm not an air-ratchet guy either.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Realize they are basically just nut runners without the power to break anything loose.

I have found that true on all air ratchets I have used.

 

[404]

They often are not strong enough to break bolts loose. However in a tight space like the 10MM head bolts on a timing belt cover they can be a wonderful time saver and frustration reducer. They can be good under the dash on smaller fasteners. Am glad I got mine. I took the paddle off to make it fit smaller spaces.

Regards,
404

 

[stikman56]

They work, but they are not powerful. I assume you're talking about the ones with the green cover? The covers are garbage and rip and kind of actually smear away until they just fall off.

 

[AndrewV]

I have a little bluepoint one.(finally got it back from my SO rep)
Mainly use it for dash work. And works great.
Can see doing it with a hf one, just as good.