Is this Performance Tool ratchet any good?

[Bennylava]

Anybody own this thing? If so, do you like it?

I like the small size, but it's only a 4 volt unfortunately. Then again maybe that's all you need for 1/4" drive. Clearly it's just got a single 18650 battery inside, which I believe you could replace for longer life and maybe more oomph. They say it's 2ah battery, or 2,000Mah. The higher end batteries will be 3500Mah.

Amazon.com: Performance Tool W7731 4V 1/4 in. Drive Cordless Electric Ratchet | Automotive auto repair tool. 0-230 RPM variable speed. 92 inch-Pound torque. LED light. USB-C charging : Tools & Home Improvement

Amazon.com: Performance Tool W7731 4V 1/4 in. Drive Cordless Electric Ratchet | Automotive auto repair tool. 0-230 RPM variable speed. 92 inch-Pound torque. LED light. USB-C charging : Tools & Home Improvement

www.amazon.com

 

[finn]

The ACDelco 1209-P2 for $74.99 has 45 ft lbs and seems like a better deal.

edit: oops, it’s 3/8, not 1/4” drive, so I guess that’s out.

No personal experience, but I have seen ACDelco tools used in professional settings.

 

[willf650]

I would personally try the Hyper Tough for the hell of it. I recently got a couple of their 12v tools and they have impressed me in messing with them around the house. When you factor price they seem great.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/19231774282?sid=9BE7A01F-EF23-40C0-B9B4-077EECD911A8

For the price you're looking at you could also get another battery for the Hyper Tough.

I have no work use of them nor specific opinions on a ratchet. All I have is the first gen M12 fuel and it's in a different category and price point than what you're looking at.

Seems all these cheap ratchets may be an unknown quantity at this point.

 

[finn]

I would personally try the Hyper Tough for the hell of it. I recently got a couple of their 12v tools and they have impressed me in messing with them around the house. When you factor price they seem great.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/19231774282?sid=9BE7A01F-EF23-40C0-B9B4-077EECD911A8

For the price you're looking at you could also get another battery for the Hyper Tough.

I have no work use of them nor specific opinions on a ratchet. All I have is the first gen M12 fuel and it's in a different category and price point than what you're looking at.

Seems all these cheap ratchets may be an unknown quantity at this point.

Watch Wes Work doesn’t post much on YouTube anymore, but several years ago he was talking about the little ACDelco in glowing terms.

Like I said, I’ve seen professional mechanics using them, too.

That doesn’t mean they’re equal to a M12 or Dewalt costing twice as much.

Even the cheap Husky isn’t totally useless, if you can live within its limitations. Don’t expect it to take lug nuts off a Freightliner.

 

[Bennylava]

That doesn’t mean they’re equal to a M12 or Dewalt costing twice as much.

Couple things there,

For 1/4" drive, the higher end brands may be unnecessary. Almost all the ratchets are made so that you use manual torque to break it loose, then you hit the button. So how much power do you really need?

For 1/4" drive, my guess is that the Hyper Tough is probably all you'd ever need. Seems like it would be a rare day that you'd need more than 30 or 40 foot lbs. If you don't, it turns the top brands into overpriced overkill. There must be some scenario out there that justifies their existence, but I struggle to see what. Longer warranties for contractors I guess.

Next problem I saw was the Milwaukee (and the like) were too fat. I don't want to hold the fat end of a baseball bat or 2.5" pvc pipe while I'm running a 1/4" drive tool. Not cool, that's a big fail on their part imo.

 

[finn]

Couple things there,

For 1/4" drive, the higher end brands may be unnecessary. Almost all the ratchets are made so that you use manual torque to break it loose, then you hit the button. So how much power do you really need?

For 1/4" drive, my guess is that the Hyper Tough is probably all you'd ever need. Seems like it would be a rare day that you'd need more than 30 or 40 foot lbs. If you don't, it turns the top brands into overpriced overkill. There must be some scenario out there that justifies their existence, but I struggle to see what. Longer warranties for contractors I guess.

Next problem I saw was the Milwaukee (and the like) were too fat. I don't want to hold the fat end of a baseball bat or 2.5" pvc pipe while I'm running a 1/4" drive tool. Not cool, that's a big fail on their part imo.

Agreed. That’s why I suggested looking at ACDelco.

Is Hypertough being dropped by Walmart, or is that just Hart?

 

[Bennylava]

Agreed. That’s why I suggested looking at ACDelco.

Is Hypertough being dropped by Walmart, or is that just Hart?

I'm not sure, but I know hart tends to have problems. I went looking for that hyper tough ratchet the other day and it looked like one whole isle was just hyper tough stuff. Hard to believe they'd be dropping it.

 

[willf650]

Agreed. That’s why I suggested looking at ACDelco.

Is Hypertough being dropped by Walmart, or is that just Hart?

From what I see they just came out with a second generation of 12v tools that are all charged via usb c. Seems they are doubling down on them, at least in the 12v line.

Both generations may still be in the store so make it a point to grab the newer version if you want to give them a go.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Id try that $50 ratchet over the $100 simply for dollars spent. The other thing would be easier for me to go back to Walmart if it doesn't work than the Amazon return....



FWIW, I prefer not to go into Walmart and the Jungle return now make us go the wrong direction drive for 7-8 miles...

 

[emeraldcoupe]

i have a couple of the 3/8 hyper tough ratchets and they are surprisingly good, but i do use them with a 4ah battery

 

[milkovich]

Watch Wes Work doesn’t post much on YouTube anymore, but several years ago he was talking about the little ACDelco in glowing terms.

Like I said, I’ve seen professional mechanics using them, too.

I believe they're made by a company called Durofix which is an industrial supplier in Taiwan. I show the COO as Taiwan on the torque wrenches and power tools for AC Delco.