M12 Fuel ratchet review

[Ktmrider83]

I gave up on the 1/2" fuel ratchet, acmetool kept on pushing back the date to 2018.. went with the 3/8" model for $135 shipped.

Its larger and heavier than the old model for sure. A tradeoff for being stronger, both manual and motoring a fastener.

This is a cheap old torque wrench I had laying around. I set it at 50 ft lbs. The old ratchet would not do this, no doubt about it. When I tightened it back with the ratchet it ended up between 40 and 45 ft lbs. Pretty good.

 

[Lucky13don]

thanks for the review. might have to pick one up.

 

[HighPlainsWrencher]

I have the 1/4 and 3/8 fuel ratchets and have been impressed running them on the 6.0 batteries. Comparing the 3/8 fuel to my 3/8 14.4 Snap On I notice a slight amount of more torque on the Milwaukee but not much. I like both equally but if someone was looking for one I would steer them towards the Milwaukee because of price and warranty. My only gripe with the Milwaukee is the head has no fitting so you cant grease it.

 

[dnschmidt]

So, if you give it a running start, and buddy you've got bigger balls than I do, it might meet it's published specification of 55 ft-lb. Other than a NASCAR tire changer (and they have special sockets for just this purpose) I've never seen anybody start a power bolt remover prior to placing it on the bolt.

 

[jshillin]

Yep, I agree with your review. I have the old 3/8" Milwaukee and a 1/4" Fuel. The Fuel is bigger, but is faster and has more power and at a pretty good price point if you get it on sale(I paid $140 shipped from ACME). It's definitely an upgrade.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I'm just hoping with how fast battery tech is moving forward, we'll someday get a M12 ratchet the size of that Cornwell air ratchet.

 

[thugline]

Giving the ratchet a running start is a really strange way of using the tool. Wouldn’t it chew up the head of the bolt?

 

[theoldwizard1]

There is a simpler way to give it the "running start". Do NOT "snug it up" before turning it on, unless you are trying to break the fastener loose MANUALLY. Back off that 1/32th of a turn and then hit the switch.

 

[Jamie V]

That bolt is torqued to 50 ft/lbs but like any fastener it takes more then that to break it loose. I’d like to see him tighten the bolt with the M12 ratchet and see if the torque wrench moves it set at 50 ft/lbs.

 

[PCMusicGuy]

I figured it would be larger, but that looks prohibitively larger for some work. I noticed the same thing with the M12 hackzall vs the fuel model; the fuel version is larger and heavy and you loose some of the versatility of the tool. Thanks for the review.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I figured it would be larger, but that looks prohibitively larger for some work. I noticed the same thing with the M12 hackzall vs the fuel model; the fuel version is larger and heavy and you loose some of the versatility of the tool.

Not too surprising ! Brushless motors spin faster and require more gear reduction.

 

[Mr_B]

I'll stick with the stubby air ratchet till the tech improves and battery version becomes worthwhile in power to size ratio .

 

[jonesg]

I'll stick with the stubby air ratchet till the tech improves and battery version becomes worthwhile in power to size ratio .

I have the original non fuel ratchet, I'm happy with what it does, trying get IR hammerhead performance from these tools is a hole you will throw money into with disappointing results. All my Milwaukee's are non fuel, I'm very satisfied with them all.

 

[AndeiH]

There is a simpler way to gibe it the "running start". Do NOT "snug it up" before turning it, unless you are trying to break the fastener loose MANUALLY. Back off that 1/32th of a turn and then fit the switch.

yeah, some have bashed these ratchets for not having enough torque but that's all you have to do. for some reason if you snug it you don't get the max torque.

i love my fuel 3/8", i've used it more in the past month than i have my air ratchet in 4 years. it goes with me to the junkyard and parents house when they need help with some vehicle maintenance.

 

[Ktmrider83]

Yup, and after watching a YouTube review it supposedly is rated at 175 ft/lbs of manual tq. Gives me confidence on caliper bracket bolts ect..