Most powerful cordless ratchet

[Tom.C]

So I just bought the milwaukee 3/8 12v ratchet for work and am incredibly underwhelmed, this thing is kind of a dud in the power department, (which would be fine) if I could use it to break free fasteners manually then back them out, but this thing feels like it's gonna break when using it to manually break stuff free, I would find this tool more useful at home working on my cars rather than working on heavy equipment, the biggest fasteners this ratchet sees are 3/8 allen head bolts and 3/4 hex head bolts (3/8 bolt shaft), so nothing very big, but it can barely back one out when it has a nylon lock nut on it, so my question is, what do you guys use? I would prefer something with medium to high power but more importantly a sturdy enough build to break stuff free manually, I have looked at the snapon, mac, and matco models, as well as a.c. delco and IR, the most powerful one I have seen is the matco with 70 some odd ft lbs, also are there any 1/2 drive available besides the IR? Worse case scenario I go back to air, but I really find the cordless invaluable because I do a lot of work beyond the reach of air, Thanks for any help.

 

[Ign]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=294880

 

[WhiffySpark]

You're not allowed to talk bad about Milwaukee on here they will tear you apart.

And I feel the same way. Feels filsmy and easily broke. I will probably by the 14.4 line soon to replace my Marco stuff

 

[Tom.C]

You're not allowed to talk bad about Milwaukee on here they will tear you apart.

And I feel the same way. Feels filsmy and easily broke. I will probably by the 14.4 line soon to replace my Marco stuff

I know I'm bummed because I love my m18 stuff, they need a m18 ratchet, and my tablet constantly mispelles matco as Marco as well

 

[trackwelder]

I love most of my Milwaukee stuff but the ratchet just wouldn't hold up. Milwaukee was great about warranty service. I replaced it was the Snap On 14 volt line and it's been holding up great.

 

[WhiffySpark]

I know I'm bummed because I love my m18 stuff, they need a m18 ratchet, and my tablet constantly mispelles matco as Marco as well

I don't even correct it anymore. If someone goes off googling Marco tools I wish you luck

I think they did have an m18 ratchet. Or a right angle impact.

 

[gdocktor3]

That *****. Would the m18 compact impact work or still to big?

 

[Tom.C]

That *****. Would the m18 compact impact work or still to big?

I actually have one but it won't break loose anything torqued over maybe about 40ish ft lbs

Edit, this is the m18 right angle impact, if that's what you're referring to.

 

[gdocktor3]

I'm talking about the 1/2" version with 220 ft lbs. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...70iyojmZP79fj-KthIUjdYEYu-8pZ1E6jUaAphb8P8HAQ
Actually, the 3/8" compact impact says 167 ft lbs. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...70iyojmZP79fj-KthIUjdYEYu-8pZ1E6jUaAphb8P8HAQ

 

[Skin]

MAC ones are very solidly built and are quite long. If the length isn't a hindrance and you want manual torque that would be the route i'd go.

After that you'd want to look at an IR cordless Hammerhead. You cant manually ratchet it since its literally an impact wrench but its still good for a solid ~140 foot pounds with the compact battery. The head is way bigger than any ratchet though.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I bought a Milwaukee cordless fuel a few years ago because IR who I buy 90% of my cordless tools from didn't have a tool that could regulate power. I wasn't too impressed with it but I used it anyways. I think Milwaukee inflates their numbers or tests in unconventional ways. I bought the new IR W5132 and I couldn't be happier. Sorry you got a dud.

Edit: you said ratchet, im an idiot. I have used ir and Milwaukee ratchets as well as snap on. I prefer my IR 1/4 overall, but I think Milwaukee makes a seen 3/8. My IR 3/8 had some balls but it's HUGE. They snap on is nice but you aren't missing much with the Milwaukee. ir tech told me there ratchets can comfortably take 2x their rated torque. So if it's rated at 35, 70 ft lbs of manual torque. But I'm sure you cloud do a bit more. I wonder how Milwaukee would do it

 

[ex-x-fire]

I'm not too impressed with the 12v Milwaukee ratchet, I'm constantly having to take the head apart because it skips. There's a little pin that pops up just enough to cause the pawl to kick out.

 

[shockwave]

I believe the matco 16v is strongest ratchet on market but the head speed is slower than snap on but I would like to see side by side comparison since matco cordless seems to be over looked

And the m12 ratchet are great general ratchets but does not like high torque electronically stopping at 30 ftibs

 

[Tom.C]

Anyone have experience with the a.c. delco? It's in the middle with 57ft lbs so realistically 50 ish but at $150 with 2 batteries

 

[tooljunkie4]

Borrowed from one of bulldozer_lackey's threads.

 

[Tom.C]

 

[tvtaurus]

I picked up my M12 ratchet today. If you need more than 30 lb-ft of torque, you should be using an impact. Milwaukee also makes a right angle impact. Electric ratchets are just for running on and off fasteners.

 

[Teenager with old tools]

Borrowed from one of bulldozer_lackey's threads.

Well those definitely are cordless


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[WhiffySpark]

I picked up my M12 ratchet today. If you need more than 30 lb-ft of torque, you should be using an impact. Milwaukee also makes a right angle impact. Electric ratchets are just for running on and off fasteners.

That's an ignorant statement. Perhaps the impact won't fit?

Doing belts on some rear engine coaches can save you hours with a good battery powered ratchet. A impact won't even fit

 

[redwrench60]

The power on the M12 cordless ratchet seems more appropriate in 1/4" drive. That's what I bought mine in and it does well in that class. It's basically the same tool in 1/4" and 3/8" so you know it's gonna be weak in 3/8" format.

 

[tvtaurus]

That's an ignorant statement. Perhaps the impact won't fit?

Doing belts on some rear engine coaches can save you hours with a good battery powered ratchet. A impact won't even fit

Ignorance is a lack of knowledge or understanding of something. And that is exactly what your issue is. It all comes down to using the right tool for the job. In order to do this, you have to have a fundamental understanding of the core construction of both a impact and a ratchet. A impact has a hammer and anvil that allow you to receive higher torque output without snapping your wrist off. A air/electric ratchet has a oscillating head that activates the ratchet mechanism. Because of this setup application of higher torque values can result in injury or over torque. Unlike an air tool these electric ratchets have no real torque adjustment (at least not the milwaukee) so this prevents over torquing a fastener. A impact is always better suited for removing and reinstalling higher torque fasteners because it is rated higher and is less fatiguing to use. Obviously there may be a space constraint that will not allow you to get a typical impact in to place. In such a circumstance one can use a 90° impact; or use a electric/air ratchet to brake the fastener loose manually and the run the bolt off with the tool.

 

[WhiffySpark]

I know exactly what the difference is. I do this everyday lol. Unfortunately in the real world it's not exactly black and white. He's working on equipment and that can be even worse.

 

[bcradio]

I am also not a fan of the M12 ratchet and almost never use it for the reasons listed here. My only suggestion would be to try the hammerhead cordless.

The other more powerful cordless ratchets listed here would worry me in that they might slam my hand into something.

 

[kctyphoon]

The most robust "looking" I'd say would be the IR.. I don't own any of them, don't have any experience with them either. Until someone come out with a cordless impacting ratchet your choices are only between a few models.. that said, many people on here use the m12 professionally. The heads do seem to let go from time to time, but replacements are only like $35. Sometimes you have to balance the pros and cons. If the thing generally makes your life easier, than many people don't seem to mind fixing them if they give out.

Bare tools for the m12 are down to like $70 now. So that's also a factor in cost vs return of what it provides.. it's not like it's a $400 tool.. your individual work environment and how you treat your equipment will also play a role in this. Anyone can hit a switch to make a tool work, but learning to work within their limitations is the skill part of it. Another consideration is the battery platform. If the same batteries can get you alot of what you want, clearly that's a benefit.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I would easily recommend the IR 12v. I Got mine with a free cordless driver as well so I bought a second battery. I use it more then my 20v ir 3/8

 

[TheGrooveking]

I have the Milwaukee M12's and the Matco cordless ratchets. The Matco is almost twice the torque of the M12's and the Matco 1/4" 12 volt ratchet's head is 60% the size of the Milwaukee's.

TheGrooveking

 

[dnschmidt]

It's really a 12" manual ratchet with the ability to run bolts up and down. I love mine as I don't expect anything more from it than what I've stated. When I need more balls I use impacting air ratchets. Hate the hose but love the power. Nothing in life is perfect. The bare M12 is selling for $75 and it's got a five year warrantee and Milwaukee's really great about it. Buy two so that when you send one back you've got a spare. Used for what it's designed to be (a manual 12" ratchet with the ability to run bolts up and down) it's great.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I picked up my M12 ratchet today. If you need more than 30 lb-ft of torque, you should be using an impact. Milwaukee also makes a right angle impact.

In M12, you can only get it as a 1/4" hex. M18 version has a 3/8" drive.

 

[tvtaurus]

In M12, you can only get it as a 1/4" hex. M18 version has a 3/8" drive.

They make this in 3/8"
https://www.zoro.com/milwaukee-cord...lFp-k23TCj2OARZXEOBQuhoCgSXw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

However I believe that you are referring to the 90 degree impact is only 1/4" drive hex. You can use an adapter to get where you need, but it will take up more space.

 

[dnschmidt]

I'll openly admit to being a Milwaukee fanboy but the Milwaukee 3/8" drive right angle M18 impact is total dogshit. If this thing can muster 25 ft-lb's of torque that would be a miracle. One of the few Milwaukee tools that I think completely *****.

 

[rustbucket5]

just bought the 3/8 M12 ratchet, its alright, very underpowered but i work on golf carts so i can make it work, if i was an auto tech that might not be the case

 

[MacMcMacmac]

Anyone have experience with the a.c. delco? It's in the middle with 57ft lbs so realistically 50 ish but at $150 with 2 batteries

I really like mine. It's a bit long though. It's a really convenient tool that saves a lot of time on smaller fasteners. Seems well made too.

 

[skidoo2112]

I have the s/o 14.4 3/8 absolutely love it along with the 3/8 impact are my two absolutely most used tools all day every day one of these two is in my hand

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[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I looked at the new "b" model of the snap on ratchet and it looks pretty nice! Not nice enough for me to buy but better than the first one I used for sure

 

[skidoo2112]

B model is the black one correct?

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[Hendricks433]

I have the Miluakee 1/4", plan on using it to break loose manually and then back off. Didn't get 3/8 so I could potentially get a bigger stronger 3/8 version. Hate the idea of a 3rd battery system though.

Would be nice if Miluakee made a better 3/8 version.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

B model is the 2nd gen 14.4v ratchet snap on has produced. I've seen them in a few colors

 

[skidoo2112]

I meant the metal body and ratchet head are black as opposed to chrome

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[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I meant the metal body and ratchet head are black as opposed to chrome

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Oh, yes lol

 

[skidoo2112]

Ot. I wish snap on would make a grease gun with the 14.4 battery also a low profile battery would be nice

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