New ratchet

[OLD BOB]

Thinking about a new Milwaukee ratchet. Can't decide on 1/4 drive or 3/8 drive.
I have several impacts but not a ratchet. Any advice?
thanks, Robert

 

[Wamsutta]

For the price of one of those Milwaukees, you could get a manually operated Snap-on ratchet. Just a reminder.

 

[chrisnazzy]

You'll first have to decide whether you're going to get the Fuel or non-Fuel version.

I have the non-Fuel 3/8" and it has been solid. I use mine in a home setting but I work with several techs who use the same cordless ratchet in a shop setting and it also stands up well to that task.

You should know that the 3/8" ratchet comes with a low profile 3/8" to 1/4" adapter so in all but the tightest clearance situations, the 3/8" kind of handles both drive sizes.

It should also be noted that these don't have a ton of torque to break fasteners free but you can use them as a regular ratchet first and then spin the fastener off from there. They aren't lightning fast rpm wise but it sure beats ratcheting by hand.

I've also used the Snap-on cordless ratchets and while they are nice, I prefer the Milwaukee. In fact I'm looking for an opportunity to try a Fuel version at some point to decide if I want to upgrade.

Hope this helps!

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[wkndwarrior29]

Most of my low profile and specialty sockets are 1/4 - so that's my route. Adapters to up size are more compact than the opposite.

What sockets do you usually use?

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[APS2000]

You have to figure out what is more beneficial to you, size or torque?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I have 1/4, a friend has 3/8. They appear to be the same tool, with different head kits in them.

I have 1/4 drive 15mm sockets, that electric ratchet ain't breaking a 15mm free. Hell, you can feel the case flex if you try to loosen tight stuff with it in "manual" mode. Obviously the 3/8 is nothing but a nut runner above 15mm, which is the top end of what 1/4 can do anyways. I love my little 1/4, the same tool in 3/8 is frustrating.

1/4 > 3/8 IMO.

 

[Mr_B]

Yeh I would stick with 1/4 if bother at all.
No one makes a decent battery ratchet yet in my opinion .
I use one of these mainly>
http://www.kuani.com/ugC_ShowroomItem_Detail.asp?hidShowID=108
Proper tool, small powerful and fast .

 

[VinceG]

I cant speak to the Milwaukee I have the Matco one in 3/8 it works great. 70 ft/lbs use it a lot

 

[plinker]

I've got the 3/8 non-fuel, not really good for breaking anything loose unless it's under 20ft lb. Wont tighten up much more then that. I mainly use it in conjunction with a regular ratchet with matching socket to manually tighten/loosen and the Milwaukee as a "nut runner" as mentioned. It does speed things up.

The Snap-on electric ratchet seems to have more torque but at a price. I dont see it worth the extra for my use.

I'd like to see a smaller sized 1/4 ratchet that would run of a 9v scale battery or similar. My 1/4 air ratchets are 1/3rd the size of the Milwaukee, even something 1/2 that size would be nice to have to get into places better.

 

[DFB]

My next purchase may be the Fuel 3/8" though 1/4" is smaller if size matters

I actually was after the Fuel 1/2 " for my needs mostly larger farm equipment fastners but heard some convincing arguments for the 3/8" instead

I have the original brushed 3/8"

I have always been happy with it and they were often a freebie add on for many many moons with a package combo

The expectation THAT it is to break fastener's loose with just it's battery action is high...

Once you understand that is not really the design you'll be ok

Felt I have to mention that because you related owning and using different impact tools in your original post. There clearly is a big difference, Ratchet tools well they still work like ratchets...battery powered or not

There are RA impacts also offered from Milwaukee and though slightly rated higher than the Fuel ratchets they are generally weak from a performance standpoint compared to ANY of the pistol grip impacts. But they do have there place with the biggest difference in the stop action trying to achieve a tightening torque especially in confined space!

 

[WWheeler]

Instead of reinventing the wheel, here's my 2¢ post from a similar thread ...

I have the 1/4" and 3/8" non-fuel M12 ratchets. I use them all the time, though mostly when working on stuff ~9/16" or 14mm and smaller. I break everything free with them by hand and torque them back down with them by hand and pull the trigger to spin them in between. I don't use them on big stuff or rusty stuff so I don't use another tool to break stuff free or finish tightening when I'm using them. Milwaukee doesn't exactly recommend you use them like that but I've been doing it for quite a while without issue. If I have to switch back and forth between tools I won't use them at all. If everything I'm working on is over 14mm or 1/2" the cordless ratchet is the wrong tool for the job for me. For that I'll use an impact instead.

The one thing I like most about them is they only hit about ~25ft lbs. I definitely would not want them to hit any harder. I want to be able to finish torquing stuff down by hand so I can feel it's guttenteit. I have pondered getting a Fuel version if/when one of mine starts to wear out but the fact they hit harder discourages me. Most of what I use them on is 3/8"-ish to 10mm-ish and I definitely do not want to hit them at 40 or 50 ft lbs. Ever.

On top of all that, I'd never actually seen and laid hands on the Fuel versions. I had no idea how much larger they are until I saw this post in another thread by 225. Forget that! I'll stick to the non-Fuel all day every day. They're bulky enough and hit just right for what I use them for.

I have the 1/4" brushed and the 3/8" brushless Fuel.

Honestly, get the brushed 1/4". The head is half the size of the newer models. For something that you'll be working on with 1/4" sockets, the smaller head works better in smaller areas, and overall, the whole 1/4" ratchet is smaller in the brushed model.

 

[Rickster]

I have the 12v non-fuel 1/4dr. It's great for small stuff.

 

[Zewnten]

Have both in the brushed version. They work well, I would definitely buy the 1/4 before the 3/8 and if you really like it and use it then buy the 3/8. Only a couple bolts has my 1/4 not freed squeezing the trigger but then I just used it like a manual ratchet and then everything worked as it should.

 

[txvwnut]

This is the Garage Journal, your required to buy both.

 

[rustbucket5]

had the non fuel and currently own the fuel, both 3/8. the non fuel is a good nut runner, the fuel can break free some bolts but one thing i should add is that mine is already starting to strip out after about 6 months of use, could just be a lemon head but who knows

 

[Mr_B]

matco infinium about best i used if must go battery , really don't like the fuel the heads are awful .

 

[Tonyuk]

I've tried a friends snap-on electric ratchet a few times and even priced up getting one of those long versions, however i keep coming back to my 3/8 air ratchets with swivel inlet adapter.

Electric ratchets just dont seem that great to me. One of those 3/8 90' impacts however...

Pricey though.