Ordered an M12 cordless ratchet, what will I use it for?

[BikeRider]

Sorry for the throwaway thread, but on a semi-whim I recently ordered Milwaukee's M12 non-Fuel brushed cordless 3/8" ratchet. There was a one day deal where you get it as a "free" extra tool along with the base kit consisting of the M12 Fuel hammer drill, impact driver, 2 & 4Ah batteries, charger and case, all for $199. I had a bunch of HD gift cards that I wanted to use and I've heard such great things about cordless ratchets that I figured it was time to see what all the fuss was about. I'm just wondering what it is in fact all about.

Thing is, I also recently got the M12 Fuel 3/8" stubby impact wrench, which along with the M12 Fuel stubby impact driver using a square anvil adapter will likely serve most of my unfastening and fastening needs, especially the higher torque ones. Plus the impact wrench has this great auto-fasten mode that backs off as soon as it meets real resistance, to avoid overtorqueing or cross-threading. So when am I going to want or need to use the cordless ratchet that everyone raves about, especially since it's pretty slow and low-powered, not capable of breaking anything much beyond 25-30ft-lb (nor rated to manually break any much beyond 40ft-lb)?

Is it mainly for tight spots where you either can't use an impact wrench or driver, or can but only with an unwieldy combination of extenders and u-joint adapters? Or where you'd normally use a hand ratchet, but tight clearance forces you to swing it back and forth dozens of times? Are there that many instances where any of this comes up during standard auto repair and maintenance work to justify getting such a tool, or is it more of a convenient time and effort-saver for repetitive tasks where an impact might work but can be unwieldy?

I'm sure that I'll find out for myself over time, but it hasn't arrived yet plus it's still too cold around here to do much auto work, so that's still a ways off. Meantime, I'm just curious is all.

Btw, as many have noted, it's true, the M12 line is addictive! It's literally impossible to only own one M12 tool for long!

 

[Bad Habit]

Real handy for running down nuts on the overly long bolts that seemed to be used on everything or nylock nuts, or..

While it doesn't have a lot of torque, it can still snap smaller bolts if you're not careful when you are running them down, have done that a couple of times

 

[theoldwizard1]

Is it mainly for tight spots where you either can't use an impact wrench or driver, or can but only with an unwieldy combination of extenders and u-joint adapters? Or where you'd normally use a hand ratchet, but tight clearance forces you to swing it back and forth dozens of times? Are there that many instances where any of this comes up during standard auto repair and maintenance work to justify getting such a tool, or is it more of a convenient time and effort-saver for repetitive tasks where an impact might work but can be unwieldy?

Crack them loose be hand and spin them out !

 

[paulsomlo]

It's all about access - you may use it more than you think.

 

[BikeRider]

It's all about access - you may use it more than you think.

Well, when I did 3 separate TB/WP jobs on 3 separate cars a few months back, it probably would have come in handy. As anyone who's done these knows access can be a challenge there and an impact tool (other than an impact ratchet) is not going to fit in there for many of the fasteners. I had to do a lot of wrenching using hand ratchets and combo wrenches and it was very slow going and I got some minor cuts. But how often does a non-pro do so many TB/WP jobs? Every few years, tops, I'd wager.

I do eventually have to do some manifold, injector rail, turbo and A/C work, and access is pretty tight in all those spots, so perhaps I'll appreciate having it then.

 

[pbon]

As you get older some people get more elbow and wrist fatigue. If you asked me when I was 25 if I needed an electric ratchet or even an impact wrench, I would have said no. I am over twice that age now and use them regularly. The ratchet turns more slowly and is more compact so it offers greater control and accessibility. If I have one bolt or nut, I might not use it but if I have ten like for a valve cover or oil pan, I use it. I may have to break loose by hand or final torque with a torque wrench.

 

[engineer2]

I got the Makita version in a similar deal. Used it for servicing my snow blower, and it worked fine. It'll be good for small jobs where I don't want to pull out the air ratchet. I love the sound of an air ratchet in the morning. There also something peaceful about using hand tools. It's going to sit in the tool box until springtime when car maintenance starts up again. At 35 ft-lbs it won't perform miracles, but as said, it'll be handy for tight spaces. It's nice that is has adapters for 1/4 and 3/8.

 

[cannuck]

Crack them loose be hand and spin them out !

For some things, I will use an impact to disassemble but something like an engine I have to re-assemble I want to feel each one to break loose and final tighten/torque by hand and use the M12 ratchet for running both ways (NOTE: NOT "SWINGING" BOTH WAYS!!!!)

 

[Renegade1LI]

Great for body work, I just preordered this one, my biggest complaint has been getting into tight places, the milwaukees a little chunky.
DCF503EB

DEWALT XTREME 12V MAX 3/8in Extended Reach Ratchet Brushless (Bare Tool)

DEWALT XTREME 12V MAX 3/8in Extended Reach Ratchet Brushless (Bare Tool) - DCF503EB

www.acmetools.com

 

[BikeRider]

As you get older some people get more elbow and wrist fatigue. If you asked me when I was 25 if I needed an electric ratchet or even an impact wrench, I would have said no. I am over twice that age now and use them regularly. The ratchet turns more slowly and is more compact so it offers greater control and accessibility. If I have one bolt or nut, I might not use it but if I have ten like for a valve cover or oil pan, I use it. I may have to break loose by hand or final torque with a torque wrench.

We're probably around the same age so I get what you're saying. But an impact driver or wrench does all this too, so based on what folks are saying it sounds like it' s mostly useful for tight access areas where an impact just can't fit. And maybe it's also more suitable as you say for smaller fasteners where you want to go easy on refastening.

 

[BikeRider]

For some things, I will use an impact to disassemble but something like an engine I have to re-assemble I want to feel each one to break loose and final tighten/torque by hand and use the M12 ratchet for running both ways (NOTE: NOT "SWINGING" BOTH WAYS!!!!)

Speaking of which, when dealing with possibly seized fasteners such as on an old engine or manifold, after applying penetrating oil, is it better to use impact or hand tools to avoid snapping bolts?

 

[BikeRider]

Great for body work, I just preordered this one, my biggest complaint has been getting into tight places, the milwaukees a little chunky.
DCF503EB

DEWALT XTREME 12V MAX 3/8in Extended Reach Ratchet Brushless (Bare Tool)

DEWALT XTREME 12V MAX 3/8in Extended Reach Ratchet Brushless (Bare Tool) - DCF503EB

www.acmetools.com

The M12 I got was probably the "skinniest" one they make, except perhaps the extended reach. But that one's pricey and in any case I'm already invested in M12 and this was a decent deal. But good tip on body work. I'll be doing some later this year on 3 separate cars. Mostly getting rid of dents and dealing with minor rust and scratch issues, and will likely have to remove some fenders, bumpers, rails, etc.

 

[johnny_boy02]

It took me awhile to embrace the the electric ratchet. I do my automotive work in the driveway so half my time is spent on my back wedged under a car where space is at a premium. In those situations the smaller profile of the ratchet works a bit better for me. I typically will use a traditional ratchet to break things loose depending on how tight and then move to the electric ratchet.

 

[tominboise]

I use mine a lot, for things like running out all the fasteners that hold on the underbelly shielding on our Landcruiser, that needs to come off to change the oil. I break them free by hand with the ratchet, then run them out. Reverse process to install/tighten.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Speaking of which, when dealing with possibly seized fasteners such as on an old engine or manifold, after applying penetrating oil, is it better to use impact or hand tools to avoid snapping bolts?

Flame wrench !

 

[f121]

It's for those times the stubby impact won't fit, but you have lots/long bolts. Headers are my most recent one. It's also been really useful for the case someone mentioned where there's not enough space to swing a regular ratchet

 

[BikeRider]

So, to sum up, it's mainly for when an impact can't fit and a hand ratchet (or combo wrench) can't swing or would take too many turns, or when you need a lighter tough than an impact can give.

I imagine that it's also for when it happens to be the nearest tool at hand and you don't feel like getting up to get the impact on the other side of the car or garage.

Or, perhaps, when you're working with fasteners of two different sizes and don't feel like constantly swapping sockets, so you use both tools, each with a different size socket.

 

[Chumly]

I personally think the summary is that you use it alot and when it doesn't break a nut loose, you grab the manual wrench to do so, then pick it right back up to finish the job.

From what I've been seeing is that the traditional hand ratchets have been having tooth-count battles like 82 tooth, 96 tooth, and all that with strength and head size being factored in. There's nothing perfect yet and even if someone made a 200-tooth geared wrench with an ultra-slim head, the handle won't fit in all applications and you'll need the stubby version or something. Basically the long version of why I'm moving from Air to Cordless...that darn air hose isn't welcome any more.

You'll see it I do believe. When you have a ratchet swing of exactly .23" that you can do, but not without cursing a bit for the next 5 minutes as the handle taps some inner fender well because it's a long bolt. Just zip it out with the cordless and your hand doesn't move.

 

[BikeRider]

I personally think the summary is that you use it alot and when it doesn't break a nut loose, you grab the manual wrench to do so, then pick it right back up to finish the job.

From what I've been seeing is that the traditional hand ratchets have been having tooth-count battles like 82 tooth, 96 tooth, and all that with strength and head size being factored in. There's nothing perfect yet and even if someone made a 200-tooth geared wrench with an ultra-slim head, the handle won't fit in all applications and you'll need the stubby version or something. Basically the long version of why I'm moving from Air to Cordless...that darn air hose isn't welcome any more.

You'll see it I do believe. When you have a ratchet swing of exactly .23" that you can do, but not without cursing a bit for the next 5 minutes as the handle taps some inner fender well because it's a long bolt. Just zip it out with the cordless and your hand doesn't move.

You're talking about when there's no room to fit an impact, right? Because why would you use this when the much faster and more powerful stubby with the auto-backoff fits, other than because it's right there and the stubby isn't or you don't want to switch sockets?

 

[winnievan]

You're talking about when there's no room to fit an impact, right? Because why would you use this when the much faster and more powerful stubby with the auto-backoff fits, other than because it's right there and the stubby isn't or you don't want to switch sockets?

That's how I use mine -- and honestly -- I use it a LOT. I probably use the M12 impact more -- but the M12 Ratchet saves me more time and frustration -- especially since I have a penchant for buying and fixing up old stub-nosed vans.

 

[Odd-job]

Car interior work and body panel work seem to be good fits for its capabilities.

I personally use it as a rough torque wrench whereas I wouldn’t chance it with an impact. It’s weak torque output actually seems to be perfect for a lot of applications. It gets 16 spark plugs in a Mercedes v8 pretty close to spec.

 

[pbon]

We're probably around the same age so I get what you're saying. But an impact driver or wrench does all this too, so based on what folks are saying it sounds like it' s mostly useful for tight access areas where an impact just can't fit. And maybe it's also more suitable as you say for smaller fasteners where you want to go easy on refastening.

In addition to the lower profile, it moves more slowly so it is more controllable. And it is lower torque so you likely won’t accidentally over torque. If you can control the regular impact and don’t need access to spaces it won’t fit then you don’t really need an electric ratchet. It’s not the first tool I reach for but I do find it useful for repetitive tasks where I have a bunch of fasteners to remove or install.

 

[Bagherra]

Great for body work, I just preordered this one, my biggest complaint has been getting into tight places, the milwaukees a little chunky.
DCF503EB

DEWALT XTREME 12V MAX 3/8in Extended Reach Ratchet Brushless (Bare Tool)

DEWALT XTREME 12V MAX 3/8in Extended Reach Ratchet Brushless (Bare Tool) - DCF503EB

www.acmetools.com

I was wondering if/when Dewalt was gonna jump on the cordless ratchet bandwagon. I've got a few Dewalt tools but have been thinking about going Milwaukee...i sooooo bad want a Milwaukee ratchet but seeing how i work on my motorcycles and my own vehicles havent really had a need for one...

 

[BikeRider]

I was wondering if/when Dewalt was gonna jump on the cordless ratchet bandwagon. I've got a few Dewalt tools but have been thinking about going Milwaukee...i sooooo bad want a Milwaukee ratchet but seeing how i work on my motorcycles and my own vehicles havent really had a need for one...

I'd think that the first Milwaukee tool to get for cars or motorcycles is the M12 stubby impact, probably the 3/8" for the latter since I assume they tend to use more smaller fasteners than cars. How high do torque settings tend to get with motorcycles? And alternative is their M12 impact ratchet which is sort of the best of both types of tools but with compromises either way. A motorcycle forum is probably your best bet for advice.