Power/air ratchet opinions

[VolksWomble]

When not sorting out my tools/toolboxes/workshop I spend my workshop time working on cars - Land Rovers, VWs and whatever else takes my interest…

a while ago I invested in a Makita 3/8” drive impact gun, and more recently much bigger a 1/2” drive gun. Both of which are great and I use a fair bit - especially the smaller gun.

I’ve often wondered whether an air or power ratchet would be worthwhile. I see them advertised, but never really seen the use so wondered if I was missing something...

Any opinions as to air vs battery? I’m already a Makita LXT shop, so that’s where I would look first, but also have air available.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

IMPACTING air ratchet is where it's at. SP air makes one and I love it. The 100 ft/lb model is the top of the line 3/8. And because it's a ratchet, you can break something free then power it out, or if you're an animal like me you can hold the trigger and fight the fastener by hand to impact through rust.

M12 long neck 1/4 is also one of my best friends.

These tools are worth buying. For diy I think the electric ratchet is preferable as a first step.

 

[Mr_B]

I guess not a must have tool for home shop scenario, the battery ratchets are generally quite bulky .
Modern nano reactionless air ratchets like Kuani KI-2323, SP-7722A and more standard sizes like KI-2319 KI-2320 SP7730 are nice but again probably not a must for your scenario/work style .

 

[Snapped-off]

I got the Makita ratchet as a free tool in a kit, and found myself using it way more than I thought. You can swap the anvil between ¼" and ⅜".

Most recent was a 90's Grasshopper ZTR mower. Instead of ratcheting 100x in the little space I had, the electric one zipped the bolt right out.

 

[Ton ton]

The standard GJ answer is you need both air and battery powered. Air powered impact guns are hopefully more powerful than Milwaukee high torque impact guns. I'm still shopping for an air impact gun. If you have a good recommendation, I would be willing to listen.

 

[Mr_B]

The standard GJ answer is you need both air and battery powered. Air powered impact guns are hopefully more powerful than Milwaukee high torque impact guns. I'm still shopping for an air impact gun. If you have a good recommendation, I would be willing to listen.

For impact wrench good place to start and at sensible money would be astro pneumatic .
Good power, affordable prices, good thoughtful engineering .
1822

Amazon.com

1894

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JBNDW4W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[VolksWomble]

Thanks for the replies thus far all - mainly interested in ratchets rather than rattle guns, but interesting thoughts.

 

[GeoBruin]

I have the m12 ratchet and a reactionless (impacting) air ratchet that is sold under several names including HF, Husky, and I believe Aircat?

I bought the m12 for running nuts off and on and it's a very convenient, satisfying tool for that purpose. It's a luxury, but I'm fortunate to be able to afford it.

I bought the air ratchet for a specific project where I had a lot of nuts that I needed to reach in a very tight location where I only had a few degrees of arc swing. I did several of them by hand and I was hot, frustrated, and busted more than a few nuckles.

I bought the Husky brand ratchet because it was available at Home Depot and that's 5 minutes from my house. I used the astro low profile impact sockets to grt in to the tight spot and it worked a trick. I went back to hand tighten a few but I was satisfied with how tight they were so I left the rest and called it good.

Whereas the Milwaukee makes about 30 reported ft lbs, the the Husky makes 70 which is a big difference when trying to break something loose or give a final tighten.

Dewalt now makes a cordless ratchet that does 70 ft lbs that I would definitely consider, but I'm not sure whether there would be a difference in use between the impacting air ratchet and the Dewalt.

Air is definitely cheaper but by the time you get the hose hooked up, that big battery on the Dewalt doesn't look so imposing so size my not be a concern.

Good luck.

 

[dnschmidt]

IMPACTING air ratchet is where it's at. SP air makes one and I love it. The 100 ft/lb model is the top of the line 3/8. And because it's a ratchet, you can break something free then power it out, or if you're an animal like me you can hold the trigger and fight the fastener by hand to impact through rust.

M12 long neck 1/4 is also one of my best friends.

These tools are worth buying. For diy I think the electric ratchet is preferable as a first step.

Homie you've got this one completely right. If your going air the impacting SPAir is the only choice. If electric the extended reach Milwaukee's are the bomb. One point, Milwaukee will soon be releasing the HIGH SPEED version of their extended reach ratchets and that's the pick of the litter.

 

[Professional Tool User]

I've got the M12 fuel stubby gun and fuel ratchet. I use the stubby gun far more often. As for air vs electric ratchet, I'd say electric has gotten good enough power wise to compete with electric.

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

I'm still shopping for an air impact gun. If you have a good recommendation, I would be willing to listen.

I like my IR231C a lot. I have had it for a number of years. Works great for my home garage use.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRM3I/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[sparky 1971]

The standard GJ answer is you need both air and battery powered. Air powered impact guns are hopefully more powerful than Milwaukee high torque impact guns. I'm still shopping for an air impact gun. If you have a good recommendation, I would be willing to listen.

I love my IR231C. More powerful, lighter, and faster than my "high torque" M18. Since you're a farmer, you might get into some larger stuff that it won't work for, but if you can find one for the right price (I think I picked mine up for $75 from Scamazon), it's worth a shot. I've also heard people rave about the Earthquakes from HF, but have no experience with them.

As far as air ratchets go, it's nice to have one even if it doesn't get used very often. I have a Sanborn 3/8" reactionless. I've only used it a couple of times in the years I've had it, but it was the only thing that would work efficiently. No room for an impact and in a place where going back and forth with a real ratchet would be a PITA. Being reactionless, when the fastener gets tight, it won't slam your hand into whatever you're next to either. I also have a couple of the original versions of the Milwaukee M12 3/8. Those are good for repetitive work, not much to brag about on the power side though.

EDIT: I went through my Amazon account, the 231C was $77.34 on 1-31-2020. The same thing is $136.74 now.

 

[finn]

I have has an air ratchet for years. Never use it. By the time I drag out the hose, then wipe it down and put it away, it’s no faster than a conventional hand ratchet.

I then bought an M12 high speed Milwaukee. Still rarely use it. Not sure why. I have considered a “reaction less” Milwaukee, but will probably pass. It just seems too bulky to be really useful. A regular impact (Dewalt or Milwaukee, Inhave both) and conventional ratchet work for me. I am just a hobbiest, not a flat rate mechanic, though.

 

[durk_2007]

The M12 high speed ratchet is amazing if you're working on 13mm and smaller hardware. Fenders, doors hoods, engine externals. Just break it loose and 2 seconds to zip it out

 

[rooster59]

socket or wrench to break bolt loose, then CP828 type air ratchet to zip it out. If you have a lot of bolts like replacing a timing belt or taking off an intake, I’ll bet that‘s how most professional mechanics do it. As long as you’ve got air you’ve got ratchet. I’ve got 2 air ratchets from the 80’s, run them well oiled and keep them clean, grease the head now and then, pretty much work like new.