Reactionless air impact ratchets

[spectre6000]

What is the darling of the GJ hive mind mid-23? The Astro 1128, Aircat 810 (I think), and SP 1765 seem to float to the top reading through threads. How do they compare to one another?

 

[Ingram306]

Can’t speak for the Astro or aircat. I just got the SP in 1/4 drive and love it so far. Have a funny feeling I’m going to wind up with the 3/8 very soon to go with it.

 

[dnschmidt]

The SPAir is the pick of the litter.

 

[619DioFan]

I have the HF earthquake impacting air ratchet. no complaints, all my air impacts are the earthquake brand,

 

[GeoBruin]

I have the HF earthquake impacting air ratchet. no complaints, all my air impacts are the earthquake brand,

OPs options all seem to be compact models. Not sure HF makes a compact reactionless option?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I have the 7730 flagship model from SP air. It's a much better tool that the HF impacting air ratchet. It fairness, SP was 2x or more the cost of the HF.

I also have a low profile 1/4 7260 imapcing unit. It doesn't like rust, so I don't use it a ton. It is very fast for dealing with clean fasteners.

 

[bwringer]

Has the Torque Test Channel on YouTube looked at these models?

I can't think of anyone else whacko enough to buy all three, so direct comparisons are going to be pretty difficult.

 

[Old tool guy]

What is reactionless? I seem to remember … for every action there is an opposite and equal reaction.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

What is reactionless? I seem to remember … for every action there is an opposite and equal reaction.

A - So it doesn't smash your hand in the same way a regular air ratchet does.

B - Because reactionless typically implies impacting.

 

[GeoBruin]

What is reactionless? I seem to remember … for every action there is an opposite and equal reaction.

Marketing > Physics

 

[Odd-job]

I ended up with an Astro 1128 clone from Flexzilla a short while back on a deal. My understanding the main downside is it is sensitive to high air pressure. The Southmain Auto guy blew his up.

Not sure if the SP air is as sensitive, but would definitely give it a leg up for the Japanese workmanship. Not sure if its worth over 4x the price though. I bought a regulator for my Astro clone and called it a day. Am also a DIYer if that matters.

 

[spectre6000]

My understanding is that "reactionless" is marketing **** for impacting. I could be wrong.

I guess I gravitated toward the minis because I'm thinking in terms of modern engine bays. Not a ton of space, and fairly low torque specs. All three are rated at 50 lb.ft. Ratchet means I can manually apply any breaking torque over the available 50# (within reason). Just a general purpose tool.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

My understanding is that "reactionless" is marketing **** for impacting. I could be wrong.

I guess I gravitated toward the minis because I'm thinking in terms of modern engine bays. Not a ton of space, and fairly low torque specs. All three are rated at 50 lb.ft. Ratchet means I can manually apply any breaking torque over the available 50# (within reason). Just a general purpose tool.

My 7260 is basically for m6 fasteners with minimal or no corrosion. Timing cover bolts, valve covers, etc. It's a great nut runner but it's not punching through corrosion or BS on the threads. Just food for thought.

At the time the shops air was 120psi static, plenty enough to feed a little ratchet with 90 dynamic. I had zero issues with my impacting air ratchets with such air pressure, and I am NOT kind to the 3/8 model.

Just for the sake of conversation - the minis are nice, but your still limited by your hand size and snaking the hose into the abyss. I have gone to preferring longer tools as a result.

 

[Schurkey]

Back when IR invented the "reactionless" or "impacting" air ratchet, I thought they were a great idea.

Few years later, The Company bought some of the IR units. Turns out they were weak, the regular air ratchets had way more power. The impacting air ratchets didn't last very long--the guys hated 'em.