Which cordless ratchet?

[larrygerald]

So I've went threw about a half dozen m12s over the years. Ratchets start to slip, send off and they want more than street price of a new tool to fix. Supposed to have a warranty but they won't honor and I'm done buying them. Also tired of batteries falling off the end and then busting a battery. It's just time to move on. Looking at the DeWalt and Makita 3/8 drive probably 12 volt. Lightweight and durability is most important. Anyone have good luck with warranty and durability on either of those? M12 seems to last 6 months to a year of intermittent use.

 

[ColoradoMech]

Not sure what your doing to your M12s but mine will last a solid 2 years or so until the head takes a **** and then I just take it to Home Depot and they swap it out on the spot. I haven't tried the other brands but figured you might wanna try the Home Depot route for convenience.

 

[richfinn]

So I've went threw about a half dozen m12s over the years. Ratchets start to slip, send off and they want more than street price of a new tool to fix. Supposed to have a warranty but they won't honor and I'm done buying them. Also tired of batteries falling off the end and then busting a battery. It's just time to move on. Looking at the DeWalt and Makita 3/8 drive probably 12 volt. Lightweight and durability is most important. Anyone have good luck with warranty and durability on either of those? M12 seems to last 6 months to a year of intermittent use.

Plastic Cordless power tools/batteries are consumable items not "tools for life", none of them are designed to last for ever.

They survive just about long enough so you can buy the next generation model every two to three years.

I think Milwaukee/DeWalt/Makita etc. have got their pricing about right for disposable power tools.

My ancient Snap-On air ratchet is now so old that it's haunted, if that helps

 

[oilslick]

Dewalt has a new sealed head with a lever to shift direction. Looks durable. I run snap on, has lasted better than Milwaukee or dewalt so far. I run them hard as well, rev them up and slam down on fasteners when needed. For the price the dewalt 12 volt ext length was impressive until it just quit one day.

 

[tyyost]

My M12 experience is the opposite of yours but I have the non fuel model in 3/8” and while I’m not gentle it’s survived many years without issue. Have you tried the other flavors, or considered adding a smaller impact to your rotation?

 

[mike93lx]

So I've went threw about a half dozen m12s over the years. Ratchets start to slip, send off and they want more than street price of a new tool to fix. Supposed to have a warranty but they won't honor and I'm done buying them. Also tired of batteries falling off the end and then busting a battery. It's just time to move on. Looking at the DeWalt and Makita 3/8 drive probably 12 volt. Lightweight and durability is most important. Anyone have good luck with warranty and durability on either of those? M12 seems to last 6 months to a year of intermittent use.

I feel like your definition of intermittent is different than most other people, or you are way rougher on your tools than you are willing to admit.

I've had mine for a few years with no issues at all.

You dropping it in buckets of antifreeze and using it to break stuck fasteners loose?

 

[larrygerald]

not going to buy another m12. they don't last and tired of denied warranty service. It's not just the ratchet either we have been denied on other tools. Started selling broken Milwaukee tools for short money on ebay. Didn't know about home depot doing exchanges or may have bought from there.

 

[bonneyman]

OP, sounds like the ole RBR (repair by replacement) gig the manufacturers like so much. Alot easier to just swap out a tool than keep all the parts in inventory and have someone manually repair it, wages, benefits, insurance, etc. Sent in a Fluke multimeter and TIF weight scale for repairs - companies said "We don't repair stuff anymore - send a check for $100 with the tool and we'll send you a new unit".

I suspect pretty soon cars will be like that, too.

 

[Ilikeike]

Only issue I had with my 1st M12 fuel ratchet was heavily using the 1/4" , for things I should have been using a 3/8" for .
They fixed it under warranty locally, and I bought a 3/8" drive while waiting for repairs. no issues building a couple of hot rods.

Pony up for the Snap-On if you think the Milwaukee is weak.

 

[Kenskip1]

Or ,if you are on a budget (as am I,) I picked up a 3/8 drive cordless 20 volt Craftsman and I am very pleased with it. It has been dropped, kicked, even used a few swear words but it still is doing the job. It came with a 4 amp hour battery and charger.

 

[Marlin]

 

[red94chev]

I've had the Makita 18V for a couple years now. I don't use it super often but it's works great when I do. Also nice that it comes with a 1/4" and 3/8" anvil.

 

[908Jim]

What is actually slipping? If you've got a boneyard of these, you could probably get a few working again over a beer or two and some cheap parts.

Milwaukee 2457-20 - M12 3/8" Ratchet (D54A) - eReplacementParts.com

Fix your 2457-20 M12 3/8" Ratchet (D54A) today! We offer OEM parts, detailed model diagrams, symptom-based repair help, and video tutorials to make repairs easy.

www.ereplacementparts.com

 

[M635_Guy]

not going to buy another m12. they don't last and tired of denied warranty service. It's not just the ratchet either we have been denied on other tools. Started selling broken Milwaukee tools for short money on ebay. Didn't know about home depot doing exchanges or may have bought from there.

LoL - if you're consistently being denied warranty, it's definitely you.

None of the powered ratchets are really up to cracking fasteners beyond pretty light-torque scenarios, especially over and over.

My recommendation would be to buy two Snap On ratchets. You'll break those too, but likely to get warranty and the backup gets swapped in when you have to send the first one out.

[EDIT - the other option would be to do the same thing with a couple HF Hercules ratchets and buy the extended warranty. My guess is they'd eventually disallow coverage if you're abusing the tools, but who knows - everyone seems to say the walk-in/walk-out just works in those cases.]

 

[larrygerald]

not going to buy another m12. they don't last and tired of denied warranty service. It's not just the ratchet either we have been denied on other tools. Started selling broken Milwaukee tools for short money on ebay. Didn't know about home depot doing exchanges or may have bo

 

[larrygerald]

It's the electric motor, not the ratchet mechanism. It's not caused by torque from the ratchet it's fine. The electric motor slips. I don't have a way if abusing that it's governed at Max rpms and Max torque when you press the button. Milwaukee just doesn't honor their warranty they say normal wear. If a tool has a five year warranty and fails one year into it then it's bad on them. Their service is poor we have been denied on other tools too. Invested heavily in the product line so I didn't have a bunch of different batteries to deal with. I don't think we will be sending anything off to them again it's just a waste even trying. I should have learned a long time ago. Best thing I have gotten from this thread is to buy at home Depot somebody said they provide service.

 

[larrygerald]

Bought a DeWalt combo, drill, impact, ratchet ,12 volt $215 with tax, don't think it will be any worse than Milwaukee

 

[larrygerald]

If the batteries don't fall out the bottom it will be an improvement, lost several packs, luckily no fires or damage other than busted plastic will be retiring the M12 line, really like the looks of the makita but wound up with the DeWalt because of price, and read complaints of Makita head slipping

 

[Ilikeike]

Now your batteries are falling out too? dang, yeah, you've had some strange issues.

 

[IRQVET]

Can’t speak to the 12v but I have the Dewalt 20v ratchet and its been fantastic for me. But I’ll admit I’ve only had a few months, hopefully it lasts a long time?

 

[nadogail]

Buy the one that uses your existing battery family.

If you don't yet have any cordless tools, I recommend the Makita brand.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

LoL - if you're consistently being denied warranty, it's definitely you.

None of the powered ratchets are really up to cracking fasteners beyond pretty light-torque scenarios, especially over and over.

My recommendation would be to buy two Snap On ratchets. You'll break those too, but likely to get warranty and the backup gets swapped in when you have to send the first one out.

[EDIT - the other option would be to do the same thing with a couple HF Hercules ratchets and buy the extended warranty. My guess is they'd eventually disallow coverage if you're abusing the tools, but who knows - everyone seems to say the walk-in/walk-out just works in those cases.]

Snap on rates the 3/8 to 150ish ft/lbs of break away manually. Not sure if they rate the 1/4 drive.

IDK what milwaukee rates, but whatever a round head ratchet can hold in said drive size, an electric ratchet should handle.

 

[M635_Guy]

Snap on rates the 3/8 to 150ish ft/lbs of break away manually. Not sure if they rate the 1/4 drive.

IDK what milwaukee rates, but whatever a round head ratchet can hold in said drive size, an electric ratchet should handle.

The Milwaukee Fuel isn't rated close to that - I think only 60 ft. lb, or possibly less. There's no way in hell I would try a fastener at 100+ ft. lb with a power ratchet, as much because it's very short as anything.

I use it as more of a run-on/run-off tool. Unless it's something pretty light, I'm not breaking it with the power tool. It's not really that svelte anyway, so I'll usually crack all the bolts with a regular ratchet and then bring it in to run 'em out, or run 'em in and finish with a hand-ratchet (or torque wrench) as there's not a lot of "feel" communicated by the Milwaukee.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

The Milwaukee Fuel isn't rated close to that - I think only 60 ft. lb, or possibly less. There's no way in hell I would try a fastener at 100+ ft. lb with a power ratchet, as much because it's very short as anything.

I use it as more of a run-on/run-off tool. Unless it's something pretty light, I'm not breaking it with the power tool. It's not really that svelte anyway, so I'll usually crack all the bolts with a regular ratchet and then bring it in to run 'em out, or run 'em in and finish with a hand-ratchet (or torque wrench) as there's not a lot of "feel" communicated by the Milwaukee.

Buy the long neck, more leverage.

I wouldn't "squat" a bolt free using the ratchet and my legs, but 100% of what I can do by hand, goes through that snap on.

Having had drive tools literally exploded from squating bolts free using my legs, you need to be pretty careful about that. Ratchets fail at the drive lug. I'd expect a cordless ratchet to do the same. I'm 6'2 and 190, I damn well expect anything I can do with a 10" cordless ratchet to be within the design. I can barely overhead press 100lbs.

 

[finn]

I have the Milwaukee M12 Fuel high speed. It seems a little weak, so it’s relegated to being a nut runner, although I don’t think it really saves me much time. Probably reduces the probability of carpel tunnel, though, so that’s a good thing.

I thought maybe the extended length Dewalt 20 v would be more useful. Not sure if that came to be, as I find it sort of heavy. It does seem stronger than the Milwaukee, though.

Both have their tradeoffs, so I can’t really pick one over the other.

Might be time to try the 12v Dewalt.

 

[njride]

I wanna like the dewalt as that's my main power tool line, but the shape of the ratchet with the pancake battery looks beyond stupid to me. I caved and bought into the m12 stuff a few years ago for car tools just before dewalt finally threw their hat in the ring. I did just buy the newer dewalt 20v atomic half inch DCF921B and
it's pretty amazing powerwise considering how stubby it is. Car lugnuts no problem at all. I have a m12 3/8 stubby as well which I like, won't do some car lugs though.
I dislike the reverse lever on most of the electric ratchets, the next one I buy will have a conventional lever that's for sure, not one buried in a round head. That style is late to the party but hopefully will be the prevalent variety in the future.

 

[engineer2]

I have the Makita 18V ratchet and it is probably my least used tool. It was a freebie with another purchase. The ratchet is good for tight clearances and low (35 ft-lbs) torque. Last used it on my snowblower replacing a rubber paddle where I had to reach inside the chute. I use my impact driver 95% of the time. If I need to reach something I can use a 90 degree adapter with my impact driver.

 

[Etchase]

Has anyone else experienced Home Depot providing warranty replacement of a Milwaukee power tool after 90days? I believe that was luck to get that service.

 

[j3rf]

My M12 3/8 brushed ratchet won't quit. I've had it for at least six years without any issues whatsoever. One of the first tools I grab every day. I really want a long neck ratchet, haven't decided if I want a Snap On or another Milwaukee.

 

[Willie Makeit]

I love my DeWalt 20V 3/8 ratchet. It fits just right into the needs category where an impact is too much.

 

[Bubba Fett]

You could try Ingersoll Rand.

 

[liliysdad]

I am a huge fan of the 12v Dewalt in this category. I think the 20v battery makes that tool quite a bit bulkier.

I really don't understand the complaint that the "pancake battery looks dumb." That method of battery mounting is one of the biggest positives of the the design.