Electric ratchet?

[LWJ]

Since I seem to live under a rock and am consistently 10 years behind the curve of most new trends and inventions, I now see electric ratchets being used for low effort wrenching.

If I am not spending $200, any thoughts? Is there a pro-sumer ratchet for less that doesn’t suck?

Thanks!

[fastfredracing]

All mine are snap on , but trust me, they are the bees knees . No more clunky air lines getting in your way , battery life is excellent, and they have more power than the air ones I used to use .
If I was not doing snap on, I would be looking at milwaukee or de walt

[id10t]

son has one, very nice for tight spaces where you can get the head in but dont have room to actuate a manual one

[1990C4S]

As always, Project Farm has it.

https://youtu.be/-8yGSigHp1A

Torque Test Channel is also good:

https://youtu.be/zPoiTdy8f2A

I'm a Ryobi fan...but I do not own a ratchet.

[matthewb0051]

I have a Ryobi but the battery is pretty big. Only got it b/c all my other stuff is Ryobi and I didn't want to have more battery chargers.

But dang, these things sure save on your hands and wrists. Wish I had gotten one years ago, maybe my hands would have suffered so much with arthritis.

Edit: I think the tool only was about $80

[LWJ]

Project Farm! Should have checked. That guy thinks like I do - but talks faster.

[1990C4S]

Watch Wes Work. He's a really good mechanic, great at diagnosing problem cars. And very frugal.

Tool review at 4:45...

https://youtu.be/wMyfR-OtmuE?t=291

[cockerpunk]

i too have been tempted. i swear by my milwalkee M18 stuff, so id lean towards the m12 stuff.

[911 Rod]

I just use my battery impact gun

[Norm K]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

As always, Project Farm has it.

https://youtu.be/-8yGSigHp1A

Torque Test Channel is also good:

https://youtu.be/zPoiTdy8f2A

I'm a Ryobi fan...but I do not own a ratchet.

I've had the Milwaukee for a couple of years. I don't use it all the time but, boy howdy, is it ever a time-saver when I do!

_

[craigster59]

I have the Milwaukee M12 ratchet. Battery life is good along with torque. And the smaller battery size makes it convenient in small spaces.

[aschen]

I think Milwaukee is the no brainer here, even if just for the fact that they make so many other tools on the m12 platform. Non fuel version is fine for me, got it bundled on sale for pretty cheap ratchet, giant brushed impact and 2 batteries for around 200$.

Brushed last gen tools are 100% fine for non full time mechanics in my experience.

[pwd72s]

Never did go to power tools...but the toolbox tours I've watched on youtube seem to back up Fred's post. The Pros heavily favor Milwaukee and/or snap-on. Usually stick to one or the other because they have several battery powered tools & like having battery interchangeability. I'd say more Milwaukee than snap-on. Probably a price consideration thing?

[flatbutt]

$299 is a lot for a non-professional

https://www.acmetools.com/milwaukee-m12-fuel-3-8-high-speed-ratchet-kit-2567-22/045242593132.html

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

$299 is a lot for a non-professional

https://www.acmetools.com/milwaukee-m12-fuel-3-8-high-speed-ratchet-kit-2567-22/045242593132.html

Sure is...but to the pro, time is money. The more he does in a day, the more he makes.
As just a guy wrenching on his own car in his garage, time wasn't important. Also, since I didn't turn wrenches all day every day, just couldn't justify the cost and the hassle of battery tools...by hassle, I mean battery charging, replacing worn out batteries, etc.

Thus my decision to just stick with hand tools.

[cockerpunk]

time is even more important to the non professional lol.

who has spare time? not me.

[aschen]

There are a ton of good combo deals if you search them carfully on homedepot and similar. Sometimes it is somehow cheaper to get more tools bundled than just the one you want.

For example, ratchet and small drill + 2 batteries for 20$ more than just the bare ratchet tool. Other similar ones if you look further on home depot site. I almost never buy a single tool now, doesnt make sense most of the time. This is milwaulkees non fuel line ratchet which I actually prefer to fuel because the head is smaller. Fuel is brushless and more powerfull though


https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M12-FUEL-12-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless-1-2-in-Drill-Driver-Kit-with-M12-3-8-in-Ratchet-3403-22-2457-20/321640422

[911boost]

damn you all and threads like this.

Getting ready to redo the front suspension and put new disc brakes on my '66 Mustang as my son wants to drive it some (we got it running this weekend after installing a new clutch for the first time in a looooong tine) and I just ordered one of these.

[matthewb0051]

Originally Posted by aschen

There are a ton of good combo deals if you search them carfully on homedepot and similar. Sometimes it is somehow cheaper to get more tools bundled than just the one you want.

For example, ratchet and small drill + 2 batteries for 20$ more than just the bare ratchet tool. Other similar ones if you look further on home depot site. I almost never buy a single tool now, doesnt make sense most of the time. ]

100% agree. I got a 1/4 inch driver recently at HD. The tool, battery, and charger, was the same price (or cheaper) as just the tool only. Manager was standing there pointing out that fact as I shopped.

[sc_rufctr]

FWIW I spent around $200 for the Milwaukee version (12v) and I barely use it so what did I learn? ...
- My old tools are still "super good enough"!

I can see them being useful for a pro mechanic on the clock but they'll also need a supply of fully charged batteries in reserve. Meanwhile those multiple batteries must be recharged for the next day.