Are those electric ratchet wrenches any good? Anyone using them?

[1-ev.com]

Hey guys,

I've searched Pelican for electric ratchet wrench and i could't find any info if anyone using them this days, Thank you for input :-)

Let say:

- Milwaukee 2457-20 M12 Cordless 3/8" Ratchet

OR/AND

- Kawasaki 12 Volt DC Electric Roadside Impact Wrench Kit — 1/2in. Drive, Model# 841337

I do not have space for a good compressor, just for pancake for tires...

[si Banker]

I have been using them for the past 4 years. I have parkinsons and they have been a life saver. The first one I bought was a Hatachie, sorry for the spelling, very similar to the one you posted. I also bought a Dewalt inpact.

I also bought a Snap ON half inch drive with 425 ft/lbs of torque but is was expensive $500.

Snap On has also come out with some great smaller ones in quarter inch drive also Ingersol makes some great units too.

The big thing is to watch the is the torque rating.

[aschen]

electric impacts are my best friend in the garage. I use a bosch branded tools so the 930 doesnt get any cuture shock

[KTL]

You couldn't find anything because you have to look for "electric impact" or "impact gun" or "cordless impact"

I had the Kawasaki cheapo 18V from Costco and I got what I paid for. $40 was too good to be true and it was only good for a year or so. Needed to be charged regularly to have enough grunt to remove 96 lb-ft lug nuts on the 911. I got it as a gift so I wasn't too concerned about how good it would perform.

I now have a Craftsman and it's a very good wrench for the money. Lithium-ion battery has been very durable and long lasting. Battery has an indicator light built in that gives you a green, yellow, or red light when you push the button to tell you amount of charge in the battery. Nice feature.

Plenty powerful too. Even in a red state of charge it will loosen the lug nuts no problem, w/out having to hear the gun hammer away rat tat tat tat tat for a long time.

I bought an electric 110V plug-in Milwaukee from Menard's on clearance to avoid wearing out my cordless Craftsman, to extend it's life.

[blucille]

My dewalt is useless.

[m110]

Most of the cordless rating for torque seem bogus

The Bosch unit is probably the best cordless:

Bosch HTH182-01

I have a Makita corded unit for rear wheel bearing, 1/2 inch, it's a beast:

Makita TW0350

[1-ev.com]

how about Cordless 3/8" Ratchets?

[JAR0023]

Originally Posted by 1-ev.com

how about Cordless 3/8" Ratchets?

Never used one but I'm sure it'll work OK as a nut runner. I just wouldn't expect it to hit anywhere near the published torque spec.

I have a couple of impacts that are the Craftsman 19.2v flavor. They work well for what they are. The half inch unit is rated at 200 ft-lbs. and it may develop half that in real world use. -J

[Cajundaddy]

Makita cordless is my best friend. Swap a set of wheels for a track day in 20 minutes (including brake inspection) and I don't even break a sweat. I prefer the smaller, lightweight ones because I can get them into tight spaces and don't need a "torque monster from hell". I used to use all air tools but got tired of dragging hoses around and get annoyed by the compressor noise. Give em a look.

Makita LCT300W 18-Volt Compact Lithium-Ion Cordless 3-Piece Combo Kit - Amazon.com

[bpu699]

The tools work fine... the batteries are cr*p. I have several small Milwaukee tools with LIon batteries. WOrk great for a year. Heaven forbid you don't use it regualrly, or leave it in an unheated garage over the winter... they will be dead.

I have milwaukees pipe cutter, drill, hand reciprocating saw, PVC cutter, etc. Tools work great. Every battery is dead 1 year later.

Nicads can be used an abused, LION's... are very delicate.

Bo

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by bpu699

The tools work fine... the batteries are cr*p. I have several small Milwaukee tools with LIon batteries. WOrk great for a year. Heaven forbid you don't use it regualrly, or leave it in an unheated garage over the winter... they will be dead.

I have milwaukees pipe cutter, drill, hand reciprocating saw, PVC cutter, etc. Tools work great. Every battery is dead 1 year later.

Nicads can be used an abused, LION's... are very delicate.

Bo

I have only owned Makita tools and cannot speak to Milwaukee cordless but this has not been my experience at all. 5 years and 20 track days/year. 2-3 wheel changes per weekend plus all my garage wrenching. Rebuilt my wood deck last year and drove 1000 screws with the Makita. Original LI Ion batteries still charge and work as new. I also have a 20 yr old 9.6 Makita drill/driver with NiCads but I find the new Li Ion tools much more user friendly and hold a charge longer. YMMV

[KTL]

Makita are very good. Friend who's a pro mechanic swore by his Makita 3/8" impact he had for years. Lots of "balls" for a tiny 3/8"

He was disappointed when he finally had to replace it. He was satisfied with the Craftsman he would always borrow from me at the track so he bought one for himself. Very pleased w/it as far as I know and as I mentioned I have no complaints with mine. Granted I only use mine occasionally but it's been great so far for 2+ years.

[Marc Bixen]

1-ev.com, apparently most of these people don't know the difference between a cordless RATCHET and a cordless IMPACT. Cordless ratchets are convenient, the only problem I have is that they are pretty large. Being a professional repair business, we use Snap-on almost exclusively. They really come into there own when we are on the road, or at the track, or other places where compressors are not an option. Always remember that as with all rechargeable batteries non-use is deadly to the power pack, so if your use is once or twice a year you'll be buying an expensive power pack every 5 years or so.

[1-ev.com]

I agree on compressor as no option sometimes. Also, I do have 16KW lithium pack on the back of my car

Originally Posted by Marc Bixen

1-ev.com, apparently most of these people don't know the difference between a cordless RATCHET and a cordless IMPACT. Cordless ratchets are convenient, the only problem I have is that they are pretty large. Being a professional repair business, we use Snap-on almost exclusively. They really come into there own when we are on the road, or at the track, or other places where compressors are not an option. Always remember that as with all rechargeable batteries non-use is deadly to the power pack, so if your use is once or twice a year you'll be buying an expensive power pack every 5 years or so.

[michael lang]

My IR battery powered ratchet is priceless. It's been the best Father's Day gift I've been given in years, if ever.

[m110]

Originally Posted by Marc Bixen

1-ev.com, apparently most of these people don't know the difference between a cordless RATCHET and a cordless IMPACT. Cordless ratchets are convenient, the only problem I have is that they are pretty large. Being a professional repair business, we use Snap-on almost exclusively. They really come into there own when we are on the road, or at the track, or other places where compressors are not an option. Always remember that as with all rechargeable batteries non-use is deadly to the power pack, so if your use is once or twice a year you'll be buying an expensive power pack every 5 years or so.

I suppose there is some confusion here.
The OP's two original examples are a CORDED IMPACT and a CORDLESS RATCHET, 12V and higher torque for mobile use and cordless low torque for shop use respectively.

These are different tools. One is for plugging into the cigar lighter and removing lug nuts on the road, the other is for running on nuts with cordless ease for speed.

[macron]

I have been using Milwaukee 2457-20 M12 3/8 Ratchet Tool that performs great. I highly recommend you to choose Milwaukee ratchet. Otherwise, you can check top cordless ratchet on the market.