I hate it when that happens.
Cordless ratchet
- Thread starter buck91
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AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2024
I use the Milwaukee M12 Fuel at work. At home I’ve got my Earthquake one from Harbor Freight which was my work one till I got the Milwaukee. It’s good for the money. I’d use either one with no issues.
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Another vote for the smaller head version. Unless your a professional wrench puller you don’t need the big bulky head version and the smaller one is much handier.
I believe DeWalt is about to release a new one; not sure if that matters to you.
I have the Milwaukee Fuel M12 "high speed" version. I like it a lot, but I wish I would have gotten the slower "extended reach" version. It gets into a lot more places.
I like the triggers on the Snap On a lot better though, but I'm not paying that much for a ratchet. The DeWalt has a snap on style trigger, and looks really interesting with a smaller Ah battery.
I have the Milwaukee Fuel M12 "high speed" version. I like it a lot, but I wish I would have gotten the slower "extended reach" version. It gets into a lot more places.
I like the triggers on the Snap On a lot better though, but I'm not paying that much for a ratchet. The DeWalt has a snap on style trigger, and looks really interesting with a smaller Ah battery.
Id say it depends if you are already in a battery platform. Ive got all Ryobi stuff, so I have the Ryobi ratchet. I find that it works just fine for occasional hard use, although its not super powerful. Its not an impact ratchet though, so thats to be expected.
I dont know that I would spend the money for a Milwaukee for occasional use and if I werent already in the M12 batteries. Id go something like Ryobi, Kobalt or Craftsman.
I got my M12 ratchet on a very similar deal; just had the M12 impact driver in place of the screwdriver, for the same price. That was probably 3-4 years ago.
Never a moment's regret on that purchase.
My son bought this and it works great. He also uses the M12 battery in a heated sweatshirt that he wears when working outside. I hae heard from others that the Fuel version isn't really worth the extra money as others have already indicated.up until recently you could just buy a bundle at home depot and return the rest and get it for like 50 bucks. this isn’t a horrible deal though
Milwaukee M12 12V Lithium-Ion Cordless Combo Tool Kit (4-Tool) with (3) 1.5Ah Batteries, (1) Charger, (1) Tool Bag 2497-24 - The Home Depot
Designed to get the job done, this M12 12-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Combo Tool Kit includes 3 batteries and 4 M12 tools. Perfect for pros and DIY users, this kit features REDLITHIUM Batteries that allowwww.homedepot.com
I too am happy with my 2457-20, already had a couple M12 tools with batts and chargers as well as heated hoodie, thus bought bare tool ratchet when it was on sale. It does get some use but not enough and not too heavy duty to justify Fuel version.
I recently bought the regular Milwuakee M12 that came in a kit with a work light, multimeter, charger and two batteries for $199 on sale. I've already used it a couple of times and it has worked great so far.
For a DIYer, I personally think the right angle impact wrenches are more versatile. The head is fatter but it gives you 220 ft lbs of available torque to back off those awkwardly placed fasteners.
Milwaukee M12 FUEL 12V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 3/8 in. Right Angle Impact Wrench (Tool-Only) 2564-20 - The Home Depot
The MILWAUKEE M12 FUEL 3/8 in. Right Angle Impact Wrench w/ Friction Ring is the industry's most powerful right angle impact wrench. This battery-powered right angle impact wrench delivers up to 220 ft.
www.homedepot.com
I've got the Milwaukee brushed 1/4", brushed 3/8" and extended reach Fuel 3/8"
For whatever reason virtually the only one I ever reach for is the extended reach Fuel. It affords more leverage and is more powerful. Of course this is mostly under-car or engine bay work. Under the dash I might use the brushed 1/4" but honestly I'm more likely to use a compact impact driver to remove under-dash fasteners and a roto head ratchet to reinstall "manually" for the feel
For whatever reason virtually the only one I ever reach for is the extended reach Fuel. It affords more leverage and is more powerful. Of course this is mostly under-car or engine bay work. Under the dash I might use the brushed 1/4" but honestly I'm more likely to use a compact impact driver to remove under-dash fasteners and a roto head ratchet to reinstall "manually" for the feel
I will probably buy the 1/4" drive bare tool as well for smaller areas.
I also have the Earthquake one from Harbor Freight, works great, and for those places you can't use it, the time and energy you've saved using it makes the occasional manual methods a little more tolerable, and for that I'd say most any of them will do adequately. As for when my Earthquake quits, I'd likely find one with the smaller dimensions, and the extended reach might be a high consideration too. And many times I have to loosen the faster first, to which the Earthquake can also be used manually to get the fastener loose. The earlier Amazon linked ratchet looks similar enough to the Earthquake and halfway down that page in the comparisons, the AC Delco is very similar too.
I'll add in that for me, it seems good for snugging fasteners without over-tightening and twisting them off, which I don't even like using my smaller inexpensive inch pound torque wrenches where small fasteners and aluminum alloys are involved. I usually snug them and double check with a 1/4 inch ratchet, but it never seems I want to go any tighter and I've started using the low strength Permatex Purple Threadlocker to have some assurance the fasteners won't back out, which I found fasteners might and have loosened over time. The usual disclaimer of 'your results may vary' applies here.
I'll add in that for me, it seems good for snugging fasteners without over-tightening and twisting them off, which I don't even like using my smaller inexpensive inch pound torque wrenches where small fasteners and aluminum alloys are involved. I usually snug them and double check with a 1/4 inch ratchet, but it never seems I want to go any tighter and I've started using the low strength Permatex Purple Threadlocker to have some assurance the fasteners won't back out, which I found fasteners might and have loosened over time. The usual disclaimer of 'your results may vary' applies here.
If you're a Makita man (or looking to get into a system) both the 12v and 18v ratchets have 1/4" and 3/8" heads you can swap out, sorta get two tools in one.
jeff
jeff
Thanks for the info. I have plenty of 1/4" adapters so I will just use one of those.
