I've never used a powered ratchet that I liked, air or electric. Not enough power to really do much, too bulky to fit into the places they'd otherwise be good for (limited access where a normal ratchet is cumbersome to crank on). Useless tools, IMO.
I used to use an air ratchet a lot back in my car days. We were always pulling manifolds or bellhousings that had a lot of bolts in weird places. But in general, I agree with Mac. They are clumsy and I haven't used mine in years.
If you can use a pneumatic one you can have mine for the cost of shipping. I think it was a Husky brand. Nothing fancy, but it never acted up.
I picked up an electric 3/8 ratchet when the snap on truck had 'em on sale since i already had the batteries that would work with it. I am a motorcycle mechanic and use it aaaaalllllllllllllllll the time at work. With a set of short ball-end allen sockets and a set of u-joint sockets it's great in tight or odd places. A set of short allen sockets (without the ball-end) go great with it as well. Short hex sockets too.... You get the picture. You should get a mini grease gun to lube up the head of the thing if you're gonna be using it daily. I use mine a ton and if you can get one on the cheap you'll likely find it's more useful than you would initially expect.
ended up buying a Chinese $30 one on ebay for now. wish dewalt made one. I have all dewalt tools.
I use the 20v dewalt pocket impact on everything. but its cumbersome.
at one point in the mechanic journey I started using them. now I cringe when guys use a ratchet to build something. it ....takes...forever....
Dude, you'd hate to see me on my daily work. Only power tool I have with me is a 1/4" Bostitch impact. Been more focused on having all the right and necessary tools that I haven't been putting any money into the ease of use tools. But now that I have most of what I need, power tools are next. Looking at the Milwaukee Fuel stuff. Big money, but big power, long life batteries. Quality costs
that was my other option was milwakue feul. lots and lots of ad ons. but was too $. plus the starter dewalt kit was a gift.
but I'm all for handtools. I just have so much to do and little time to do it all.
especialy when my adhd has me working on 3 bikes at once
I can vouch for the Milwaukee stuff but it IS kinda pricey. I have both 1/4 and 3/8 electric ratchets and while neither are torque powerhouses, that's not what they're for. They move fasteners quickly and both are about the same size as air powered ratchets. I use them daily as a mechanic and so long as you keep the spare batteries charged they work great.
I had a Ridgid X4 1/4 drive impact (bit style) and it would do just about anything short of remove lug nuts off a golf cart. I currently have a Bostitch version, and it seems to have even more grunt. Not that I exactly need a 1/4 drive to have quite that much dugga dugga, but it's nice considering its the only impact I have at all. I'm looking forward to dropping some paychecks in the semi near future on new equipment. Prolly after I start the new Youtube videos and have the shop back in order
impact says was delivered june 5th....I don't have any box..
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