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Melvyn Best
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In over 50 years in the motor trade I have never used a 1/2” air ratchet . I have a 3/8” and a couple of 1/4” drive ones that I found useful especially when fitted with swivel air connections . I always crack the nut or bolt off before using any of them
8ob
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I like those ratchets, I find it hard to use the normal ones now
Air ratchets are great on SAE truck bellhousings, anything up to 16 bolts/ nuts on an 0 or 00, most of which you wouldn't get at with a normal nut gun. Cant remember the last time if at all I used the 1/4" and 3/8".Bob
James1979
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That’s what I mainly use my battery ones for but the argument is the same.I like those ratchets, I find it hard to use the normal ones now
Bob
Lots of small-ish bolts / nuts that aren’t mega tight to start with. I get a lot of muscle pain and I bought the battery ones because after 20 or 30 bolts my arms are in bits.
They make a massive difference to that. Depends on your circumstances but works for me.
They are also handy when you haven’t got the swing for a conventional ratchet. Burst hose on the back actor of a jcb springs to mind. If the arm is in a bad place getting the clamps undone is a nightmare with normal ratchets.
I’ve an air one but it’s crap. I have never found them to have the ‘grunt’ of even the M12 battery stuff
8ob
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Not having an air pipe hanging off the end appeals to me, I might look at the battery option.
Bob
Great to use on nuts and bolts that are not visible or have limited room for the spanner/ratchet to move.
I bought an unused 2nd hand American built 3/8th one from a local auction website, it rarely comes out but when it does it earns its keep.
For 1/4 or 1/2 drive I have adaptors.
Great tool for removing fastenings for Triumph car gearboxes
Like most air tools they have a smaller body size than a battery tool but both have there places.
I bought an unused 2nd hand American built 3/8th one from a local auction website, it rarely comes out but when it does it earns its keep.
For 1/4 or 1/2 drive I have adaptors.
Great tool for removing fastenings for Triumph car gearboxes
Like most air tools they have a smaller body size than a battery tool but both have there places.
MetalMonkey
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Air impact - yes.
Battery impact - yes
Air ratchet - I bought mine (3/8) second hand cheap many years ago. I thought it might come in handy but only used it a couple of times, and that was more of the sake of using it.
Unless you have a very specific requirement for one, I'd say save your money and buy something else that is more useful as an air powered tool - e.g. die grinder, needle gun etc.
Battery impact - yes
Air ratchet - I bought mine (3/8) second hand cheap many years ago. I thought it might come in handy but only used it a couple of times, and that was more of the sake of using it.
Unless you have a very specific requirement for one, I'd say save your money and buy something else that is more useful as an air powered tool - e.g. die grinder, needle gun etc.
I used to use them for split-rim wheel bolts on race cars, when stripping them for crack testing/rebuilding.
24x 1/4unf bolts per wheel
4 wheels per set
At least 3 sets per car
5 or more Cars.
But that was back in the day before decent cordless stuff.
The last set I did for my caterham took 1/4 of the time using a 10.8v Dewalt 3/8” drive impact
24x 1/4unf bolts per wheel
4 wheels per set
At least 3 sets per car
5 or more Cars.
But that was back in the day before decent cordless stuff.
The last set I did for my caterham took 1/4 of the time using a 10.8v Dewalt 3/8” drive impact
James1979
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That’s who make the strap on kit.
Old Dog
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To be honest a good 3/8" drive air gun is more useful. Everyone I've worked with that owns a air ratchet seldom uses it and they all look like new. I've started using a 18V decking screw impact driver for everything now but I still find a battery gun more difficult to guess the torque applied to bolts etc than a good air tool.
frank horton
V twins are great but 4"s rule.........
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I rather like mine.
have a load of Milwaukke fuel tools but the ratchets are just to expensive at the mo for me when I have a decent set of the 3 sizes....
tight I guess but I dont earn my living swinging spanners anymore.....
have a load of Milwaukke fuel tools but the ratchets are just to expensive at the mo for me when I have a decent set of the 3 sizes....
tight I guess but I dont earn my living swinging spanners anymore.....
keithski122
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I had a snap on 3/8 one and used it all the time, used to have enough power to tighten stuff up just right.Great for gearbox jobs.However after about 30 plus years useage(I had it second hand) the casing cracked so I bought another, it was useless, did'nt have enough power to pull the skin off rice pudding. So if you do get one check the torque of it as there are a lot of low power ones.
brightspark
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yep the low torque ones are a waste of time and money .check the spec before you buy
Milwaukee m12 3/8 ratchet.
Find it goes to a nice torque without fear of stripping etc.
Add it to a couple of 4ah batteries and will be set.
I like the feedback it gives especially without the airline hanging of the end.
What makes you want a 1/2"
Find it goes to a nice torque without fear of stripping etc.
Add it to a couple of 4ah batteries and will be set.
I like the feedback it gives especially without the airline hanging of the end.
What makes you want a 1/2"
