Is anyone using a handheld ratchet gun (battery powered)?

[Cobra Jet]

Just curious if anyone uses a handheld battery powered ratchet gun - and if so, what brand?

What’s your experienced with it (good/bad)? How long does the battery last? How powerful?

I have never used one, but have the standard air tank/air gun/air tools for my garage. They obviously have good power behind them with the large tank to power them… but the hose (even if on a reel) can be a PIA sometimes …

So I was curious if anyone on here uses the battery powered hand held units and how powerful or practical they really are when using them to work on cars, etc.

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[EFI]

I use a cheapo Husky from Home Depot and it works fine and more than enough power for small nuts and bolts. Anything that needs real torque I use an impact cordless driver.

 

[FreePenguin]

I have Ryobi. Does the job for me

they was on sale 40 recently

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-O...n-4-Position-Ratchet-Tool-Only-P344/312491503

 

[drive_55_not]

I have Ryobi. Does the job for me

they was on sale 40 recently

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-O...n-4-Position-Ratchet-Tool-Only-P344/312491503

I have the Ryobi 18v ratchet and the 1/2" Impact, it works for most stuff I use it for, But that big 4Ah battery makes it a bit cumbersom getting into certain areas. Normally I just use a manual ratchet.

We have the Milwaukee stuff at work, Expensive set of battery operated tools but they work, that 18v 1/2 impact is like Terminator Arnie compared to the Ryobi.


One good thing about the Ryobi, I picked up a new pair of batteries for $80 on sale, Those Milwaukee batteries are $$$ .

And other reason I use the Ryobi is to Keep Peoples Gubby Paws From Stealing My Stuff .

I was using DeWalt tools and people kept stealing my batteries and after somebody swapped out their broken drill for my Not-Broken drill I said self, Enough Is Enough.

 

[Rapid Red]

Air hose, power cords, water hoses ............ all PIA at time, but all never quit in the middle of a job.

 

[nustang]

dewalt

This has been the handiest screwdriver-1/4" drive socket driver I've used.
Set of hex bits, a hex-1/4" drive adapter, hex drive drill bits. Hex step-bit. Hex self-drilling thread taps.
Fits into everywhere I've needed it, variable clutch. My goto for most everything.

You could use a hex-3/8" adapter too, its got the torque,

However, Ive tried a heavy duty brushless ,cordless 1/2" impact driver and it sucked. Couldnt remove wheel bolts.
Have a 1/2" snap-on air impact for stubborn bolts, also a 3/8" snap-on air rachet, though use it rarely.

this isnt an impact (good thing), and quite a bit smaller than a drill.
photo makes it look bigger.

 

[nustang]

Haha Ryobi clearly has advantage as anti theft alone!

HAHAH true that!
buy once, cry once. always buy quality tools is my motto.

 

[Duece McCracken]

I'm running all Milwaukee at this point. I have some DeWalt kicking around still, but gathering dust, lol

Currently running 18v and 12v setups. Their 12v compact 3/8" impact and 3/8" 12v ratchet are just fantastic for size and performance. Im going to snag their extended ratchet soon enough too.

Battery tools have come a real long way, just check the battery before you start your task, swap it out if low, and keep a batt on the charger. Technology is here, no worries.

 

[FreePenguin]

Haha Ryobi clearly has advantage as anti theft alone!

Ryobi needs someone to stand up for them, big ryobi guy here. Havnt had anything break yet in 7 years. truth be told, if something did break, id just buy a new one they are cheap and always on sale but they come with a good 3 year or 5 year warranty on most tools which imo is fair. I have other misc stuff around house, like a giant fan by my treadmill lol, mini shop vac for kitty litter capture pad. etc.

Key to batteries is to have maintainers, I keep my 40v on a 3 bank charger (some are on tools at moment).maintainer and my 18v's on theirs too.

 

[kz]

Just curious if anyone uses a handheld battery powered ratchet gun - and if so, what brand?

What’s your experienced with it (good/bad)? How long does the battery last? How powerful?

I have never used one, but have the standard air tank/air gun/air tools for my garage. They obviously have good power behind them with the large tank to power them… but the hose (even if on a reel) can be a PIA sometimes …

So I was curious if anyone on here uses the battery powered hand held units and how powerful or practical they really are when using them to work on cars, etc.

Cordless ratchet is about the most useful tool I use - they're not meant to deliver super high torque, they're meant to to eliminate ratcheting with a hand ratchet and save you time. Go see what they use in the shop - cordless ratchets everywhere.


As for which one - first - if you already invested in power tools system, get that one.
If you're not - can't go wrong with Milwaukee M12 - they also have an extended reach version (and Milwaukee has super wide selection of any tool you could ever imagine - every since I got their stubby M12 impact, my big M18 one is rarely used - only for axle nuts and such)

If you would like to look at the test - Project Farm on Youtube is extremely good channel with tons of well done tool tests.

 

[FreePenguin]

JUST DO NOT USE THEM AS A BREAKER BAR. it will break immediately. I only have a 3/8 as those was more common for me, only thing I truly need 1/4 is breaking lug nuts free. then I use torque wrench to put lugs back on.

 

[kz]

JUST DO NOT USE THEM AS A BREAKER BAR. it will break immediately. I only have a 3/8 as those was more common for me, only thing I truly need 1/4 is breaking lug nuts free. then I use torque wrench to put lugs back on.

Did you mean 1/2" drive for lug nuts ? I always install my lug nuts using stubby M12 impact (now it's the for meltdown of all the "mechanics" how stupid it is) and then finish with torque wrench.

I use Milwaukee ratchet to break nuts free all the time (watch test - 13 mins in of the second one, you may change you spelled out in caps opinion) and it's fine - but it's for 3/8" sockets so they're not highly torqued bolts.

 

[FreePenguin]

Yeah I meant 1/2

I meant 1/2 on lugs

 

[Rapid Red]

Did you mean 1/2" drive for lug nuts ? I always install my lug nuts using stubby M12 impact (now it's the for meltdown of all the "mechanics" how stupid it is) and then finish with torque wrench.

Nothing wrong with that, going on air down, sung. After breaking them loose spin them off.

Some just don't really know how to use tools. Power tools 2 settings full on full off, not a thought about varying the speed.

 

[tosha]

Milwaukee tools any day. A bit more expensive but you buy them once and forever. Just got myself mid torque m18 brushless impact wrench: https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Power-Tools/Fastening/Impact-Wrenches/2962-20
This thing is really like a terminator . Changing wheels is a breeze now. 4 different modes with progressive torque settings help a lot to tune the max torque needed. It's so much more convenient and mobile than air wrench.

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