Air ratchet, 3/8 or 1/2 drive

[Mobydick]

I have gotten lazy and decided that to get myself an air ratchet. I have an impact wrench in 1/2 drive but was wondering which was more useful for a ratchet and over all automotive work, 3/8 or 1/2 drive?

[Aces'n'8s]

Effieciency would say buy a 3/8 and use an IMPACT rated 3/8 to 1/2 reducer. I have never needed the power of a 1/2 ratchet... Even my old Devilbiss ratchet can bust loose stubborn nuts...but then again, get what you think you will need for now and in the future....

[4x4mike]

I don't use my 3/8ths air ratchet much. I would never use a 1/2. I guess if you need the power or only have a limited amount of 1/2 or 3/8 sockets.

[Oxjockey]

I say 1/2".

Just make sure it's reversible - mine wasn't and it would be possible to back it up and jam it into something and be in a real bind.

(The one I had used a bit that you'd swap around in the head to reverse it)

[CrustyJeep]

Get a mini 3/8" and 1/4". I just have the 1/4" and I use it for damn near everything. A mini 3/8" is near the top of my list of must haves. I'm sick of having to use an adapter for bolt heads over 9/16.

Standard 3/8" ratchets do nothing but piss me off, and I *never* use mine. Too big and clumsy, too *sllooow*, too much torque. I'd rather supply the torque myself and never have to worry about busted knuckles.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=6970&productId=200132624&R=200132624&langId=-1

[ironpig70]

i'd say a mini 1/4 or 3/8 i have a 3/8 and it stays in the drawer due to space restrictions. a 1/2 probaly has to much power to try and one hand:D

[guidolyons]

3/8 for the ratchet and 1/2 for the impact. my .02
The 3/8" ratchet can get into some tighter areas, just use an 3/8-1/2" adapter if you need to use a 1/2 sockets

[Kartracer55]

IR1200... 3/8... I couldnt be happier. ITs 270 RPMS (no load) which is almost double most other ratchets, and its got 60ft lbs of torque which isnt nut busting but it gets things pretty damn tight. I love it and Use if for everything because it makes like SO much easier. Get a 3/8 because alot of times the 1/2 is just a 3/8 with a bigger drive, no power difference and the mini 3/8s are like 1/4 drives

Jim

[Mobydick]

Thanks for the input guys. Jim, I was looking at the 1200. It is a nice ratchet and IR makes good stuff. But for you guys that mentioned the kick back and busted knuckles, I found this: Reactionless Ratchet (http://www.irtools.com/IS/product.asp/id/45,1015,266,308,207)

So now having decided on 3/8 drive, I am probably going to go with one of these two. I haven't used a air ratchet much. Is torque kick back a big issue?

[CrustyJeep]

Reactionless ratchets SUCK! Imagine a slow impact gun with hardly any torque :shaking: I used to have one and hardly ever used it. Then a crack head stole it for his fix. He can have it :laughing:

3/8 air ratchets can kick a bit, but usually it's more annoying than painful. That's why I like the stubbies. You can always supply whatever torque is needed to break a bolt loose, and they don't kick very hard at all.

[Kartracer55]

The IR111 (Reactionless ratchet) blows by what I understand. I was considering it as well but people explained to me how it works... It "impacts" the fastener down, instead of running it down, which is why it has earned the nickname the "impactaratchet" By what I understand it takes FOREVER to run down a nut with drag because of the "impacting" action of the thing. I have talked to a few people with them and they are all sorry they have bought them.

Go with the 1200, you wont regret it. I have only gotten kick bakc once when I was holding it in a fairly awkward position, as I didnt have alot of grip. 60ft lbs is not really that much at all, its easily controlled.

Jim

[Greg_Canada]

I have a boatload of campbell hausfeld rathects in stock that are on sale right now, $28CAD for the TL1052 series and $50CAD for the PL2502 (i think)... PM me if you need any... all new or wall demo's....

[randii]

I agree with most everyone else on the 3/8" drive. The 1/2" drive I last used was an arm-breaker from weight and torque.

FWIW, my single-most used tool is a butterfly palm impact with an inline air adjuster. It is small and fast, and the valve allows you to spin in fasteners that have minimal resistance, but get off them when resistance ramps up. Torque wrench 'em from there.

Randii

[Mobydick]

Thanks for the heads up on the 111 guys. Looks like the 1200 or maybe the 1133. They are the same price. Maybe I'll get both. Seems like there's always someone standing around watching me do the wrenching. I'll put the other one in their hand.:D

[D60]

I agree, 3/8" is most useful in an air ratchet. If you need 1/2" you can usually step up w an adapter as mentioned. 1/2" drive ratchets usually are no more powerful, they just have a 1/2" drive head.

I almost prefer my 1/4" IR air ratchet the most, it's a lot smaller and thus fits into a lot more places.

And yeah, a pro mechanic friend of mine prefers the butterfly impacts instead. Most air ratchets are relatively slow.

[CanuckJeeper]

Kickback can be a pain... I've found the best way to use air ratchets is to hold the head with left hand, and the handle with the right hand. Watch out for pinched fingers though :flipoff2:

JP