I never realy thougt about one until we started useing one we found long story. I just bought a IR 1099XPA. I use my 3/8 alot and i may get a cheap 1/4 drive one. If i was starting over i would invest in more air tools and make my self use them as often as i could.
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1/2 air ratchet
- Thread starter Old Doug
- Start date
92U 3406
Senior Member
Cordless electric tools are the new air tools now. Now I'm not knocking air tools in any way. They're handy as heck. Ever since I bought my 18v 1/2" drive impact driver I hardly bring the air impacts out except for big jobs. So much faster to grab the electric and knock belly pans or tin work off. Plus no airline means one less tripping hazard to worry about.
thepumpguysc
Senior Member
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2010
- Messages
- 7,537
- Location
- Sunny South Carolina
- Occupation
- Master Inj.Pump rebuilder
Yup.. battery power is where its at now.. but DAM they're expensive..
I have a remote job to go to later this week.. no air..
Have to remove ALL the inj. line clamps off a Cummins 6BTA & replace the inj. lines..
Gonna be a BREEZE w/ a battery powered 3/8 impact..
Good thing we have abunch of "tool collectors" at work.. cuz I'm not "buying" one..
The air ratchets are GREAT in the shop..
It kills me to watch a seasoned mechanic getting the cover off a Lincoln welder w/ a manual ratchet & socket!! [17bolts]
I have a remote job to go to later this week.. no air..
Have to remove ALL the inj. line clamps off a Cummins 6BTA & replace the inj. lines..
Gonna be a BREEZE w/ a battery powered 3/8 impact..
Good thing we have abunch of "tool collectors" at work.. cuz I'm not "buying" one..
The air ratchets are GREAT in the shop..
It kills me to watch a seasoned mechanic getting the cover off a Lincoln welder w/ a manual ratchet & socket!! [17bolts]
mitch504
Senior Member
I haven't used my air ratchet since I bought my Milwaukee cordless one
I do like the cordless, it does have a place but it doesn't hammer as hard as a good IR231 even, And if you really crank it up, the battery overheats after a long pull. Quick tire changes, yep the electric does a good job, stuck anything over 1/2 inch, air does a better job.
mikebramel
Senior Member
Yes the hammer heads are good tools. No cordless equivelant.... yet
check
Senior Member
My old CP 1/2" impact worked perfectly for nearly 20 years. I just bought another one at a pawn shop for $20 and it works perfect too. Air tools are generally more compact than cordless tools. One thing I noticed about air hoses is many nowadays are so stiff they knock everything off my workbench. They used to be more supple.
PJ The Kid
Well-Known Member
I haven't used an air ratchet since I picked up the hammerhead. I will say I keep a head rebuild kit on hand as I usually go thru the main head about every 6 months. But no more busting knuckles when something gets tight with an air ratchet.
Air and cordless both have their good and bad points. I am cheap air is cheaper a air tool may last a life time water and oil want hurt air tools and the battery dont last for ever and when they go bad they are no longer made.
Junkyard
Senior Member
I use a mixture. My personal tools are all air expect for a Dewalt 1/2" impact. I buy the good cordless stuff with the company card 
92U 3406
Senior Member
I find the cordless more convienient for a lot of jobs. I just finished swapping out a grenaded alternator on a genset. Had to pull half the fan shroud to do it. No way I'm pulling out the airline for a dozen 1/4" fan shroud bolts. Cordless impact had them out faster than pulling the airline from the truck. I've had my Milwaukee kit for 8 years and the batteries are still kicking.