Cordless ratchet rabbithole......help

[Bigbore500r]

In typical fashion - I have taken what should be a simple purchase, and turned it into hours of late-night reading and video watching. What is the go-to 3/8" drive cordless ratchet?
My entire cordless tool ensemble is long overdue for an upgrade, so I have the added pressure of wanting to keep it all one-brand, and ideally one battery type.

Contenders:

Milwaukee
Seems to be the go-to, with the 3/8" drive extended "high speed" ratchet. Nice small head, small shaft, and the M12 battery footprint is nice and small tucking into the body of the grip. They have a metric shit-ton of other ratchets as well. But I don't want to be an M12 guy for my other tools, so it would possibly be the only M12 device in my lineup.

Snap-on
The Snap-on is apparently the F150 of ratchets, but It would be the only battery powered Snapon I'd own, and that plus the price means it's probably a no-go. At least $700 investment to go this route.

Dewalt
They have a new 20V "sealed head" 3/8" ratchet that looks fairly compact, and is sort of an extended length but much bulkier head and shaft than the Milluakee. They do offer a 12V extended length, but it's 12V......and the battery size is nowhere near as compact as an M12 Millwaukee.

Harbor freight "Hercules"
They offer a nice looking compact extended ratchet , with super-slim dimensions - almost looks to be a clone of a Snap-on, but they literally snap in half when you have to apply ugga-duggas. That, plus they are brushed and lack the power and speed of the other's. And, well......Hercules Hercules Hercules

I didn't look at Makita, or Rigid, or Ryobi. The Ryobi looks like crap, so not gonna go there.

Anyone have a preference, or experience with cordless ratchets? This is for automotive use, engine bays, some tight quarters - looking for something that has the best chance of fitting where it's gotta go, and has enough power to work with 1/4" - 7/16' bolts, typical automotive stuff.

 

[Backlash]

I don't see how you could go wrong with Milwaukee. IMO, that's the best bang for the buck.

 

[Bigbore500r]

I don't see how you could go wrong with Milwaukee. IMO, that's the best bang for the buck.

I love everything about it except the M12 part. I don't want to invest in other M12 tools, they're nice for small stuff but the drills, impacts etc are too small.

 

[yz450mm]

Milwaukee 100%, and I'd bet a case of beer that your M12 tool set would find itself expanding rapidly once you started seeing all the awesome M12 tools they make now. You'd be surprised at how much power they have now with the better high output batteries.

 

[ChrisV]

Milwaukee. While you’re at it. Buy everything else they make.

 

[n2otoofast4u]

RED IS RIGHT!

 

[bilz]

M12 is the way to go. Plus the rest of the line is pretty cool. The 3/8 impact is handy as is the rt angle grinder.
My buddy's body shop has migrated from snap on to milwaukee M12 also.

 

[Not Sure]

I don't see how you could go wrong with Milwaukee. IMO, that's the best bang for the buck.

Can't go wrong with the Milwaukee.
I have a lot of 12v & 18v stuff for the house, works great. I pick up a lot of them on Home Depot "Special Buy of the Day" In fact, today they have 12v FUEL brushless, short & long ratchets with a battery on sale today only. $179 & $204. can't beat these deals.

 

[Bobby_329]

I have the Milwaukee M12 ratchet and small impact for working on the boat, truck, bikes its great.

 

[bilz]

Buy the "Fuel" stuff!

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Stop being dumb. Milwaukee.

Went through this 3 years ago. My first Milwaukee M12 tool was the Fuel 3/8 ratchet.

Now I have about a dozen m12 tools.

 

[monkeyswrench]

MAC and DeWalt share batteries, so that's a plus, and why I have MAC stuff. The 12v ratchets are good for a lot of small tear down and assembly. The MAC head is slightly smaller than the Milwaukee, but not real noticeable. If you have, or plan on buying more, go with Milwaukee. Their 3/4" gun is a beast!

 

[JDKRXW]

The correct answer is whatever Todd at Project Farm recommends;

Seriously.

 

[jetboatperformance]

We use 3/8 Two Milwaukee's The original and a later "HD" I personally love the original but find the heavy duty one bulky

 

[bonesfab]

I have a bunch of m12 stuff and abuse it daily. lighter and smaller to get into tighter spots. I still use m18 but not as often.

 

[Mototrig]

Snap On vote

We BEAT on our Milwaukee 1/2, 3/4 & 1 inch impacts in the refinery and they take the abuse.

Having said that I prefer the Snap On 3/8 ratchet primarily because of ergonomics and far less bulky to fit in harder to reach places.

We used the Milwaukee for about a year and it always seemed to be in its own way.

 

[MonkeyButt70]

Im vested with dewalt, if I started over it would be M12

 

[DLC]

In typical fashion - I have taken what should be a simple purchase, and turned it into hours of late-night reading and video watching. What is the go-to 3/8" drive cordless ratchet?
My entire cordless tool ensemble is long overdue for an upgrade, so I have the added pressure of wanting to keep it all one-brand, and ideally one battery type.

Contenders:

Milwaukee
Seems to be the go-to, with the 3/8" drive extended "high speed" ratchet. Nice small head, small shaft, and the M12 battery footprint is nice and small tucking into the body of the grip. They have a metric shit-ton of other ratchets as well. But I don't want to be an M12 guy for my other tools, so it would possibly be the only M12 device in my lineup.

Snap-on
The Snap-on is apparently the F150 of ratchets, but It would be the only battery powered Snapon I'd own, and that plus the price means it's probably a no-go. At least $700 investment to go this route.

Dewalt
They have a new 20V "sealed head" 3/8" ratchet that looks fairly compact, and is sort of an extended length but much bulkier head and shaft than the Milluakee. They do offer a 12V extended length, but it's 12V......and the battery size is nowhere near as compact as an M12 Millwaukee.

Harbor freight "Hercules"
They offer a nice looking compact extended ratchet , with super-slim dimensions - almost looks to be a clone of a Snap-on, but they literally snap in half when you have to apply ugga-duggas. That, plus they are brushed and lack the power and speed of the other's. And, well......Hercules Hercules Hercules

I didn't look at Makita, or Rigid, or Ryobi. The Ryobi looks like crap, so not gonna go there.

Anyone have a preference, or experience with cordless ratchets? This is for automotive use, engine bays, some tight quarters - looking for something that has the best chance of fitting where it's gotta go, and has enough power to work with 1/4" - 7/16' bolts, typical automotive stuff.

M18 is da bomb! Some of their stuff is Big

but a few m 12 tools are pretty sweet

off road in a SXS the M12 line of tools work !

m12 inflator and Impact ratchet along with a Impact gun or 3 are good to go !

 

[Bigbore500r]

Can't go wrong with the Milwaukee.
I have a lot of 12v & 18v stuff for the house, works great. I pick up a lot of them on Home Depot "Special Buy of the Day" In fact, today they have 12v FUEL brushless, short & long ratchets with a battery on sale today only. $179 & $204. can't beat these deals.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Flying_Lavey]

Thanks for the info!

I don't have the ratchet, but I have a good amount of M12 stuff. I think the only things I have come across where I wanted an 18v instead (outside of yard work stuff) was an impact wrench, circular saw, and angle grinder on occasion.

The impact gun is more than sufficient for 95% of home projects as is the hammer drill. The hackzall is awesome and the cut-off tool just eats sheet metal.

 

[Bigbore500r]

I don't have the ratchet, but I have a good amount of M12 stuff. I think the only things I have come across where I wanted an 18v instead (outside of yard work stuff) was an impact wrench, circular saw, and angle grinder on occasion.

The impact gun is more than sufficient for 95% of home projects as is the hammer drill. The hackzall is awesome and the cut-off tool just eats sheet metal.

Is your M12 drill and impact driver brushless or the older brushed stuff?

 

[Bajastu]

I heavily use Milwaukee M12 tools in my shop. I wouldn’t go with any other.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

Is your M12 drill and impact driver brushless or the older brushed stuff?

Brushless Fuel. I dont use it for EVERYTHING but, there hasnt been anything that I have ran across that I needed to grab a bigger gun for.

 

[brianwhiteboy]

I use all Rigid stuff, but then again I drive a jet böte.

I’ve never had any issues and I feel the quality is just as good as Milwaukee…which we use at work. In fact, the cordless ratchet is one of the last things I need to pick up. I have everything from a grinder, framing & finish nailer, impacts, drills, wet dry vac, pancake compressor.

 

[DLC]

Fuel Impact is the way to go!

the guns are small / compact 1/4 & 3/8 are identical except for the anvil

 

[NicPaus]

I prefer Dewalt 20V for most everything. Just picked up a big impact 1400 ft lbs currently $279 at Lowes with battery and charger. I have 2 medium 20v 1/2" impacts. But the new one will handle dump trailer and dually rim removal.

With that said if I needed a 3/8 it would be Milwaukee. As I already have the batteries and chargers. M12 PEX , copper cutter and hacksaw. The drill and impact M12 tools I gave away.

Had a set of Dewalt 12v gave it to my brother for home owner use. The battery would be the issue for the 3/8 ratchet due to size.


I have quite a few M18 tools. Have had issues with the batteries. Damn 12amp battery lasted 2 or 3 charges and warranty is a fight. $259 for the battery alone.

 

[Yldboyz]

I'm very happy with my Snap-On 12v ratchet, it does wonders! The Milwaukee is priced pretty good and it will get the job done.

 

[Bigbore500r]

I prefer Dewalt 20V for most everything. Just picked up a big impact 1400 ft lbs currently $279 at Lowes with battery and charger. I have 2 medium 20v 1/2" impacts. But the new one will handle dump trailer and dually rim removal.

With that said if I needed a 3/8 it would be Milwaukee. As I already have the batteries and chargers. M12 PEX , copper cutter and hacksaw. The drill and impact M12 tools I gave away.

Had a set of Dewalt 12v gave it to my brother for home owner use. The battery would be the issue for the 3/8 ratchet due to size.


I have quite a few M18 tools. Have had issues with the batteries. Damn 12amp battery lasted 2 or 3 charges and warranty is a fight. $259 for the battery alone.

Ive have heard the 18v Milwaukee batteries have major issues

 

[NicPaus]

Ive have heard the 18v Milwaukee batteries have major issues

The warranty part is a pain in the ass. Send it in and wait and see if they approve it.

I know a few that have had to buy doubles on tools while they wait for warranty on them. I have not had any tool issues knock on wood. I do have minimum double of everything and things like 1/4" impacts, Sawzall, skillsaws, hammer drills have 5-10 of each in 5 different vehicles and garage and river pad.

 

[Bobby V]

In typical fashion - I have taken what should be a simple purchase, and turned it into hours of late-night reading and video watching. What is the go-to 3/8" drive cordless ratchet?
My entire cordless tool ensemble is long overdue for an upgrade, so I have the added pressure of wanting to keep it all one-brand, and ideally one battery type.

Contenders:

Milwaukee
Seems to be the go-to, with the 3/8" drive extended "high speed" ratchet. Nice small head, small shaft, and the M12 battery footprint is nice and small tucking into the body of the grip. They have a metric shit-ton of other ratchets as well. But I don't want to be an M12 guy for my other tools, so it would possibly be the only M12 device in my lineup.

Snap-on
The Snap-on is apparently the F150 of ratchets, but It would be the only battery powered Snapon I'd own, and that plus the price means it's probably a no-go. At least $700 investment to go this route.

Dewalt
They have a new 20V "sealed head" 3/8" ratchet that looks fairly compact, and is sort of an extended length but much bulkier head and shaft than the Milluakee. They do offer a 12V extended length, but it's 12V......and the battery size is nowhere near as compact as an M12 Millwaukee.

Harbor freight "Hercules"
They offer a nice looking compact extended ratchet , with super-slim dimensions - almost looks to be a clone of a Snap-on, but they literally snap in half when you have to apply ugga-duggas. That, plus they are brushed and lack the power and speed of the other's. And, well......Hercules Hercules Hercules

I didn't look at Makita, or Rigid, or Ryobi. The Ryobi looks like crap, so not gonna go there.

Anyone have a preference, or experience with cordless ratchets? This is for automotive use, engine bays, some tight quarters - looking for something that has the best chance of fitting where it's gotta go, and has enough power to work with 1/4" - 7/16' bolts, typical automotive stuff.

I just had my kitchen remodeled. The foreman had every Milwaukee tool I think they make. Never pulled out a tool with a cord. The multi purpose tool is cool.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

Just do it Jerry!!

 

[NicPaus]

Jerry's work van in 2 weeks. Lol

 

[NicPaus]

These are a few more from a post on plumbing forum. Milwaukee is definitely the favorite. The last post is a Plumbing company protocol for how vans are stocked. With labels and inventory lists.

 

[Flat freak]

Who gives a shit what color it is, they are almost all made in the same buildings in China. I just bought a “greenish/blue one and love it, sorta pissed I didn’t buy it sooner.

 

[Ladsm]

I totally read the title as Crotchless Rabbithole. I need to go put the wife to work.

 

[rivermobster]

Snap On Would be your best choice, IF you were using it every day for a living.

For home use, all my chit is DeWalt. Milwaukee is great, but not worth the extra expenses for home use.

 

[OkHallett270]

So I have a Milwaukee and I have a snap on brute. The brute is badass! But for the money the Milwaukee is hard to beat.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Jerry's work van in 2 weeks. Lol View attachment 1297153 View attachment 1297154

@DWC be like

 

[wfowahoo]

MILWAUKEE, THEY HAVE A FIVE YEAR WARRENTY. I just retired after 35 years on a tool truck. They have a great service department.


Be careful they have two versions. they look alike but one has 35 lbs of torque and the other 55 lbs of torque.

 

[hallett21]

I love everything about it except the M12 part. I don't want to invest in other M12 tools, they're nice for small stuff but the drills, impacts etc are too small.

I bought my BIL an M12 Fuel impact and Hammer drill for Christmas. Now I won’t say that it competes with my M18 stuff but it’s pretty damn capable. To the point I’m considering running an M12 kit for “lighter stuff”. But the M12 is only that powerful in the Fuel line.

Just food for thought.

 

[Maestro]

Snapon for work
Ryobi fo the home. Since everyone has Milwaukee. Didn't want to have to argue about who's is who's if it got borrowed. I'm happy with both

 

[lbhsbz]

I have one of the blue O'reilly house brand cordless ratchets. 4 years old or so, still going strong. Also have the cordless 3" sander/buffer. About $60 each w/ a battery and they work fine. I chose this ratchet because it's the smallest out there. Not very powerful, but that's not why I use a cordless ratchet. Break everything free with a normal ratchet, then switch to the cordless (if it fits). I don't use it every day or even every week...I hate spending big money on stuff that just sits in the drawer most of the time.

 

[PlanB]

I carry the M12 Milwaukee ratchet on the Can Am. I have had good luck with all the new Milwaukee stuff, both m12 and M18.

 

[Bullet28]

Milwaukee Fuel

 

[Sharky]

Another vote for Milwaukee M12.

You can always get the bigger batteries for it. The 3.0

Just some of my LAM Milwaukee. My favorite these days is the long reach 1/4. They make a 3/8 long reach as well. Its going to be my next purchase.


First time buyer. . . . get a long reach Milwaukee 3/8 and a 3.0 battery. You will love the long reach!!!!!!

Milwaukee M12 FUEL 12V 3/8 in. Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Extended Reach Ratchet (Tool-Only) 2560-20 - The Home Depot

The M12 FUEL Extended Reach Ratchets are Milwaukee's latest addition to their best-in-class lineup of ratchets. These ratchets provide industry leading torque output with a slim head profile and an extended

www.homedepot.com

 

[LB247XS]

M12 is what I use in my tool kit when traveling or towing to the Lake. I carry the 3/8" and 1/4" drive ratchets also the 3/8" M12 impact. also have a big line up of M18 tools a swell. this 2/8" impact is a bitchin tool for sure I even use it to put on and remove my prop on the boat

 

[bilz]

If I break out a corded tool I am working to hard or I didn'tplan it right. M12 most of the time.

 

[SoCalDave]

All Makita brushless here...

 

[McKay]

M12 is the way to go. Plus the rest of the line is pretty cool. The 3/8 impact is handy as is the rt angle grinder.
My buddy's body shop has migrated from snap on to milwaukee M12 also.

This, and I’m a huge DeWalt guy. M12 line is sweet. Love the new longer faster version of the ratchets. Hardly ever use the 2-3 year old short versions. The older short 1/4” lives in the can-am now.

The new DeWalt ratchet is anything but compact when you put a battery on it.

M12 drill is my go to for anything 3/8” and below.

 

[Luvnlife]

I thought I saw Milwaukee had a m18 ractchet, saw it the other day. I’ll have to check again.