Air Ratchets

[SHobbs]

What brand names offer dependability, quality and durability at a reasonable price? I know Snap On, Matco and Cromwell are some top names but, who else? How bout Ingersol Rand, Chicago Pneumatic and others? I am tired of wrenching and in the market for some air assist.



Thanks, Scott

 

[WDixon27]

what ever you do don't get the ingersol 3/8 with the black plastic cover over the grip, i had two and they both broke in half after a fall from my tool tray, super crappy design with a thin piece of aluminum connecting the gearbox to the air motor, i got a snap on branded heavy duty ingersol and threw it on the floor after i bought it a couple times, didn't break works fine :-laf most of the units on the market will be rebranded ingersol rand or cp and most of them will work fine



heres the newer version of mine http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_36353_36353

i can't find a pic of the turd so you can avoid it, maybe they killed the design

 

[GMcLeod]

Go to Sears and buy Craftsman air tools for the simple fact if they break you can return them to a local store.

 

[SMorneau]

I have two Craftman and they work fine. You could probably find other with more torque but I have had problems breaking things with these so I am not really wanting more torque. I use a 1/4" drive with a 1/4-3/8 adaptor when I need a smaller size for access.

 

[tgordon]

One question, are you looking for air rachets or impacts?

I prefer impacts, they are quieter, have more tourque, and I personally have had better luck with them lasting longer.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Here's the air ratchet that I use and I LOVE it:



http://212.75.80.201/CPIndustrialSite/Article/Article_Page.asp?Id=8941078306



It's a quiet version of CP's 7830. A 3/8" air ratchet that only produces 79db of noise while in use (with it muffled down). It'll also go up to 90 ft/lbs of torque when you need it. It isn't cheap but it's an excellent tool and I use mine ALL the time. Anyone that's in my shop and see's me using it falls in love with it because it's so quiet. I wish someone would make a 1/4" air ratchet that's as quiet (my 1/4" air ratchet is at least 10 times louder).



For an impact I use an IR2135QTI with puts out up to 1000 ft/lbs in reverse, weighs 4 lbs, and only produces 86db of noise freewheeling and 96db of noise when hammering away. It's real quiet as well and will break anything loose that I've run into so far.