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General => The garage => Topic started by: AudiA8Quattro on 19 May 2009, 11:33

Title: Cordless ratchet
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 19 May 2009, 11:33
Are these any good?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Techway-pro-3-8-Dr-Cordless-12v-Ratchet-Wrench-Driver_W0QQitemZ380124368319QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Air_Tools_and_Compressors?hash=item380124368319&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50
Title: Re: Cordless ratchet
Post by: Conker on 19 May 2009, 23:04
I might be wrong, but that looks rubbish. 40 lbs of torque is nothing.

The trouble with these power ratchetts is they will be far, far too big to get it onto most of bolts in the engine bay without using loads of extension bars and wobble-joints. I can see the sense in the high power cordless impact wrenches as they could be used for big ass bolts on the suspension or hub nuts etc, but the one in your link isn't strong enough for that.

In my opinion, you would be far better off investing that money in a quality socket set or something like that.

Title: Re: Cordless ratchet
Post by: nige_s on 19 May 2009, 23:55
3/8 drive!  Unless you have loads of bolts to undo I wouldn't bother with one that size.

If you need to shift big nuts you'd be better with something like this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SNAP-ON-CORDLESS-IMPACT-GUN_W0QQitemZ270390910851QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Hand_Tools_Equipment?hash=item270390910851&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72:1689|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:0|293:1|294:50#ht_500wt_1182

But then again, a £20 breaker bar will do the same and will never need charging up.
Title: Re: Cordless ratchet
Post by: Ben Lessani on 20 May 2009, 08:52
I don't know about you, but 3/8th is the defacto standard for workshops for anything between 9-19mm - which is usually everything.

1/2 is barely used, only for the BIG stuff, then 55 Nm wouldn't cut it anyway.

As said above, workshops don't use windyguns for anything other than the tough stuff (hub nuts/subframe bolts etc.). Get your arm strength up and use manual tools
Title: Re: Cordless ratchet
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 20 May 2009, 09:01
Thanks for the responses.
I just thought it might be a useful addition to my kit. I've already got practically everything including a impact gun.
I don't really need to build my arms up they are big enough already, i'm just getting lazy in old age  :grin:
Title: Re: Cordless ratchet
Post by: nige_s on 20 May 2009, 09:02
As Ben says, 3/8th is used for most things, but I'd rather spend my money on a decent socket set and spanners.  Halfords Pro stuff is really quite good.

I only draft in my 1/2 or 3/4 drive for the big stuff, which is quite rare these days.
Title: Re: Cordless ratchet
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 20 May 2009, 09:05
I've got 1/4,3/8,1/2,3/4 sets already. Although i do use the 1/2 teng set most the time.
The point of the cordless rachet i would think is undo nuts where there isn't much room to turn, or if they are stiff once cracked off. I would think it would save alot of irritation.
Title: Re: Cordless ratchet
Post by: Ben Lessani on 20 May 2009, 09:10
I get what you mean - but that badboy looks a bit large to fit in those 'hard to reach' areas. Given its pity full torque, its rated at 55, which in reality is probably 35-40.

[insert your deities name here] invented extension and angle joints for good reason.

Whenever I'm in the workshop - I always want to use the buzzgun for everything, but the majority of the time, it is impractical - there is more control with manual tools and less faffing.
Title: Re: Cordless ratchet
Post by: nige_s on 20 May 2009, 09:11
Give it a go then and report back, if you've got all the stuff already and can afford then why not?
Title: Re: Cordless ratchet
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 20 May 2009, 09:20
I was hoping that someone on here had tried one, as it is 100 quid. Thats still a fair amount of wedge if its sh!t.
Ingersol do one thats 70lb ft, but thats about £250-300   :undecided:
Also i found with my impact gun, it was a bit disappointing, there's no way it produces 300 ft lbs like it claims, but then it was quite cheap  :grin:
Would people say that these tools are capable of matching their torque claims?
Title: Re: Cordless ratchet
Post by: Ben Lessani on 20 May 2009, 09:28
Would people say that these tools are capable of matching their torque claims?

Nope, even the reputable kit doesn't match what they claim.
Title: Re: Cordless ratchet
Post by: nige_s on 20 May 2009, 10:15
I guess it really depends on the quality of the battery, if its got the oomph and the staying power.  If you use it infrequently is always going to need charging when the moment comes to using it.

The battery technology is often where the cost is.
Title: Re: Cordless ratchet
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 20 May 2009, 11:33
Would people say that these tools are capable of matching their torque claims?

Nope, even the reputable kit doesn't match what they claim.

Can you recommend one?
Title: Re: Cordless ratchet
Post by: danny_p on 20 May 2009, 12:50
the makita lxt stuff works quite well.  batterys are spot on they will really thump out the power till the last moments  and 20 miniutes later there ready for another go
Title: Re: Cordless ratchet
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 24 May 2009, 15:30
On the topic of impact wrench guns, i just bought a clarke cew1000.
It is a mains supply impact gun, and its pretty tasty  :laugh:
I would recommend one over a battery powered gun, if you have an available power source.
Title: Re: Cordless ratchet
Post by: euro dave on 27 May 2009, 13:14
Looks very low torque to me.  On the subject of this sort of tool I'd just use this:

http://www.garden4less.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=BID-1801M&partner=fr

as I have already got one with a twin set from Ryobi and I've got a driver convertor to be able to use 3/8 and 1/2 sockets with it.  Probably would be useful for undoing lots of bolts once they've been broken with a T-Bar.
Title: Re: Cordless ratchet
Post by: danny_p on 27 May 2009, 15:35
ryobi +one batterys are crap

search for this one

Makita BTW450 18V Cordless LXT Lithium-Ion 1/2" Impact Wrench
Title: Re: Cordless ratchet
Post by: euro dave on 27 May 2009, 17:25
You get what you pay for, I guess.  You can also get lithium ion for the Ryobi but I haven't had any issues yet.  Still, for under a ton with a hammer drill and impact wrench set it's good value.  Got the option of upgrading later too.

Definitely both better options than the first item.