Air ratchet, which one? (Ingersoll rand Only)

[iwannadie]

Just to update, I got my IR ratchet and flexzilla whip today. First thing the flexzilla is awesome! My main hose is a goodyear rubber hose and the thing is so stiff and like to coil all the wrong ways. The flexzilla is like soft rubber and flexes without kinking up I am definitely going to get a new main hose next. I should have gotten it the first time but the goodyear was half the price, now I know why.

The ratchet is awesome, it is tiny, weighs nothing, free spins is wicked fast. I haven't actually used it yet so this is all a useless observation really ha. I am going to put it through it's paces next weekend with a motor swap I have lined up for a 99 eclipse. So far, I am glad I went with the smaller Max model rather than the much bigger(stronger) one.

 

[iwannadie]

I took time to test out the ratchet this morning, I set up some test bolts on nothing important. It zipped them right off very easy without having to loosen first. I tightened them down pretty snug too. Even having to loosen them first and then zipping them off is so fast I was impressed.

I got a little surprise when putting them back on at full power, the ratchet twisted my wrist pretty easy once they snugged up. I wasn't expecting that much torque but it sure has it even at its meager 30ft lb rating! I can't imagine the bigger 65ft lb model now that seems like I would be stripping or breaking bolts pretty easy with it. Also this model is very small, it is shorter than my normal ratchet and using the air whip with swivel end seems like it will reach into tight places easy.

When I was first looking at ratchets I was sort of disappointed that this model doesn't have a speed control trigger. It has a separate dial for speed/power. Now that I have used mine it makes more sense to have the dial control rather than trigger control.

So, if anyone is looking for an air ratchet I say go with the 1105MAX with out a doubt. Also amazon had the best price and got it to me very fast. Now all I need is a flexzilla air whip for Each of my air tools because they are so awesome ha.

 

[BlueCuda]

I agree with old man, buy a small sized ratched and just break it loose or do the final tighten with your hands.

Also, I love a 1/4inch air ratchet, I get more use from that than I do my 3/8 ratchet. I just did a radiator swap on my jeep and used the 1/4 ratchet for all of it, small, fast, easy.(just like a woman you can only choose two lol)

My air tool preference is

3/8 impact(ingersol composite)
1/4 ratchet
3/8 ratchet
anything else
1/2 electric impact
1/2 air impact(I have a cheap one)

A good 3/8 impact is strong enough to do wheels and most major engine parts so its my air tool of choice.

 

[iwannadie]

I figure I'll just keep adding to this ha.

I installed some cheapy clearance Baja lights on my bumper yesterday and they mount with 1 bolt/nut through the bumper. The passenger side was easy to get a wrench on but the driver side gave me no room at all. With my hand jammed behind the bumper I realized, I have an air ratchet!

I got the ratchet in the access hole and on to the nut, the flexzilla hose and swivel made maneuvering around easy. I set it to the lowest power setting and zipped it just to test the waters, then hit it again at full power and it is on there rock solid.

My only complaint with it is noise, that little sucker screams. I was outside using it a few days ago and it seemed really loud out in the open. I tend to like to work on my vehicles in the dead of night which doesn't work out for the neighborhood now that I have all these noisy air tools. I very rarely work outside but I do like keeping my side door open when I do. Now I have the courtesy to close the door when the compressor is on or air tools are running.

I love my 1/2" impact though, can't see needing a 3/8 as I mainly use it for lugs and other big stuff. I wouldn't be gaining anything going down in size there. Also, from what I saw the 1/4" version of my air ratchet is the same physical size.

 

[Mnkyboy]

I never liked how loud the ingersol tools are,my ingersol 3/8 ratchet will drive you mad.

I don't know why the make them like that,you can buy equal or more powerful tools from other company's that are quiet. My other 3/8" ratchet is about as loud as a cordless drill but has a lot more torque then my ingersol.

 

[iwannadie]

I used the IR ratchet today to change out my CPS. It was a total breeze and would have been a pain without the air ratchet it seems. I was able to get an 8" straight extension on the bolts and zip them right off and back on with no hassle.

This is fast becoming my most used and favorite tool of all.

 

[yossarian19]

Nice.
I've got a Craftsman air ratchet lent to me by the shop owner (part of his "newbie tools" collection), use it a fair ammount but the forward / reverse selector being up at the head of the tool sucks IMHO, and the throttle being on the front of the tool and fairly obtrusive means it gets hit accidentally or caught up a lot.
The right 3/8" gun will do about 90% of common auto repairs. You'll only need the 1/2" for axle nuts and rusty spots. That being said - the "right" 3/8" gun may cost a LOT more than you want to pay. A 1/2" gun + a "meh" 3/8" can be had for less than a hot-shit 3/8".

 

[iwannadie]

I don't get why they use the big lever either, I saw IR offers a ratchet with just a throttle button instead of the big lever. I can see the lever being in the way and not much need for it in the first place.

The same with the direction control being on the head and again IR offers a ratchet that has the direction control lower on the tool which seems like the way to go also.

 

[yossarian19]

Craftsman briefly offered one like you are describing, Mac does currently but they want over $200 for it.
you have a model # for the IR ratchet?

 

[jeeptech1]

Nice.
I've got a Craftsman air ratchet lent to me by the shop owner (part of his "newbie tools" collection), use it a fair ammount but the forward / reverse selector being up at the head of the tool sucks IMHO, and the throttle being on the front of the tool and fairly obtrusive means it gets hit accidentally or caught up a lot.
The right 3/8" gun will do about 90% of common auto repairs. You'll only need the 1/2" for axle nuts and rusty spots. That being said - the "right" 3/8" gun may cost a LOT more than you want to pay. A 1/2" gun + a "meh" 3/8" can be had for less than a hot-shit 3/8".

I agree partially. my 300$ snap on 3/8" gun is amazing and fits in tight places. of course being a tech means i can justify spending that kinda money cuz i use it everyday. but my old school IR 1/2" air gun classic is amazing also. i would say i probably use it more than my 3/8." but there is a lot of things my 3/8" cant break loose. ive found just as important as ft/lbs breaking strength is how hard it hammers (impacts) and a 3/8 doesnt hammer near as hard as a 1/2". as far as rachets, i love both my 3/8" and 1/4". you kinda gotta be careful with the 1/4's because they can strip the head gears when you are using them to "torque" things (ask me how i know). i wouldnt want a rachet that had more than 65 ft/lbs of torque. because your hand now becomes a hammer against things when the bolt comes up tight!

 

[iwannadie]

The 1099XPA (or 109XPA) has the push button throttle. The IRT1207MAXD3 has the directional change midway up the tool as an adjusting collar.