which air ratchet to get?
 

Looking at upgrading my 3/8" 50ft lb CH ratchet as its seen better days.

I cant quite decide which unit to get as a replacement, shall I go 1/2" or stick to 3/8"?

The 3/8" and 1/2" units have the same specs (other then the obvious square drive). They are also priced the same which makes the choice even harder. ;)

Also, as I just purchased the following IR Compressor I figured I would purchase an IR ratchet aswell, I've narrowed it down to the following two however I cant quite decide. Which one do you guys think would be a better match with my compressor, also longevity.

Also note that its more for DIY around the garage/house as I don't own a shop.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...irratchets.jpg


IR 1200 Ultra Duty

http://www.tooldiscounter.com/images.../IRAIR1200.jpg


IR 109XPA Super Duty

http://irtools.com/_imgLibrary/compl...het_p001_l.jpg

I have both the 1/4" & 3/8" aircat ratchets which are powerful enough for what I have used them for and are very quiet which is a good thing. Bought a 3/8" ratchet from Eaton compressor shortly after getting my compressor which works ok but is much louder than the aircats & not quite as powerful as the 3/8. Noise level is similar to my 3/8" B&D electric drill. Each one was around 70-90 dollars if memory is correct.

1/2" is just too big IMO, it is hard to get it into places. The most versatile are the 1/4" and 3/8".

Vince

I personally have the campbellhausfeld proffessional, loud as hell but works pretty good for the money. I have heard very good things about the air cat. The IR you posted pics of looks a lot like a snap-on. most of the name brands are good strength wise and longevity as well as rebuildable,kinda comes down to what feels good in your hand. Brian

get the ultra duty. 3/8ths i got an older version,(2 years or so) i think. works like a damn champ

air rachets
 

Air Cat makes QUIET ones. I only have thier impacts but they are very nice, My first choice for 1/4 air rachets is the two speed Ingersoll 10 and 18 ft lb settings. The bad boy of air rachets is the top of the line Snap on. It is reactionless, puts out gobs bolt breaking torque, rebuildable and is expensive. The Ingersoll copy 109XPA of it would be a good choice to buy. Try Northern tools the have decent prices. They sell the 1200 for about a 3rd of the Snap On rachet. I see in another post they offer a duty version. I got the Ingersoll 1/4 rachet and the Air Cats at a great price from Northern Tools. If you are going to use them infrequently the cheap stuff at Harbor frieght works ok but once you try a good air rachet you won't want to use them. I bought thier $4.50 on sale air chisel w/chisel set instead of spending $12.00 for gas and the time to drive 40 miles round trip back to the shop. So far it and even the chisels have held up to loosening bolts and trimming sheet metal. The tool trucks usually have like new repos where cash talks.