I need to buy a 3/8 drive ratchet. I want to buy I high quality unit. I am looking at a couple of ingersoll rand units right now. The IR1133 http://www.jackxchange.com/products/IR1133.cfm?ad=BAT , IR111 http://www.jackxchange.com/products/IR111.cfm?ad=BAT and the IR1107 http://www.jackxchange.com/products/IR1107.cfm?ad=BAT

The stubby IR1133 appeals to me since it is a smaller unit, and will fit into more areas, but I concerned that the shorter length wont give me enough leverage to loosen some of the more tighter bolts.

The "knuckle saver" IR111 seems like a great idea, especially since I still have scabs on my hand from over two weeks ago when I was last using my ratchet.

IR1107 looks to be a better quality ratchet with the TwinPawl Plus head design, but it is lacking the Reactionless Ratchest machanism of the IR111.

Any advice, opinions on what unit I should buy?

Thanks,

Carl

 

If you think you'll be using it much or interested in geting more tools in the future than start a relationship with one the tool trucks-snap on , mac- the prices will seam a little high but you also geting service, if there is a shop in your area ask them what day and time the tool guy shows up , ask the techs at the shop if there happy with that dealer, like anything not every body that works is good at it, find a good dealer to get your moneys worth. otherwize buy quality to get the job done. power tools have a 1 yr warentee.

 

I checked out the snap on and Mac websites, and the prices for the air ratchets were lower than expected. Their lower end products are priced similar to the Ingersol Rand Products above. I may have to go and check them out.

The rest of my hand tools are pretty much complete. I am not a professional mechanic, and I could not justify the cost of premium tools like Snap on, Mac etc. Most of my tools are Canadian Tire Professional / Maximum series. These tools are defianatly a step up from Craftsman, and when the tools go on sale, they are about a tenth of the cost of Snap-on.

Tools are like anything else, if you want the best, you will have to pay. But the Canadian Tire tools are all I need and provide much more value per dollar. This allows me to spend my money on other things, like my truck.

Carl

 

i have had the same luck with all air ratchets, they last a couple years, i had all the good expensive ones, now i go to menards or wherever every two years or so and buy the $19.99 one, same FT/LBS, same reliability.