Air ratchet wrenches are powerful tools that help loosen or tighten low-to-medium torque bolts. They are used in multiple fields such as automotive, agricultural, industrial, with some on DIY applications.
As there are a lot of options to consider when buying one, we want to help you choose the best air ratchet wrenches available for making your purchasing efforts easier.
Here we will be looking at 3 of the bestselling models, all of which chosen from customer feedback data and our own research. Hopefully this will make it easier for you to pick the best air ratchet wrench according to your needs.
Ingersoll Rand 170G Edge Series
Pros:
- Lightweight and durable build
- Ergonomic design makes it comfortable and easy to use
- Budget-friendly power tool for that tough job
Cons:
- Design improvements for the handle trigger is advised
- Power is not very strong and a bit lacking for other users
The Ingersoll Rand 170G is a great budget-friendly option. Equipped with a 3/8 inch drive, its powerful motor provides 55 foot-pounds of torque and 170 RPM of free speed to ensure a smooth work flow through a quality drive.
The 170G takes great pride in its lightweight and sturdy design. It features an exclusive TwinPawl Plus ratchet head that is heat-treated to prolong its life and make the air ratchet wrench more durable so it can withstand longer periods of use.
Coupling durability and a lightweight build, it is designed specifically for safety and comfortability. Its ergonomic design makes it much easier to use and preferable over other brands of air ratchet wrenches. The contoured grip is a comfortable design that helps keep your hands in control while working.
The size of the Ingersoll Rand 170G is very compact, making it relatively easy to handle. This makes the power tool a great companion for tedious tasks as it makes the job easier while being handy and not too bulky. It also helps with the accuracy as its design is not too busy to look at and is straight to the point.
As much as it is a great addition to your power tools for its features, there are still some improvements that many have taken not of. Its handle trigger is a bit tricky to use and needs more correction for its design. Also, the power is strong but some may still feel that it needs more for it to be more efficient.
Features:
Ingersoll Rand 170G | |
| Motor Torque | 55 foot-pounds |
| Free Speed | 170 RPM |
| Color | Black |
| Size | 3/8 inch |
| Weight | 2.8 pounds |
Dewalt DWMT70776L Square Drive
Pros:
- Dewalt is a trusted brand for power tools so its quality is assured
- A budget-friendly air ratchet wrench
- Strong, durable, and reliable for its price
Cons:
- A bit bulky, makes it harder to reach tight spaces
- Some complain of its noise when being used as it can be loud
The Dewalt DWMT170776L is another good budget-friendly air ratchet that helps get the work done. It has a strong 65 foot-pound power of motor torque and free speed of about 160RPM, ensuring a fast and strong process for low to medium applications.
Dewalt is a good brand that produces quality power and hand tools recognized all over. This air ratchet is a good example of their products that can really help with your needs when tightening or loosening up.
The size of the air ratchet wrench is a bit larger than the Ingersall Rand 170G. It is a bit bulkier but not too big to hold. It is not as compact as other air ratchets but can still easy to use.
It banks on the impressive brand of Dewalt and its budget-friendliness, besides its strength. This makes the air ratchet a good choice for such low to medium strength applications.
However, there are some points for improvement as feedbacks have pointed out. Some of which include its noise as it can be quite loud when being used, making it a concern for its users. It may need frequent lubrication as well to significantly reduce its loudness.
Also, it is not as compact as other common air ratchets so it may be a bit trickier to use on especially when it comes to hard to reach places.
Features:
Dewalt DWMT170776L Square Drive | |
| Motor Torque | 65 foot-pounds |
| Free Speed | 160 RPM |
| Color | Black and Yellow |
| Size | 3/8 inch |
| Weight | 3.6 pounds |
Ingersoll Rand 109XPA
Pros:
- Strong, fast, and powerful makes it a great choice for air ratchet wrenches
- Comfortability makes it easier to use for longer periods of time
- Grip is good and does not shake too much
Cons:
- A bit expensive than the rest in this list
- Size is a bit larger and heavier than usual air ratchets
Undoubtedly the strongest on this list, the Ingersoll Rand 109XPA is a great option if you’re not really on a tight budget and would like to really get a powerful air ratchet to get things done faster.
Powered by a strong 70 feet-pound of force and free speed of about 300 RPM (it delivers the force, powered by air), it is surely an excellent choice to go with this powerhouse.
Similar to the Ingersoll Rand 170G, this features an exclusive IR TwinPawl Plus ratchet head for better and more durable performance as you use it. This design protects the air ratchet against head separation and avoids any slippage.
It also has a 360 adjustable exhaust that directs air away from the operator, promoting a safer and more convenient way to loosen and tighten hard to reach and stubborn nuts.
The size is relatively compact as it stands at the middle ground among the three. It is neither light nor heavy as it weighs perfectly. Reaching hard and tricky places isn’t too much of a problem and its design makes it easy and comfortable to use.
It is an excellent air ratchet and does the job well for light to medium applications. However some still find the size to be a bit larger than the usual power tools. The strength may require a bit of a learning curve in order to handle properly.
Features:
Ingersoll Rand 109XPA | |
| Motor Torque | 70 foot-pounds |
| Free Speed | 300 RPM |
| Color | Black and Silver |
| Size | 3/8 inch |
| Weight | 3.1 pounds |
Air ratchets vs. Impact wrench
Air ratchets and impact wrenches both have the same goal of loosening or tightening tough nuts and bolts. However, there are still defining differences between the two.
Design
The look of the air ratchet is simpler and more compact as it delivers low to medium torque strength of force unto the bolts you need to fasten or loosen. The impact wrench provides more power and strength and has a bulkier appearance compared to the former.
Function
Impact wrenches are stronger and provide the loosening and tightening through a hammer action, giving it more power compared to air ratchets. Air ratchets are more inclined to spinning actions and as such have lower torque power.
Pros and Cons of Air Ratchet:
Pros | Cons |
| Compact Design and easy to use | Not strong enough compared to impact wrench |
| Precise and accurate control over power | Only limited use for low-medium torque bolts |
| Safer for nuts and bolts from damage |
Pros and Cons of Impact Wrench:
Pros | Cons |
| Bulky design provides more grip | Too bulky compared to air ratchet |
| Can be used on high torque bolts to remove stubborn nuts and bolts | Can’t be used on low torque nuts for possible damage |
| Very strong torque power |
Because of these differences, it is best to use an impact wrench when you need higher torque strength on extremely difficult to loosen bolts. Air ratchets, on the other hand, are precise and relatively slower. They are best used when working with multiple low to medium torque bolts.
Both aren’t interchangeable as you won’t be able to loosen a stubborn nut with a medium-power air ratchet. On the other hand, an impact wrench may damage a low torque bolt because of its great strength. Both have to be used on where it fits best to avoid unnecessary damages and effort.
How to choose a good Air Ratchet
There are a lot of considerations to ponder on when choosing the perfect air ratchet for you and your needs. Picking the right one ensures you get what you really need and you get to use it for future renovations, saving you the effort of constantly loosening and tightening nuts.
Drive (inches)
This list is composed of 3/8” drive air ratchets only. If you’re looking for 1/4″ drives or other sizes, then this isn’t for you. No matter how good a product is, if you’re not using the right head for its intended use, the air ratchet will be useless.
Size & Design
In order to assure that what you have is perfect for you, it should be comfortable when you use it especially for long periods of time. This lets you complete the task without too much discomfort from air ratchets that are too much to handle.
The size and design of the air ratchet should be heavily considered as they are usually used in tight spaces where bulky impact wrenches can’t access. Air ratchets usually have a compact design to fit in these places to assure a faster and smoother operation for your tasks.
Power
Know how much power you really want. Air ratchets typically are used for low to medium torque nuts and bolts. However, you can still go for other varieties that can be used more effectively on their own torque strengths, making sure you get the best from what you need.
Typically, low to medium torque nuts and bolts can be removed by about 50 foot-pounds of force. Any lower may give you a hard time removing stubborn and tight nuts.
Quietness
Air ratchets can be quite noisy. Some are 80 decibels and can reach up to 100 decibels depending on the product. Take note that it is best used for in-home procedures as it can be irritating for neighbors.
Durability
The air ratchet should be durable enough to last for a long while. As it isn’t always used, it should be durable enough to be on top condition any time the situation arises when you’ll need an air ratchet.
Safety
Safety is a primary consideration. Take all necessary precautions when using an air ratchet. For example, have a steady support when using the product. Don’t force the tool on incompatible bolts. Disconnect the power before making any adjustments to avoid accidents.
There are a lot of small safety precautions but should always be followed to make sure your work goes smoothly without any accidents.
Know what you really want
Research is key to preventing mistakes when buying air ratchets. It can be quite confusing at first because of all the different features available. However, a good understanding of the power tool and what you exactly need can mean an effective completion of the project due to choosing the correct and perfect tool.
Find the right size depending on what you’ll be applying the air ratchet for. The speed should then be considered especially when handling tough nuts. Safety is important as it determines the success or failure of your work. Comfort is the last priority after considering everything.
Buy from trusted brands
To be sure about the quality of the air ratchet you will be purchasing, a good look at the company profile says a lot about what they have to offer on the table. Buying from reputable sources of power tools may mean they have more grasp on the quality of the materials and that they really do perform their functions properly.
It’s a long-term investment, sure, but it is worth all the hassle compared to buying from untrusted, yet cheap producers of air ratchets.
Ingersoll and Dewalt have long been in the market for power tools. Time is a testament to proving that it provides quality and safe power tools that can provide you with what you really need. They are great options for you to consider and are definitely good for the buck.
The best air ratchet wrenches for you
This list is not long because we aim to minimize your researching efforts on the best type of air ratchet wrenches out there. These chosen 3 are some of the most popular and well-known brands that really do provide quality power tools. All of these adhere to being long lasting and price-appropriate for its power and capacity.
These offers are great deals as they can greatly minimize construction efforts to give more time on other tasks at hand. This list of the best air ratchet wrenches will help you choose on which of the three the perfect one for your use is. Make sure it is comfortable and has great features to ensure lessening and avoiding potential problems in the future.
Read more:
Best Air Compressors For Impact Wrenches
I’m James J. Decker, a hobbyist and DIYs and also a big of home improvement and gardening tools. I immensely enjoy how these amazing products improve productivity and efficiency, and allow me to do jobs for which I would’ve otherwise needed professional help.
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