Lancia Beta Forum

Morning all, I've been looking at the increasing use of battery operated ratchet spanners and might get one. Most reviews seem to avoid the big brand names so a bit sceptical.

I already have a 1,000 Nm impact wrench for the heavy stuff so I'm after something for the more normal bolt loosening and tightening.

Does anyone have any experience or recommendations?

I recently had to buy a Clarke CEW1000 Impact Wrench for a little job on the Fiat Panda (Strut replacement) and it was superb. It's a mains 450Nm one and now I'm wondering why I didn't buy one before. Probably because it's £90 or so and then you might end up buying a ton more impact sockets.....

Guy

Indeed, I wish I had got my impact driver years ago!

These electric ratchets are a little different.. they are less impact, and more smooth turning. Other difference is they are less drill shaped so they can fit most places you can put a spanner due to a 90 degree head.

I bought a Sealey one at the NEC Last year. I went with the more compact pistol format because I think it fits well in smaller spaces and is easier to hold. Although the format that is like a long traditional ratchet suits some situations better.
It is more powerful and capable than I expected with very good battery life despite the battery being very compact.

I already own a beast of a Milwaukee 18V impact driver for large stubborn things and a brushless Makita impact screwdriver that can take an adapter to drive sockets. The Sealey item is cheap and simple and you can of course get multi tool kits.
   https://www.toolden.co.uk/power-tools/cordless-kits/sealey-cp1200combo2-12v-cordless-power-tool-combo-6pc-kit/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw17qvBhBrEiwA1rU9w7CT0k7gP0gW35JIOMTqURndKRNb7Y_nM4wBdyqt-l8J0ve8XSGV5hoCjDYQAvD_BwE (https://www.toolden.co.uk/power-tools/cordless-kits/sealey-cp1200combo2-12v-cordless-power-tool-combo-6pc-kit/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw17qvBhBrEiwA1rU9w7CT0k7gP0gW35JIOMTqURndKRNb7Y_nM4wBdyqt-l8J0ve8XSGV5hoCjDYQAvD_BwE)

Eric

I bought a cheapy posenpro one, handy for relatively low torque applications - which most stuff is.

Especially handy where you can only get 1/12 of a turn with a normal spanner or ratchet.

Isn't a manual, mechanical ratchet ring spanner the ultimate solution in a really cramped space? Electric ratchets are OK if you have the depth of workspace for a socket plus the electric ratchet head, but can't compete with a ratchet ring spanner. I have a set of Facom ratchet spanners and they get used a lot...

Hi Graham

Zero back lash ratchets are ideal manual tools. But what happens when you have depth but little room to swing a ratchet? BTW I have excellent Facom ring spanners and I am VERY careful to have ratchets and ratchet spanners with little backlash and the ability to be trusted not to slip losing the skin from my knuckles.

Eric

It's also the time saving element. .. the number of times I've removed the air filter lid and box....