Cheap cordless ratchet

[MikeB]

I have an old USA-made 3/8" air ratchet, but it's big and clunky. Also have a 1/4" air ratchet, but it's not very powerful. So, I could really use a compact 3/8" cordless ratchet for a job I'm doing.

Until just recently, I wouldn't have considered buying a cheap tool, and I'd love to have a Milwaukee Fuel ratchet kit. But I'm getting old and much less motivated to start projects, so I doubt I'd use a cordless ratchet more than 2-3 times over the next few years.

I see several brands in the $20-$40 price range, including two batteries and a charger. If any of you have tried a cheapie, please let me know what works and what doesn't.

[Getter-Done]

I got this one from HF for Free.

Link: https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-co...nly-59366.html

It was a deal of buying 2 batteries and a charger for $99.00.

It's not bad at all after the math per piece.

I already have a Bauer drill motor and impact driver that I got on another coupon deal.

They are holding up well.

I am setup on the Milwaukee system and said I was not going to get another battery platform.

I use these for traveling projects at other locations.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by Getter-Done

I got this one from HF for Free.

Link: https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-co...nly-59366.html

It was a deal of buying 2 batteries and a charger for $99.00.

It's not bad at all after the math per piece.

I see the current regular price is $60 for tool only, so it's over $100 with batteries and charger. But, yes, HF seems to have sales and coupon deals all the time.

I found an earlier model Milwaukee (not a Fuel model) with one battery and charger for $125 on Amazon. Also found it for $99 at Home Depot, and it even included a driver/drill, but now they are out of stock. HD seems to get special pricing from Milwaukee a lot. You just have to catch it at the right time. Kicking myself for not taking advantage of it right away.

[Getter-Done]

Originally Posted by MikeB

I see the current regular price is $60 for tool only, so it's over $100 with batteries and charger. But, yes, HF seems to have sales and coupon deals all the time.

I found an earlier model Milwaukee (not a Fuel model) with one battery and charger for $125 on Amazon. Also found it for $99 at Home Depot, and it even included a driver/drill, but now they are out of stock. HD seems to get special pricing from Milwaukee a lot. You just have to catch it at the right time. Kicking myself for not taking advantage of it right away.

My #1 rule with Harbor Freight and Milwaukee tools is:

Do not buy them unless they are on sale.

Only exception, Unless you need it now.

Harbor Freight will have another big sale soon.
Unless it over 20% discount I normally wait to buy it.

Then I buy my stuff in stages.

This is a deal I took advantage of at Home Depot just for the batteries.
This deal is $89.00 +tax for 4 batteries and I just look at it like, Less than $25 for each battery and the other stuff is Free.

It is being delivered today.

Link: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...4023/336305713

[bnorth]

Milwaukee often has a deal to buy an M12 charger with two batteries for ~$100 and get a free tool and one of the options is commonly the non-fuel 3/8" ratchet. I have that same ratchet and really like it and use it all the time, way more handy than I expected as I hate air ratchets.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by bnorth

Milwaukee often has a deal to buy an M12 charger with two batteries for ~$100 and get a free tool and one of the options is commonly the non-fuel 3/8" ratchet. I have that same ratchet and really like it and use it all the time, way more handy than I expected as I hate air ratchets.

I was kinda leaning towards that one. Glad to hear you like it! Best deal now that I can find is the ratchet with a 1.5ah battery and charger for $125 on Amazon. Home Depot wants $199 for the same kit and won't price match because Amazon isn't the seller.

[Getter-Done]

Originally Posted by MikeB

I was kinda leaning towards that one. Glad to hear you like it! Best deal now that I can find is the ratchet with a 1.5ah battery and charger for $125 on Amazon. Home Depot wants $199 for the same kit and won't price match because Amazon isn't the seller.

I have that rachet also.
As I am a Tool Collector.

It is great.

I used gift cards from family from Christmas and Bd to build my artilary of my tool Collection.

When your title said Cheap I first thought to the HF line.

You will not be disappointed in Milwaukee.

The only thing I have learned buying Milwaukee is to buy the Fuel stuff on the bigger tools.

[jjzepplin]

I got the HD Deal of a 18v 1/2" impact and a ratchet (Milwaukee) with one battery each and a charger for both for 199. I like them both.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by jjzepplin

I got the HD Deal of a 18v 1/2" impact and a ratchet (Milwaukee) with one battery each and a charger for both for 199. I like them both.

Now that's a good deal! I've been looking at those kind of Milwaukee deals at HD for a long time, but just never pulled the trigger.

[truckin 79]

I have used this AC Delco ratchet at the junkyard a lot and has always come through for me. It has 45 ft/lbs or torque so plenty for most bolts or just use as a ratchet to break bolt loose first. It costs about 65 dollars on ebay

[MikeB]

Ended up getting the regular Milwaukee model (not FUEL) for $113 + tax with battery and charger. I don't know how long it had been packaged and sitting on a shelf, but the battery was fully charged when I got it. Always a good sign!

[c30]

We all know about the decision making guys' sitting on your shoulders.
One with a white hat and the other one wears a black hat.
Well, every time I'm in Harbor Freight, I hear the guy with the black hat saying "you should buy this".
And the little guy with the white hat saying "maybe you should wait, and buy the more quality item that you really know you need?