curious, how many of you gentlemen use air powered ratchets?

Grumpy

The Grumpy Grease Monkey mechanical engineer.
Staff member
I think they are rather useful for DIS-assembly at times, they can save a bit of time and effort,
if your dis-assembling some engine you purchased for a local swap meet,
or salvage yard to inspect the components, yeah! they can be rather useful.
but I've avoided using them for almost all re-assembly,
simply because I really like to feel the torque or tension applied to bolts,
that don,t require a torque wrench,
and certainly they are far less than ideal,
yes having the compressor capacity and the air ratchets is a big plus in any shop
if a torque wrench is required the air ratchet is not used.
besides, that, if you've ever watched some guys use air tools you'll eventually see some guy,
that cross threads a bolt with an air ratchet or impact wrench,
and it just gets ignored, or power seated regardless...that makes me mentally cringe!
more than a few times I've worked on cars where some moron,
who previously
used an impact air gun too,
strip lug nuts,
exhaust manifold bolts,
accessory bracket bolts
, bell housing bolts,
or motor or transmission mounting bolt threads.
whats your thoughts?
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http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...en-bolt-and-screw-plug-removal.729/#post-1263

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/air-ratchets.1464/#post-3832

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Last edited:
Snap On Flat Rate Maker GM Dealership #1 tool Grumpy.
Without you and your family will starve.
Not for Beginners.
True Pros only like me.

Not a Tool for Race Engine Building.
All done by hand.

My days of Flat Rate are over.
Diesel side Diesel Mechanic Flat Rate does not exist.
I like that.
 
No one makes a Better Air Ratchet than Snap On.
It's True.

I like my Milwaukee cordless electric ratchet these days.
 
My wife boght me an air ratchet for christmas,i use cordless bolt guns and air ratchets because it saves time and hands
Yes.
Have to be careful so you do not end up with Carpal Tunnel hands Wrists.
Mechanics seldom get it for some reason.
Many other Blue Collar Skilled workers do.
 
I rarely use my air ratchet. I do use my cordless impact to disassemble things alot though. Far as assembly goes, I always use my hand ratchets and wrenches.
 
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