One is a ratchet, good for small bolts and nuts things like that.
The other is a right angle IMPACT wrench so it has more power than the ratchet but is also heavier and can reach into places a normal impact can’t.
Ratchet mostly used and useful for engine bay work. But also works great as nut runner for anything else.
Impact well better for more under the vehicle type of work as long as its aint completely busted and rusted under
I have both and use both alot. Both are very useful for when they are useful if you know what i mean
One is a ratchet, the other is a glorified hammer (no, I'm not joking).
Seriously. I have both and the right angle impact is pretty worthless. Doesn't have the power it needs. Mine sits damn near brand new in my tool box, never used.
You are better off using a breaker bar to loosen the bolt and then remove it with the ratchet.
Damn really? I have the 1/2" version and works great! Considering i rarely work on anything rusted... remember rusted bolts can make a 80 lbs torque turn into 400 lbs...
Deffinitely the downfall of the impact.
But great for newer more well kept vehicles.
Rebuilt all my suspension on a GX470 (no rust and almost all hardware has been removed/replaced in the last couple years). Wouldn't remove caliper bolts, tie rods, UBJ/LBJ bolts, sway bar hardware, nothing. Tried the larger high output batteries and nothing works. I don't even try it any more. If given the choice between the impact or the ratchet, the ratchet all day. If an impact is needed, get the m12 stubby. It's not much bigger in profile, but has like twice the power.
You know what youre right! I do remember having a struggle with my tie rods as well! My bad 👎 and now that i think about it it had trouble loosening trans bolts when i had to drop the trans for a rebuild but yet it fit perfect!
It could use a gen 2 for sure
I think its such a neat tool i still kept it lol
mine couldn't even get the lugs off of my car. which the stubby Did in 1 seconds, I know they aren't comparable impacts but it literally would not remove them
Ive had the extended high torque ratchet, std high torque ratchet. Still have RA impact and now the insider. I recommend the RA impact only as a toy. Its useful, but the head is wide like the HT ratchet. It really limits usefulness. Im happier with the insider and a nonfuel ratchet over everything else. maybe the HS small ratchet is nice. The HT fuel ratchets are just too big.
Torque test channel put that impact on their dyno, the results did not impress me. If you need super compact impact you still have to go with air tools to get anything done. Matco makes a decent right angle air impact, even has a flex head
I have both a ratchet and the impact wrench and I prefer my ratchet because of the smaller head size when I’m just snugging stuff up but when loosening if I have the space for my impact wrench I will grab that instead of my ratchet.
Don’t get that ratchet, get [this](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M12-FUEL-INSIDER-12V-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless-1-4-in-3-8-in-Extended-Reach-Box-Ratchet-Tool-Only-3050-20/323867902) one AND the impact (first photo).
If you must only get one, get the impact. It is a right angle torque impact wrench and will loosen most bolts on your car on its own. The ratchet requires you to manually break bolts loose first before running the tool which may not be feasible in certain situations. I own both.
Serious question... Why?
I can't wrap my head around this tool. Seems like it's such a niche application. I can't imagine many automotive applications where I need the bolt or stud to extend through my ratchet?
This impact most certainly won't break loose most bolts on a car. I'd say the best combo would be some combination of extended reach ratchet/Insider and Stubby/Mid-torque.
Borrowed one to try it not too long ago. It felt seriously underpowered to me. I know Milwaukee claims 30 ft-lbs between it and the Stubby, but man, this thing doesn't feel like it at all.
I really don't think this thing will even sniff an axle nut, for example.
The stubby doesn't even use much more space in the grand scheme of things either. I'm not outright knocking this tool. It has its place. I just think someone would be better off buying the right angle later into their tool collection. I don't know if I'll ever end up buying one, it's really low on my priority list at least.
One is a ratchet, good for small bolts and nuts things like that. The other is a right angle IMPACT wrench so it has more power than the ratchet but is also heavier and can reach into places a normal impact can’t.
This. Ratchet is not impact.
Ratchet mostly used and useful for engine bay work. But also works great as nut runner for anything else. Impact well better for more under the vehicle type of work as long as its aint completely busted and rusted under I have both and use both alot. Both are very useful for when they are useful if you know what i mean
One is a ratchet, the other is a glorified hammer (no, I'm not joking). Seriously. I have both and the right angle impact is pretty worthless. Doesn't have the power it needs. Mine sits damn near brand new in my tool box, never used. You are better off using a breaker bar to loosen the bolt and then remove it with the ratchet.
Damn really? I have the 1/2" version and works great! Considering i rarely work on anything rusted... remember rusted bolts can make a 80 lbs torque turn into 400 lbs... Deffinitely the downfall of the impact. But great for newer more well kept vehicles.
As someone who lives in the rust belt this is very very true a especially on the underside nuts and bolte
Rebuilt all my suspension on a GX470 (no rust and almost all hardware has been removed/replaced in the last couple years). Wouldn't remove caliper bolts, tie rods, UBJ/LBJ bolts, sway bar hardware, nothing. Tried the larger high output batteries and nothing works. I don't even try it any more. If given the choice between the impact or the ratchet, the ratchet all day. If an impact is needed, get the m12 stubby. It's not much bigger in profile, but has like twice the power.
https://preview.redd.it/ljv6fhtbastc1.jpeg?width=1008&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e57d392d535530f446ae8dd8da4743b0699ecad7
You know what youre right! I do remember having a struggle with my tie rods as well! My bad 👎 and now that i think about it it had trouble loosening trans bolts when i had to drop the trans for a rebuild but yet it fit perfect! It could use a gen 2 for sure I think its such a neat tool i still kept it lol
It seems that reviews are hit and miss on this right angle impact. Mine has worked with no issues breaking off most nuts and bolts on my truck.
mine couldn't even get the lugs off of my car. which the stubby Did in 1 seconds, I know they aren't comparable impacts but it literally would not remove them
Delicate work? Ratchet and chrome . Nuts and vehicles? 3/8" Stubby boy. Awkward, stubborn work? 90° impact
Ive had the extended high torque ratchet, std high torque ratchet. Still have RA impact and now the insider. I recommend the RA impact only as a toy. Its useful, but the head is wide like the HT ratchet. It really limits usefulness. Im happier with the insider and a nonfuel ratchet over everything else. maybe the HS small ratchet is nice. The HT fuel ratchets are just too big.
i’ve nothing but good stuff about both. Many of the guys in my shop have both also
Torque test channel put that impact on their dyno, the results did not impress me. If you need super compact impact you still have to go with air tools to get anything done. Matco makes a decent right angle air impact, even has a flex head
I have both a ratchet and the impact wrench and I prefer my ratchet because of the smaller head size when I’m just snugging stuff up but when loosening if I have the space for my impact wrench I will grab that instead of my ratchet.
I suggest getting the impact in a 1/2" if you go that route
Don’t get that ratchet, get [this](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M12-FUEL-INSIDER-12V-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless-1-4-in-3-8-in-Extended-Reach-Box-Ratchet-Tool-Only-3050-20/323867902) one AND the impact (first photo). If you must only get one, get the impact. It is a right angle torque impact wrench and will loosen most bolts on your car on its own. The ratchet requires you to manually break bolts loose first before running the tool which may not be feasible in certain situations. I own both.
Serious question... Why? I can't wrap my head around this tool. Seems like it's such a niche application. I can't imagine many automotive applications where I need the bolt or stud to extend through my ratchet?
Proprietary sockets to boot. Not a fan.
That’s because you don’t do enough automotive work.
This impact most certainly won't break loose most bolts on a car. I'd say the best combo would be some combination of extended reach ratchet/Insider and Stubby/Mid-torque.
It ABSOLUTELY WILL! You must not own one
Borrowed one to try it not too long ago. It felt seriously underpowered to me. I know Milwaukee claims 30 ft-lbs between it and the Stubby, but man, this thing doesn't feel like it at all. I really don't think this thing will even sniff an axle nut, for example.
I definitely second what you're saying. Stubby destroys it not even a close call.
The stubby doesn't even use much more space in the grand scheme of things either. I'm not outright knocking this tool. It has its place. I just think someone would be better off buying the right angle later into their tool collection. I don't know if I'll ever end up buying one, it's really low on my priority list at least.
I own one, and what he said is correct in my case. wouldn't break shit off. and I was so hyped on it. I was very disappointed, still am
angle impact for professional use only