Table of Contents
Introduction
Buy on Amazon!Tightening and removing bolts are a part of being a mechanic or constructor. You can often find yourself in need to get rid of 10-20 screws from a part you’ll need to use later. And doing it by hand can take a very long time. Some screws are looser than others, but they’re still tight enough to make you lose valuable time trying to remove them. This is especially hard if the screws were originally tightened with an automatic machine. And this is why any mechanic has their favorite power wrench.
Product | Ingersoll Rand | DEWALT | Craftsman |
Image |  |  |  |
Description | The Ingersoll Rand air ratchet is high-quality, durable, and can withstand any rough working environment. It’s also designed to last a long time.(Check price at Amazon) | The DWALT air ratchet is very good aswell and it’s ideal for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts.(Check price at Amazon) | The Craftsman air ratchet is very decent, very easy to use, and it’s great for any light-duty job.(Check price at Amazon) |
Power wrenches are a type of wrench that can be powered using other methods than human force. They’re extremely popular all over the world among people that work with screws. One of those power sources is compressed air that is often found powering a lot of power tools. And on the market, you can find two types of power wrenches, those are impact wrenches and air ratchet wrenches, which are also known as pneumatic ratchet wrenches.
An impact wrench is a heavy-duty tool that can help you secure bolts and screws extremely well. If you need to tighten a bolt that will last for decades, the only power tool that can help you is the impact wrench. You can find a lot of models on the market and they’re also powered in various ways. However, if you only have to deal with lots of screws but they’re not particularly tightened too hard, an air ratchet wrench is a much better choice. This is because it’s much easier to use.
You should keep in mind that air ratchets are not made for powerful torque. Their job is to speed up the tightening or removing process.
Best Air Ratchet – Benefits of Air Ratchets
Air ratchet wrenches have the same square drive as hand-powered ratchet wrenches. However, they also feature an air motor that helps it turn the socket drive. To activate the motor which turns the socket drive all you have to do is pull the trigger. Any unit will also feature a switch that allows you to change the direction the socket drive turns to.
And as mentioned before, these models are designed to help you remove bolts as quickly as possible. But if you’re dealing with extremely tight screws that are tightened by a heavy-duty machine, you will need an impact wrench to get the job done.
One of the biggest benefits of these small machines is that they’re extremely versatile. This means that it doesn’t matter if you’re in the automotive, engineering, industrial industry, or you’re a DIY lover. Air ratchet wrenches can help you deal a lot easier with removing and installing nuts and bolts. If you want your productivity to speed up, these small machines are ready for anything.
Removing loosely tighten screws with an impact wrench can be very tiring. This is because of how big and heavy they are compared to air tools. On the other hand, air ratchet wrenches are smaller, more robust, and a lot lighter than conventional power tools. They also have less moving parts, which makes them great when it comes to using them in small, confined spaces. This includes the engine bays on vehicles.
Since they’re easily started and stopped by a trigger, they require much less space to be able to function optimally. They’re also available in various sizes.
In this article, we’ll talk about Our Top 3 Best Air Ratchet.
Best Air Ratchet – Comparison Table
Product Name | Ingersoll Rand | DEWALT | Craftsman |
Image |  |  | |
Easy to Use | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Durable | Yes | Yes | No |
Long-Lasting | Yes | Yes | No |
Torque Capability | 55 ft/lbs | 65 ft/lbs | 70 ft/lbs |
Protective Case | No | No | No |
Quiet Performance | Yes | No | No |
Switch | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Link |
1 Ingersoll Rand 170G 3/8-inch Air Ratchet
Best Air Ratchet – Ingersoll Rand 170G
The Ingersoll Rand 170G 3/8-inch Air Ratchet is high-quality and can help get your job done in a very short amount of time. You won’t have to remove every single nut and bolt by hand or with a heavy impact wrench anymore. This model is specifically designed to be as lightweight and portable as possible. You can use it regardless of the industry you work in or for home repair. It’s also a much better choice than electric models as you won’t have to stop every 30 minutes to change the battery. This air ratchet wrench is made to help you save time and increase productivity.
Ingersoll Rand is an American company formerly known as Gardner Denver. It was founded in 1859 and is now one of the biggest worldwide providers of industrial equipment, technologies, and related parts. The company is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.A., and it operates in three groups. These are the Industrial Group, the Energy Group, and the Medical Group. They focus on researching, developing, and testing some of the best power tools on the market. They only use the latest technology and superior materials for all of their products.
This ratchet wrench weighs 2.75lbs, and its dimensions are 10.4 x 1.7 x 1.7 inches. It’s made of metal and is gas-powered. And more than that, it can offer a good torque of 55 ft/lbs. The head style is a fixed square, which allows you to handle a wide range of nuts and bolts. You will also benefit from a 1-year warranty and a lifetime of great customer service. You should also keep in mind that this model is not part of a kit, which means the packet will only include an Ingersoll Rand 170G Air Ratchet Wrench.
Features
Buy on Amazon!
The Ingersoll Rand 170G 3/8-inch Air Ratchet can deliver 170 RPM free speed, which makes it the perfect fit for various mild projects. If you need help for light assembling and disassembling, or to get to a hard-to-reach tight space, this model can help you out. You can use this air ratchet wrench to work on your car’s engine bay or put a DIY project together. It’s very easy to use and you will love its small and lightweight design. However, if you need help with a heavy-duty project, you might want to consider an impact wrench that’s strong enough to help you out.
Thanks to the lightweight, yet sturdy construction, this air ratchet is rugged and compact. It also features and exclusive TwinPawl plus ratchet head that’s been heat-treated. This means that it will last for a very long time and will be there to assist you with any project. And although it’s designed to be as small as possible to fit into complicated areas, its long body makes it sleek enough to allow you to reach every bolt. This makes it one of the best air ratchet wrenches on the market.
With its ergonomic design, this model can be used for hours on end without causing any fatigue. It can deliver great torque accuracy so you can install or remove any bolt or screw you need. It also increases your safety as you won’t have to handle each bolt by hand. The tool is designed with a contoured grip that can offer all the comfort you need while you’re doing your job. It’s great for a broad range of applications as the company has over 100 years of tool-making experience.
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Durable
- Long-Lasting
- High-Quality
- Heat-Treated
- Delivers 55 ft/lbs Torque
- Offers 170 RPM Free Speed
Cons
- It doesn’t come with a protective case.
2 DEWALT 3/8-inch Air Ratchet
Best Air Ratchet – DEWALT 3/8
The DEWALT 3/8-inch Air Ratchet is another great tool that can make removing bolts a breeze. When you need to assemble something as quickly as possible, tightening each screw by hand can make it seem like forever. However, this air ratchet wrench can speed up the process and allow you to get the job done within a few short minutes. It can also be used to disassemble projects just as quickly. But you should keep in mind that it’s not made to compete with impact wrenches that can make a tightened bolt last a few decades. This model is ideal for a quick screw installing or removing process.
DeWalt Industrial Tool Company is an American manufacturer that offers a wide range of hand tools and power tools. The company was founded in 1924 and they focus on the construction, manufacturing, and woodworking industries. You can find a very wide range of tools made by DeWalt available almost anywhere in the world. They focus on making some of the best tools that can make the work of mechanics and constructors as easy as possible. More than that, they stand proud behind the quality of each and every product made by them.
This air ratchet wrench weighs just 2.6 pounds. This makes it exceptionally lightweight and perfect for long hours of removing nuts and bolts. Another reason why lightweight air ratchets are important is that you’ll be able to work in awkward tight spaces a lot longer. It will also reduce fatigue and allow you to get the job done faster.
The DeWalt 3/8-inch Air Ratchet is made of aluminum and it uses air as a power source. This means that this model is a pneumatic ratchet wrench. It’s very easy to use and maneuver.
Features
Buy on Amazon!
Thanks to the 160 RPM it can offer, this model is great for high power fastening. And if you know someone that is a DIY enthusiast, this little machine makes a great gift. It’s very compact and almost anyone can use it. However, it’s highly recommended to keep it away from children. And if you won’t be using it for a while, it’s ideal to store it in a dry place without allowing the sun to shine directly on it. If you have to remove a few extremely stubborn bolts, you’ll need to break them free by hand then use this air ratchet to finish. It will speed up the process considerably.
With its easy-to-maintain design, you can enjoy this little helper for a very long time. And if it spits out oil during use, you need to make sure it’s constantly oiled up. It’s also a little noisy for an air ratchet. As mentioned before, this machine is only meant to speed up the process.
The DEWALT 3/8-inch Air Ratchet can deliver an excellent 65 ft/lbs torque. This makes it great for both tightening and removing screws. It has a fixed square as a head style and it comes with a touch control trigger. You will be able to switch the way the drive spins without any effort. Using this air ratchet will help you save time while also making your work environment a little bit safer. If you remove countless bolts by hand you risk getting an injury, especially if you’re in a hurry. But this machine will do the work for you. And you will also benefit from a 3-year warranty and a lifetime of great customer support.
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Durable
- Long-Lasting
- Good Quality
- Touch Control Trigger
- Offers 160 RPM For High Power Fastening
- Aluminum Body Design With a Closed Head
Cons
- Loud
3 Craftsman 3/8-inch Ratchet Wrench
Best Air Ratchet – Craftsman 3/8
The last one on our list is the Craftsman 3/8-inch Ratchet Wrench. It’s a high-quality air ratchet that can be used almost anywhere. It’s very easy to use and it can easily fit in tight spaces where an impact wrench can’t be freely maneuvered.
If you have to deal with rusted bolts, you might want to consider a stronger wrench, like an impact model. But if you only need to make removing fairly loose screws as fast as possible, this air ratchet is a great option. You can start removing them by hand, then let this small machine finish the job for you. It will speed up the process considerably.
Craftsman is an American company that focuses on manufacturing tools, lawn, and garden equipment. It was founded in 1927 and it makes some of the best tools and lawnmowers on the market. The company only uses the latest technology available and its products are made from the best materials. They always try to make their tools as durable as possible, and they stand strong behind their products. This company can offer products with superior quality while also maintaining an accessible price tag.
This air ratchet wrench weighs only 2.44 lbs and is made from metal and plastic. The unit is also 10 inches long which allows you to reach bolts that are placed in awkward places. When it comes to its power source, this air ratchet is hydraulic-powered. And it can also offer a great torque of 70 ft/lbs. This is all you need for a fast disassembling process without putting much effort into it.
Since the body is made of plastic and metal, you need to keep in mind that dropping can easily damage it. This model is made for light-duty work.
Features
Buy on Amazon!The Craftsman 3/8-inch Ratchet Wrench features an air inlet size of 1/4 inches. It also has an easy-to-use trigger that allows you to either tighten a bolt or loosen it up. You can keep it in your toolbox as it’s very compact and it can be carried anywhere. More than that, this model also makes a very good gift to a DIY lover. This is because of how fast it’s capable of removing nuts and bolts. It can also be used to tighten screws when you’re in a hurry. This model is not designed for heavy-duty work, but it’s more than great for light-duty jobs.
For such a small air ratchet, it has a pretty powerful motor. However, this also means that it’s a little bit louder than other air ratchet wrenches on the market. If you need to spend a lot of time removing hundreds of bolts and nuts, this little machine can help you out. It’s specifically designed to be as ergonomic as possible so it can reduce fatigue. This model is not the lightest air ratchet on the market, but it still greatly reduces fatigue in the long run.
Thanks to the unique variable speed throttle, this air ratchet features precise control of the speed and power of the tool. It also features a ball and socket retainer for secure socket storage. You will also enjoy its forward and reverse switch.
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Decent Quality
- Ergonomic Design
- Offers 70 ft/lbs Torque
- Can Fit In Tighter Spaces
- Unique Variable Speed Throttle
Cons
- Loud
- Plastic and Metal Design
Conclusion
Air ratchets are a must for anyone that needs a fast way to remove nuts and bolts. They can be very easy to use and it’s a lot more lightweight than impact wrenches. In this list, we only chose the models that offer a good performance while also coming with an affordable price tag. And all these models are great for light-duty jobs but not ideal for heavy-duty work.
