MGB & GT Forum

In my browsing of facebook and instagram, I see a lot of mechanics using cordless drills and or ratchets to work. I learned to work on cars in the 90s and have always used hand ratchets. Is there any use in getting a cordless tool?

I know there are instances where a beefy cordless impact driver is good, but how about for everyday stuff?

I can see using them for disassembly, though I'd be worried about stripping the head. And for re-assembly I'm not sure how you would measure torque to 'mechanics' tight'

I don't really need one, but I got kind of curious

Would you get one of the right angle ones, or a smaller 12V drill, or just use an 18V drill??

I have a Ryobi cordless ratchet. It's a life saver in cases where it's a pain to keep ratcheting, either because it's a hard to reach situation or lots of bolts where a drill won't fit, but I don't use it as often as I envisioned when I ordered. I still mostly use manual ratchets.

I’ve got a Bosch 12V impact driver that’s one of my favorite tools. It’s 1/4” hex drive (like screwdriver bits). I use 1/4”, 3/8” and 1/2” square adapters to use it with sockets. I use it mostly to save time running bolts or nuts in or out, but use a hand ratchet to initially loosen the fasteners and for snugging them up. It’s also great for use as a screwdriver.

I have a cordless ratchet from harbor freight. It does save time and effort for disassembly. I rarely use it for assembly and only for extra long bolts with a nut on the other end. I only really end up pulling it off the shelf if I'm doing a big job, like a transmission replacement. I also have a small impact driver, but it's not very useful other than for removing lots of screws on a modern car (e.g. the tray under the engine).

I have a Dewalt cordless drill. You can set the torque to keep from stripping fasteners. It makes it an excellent tool for running a nut onto a stud.

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I would never join any club, that would have me as a member. - G. Marx

I have a Milwaukee 12v cordless ratchet. As my wrists age I find it is very useful for loosening and running in bolts and nuts. I just use it to snug up the fasteners then finish them off either with a manual ratchet which gives better feel, or if required, a torque wrench (although the battery ratchet maxes out at 30lbft). I also have a screwdriver, small impact, a drill and a rotary tool which take the same batteries, which charge in 15 minutes and last a long time. As for an impact, I have a Milwaukee 18v impact which I mainly use for removing fasteners. I use the same procedure as with the 12v ratchet to tighten. The impact uses the same batteries as my small shop vac, string trimmer, leaf blower, sawzall and oscillating saw. I am looking at getting a Milwaukee battery adaptor for our Dyson cordless home vacuum to improve it's performance.
The Milwaukee tools are excellent quality and real arthritis savers. The leaf blower is useful for blowing off the car after washing as well.

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Modern MGs aren't just Transportation, They're a Hobby!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024-09-11 02:41 PM by Rich in Vancouver.

The pros certainly seem to use them a lot. They are under great pressure to get a job done in "book" time. I use hand tools, but my friend (a pro) does use the power versions.

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Terry Ingoldsby
terry.ingoldsby@DCExperts.com

I started mechanicing back in the '60's with air tools. Back in the day I couldn't live without my SnapOn 3/8" compact air ratchet. Cordless is the way to go for most jobs.

I love my Home Depot Husky cordless ratchet. Got it on sale for $29. It does not have much torque, but it is compact and fits into small places. I also have the Dewalt 12v series 3/8" compact impact. My 18V 1/2" impact is a real work horse. Watch for sales around Thanksgiving-Christmas.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-3-8-in-Drive-12-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Ratchet-H38CPRAT/305713305

https://www.dewalt.com/product/dcf902b/xtreme-12v-max-brushless-38-cordless-impact-wrench-tool-only

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I am a little behind the times on the cordless stuff.
I used a Snap on cordless 3/8 for years.
I have Dewalt 12v for cordless drills and a larger 20v 1/2 drill.
If I were to buy more I would go with a 20v Milwaukee format.
But the cordless tools do wear out.

An impact driver is a must have for loosening things without breaking bolts.

I've went for the cordless option for years now. It saves a lot of time, frustration and hand pain. I haven't had any tool problems but I also am overly careful with my tools and batteries. My charging station is in a climate controlled area. I made a fire box cabinet for the charging area but I have not ever had a battery overheat during charging. I'm in Kansas where temps can be challenging (from 110 to -10). If I use a cordless tool in high heat it goes back to controlled temp after usage. I started using cordless in 1997 and of the 14 18v, 10 12v batteries I have had or have I have only had one battery fail as it will not accept a charge. Most of my air tools are rarely used anymore unless I am doing an extended run project like sanding a large area or porting a head.

for automotive I use Milwaukee 12v:
* 3/8 impact driver with torque settings is used for both removal and initial install. Final torque is by hand
* 3/8 ratchets are mostly for places the 3/8 impact doesn't fit as the torque ability is low. Final torque is by hand
* 1/4 impact driver with torque settings is mostly for screws or small nuts, removal YAY! and some initial install. Final Torque is by hand
* 90 degree die grinder, I got this mainly for sharpening lawn mower blades between full removal sharpening. I have found I use it a lot more then I expected for all kinds of things and is my current favorite
* hacksaw is another love it
* flush cut saw, I got this more for wood and other projects but keep finding places to use it on my car projects
Milwaukee 18v:
*1/2 impact is great for lug nut and various large bolts/nuts. Final torque is by hand

Ryobi 18v:
* angle grinder
* DA sander
* Sawzall
* DA polisher

I guess the takeaway for me is final torque by hand, take care of the batteries

I won't get into the other tools like yard tools but Ryobi 40v has been very good for me.

I haven't used my air tools for a few years now. The cordless ones (1/4" drill. 1/4" impact driver, 3/8" impact wrench, 3/8" ratchet) are just more convenient. The advantages: quieter in the garage (no need to keep the compressor running), no air hoses to deal with, ready to used instantly (as opposed to waiting for the compressor to build pressure). Also nice when I want to do something that isn't within reach of my 50' air hose! My 1/2" impact is corded, but that's still easier to use than the air version. About all I use air for now is filling tires and cleaning stuff with the blow gun.

I do use a wrench, ratchet or torque wrench for final tightening. It's easy to do things like running lug nuts up close to tight, then finish them by hand. I just start the nuts by hand a couple of turns, give the impact trigger one quick squeeze, then finish by hand. The momentum of that one quick squeeze runs the nuts down about finger tight or a little more.

When shopping you've got basically three size batteries, the small compact 3/8" impacts typically us a smaller battery, the 1/2" impacts are usually at least 18-20 volts, really great for zipping lug nuts off and other heavy fittings, then large 40volt outdoor power equipment like blowers, weed eaters, chainsaws and the like.

For the small, medium and large batteries shop around for the set of tools that best fit your needs and compare cost across the families of products each offers.

The Ryobi medium battery size family is great, a really broad range of devices, they won't stand up to commercial use but for most home operations is more than adequate and the price point is good.

It all depends on the situation (space, time, convenience). If you have to do lots of one thing, or long threads that are tight/rusty, then the power is nice. But you are right, final torquing is dicey with power. Hand application, with a torque wrench if accuracy is needed, is best.
A variety of tools makes some impossible jobs easy. Besides combination end wrenches, I have sockets, deep-wall sockets, flare wrenches, crowfeet, racheting wrenches, jam nut wrenches, vicegrips, pliers, pipe wrenches, and probably some more.
The new-fangled wrenches that try to grip a range of sizes don't. They're and will bust your knuckles.
And you don't have to buy the highest quality, if you're a hobbyist.

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The important thing is not to get ahead, but to get along.

I use Dewalt 20v tools. Drill, grinder, 3/8 & 1/2" impacts, flashlight, small vacuum and circular saw. My garage has seen 3 complete restorations, including a ton of panel replacement, and after years of fighting with tool cords and extensions I decided to go cordless. They really are a game changer for someone who spends great amounts of time in the garage. No cords or hoses to trip on, no running of the loud air compressor and air tools. The drill, grinder and impacts get used all the time. I would not have purchased the flashlight but it was a freebie and I do use it. The circular saw is very handy for cutting wood off site. I take it to The Ho Depot when picking up lumber that won't fit in the SUV. Rough cut it to lengths required and go.

I wouldn't purchase the vacuum again. It has no guts.