Anyone use an air ratchet on their Mini or is it a waste of money?

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Yes 3/8 drive........1/4 drive is next on my list (SP air and Scorpian ive found to be quite good)

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDMkVq1jRGU

I've got one, it's hyper quick if you are doing a lot of work (lifting an engine out and stripping down for example), and can use or the normal sockets, extensions and universals in your tool kit. It torques up to about 30 ft/lbs @ 100 psi. It's a supercrap item, but it's worked well. I got it when I picked up a compressor once.

Not worth getting it out, setting it up, rolling out the hose, flashing up the compressor and then clearing it up again for only a couple of nuts and bolts however.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Air ratchets are pretty good. If I had the compressor set up I would use it if not I wouldnt bother.

A rattle gun on the other hand was more useful, mainly with the engine and suspension rebuild.

Just get one you can never have enough tools.

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I agree!

Rattle gun is also on the list, but you then need the rattle gun sockets... they gotta be exxy?!

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Essential for the home mechanic working in a driveway - neighbours think you're practicing for your position in a pit crew at Bathurst...

I use mine all the time, very handy especially for changing or rotating tyres.

Rattle gun sockets are not much more than normal.
Air ratchets are good till you add an extention bar then they wobble and do nothing.
I would reccomend a 3/8 butterfly rattle gun, they dont have a handle.
The rocking trigger lays on top otf the gun.

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Dean Hutton's first car was a Mini.

Dont buy a cheapy rattle gun.......the viens were really quick and they dont last long even if you dont use it often ,chicago pnumatic, shimano, Snap-On are the brands i have used and have done thier job well. The best one i have used and still have that has never needed a rebuild is the Snap-On but is worth its weight in gold...had it for almost 10 years.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDMkVq1jRGU

A decent quality 3/8" rattle gun & don't forget to oil it.

It is ideal for doing "pit stop" wheel changes. No need for a rattle gun, the air ratchet does mini wheel studs up just nicely without stripping them.

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Too many cars, and too little time.

Cheap rattle guns have very little torque. My gun cost about $200 but has a torque rating of 500ft/lb, great for getting that flywheel bolt off. I just use normal sockets, have meant to get some HD sockets for years but as I haven't busted a socket I probably won't bother. It'll likely break a cheapie Chinese socket on a stuck nut but a decent quality socket is fine.

Air ratchets are a little awkward to use because the air hose gets in the road but on a nut or bolt that has limited access it can be a godsend, you just press the button and away it goes.

Another great tool is the wobble bar. For those that don't have one, it is a socket extension with curved facets on the end that allow the socket to wobble a bit. Works like a universal joint only much more positive. I have them in all sizes. Brilliant.

Pete

I have had three air ratchets,

I used a spare Wurth 3/8" air ratchet at work for about a year before buying my own (it is still going strong). I then bought a Blue Point 3/8" which was good but the clutch failed in the head within about 3 months. I recently bought a Snap On 3/8" one which is fantastic it is much more gutsy but the same size than both the Wurth and Blue Point products.

Wurth ones are about $360 and the Snap On was about $475 but I traded in my blue point one for it under warranty.

Matt

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