I used to use dewalt when doing carpentry but kept blowing gearboxes so I moved on to red for most cordless things. They held up much better (with a few exceptions like a sawzall that doesn't like to work).
Tool Deals Thread
- Thread starter JC99
- Start date
12V technology has come a really long way. These tools are a lot different than ones from years ago and for many tasks around the home they are great. I prefer my 12V driver over my big 18V hammer drill as it’s just convenient and especially if using it in confined spaces or overhead. I got Milwaukee as it’s a highly reviewed brand and that’s what I'll get going forward for my 12V tools. Some Bosch ones get great reviews too. Now I just need some of the 12V Fuel tools to come on sale.
Mad Mike
Well-known member
I only have Milliwakee Fuel tools - it’s mainly for the ecosystem and the range of specialty tools I need.
In the last 12 mos they’ve replaced a sawzall, hackzall, and 2 drills under warranty. I’m lucky my son is a Milliwakee dealer, he swaps them over the counter - typically they are a week or two when sent out under warranty.
Milwaukee contest:
hhcontest.ca
Fathers Day Promotion – Milwaukee - HH Contest
EN | FR No purchase necessary. Open to age of majority residents of Canada. Contest starts May 26, 2026 at 12:01 A.M. ET and ends June 21, 2026 at 11:59 P.M. ET. Three (3) prizes available, consisting of Milwaukee tool prize packs valued between $1,000 and $5,000. Limit of two (2) entries per...
hhcontest.ca
Awesome, thanks! Ratchet wasn't something I thought I needed until now but as I look around I wonder how these knockoffs are in comparison. They say they have more than double the torque and the reviews are good. Brushless also.Milwaukee contest:
Fathers Day Promotion – Milwaukee - HH Contest
EN | FR No purchase necessary. Open to age of majority residents of Canada. Contest starts May 26, 2026 at 12:01 A.M. ET and ends June 21, 2026 at 11:59 P.M. ET. Three (3) prizes available, consisting of Milwaukee tool prize packs valued between $1,000 and $5,000. Limit of two (2) entries per...
My power ratchet is my every day dewalt drill plus these:
$10 for the three pack of drill to 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 1/4-Inch bit adapters. Impact grade.
Bought a set for the father in law a while back and I think he started liking me after that.
$10 for the three pack of drill to 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 1/4-Inch bit adapters. Impact grade.
Bought a set for the father in law a while back and I think he started liking me after that.
Dirty Frank
Well-known member
This is true but where power ratchets truly shine is applications where there are multiple fasteners of the same size that need turning.
Break them loose or finish torquing them down with a manual tool then save your arm by doing the bulk of the turning with power.
A common scenario in automotive and power sports service.
Reminder, a good mid-size drill can put out about 50 ft lbs of breakaway torque... you pair that with the adapter I posted for $9, and you don't need to use two tools for one job anymore, and that $100 you just saved on your power ratchet can go in your gas tank... Food for thought.
KLR Junkie
Well-known member
That's fine, if you can get a drill where you need it... Very few bolts in an engine bay are accessible with even a compact drill/driver.
I changed the oil on my seadoo this weekend and spent a good 5 minutes taking out one bolt from the filter cover plate. I only had enough space to get one click out of my shortest ratchet on each swing. A power ratchet would have zipped it out in 2 seconds (at which point the bolt probably would have fallen into the void of the hull). Every time I do a job like that I find myself wishing for an M12 ratchet. But even on sale I just can't justify it. Plus, I would have needed the 1/4" ratchet for the seadoo and I don't think I've ever seen it on sale.
Mad Mike
Well-known member
I did one of the most frustrating repairs I’ve ever done yesterday - changed the high pressure hose on my son’s Dodge C/V cargo van. Not hard to remove, I figured an hour job.
threading the line back into the pump took 4 hours of fiddling and cursing. It was a single hand access in a blind area - , feeling my way in an area that was so tight I could only fit one arm, around the sitting 2 fingers. The tightening using a stubby, 1/16th turn flip the wrench and repeat 80 times.
threading the line back into the pump took 4 hours of fiddling and cursing. It was a single hand access in a blind area - , feeling my way in an area that was so tight I could only fit one arm, around the sitting 2 fingers. The tightening using a stubby, 1/16th turn flip the wrench and repeat 80 times.
Mad Mike
Well-known member
Drills can be tough to use as replacements for impact guns. They deliver straight torque, my basic m18 hits 100lb of torque. The torque either goes to the fastener or your thumb or wrist, the drill doesn’t care. Thats enough torque to break a wrist.
Impacts won’t do that, the deliver height torque in blows, then back off.
Ever been torqued slapped by a stuck drill?
Wasn't suggesting it as a replacement for an impact gun. I was suggesting it as a replacement for power ratchet.
Mad Mike
Well-known member
Same problem either way - ratchet or impact. If the torque from the drill goes backwards into your hand… ouch!
That little side handle that comes with a high torque drill is more often than not tossed, or lost. Its primary purpose is to distribute reverse torque to two hands.
Yes, but like I said, one way costs you $100, the other way costs you $9. That was my point.
Mad Mike
Well-known member
What’s a broken thumb cost?
I don't know because I'm not stupid enough to use my drill on high torque bolts... Why are you worried that people are? Lol
Mad Mike
Well-known member
Not worried, just sharing some experience.
Nobody expects to be hurt using a drill. Even though it’s a simple tool, I’ve seen several injuries to people using the incorrectly.
I was stupid with a drill last year while using a 1.5” hole saw to put a power cord access hole in a cabinet for an over the range microwave. The saw bound and the drill torqued me in the face.
Explaining a black eye from something other than a sports injury or fight is embarrassing.
I removed the front fender on the R18 to add a fender extender and removing 4 torx bolts with a manual ratcheting socket wrench that only allowed limited travel showed me the value of this deal so I ordered it ... thanks to the OP for posting.
I’m a bit of a tool bargain junkie so once again, if the mods read this perhaps a dedicated tool deals thread (combined with a consumables deals like oil/fluids/cleaners etc) might be a good idea?
I’m a big believer that having the right tool for a job often makes things a lot easier so I tend to pick up things on sale when I see them (if the deal is good even when I may not need that tool right now).
I have a Rigid cordless power planer and a router that I picked up a while ago that will be used soon for a few jobs, adjusting some door heights and putting together a new arbour with some decorative parts.
The big purchase will be a cordless framing nailer if one comes around that fits my ecosystem and is on a steep discount. I picked up a cordless finish nailer a while back and it’s been absolutely brilliant for doing trim work. I got rid of my pneumatic stuff as it was a bit of a pain and the cordless stuff, although pricey, is just more convenient.
I’m a big believer that having the right tool for a job often makes things a lot easier so I tend to pick up things on sale when I see them (if the deal is good even when I may not need that tool right now).
I have a Rigid cordless power planer and a router that I picked up a while ago that will be used soon for a few jobs, adjusting some door heights and putting together a new arbour with some decorative parts.
The big purchase will be a cordless framing nailer if one comes around that fits my ecosystem and is on a steep discount. I picked up a cordless finish nailer a while back and it’s been absolutely brilliant for doing trim work. I got rid of my pneumatic stuff as it was a bit of a pain and the cordless stuff, although pricey, is just more convenient.
