A very dumb tool question

[Sigarms]

So the question you have to ask is whether he does mostly large,high torque fasteners or small but numerous fasteners(the latter for me).

Most likely the latter for my son as well.

 

[Sigarms]

Appreciate the feedback everyone.

Kind of what I was thinking, specific tool for a specific job.

Have a couple M12's myself for other daily areas (not car work). Can kind of get expensive. They like to nail you on the batteries. Luckily I have an extra charger he can have.

 

[Rustyiron]

Idk if HF has gift certificates and I know it's not as personal as sending him a tool, but they have 1/4" (useless imo) and 3/8" in both short and long body configurations.
They (HF) are certainly just fine for the hobbyist and an affordable way for a young man to begin building his toolbox.
I have a fair share of HF wrenching stuff and have never broken one.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I have the M12 small battery version of that electric ratchet in 1/4 and 3/8 sizes. It's much smaller & lighter than the larger battery model, but the larger batteries will fit if necessary. Much easier to get into tight places. Small battery still has enough juice for most repetitive jobs and I have yet to exhaust one during a project.

Love the tool! Saves lots of time when working with multiple fasteners.

Also looking at the electric wrench but if I need more torque, I just use a conventional ratchet or torque wrench.
Less risk of overtightening with the ratchet.

 

[LouNY]

So the question you have to ask is whether he does mostly large,high torque fasteners or small but numerous fasteners(the latter for me).
Don't be fooled when you see someone using a device to r&r lugnuts, it's probably fuel canister powered and all battery does is supply ignition.

Not sure were you are coming from with this. My Milwaukee M18 1/2" impact has about a 1000 ft. lb of removal torque.
It certainly can remove most lugnuts and tighten them using a 110 ft. lb torque stick.

 

[WM75Guy]

I would think deciding on the battery system going forward is key to cordless tool purchases. Like you said, they get you on the batteries. I have the Dewalt 20V Max 3/8" ratchet. It is pretty spendy now at $200 for the tool only but I bought it on sale and have plenty of batteries. It does well for assembly and disassembly work. For harder stuff I go for the 1/2" cordless impact or switch to air or hand tools.

HF has a Bauer 20V 3/8" ratchet tool only for $60. A 2-pack of 5A batteries is on sale for $80. Plus they have a 15% off coupon for this weekend. Might be a good start to see how he likes a cordless ratchet.

 

[WinterDeere]

During the moment of highest torque...

A ¼" ratchet may give you a bruise.

A ½" wrench will draw blood if your not paying attention.

I have used both but they were both air powered.

^ This. I have air ratchets, and also impact drivers, multiples of each in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2". I hate the air ratchets, every time I pull one out of the tool box I figure there's a 50/50 chance my knuckles will be bleeding in the next 5 minutes. But they're a necessary evil, as there are times when they're the only practical tool that will fit in the hole in which I'm working.

Something the shape of an air ratchet, but which had an impact function, would be both awesome for the user and brutal on hardware.