unclebud Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 I have several M18 gen 2 tools. I am wanting to get into the M12 line. I am trying to decide between the 3/8 and 1/4 ratchets. (2457 and 2456) models. Am also wandering why the 1/4" is $10 higher. I am a mechanic at a Caterpillar dealership, I use both 3/8 and 1/4 regular ratchets daily. Do you guys have a preference on which of these ratchets to get ? Any and all info would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo1310 Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 The 3/8 has more power but not sure why the 1/4 is more money. I recently used my 3/8 m12 to change a timing belt and saved me a lot time. The light works great too. Did all the work with one 2.0 battery and still had some juice left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Glassey Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 Can't speak for everyone but for myself I have the 1/4" and it seems to me to be a little stronger for some reason. I'm not using it to wrench larger fasteners but you can use it to crack lose a tight nut/bolt if you have too. And it doesn't feel like it's going to break on you. They tend to run a little slow but faster then manual. I would recommend giving them a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnarlyCarl Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 I have the 3/8" m12 ratchet, didn't really consider the 1/4" to be honest, I have all the 3/8" sockets I need to get down to the smaller heads on different fasteners. I don't work on automotive or equipment like you do for a 1/4" to be something I would consider. I really like the 3/8" ratchet, it can tighten down bolts while I hold the nut while running unistrut or like material, and it gets it tight enough just on its own.I guess if I was in your position, I would buy both! Because I can never have enough m12 tools! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnarlyCarl Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 Can't speak for everyone but for myself I have the 1/4" and it seems to me to be a little stronger for some reason. I'm not using it to wrench larger fasteners but you can use it to crack lose a tight nut/bolt if you have too. And it doesn't feel like it's going to break on you. They tend to run a little slow but faster then manual. I would recommend giving them a try.Seems to be a little stronger than what? just wondering what you were comparing it to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboS1ice Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 Just get the 3/8 and use a reduced, the 3/8 Rachet Kit comes with a reducer I think.JimboSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Glassey Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 Then the 3/8" when I wrench on a stuck fastener it doesn't feel like it will break but the 3/8" just feels like it would. John, Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk[emoji848] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Glassey Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 I knew this was going to be confusing my answer, because I really can't explain my explanation of the way it feels. John, Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk[emoji848] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnarlyCarl Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 So the 3/8" feels like it would break(the tools itself) if you're using it to wrench on a bolt, but the 1/4" feels like it will hold together better? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stercorarius Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 I'm always scared to really pull on my 3/8 because it feels like something will break. My coworkers will lean their whole weight into pulling their 3/8 and they have no problems. The ratchet just feels deceptively weak. Get the 3/8. Don't know how it will compete with a pneumatic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unclebud Posted February 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 I guess I will start with the 3/8. I did email Milwaukee and asked if they had any plans to make a brushless ratchet this year, since the 2457 has been out for 4 or 5 years, and his reply was they have no immediate plans to offer a brushless ratchet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnarlyCarl Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 I do agree with pulling on the 3/8" ratchet doesn't seem like a good idea, so i tend to hold it closer to the head when I need to give it some extra torque, just so the plastic body isn't compromised. I got a used snap on air ratchet a few years ago and that thing I can wrench on it like a regular ratchet and it feels like it can take it without a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DR99 Posted February 6, 2016 Report Share Posted February 6, 2016 I guess I will start with the 3/8. I did email Milwaukee and asked if they had any plans to make a brushless ratchet this year, since the 2457 has been out for 4 or 5 years, and his reply was they have no immediate plans to offer a brushless ratchet.You never know those guys reps are last in line when it comes to new tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocket1420 Posted February 6, 2016 Report Share Posted February 6, 2016 Could the 1/4" feel stronger because you're wrenching on smaller bolts? I have both, but I have yet to use the 1/4." It is annoying that they are the same size body, but I guess the diameter is set by the battery pack. I often wish that you could swivel the body (or the head, depending on your perspective) so that the trigger isn't smashed again whatever you're trying to loosen. I use the 3/8" a lot, but often need an extension. I generally use an impact to loosen, but I like to use the ratchet to tighten things down since there's almost zero change that it will overtorque the fastener. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Logan Posted February 6, 2016 Report Share Posted February 6, 2016 I would go with the 3/8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
77Ford Posted February 6, 2016 Report Share Posted February 6, 2016 You can pick up the 1/4 ratchet along with the drill kit for $169 on HD.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redmed Posted February 7, 2016 Report Share Posted February 7, 2016 Just get the 3/8 and use a reduced, the 3/8 Rachet Kit comes with a reducer I think.JimboSent from my iPhone using TapatalkI would guess that both the 3/8 & 1/4 are the exactly the same except for the drive. Glasseyi probably just has a 1/4 that was assembled better than the 3/8. I would follow Jimbo's advice and get the 3/8 and use a reducer for 1/4 stuff. Myself I use the M12 3/8 all the time but when it comes to 1/4 stuff I usually just grab a regular 1/4 ratchet with a extension, loosen all with the ratchet real quick then spin the nuts/bolts off with the extension & socket like a screwdriver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboS1ice Posted February 7, 2016 Report Share Posted February 7, 2016 I would guess that both the 3/8 & 1/4 are the exactly the same except for the drive. Glasseyi probably just has a 1/4 that was assembled better than the 3/8. I would follow Jimbo's advice and get the 3/8 and use a reducer for 1/4 stuff. Myself I use the M12 3/8 all the time but when it comes to 1/4 stuff I usually just grab a regular 1/4 ratchet with a extension, loosen all with the ratchet real quick then spin the nuts/bolts off with the extension & socket like a screwdriver.The 1/4" has a little less pounds of torque than the 3/8"JimboSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redmed Posted February 8, 2016 Report Share Posted February 8, 2016 The 1/4" has a little less pounds of torque than the 3/8"JimboSent from my iPhone using TapatalkCould that because the 1/4 head has slightly less mass than the 3/8? Otherwise the rest is the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unclebud Posted February 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2016 Received another email from Milwaukee today, stating the 1/4 and 3/8 M12 ratchets will be around for another year. I was so hoping for a brushless fuel ratchet. I am going to get the 3/8 this week and when the new ones come out I will get one of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboS1ice Posted February 8, 2016 Report Share Posted February 8, 2016 Could that because the 1/4 head has slightly less mass than the 3/8? Otherwise the rest is the same. Yea i would think so, or the smaller drive size as well. Probably some math over our heads involved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwain Posted February 9, 2016 Report Share Posted February 9, 2016 Could that because the 1/4 head has slightly less mass than the 3/8? Otherwise the rest is the same. the mass of the square drive has nothing to do with how much torque the motor can deliver. the extra mass (of the 3/8 drive) that the motor needs to turn would, if anything, reduce the torque that can be delivered to the fastener, but it would be so tiny that it's inconsequential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millerzconstruction Posted February 9, 2016 Report Share Posted February 9, 2016 Seems to be a little stronger than what? just wondering what you were comparing it to3/8Millerz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comp56 Posted February 9, 2016 Report Share Posted February 9, 2016 if your going to let a M12 battery rap your knuckles may as well get the most powerful one to do it.....lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocket1420 Posted February 9, 2016 Report Share Posted February 9, 2016 I would guess that both the 3/8 & 1/4 are the exactly the same except for the drive. Glasseyi probably just has a 1/4 that was assembled better than the 3/8. I would follow Jimbo's advice and get the 3/8 and use a reducer for 1/4 stuff. Myself I use the M12 3/8 all the time but when it comes to 1/4 stuff I usually just grab a regular 1/4 ratchet with a extension, loosen all with the ratchet real quick then spin the nuts/bolts off with the extension & socket like a screwdriver. The whole drive (well almost whole) assembly is different, which includes the anvil. This is why the 3/8 creates more torque. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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