Milwaukee has recently announced two new cordless power tools – M12 Fuel high speed ratchets in 1/4″ and 3/8″ sizes.
Milwaukee says their new M12 Fuel high speed ratchets offer best-in-class productivity, thanks to the fastest speeds in the industry for installing and removing fasteners.
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As with Milwaukee’s other cordless ratchets, they’re going after pneumatic tools, with claims of rivaled performance.
The new Milwaukee cordless ratchets are said to be the fastest cordless ratchets on the market.
Their higher-powered M12 Fuel cordless ratchets operate at up to 200 RPM. These two new have variable speed switches and a top speed of 450 RPM.
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Milwaukee also says that they have the most compact head size, allowing the ratchets to easily work in cramped spaces.
The new brushless motor ratchets are said to deliver up to 35% faster speeds than other solutions presently on the market.
Both ratchets are rated at delivering 35 ft-lbs max torque.
A protective rubber boot accessory will be available separately.
The ratchets ship with a recessed direction selection knob, but optional tall shift knob assemblies will be available separately.
Here’s what the new ratchet design looks like with the tall shift knob assembly in place. The ratchet head is not quite as compact, but it’s nice to have the option and ability to change it out.
In case you’re wondering, no, you cannot use the assembly to change the 1/4″ drive ratchet into a 3/8″ ratchet and vise-versa. Product imagery of the packaging shows that both optional assemblies are model-spesific.
Features, Specifications, and Pricing
Milwaukee M12 FUEL 1/4″ High Speed Ratchet (2566-22)
- 1/4″ drive
- 35 ft-lbs max torque
- 450 RPM max speed
- 11.1″ length with battery
- Weighs 2.1 lbs with battery
The 2566-22 kit includes the ratchet, (2) M12 CP 2.0Ah batteries, charger, and carrying case.
The ratchet will also be available as a bare tool (2566-20).
Price: $179 for the bare tool, $259 for the kit
ETA: Feb 2021
Milwaukee M12 FUEL 3/8″ High Speed Ratchet (2567-22)
- 3/8″ drive
- 35 ft-lbs max torque
- 450 RPM max speed
- 11.1″ length with battery
- Weighs 2.1 lbs with battery
The 2567-22 kit includes the ratchet, (2) M12 CP 2.0Ah batteries, charger, and carrying case.
The ratchet will also be available as a bare tool (2567-20).
Price: $179 for the bare tool, $259 for the kit
ETA: Feb 2021
M12 Fuel High Speed Ratchet Accessories
- 1/4″ & 3/8″ High Speed Ratchet Protective Boot (49-16-2567)
- 1/4″ High Speed Ratchet Tall Shift Knob Assembly (49-06-2566)
- 3/8″ High Speed Ratchet Tall Shift Knob Assembly (49-09-2567)
Price: $29 for the boot, $35 for the optional tall shift knob in either size
Buy Now: 1/4″ Kit via Acme Tools
Buy Now: 1/4″ Kit via Ohio Power Tool
Buy Now: 3/8″ Kit via Acme Tools
Buy Now: 3/8″ Kit via Ohio Power Tool
Accessories
Rubber Boot via OPT
1/4″ Tall Switch via OPT
3/8″ Tall Switch via OPT
Discussion
Here are the 3 main selling points Milwaukee is going after with these new ratchets:
- Fastest cordless ratchet
- Most compact head size
- Greater durability
This is on top of their “rivals pneumatic tools” philosophy.
What’s interesting is that Milwaukee already has M12 Fuel cordless ratchets, which operate at 200 RPM and capable of up to 55 ft-lbs of max torque. The goal here with these ratchets is speed.
35 ft-lbs (420 in-lbs) is still a good deal of power.
What if you need more torque?
With Milwaukee’s other cordless ratchets, it is NOT recommended that you use them manually for initial loosening or final tightening tasks.
https://toolguyd.com/reader-question-milwaukee-cordless-ratchets-final-tightening/
However, this is what Milwaukee says about these new M12 Fuel high speed ratchets:
The new ratchets can also be used manually without engaging the motor, allowing users to break loose and snug tight fasteners that require more torque.
It’ll be interesting to know how the internal designs might be different so as to allow for this.
Milwaukee’s M12 Fuel cordless ratchets have been extremely popular. Now, with this expansion, you can choose between M12 brushed motor ratchets (for greater affordability), M12 Fuel, M12 Fuel extended length, and now M12 Fuel high speed.
These high speed ratchets will only be available in 1/4″ and 3/8″ sizes, presumably because users typically step up to a 1/2″ drive tool for more power.
Do you plan to upgrade to these new M12 Fuel high speed ratchets?
Matt C.
I have my eye on Milwaukee’s 2565-20 right angle impact wrench which is 20 bucks more. But it has 220 ft/lbs of “nut busting” torque. I also prefer to have the 1/2 drive so I can use my 1/2” drive impact sockets. Still this offers to be more compact (at the head at least) and the manual feature seems useful. I’d be interested in what people thought between the two. I guess they each have their pros/cons. For me, the nut busting torque is more important. But that is from a shade tree mechanic perspective where saving time is not the most important thing…
King duck
Me too I see those right angel impacts as a lot more useful if they ever go on sale or stay in stock I’m picking up 3/8” and probably 1/2”
Harry
I have the 3/8 drive version of the Milwaukee 90 degree impact and don’t care for it. It’s awkward to use in many applications. its balance isn’t great. No one’s nut busting torque is accurate. I wouldn’t recommend it.
Kent
That really needs to be bundled with the compact impact wrench, and w/o batteries.
Clos
Fastest??? Makita spins almost double at (0-800) RPM w/ 35 Ft. Lbs,
Admin Note: This commentor was discovered to be a senior manager at Makita USA.
bob
Unfortunately it doesn’t
https://youtu.be/-8yGSigHp1A?t=313
Tom D
I love channels like that and AvE that actually test the clams.
Er claims.
Jared
Milwaukee endorsing this for manual use is a bigger selling feature than the new top speed for me. Up until that part of the post I was thinking – this must be an assembly-specific product or something; I would prefer more torque to double the speed.
Using it manually changes that though – if you get stuck, just reef on it.
Jared
P.S. I also thought that was one of the selling features of the Husky. Husky’s version was treated to some heavy criticism from Toolguyd commenters because of the built-in battery, but it was also for a long time the only cordless ratchet that said you could use it manually (up to 200 ft/lbs I think).
Plain grainy
I’m going to invest in some drill chucks for these. Ratchet drive to drill chuck, 1/4 inch to drill chuck( impact guns), maybe a bigger adapter with 1/2 inch impact wrench.(with pins).
James C
I’ve used the first gen fuel 3/8 ratchet as a makeshift right angle driver to sink some screws within a stud bay. It works fine but not as good as a right angle drill, obviously (although more compact in some ways). Very slow.
Nathan
if the older ones go on sale it might tempt me.
I don’t know that that much speed is really that useful. I’m more concerns with how much torque you can apply with the body of it.
IE normal use would be break free the bolt with the ratchet – then power out. so yes the motor only applies some 35ft lbs. but can I knock off a 100 ft lb bolt with the body – then once free power it out.
the IR models tolerate this well. As far as I know the older Milwaukee’s seem to take it well. I know the MAC offering does this well. but speed I don’t know. runtime I think would be more important.
Tom D
I wonder if the calculus changes if you’re using this as an installation tool – imagine assembly line or similar. Then speed might be important.
tojen1981
I chose the brushed model over the gen1 fuel because they were just too big for engine bay work that I do. I want compact size over power. I’ll definitely be picking up the 3/8″ gen 2 and the extended switch in the near future. My 1/4″ brushed ratchet is still going strong for now.
Michael Daidone
Agreed, I gave my 3/8 fuel ratchet to my son as it was too big for my use. Went back to the brushed model. Might give this one a try.
Jonathon
I had both older 3/8 models and the fuel is the stronger one if much larger the brushed 1 I had to have head repaired at least 4 times. The only problem I have with the fuel is it doesn’t like constant torque hose clamps (spring loaded) . Guess something with the tension not letting ratchet teeth catch
D-Wrecked
Ugh… I really wish they would figure out how to move the reversal mechanism out of the head… I have 6 of these (3 of the first ones, and 3 of the newer bigger ones) and nearly all 6 of them I’ve been caught not paying attention and backed a bolt out and wedged it into something else with no access change the ratchet direction. In a couple of these cases a small pick or screwdriver can reverse it, but in more than one occasion I’ve been stuck having to cut the bolt to remove both the tool and the bolt…
I know it would add some thickness, but for us automotive techs, it sure would save some headaches.
Mike
For sure, after all, it’s DC! Just add a $. 50 switch. That won’t help a manual reverse, but it’s better than nothing.
Peter Fox
It is likely more complicated than just adding a switch.
The reason the reversing mechanism is in the head on both these M12 as well as air ratchets is that it is mechanical. the only way to change direction with they type of mechanism these are based on is to change which ratchet pawl is engaged. Reversing motor rotation will not change the direction of rotation.
The motors rotation is converted to a back and forth oscillatory motion of about 1/2 of the width of the ring gear like surface that the ratchet pawls engage. Like a piston type compressor changing motor direction does not change reciprocation of the mechanism.
Jared
I wonder if they could adapt a different type of mechanism. E.g. I’m thinking of a Wright open pawl ratchet I saw recently where the direction switch was accomplished by pushing on the part of the pawl that extends out the side.
Jared
Check out the Wright 14480 for example.
Peter Fox
My guess would be probably not.
Air or battery powered ratchets are based on or very similar to round head ratchets. They have the ratchet pawl or pawls mounted inside the rotation part (which is why the direction change switch is on the rotating part). And teeth that the parks engage are inside the overall housing like a ring gear. Which in the case of a powered ratchet part of the ring gear like section of teeth oscillates back and forth.
Pear head ratchets swap the locations of the pawl or pawls and the teeth they engage. The pawls are located in side the overall ratchet housing or handle and the teeth they engae is on the rotating part. It would be much harder to create a mechanism that would cause the pawl or pawls to oscillate side to side to impart rotation.
While I will not say it is impossible as milwaukee and others have really pushed the limits on cordless tools. Outside of some serious creativity or ingenious mechanism it think it is unlikely we will see major changes in the design of these tools.
D-Wrecked
I’m wondering if it would be as simple as having an internal shaft that you slide up or down to move the pawls for forward or reverse. you could put the sliding mechanism down on the body and have minimal thickness increase.
Peter Fox
Given that the in the case of a powered ratchet the pawls and reversing mechanism are in the rotating part. Actuating the reversing mechanism remotely would be challenging.
If it were easy or practical someone would have already done it and it would probably be on the market.
Jim Felt
Nice updates. We’ve got two present Fuel models but this one feature:
“The ratchets ship with a recessed direction selection knob, but optional tall shift knob assemblies will be available separately.”
Is something almost worth getting these new models for. As the short versions always seem like a pain to rapidly switch directions with. As our other similar ratchet brands have a simple forward and reverse switch.
We’ve also used those boots on occasion so that’s a nice add for some uses.
Always some darn perceived “new improved” tool…
James C
I wonder why they don’t just put a high / low gear option on there (like with drills). It would add a little length to the tool body but it seems possible. Am I missing something or will that be gen 3?
Matt
I’ll be a sucker for one next Black Friday. I bought the M12 Right Angle Drill last year and the fact that I can use a socket adapter via the drill chuck takes the urgency off needing/wanting this ratchet. But it’s on the short list. M12 consistently punches above its weight class.
Lynyrd
I’m so glad I held off on getting a the current Brushless ratchet (I have a 3/8, 1/4 brushed). The heads are just too large. As long as you can utilize manual pressure, torque, is much less a need in a Cordless Ratchet.
Never satisfied, here’s hope an updated Extended Ratchet is out soon!
Steve
Nice. I have the older one and it is annoyingly slow. What I’d like to see them do is somehow reinforce the handle with a bit more metal to hold onto so you can break/tighten the nut manually and not worry about cracking the plastic. Maybe the long reach models fit the bill?
Brian A
I have 6 different ratchets, both non-fuel ones, all 3 fuel ones, and 1 extended fuel. Now there is this one. It makes me think why didnt they make some bad a$$ ratchet with adjustable length + power + speed instead…. oh because then they wouldn’t sucker me into buy 5 ratchets between 3 different models. I will buy the 3/8 high speed eventually, even though I feel the max speed may actually be a little too fast.
Oh better yet give me a powered ratchet that has many speeds, multiple power settings, an adjustable extending head, AND make it a digital torque wrench. I would gladly pay $1000 for it if I hadn’t already spent it on all my other fuel ratchet purchases.