Milwaukee M12 Fuel Cordless High Speed Ratchet Review

Speed is the name of the game for the Milwaukee Cordless Ratchets

There's nothing like the feeling of having a good quality ratchet in your hand and having another Saturday to tackle your latest project. But if your paycheck depends on your productivity, you don't have the luxury of a slow pace, which is where the Milwaukee M12 Fuel Cordless High-Speed Ratchet can be your best friend. We put them in the hands of diesel mechanic Isaac Leuchtefeld to see what he learned after putting them to work.

advantage

• Quick bolt removal/installation
• good balance
• light
• Quick trigger response
• Various grip options

shortcoming

• Not as much torque as some cordless ratchets

For the latest generation of Milwaukee cordless ratchet options, you have four models to choose from. The extended version matches the standard length in performance and adds 3 1/4 inches of length. It's really just a matter of which tools you need for the way you work.

• 2566-20: 1/4" standard length
• 2567-20: 3/8" standard length
• 2568-20: 1/4" extension
• 2569-20: 3/8" extension

Milwaukee M12 Fuel Cordless High Speed Ratchet Performance

• Brushless Motor
• 35 foot-pounds of torque
• 450 rpm
• Variable speed trigger with lockout

As part of the M12 fuel system, all four models feature a brushless motor that gives you up to 35 foot-pounds of torque and a quick 450 RPM top speed. Control comes primarily from pneumatic variable speed paddle triggers. It has a locking mechanism so you can prevent it from opening accidentally.

As we've come to expect from any cordless ratchet, you can also use them by hand in case you need to give more energization to the fastener than the motor itself.

The level of performance is not the same as Milwaukee's early ratchets. Here's a quick look at how they compare:

You'll have a noticeable trade-off in torque with the high-speed models, especially on the 3/8-inch models. On the diesel engine Isaac is working on, there are more fasteners that he needs to activate manually. The plus side is that once loosened, they come off much faster.

Milwaukee M12 Fuel Cordless High Speed Ratchet Design Explained

• 3/4" Head Profile
• steel yoke shell
• led lights
• On-board battery level indicator
• Provide a protective case
• Compatible with all M12 batteries

Wireless ratchets don't need to be complicated, and Milwaukee avoided overcomplicating the M12 Fuel model with a lot of bells and whistles. The 3/4" head profile is small enough to get into most of the same spots as a standard ratchet, and the steel bracket housing adds strength to the structure.

LED lights can be useful when you're entering darker areas where it's difficult for your headlights or neck lights to get in.

If you come from the world of pneumatics, you'll notice that the handle section has a large girth to make room for the battery. It's something to be aware of, but one gets used to quickly.

You can use any Milwaukee M12 battery to power it, but most of the time a compact battery pack is your best choice. The extended-capacity battery pack protrudes from the bottom to make room for additional batteries that might get in the way when you reach deep into the engine bay. No matter which battery you have, there is an indicator on the tool to help you keep an eye on the charge level.

Dimensions and weight vary depending on the model you use. They stack up like this:

All in all, the weight is very reasonable, even if you are used to air ratchets. They are also tools of equalization. Even the reach ratchet isn't as front-heavy as other ratchets.

price

The standard and extended models have slightly different pricing, but they all come with the same 5-year warranty. In addition to the options below, there are some combo kits and protective boots ($29.99).

the bottom line

You can certainly increase your productivity with the Milwaukee M12 Fuel Cordless High Speed Ratchet Wrench. The cool thing is these don't replace earlier versions. If you prefer a higher torque/lower speed combo, you can still get it. What these really do is help you get exactly what you need. While some people may only need one model, professionals may find that they can use multiple models as part of a larger cordless system to fully complete their work.

Visit Milwuakee's website to discover more power tools!