Anyone who’s worked on cars long enough knows that breaking a bolt loose is usually only half the battle. Then comes the tedious part of turning it out, often a quarter-turn at a time because there’s barely enough room to swing a ratchet. That’s where a cordless ratchet earns its place in the tool box. It’s particularly handy around engine bays, under dashboards, and behind brackets where a regular ratchet can make a five-minute job feel like half an hour.
For a limited time at Amazon, the Craftsman V20 3/8-Inch Cordless Extended Ratchet is on sale for only $99, nearly 40% off its regular $159 price. This isn’t the standard short-body version, either. Craftsman added 4 inches of reach compared with the normal model, giving you a better shot at fasteners tucked deep inside an engine bay or other cramped spots. Another interesting feature is the interchangeable anvil system, which lets you switch between 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch, and 1/2-inch drives without buying three separate tools. Just remember that the battery and charger are sold separately.
Rare DealCraftsman rates the ratchet for up to 40 pound-feet of torque, with a variable-speed trigger that reaches 300 rpm. That’s plenty of speed for running out bolts after they’re loosened or spinning fasteners back in before final tightening. The housing is also oil-resistant, which makes sense for a tool that’s probably going to spend plenty of time around greasy engine parts and automotive fluids. Craftsman even claims it’s up to 15% faster than the comparable Ryobi extended-reach ratchet. For $99, it’s worth a look if you’re already running Craftsman V20 batteries and spend much time wrenching on cars, trucks, or equipment.
“This is a great addition to my power tools,” said one happy buyer. “It works great, fits in tight spots, and the weight is balanced well.”
Deals We’re Loving
- Craftsman Two-Pack Pliers, $17 (was $23) at Amazon
- Craftsman 230-Piece Mechanics Tool Set, $129 (was $199) at Amazon
- Craftsman 26-Piece Ratcheting Multibit Screwdriver, $16 (was $24) at Amazon
Name brands like Craftsman rarely go on sale like this, so head over to Amazon’s site today and pick up the Craftsman V20 3/8-Inch Cordless Extended Ratchet for just $99 while it’s still on sale for nearly 40% off.
About the author
Andrew Koopman
Commerce Writer, Autoblog