DEWALT has a pair of new sealed head ratchets that have hit the market, and their performance and reliability seem to be a huge step forward.
We asked Roger, a local finishing shop owner, to test out the new head rachets, and he loves how small yet reliable the tool seemed to be while delivering a very good amount of torque.
“It feels very good in the hand, and yet it has a lot of power to it,” Roger says. “If you have to use a tool like this all day, you want to have it not be so heavy that it fatigues you, but these seem very lightweight.”
The DEWALT sealed head ratchets are designed for automotive, electrical, and mechanical use, as well as maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) professionals.
It comes in the 20V MAX XR 3/8 in. and 1/2 in. model, as well as the XTREME 12V MAX 1/4 in. and 3/8 in. model, too.
Roger and his team used it for preparing parts for finishing and coating, and he gave it high marks for its weight, speed, and power.
“Being a battery-operated machine is so much nicer than having a corded one,” Roger says. “It’s great to pick up and use and set back down without having to use two hands or not have the power you need.”
DEWALT says the 20V MAX XR sealed head ratchet provides users the power, versatility, and durability needed to tackle tough fastening jobs, thanks to a brushless motor and ratcheting mechanism that delivers 75 ft-lbs. of max torque and a no-load speed of 0-300 RPM.
The company says the XTREME 12V MAX model is ideal for fastening and removing nuts, bolts, and other fasteners in tight areas with an impressive 50 ft-lbs. of max torque and a no-load speed of 0-450 RPM.
Roger agrees that it can handle almost any job around a shop, and it can be used anywhere.
“We sometimes have some rusted bolts that need to come off, and they don’t always come off easily,” he says. “And this tool did the job very nicely. I was a bit surprised at how well it performed.”
DEWALT says the new sealed head ratchets are designed with features in mind for users’ most demanding jobs.
“The innovative sealed head design and glass-filled nylon tool housing help provide protection against oils and automotive solvents, meeting the needs of pros across industries on any job site,” DEWALT says.
The new interchangeable anvil design allows users to quickly switch between square drives in both models in addition to a 1/4 in. quick change hex with the XTREME 12V MAX model to complete a variety of applications. The low-profile head offers accessibility in tight workspaces, while the variable speed trigger and forward/reverse switch allow users to quickly change speed and direction to maximize productivity. The ratchets also feature a trigger lock that helps prevent accidental activation and an onboard LED work light to help illuminate dark areas.
To learn more about DEWALT tools, please visit www.dewalt.com
