A cordless ratchet is essentially an electrified version of a standard ratchet tool. Its primary function is to spin an attached socket via an electric motor, which means you don't have to manually do the spinning yourself.
Unlike a traditional manual ratchet where you repeatedly turn the handle back and forth to tighten or loosen a fastener, a cordless ratchet uses internal components powered by a battery to perform the rotational movement. When activated, the built-in electric motor engages a mechanism that drives the socket attached to the head, allowing for continuous or pulsed rotation.
Key Differences and Benefits
While bigger, bulkier, and many times more expensive than a regular ratchet, cordless ratchets offer distinct advantages based on their powered operation:
- Automated Spinning: The core difference is the elimination of manual ratcheting action. The electric motor handles the spinning, making the process much faster.
- Time Savings: Because the motor does the work, fastening or unfastening nuts and bolts is significantly quicker than with a manual tool.
- Energy Savings: Using a cordless ratchet reduces the physical effort required, saving your energy, especially when dealing with many fasteners or tight spots.
- Access: Despite their slightly larger size, they are designed to fit in most places a regular ratchet can, allowing access to fasteners in cramped engine bays or other tight areas.
In summary, a cordless ratchet works by substituting your manual effort with the power of an electric motor to spin the socket and drive fasteners, providing convenience and efficiency.
