Customer Reviews

Ingersoll-Rand 111 The Knuckle Saver 3/8-Inch Super Duty Reactionless Air Ratchet Wrench

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

They are reactionless so when so when they finish taking up they don't bash your knuckles against whatever is next to the wrench. It screws down the nuts and bolts twice as fast as the old model IR 107's that I was using. Clean lines and black finish, adds a colorful touch to the air tool line-up in your tool box. All in all I would rate it as a superb addition to any professional mechanic's toolbox.

I bought three 3/8" air rachets to try them side-by-side:
Ingersoll Rand IR111
Husky H4003
Campbell Hausfelt TL1001

Ingersoll Rand - The quietest of the group by a fair margin. Its motor is apparently different than the others so the high pitched whine is absent. The reactionless feature is apparent because it changes to a hammer mode (although it is still low torque) when the torque becomes too high. Most expensive. Made in Japan.

Husky - Typical air tool whine. When the nut runs up, the wrench just stops, no impact. Realistically, I can't see this torque being enough to smash any fingers. It has a nice rubber handle grip that the others lack. Half the cost of the Ingersoll Rand. Made in Taiwan.

Campbell Hausfelt - No rubber handle and slight styling differences, but operation is identical to Husky. Half the cost of the Husky. Made in Taiwan.

Conclusion: My logical side says to keep the Campbell Hausfelt because it the best value. The tool collector in me that drools over exotic tools wants to keep the Ingersoll Rand because it is the best tool, even if the difference is awfully small for four times the cost. I'm talking myself into keeping the IR because of the lower noise, but I still wonder whether my choice is discriminating or just dumb.

After sitting in my tool box for about a year, I finally got a chance to use this air ratchet. I was assembling a dust collector and had to tighten many bolts while holding the nuts on the other side from spinning. Air ratchet performed well, especially since I using it blind on the inside of the DC. Would have been very tedious with a manual ratchet.

Originally I had bought it because I thought I could use with a hex bit adapter and screw driver bit as a right angle drill / driver. However, I soon realized the ratcheting action really wouldn't work for this purpose. Too much vibration and the bit tended to skip off the screw.

Not sure if I can really notice the "reactionless" feature. Haven't had the opportunity to bust my knuckles using other models to know if the IR-111 is any better.

One disapppointing feature is the lack of torque. This air ratchet really isn't capable of removing stubborn fasteners. I guess 50 foot-lbs really isn't that much. I don't have any sure way to tell if my ratchet is performing up to spec. But I have had to resort to my trusty 3/8" Craftsman ratchet to remove tough nuts/bolts. This tool is probably better for tightening fasteners, since there is usaually little resistance and the limited torque will prevent stipping the [threads].

I love this ratchet, I love the reactionless feature. If I had to do it over again I would buy this one all over. It acts just like a cordless drill with a clutch once it goes tight it lets it slip. Awesome feature I dont ever have to worry about it shoving my hand into some part of the car. All you have to do once the reactionless feature kicks in, just stop pulling the trigger and use it like a ratchet. Great product.

I bought one of these in 2001. Took ten years of heavy abuse in an industrial environment to brake it. Now I find out it has been discontinued by IR. All repair kits have also been discontinued for this ratchet. If I had only known I would have bought three spares to get me to retirement.

I use my ratchet on a daily basis, and it is the best all around. The anti-kickback feature is the best part of this ratchet not to mention it's relative quiet operation as compared to other ratchets on the market.

Have had other air ratchets and used them on a limited basis because of the knuckle busting associated with them. The IR-111 WILL NOT but your knuckles. I find myself using it a lot more because of that feature. May cost a little more but is well worth the extra. I would not give it up! Great product.

An excellent product that works exactly as stated: no more busted knuckles. With some things you get what you pay for, this product is one of those items. The price from Amazon made it even more attractive as a co-worker paid over $170 for the identical model.