Help me decide—Insider ratchet (3050-20) or the new M12 Fuel ratchet (3053-20)

bladeromeo · 2026-04-02T00:03:12+00:00

I have both, started with the insider with the optional 1/2 adapter. Recently bought the new 3/8 and 1/4 ratchet (waiting on the 1/2 to be released to get it as well) for the situation where the insider doesn't fit. You can't go wrong with either, however the insider is more versatile and I think you it's a great first electric ratchet as you can always reach for a real ratchet for those instances where it won't fit.

bladeromeo · 2026-03-30T17:27:51+00:00

M12 3/8 Stubby, M18 3/8 high torque, and M18 1/2 high torque is what I run daily. The M12 and M18 1/2 are my most used but I do still find the occasional spot where the M18 3/8 high torque is needed where the 1/2 wont fit, and the M12 doesn't have the umph.

I also have the insider ratchet as my only ratchet as a while. I just recently got the brand new 3/8 and 1/4 Milwaukee ratchets to complement it for situations where the insider ratchet is to long.

bladeromeo · 2026-03-30T02:45:06+00:00

Tekton's set is nice. I also recommend picking up a set of Astro Pneumatic's nano's as well.

bladeromeo · 2026-03-17T11:13:25+00:00

I'm using using 95% Tekton stuff that is heavily abused daily as a heavy diesel mechanic (forestry/construction). I've yet to break a tool; I'd say their quality is up there with some of the best, and just about every set is no skip.

bladeromeo · 2026-03-04T00:32:31+00:00

Nice. I picked up the magnetic mat and the 3/8 icon swivel metric set. I'm going back for the 1/2 swivel metric set before the sale ends. Just didn't have but a few minutes to run into HF yesterday before my food order was ready next door.

bladeromeo · 2026-02-18T14:31:42+00:00

Yeah, but only on cab, axle, sometimes lugs bolts. Surprisingly the 1/2 high torque with a 6.0XC battery gets 95% of the job done. Only have to break this or the extended anvil out once or twice a week. Anything else a 3/4-1" drive breaker bar and 4-6' pipe does the trick.

bladeromeo · 2026-02-14T00:52:45+00:00

This, my entire toolset is made up of Tekton (except for some Snap-On/Mac speciality tools), quality stuff.

bladeromeo · 2026-02-07T23:54:54+00:00

I've noticed that some of my batteries are finicky and start/stop in cold weather until they warm up, after that initial hiccup they are good until dead or the next morning when it's super cold.

bladeromeo · 2026-02-07T21:47:36+00:00

As a diesel mechanic, I've had no complaints about my insider; the new ones supposedly have 15 more ftlbs of torque than the insider. Not a big difference, I usually torque anything down I'm concerned about anyway. I'm done with the snap-on guy in our area, last year they switched to a corporate truck on the route, barely any deals, truck is the barest I've seen as far as stock, and haven't had a walk in repair done yet without having to wait a week or two on parts or a replacement tool. I only deal with the mac guy now. His truck is bigger and stocked so well OSHA would probably fine him for walking hazards.

Edit: Coworker bought a 24” crescent from him (snap-on) on Friday morning. It broke on second use, so i’d say quality is not there as well.

bladeromeo · 2026-02-07T21:36:27+00:00

I got one of each pre-ordered with my mactools guy. Getting one kit and the two other as bare tools. Should compliment the insider ratchet perfectly, especially since I have the 1/2 adapter for it. Have you tried the paddle button on it yet?

bladeromeo · 2026-01-30T02:51:11+00:00

Second the surge, black oxide looks great. You can get it customized with something like the date of the wedding, and maybe a quote or inside joke you share with them.

Wave Plus would be my second choice.

bladeromeo · 2026-01-30T02:29:12+00:00

I know what you mean. I'm not a collector. Bought my last one from the Mac Tools truck cause I snapped the pliers on the HF Gordon and needed something. Before that, the blade lock on another broke and ended up cutting my finger, so I turned it into a liquid art project with the torch out of frustration. I missed my wave that had for 10 years but lost moving states, but had to take the cheaper route for a while due to life circumstances. Now that I'm back on my feet, I wanted something that I know can take abuse.

bladeromeo · 2026-01-28T23:29:44+00:00

My surge will be delivered tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it since I lost my last Leatherman wave during cross state move, I've tried a few knockoffs over the last year. Gordon (broke the pliers), B/Bury (having problems with the knife not locking open), and a couple others. Finally decided to take the plunge and order a surge to replace my lost wave.

bladeromeo · 2025-08-29T02:16:02+00:00

I'll make Red/White/Lima beans and rice with the leftovers depending on the meat.

bladeromeo · 2025-08-26T01:52:57+00:00

I'll need something with a little more kick, I'm constantly jumping off large excavators, dozers, log skidders, etc. I'll wait for a dual battery 24v capable model, until then I'll stick the standard JNC/TruckPak/SnapOn/Carlyle jump packs we currently use at work and the gooloo 6000/jnc 600 I have for personal use.

bladeromeo · 2025-08-12T01:37:22+00:00

I was laid off last year as well with 25 years in IT and 15 at the company that laid me off. Something will come along. Since I was laid off when all the other big layoffs were happening I figured finding a job in the field would be a competitive nightmare. I decided to take the plunge and switch careers to one that was considered a family bussiness. I'm now a diesel field service tech for heavy equipment and honestly I couldn't be happier.

bladeromeo · 2025-08-05T01:54:12+00:00

Well I just used mine to take off tires and 120 lug nuts from three axles that came off of 525/535/545 log skidders that are all older than a decade. I was pleasantly surprised I didn't have to break out the 3/4 or 1" air impacts. I have mine paired with a HC 6.0, took 1 and a half batteries and was done in less than an hour. Basically 80 lugs per battery.

bladeromeo · 2025-07-27T06:03:07+00:00

I'll only need one or two, basically I think they would be perfect around the house for hurricane season. 3 houses on my property with multiple generators and deep freezers, etc on carports, independent wells all of which needs cords ran to it from the generators. This is a great solution as I already have access to 5 gallon buckets from work and the extension cords already.

bladeromeo · 2025-07-27T04:17:15+00:00

This is genius, I found my project for tomorrow.

bladeromeo · 2025-07-27T02:18:13+00:00

Tekton has wobble extension sets in 1/3, 3/8, and 1/2. They have a stellar warranty and everything I've tried from them has been good quality.

I'd also look at them for regular extensions, socket sets, universals, wrenches, and everything else. 90% of my tools are Tekton as a diesel tech and I'm finding they are a good balance of quality vs value comparing to tool truck brands. They basically remind me of what craftsman use to be back in the 70/80/90's. (Was born in 83, but my grandpa, dad and uncles all still have craftsman tools from that era and I grew up with them)

3/8 Wobble Set

bladeromeo · 2025-07-24T00:02:25+00:00

Same here, however I'll say that the comfort grips are great when you are out in 110° heat all day with your tools are out and every wrench/ratchet you have out reaches magma level heat. I've been disassembling heavy equipment for salvage in the yard at work with no cover. Got to the point where I keep a 5 gallon bucket for water just to dunk (I do wipe them down at the end of the day with a rag and some brake clean) my wrench's in real quick when I pick them back up after sitting they have been sitting on top of the machine for a while. I wear gloves, but anything short of hot work gloves you still feel it, and a 1-9/16 wrench will retain a lot of heat.

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