Milwaukee 1/2 in. Drive Ratchet

10 reviews for Milwaukee 1/2 in. Drive Ratchet

1. Rated 4 out of 5

   Kiley Thiel (verified owner) – October 27, 2022

   Top notch fit and finish with one of the most comfortable handles I’ve ever used. The fact that it comes lubed with a o-ring seal and thread locked screws shows that the manufacturer isn’t skimping. This ratchet blows that raised panel ratchet that everyone and their father has out of the water.The socket fitment is great and the direction switch is in the proper orientation. On the ratchet I got there was a stiff spot, but it quickly smoothed out with use. Disassembly and reassembly was rather easy and straightforward. My favorite ratchets tend not to have a quick release, so the lack of one on this ratchet is no issue to me. I’d place this ratchet definitely at the top of mid tier automotive tools.There’s plenty of other reviews praising this ratchet, but let’s skip all that and get to the bones of the matter and discuss why it isn’t a 5 star item even though it is a high quality tool. I used the ratchet with a pipe to break loose the lug nuts (over 100 lb/fts) on my vehicle and then to change the brake pads and rotors. Use of a pipe is abuse, but the ratchet showed no damage.1) Out of the box the large head is apparent. It may be “low profile” but it’s only slightly thinner than my other 1/2 ratchets while being wider than all but the ubiquitous Craftsman. Granted this is the only 90 tooth ratchet I own and can only compare it to coarser ratchets.2) Excessive backdrag. All my other ratchets have less backdrag excepting the Craftsman.3) The direction switch is stiff and the angle of its sides makes your thumb want to slide up and over instead of pressing it—making it the hardest of all my 3/8 and 1/2 ratchets to use, and I’ve got about 2 dozen ranging from cheap Chinese imports to American made actual professional ratchets.The excessive backdrag and the stiffness of the direction switch can most likely be improved by a simple modification of the spring, but you’re going to be stuck with that fat head. Making a slimmer head would have been a good place for Milwaukee to set itself apart.Is it a high quality ratchet? Yes. Is it anything special? No. Off the top of my head I can name 5 other brands that import 90 tooth Taiwan ratchets of reported good quality. All the others are cheaper or have more features/advantages for the same cost. The Milwaukee ratchet is competing at a time when automotive tool buyers have never had a better selection of quality tools at relatively cheap prices. It’s hard to shine in such crowded waters.

2. Rated 5 out of 5

   Elliot Kessler (verified owner) – October 10, 2022

   Solid ratchet with nice rounded edges (not like Brand “C”, which has squared off edges) which make it easier to hold.The ratcheting mechanism is nice and fine, which means you can get more “clicks” on each swing when in a tight place. This makes it easier to tighten or loosen a bolt when reaching down the front of my truck’s engine to loosen an alternator.Doesn’t have a socket release button, but they seem to stay on and pull off easily.

3. Rated 5 out of 5

   Adonis Conn (verified owner) – August 28, 2022

   Solid, beautifully finished, and smooth turning 90-tooth ratchet. I had heard some debate online about Milwaukee manual ratchets — mostly questioning what they offer that competitors don’t — so I was interested in trying one. Seems that these are particularly suited to work in close quarters, both because of their relatively low profile (even the directional lever is flush mounted) and the high tooth count, which translates to only 4 deg. of arc swing. The action is smooth and precise, fit and finish are impressive, and sockets snap into place with reassuring precision. Of course durability is always the ultimate measure of quality, and it’s too early to draw conclusions on that front, but several details suggest this unit is built for long-term use: the tooth count, which usually speaks to a higher grade of manufacturing; the fact that screws are readily accessible on the ratchet head, allowing for disassembly, cleaning, and maintenance; and of course Milwaukee’s lifetime warranty. All told, it suggests that this is a hand tool that is built to last. Highly recommended.

4. Rated 5 out of 5

   Juliana Rohan (verified owner) – June 28, 2022

   The Milwaukee 1/2 in. drive ratchet advertises 4° of arc swing, which allows access in tighter spaces. That has to be close as it does have a 90 tooth ratchet. It’s well made and has a nice chrome finish to aid in clean up… What impresses me is the handle and how It fits in your hand so well plus it has a nice smooth rounded finish on its’ edges. This is no light weight tool, it’ll take a good pull from the best of us.

5. Rated 5 out of 5

   Nova Upton (verified owner) – May 19, 2022

   High quality, nicely polished mirror finish, no sharp edges, this ratchet quickly became my favorite go-to 1/2″ drive ratchet.It has a slim profile, feels good in the palm of your hand and won’t fail you in tight places.Because it’s a 90-tooth wheel design, it’s arc is reduced to just 4 degrees meaning in tight places you can continue to ratchet to tighten/loosen bolts and nuts without having to remove the wrench and socket and reposition the ratchet.Other style and model ratchets might have a swing arc of 5 to 7 degrees or greater.You can find some ratchets with 120 teeth on the ratchet wheel dropping the arc down 1 degree to 3 degrees.You can also find other less expensive ratchets with a 4 degree swing of arc but the finish and quality of this ratchet will be finer than those.That is up to the user. Milwaukee produces a quality product and it comes with a lifetime guarantee.You get what you pay for and the higher price on this item reflects the extra thought and manufacturing and finishing of this 1/2″ ratchet. The handle is over 11″ long.I’m proud to own this one!

6. Rated 5 out of 5

   Keaton Lowe (verified owner) – September 13, 2021

   This Milwaukee 1/2″ Drive Ratchet is just another quality tool from Milwaukee. I have owned and have been using ratchets all of my adult life ( 65+ years) and during that time of working on automobiles, trailers, all kinds of industrial and home projects I always bought “Good” tools, not the ones sold by the guy in the truck that visits all the automobile dealerships and professional garages in the area, (really nice tools, but way to expensive) but the tools sold by The “nationwide store that sold everything” the very best feature I like about this ratchet is the ratchet assembly only has to rotate 4 degrees to get to the next “tooth” Oh how many times working on tight places on a car and other equipment, that my ratchet seemed as though it needed to rotate forever to get to the next tooth. this Milwaukee not only works great, and it looks great also.

7. Rated 5 out of 5

   Petra Bauch (verified owner) – July 15, 2021

   I am so happy to have this great ratchet with 1/2 inch drive. My old ratchet is a small one, and it is about worn out. Now I can save the old one for the “in the house small jobs” and keep the big one out in the tool shed in my tool box. This ratchet works perfectly with the 1/2 drive sockets that I have, even though they’re a different brand. You can just feel the quality and good material when you pick it up.

8. Rated 5 out of 5

   Sylvan Jones (verified owner) – May 3, 2021

   This is a well-made ratchet and its polish and luster is second to none. It allows for easy cleanup. It is heavy/solid and feels substantial which I like in a tool. I did question the grip – in my mind – by how it looked compared to other brand racket. To my surprise when using it, it felt and worked better than the others I have and have used. There was some thought and ergonomics applied here. It has a “low profile head and flush mounted on/off switch allow better access in tight spaces.” They say “on/off” switch I think of it as “clockwise” or “counter-clockwise.” The switch is solid which my old ratchet would sometimes slips into reverse un-expectantly. The ratchet will give you that little extra because of the 90 tooth in tight spaces and also a little less ratcheting at 4 degrees swing. It may be the highest or near the highest tooth count (i.e., 90) out there. This is a keeper, something you would pass down to your kids when you can no longer wrench.

9. Rated 5 out of 5

   Freeda Bins (verified owner) – January 27, 2021

   Milwaukee is my go-to in tools as quality and durability come to mind. The 1/2 inch drive ratchet is heavy duty and slim enough for use with a cheater bar for additional leverage for those tough to loosen bolts. The ratchet action has an “on” and “off” setting to take the guesswork out of the lefty-loosey, righty-tighty. There is a 4 degree arc swing which comes in handy for tight working areas. As expected, this is a quality ratchet for which I expect to use for many years.

10. Rated 5 out of 5

    Domenick Ernser (verified owner) – December 25, 2020

    The Milwaukee 1/2 in. Drive Ratchet arrived well packaged and undamaged. It is eleven beefy inches long and nicely chromed. The length proves good reach and plenty of leverage for loosening those stubborn bolts. It has a nice heavy and balanced feel. Solid tool. The ratchet’s directional drive selector is slim, but well made no wobble or cheapness there. The 4° arc swing is awesome as it allows you to tighten bolts in very cramped quarters. The quality, fit, finish, American Made and a Lifetime Guarantee makes this ratchet a real keeper. I highly recommend this item.