Milwaukee has announced two new M12 Fuel ratchets that are dubbed as “high speed” ratchets, both of whom are said to deliver up to 450 RPM. These come in a 1/4″ 2566-22 and 3/8″ 2567-22 model.
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These new models are built for speed with over double the RPM of the current M12 Fuel 3/8″ ratchet and nearly double the RPM over the current 1/4″ M12 Fuel model, Both units appear to be the same base tool with both having the same 450 max no load RPM and 35 ft-lbs torque specs. So it appears the body is the same or similar with the main difference being the size anvil used. One thing to note is that at both offering 35 ft-lbs max torque, they are not equal in torque to previous M12 Fuel ratchets and are slightly less powerful. Makes sense since you end up with lower torque the more RPM you have, just one of the laws of gearing so don’t expect the 40 and 55 ft-lbs respectively from previous M12 Fuel 1/4″ and 3/8″ ratchets. But these will tighten or untighten faster at the expense of a slight torque penalty which is not bad when you consider this is the same torque as the original M12 brushed motor 3/8″ ratchet but with nearly twice the RPM.
While they are faster than previous M12 ratchets, I must share what the competition offers and Makita also has a CXT 12V ratchet which offers 0-800RPM no load speed which is nearly twice as fast as these new “high speed” ratchets.
One thing that is interesting about these new ratchets is that Milwaukee says that these “new ratchets can also be used manually without engaging the motor, allowing users to break loose and snug tight fasteners that require more torque.” This a good feature to have when a little manual tightening or untightening is needed.
Expect these to launch in February 2021 with a MRSP of $179 for the bare tool and $259 in kit form with two 2.0ah batteries, charger, and tool bag.
M12 FUEL™ ¼” High Speed Ratchet (2566-22)
- Torque: 35 ft-lbs
- RPM: 450
- Length w/battery: 11.1”
- Weight w/ battery: 2.1 lbs
- Includes M12 FUEL™ ¼” High Speed Ratchet, (2) M12™ REDLITHIUM™ CP 2.0 Battery Pack, Charger, and Carrying Case.
- *Also available as bare tool (2566-20)
M12 FUEL™ 3/8” High Speed Ratchet (2567-22)
- Torque: 35 ft-lbs
- RPM: 450
- Length w/battery: 11.1”
- Weight w/ battery: 2.1 lbs
- Includes M12 FUEL™ 3/8” High Speed Ratchet, (2) M12™ REDLITHIUM™ CP 2.0 Battery Pack, Charger, and Carrying Case.
- *Also available as bare tool (2567-20)
- ¼” & 3/8” High Speed Ratchet Protective Boot (49-16-2567)
- ¼” High Speed Ratchet Tall Shift Knob Assembly (49-06-2566)
- 3/8” High Speed Ratchet Tall Shift Knob Assembly (49-09-2567)
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The speed of the current model is nothing special. If you never get close to using the max torque, trading some torque for speed would be very useful.
After enough people buy these they’ll release the next incremental upgrade: high and low gearing selection (just like on drills).
I have the first gen fuel 3/8 ratchet. It’s pretty handy. So far I’ve gotten great use out of it using it as a makeshift right-angle driver to put screws in plumbing brackets inside wall cavities. The slow RPM is definitely noticeable when doing that, but it worked great.