HF Earthquake 3/8" impact wrench

[TheGrooveking]

Anyone try/use the HF Earthquake 3/8" impact wrench? It seems very similar to the IR212 I have at home, I was thinking about the HF unit for work, just want to get some feedback before spending $68 ($85-20%).

TheGrooveking

 

[rockwithjason]

i have used the half inch model, seems ok but i don't use it everyday.

 

[Cryptic1911]

Any reason you can't use the 1/2" model? (I typed this up before I realized you wrote 3/8")

I bought one last week, seems to work pretty damn good. I don't have a ton of air tool experience to base it off of, but using it on a cheap HF 21 gal compressor with a crusty 35 year old 3/8 hose that leaks, and it worked great.. had plenty of power from what I could tell. It zipped my lugs right off without even batting an eye

 

[Chadro]

I've got the 1/2 model at the house. I don't use it much but it's damn good for as cheap as it was. Don't even think of looking at any of the non earthquake guns, they're worthless.

 

[TheGrooveking]

I'm looking at the 3/8 version since it is smaller and lighter, from a torque perspective I don't need more than 150 ft.lbs.. This is for an application at work were every couple day basis there is a setup that requires about 100 hundred 1/2" bolts to be removed and then reinstalled/tightened and this would do a great job, I think, but just wanted to find out if this unit was a good one.

TheGrooveking

 

[budk]

I believe the only reason to buy the earthquake is too get the high torque. If you don't need the higher torque, why spend the extra money for the earthquate.

I have a 1/2" Earthquate and I love it... but I bought a cheap 3/8" HF gun specifically because it was lower torque.

 

[TheGrooveking]

I believe the only reason to buy the earthquake is too get the high torque. If you don't need the higher torque, why spend the extra money for the earthquate.

I have a 1/2" Earthquate and I love it... but I bought a cheap 3/8" HF gun specifically because it was lower torque.

After reading the reviews for other HF 3/8" impact wrenches I think the only one worth a dame is the Earthquake model.

TheGrooveking

 

[darkk]

We bought the 1/2" Earthquake and it works great even on one of HF's 2.5hp 21gal. compressors.

 

[toolnut]

After reading the reviews for other HF 3/8" impact wrenches I think the only one worth a dame is the Earthquake model.

TheGrooveking

I would say that looks like a rebadged IR.

 

[v7guy]

I grabbed a 3/8" "professional" the other day.
it's not a torque house but it rips off a lot. I paid a bit under $19 for it with a coupon. I'm pretty happy with it. I really couldn't justify the $70+ for the earthquake.
there are a lot of guys that say the earthquake is a solid buy. i couldn't spend the money though considering I was just getting into air tools

 

[Marlin]

I would say that looks like a rebadged IR.

It's not.

 

[1931S/X]

i have the 1/2" and love it. i was planning on buying the 3/8 but my brother bought me a 3/8 kobalt and it does the job.

 

[briggsguy17]

I would say that looks like a rebadged IR.

Nothing at HF is re-badged. It is all cloned! The Chinese have been doing it for years. Saves them a ton of money in the R&D and advertising department and fools the uninformed!

 

[472scout]

I would say that looks like a rebadged IR.

Maybe a rip off of the external design.

 

[toolnut]

Maybe a rip off of the external design.

It sure is a nice copy. I guess that's why they sell a lot of knock offs in everything else too.

 

[2002maniac]

Sure the earthquake is decent, but i paid quite a bit less for a used ir ti model off ebay. A much better buy in my opinion. I imagine it will last longer and if it does break i can get replacement parts at grainger.

 

[May Pop]

Today I went and bought a 3/8 Earth Quake impact. I have an almost new IR 212 at home. I lubed them both up then took off the tires on my son Jeep. 90 pounds torqued with a torque wrench. Both worked a little then easily removed the lug nuts. They had neversieze on them. I rotated the tires then reinstalled the nuts. Both guns easily over torqued the nuts. I would say the IR is quieter.Both seem to have equal strength. Cant say which will last longer but my IR 231 is 20+ and still going strong. IR212 was 125 shipped from tooltopia less than 1 year ago. Earth Quake 85-25%= 69 out the door with Illinois tax. A very good gun for the money.
Ron

 

[TheGrooveking]

Today I went and bought a 3/8 Earth Quake impact. I have an almost new IR 212 at home. I lubed them both up then took off the tires on my son Jeep. 90 pounds torqued with a torque wrench. Both worked a little then easily removed the lug nuts. They had neversieze on them. I rotated the tires then reinstalled the nuts. Both guns easily over torqued the nuts. I would say the IR is quieter.Both seem to have equal strength. Cant say which will last longer but my IR 231 is 20+ and still going strong. IR212 was 125 shipped from tooltopia less than 1 year ago. Earth Quake 85-25%= 69 out the door with Illinois tax. A very good gun for the money.
Ron

Thanks for the info, exactly why I am contemplating it, I too have the 212 and love it, the Earthquake feels very similar, and I can get two of them for less than a IR212.

TheGrooveking

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Today I went and bought a 3/8 Earth Quake impact. I have an almost new IR 212 at home. I lubed them both up then took off the tires on my son Jeep. 90 pounds torqued with a torque wrench. Both worked a little then easily removed the lug nuts. They had neversieze on them. I rotated the tires then reinstalled the nuts. Both guns easily over torqued the nuts. I would say the IR is quieter.Both seem to have equal strength. Cant say which will last longer but my IR 231 is 20+ and still going strong. IR212 was 125 shipped from tooltopia less than 1 year ago. Earth Quake 85-25%= 69 out the door with Illinois tax. A very good gun for the money.
Ron

Well that sounds good, I just ordered one today.
$78.75 shipped and sales tax.
Used the -25% coupon.
Thanks,
Tony

 

[May Pop]

You will not be disappointed. It is a good size for under hood work.And that 25% off was the kicker . I have a front and rear garage so tools in both are mandatory.
Ron

 

[JASTECH]

I went with the Cats instead but would like to buy USA 1/2" impact (800#) and 3/8" ratchet (90#) this summer. I had read the ArticCat was USA then when it arrived, Not!

Thanks, JASTECH

 

[route246]

IR212 is now 140.99 on tooltopia. I think you got a good deal if you paid 125.

It's 128 on Amazon. Why is the IR231C 213 on Amazon? Is it a cheaper line?

Today I went and bought a 3/8 Earth Quake impact. I have an almost new IR 212 at home. I lubed them both up then took off the tires on my son Jeep. 90 pounds torqued with a torque wrench. Both worked a little then easily removed the lug nuts. They had neversieze on them. I rotated the tires then reinstalled the nuts. Both guns easily over torqued the nuts. I would say the IR is quieter.Both seem to have equal strength. Cant say which will last longer but my IR 231 is 20+ and still going strong. IR212 was 125 shipped from tooltopia less than 1 year ago. Earth Quake 85-25%= 69 out the door with Illinois tax. A very good gun for the money.
Ron

 

[hoffmand]

This is for an application at work were every couple day basis there is a setup that requires about 100 hundred 1/2" bolts to be removed and then reinstalled/tightened...

Out if curiosity, what is the application with all these bolts?

 

[TheGrooveking]

Well I picked up one of the 3/8" Earthquake impact wrenches and I am pretty impressed with the look and feel of it, but I still need to throw a fitting on it and test it. I used the 20% off coupon so in total it was $67 and some change. To me it identical, short of the air inlet/handle end and the textured finish/rubber boot. I did take the boot off and the unit is identical to the IR212, except where the IR's had IR cast into it, the Earthquake has a circle about 3/4" in diameter about 1/16" deep. Which in knowing the modularity of die cast dies, this is a standard insert format, which would allow the die caster to put a IR insert into it. All and all this thing is identical to IR I know I'm stepping out on the ledge here, but I would not hesitate to think this thing is either made in the same factory as the IR stuff or it is made in the same factory IR has their stuff made for them at.

TheGrooveking

 

[diggerrick]

If you also are interested in the 1/2" version, there is a current coupon (#27662436) for $69.99.

 

[Marlin]

Well I picked up one of the 3/8" Earthquake impact wrenches and I am pretty impressed with the look and feel of it, but I still need to throw a fitting on it and test it. I used the 20% off coupon so in total it was $67 and some change. To me it identical, short of the air inlet/handle end and the textured finish/rubber boot. I did take the boot off and the unit is identical to the IR212, except where the IR's had IR cast into it, the Earthquake has a circle about 3/4" in diameter about 1/16" deep. Which in knowing the modularity of die cast dies, this is a standard insert format, which would allow the die caster to put a IR insert into it. All and all this thing is identical to IR I know I'm stepping out on the ledge here, but I would not hesitate to think this thing is either made in the same factory as the IR stuff or it is made in the same factory IR has their stuff made for them at.

TheGrooveking

There is no relation between the two products. The 212 is made in and Ingersoll Rand factory which does not make any product for Harbor Freight.

 

[TheGrooveking]

There is no relation between the two products. The 212 is made in and Ingersoll Rand factory which does not make any product for Harbor Freight.

Thanks for the info, so the HF is a replica, may I ask I you know this?

TheGrooveking

 

[Marlin]

Thanks for the info, so the HF is a replica, may I ask I you know this?

TheGrooveking

I work for IR

 

[vssykes]

i got two years hard use out of mine before it died great buy

 

[diesel research]

There are several visual differences that show they are not the same. The trigger, the handle base, and the upper handle are all clearly different.

 

[JohnFreeman]

I work for IR

Great answer!

 

[TheGrooveking]

There are several visual differences that show they are not the same. The trigger, the handle base, and the upper handle are all clearly different.

All minor casting differences.

TheGrooveking

 

[TheGrooveking]

I work for IR

Acceptable answer, so why did IR move their manufacturing of the 231 to China? It might be pyscho-sysmatic but when I pick up my made in USA IR tools they just seem more solid that the Chinese made units. Also when IR released the IR231USA, did they start up the production line just for that limited run?

TheGrooveking

 

[pipsters]

Out of curiosity is this a completely Made in USA impact or assembled or import?

I'm pretty sure the Harbor Freight line is a copy of the Thundergun series from IR though, isn't it? At least the specs are, as far as torque is concerned.

 

[Patrick Boyle]

Supposedly it's assembled in Athens, PA. That's probably where they slap on the information label on the back.

 

[diesel research]

All minor casting differences.

TheGrooveking

While that may be so, if they were indeed made in the same plant, ask yourself why they would waste time on separate castings. (I do know that does happen, but it is still a question to be asked)

What you have is a design based on another design. Of course, neither is anything revolutionary, and the general apearance has been around for decades.

I owned a earthquake as well. Decent gun, often performed better than classic 231, but can recognize the differences. (I know, not same as the 3/8 line)

The internals may be based on the thundergun for 1/2" series, but one immediate huge difference. The exhaust. Completely different.

 

[TheGrooveking]

While that may be so, if they were indeed made in the same plant, ask yourself why they would waste time on separate castings. (I do know that does happen, but it is still a question to be asked)

I worked for a major tooling company for many years producing stamping dies, die cast molds and plastic injection molds. Some customers would require us to make tools so that they could run multiple part number out of the same tool with minor changes that could be made in the press.

For instance, the Maytag Neptune series, we had seven tools that ran in a transfer press which had modular die inserts that allowed them to make 27 different part numbers of control face plates. Many customers who made brand name items, also had minor changes that produced private label products. We had tools for Thompson Consumer electronics, Zenith Electronics, Philips Electronis, between those three they would produce over 20 private label companies using their tools and facilities.

TheGrooveking

 

[Marlin]

Supposedly it's assembled in Athens, PA. That's probably where they slap on the information label on the back.

That is actually not legal. Several components and the final product assembly was done in Athens or in N.C.

 

[Marlin]

Acceptable answer, so why did IR move their manufacturing of the 231 to China? It might be pyscho-sysmatic but when I pick up my made in USA IR tools they just seem more solid that the Chinese made units. Also when IR released the IR231USA, did they start up the production line just for that limited run?

TheGrooveking

The design and materials did not change and some components are still produced in the US.

 

[Patrick Boyle]

That is actually not legal. Several components and the final product assembly was done in Athens or in N.C.

School me. What are the laws regarding "Assembled in USA?"