The New Harbor Freight Earthquake Line....

[RangerDaleXp]

The new soon to be released HF Earthquake Line up....

View media item 10767
View media item 10768

And a thank you to member StevePgh for the following links

http://www.harborfreight.com/38-prof...nch-68425.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-prof...nch-68424.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/34-impa...nch-68423.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-profe...vil-68429.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/14-prof...nch-68428.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/38-impa...nch-68426.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-prof...nch-68427.html

 

[Racr350]

So are they grey or are those black and white pics?

 

[kissmeimgerman]

I think the pics are from the manual so they are probably B&W pics

 

[SMKS]

The 1/2" impact listed here:

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-professional-impact-wrench-68424.html

Will list for $100. That is more expensive than I was expecting. How much were the old ones normal price?

But, all the new Pittsburgh Pro tools I've seen have been Taiwan made and big steps above the Chinese tools they replaced.

Maybe these new impacts will be a big improvement as well.

 

[Racr350]

I think the pics are from the manual so they are probably B&W pics

Yea I figured. Wish I knew if they changed the color up. They look nicer though. Trigger and handle look more robust with direction and power levels on a dial. Sounds like they did some research. I may give the new air ratchets a try...

Just noticed the dB level for the 1/2" impact. 84dB's for a 1/2" impact is hella quiet!

 

[back2class]

Yeah, HF is stepping it up. There has long been a void in the tool market. Either geared to DIY or way overpriced truck brands. A completish line of dirt cheap ok quality geared to more serious stuff than DIY seems to be where they are headed. They may one day be a premium brand. I remember Abercrombie and fitch used to be an outdoor gear place that sold guns and rods. just an example of how a retail brand can change over time. Some brands get better, most get worse....so HF seems to be bucking the trend.

 

[Virgil Cain]

Yea I figured. Wish I knew if they changed the color up. They look nicer though. Trigger and handle look more robust with direction and power levels on a dial. Sounds like they did some research. I may give the new air ratchets a try...

Just noticed the dB level for the 1/2" impact. 84dB's for a 1/2" impact is hella quiet!

Anyone know what the dB ratings were for the old Earthquake impact guns for comparison?

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

chilling ..

 

[Bocefus]

It looks like they increased the max torque rating on the new 1/2 Earthquake. 700 vs 625.

 

[oldtools]

Too bad it doesn't come with protective boot. It look like it cost the same or less compare to the out going model.

 

[diggerrick]

The 1/2" impact listed here:

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-professional-impact-wrench-68424.html

Will list for $100. That is more expensive than I was expecting. How much were the old ones normal price?

But, all the new Pittsburgh Pro tools I've seen have been Taiwan made and big steps above the Chinese tools they replaced.

Maybe these new impacts will be a big improvement as well.

"Old" one lists for $100 also, but I saw it in the store for $70.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-impact-wrench-2623.html

 

[diesel research]

$280 is too much to become some kind of "beta tester".

 

[RangerDaleXp]

Not sure what color they will be but in this picture that shows a test at HF, it looks like the one on the left could be the new replacement and is the same color.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

Too bad it doesn't come with protective boot. It look like it cost the same or less compare to the out going model.

In the previous photo, it does look to have a protective boot and in the parts blow up in the manual they show a boot as well at least for the air ratchets.

 

[Indy_500]

Well the person who tried to convince us the new 1/2" earthquake was gonna be $170 is wrong! lol I'm happy with my 3/8 for $39 even though I haven't used it much. I just purchased my first vehicle, 98 gmc sierra, but 3/8 is kinda useless on the things i've fixed so far...

 

[smogtech]

Wonder how its gonna compare to the old stuff. New air ratchets are going to be nice and quiet. Might switch to those.

 

[Danglerb]

Anybody thinking about adding the extended warranty to a recent Earthquake purchase in light of these new ones? Idea being if you have a problem maybe exchange would be for one of the new models?

Any prediction on how soon "soon" will be so we can get some first hand reviews?

 

[Danglerb]

I just purchased my first vehicle, 98 gmc sierra, but 3/8 is kinda useless on the things i've fixed so far...

Want to expand on that a bit, whats it not up to the task on?

 

[RangerDaleXp]

Want to expand on that a bit, whats it not up to the task on?

I thought the same thing, Its the vagueness thing again.....

 

[Altec]

Plenty of stuff on a truck a 3/8 impact won't touch... Anything frame, or suspension related for starters.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

Plenty of stuff on a truck a 3/8 impact won't touch... Anything frame, or suspension related for starters.

Very true, but there is plenty of stuff on a truck that one can use it on as well

 

[bmxr4life87]

I use my 3/8 impact on suspension stuff at work??? Mainly e-450 stuff

 

[Altec]

Very true, but there is plenty of stuff on a truck that one can use it on as well

They all have a place, really. Although, if it was my first purchase, a 3/8 air ratchet would go before a 3/8 impact.

A example is a transmission swap on a Hyundai I just did. The 3/8 impact made quick work of all the sheet metal pieces like the battery box, and after the transmission was out it made brackets with smaller bolts (17mm-down) quick work on the shop floor. The 1/2 was used on axle nuts, and cross members. The 3/8 air ratchet was used on a could hard to reach bolts. Also had the 1/4 DeWALT in there for the covers, and really small stuff.

The only thing about the air ratchet is that you can hurt yourself if you aren't holding on tight! Main reason I don't own a 1/2 air ratchet!

In the end though, why pick favorites? It is better to own them all!

 

[RangerDaleXp]

Back on to the new EQ line. I was looking at the parts break down and I would have to say I am a little disappointed in the loss of the grease ports on the new stuff. Also the 3/8 and the 1/2 inch air ratchets are showing less power then the old model did. The 1/4 is still showing the same 40 Ft lbs though

3/8 shows 70 and was 100.
1/2 shows 75 and was 140.

 

[Altec]

I can't help but wonder if they are in fact that different, or does it have to do with the measuring system? hard to say, I guess...

I admit, I was bad today... I bought the last 1/4 air ratchet they had.

 

[Hiball]

Back on to the new EQ line. I was looking at the parts break down and I would have to say I am a little disappointed in the loss of the grease ports on the new stuff. Also the 3/8 and the 1/2 inch air ratchets are showing less power then the old model did. The 1/4 is still showing the same 40 Ft lbs though

3/8 shows 70 and was 100.
1/2 shows 75 and was 140.

Its not uncommon for Manufacturers to exagerate on there numbers... Even the current numbers look respectable (Above average in Most cases) in regards to Air Ratchets.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

I can't help but wonder if they are in fact that different, or does it have to do with the measuring system? hard to say, I guess...

I admit, I was bad today... I bought the last 1/4 air ratchet they had.

Glad you got it, I like the one I have

 

[RangerDaleXp]

Its not uncommon for Manufacturers to exagerate on there numbers... Even the current numbers look respectable (Above average in Most cases) in regards to Air Ratchets.

I would have to agree, I look at the numbers advertised by Klutch and Aircat and find there ratings 2 to 3 times higher then what IR shows

I did take the 3/8 EQ impact and did a test and with a torque wrench, I torqued a bolt to 160 ft lbs and it popped it lose 4 times. It did take 2 to 3 seconds to break it lose so I think that would be about all it could handle. At 100 Ft lbs it popped it instantly

Not sure the new one that claims to do 300 will be able to do 300.....

 

[Danglerb]

Plenty of stuff on a truck a 3/8 impact won't touch... Anything frame, or suspension related for starters.

Sure, but the original comment sounded like the Earthquake failed to perform in some task that the poster expected it to work on, so I would like to know what and how it failed, or if he did just mean its not a 1/2 impact.

 

[pipsters]

Well the person who tried to convince us the new 1/2" earthquake was gonna be $170 is wrong! lol I'm happy with my 3/8 for $39 even though I haven't used it much. I just purchased my first vehicle, 98 gmc sierra, but 3/8 is kinda useless on the things i've fixed so far...

If by writing that "the assistant store manager told me the new one would retail for $170" is your idea of convincing, I have a bridge to sell you...

 

[diesel research]

Sure, but the original comment sounded like the Earthquake failed to perform in some task that the poster expected it to work on, so I would like to know what and how it failed, or if he did just mean its not a 1/2 impact.

I didn't see it that way and don't think he owns a 3/8 impact of that type. I see it as a generalized assumption that any 3/8 wouldn't work on what ever he was doing.

I use a 3/8 on rusted 15/16 bolts under the axles of trucks/trailers.

 

[Altec]

Sure, but the original comment sounded like the Earthquake failed to perform in some task that the poster expected it to work on, so I would like to know what and how it failed, or if he did just mean its not a 1/2 impact.

Never got that impression. I've worked on those trucks. Two kinds of things need worked on. The really big stuff, and the really small stuff.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

If by writing that "the assistant store manager told me the new one would retail for $170" is your idea of convincing, I have a bridge to sell you...

I was actually more curious on who told Indy that the replacement Impact was going to cost $170......

 

[Indy_500]

I was actually more curious on who told Indy that the replacement Impact was going to cost $170......

it was on the earthquake closeout thread... it might have been pipsters, I don't remember.

 

[kartracer55]

So, any guesses who the oem for this new line is?

 

[RangerDaleXp]

So, any guesses who the oem for this new line is?

No idea. It s a new thing to investigate....

 

[RangerDaleXp]

it was on the earthquake closeout thread... it might have been pipsters, I don't remember.

Oh god, I guess I need to look over every post on the EQ close out thread to find this They need a tired smiles for this,

 

[pipsters]

Oh god, I guess I need to look over every post on the EQ close out thread to find this They need a tired smiles for this,

It was me , to whom the assistant manager spoke to. And he was full of ****, obviously.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

It was me , to whom the assistant manager spoke to. And he was full of ****, obviously.

Thanks, it is the fill in the gaps problem that causes the confusion here. But then I would think using the word Oh god in a sentence would cause a problem here since it can not be used in some classrooms now

 

[pipsters]

Well my new 1/2" Earthquake has the same issue as my last one, the speed setting on reverse does nothing, in fact as I turn it down toward "1" out of "6" it actually hits a little harder vs. the forward setting. Not the biggest deal but not how it is supposed to work. So I have 90 days to return, I wonder if they will swap out the new Earthquake line for this old one, seeing as I only paid $55 for it. Hmm...