I picked up the 1/2" Earthquake impact today from HF. $100 + 20% off. I'm sure it will go on sale later for $90 but the $8 I'd save, I wanted and needed it now.
I have owned and used hands on: Kobalt 1/2", "old" Harbor Freight 1/2" Earthquake, 2135QTiMax, 2135TiMax, and Aircat 1100k, and now this "new" 1/2" Earthquake (made in Taiwan for those wondering).
My impressions....this thing rocks. As much possibly slightly more power than the old Earthquake (11/29/2011 edit: it is more powerful than the old one, on a side by side comparison), but MUCH quieter, a little lighter, SMOOTH, and settings so easy to use a cave man could do it. The folks who got screaming deals on the old line, well, I'm glad I didn't buy it then. I much prefer to pay another $40 and have this new one. It's just ergonomically better.
It beats all my other impacts hands down, including the 2135qtimax AND the Aircat 1100k. Yes you read that right, I don't care what specs say, but it hits harder than both of them. How do I know? I used a 30mm crank pulley bolt and went to town. I know it's not scientific, and will probably be thrown out in a court of law, but my new Earthquake could tighten the 30mm nut down to where the Aircat 1100k could not take it off. My 1100k, when going flat out for 20-30 secs, could not stop my new Earthquake from being able to undo that nut. Plus, just holding on to the end with the socket, the Earthquake hit noticeably harder and I could not keep my hand on the socket. The 1100k, I could (barely though). I think both are very close in torque output. This was at 90 psi at the tool, 3/8" line, and high-flo connectors.
The Aircat 1100k actually was stronger than the 2135's, but the 2135's felt better built and were much smoother and lighter. So pick your poison I guess. After handling the Aircat 1100k, I would prefer to use the 2135 series daily, and this Earthquake would be tough to use daily to do it's higher weight over the 2135 series.
So to sum it up, in terms of power (most powerful to least):
In terms of ergonomics (better to worse):
In terms of noise (quietest to loudest):
In terms of value (most to least):
I have owned and used hands on: Kobalt 1/2", "old" Harbor Freight 1/2" Earthquake, 2135QTiMax, 2135TiMax, and Aircat 1100k, and now this "new" 1/2" Earthquake (made in Taiwan for those wondering).
My impressions....this thing rocks. As much possibly slightly more power than the old Earthquake (11/29/2011 edit: it is more powerful than the old one, on a side by side comparison), but MUCH quieter, a little lighter, SMOOTH, and settings so easy to use a cave man could do it. The folks who got screaming deals on the old line, well, I'm glad I didn't buy it then. I much prefer to pay another $40 and have this new one. It's just ergonomically better.
It beats all my other impacts hands down, including the 2135qtimax AND the Aircat 1100k. Yes you read that right, I don't care what specs say, but it hits harder than both of them. How do I know? I used a 30mm crank pulley bolt and went to town. I know it's not scientific, and will probably be thrown out in a court of law, but my new Earthquake could tighten the 30mm nut down to where the Aircat 1100k could not take it off. My 1100k, when going flat out for 20-30 secs, could not stop my new Earthquake from being able to undo that nut. Plus, just holding on to the end with the socket, the Earthquake hit noticeably harder and I could not keep my hand on the socket. The 1100k, I could (barely though). I think both are very close in torque output. This was at 90 psi at the tool, 3/8" line, and high-flo connectors.
The Aircat 1100k actually was stronger than the 2135's, but the 2135's felt better built and were much smoother and lighter. So pick your poison I guess. After handling the Aircat 1100k, I would prefer to use the 2135 series daily, and this Earthquake would be tough to use daily to do it's higher weight over the 2135 series.
So to sum it up, in terms of power (most powerful to least):
- Harbor Freight 1/2" Earthquake
- Aircat 1100K
- 2135TiMax series
In terms of ergonomics (better to worse):
- 2135TiMax series
- Aircat 1100K
- Harbor Freight 1/2" Earthquake
In terms of noise (quietest to loudest):
- 2135QTiMax
- Harbor Freight 1/2" Earthquake
- Aircat 1100K
- 2135TiMax
In terms of value (most to least):
- Harbor Freight 1/2" Earthquake
- Aircat 1100K
- 2135Timax series
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