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New Earthquake XT impact wrenches

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71goldss

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I'm not seeing anything on the web yet, but I received HF's new ad and coupon booklet for the month of August in the mail yesterday, and it has a full page lisiting of all the new Earthquake impact wrench models. In addition to the current Earthquake models, they're listing two levels of lighter weight composites, including a new 1/2" compact composite. I'd list a link, but not finding it listed on HF's website yet.

I'm curious if anyone has seen these in the stores yet?

hf add 002.jpg
 
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gdocktor3

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I'm sure they'll be amazing just like all the previous models that members on here rave about. If I'm not mistaken one member claimed his 1/2" earthquake was more powerful than a 3/4" IR. :dunno:
 
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c-moe_117

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The 1/2 compact impact gun and the 3/8 air ratchet are tempting... I am in the market for an air ratchet and die grinder currently as well.

As far as the high rating they have on the new 1/2 impact gun, might as well as use a 3/4 one. Honestly I question their ratings though, probably just break away numbers and how truly consistent are they? For the price though it isn't terrible. Anyone ever experience cranking the anvil on the harbor freight impacts? Seen it happen on an Ingersollrand at work but that's cause the ***** kept dropping the gun on the ground after each time using it and the fact that kept getting used on trucks that should have been using a 3/4 impact on they kept using the 1/2.

I almost walked off the SO truck with the far2500skts 1/4 kit but just didn't see me using it to much to justify it at the time.
 
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Loscaldazar

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The compact gun seems like it will be about the same price as most other compacts (m7, aircat, astro, etc). A bit cheaper still. But also looks like 4.8" long, making it one of the larger ones.

Other ones look decent. I know HF has been talking for a while about expanding their earthquake lineup.
 
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lightning02

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i have there regular 1/2 earthquake (orange) and its never let me down yet.

i wouldnt buy the 3/8 compact bc its not that small. but i might see how that new XT 1/2 is after some time passes and more people have a say about it.
 
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PSYKO_Inc

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I'm intrigued. I was planning on picking up the existing style, but if the new one gets good reviews I may spend the couple extra bucks.
 
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jrobb316

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gdocktor3 said:
I'm sure they'll be amazing just like all the previous models that members on here rave about. If I'm not mistaken one member claimed his 1/2" earthquake was more powerful than a 3/4" IR. :dunno:
Click to expand...

But of course an earthquake 1/2 is going to be more powerful than IRs 3/4. Because on the 8th day, God looked down and said "Man was made with opposing thumbs to use tools, but he still has none." And thus Harbor Freight was formed from every recycled material on earth and God said "It is good."

Or of course it could be a 3/4" impact needs massive air volume, a 1/2" hose, and good fittings to run properly. And a China freight Fan boy is too cheap to have those items, you decide which is true.
 
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AmishFury

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lightning02 said:
i have there regular 1/2 earthquake (orange) and its never let me down yet.

i wouldnt buy the 3/8 compact bc its not that small. but i might see how that new XT 1/2 is after some time passes and more people have a say about it.
Click to expand...

the compact is actually a 1/2"

for what i use 1/2" for i'd just get the full size for MOAR POWAR
 
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lightning02

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AmishFury said:
the compact is actually a 1/2"

for what i use 1/2" for i'd just get the full size for MOAR POWAR
Click to expand...

Oh I didn't even look at the drive size. Just thought it was both. But yes your better off with a full size in 1/2 and then get a true compact 3/8 like the nano.
 
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stikman56

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jrobb316 said:
But of course an earthquake 1/2 is going to be more powerful than IRs 3/4. Because on the 8th day, God looked down and said "Man was made with opposing thumbs to use tools, but he still has none." And thus Harbor Freight was formed from every recycled material on earth and God said "It is good."

Or of course it could be a 3/4" impact needs massive air volume, a 1/2" hose, and good fittings to run properly. And a China freight Fan boy is too cheap to have those items, you decide which is true.
Click to expand...

They're made by Florida Pneumatic.......for what it's worth.
 
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KMdef9

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jrobb316 said:
But of course an earthquake 1/2 is going to be more powerful than IRs 3/4. Because on the 8th day, God looked down and said "Man was made with opposing thumbs to use tools, but he still has none." And thus Harbor Freight was formed from every recycled material on earth and God said "It is good."

Or of course it could be a 3/4" impact needs massive air volume, a 1/2" hose, and good fittings to run properly. And a China freight Fan boy is too cheap to have those items, you decide which is true.
Click to expand...

Yup. My 3/4 IR consumes 32 CFM under load and my 1/2 IR is only 20.
 
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oldtools

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Seem like HF is moving upmarket. They want to compete in the truck brand market. Since HF has store pretty much everywhere, they can deliver replacement tools within two hours to any shops (by hiring minimum wage delivery boy). No need for franchise truck dropping by shop once every few days. At 1/4 the price (8/10 the performance) and delivery within 2 hours, HF might put the truck brands out of business.
 
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Fedwrench

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oldtools said:
Seem like HF is moving upmarket. They want to compete in the truck brand market. Since HF has store pretty much everywhere, they can deliver replacement tools within two hours to any shops (by hiring minimum wage delivery boy). No need for franchise truck dropping by shop once every few days. At 1/4 the price (8/10 the performance) and delivery within 2 hours, HF might put the truck brands out of business.
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Upmarket? That's a slippery slope for Harbor Freight.:lol: A picture in an ad does not make it a quality tool. However, I'd probably give them the benefit of the doubt with the compact impact though since the market is flooded with similar models. Harbor Freight would probably be able to latch on to some overruns to sell cheaply. Buy one and let us know about the sleepless tool truck dealers worrying about HF doing them in:dunno:
Now I think NAPA could put a dent in truck sales by hawking Carlyle tools. Quick ordering and delivered with you parts from NAPA, winner-winner-chicken dinner. :beer:
 
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WhiffySpark

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Fedwrench said:
Upmarket? That's a slippery slope for Harbor Freight.:lol: A picture in an ad does not make it a quality tool. However, I'd probably give them the benefit of the doubt with the compact impact though since the market is flooded with similar models. Harbor Freight would probably be able to latch on to some overruns to sell cheaply. Buy one and let us know about the sleepless tool truck dealers worrying about HF doing them in:dunno:
Now I think NAPA could put a dent in truck sales by hawking Carlyle tools. Quick ordering and delivered with you parts from NAPA, winner-winner-chicken dinner. :beer:
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Every shop I've worked in I've never seen a Napa flyer. Dang sure not a Carlyle flier.

We get autozone fliers every month though
 
9

90zcar

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I was at harbor freight yesterday to get a golden gem step drill bit and decided to just check out the new impacts and I couldn't even find them. They may not have them in some stores yet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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stikman56

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WhiffySpark said:
Are you sure on that? I could have sworn they own air cat and are making air tools for Matco now
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They do own Aircat. No idea of they're making tools for Matco. The MT2769 impact is made by Professional Tool Products though. The MT2234 is IR, the MT2138 is PTP. MT2120 is IR.
 
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stikman56

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emeraldcoupe said:
do you know this for a fact?
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All the Earthquake impacts before these were FP. You're more than welcome to do the research and prove me wrong. I've done much research on impacts over the last 9 years or so, don't know everything, and never will. Earthquake air ratchets were also FP made, Cornwell sold them as well, of course their's were blue.
 
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Fedwrench

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Being made by Florida Pneumatic isn't necessarily a badge of quality. Florida Pneumatic also makes most of the Craftsman branded Air Tools :wtf:
 
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stikman56

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Fedwrench said:
Being made by Florida Pneumatic isn't necessarily a badge of quality. Florida Pneumatic also makes most of the Craftsman branded Air Tools :wtf:
Click to expand...

I was just stating what I know. Some are really good, others have reliability issues. The Craftsman 19984 is good, the 19865 has some issues here and there, the 19986 has too small of a rotor, it breaks after a while. Being made by Snap-On isn't always a badge of quality either. I could go on and on about the MG725 issues I've seen over and over again. Same with some IR stuff too. The 2135 has it's common issues. I've worked on a lot of them and seen the common issues at this point. They're not asking a lot for those tools either, unlike IR and Snap-On do for theirs.
 
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WhiffySpark

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stikman56 said:
They do own Aircat. No idea of they're making tools for Matco. The MT2769 impact is made by Professional Tool Products though. The MT2234 is IR, the MT2138 is PTP. MT2120 is IR.
Click to expand...

Ptp is what I was thinking of. 2769 is like 1300 ft lbs right?
 
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99LeCouch

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For my strictly home use the compact 1/2" would be nice. Decent amount of power in a small frame, perfect for the homeowner stuff like cars and outdoor power equipment where access is often an issue.
 
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Marlin

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stikman56 said:
It's crazy strong, BUT the 2235timax is rated at 1350.
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Ratings for break away numbers can vary a great deal because the impacting time is determined by the manufacturer, some use 5 sec, others 10 sec and others unlimited. If you do a side by side with those two the MT will have an edge.
 
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stikman56

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Marlin said:
Ratings for break away numbers can vary a great deal because the impacting time is determined by the manufacturer, some use 5 sec, others 10 sec and others unlimited. If you do a side by side with those two the MT will have an edge.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that info. Interesting to know this. I have yet to get my hands on a 2235timax. I tested the 2769 I had , against an almost new MG725, 2135timax, and a Nitrocat 1200K, it was stronger than all of those impacts. 725 ended up weakest of the bunch, and it's no weakling. The MT2769 felt kind of cheap to me though, but made by PTP it will hold up fine I'd bet. Out of all of those, for my money I'd still take the Nitrocat for the quiet ,the smooth and the comfort though. The Cornwell Cat4150 is still a nice one as well, and small too. The new versions seem to be growing in size, that's not favored by me.
 
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WhiffySpark

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stikman56 said:


Thanks for that info. Interesting to know this. I have yet to get my hands on a 2235timax. I tested the 2769 I had , against an almost new MG725, 2135timax, and a Nitrocat 1200K, it was stronger than all of those impacts. 725 ended up weakest of the bunch, and it's no weakling. The MT2769 felt kind of cheap to me though, but made by PTP it will hold up fine I'd bet. Out of all of those, for my money I'd still take the Nitrocat for the quiet ,the smooth and the comfort though. The Cornwell Cat4150 is still a nice one as well, and small too. The new versions seem to be growing in size, that's not favored by me.
Click to expand...

I love my 2235. Comfortable to use all day and holds up great. A coworker had the Marco and to me it was heavy, but that may have just been me spoiled by irs light weight

I just brought a aircat mini 3/8. Curious to see how it will hold up
 
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stikman56

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99LeCouch said:
For my strictly home use the compact 1/2" would be nice. Decent amount of power in a small frame, perfect for the homeowner stuff like cars and outdoor power equipment where access is often an issue.
Click to expand...

I just bought a Husky version. Was crazy cheap, rated at 500,and looks new as well. Haven't got it yet, but am intrigued a bit. It's the H4435. I paid under 48 bucks for it, so no real harm if I don't care for it I guess, I'll just sell it.
 
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nimrodcs

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At risk of resurrecting a dead thread and Jesus forbid start the old "Harbor Freight Quality Debate", I'd have to say I love my HF air tools. Keep in mind, usually the biggest vehicle I work on is a 1/2 ton truck/SUV.

I own the HF 1/2" twin hammer impact, 1/2" Earthquake, 3/8" Earthquake, and 3/8" Earthquake impact ratchet. All ran off 1/2" hose with the smallest restriction being 3/8".

To power them, I have the 2HP 29 gallon belt drive HF air compressor that I have modified at very little cost, provides the family mechanic enough power for most jobs.

On the go I use a HF 2.5HP 10 gallon direct drive air compressor with an auxillary 11 gallon tank attached, again with 1/2" hose and no 1/4" fittings. Havent found a caliper bracket, axle nut, hub bolt, ball joint, etc that I couldnt remove with ease. If I was working on tractors, it might be a different story.

All in all, it works spectacular for my needs. And I dont think I'm doing too bad, or being to "cheap" for a "China freight fan boy".

Edit: Forgot to mention, I've seen the new Earthquake XT's at HF and am very excited to hear the reviews.
 
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bcradio

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nimrodcs said:
I own the HF 1/2" twin hammer impact, 1/2" Earthquake, 3/8" Earthquake, and 3/8" Earthquake impact ratchet. All ran off 1/2" hose with the smallest restriction being 3/8".
Click to expand...

Wow, you are using all 3/8" fittings? Even for a 3/8" gun?

Very nice.

I have no problems with my HF guns using 3/8 hose and 1/4 fittings :beer:
 
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nimrodcs

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bcradio said:
Wow, you are using all 3/8" fittings? Even for a 3/8" gun?

Very nice.

I have no problems with my HF guns using 3/8 hose and 1/4 fittings :beer:
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Yep. It all started with trying to use a 1/2" impact on an 8 gal air compressor using 3/8" hose and 1/4" fittings to break lug nuts free.....didnt happen. So I upgraded everything and vowed to never starve my air tools again. Its all about volume and restrictions.

Just gotta turn the regulator down a bit for the 3/8" impact or it will strip bolts or smash your hand against a frame. Ask me how I know....
 
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B_Lafayet

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If I look at specs for the new Earthquake XT it looks to be quite a bit lighter. When I look at the parts diagram in the manual and compare it with the $99 "pro" impact wrench the parts looks very similar. Hard to get a handle as to what one gets for the extra $50 except lower weight.
 
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