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HF vs Snap On - Light Heavyweight Championship Bout

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gdocktor3

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I know, you thought this would be another stupid thread comparing screwdrivers or ratchets. I'm sneaky like that. This is pretty funny. Sadly, most of it is true... I still won't buy one though...
earthquake-compare-bnr.jpg
 
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OutsideMachinist

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Im going to get a new 1/2'' impact and 1/2'' compact/mini impact soon. Glad they have new ones. With the price being so close though, I will probably just get some aircat impacts.
 
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gdocktor3

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The interesting thing is they are comparing Snap On's working torque and not break away. I wonder if the HF is going by working or break away.

Im going to get a new 1/2'' impact and 1/2'' compact/mini impact soon. Glad they have new ones. With the price being so close though, I will probably just get some aircat impacts.
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The Aircat 1055-TH is the cheapest, yet most powerful compact impact wrench I was able to find when I made this list a few months back. One member complained about the trigger on the 3/8" version because it was difficult to feather, but other than that it seems like a good little gun. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=323116
 
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WhiffySpark

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OutsideMachinist said:
Im going to get a new 1/2'' impact and 1/2'' compact/mini impact soon. Glad they have new ones. With the price being so close though, I will probably just get some aircat impacts.
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I would spring for the IR. I just got the aircat and I can't stand the f'ing trigger. I will replace it soon
 
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OutsideMachinist

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gdocktor3 said:
The interesting thing is they are comparing Snap On's working torque and not break away. I wonder if the HF is going by working or break away.
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So we get their comparison ads are ridiculous. Especially the YOU SAVE $400 ones etc. But does Snapon even make their air tools? Im pretty sure they just re-badge all of them and mark the price up.
 
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OutsideMachinist

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WhiffySpark said:
I would spring for the IR. I just got the aircat and I can't stand the f'ing trigger. I will replace it soon
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Yeah I thought I read someone saying something about that. Is that the mini impact you are referring to? It does look like a pretty cheesy trigger. My concern wasn't so much whether I could feather it though that is a valid point. I was more concerned with durability since im gonna beat the snot out of it, throw it around, have it covered in all kinds of nastiness etc.

Durability within reason of course. I dont expect it to last years with how ill abuse it. But dont want it to last only a few months either.
 
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shockwave

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I highly doubt those numbers are accurate and that they will hold up like ir or snap on but will be fine for diy doing his own rotations and brakes
 
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Fedwrench

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I've never really cared for Snap on Air Tools but, that's just me. However, The 149.99 price tag for the HF unit is pretty much on par with what you can get an IR2135 series impact for so, why bother with the HF unit:dunno:
I've only looked at the HF unit in the store but, even the compact model seemed bulky despite having lots of plastic.
I wouldn't worry too much about the break away torque numbers as I think those are all inflated across all brands. Besides your air supply pressure and volume would affect that number anyway. :beer:
 
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gdocktor3

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OutsideMachinist said:
Yeah I thought I read someone saying something about that. Is that the mini impact you are referring to? It does look like a pretty cheesy trigger. My concern wasn't so much whether I could feather it though that is a valid point. I was more concerned with durability since im gonna beat the snot out of it, throw it around, have it covered in all kinds of nastiness etc.

Durability within reason of course. I dont expect it to last years with how ill abuse it. But dont want it to last only a few months either.
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Even still, that's more reason you should spend the $10 more on the Aircat since the 1055TH is more powerful with 617 wking tq proven by REALTOOLREVIEW, has a better reputation, and is smaller. Aircat also put out the 1056XL that is even more powerful and smaller than the 1055th and still only $110. My thoughts are that because of the different power modes, they didn't bother with a variable trigger. I'm not exactly sure if there are extra internal components to make a variable trigger work, but maybe they made it without to save on size or weight. I'd have to believe its more than just a spring.
 
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BDT/NWMN

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May be the winner for the Weekend Warriors or Newbies starting out.. But lets compare those wrenches after a few years of Professional use.. The barginmeter may need new batteries and calibration by then; but; I am going to stock up on popcorn, and enjoy the User responses as they roll into the GJ.
 
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GeorgeFromPa

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tell ya what, we have like 8 snap on guns 4 half inch and 4 3/4 inch. we have to send 2 back a week cause they break. not saying the gun isnt good but we beat the hell out of them.. i work in a spring and frame shop and truck Ubolts kill them. we have one old harbor 1/2 inch gun we bought for a spare. 4 years and the thing is still running. its heavy and the dial thing on the back *****. that said it seems like the earthquake lasts longer then the snap on. I myself am going to try the new earthquake, just waiting for some more reviews on it.
 
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WhiffySpark

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gdocktor3 said:
Even still, that's more reason you should spend the $10 more on the Aircat since the 1055TH is more powerful with 617 wking tq proven by REALTOOLREVIEW, has a better reputation, and is smaller. Aircat also put out the 1056XL that is even more powerful and smaller than the 1055th and still only $110. My thoughts are that because of the different power modes, they didn't bother with a variable trigger. I'm not exactly sure if there are extra internal components to make a variable trigger work, but maybe they made it without to save on size or weight. I'd have to believe its more than just a spring.
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Don't believe everything you see on the Internet. It's personal experience that matters. If you think bolts hitting you in the face is okay because you can't feather the trigger, by all means by the air cat :lol:you're the only person on here that really advocates them but you only own one. Which is a 3/4 gun that I'm sure hardly ever gets used

Personally, I'm never buying an aircat again. That was a waste of money
 
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stikman56

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shockwave said:
I highly doubt those numbers are accurate and that they will hold up like ir or snap on but will be fine for diy doing his own rotations and brakes
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Well I can tell you that the MG725 Snap-On is not known for reliability. I have bought many of them that are almost new with power issues, leaking inlet valve issues etc. These are made by Florida Pneumatic I'm willing to bet, and are very similar to what you find at Home Depot. The H4480 and H4490 impacts they sell are designed like these, and on top of that for the almost 500 bucks that the Mg725 costs you can have 3 or 4 new impacts as well. Just depends what you're after I guess. There are some great design features in the MG725 that would mean excellent longevity, but they just failed to make it reliable and consistent IMO.
 
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stikman56

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WhiffySpark said:
Don't believe everything you see on the Internet. It's personal experience that matters. If you think bolts hitting you in the face is okay because you can't feather the trigger, by all means by the air cat :lol:you're the only person on here that really advocates them but you only own one. Which is a 3/4 gun that I'm sure hardly ever gets used

Personally, I'm never buying an aircat again. That was a waste of money
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I have Nitrocat's at home and work and have for several years with no issues such as you're saying.:dunno:
 
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dnschmidt

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This comparison is actually not that relevant. The more important message that Harbor Freight is sending is that they are moving uptown. They seem to be done with their days of being a bottom feeder and now with the introduction of the Pittsburgh Pro ratchets and the Daytona jack along with these new impacts they are sending a message that we're coming for you tool trucks. With their purchasing power and store presence if they decide to move uptown it's going to be hard for a lot of other companies including Snap-On. The only thing they will have trouble with is electric power tools as most of theirs are a joke but if Milwaukee can do it in China so can Harbor Freight. Looks to me that they are throwing down.
 
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gdocktor3

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WhiffySpark said:
Don't believe everything you see on the Internet. It's personal experience that matters. If you think bolts hitting you in the face is okay because you can't feather the trigger, by all means by the air cat :lol:you're the only person on here that really advocates them but you only own one. Which is a 3/4 gun that I'm sure hardly ever gets used

Personally, I'm never buying an aircat again. That was a waste of money
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Well, I won't argue with you, the 3/4" is the only impact by them I own at the moment, but having used Aircat/Nitrocat tools in the past was the reason why I bought it. I also own a Florida Pneumatic air hammer and an older Florida Pneu. die grinder, both of which have served me well. The real reason I advocate them is because they are affordable. When you compare dollar for dollar, Aircat is an affordable brand of tools for any mechanic who needs a powerful, reliable unit. Bottom line.

Also, a lot of people advocate for Aircat.
 
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Wanna Ride

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Waiting for a Snap On tool truck guy to come blast us all, and tell us that SO are the best in the world...
:beer2: (where's that damn popcorn icon?)
 
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Farmall450

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OutsideMachinist said:
So we get their comparison ads are ridiculous. Especially the YOU SAVE $400 ones etc. But does Snapon even make their air tools? Im pretty sure they just re-badge all of them and mark the price up.
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I believe SO bought them from Sioux which they then bought.
Those new HF ones are a great clone of the IR2135ti... :pimpflash
 
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53chevy5

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In all reality, if I had no option to buy an IR, I think I would go for the HF over the Snap On. I've tried their impacts in the past and some co workers have SO newest model now. Things have not changed. Three months of power, then off to the repair center.:headscrat
 
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lazer50

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Harbor freight tools are fine for a entry level or weekend mechanic on a slim budget.but use the hand tools or air tools in a professional shop or factory where there the compressor puts out high c f m s continuous and h f air cat florida pneumatic or any other cheap tool will fall apart.and the hand tools will fail under repetitious torque demands.a lot of guy wouldn't see a difference in the ad comparison if those 2 impacts were hooked up to a 300 dollar compressor.but try and run an earthquake gun from a two stage 30 c f m day in day out.and also no tool truck co or american tool co aka armstrong proto sk are worried one bit about harbor freight moving up town in the tool business!
 
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kctyphoon

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lazer50 said:
Harbor freight tools are fine for a entry level or weekend mechanic on a slim budget.but use the hand tools or air tools in a professional shop or factory where there the compressor puts out high c f m s continuous and h f air cat florida pneumatic or any other cheap tool will fall apart.and the hand tools will fail under repetitious torque demands.a lot of guy wouldn't see a difference in the ad comparison if those 2 impacts were hooked up to a 300 dollar compressor.but try and run an earthquake gun from a two stage 30 c f m day in day out.and also no tool truck co or american tool co aka armstrong proto sk are worried one bit about harbor freight moving up town in the tool business!
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There are many people here that use the HF air tools professionally.. The sockets don't have a history of failing either. The HF impact sockets are probably one of the most widely used sockets on here for pro's. The chrome sockets also have a very big following. You'd be hard pressed to find someone that actually uses them, having anything bad to say about them..
 
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jumbojak

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lazer50 said:
and also no tool truck co or american tool co aka armstrong proto sk are worried one bit about harbor freight moving up town in the tool business!
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Sears didn't worry about Walmart either. Look what happened to them. It could happen. Not tomorrow, but within the realm of possibility.
 
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lightning02

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kctyphoon said:
There are many people here that use the HF air tools professionally.. The sockets don't have a history of failing either. The HF impact sockets are probably one of the most widely used sockets on here for pro's. The chrome sockets also have a very big following. You'd be hard pressed to find someone that actually uses them, having anything bad to say about them..
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also if i recall Eric O on youtube uses a earthquake impact ratchet (not the little small one you always see him use. the full size he has) and hes not easy on his tools.
 
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Loscaldazar

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lazer50 said:
Harbor freight tools are fine for a entry level or weekend mechanic on a slim budget.but use the hand tools or air tools in a professional shop or factory where there the compressor puts out high c f m s continuous and h f air cat florida pneumatic or any other cheap tool will fall apart.and the hand tools will fail under repetitious torque demands.a lot of guy wouldn't see a difference in the ad comparison if those 2 impacts were hooked up to a 300 dollar compressor.but try and run an earthquake gun from a two stage 30 c f m day in day out.and also no tool truck co or american tool co aka armstrong proto sk are worried one bit about harbor freight moving up town in the tool business!
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Those earthquake impacts have been through the wringer by many people on this forum in professional shops. They're heavy and loud, but powerful and very reliable.
 
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GTA Matt

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Loscaldazar said:
Those earthquake impacts have been through the wringer by many people on this forum in professional shops. They're heavy and loud, but powerful and very reliable.
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There are two 1/2" earthquakes floating around my shop. One is broken and the other is a gutless turd. There are much better choices for a few bucks more.
 
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justanengineer

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dnschmidt said:
This comparison is actually not that relevant. The more important message that Harbor Freight is sending is that they are moving uptown. They seem to be done with their days of being a bottom feeder and now with the introduction of the Pittsburgh Pro ratchets and the Daytona jack along with these new impacts they are sending a message that we're coming for you tool trucks. With their purchasing power and store presence if they decide to move uptown it's going to be hard for a lot of other companies including Snap-On. The only thing they will have trouble with is electric power tools as most of theirs are a joke but if Milwaukee can do it in China so can Harbor Freight. Looks to me that they are throwing down.
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I disagree. HF quality now is a shadow of what it was 15 years ago, they traded selling decent quality imported and some domestic professional tools for fairly consistently low quality/high profit tools. The Pitt rats that you mention are junk IMHO compared to the no-brand Japanese stuff they used to carry, as are their current power tools vs when they carried Milwaukee, Central Pneumatic vs when they still carried Chicago Pneumatic, etc. They used to appeal to many pros along with serious hobbyists and consequently had comparatively few stores, focusing more on Joe Public's low standards in recent years has helped them grow significantly.
 
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