Indy_500
Well-known member
Looking for people with HF impact wrenches, what kind you got and how its held up.
Anybody with Harbor Freight Impacts?
- Thread starter Indy_500
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King Bojack
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Guy I work with got an HF 3/8 impact five years ago. Just quit on him a few weeks back. Cost him like 25 bucks. Excellent tool purchase for him. His Blue Point 1/2 took a dump on him a couple months ago after a few years of work. He went in and didn't bat an eye about a surprisingly nice 1/2 Earthquake.
He liked the 3/8 because it was just weak enough to use on smallish fasteners and was twice as fast and quieter than a regular air rat. The 1/2 Earthquake is your standard fare. A bit heavy and loud but worked well when I borrowed it for a bit.
He liked the 3/8 because it was just weak enough to use on smallish fasteners and was twice as fast and quieter than a regular air rat. The 1/2 Earthquake is your standard fare. A bit heavy and loud but worked well when I borrowed it for a bit.
kythri
Well-known member
I've got the 3/8" and the 1/2" Earthquake - both fantastic guns, especially for the price (and even better after a 20% off coupon).
darn all earthquake reviews, i'm looking for reviews on all of the "other" models. I bought the cheapest one, and I dunno if it was because i didn't put air tool oil in beforehand, but it just stopped working after 10 min. i planned on getting the compact one but i was going to see if anyone got the same el cheapo model i got and had it turn out to be ok. The one i had was all scratched and it looks like a sticker was torn off and such, making me think it was a dud, someone put it back in box and returned it just like i plan on doing.
Red Green
Well-known member
Before I was a member here I bought one. It didn't have enough tourqe take off a lug nut. I had to use a breaker bar on all the lugnuts then I could use the impact to spin them off. I threw in a junk car that I was getting rid of. I bought a used Matco and have since bought an Aircat both I have been happy with.
I suspect the cheaper ones are hit and miss, maybe supplied by half a dozen of the lowest bidders and changing all the time. Low end manufacturers are notorious for shipping beautiful samples, first run, then dumping junk in bulk deliveries to make money.
I still use the Craftsman that came with my compressor, but I am itching for a chance to buy a 3/8 EarthQuake.
I still use the Craftsman that came with my compressor, but I am itching for a chance to buy a 3/8 EarthQuake.
2002maniac
Well-known member
I have used a friend's thunder gun and it did have plenty of torque, but it's very very loud and bulky.
Givl Reggin
Banned
I have to admit I don't pay a lot of attention to the Harbor Freight tool posts because the nearest store is 3,000 miles from me, but I had to look up this "Earthquake" (is it the one that sell for 100 bucks?) And I notice the warranty:
Has their warranty recently changed? I was under the impression that all HF tools (power/air/hand) were lifetime warranted.
Has their warranty recently changed? I was under the impression that all HF tools (power/air/hand) were lifetime warranted.
mkirkpatrick
Well-known member
Indy, I don't think too many people have had good luck with the cheap HF impacts. I have heard a lot of good things about the earthquake guns. When I pulled the trigger on a impact I bought a Chicago Pnuematic (sp). Was about 20 bucks more than the 1/2 earthquake. I do have HF tools so I don't want this to come across as a bash. I like their hand tools and have their cheap air ratchet. The reason I went with the CP is that I used a friends it had power and wasn't a air hog. I think if you went with a earthquake you would get some use out of it,
mrholeshot
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Ive seen a few of the cheaper impacts, very weak. Ive also seen the earthquake versions and they seem pretty nice. I went dow to HF to buy an 90 degree angle die grinder while I was waiting on the Snap=On man to come by when my Blue Point died. I bought the new Blue Point but used the HF one for 3 years with my Roloc disc and it did great. At the same time I bought a 1/4 air ratchet that was on sale for 9.99. 6 years later I'm still useing it without a single issue and it's plenty strong.
anodyne33
Well-known member
I bought their 1/2" electric a while back and just busted it out for the first time this past weekend. It took off lugs with no trouble at all and was strong enough to blow a u-joint cross through the cap with the 3 in 1 press.
I have the 3/8" silver cheap impact and the 1/2" earthquake. The 3/8ths is weak. It seems very consistent, but it's weak. I like it for use on my garden tractor, or getting into a tight spot. Would definitely not take the lugs off my car.
The 1/2" Earthquake is as much gun as I've needed so far. Took the lugs off my 93 F250 that I'm guessing weren't off for 5 years. And has not let me down yet.
I give both a pass, but I wouldn't spend more than the $18 for the 3/8ths on special.
The 1/2" Earthquake is as much gun as I've needed so far. Took the lugs off my 93 F250 that I'm guessing weren't off for 5 years. And has not let me down yet.
I give both a pass, but I wouldn't spend more than the $18 for the 3/8ths on special.
The earthquake is a good gun. I bought several "used" ones and none of them are bothered by any car type bolts. I also had one of the IR 231C knockoffs they have (94803). Noticeably weaker than earthquake... but still gets lugs (~120 ft-lb) off. The cheap 1/2" that they sale for 10 bucks sometimes is garbage.
csp
Well-known member
I bought one of the cheaper 1/2" guns back in the late 90s and just like the general consensus, it was very weak. I had to break lug nuts loose with a breaker bar to use it when rotating tires.
One of my neighbors gave me his old IR gun when he saw how pathetic the HF gun was.
One of my neighbors gave me his old IR gun when he saw how pathetic the HF gun was.
rayzor32
Well-known member
Heard good things about the earthquakes, basically a copy of the thundergun. Their other regular guns **** big time, no power.
I have the 1/2" and 3/8" earthquake impact wrenches and the 3/8" earthquake air ratchet. They all are great, well built, powerful, and a bit on the heavy side. My favorite is the 3/8" impact, it will take the 27mm lugnuts off my landrover with ease. Warranty is one year but get the extended 2 year warranty. All the earthquake's are made in taiwan but I'm sure that will change to china soon enough. Don't bother with the non earthquake HF impacts.
FWIW I paid under $200 for all 3.
FWIW I paid under $200 for all 3.
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comosc
Active member
I bought the cheap 1/2" impact from HF and like everybody says it is pretty weak. Promptly returned it and got the earthquake, never had a problem getting troublesome nuts and bolts loose. On the other hand I've also got the HF 3/8" butterfly impact and it's worked pretty well also.
bigdummy30
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- Aug 5, 2010
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they actually designed them loud so they would seem more like the nascar guns ....
SILVERPLATE
Well-known member
I have the HF 1/2 drive electric impact and it does a great job removing lug nuts and thats all I need it for.
bmrisko
Well-known member
It's worth the extra bucks for the earthquake one. I got my 1/2" for around $65 on sale after using a coupon. It gets used almost weekly and hasn't let me down yet.
Ocho
Well-known member
I have an old 1/2" CP (Harbor Freight?) impact I've used for years. Always used primarily for wheels/lug nuts but never missed a beat. In the interest of full disclosure - it has a Snap On protective cover, so maybe it's all "mental" with this impact.
http://www.harborfreight.com/air-to...alf-inch-compact-air-impact-wrench-94802.html i returned it for that one, only cost me another $6 its working good so far. I know you all say get this good impact and not a cheapo, but i really would like one NOW and can't wait
jkeyser14
Well-known member
The cheap ones are junk and won't remove lug nuts torqued to between 90-100 ft-lbs. Stay away!
JohnFreeman
Well-known member
Buy a good used truck brand for about the same cost.
rayzor32
Well-known member
I dont know if you can beat the earthquake for the money though $69.99 for a pretty strong gun if you can stand the noise. Im still using my IR 231c, I got it barely used for 40 bucks, its pretty loud also it was considered a strong gun 20 years ago but weak by todays standards, they were all we used when I worked in tire shops they held up to all the abuse we threw at them, usually would only break from getting thrown around or get tired from not ever being oiled.
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