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HF Earthquake 3/8" impact wrench

Marlin

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School me. What are the laws regarding "Assembled in USA?"
From the FTC website

Assembled in USA ClaimsA product that includes foreign components may be called "Assembled in USA" without qualification when its principal assembly takes place in the U.S. and the assembly is substantial. For the "assembly" claim to be valid, the product’s last "substantial transformation" also should have occurred in the U.S. That’s why a "screwdriver" assembly in the U.S. of foreign components into a final product at the end of the manufacturing process doesn’t usually qualify for the "Assembled in USA" claim.

Example: A lawn mower, composed of all domestic parts except for the cable sheathing, flywheel, wheel rims and air filter (15 to 20 percent foreign content) is assembled in the U.S. An "Assembled in USA" claim is appropriate.

Example: All the major components of a computer, including the motherboard and hard drive, are imported. The computer’s components then are put together in a simple "screwdriver" operation in the U.S., are not substantially transformed under the Customs Standard, and must be marked with a foreign country of origin. An "Assembled in U.S." claim without further qualification is deceptive.
 
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TheGrooveking

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An alternate reality in a parallel universe.
Well maybe another possible source for whom manufactures the Earthquake line for HF. While messing aroudn with my 3/8" Earthquake at work, another tech pulled out his Chicago Pneumatic 734H and low& behold, the air inlets are the same part. Hmmmmm,makes one wonder or are these generic and many manufactures use them?

Photo-0283.jpg


TheGrooveking
 

route246

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My guess is the part is generic and cheaper to buy than to reverse-engineer.

Well maybe another possible source for whom manufactures the Earthquake line for HF. While messing aroudn with my 3/8" Earthquake at work, another tech pulled out his Chicago Pneumatic 734H and low& behold, the air inlets are the same part. Hmmmmm,makes one wonder or are these generic and many manufactures use them?

Photo-0283.jpg


TheGrooveking
 

Marlin

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Pretty sure none of the bigger name air tool companies are making air tools for HF. I'm sure they have buyers that shop around China for their different product catagories and they choose manufactures that hit their cost and performance requirements.
 

Danglerb

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Could be a variety of parts suppliers, and a variety of parts assemblers. Its not like they are changing the design, which is likely a copy of the IR 231 with minor differences.
 

RangerDaleXp

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There are several companies that OEM air tools for other big tool companies. In fact Cornwell has a 1/4 air ratchet that is Identical too the Earthquake 1/4 air ratchet. The only difference is the Earthquake is red and the Cornwell is blue. Also there is a big difference in price.

HF has either lost or choosed to not continue to use the same OEM that makes the Eartquake Line of tools and is selling off the remainder of there stock. They will no longer cary the Earthquake line of tools anymore....
 

pipsters

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There are several companies that OEM air tools for other big tool companies. In fact Cornwell has a 1/4 air ratchet that is Identical too the Earthquake 1/4 air ratchet. The only difference is the Earthquake is red and the Cornwell is blue. Also there is a big difference in price.

HF has either lost or choosed to not continue to use the same OEM that makes the Eartquake Line of tools and is selling off the remainder of there stock. They will no longer cary the Earthquake line of tools anymore....

Wow you are right, no search results on harborfreight.com. Interesting. Well that *****, maybe I'll go buy another 1/2" to have, they are awesome guns the DIYer.
 

zoomzoomjeff

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One wonders if a lawsuit or cease & desist letter stopped production.

Either way, I have the 1/2" Earthquake and really surprised me with the torque it puts out.
 

RangerDaleXp

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I was going to post some photos of the two ratchets side by side but noticed that this forum cannot upload from my computer like the system we use on my SidexSide Forum. It requires a URL and I think that requires me to send them to Photobucket first to have a URL.

If that is the case or anyone has a fix for it let me know....
 

RangerDaleXp

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One wonders if a lawsuit or cease & desist letter stopped production.

Either way, I have the 1/2" Earthquake and really surprised me with the torque it puts out.

I think the other big companies that use the same OEM may have pressured them to stop selling to HF. If you look at lets say Florida pneumatic. They have some tools that look the same as the Earthquake models. The same with cornwell as well...
 

zsuperbee

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Tewksbury Ma
My search came back fine @ 4:17pm today

Search results for 'Earthquake'
SORT BY: Best Match Brand Name A-Z Best Sellers Price Low-High Price High-Low Show 9 items per page 18 items per page 27 items per page
.
Page: 1Items 1-8 of 8 Results Found

.
11 Piece 1/2" Super High Torque Lug Nut Impact Socket Set
Item #94421

4.0(1)

Read 1 ReviewWrite a ReviewOnly:$49.99

Sale:$39.99


Add to Wishlist

1/4" Professional Air Ratchet Wrench
Item #65159

4.7(7)

Read 7 ReviewsWrite a ReviewOnly:$59.99

Add to Wishlist

3/8" Professional Air Ratchet Wrench
Item #65161

5.0(5)

Read 5 ReviewsWrite a ReviewOnly:$79.99

Add to Wishlist
.
3/8" Earthquake Impact Wrench
Item #92453

4.8(9)

Read 9 ReviewsWrite a ReviewOnly:$89.99

Add to Wishlist

1/2" Impact Wrench
Item #2623

4.8(64)

Read 64 ReviewsWrite a ReviewOnly:$99.99

Add to Wishlist

1" Impact Wrench
Item #92421

4.8(5)

Read 5 ReviewsWrite a ReviewOnly:$299.99

Add to Wishlist
.
3/4" Impact Wrench
Item #92353

5.0(7)

Read 7 ReviewsWrite a ReviewOnly:$279.99

Add to Wishlist

1/2" Professional Air Ratchet Wrench
Item #65160

5.0(1)

Read 1 ReviewWrite a ReviewOnly:$89.99

Add to Wishlist
.
 

pipsters

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Joined
Sep 1, 2010
Messages
4,899
Location
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My search came back fine @ 4:17pm today

Search results for 'Earthquake'
SORT BY: Best Match Brand Name A-Z Best Sellers Price Low-High Price High-Low Show 9 items per page 18 items per page 27 items per page
.
Page: 1Items 1-8 of 8 Results Found

.
11 Piece 1/2" Super High Torque Lug Nut Impact Socket Set
Item #94421

4.0(1)

Read 1 ReviewWrite a ReviewOnly:$49.99

Sale:$39.99


Add to Wishlist

1/4" Professional Air Ratchet Wrench
Item #65159

4.7(7)

Read 7 ReviewsWrite a ReviewOnly:$59.99

Add to Wishlist

3/8" Professional Air Ratchet Wrench
Item #65161

5.0(5)

Read 5 ReviewsWrite a ReviewOnly:$79.99

Add to Wishlist
.
3/8" Earthquake Impact Wrench
Item #92453

4.8(9)

Read 9 ReviewsWrite a ReviewOnly:$89.99

Add to Wishlist

1/2" Impact Wrench
Item #2623

4.8(64)

Read 64 ReviewsWrite a ReviewOnly:$99.99

Add to Wishlist

1" Impact Wrench
Item #92421

4.8(5)

Read 5 ReviewsWrite a ReviewOnly:$299.99

Add to Wishlist
.
3/4" Impact Wrench
Item #92353

5.0(7)

Read 7 ReviewsWrite a ReviewOnly:$279.99

Add to Wishlist

1/2" Professional Air Ratchet Wrench
Item #65160

5.0(1)

Read 1 ReviewWrite a ReviewOnly:$89.99

Add to Wishlist
.

Now it's working. That's weird. But read the listings - some in store only like the impacts. They are getting rid of them.
 

RangerDaleXp

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 7, 2011
Messages
872
Location
Commiefornia
My search came back fine @ 4:17pm today

Search results for 'Earthquake'
SORT BY: Best Match Brand Name A-Z Best Sellers Price Low-High Price High-Low Show 9 items per page 18 items per page 27 items per page
.
Page: 1Items 1-8 of 8 Results Found

.
11 Piece 1/2" Super High Torque Lug Nut Impact Socket Set
Item #94421

4.0(1)

Read 1 ReviewWrite a ReviewOnly:$49.99

Sale:$39.99


Add to Wishlist

1/4" Professional Air Ratchet Wrench
Item #65159

4.7(7)

Read 7 ReviewsWrite a ReviewOnly:$59.99

Add to Wishlist

3/8" Professional Air Ratchet Wrench
Item #65161

5.0(5)

Read 5 ReviewsWrite a ReviewOnly:$79.99

Add to Wishlist
.
3/8" Earthquake Impact Wrench
Item #92453

4.8(9)

Read 9 ReviewsWrite a ReviewOnly:$89.99

Add to Wishlist

1/2" Impact Wrench
Item #2623

4.8(64)

Read 64 ReviewsWrite a ReviewOnly:$99.99

Add to Wishlist

1" Impact Wrench
Item #92421

4.8(5)

Read 5 ReviewsWrite a ReviewOnly:$299.99

Add to Wishlist
.
3/4" Impact Wrench
Item #92353

5.0(7)

Read 7 ReviewsWrite a ReviewOnly:$279.99

Add to Wishlist

1/2" Professional Air Ratchet Wrench
Item #65160

5.0(1)

Read 1 ReviewWrite a ReviewOnly:$89.99

Add to Wishlist
.


OK, if you go to the HF web page and type in the tool in the search box, it will come with a product page. It will state store only availability on that page, all the remainder of the stock has been sent to the stores and most have already ran out of stock. I also talked to the store manager and he confirmed that the product line has been discontinued. He said all the remainder of the earthquake line is on the shelf an that was all of it. Non in the warehouses...
 
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RangerDaleXp

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Messages
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Commiefornia
Well that ***** in a way.
Oh well, Got the 1/2" for home, and the 3/8" one at work.
Hope they hold up.
The 3/8" is a peppy little impact.
I call it "The Baby Zip Gun"
I might try the 3/8" kobalt impact gun for home use.
Thanks,
Tony

I have the all the earthquake tools except the 3/8 impact, the 3/4 impact, and the 1 in impact. I picked up the 3/8 ratchet and the 1/2 ratchet on Ebay for a good price because they were not in the stores anymore. I have had the 1/4 ratchet for a year now which prompted me to jump on the Ebay deals do to how much I liked the 1/4 inch model.

I am very happy with the Kobalt 3/8 impact and would have liked to have compared the power of it to the 3/8 Earthquake to see how they stacked up to each other since they claim the same torque ratings.
 

RangerDaleXp

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Jul 7, 2011
Messages
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Location
Commiefornia
A funny thing I just noticed on the HF web site:headscrat. They just now today re-posted the 3/8 Earthquake Air ratchet on there site?. I am not sure it is a mistake because this was the tool that I was told by the manager that was discontinued along with all the other earthquake items.

Maybe they worked out a deal with the company they get them from or it is still extra stock. I would like to see if in the next few days or weeks if any of the other items show up on there site again. I would like to get the 3/8 impact if this happens:)....

Anyways, If anyone was or is interested in one of these I would jump on it before they disappear again......
 
Last edited:

RangerDaleXp

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Messages
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GSteg

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I really like the older kobalt impact guns. Haven't tried the newer ones yet but I expect them to be similar minus the cosmetics.

Still, the ones sold on eBay are overpriced since they cost almost double the MSRP. If you do find one of the older composite guns cheap, I would ****** it up right away. I bought one as my backup/loaner tool a few years ago but I ended up using it as my primary gun. I used it so much that I basically sold a **** load of my IR guns because I didn't need them anymore. Power-wise, it's maybe about the same, if not a tad bit less than the IR 2135ti. Definitely more powerful, WAY quieter, lighter, and more balanced than my former IR 231C.
 

mrbreezeet1

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I really like the older kobalt impact guns. Haven't tried the newer ones yet but I expect them to be similar minus the cosmetics.

Still, the ones sold on eBay are overpriced since they cost almost double the MSRP. If you do find one of the older composite guns cheap, I would ****** it up right away. I bought one as my backup/loaner tool a few years ago but I ended up using it as my primary gun. I used it so much that I basically sold a **** load of my IR guns because I didn't need them anymore. Power-wise, it's maybe about the same, if not a tad bit less than the IR 2135ti. Definitely more powerful, WAY quieter, lighter, and more balanced than my former IR 231C.

Are you talking about any composite gun , or did Kobalt make a composite gun?
IR 2135ti, and IR 231C, those are 1/2" guns.
I have the IR 2135ti at work, it's a powerful SOB.

I just made an offer on a Snap On MG 31 (3/8" drive)
Thanks,
Tony
 

RangerDaleXp

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Messages
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OH, I see, I wonder why they are selling higher than the new ones. Don't know if the older ones were better?
Guess they try that a lot on e bay.
Well if I get one I'll see how it compares to the Harbor Freight, "Baby Zip Gun"

If you do get the new one, I would be interested in how it stacks up to the HF model. Since I have the kobalt one now, it could save me some money if they preform the same and it would be no need to get the HF model then....
 

RangerDaleXp

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Messages
872
Location
Commiefornia
I am going to order the Kobalt air gun.
Do any of you know if the 1 year extended replacement plan is worth getting? It is $5.00 more.

Oh is there any promo discount codes?

The gun comes with a 3 year hassle free warranty so I would not spend the extra 5 dollars. As for the gun make sure you oil the hell out of it before use. there is a Allen in the front to shoot oil in for the gear case.

Will be looking for your side by side comparison as well....
 

GSteg

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Are you talking about any composite gun , or did Kobalt make a composite gun?
IR 2135ti, and IR 231C, those are 1/2" guns.
I have the IR 2135ti at work, it's a powerful SOB.

I just made an offer on a Snap On MG 31 (3/8" drive)
Thanks,
Tony

I only have experience with one of the composite gun. The gun I have is the 1/2"version. Not sure if they made an equivalent 3/8"
 

pipsters

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I owned the Kobalt 350-ft-lb gun, it was good for what it was (a cheap $25-$30 gun in the kit) but the HF Earthquake 1/2" beats the **** out of it. After using my Earthquake I did have an issue with it, the forward power didn't do much in fact turning it up made it slightly less powerful. I was within 90 days so I returned it (recently), thinking I'd get back there to get another one. Maybe my chance has past, unfortunately, it was an awesome gun for a DIYer.
 

mrbreezeet1

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GSteg

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No, I was talking about Kobalt's composite guns. I bought a 1/2" Kobalt impact gun that replaced my lineup of IR guns. I had multiple versions of the 2135 and 2115. I no longer own any IR since the Kobalt could do practically whatever the IR did and that includes axle nuts, some crank pulley bolts, and rusted suspension bolts.
 

mrbreezeet1

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No, I was talking about Kobalt's composite guns. I bought a 1/2" Kobalt impact gun that replaced my lineup of IR guns. I had multiple versions of the 2135 and 2115. I no longer own any IR since the Kobalt could do practically whatever the IR did and that includes axle nuts, some crank pulley bolts, and rusted suspension bolts.

OH OK, Sounds like a nice gun.

Sorry, I'm getting a little lost here. So Kobalt no longer makes the composite guns?

Or do they still make it in the 1/2" drive.

Re Reading your post, sounds like they do not.

I can't really justify buying another 1/2" gun though...........LOL

On a side note

The Earthquake 1/2" gun seems to work OK and all,
Took the Axle nut right off the Alero.
But you know how you just hit an impact free wheeling it for a second, and the often have that "Ballsy" "Torquey" sound to them.
The 1/2" Earthquake does not seem to.
Now the 3/8" Earthquake did seem to have this sound.

I'll have to take the 1/2" one to work and see if it will take off
one of the Dump truck wheels.
I know My Ingersoll-Rand 2135TI would, at least when it was new.
Not right off, had to hammer on it a white,but still would break it loose.
Really want to use a 3/4" gun on those.
 
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