HF Earthquake 3/8" impact wrench

[RangerDaleXp]

Remember one thing, 3/8 sockets can only take so much torque before they come apart and I personal think anything over 150 ft lbs is starting to pushing it for 3/8. If the clutch has a real 320 ft lbs which I do not believe, then I think you will be buying a lot of replacement sockets and or exchanging them. I think anything below 200 ft lbs is good for a 3/8 air impact. If you need more then you should use the half inch impact with 1/2 inch sockets........

320 ft lbs is going to hammer the hell out of a 3/8 shank

 

[RangerDaleXp]

For the hell of it I decided to torque a bolt to 150 Ft lbs and see if the 3/8 Kobalt Impact would remove it. They claim that it has up to 200 ft lbs of torque but I never believed it. Well it would not remove the bolt torqued to 150 and I would say it is more a 100 ft lbs gun.

I would like to know if the 3/8 earthquake would break lose a bolt at 150 just for a comparison?....

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Remember one thing, 3/8 sockets can only take so much torque before they come apart and I personal think anything over 150 ft lbs is starting to pushing it for 3/8. If the clutch has a real 320 ft lbs which I do not believe, then I think you will be buying a lot of replacement sockets and or exchanging them. I think anything below 200 ft lbs is good for a 3/8 air impact. If you need more then you should use the half inch impact with 1/2 inch sockets........

320 ft lbs is going to hammer the hell out of a 3/8 shank

With over 300 ft-lbs of torque behind them, my sockets are doing just fine without any problems....If yours are coming apart at 150 ft-lbs, you might consider buying better sockets.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

For the hell of it I decided to torque a bolt to 150 Ft lbs and see if the 3/8 Kobalt Impact would remove it. They claim that it has up to 200 ft lbs of torque but I never believed it. Well it would not remove the bolt torqued to 150 and I would say it is more a 100 ft lbs gun.

I would like to know if the 3/8 earthquake would break lose a bolt at 150 just for a comparison?....

I'm thinking it won't.
I tried to take a lug nut off with mine a few times, and it wouldn't take it off.
I don't know what the lug nuts were torqued to though.
We usually use a 100 Ft Lb torque stick, but sometimes guys will just do it with the Impact by feel.

But for mounting struts to the strut towers, caliper bolts , dropping transmission pans and the like it's fine.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

With over 300 ft-lbs of torque behind them, my sockets are doing just fine without any problems....If yours are coming apart at 150 ft-lbs, you might consider buying better sockets.

We are talking about 3/8 and not 1/2 inch. I think pounding 3/8 sockets on a regular bases above 150 is to much regardless who makes them. It would be like using a 3/4 drive at 1000 ft lbs on half inch socket all the time. I also never said they were coming apart at 150, It is a maximum safe number that I use in my head before I go with the bigger tool.....

 

[RangerDaleXp]

I'm thinking it won't.
I tried to take a lug nut off with mine a few times, and it wouldn't take it off.
I don't know what the lug nuts were torqued to though.
We usually use a 100 Ft Lb torque stick, but sometimes guys will just do it with the Impact by feel.

But for mounting struts to the strut towers, caliper bolts , dropping transmission pans and the like it's fine.

I may try the Kobalt again at a 100 ft lbs of torque to get an idea on if it would do that tomorrow? I am also watching the HF web site to see if any of the 3/8 EQ impacts show up again as well.

 

[Danglerb]

None in the HF I was at today, just 1/2, 3/4, and 1". None of the EQ ratchets either.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

We are talking about 3/8 and not 1/2 inch. I think pounding 3/8 sockets on a regular bases above 150 is to much regardless who makes them. It would be like using a 3/4 drive at 1000 ft lbs on half inch socket all the time. I also never said they were coming apart at 150, It is a maximum safe number that I use in my head before I go with the bigger tool.....

I AM talking about 3/8" drive. A Snap-on MG325 puts out a little over 300 ft-lbs and unless I am working on equipment, that little gun will do everything I need done on a car short of something like a Honda crank bolt. My sockets are still doiing fine but when they wear out (and any impact socket will), they will get replaced. I don't worry about breaking them.

 

[bimmerZ5]

oh ****! i didn't realize the earthquake impact guns were being discontinued... no wonder i noticed they weren't on the shelf at my local HFT a couple of weeks ago. i was hoping to eventually pick up the 1/2" at some point...

 

[RangerDaleXp]

oh ****! i didn't realize the earthquake impact guns were being discontinued... no wonder i noticed they weren't on the shelf at my local HFT a couple of weeks ago. i was hoping to eventually pick up the 1/2" at some point...

I am not fully sure at this point due to the fact that some of there stuff has been reappearing back on there web site. Today the 3/4 inch popped back again. I am waiting to see if the 1/2 and the 3/8 show up as well. I need the 3/8 but love my 1/2 gun that I do have.

Per my conversation with there manager at the time, he said they were discontinuing the line but due to the fact they are showing up again may be temporary or they may have made a new deal with the OEM supplier to continue to sell again.

Only time will tell.....

 

[RangerDaleXp]

I AM talking about 3/8" drive. A Snap-on MG325 puts out a little over 300 ft-lbs and unless I am working on equipment, that little gun will do everything I need done on a car short of something like a Honda crank bolt. My sockets are still doiing fine but when they wear out (and any impact socket will), they will get replaced. I don't worry about breaking them.

Point taken....

 

[bimmerZ5]

I am not fully sure at this point due to the fact that some of there stuff has been reappearing back on there web site. Today the 3/4 inch popped back again. I am waiting to see if the 1/2 and the 3/8 show up as well. I need the 3/8 but love my 1/2 gun that I do have.

Per my conversation with there manager at the time, he said they were discontinuing the line but due to the fact they are showing up again may be temporary or they may have made a new deal with the OEM supplier to continue to sell again.

Only time will tell.....

i got confirmation from a HFT employee who checked their inventory system and he said all the Earthquake air tools are marked with a "discontinued" code. what stock is left in-store is the last of it. no word if they are being replaced by another product line or not...

 

[RangerDaleXp]

i got confirmation from a HFT employee who checked their inventory system and he said all the Earthquake air tools are marked with a "discontinued" code. what stock is left in-store is the last of it. no word if they are being replaced by another product line or not...

I was told the same thing by the manager 5 or 6 weeks ago and all the tool 2 weeks ago were gone off the web site. but as of a few days ago they are reappearing on there website again as in stock so I am not sure If they are bringing them back. They still do not show the 3/8 or 1/2 inch impacts but the 3/4 showed up a few days ago, so who knows what the deal is.....

 

[MNRZR]

I see all of the "Earthquake" line when I search the site. The 3/8", 1/2", and 1" impacts and the 1/2" air ratchet show "In Store Only" though.

Earthquake

 

[fflintstone]

After loosing most of my tools in the fire, I recently replaced some. I only had one 3/8 air ratchet. I bought all 3 sizes of earthquake air ratchets, they all said made in Taiwan (not china) I tested them all but haven’t put them to use. I think they are good air tools for the money.
I have a ½” IR thunder gun I bought at harbor freight way back when. I was going to buy a 3/8 earthquake, but I found a new unused IR207 for $65.

 

[MNRZR]

I just saw this picture from an article that was in DirtWheels that someone had posted on here. Looks like a new design of impact from HF (at least I don't recognize it). I swear it says Earthquake on the paper in the background:

 

[RangerDaleXp]

I see all of the "Earthquake" line when I search the site. The 3/8", 1/2", and 1" impacts and the 1/2" air ratchet show "In Store Only" though.

Earthquake

The 1/4 and 3/8 ratchets are back and do not show that, The 3/4 impact shows back order only.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

I just saw this picture from an article that was in DirtWheels that someone had posted on here. Looks like a new design of impact from HF (at least I don't recognize it). I swear it says Earthquake on the paper in the background:

Interesting? I recognize the thunder gun but the other is different, It is not the normal Earthquake 1/2 impact....

Could they be testing a new OEM company that may be replacing the older version?

 

[RangerDaleXp]

The 1/4 and 3/8 ratchets are back and do not show that, The 3/4 impact shows back order only.

Correction, the 3/4 impact now shows in stock now and the 1/4 air ratchet is now on sale if anyone is interested.

 

[pipsters]

Interesting? I recognize the thunder gun but the other is different, It is not the normal Earthquake 1/2 impact....

Could they be testing a new OEM company that may be replacing the older version?

Looks like an older Nitrocat selector, they discontinued the 1000m model so I wonder if HF bought the product tooling/line.

Makes sense why they discontinued the older Earthquakes, they are being replaced...if history serves as an example with a better model.

Also that pretty much goes to show that the older HF Earthquake was a copy for the Thundergun, in fact I read somewhere that people are refurbishing their Thunderguns with the Earthquake bearings.

 

[bimmerZ5]

the thought just came to me, but is a 3/8" impact really useful? why not just get the 1/2" with a 3/8" adapter; more torque & wider application in one tool.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

the thought just came to me, but is a 3/8" impact really useful? why not just get the 1/2" with a 3/8" adapter; more torque & wider application in one tool.

The 3/8 guns are lighter and fit into smaller spaces. You add the adapter to the half inch then it becomes even a little longer. I like the 3/8 gun for tearing an engine down or removing a transmission. Good for small to medium stuff under 150 ft lbs normal.

 

[kc-steve]

Why not get a 3/8" gun and a 1/2" adapter then?

Anyone ever try to order parts for the EarthQuake guns? Just curious.

Steve

 

[bimmerZ5]

Why not get a 3/8" gun and a 1/2" adapter then?

Anyone ever try to order parts for the EarthQuake guns? Just curious.

Steve

i assume the 1st question is a joke ;-)

according to one of the reviews on HFT's website for this tool, someone claimed it took weeks to get parts to do repairs. at the prices these are going for, may be worth getting a spare for parts.

 

[4x4gearhead]

Thanks for the info, exactly why I am contemplating it, I too have the 212 and love it, the Earthquake feels very similar, and I can get two of them for less than a IR212.

TheGrooveking

But will the earthquake last like the 212? (forever)

 

[RangerDaleXp]

But will the earthquake last like the 212? (forever)

Any good air tool will last forever if taken care off. Even IR have a life expectancy. Just because it says HF does not mean they are a bad tool. There is a OEM that supplies to them and makes the same tool for many other manufactures. For instance this below....

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[TheGrooveking]

But will the earthquake last like the 212? (forever)

Don't know, I'll let you know if it ever fails on me, but if I die first you won't know....

TheGrooveking

 

[pipsters]

i assume the 1st question is a joke ;-)

according to one of the reviews on HFT's website for this tool, someone claimed it took weeks to get parts to do repairs. at the prices these are going for, may be worth getting a spare for parts.

If it's the same review I am thinking of (please provide link) I think you are confused. The reviewer stated he was waiting on parts to fix his old impact (truck brand) gun, and it was taking weeks, so he bought an Earthquake instead.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

If it's the same review I am thinking of (please provide link) I think you are confused. The reviewer stated he was waiting on parts to fix his old impact (truck brand) gun, and it was taking weeks, so he bought an Earthquake instead.

I was there yesterday and read all the Earthquake review because I was interested in the 3/8 impact. There was no review posted on any of the earthquake tool saying this, I think your correct that the review in question was posted on one of the other cheaper impacts like you said....

 

[bimmerZ5]

If it's the same review I am thinking of (please provide link) I think you are confused. The reviewer stated he was waiting on parts to fix his old impact (truck brand) gun, and it was taking weeks, so he bought an Earthquake instead.

i just re-read the review i saw, but it doesn't sound like i was confused, by "Frank" on 2/28/2011:

Great buy for money but didnt hold up. Had for two years of daily use and broke anvil taking lug nuts loose. replacement parts were hard to find then take 6-8 weeks to get. Not to mention cost half the price of impact. Would recomend to weekend hobbiest but not for profesional use.

I can't link specifically to a single review, but if you go here and click on reviews and scroll down, you'll see it:

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-impact-wrench-2623.html?hftref=cj

 

[RangerDaleXp]

i just re-read the review i saw, but it doesn't sound like i was confused, by "Frank" on 2/28/2011:



I can't link specifically to a single review, but if you go here and click on reviews and scroll down, you'll see it:

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-impact-wrench-2623.html?hftref=cj

I see it, I would have looked at another supplier if they took so long to get the parts......

 

[pipsters]

i just re-read the review i saw, but it doesn't sound like i was confused, by "Frank" on 2/28/2011:



I can't link specifically to a single review, but if you go here and click on reviews and scroll down, you'll see it:

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-impact-wrench-2623.html?hftref=cj

Yep you are right, sorry, I did see one that said the opposite as well .

 

[09-JK]

But will the earthquake last like the 212? (forever)

Of course, it looks the same so it must have the same materials, heat treats and machined tolerances.

 

[6530]

The 3/8 Earthquakes are on clearance - I just picked one up for $40 out the door with a 20% coupon. I had a hard time paying $90, even with a 20% coupon, but for this price it's worthwhile. I actually had already accumulated a few sets of 3/8 impact sockets in anticipation of someday getting a 3/8 impact, so now I'm GTG.

The 3/8 is significantly smaller & lighter than the 1/2, which I've had for a year or so.

 

[6530]

Of course, it looks the same so it must have the same materials, heat treats and machined tolerances.

Yeah, I doubt it does. But for a weekend warrior like me, I'm not too worried about it not being pro quality.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

The 3/8 Earthquakes are on clearance - I just picked one up for $40 out the door with a 20% coupon. I had a hard time paying $90, even with a 20% coupon, but for this price it's worthwhile. I actually had already accumulated a few sets of 3/8 impact sockets in anticipation of someday getting a 3/8 impact, so now I'm GTG.

The 3/8 is significantly smaller & lighter than the 1/2, which I've had for a year or so.

$40.00 OUT the door is a good price.
Damm, I paid $78.14 for mine.................Had it shipped though. $78.14 including shipping. Order Date: April 24, 2011
Don't know if I used a coupon, think I did. I usually do.
Still deciding to bite the bullet and get A Snap on or a IR 2115 TI
Or to try the Klutch at Northern tools,or try the Kobalt at Lowes.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

I was there yesterday and seen the sale. Our HF does not keep the earthquake tools on the shelf because they are a hot item that walks out the door. They keep empty boxes on the shelf that say go to the check out and they will bring one out from the back.

For the last few months, I have walked up and grabbed the box to get the 3/8 impact, but every time I get through the checkout line, they tell me they are out of stock, and every time I tell them if you are out of stock why do you have the box on the shelf just to make people stand in line and find out at the end they do not have any anyways. They keep apologized for it but they still put the box back on the shelf.

Yesterday it happened again when I seen they were on the sale. I blew up this time and had a very heated conversation with the manager about it. So he said they still had some in the main warehouse and placed a special order for one and said it would be there next Thursday when there shipment comes in. I guess we will see what happens this time around.....

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Yeah, That would make me mad too.
I just ordered the Air Cat 1300TH, $131.99 at tooltopia.
Seems to have pretty good reviews,

http://www.tooltopia.com/aircat-1300th.aspx

 

[RangerDaleXp]

Yeah, That would make me mad too.
I just ordered the Air Cat 1300TH, $131.99 at tooltopia.
Seems to have pretty good reviews,

http://www.tooltopia.com/aircat-1300th.aspx

I would like to complete the set minus the 3/4. I have the IR version for 3/4 so no need for the Earthquake version since I don't normally use it that size much.

I asked what will replace the Earthquake line and I was told the same thing roughly but all in black instead. We will have to wait and see.....

If I cant get the earthquake 3/8 I may need to look at the Air Cat or the Klutch version instead......

 

[Pro-Painter]

I would like to complete the set minus the 3/4. I have the IR version for 3/4 so no need for the Earthquake version since I don't normally use it that size much.

I asked what will replace the Earthquake line and I was told the same thing roughly but all in black instead. We will have to wait and see.....

If I cant get the earthquake 3/8 I may need to look at the Air Cat or the Klutch version instead......

The Klutch impacts are nice, They have a warranty that is hard to beat. They offer 24mo parts/12mo replacement and Northern tool offers an extended two year "Accidental Damage Replacement Plan" for $19.99.

So for $90 you get a composite body, 70-320ft lb, 3/8" impact, with a 1 year OEM bumper to bumper warranty, A two year no questions asked warranty. And a OEM two year warranty on parts.