hf earthquake air tools

[monster1]

How are the quality of these tools? I have an air ratchet and impact the was promotional giveaway with my craftsman compressor. They work OK if I break loose fasteners first. Looking to upgrade to stronger duty stuff without breaking the bank.

 

[pipsters]

1/2" is real strong, better than my 2135qtimax. The 1/4" ratchet is not strong but very quiet.

The Earthquake series are the only air tools I would buy from Harbor Freight.

 

[monster1]

1/2" is real strong, better than my 2135qtimax. The 1/4" ratchet is not strong but very quiet.

The Earthquake series are the only air tools I would buy from Harbor Freight.

Thanks. I am going to get the 3/8" ratchet and 1/2" impact. The cmans promo ones I have now are just strong enough to spin fasteners. No balls at all. The impact gun puts out a bolt twisting 80 ft/lbs of torque. :^\

 

[pipsters]

Keep in mind the 3/8" ratchet is very loud, 90 db unlike the 79 db quoted on the web site. I've personally never liked using a 3/8" air ratchet.

Here's the 1/4" compared to a 3/8"

 

[SINISTER]

We have a guy in the shop who refuses to use any other ratchets than his 3/8dr. air ratchet. Needless to say everyone including me wants to punch him in the face. I am either going to do that, or throw his out and buy him a quiet one for Christmas/his birthday.

I have a couple of HF 1/4" air ratchets. They are okay at best. I go through them every 6 months so far. But for 12$ I throw them away when they break. I dont use them often so that shows the lack of quality. The first thing to go on them is the locking ball luckily I have some bearings laying around that fit my 1/4" tools well.

I havent purchased their earthquake air ratchets, mainly because I cant contemplate paying more than 20$ for one of their crappy tools. How long have you had your 1/4"? If it can last longer than the 12$ ones I might be interested.

 

[chris142]

I had the big 3/4 drive earthquake impact. It didn't last very long.

 

[wafrederick]

I do have the 1/4 earthquake air ratchet and tough as nails.I use mine at work a lot,has not broke down yet although it is a year old.Have to watch it with the 3/8 air ratchets,can break small bolts if not careful when tightening them.Don't use chrome sockets on them,tend to wear out the socket quickly.

 

[muibubbles]

i have teh 1/2" impact. no complaints but i dont use it often.. only for those stubborn m^#$^@#^ f$T%$#

 

[monster1]

My 3/8" cman promo can wake the dead. Its more irritating than the 1/2" impact!

 

[pipsters]

My 3/8" cman promo can wake the dead. Its more irritating than the 1/2" impact!

Unfortunately the only quiet air ratchet HF offers is the 1/4" Earthquake. The impacts are actually pretty quiet but not as quiet as the 2135qtimax. However I wanted power over ergonomics so I shipped the 2135 back.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I have the 3/8" HF Earthquake an it is a lot better than the 1/2" Craftsman. Granted its not an apples-to-apples comparison. I intend to buy a 1/2" Earthquake soon. I'm not a pro, occasional use only.

 

[lead_foot]

I have beat the living tar out of my 1/2" earthquake impact for the last ~6yrs and it hasn't skipped a beat!! Love it!!

 

[Matt018]

I have the earthquake 3/8 impact wrench and its great.

 

[monster1]

Bought the 1/2" earthquake impact today. It was on sale for $89 and I used a 20% off coupon.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

i've been looking at getting the old earthquake 1/2'' non-impact air ratchet with a 20% coupon.

 

[monster1]

I broke down and went back and got the matching 3/8" ratchet. Can't wait to play with my new toys. Too bad I'm pulling a double shift tommorrow.

 

[dudutzu905]

Have to watch it with the 3/8 air ratchets,can break small bolts if not careful when tightening them.

did that just yesterday