HF vs NT Electric Impact Wrench

[netbrad]

I'm going to be replacing the shocks/struts on my wife's car and was looking at inexpensive impact wrenches. I don't have an air compressor or tools nor can I afford them right now, plus I don't do this kind of work often enough to justify the cost.

Both Northern tool and Harbor Freight have their electric impact wrenches on sale for $49.99. Is there a difference between the two? I see a lot of folks on here think the HF wrench is a good one but can't find much about the Northern Tool. Also, which is the best "budget" metric impact set?

 

[ChrisF250]

Not much to add, but if you look around I know there are coupons to get the HF impact wrench to 38$

 

[Danglerb]

HF should have a coupon, if one is local that could sway me too.

 

[Ign]

Several years ago I looked at both and they appeared identical in exterior appearance. In fact all the China electric impacts look the same, and I'd say it's highly unlikely they come from distinctly different sources. Northern has a track record of carrying tools for their house brand that are identical to HF, merely packaged differently and different colors.

I have not looked at the latest versions.

I'd go HF because I suspect you'd have less hassle with a return if there is a problem. That said, I've never stepped foot in a Northern retail store (they don't come this far west) so I could very well be wrong.

 

[netbrad]

Price isn't a concern if the NT one is better. I'm beginning to think there's really no difference but wanted some opinions instead of over-analyzing it.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

Price isn't a concern if the NT one is better. I'm beginning to think there's really no difference but wanted some opinions instead of over-analyzing it.

I think the Northern is made by the same people as the HF version with different color plastic. I have the HF one and had good luck with it. My friend had the B&D one and everything was the same except the plastic. All three were made in china....

 

[hofferwood]

Here's what you need

But my Brother has the H.F. and is very happy with it.
Chuck

 

[kms]

Here's what you need

For $38? Sold!

 

[smogtech]

Here's what you need

But my Brother has the H.F. and is very happy with it.
Chuck

man that just looks heavy.

 

[netbrad]

Wow. Is that the Rolls Royce logo? Otherwise that thing should be in a 1930's Buck Rogers movie.

Anyway, how about impact socket recommendations? is HF Pittsburgh ok?

 

[NinetyTwoFifty]

Looks like Ingersoll Rand.

How well does that thing work?

 

[rgeudy]

Wow. Is that the Rolls Royce logo? Otherwise that thing should be in a 1930's Buck Rogers movie.

Anyway, how about impact socket recommendations? is HF Pittsburgh ok?

yep the HF impact sockets work exremely well for the price.

 

[Coach James]

I have the HF one and I gave my dad the one from NT. We are both happy with the ones we have. I would buy whichever is cheapest and easiest to get.

Coach

 

[Tatsuya]

Get the HF one with the $37.99 coupon. I used it today to get my brother's transmission fluid bolt/cap off no problem. Before I had one, the two of us tried breaking the same bolt with a 24" breaker bar + 10" extension and it wouldn't budge.

 

[diggerrick]

After reading so much about Northern Tool here, I checked to see if there is anything within reasonable driving distance to me (central Ohio).

I find it kinda funny that with "Northern" in the name, most of the stores appear to be concentrated in the south:

http://www.northerntool.com/stores/

 

[homesale]

I have the newer version of the IR. It is heavy and expensive but if you don't have access to air tools, I highly recommend it.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001HWF0IM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Ingersoll-Rand 8053 1/2-Inch Electric Impact Gun Wrench

Weight: 10 Pounds
Technical Details
Amps - 5.00 A
Cord Length - 15 ft
Length - 10 3/4 in
Type - Straight Driver
Torque - 50.00 ft lb [Min], 330.00 ft lb [Max]

 

[GSteg]

How much did you pay for one of those? Why not get a cordless impact instead if you need convenience?

 

[netbrad]

The HF gun was on sale for $39.99 so I got it. Next week I'll pick up a set of Pittsburgh sockets. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Danglerb]

How much did you pay for one of those? Why not get a cordless impact instead if you need convenience?

$40 with a cord, same torque without a cord more like $200+.

Around $100 you can get a cordless with enough torque for a lot of jobs, but it might take some hunting to find a good one, wait for a sale etc. Depends on what you need it for, and what its worth to you. If I was starting over, no compressor, no air tools, I "might" try going cordless and/or electric on everything, but OTOH it might not work out.