HTF 1/2 earthquake or IR 2130 Impact?

[mrjaw14]

TSC has the IR 2130 Impact on sale for 169.99
http://www.tractorsupply.com/ingers...ct-wrench-impactool-1-2-in-drive-2130-3400110

Manufacturers Number: 2130
Brand: Ingersoll Rand®
Drive Size: 1/2 in.
Speed Rating: 9,500 RPM
Maximum Torque: 550 ft. - lb.
Flow Rate: 4.4 CFM @ 90 PSI
Connection Size: 1/4 in.
Variable Speed: Yes


Harbot Freight's 1/2 earthquake is 89.99. They claim 700 ft lb

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-professional-air-impact-wrench-68424.html

Name 1/2" Professional Air Impact Wrench
SKU 68424
Brand Central Pneumatic Earthquake
Housing material Cast Aluminum
Impacts per minute 1085
Maximum speed (rpm) 7000
Maximum Torque (ft. - lbs.) 700 ft. - lbs.
Required CFM 4.4 @ 90

Which should I get?

 

[jaysonb]

I picked up a 1/2 earthquake a few weeks ago, it really seems to be a power house. It is heavy, but for use in my garage, it will work good. Seems to have a bunch of good reviews from the guys around here.

 

[kythri]

The only negative reviews the HF Earthquake Impact Wrenches seem to get are from HF bashers.

They get consistently good reviews.

That $89.99 will be only $71.99 if you use the 20% off coupon here:

http://www.harborfreight.com/digitalsavings.html

Plus, you get free screwdrivers.

I've got the older style (clone of the IR Thunder Gun), and it's fantastic. I haven't used the new style gun myself, but I've not seen any negative reviews, and if my existing Earthquake gun wasn't so stellar and had disappeared, I'd have no issue going to get the new model.

I can't say anything negative about IR guns (especially when it's clear that HF has cloned their guns after patent expirations), but I personally can't see any reason to spend more than twice the price on the IR gun when I don't think it's going to provide anything more than equivalent (if that) performance.

 

[billymade]

There are cheaper places; amazon for $150 or so with free shipping and other vendors for even less;

https://www.google.com/shopping/pro...248874,d.aWM&biw=1280&bih=937&prds=scoring:tp

IR you can rebuild; get a tune up kit for $30, the weight really helps when working with a impact for extended periods of time. The extra money is worth it; durability, availability of parts and support are all worth the extra dough!

If you are open to used; many times you can find IR impacts for pretty cheap, the classic IR231's are all over the place and the plastic body ones (craftsman badged version) or the above 2030, are pretty common.... at garage sales, pawn shops, flea markets etc. Every impact I have gotten used; has worked fine and at the worst, just needed to be taken apart, cleaned and put back together. Good luck!

 

[Skin]

Home garage? The HF is fine. For daily use though, its on the heavy side.

IR you can rebuild; get a tune up kit for $30

A tune-up kit that's about half the price of the HF impact...You cant argue with that value, period. Parts are also available for it, just need to place a simple phone call. Both are imported so really, what are you gaining?

 

[mrjaw14]

From those of you who've used the HT earthquake: does is really put out 700 ft-lb? I know you can't really quantify that, but my general question is do you feel that it's marketing hype, or can it really do it?

The IR only goes to 550ft-lb, but I trust that it'll do that because the IR name is well known.

I'm not getting a good consensus on which gun to get so let me expound on my use. Home DIY use for lug nuts etc. I do have a use for it in exhaust work. My parents van has a leaky seal between flanges and the nut is pretty rusted up. I'm expecting it to put up quite a fight. So if the earthquake can really do 150ft-lbs more than the IR that's significant to me. To get an IR gun that'll do 700+ft lbs is way out of my price range.

 

[kythri]

Additionally, I'm pretty positive that the IR rebuild/tune up kits can be used on the Earthquake guns.

I've got a couple kits for the IR 212 3/8" gun that are a direct match for the older style HF 3/8" Earthquake.

I think the IR 231 is the gun that the original Earthquake 1/2" gun was cloned from...

 

[kythri]

From those of you who've used the HT earthquake: does is really put out 700 ft-lb? I know you can't really quantify that, but my general question is do you feel that it's marketing hype, or can it really do it?

I think it's a reasonable figure, but, you're right - without some kind of measurement tool, it's not easily quantifiable.

That said, I think that, other than the IR gun being physically lighter, the Earthquake will give at least equal performance to the IR gun, if not better.

 

[86k10]

I had the IR pictured and it was ok. I did sell it after a couple of weeks and got the 2135. I also have the HF 3/4" and its is good but I would go with the IR over the HF. And might go cheaper and get the 231 if money is a issue.

 

[pipsters]

Hands on new Earthquake line: 1/2" Impact

The HF Earthquake was more powerful than my new 2135qtimax and 2135timax.

 

[hickmlg09]

I was always told to go with Ingersoll for impact guns or a bluepoint. You can beat the bluepoints up and they still run!

 

[Rogue1987]

I've said it here before, the HF gun is very impressive.

 

[fury9]

After all the stuff I've read about this gun I'm gonna have to get one, Thanks guys!

 

[chris142]

You will be very impressed with the earthquake gun
I keep one on my crimping table and use it daily

 

[jagleaso]

I have both and both are good to go. HF unit is really a powerhouse.

 

[mrjaw14]

What do you guys think about the IR 231 series? The 231C is a 600ft lb gun. doesn't look like the trigger is variable though. Looks like all or nothing. Anyone have anything to say about the 231c?

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

my 231 just celebrated it's 30th birthday

 

[ex-x-fire]

The ir231 is like an ak-47, it ain't modern or pretty, but when you pull the trigger it works.

 

[mrjaw14]

does having a variable speed trigger really matter? That's my only hold off on the 231

 

[mrjaw14]

The IR 2132G is also in the running. I'm so torn....I want a good impact that'll last a long time. That sounds like a IR. Now which one! Can't pony up for a 2135timax. 231 seems good, but it's loud. wonder if the 2132g's muffler negatively affects performance

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VZC9P8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[joedodge]

You can run a 231 slow I have one I use every day great gun kinda heavy though the variable trigger thing isn't an issue mines ugly as sin but is a beast and works great

 

[Arbybe]

Ebay has a great assortment of air impacts.
I have noticed that here are surprising few HF Earthquake "not working for parts"
I don't know if this means anything,I'm just a mechanic.
I would say that generally speaking,IMHO,they are a "Pass"
Just say'in

 

[JRC3]

Anybody know if HF offers their two year extended warranty on the Earthquakes? If so another $5-$10 would be good insurance. It almost seems like the ones that failed did it within a year or so of purchase.

 

[Scimmia]

Ebay has a great assortment of air impacts.
I have noticed that here are surprising few HF Earthquake "not working for parts"
I don't know if this means anything,I'm just a mechanic.
I would say that generally speaking,IMHO,they are a "Pass"
Just say'in

You bumped a 2 year old thread for this? Just guessing, but the OP probably already purchased his impact.

 

[lightning02]

Anybody know if HF offers their two year extended warranty on the Earthquakes? If so another $5-$10 would be good insurance. It almost seems like the ones that failed did it within a year or so of purchase.

im not mistaken when i bought mine a 2 months ago i think its been they offered that to me but if i recall it was more then 10 bucks. again i cant recall that well.

 

[arz71]

I was always told to go with Ingersoll for impact guns or a bluepoint. You can beat the bluepoints up and they still run!

Got some that are IR impacts that are 20 years old and still going strong will second that.

 

[stikman56]

Additionally, I'm pretty positive that the IR rebuild/tune up kits can be used on the Earthquake guns.

I've got a couple kits for the IR 212 3/8" gun that are a direct match for the older style HF 3/8" Earthquake.

I think the IR 231 is the gun that the original Earthquake 1/2" gun was cloned from...

Actually the rebuild kits don't work between the two. I believe the original Earthquake impacts were made by Florida Pneumatic. They are bigger inside in areas like rotor output size, etc. therefore bearings won't work, etc.

 

[stikman56]

You can run a 231 slow I have one I use every day great gun kinda heavy though the variable trigger thing isn't an issue mines ugly as sin but is a beast and works great

They also have 5 power settings forward AND reverse. Most impacts are just full power in reverse. Variable trigger isn't really much of an issue with all those settings.

 

[Arbybe]

You bumped a 2 year old thread for this? Just guessing, but the OP probably already purchased his impact.

You are right, I am new to this site,and I see others reading older posts
I never thought of buying a HF pneumatic tool because of past
Disappointments, then I saw Earthquake being used at a local busy,
Tire shop! So I tried one myself. BEST 40 bucks spent on 1/2" used!
'just getting caught up as I am recently retired.
I've not read any of these posts before so they're new to me.
Just say'in
RBB

 

[arz71]

If there is an earthquake do they make a tremor as well?

 

[stikman56]

You are right, I am new to this site,and I see others reading older posts
I never thought of buying a HF pneumatic tool because of past
Disappointments, then I saw Earthquake being used at a local busy,
Tire shop! So I tried one myself. BEST 40 bucks spent on 1/2" used!
'just getting caught up as I am recently retired.
I've not read any of these posts before so they're new to me.
Just say'in
RBB

I don't pay attention to dates either. Seems there's gotta be somebody to make a deal about it every time someone does. I wouldn't worry about it, let them get their ******* in a wad.