Experience with Earthquake impacts?

[BDaugherty]

I'm not trying to start a brand war or a discussion on buying American. I'm just curious for some feedback on Harbor Freight's line of "Earthquake" impact wrenches. I really don't trust the reviews on the HF website. It seems most of the negative reviews come from someone who bought a nail gun compressor and can't figure out why it won't run their impact wrench.

I own a diesel repair business and my "daily driver" impact wrenches are 3/8, 1/2, and 3/4 Ingersoll Rand composite and 1" Earthquake. My "back up" impacts are IR, CP, Snap-On, and Husky.
About a year and a half ago, I finally conceded that my old CP 1" gun needed to be rebuilt. I decided to try an Earthquake to take its place while it was being repaired and then to stay on as a back up. Well, it turned out that I liked the Earthquake so much that I never built the CP. Granted, my CP was old and worn out, but the new Earthquake is lighter and has more power than I ever remember the CP having. It uses less air too. I always had to run the CP off my 12HP 30 gal 2 stage service truck compressor. I can run the Earthquake off my 60 gal shop compressor. I used a 1/2" air hose with high flow fittings either way and it still runs better off the truck compressor, but the small shop compressor does the job where before it didn't. I've been so impressed with the Earthquake 1" that I will probably buy another when I outfit my 2nd truck or when this one dies.

I do realize that it's not all that fair to compare a brand new impact with an old worn out one. I'm also not trying to influence anyone's next purchase. It's just that when I was shopping for 1" guns the "gold standard" Ingersoll was $500 and the 1" Earthquake was half that so I tried it. I'm not a tire shop so I don't use it all day every day. I also take care of my tools keeping them somewhat clean and oiling them just prior to being put away. However, I used them out in the elements and with way more air pressure than they were designed for. I've been considering trying some of the other sizes, but right now I really don't need any more impact wrenches...I mean, how many can you use at one time? That said, I'm just curious if anyone has any experience with the Earthquake line and if the others are decent or if I just got lucky to get the 1 out of a hundred that's actually decent?

 

[Deleted member 995608]

No experience with earthquake.

I've tried a few pneumatic tools from Harbor Freight and have not been impressed. Basically, the only tools I buy from them are hard use tools like screwdrivers; throw away tools.

 

[CPH]

I have the 3/8 air rachet. What a bruzer! If you are not careful it will twist your arm and hurt you bad. I am going to buy the HF earthquake impact guns next. Have CP and Campell hausfeld and they are junk compaired to the HF rachet. This is one of several tools I have gotten at HF that are more than worth the money. A lot of folks complain about HF China stuff. I will say this. I am the first to buy American when I can afford it. If i am going to buy hand tools and I can get Craftsman made in the US I will normally get them. But when you can get HF hand tools that are the same or better quality than Craftsman and both are made in China or India at half the cost, they leave me no choice. I am not rich. The HF rachets are way better than Chraftsman are now. I have yet to brake one. Have broken 2 Craftsmen doing regular work on my truck. Not even using then hard!

cph

 

[BDaugherty]

Sort of wild to do an internet search and come across your own thread...even if it is old. Just to update the status of HF airtools, the 1" drive earthquake tire gun has been going strong. It gets regular use in a 3 man truck shop. Trigger design is a little dangerous, power is very good, and durability has been good. I have since bought another to keep on the service truck.

 

[DavidC]

Thanks for the update

Dave