Which cordless impact wrench to buy...

So my wife gave a gift certificate to Harbor Freight. I want to buy a cordless impact wrench to take to the track with me for tire/wheel changes.

I need something powerful enough to break loose wheel lugs torqued to 90 ft lbs.

From a brief search of their catalog, it looks like they have a 19.2 volt "earthquake" model rated at 350 ft lbs in reverse.

Anyone have this? Can it break free lugs set to 90ft lbs?

Does Harbor Freight sell a more powerful cordless impact wrench that I'm not finding via search?

pep boys goodyear one i drive a wrecker and use it every day 24 volt no issues works awesome..comes with a plastic case and some sockets..

I have a burly-ass DeWalt 18v I bought:

Like THIS one...

Purportedly it's got 300ft/lbs, but I still bring a breaker bar and torque wrench.

Arrive at the venue - unload the car - take a lap around to break all the nuts - jack it - gun off - swap wheels - gun lightly on but leave a little to finish - car back down - take a lap around with the torque wrench.

It's nice an methodical, so you never have loose nut anxiety. Just the regular autocross anxiety.

This one. It has a "comfort grip". I think that's important.

Personally, I have an Ingersoll-Rand IQv 19.2v impact that I use. It's a great little piece - I just used mine to change a transmission on a Miata and the battery still shows a 75% charge. It's not the cheapest option but it's what I carry in the rally car - failure is not an option there. But it's not HF.

Keith wrote: This one. It has a "comfort grip". I think that's important.

ohh....baby!

I've heard that the new 'Earthquake' one is more like the old really good HF one that lasted a long time (4years until mine puked its batteries)

This is the one that I just bought myself with Xmas money: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/24-Volt-Cordless-1-2-In-Impact-Wrench-w-2-Batteries-24V_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem220335768106QQitemZ220335768106QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools

Keith wrote:

That's the one that the Volvo dealer uses to replace the lugnuts when my father brings his car in for service.

This is a timely thread. My old HF one (apparently one of the last of the good kind) is starting to puke its batteries after 6 years. (I'm ahead of the curve.) It still works, but I'm noticing it being weaker by the time I get done with a 4-wheel change.

Can you get the battery internals replaced? I think they typically use a standard cell size inside. A local battery shop might be able to help you out.

I haven't cracked it open yet. If it does use standard cells I'm sure I can find them on the Internet. My EE training and grassroots spirit will not allow me to "get the battery internals replaced." That'll be DIY, if it happens. The question is whether the cost of the batteries and the time it would take me to do it are less than the cost of a new one.

For the moment, it falls into the "if it ain't broke" category. I am just starting to notice that it is on its way out.

Gotta get it from HF, as that's where I got my gift card from.

So does anyone have any direct experience with the new HF Earthquake impact? Will the 350ft lb take off lugs torqued to 90ft lbs?

My Milwaukee 18v is the shiznit

The gas powered one is from HF. It should do the job

Per Schroeder wrote: I've heard that the new 'Earthquake' one is more like the old really good HF one that lasted a long time (4years until mine puked its batteries) This is the one that I just bought myself with Xmas money: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/24-Volt-Cordless-1-2-In-Impact-Wrench-w-2-Batteries-24V_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem220335768106QQitemZ220335768106QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools

That has an uncanny resemblance to the Northern Tools 24v Impact wrench I bought last year at the exact same price:

I seriously question any cordless impact that claims 300ft/lbs when the top end cordless Makita 24v impact only claims 230ft/lbs. The chinese made stuff from HF is usually grossly over-stated.

The 24v Northern Tool I bought claims 210ft/lbs and was only $129. Currently on sale now for $119 w/free shipping.

And is it powerful enough to remove lugs torqued to 90 ft lbs?

It removes my lugs torqued to 85 ft/lbs with no problems.

Dude, you're avoiding the question.

I've talked to a lot of people, and I've used several different brands, including MAC, SnapOn, Dewalt, Crafstman. There is no debate though when the question is asked which is best. The SnapOn cordless electric impact trumps all the rest. The battery life is longer, and the torque is better than any other cordless on the market. It's pretty pricey, but you get what you pay for.

ww wrote:

Per Schroeder wrote: I've heard that the new 'Earthquake' one is more like the old really good HF one that lasted a long time (4years until mine puked its batteries) This is the one that I just bought myself with Xmas money: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/24-Volt-Cordless-1-2-In-Impact-Wrench-w-2-Batteries-24V_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem220335768106QQitemZ220335768106QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools

The 24v Northern Tool I bought claims 210ft/lbs and was only $129. Currently on sale now for $119 w/free shipping.

I own this one. COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY WORTHLESS. Won't even remove lug bolts on a MINI (torqued to 90 ft lbs by me). Don't waste your money.

We have the SnapOn at FM, and I'll take my Ingersoll Rand over it in terms of power and battery life.

FWIW, Since lugnuts can deform if they're constantly pounded on with an impact, I break mine loose with a breaker bar before I jack up the car. This makes them last longer (the lugnuts) when I'm changing tires 2x a week.

Per

I bought one of these Saturday. I looked at the Earthquake, but it didn't seem like twice the gun for twice the money. This one took apart the entire front and rear suspension of the Speed3 yesterday on a single charge. So far I'm happy.

jg

I also have the Goodyear one from Pep-boys. It works good at removing lug nuts torqued to 100 ft-lbs. I've also used it to seat new wheel studs (although I wouldn't recommend doing this, but in a pinch at an autocross, what other choice do you have).

I know you need a HF one, but just my .02 My Son and i both bought the HF blue one, used it one season, and they both crapped. I since bought the Dewalt, and I could not be happier (once I forgot about the 250 on fleabay) We are w2w guys and do change wheels a LOT in the course of a weekend. I know nothing about the Earthquake model