Harbor Freight's Air Impact Wrench Is A Great Budget Alternative To Snap-On's Similar Tool

You might recognize an air impact wrench from a visit to the tire shop or maybe watching NASCAR on TV. No tool is faster at removing and refitting the lug nuts on wheels. While that's probably the most common use, the power they deliver means they're unrivaled for any kind of work with large nuts and bolts. This makes them one of the types of wrenches every homeowner should have for DIY auto tasks, lawnmower maintenance, deck building, etc.

Harbor Freight sells several cordless impact wrenches, but if you're looking for maximum performance, there's no substitute for an air-driven tool. These are offered under the Earthquake brand. The Earthquake XT ¾ Inch Composite Air Impact Wrench is suggested as a great budget alternative to Snap-On's similar MG1250 model. That's not surprising given that the Earthquake XT costs $249.99 and the Snap-on equivalent is an eye-watering $1249.95.

Given a price difference of a thousand bucks, give or take, you'd expect the Snap-on impact wrench to be something very special. It's true that the brand has a reputation for premium quality equipment, underlined by the fact that they supply tools to NASA for rocket building. How do the two tools compare when we look at the specification, though? At the price, the Earthquake XT impact wrench seems to provide excellent value, but is it just a cheap copy, or is it a tool that can compete with the best?

The most important number for impact wrenches is torque, or twisting force, usually given in foot pounds (ft-lbs). Two figures are normally provided: nut-busting torque (used to release a stuck nut or bolt) and maximum torque during normal operation. The Earthquake XT delivers 1800 ft-lbs and 1300 ft-lbs, respectively, whereas the Snap-on impact wrench offers 1350 ft-lbs and 1250 ft-lbs. Other figures are so close as to make little difference. The Earthquake XT runs at 6000 rpm, while the Snap-on MG1250 runs at 6200 rpm. The Earthquake XT weighs 8 pounds; the Snap-on weighs 8.1 pounds. Both offer dual hammer action for reduced vibration. Both offer one-handed forward and reverse.

People sometimes wonder why tools at Harbor Freight are cheaper than competitors, but it doesn't seem to be a lack of performance. When it comes to the key figure, it's the Earthquake XT that comes out on top. In other areas, there's little to choose between them. However, the Snap-on tool may prove more durable. The Earthquake XT air impact wrench has a 90-day warranty. For the Snap-on MG1250, it's two years.

Is that enough to make a $1000-worth of difference? For professionals who use these tools all day, every day, it might be. For home auto enthusiasts and DIYers, the Earthquake XT air impact wrench is a great budget alternative and another of the heavy-duty Harbor Freight tools that are worth buying.