Harbor Freight recently launched several new Earthquake Composite XT (Xtreme Torque) impact wrenches that caught my attention.
I’ve talked to a lot of Harbor Freight shoppers and tool users over the years, and the store’s Earthquake series impact wrenches are fairly well-regarded.
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There are now 6 different color options – but is this really a surprise?
Harbor Freight launched their Earthquake XT 1/2″ drive composite air impact wrench in green, and now they are expanding it with red, yellow, blue, gunmetal, and orange color schemes.
Is this typical? The new color options all say they compare to the Snap-on PT850, but when I looked that model is only available in red and black.
The green version “compares to” the Mac Tools BWP151, which seems to only be available in red and black, as with other Mac Tool impact wrenches.
So if other brands aren’t releasing the same impact wrench in different colors, why Harbor Freight? Oh, I know! Harbor Freight launched their US General full bank service cart in 6 colors, and they match!
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Harbor Freight often offers their US General tool storage products – and their attachments and accessories – with several different color options. Wait a second, these are the same colors as for the new Earthquake XT composite impact wrenches.
I can understand color-matched tool box accessories and related storage components. But multiple impact wrench colors? This looks to be their flagship model, and so maybe they expect to sell enough models to justify having different color options.
Does it really matter? (Yes – more on this down the page).
Features & Specs
- 1/2″ drive
- 1200 ft-lbs max breakaway torque
- 1000 ft-lbs mx torque
- 7000 mac RPM
- Lightweight composite housing
- Twin hammer impact mechanism
- One-handed push-button selector
- 3-speed rear dial regulator
- 1/4″ NPT air inlet, 3/8″ recommended hose size
- 90 PSI working pressure
- 6 CFM average air consumption
- Through-handle exhaust
- Weighs 4.56 lbs
- 90 dB noise rating
- “Stylish overmold” provides jacket-like protection
Other popular models are also available in different color options. The Ingersoll Rand 2235 TiMax, for instance, is available in gray, red, and Mossy Oak camo. So maybe color options isn’t that uncommon after all.
Price: $170
More Info via Harbor Freight
Compare: Ingersoll Rand via Amazon
Why does any of this matter? Personally, I see this as another example of Harbor Freight stepping away from their focus on “cheap tools.” Well, sure, these impacts are still priced lower than most (many? all?) competing models, but it’s a more user-centric move.
I doubt that Harbor Freight is going to color-coordinate all of their tools, but this is an interesting development nonetheless.
Your Thoughts?
Jared
Seems like an unusual move to me! Will they come out with 6 colors of screwdriver and ratchet handles too?
I like it though. I’m not going to buy a pneumatic impact wrench now that I have my big Dewalt, but color matching would appeal to me. I wish more tools had color options – but of course that would be a nightmare to stock. Plus, I’d probably end up with a rainbow from clearance shopping. 😄
I’m surprised they didn’t just offer protective rubber wraps in different colors.
Joe
I hate to say this… but Harbor Freight is doing it right. I was looking at a Craftsman, but I may wind up at HF buying the orange one.
MFC
NO PINK?
I’m going to go find a Karen to get upset about this.
In all seriousness, I don’t care what color an impact starts off as. It’s going to be one shade of gray/brown or another after not too long.
MattW.
Mac rpm must hit hard
Bruce
I’ve got a light duty twin hammer HF impact that has served my needs, if I need more, the Earthquake would be my first choice and I’d buy it to match the rest of my garage gear. It’s good stuff and HF is by far the most convenient tool store to my house. It’s a 1000 times better than the big box stores or my local hardware stores. I’ve got corporate accounts at Graingers, McMaster, Edge Construction, even Mac, but when it’s my dollars on the line for home gamer stuff, HF gets the nod.
Josh
I like it and if i were starting as some sort of mechanic I would probably be looking into the color matching stuff. I agree with the first comment that jared made. He sums it up well
Mac
Air tools? I have barely touched my compressor since going cordless a year or so ago. HF has cordless…guess they are just hitting all the possible flavors and colors.
IronWood
Agreed, especially for impacts and ratchets. I still use air die grinders and air chisels, but that’s about it. If the big DeWalt or M18 1/2″ impact wrenches don’t do the job I’m going to an air 3/4″, not just to an air 1/2″. I still have a couple of old Ingersoll 1/2″ impacts that are great and smaller than the cordless versions, which is handy occasionally, but I can’t really see buying a new air one.
Zach Of All Trades
I’m still waiting on my pink camouflage 72 inch tool box colorway
Jason. W
For a home garage/shop set up color coordinating is a pretty big deal. Look at any Ryobi Facebook page and you’ll see hundreds of photos with people going crazy because they found a green “insert item” to match their tools. This is an untapped market (color coordinating tools) at a reasonable price.
PJ
They changed the color and jacked up the price.
Original is $114.97, coupons were routinely $99 – https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-composite-xtreme-torque-air-impact-wrench-62891.html
New ones are a different color and $169.99 – https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-composite-xtreme-torque-air-impact-wrench-green-57157.html
Look at the product pages, only the color and price are different.
Stuart
Housings are completely different, internals could be as well.