I've been reading some older threads about the better harbor freight cordless impact wrench. However, none of the links to their catalog work anymore, and it seems that they don't offer the better of their 2 cordless impacts anymore (if I get one I want it to be able to break lug nuts as a bare minimum, and preferably trickier stuff as well like crank pulley bolts and flywheel bolts). Does anyone know anything about this? Are there any good alternatives in that (very low) price range? I was considering the corded one they offer that's on sale for $50, but it would definitely be really nice to have it for swapping wheels at the track and such, and I hadn't heard any feedback on the corded one either.

 

I ordered mine in March and got sick of waiting for it and cancelled the order last week. I inquired with their customer service department every month and they kept on saying it was back-ordered. When I saw that they removed it from their website, I just gave up. The racing jack I ordered at the same time took 2.5 months to get to me too! Harbor Freight is crap

I am likely going to be just using my codrivers all year as he is at every event I am, but I did find this as an alternative. I'm not sure on quality though:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW

 

I went there last month to get a new battery and/or charger since mine died. I also noticed none on the shelves. So I asked the lady at the front desk and she couldn't give me a straight answer. So I asked for a manager.

Apparently there was some sort of fire problem with the cordless impacts manufactured after 2003 or 2004. The batteries would get hot and catch on fire. I heard you can get replacement batteries and/or chargers by calling Harbor Freight.

The next best thing I've seen is the Mikita or Dewalt cordless impact guns for like $200-300 though. Or you can buy a corded one at Harbor Freight for like $80. Which is no use to you at the track.

 

That's a shame to hear. I was hoping to pick one of these up for occasional use. Gefiltefish, definitely post your impressions if you get that ebay one. I too noticed a lot of cheap 24V cordless impacts on ebay, but had never heard any feedback about their quality.

 

The "Goodyear Racing" cordless impacts available at Pepboys for ~$100 have gotten good reviews so far. At least on par with the HF 19.2

 

I just bought that cordless 24V impact "Goodyear" piece at Pep Boys. Actually there is a rebate and you can get it for 79.99. 170 ft-lbs-----that should break the lugs. I'm happy with it.

 

I have the DeWalt and the power is awesome 300ft/lbs. I got it free when I ordered the kit with 6 pieces.

 

also, the "newer" version of that gun has been known to be a dud. struggles with lugs and any other fairly high tq bolt on the car.

gotta have the older (slightly larger, less streamlined, which is how you tell the difference) model that .rj and I love so well.

 

The newer one is in their print sales flyer right now, but not on the site. But I had gathered that it wasn't the good one by looking at the model numbers in the links in the review thread.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bad-monkey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">.rj and I love so well.</TD></TR></TABLE>

The forward/reverse switch on mine is busted I think... I can tighten stuff with it, but I have to force the switch to move to "loosen" and then it wont work. I need to take this thing apart and fix it, especially if I cant get another one. I think i've had it for 3 years now, so not a bad run.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The forward/reverse switch on mine is busted I think... I can tighten stuff with it, but I have to force the switch to move to "loosen" and then it wont work. I need to take this thing apart and fix it, especially if I cant get another one. I think i've had it for 3 years now, so not a bad run.</TD></TR></TABLE>

mine doesn't seem to have the same "oomph" that it used to. i'm hoping it's a battery issue, though i'm not sure they even make the batteries for this thing anymore.

used to take off axle nuts like nothing but now it sometimes struggles with lugs if they're slightly overtorqued.

 

I was at my local HF store a couple of days ago, and just for kicks looked at the batteries on the shelf. They had one left for the 19.2 impact....marked down to $26 clearance, from the $50 or so that it was originally priced at.

It was the last one, and is now sitting at my house happily charging away.

A year ago I might have skipped it, planning to buy a replacement gun in case the battery died.

I did see a 19.2v impact on Ebay that, from all outward appearances, was the same as this fabled HF item but in a different color...and for about $180. Was some Taiwan manufacturer - I found it on a couple other websites, but no decent prices.

Jarrod

 

I picked up the Goodyear Racing one from Pepboys. It had no problem with lug nuts at 80 ft./lbs, so I torqued one of them to 110 and it still got it off no problem. It was also able to break a cam bolt from a Nissan KA24DE that my friend's pretty mediocre air impact couldn't break. It might not be the best impact out there, but for $80 it does all I need it to pretty well.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bluegsr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I was at my local HF store a couple of days ago, and just for kicks looked at the batteries on the shelf. They had one left for the 19.2 impact....marked down to $26 clearance, from the $50 or so that it was originally priced at.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I stumbled across that deal too. I picked one up two weeks ago, but I think I might be returning (or setting on fire) mine. I charged it 5-6 hours per the manuals suggestion and it wouldn't break 75ft/lb lugs. I'm going to give it a shot again after a 12 hour charge and some beer tommorow.

 

I also picked up the Pep Boys "Goodyear" Impact gun. And I'm glad I did. I had some seized bolts when I was changing out the exhaust that was on the hatchback I purchased last week.

Used a breaker bar, hammer chisel, everything on the bolts near the cat. Finally tried out the Goodyear gun on a full charge and it took them off with no problems. Not bad for $80.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CivicSiRacer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I also picked up the Pep Boys "Goodyear" Impact gun. And I'm glad I did. I had some seized bolts when I was changing out the exhaust that was on the hatchback I purchased last week.

Used a breaker bar, hammer chisel, everything on the bolts near the cat. Finally tried out the Goodyear gun on a full charge and it took them off with no problems. Not bad for $80.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Just got my pepboys one today. Nice peice for the money. Will serve me well at auto-x. Comes with a nifty case too. Got mine for 105 with tax because i got the extended 1 year warantee when the factory one runs out. Plus i still have the 10 dollar rebate to send in, so it will come to $95. Not a bad deal with the warantee and 4 inpact sockets.

 

How long do you guys find the battery last when you are using a cordless unit? Could you use it all day working on an engine swap?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by giff74 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Could you use it all day working on an engine swap?</TD></TR></TABLE>

It takes you all day to swap an engine?

I would easily go through a whole weekend at the track with it, with several tire changes and lending it to friends for the same. They're pretty durable.

 

[QUOTE=.RJ]

It takes you all day to swap an engine?

QUOTE]

It will take me several! Maybe you should come to Kentucky and help me out.

 

After making the order with HF for the 220ft-lb, and it being backordered, I looked at the PepBoys wrench. What confused me was the power differences.

HF Gun: 19.2V: 220ft lbs.
PB Gun: 24V: 170ft lbs.

After this long wait, I might just go with the PB gun this weekend due to the positive responses here.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Evan55 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The "Goodyear Racing" cordless impacts available at Pepboys for ~$100 have gotten good reviews so far. At least on par with the HF 19.2</TD></TR></TABLE>

I picked one of these up last night. Charged it over night, and ... it doesn't remove lug nuts
torqued at 75 ft-lbs. In fact, it won't turn a socket gripped in my hand!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sidtc &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I picked one of these up last night. Charged it over night, and ... it doesn't remove lug nuts
torqued at 75 ft-lbs. In fact, it won't turn a socket gripped in my hand!
</TD></TR></TABLE>

removes lugs on both of my cars torqued well over 150 ft pounds...

mabye you didn't have the battery pack clicked all the way down in the charger, its kinda wierd.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by xerox445 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">removes lugs on both of my cars torqued well over 150 ft pounds...

mabye you didn't have the battery pack clicked all the way down in the charger, its kinda wierd.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks. I think I charged it properly. The green light came on.

 

Read the instructions. Says to charge it, then use it a bit then do an overnight charge.

Mine removes my lugs at 85ft/lbs with no problem. And removed some rust bolts that I used my body weight on that wouldn't budge. And I'm no lightweight

 

I love my 18v Dewalt cordless impact. Made my recent 5lug swap a breeze. It's kinda pricey at almost $300 dollars, but atleast I know it'll be around for years to come.