Harbor Tools Impact Wrench Any Good?

NY_Yankees_Fan · Feb 12, 2004

I picked up a set of bar tires for the BX the other day. Got me thinking about the need for a new power tool /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif to change those tires in the winter and spring. Looking at Harbor Freight web site they have a 240 lbs of torque unit for $50. The unit is a Chicago Electric Power Tool brand. I know $50 is cheap unit, but I figured it will only be used a few times a year and can not justify to the CFO a name brand unit for 2-3 times the $50.

Any idea if a 240 lbs impact wrench will remove the lugs on a BX? or am I just better off doing it by hand? Anyone have any of the Chicago Electric power tools? do they hold up? Finally, any idea what size socket you need to remove the lugs?

Thanks

JJT · Feb 12, 2004

I have a number of Chicago Electric air tools and have been happy with their service. 1/2" impact, 3/8 ratchet, die grinder and at least 1 more. I always put a few drops of oil in after I use them. 8+ years on the impact wrench.

Junkman · Feb 12, 2004

You could use it for removal, but for the reinstall, you should have a torque wrench. Personally, if that is all that you see a need for a impact wrench, I don't think that it is worth it for the 18 bolts that hold the tires on the BX. It isn't that cost effective, and by the time you take out the hose and bring the compressor up to pressure, you could have half the job done by hand. I have impact wrenches 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" and for the most part, I don't use them very often. In fact, most of the time, I use the 3/8" drive long handle ratchet most of the time. Just my opinion since you asked....

BXMMCC · Feb 13, 2004

21MM front, 22MM rear, if my memory serves me. You do need a torque wrench to put them back on properly.

NY_Yankees_Fan · Feb 13, 2004

</font><font color="blueclass=small">( I don't think that it is worth it for the 18 bolts that hold the tires on the BX. It isn't that cost effective )</font>

Junkman if I used that logic I would not have a $12K tractor to cut 2 acres of grass. And come to think of it a lot of other tools to.

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This is an electric impact wrench not an air unit. I do not have an air compressor. Based on what Junkman said it would be over the top to buy one just for this use. Although I am sure I could find a lot of uses for an air compressor /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif I better not go down that road I can just see the CFO eyes now when I bring this big tank and air hoses home. Nope not this time. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I do have a torque so I will make the final adjustment with that tool. So does anyone have Harbor Freight electric tools and are you happy with it?

Bird · Feb 13, 2004

Tom, I've had a Black & Decker and a Craftsman 1/2" impact wrenches in past years, and one of my brothers has a Craftsman now. I got the Black & Decker many years ago, living in town, and no compressor, I carried the Craftsman when we were living in an RV with a generator and no compressor, and my brother has the Craftsman now for the same reason; living in an RV with a generator, but no compressor big enough to handle an impact wrench. So, if you need the impact in places where you do not have an adequate supply of compressed air, then I'd say to go for it, as long as you know what you're getting. The big differences in the air vs. electric impacts are:
1) the electric usually costs more
2) the electric is considerably heavier, and
3) the electric will usually not have as much power.

You will find a number of cheap air impacts with similar power to the electrics, but while the electrics usually run 210 to 250 ft. lbs., good air impacts run 425 to 600 ft. lbs. I have encountered lug nuts that the electric would not remove, but it'll get most of them and certainly should remove yours.

There's one other thing you might consider (may or may not matter to you). That Harbor Freight impact will probably work just fine for many years; however, if it should ever break, you can forget about repairing it; just replace it. If you buy one of the major brands, parts are available and they can be repaired. Now for the price difference, the Harbor Freight tool might be worth it; I've had a number of their tools myself. But if you have a Sears service center nearby, you might want to check with them. The one my brother has now is one he bought cheap (reconditioned) at the local Sears service center, and the Black & Decker that I had was the same way; I got it cheap (reconditioned) at their service center.

KubotaSteve · Feb 13, 2004

I would steer clear of the Harbor freight stuff. I bought some of their sockets which were suppose to have a lifetime warranty. The impact sockets broke in no time and when I checked into the warranty and made some calls it was going to cost more to send it back then it would to go buy a new one from Sears. The Chicago Electric prices seem to good to be true and usually the case is that if it is too good to be true then it usually is. I would go with a Sears tool.

BXMMCC · Feb 13, 2004

NY Fan-
Sorry about the memory lapse - the front is 19MM, the rear is probably 21MM, but I used a 13/16th's, as my metrics skip from 19 to 22.

moeh1 · Feb 13, 2004

Tom,
you always have to make choices in life. You may look at the longer range value of a small air compressor and the air impact version as a good investment? You could do alot of other things once you own the compressor.
That said, I have both the air and electric version of the imapct tools from Harbor F.
I bought the electric one to build my steel barn ( over 4,000 bolts to tighten!). It did alot of work (all off generator) and did alot of lag bolts afterr that on my log cabin and is still resident on the toolrack with no signs of tiring. It is probably only 3/4 as strong as my air powered version, but it will probably be up to what you want to do with it. I am more fortunate now, Harbor F finallyput a store in our town. They get alot of my business, but only because I know I can take something back when it breaks and they are 1/2 of Sears (or less).

NY_Yankees_Fan · Feb 13, 2004

You got me thinking about a local store, I checked the web site and have one about 45 minutes away!! Do they have the same prices as the web site or mail catalog, and will they sell you the product for less if it is on the net or catalog and you can prove it? It may be time for a road trip. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif