Don't hurt yourself.

Need lots air volume, big hose and fittings . Does not matter what impact u have will not work properly if don’t have enough air flow . The 1/2 “ snap on impacts are good with low air volume but they expensive. Keep impact oiled up an it work better or keep air tank drained . I heard good things bout the harbor freight impacts but we use 1” ingersoll rand 2 hand impact to take off log trailer tires . Think it will torgue up to 1500 pds of torgue. It will break it or it will come off . $500 on Amazon.

I have a diesel mechanic friend who uses Snap On impacts. I'm amazed at what they 'll do . He'll disassemble engines using the 3/8" and the 1/2" will do about anything else in the shop except wheels and big bolts on chassis , trailers , dozer undercarriages , skidders and such He does have a very big , 2 stage , big tank compressor and uses big air lines set on 120 psi.

We used Ingersoll Rand 1/2" #231 in the tool & die shop , they are strong and very tough. We did have plenty of air and ran 3/8" as we had multiple , huge screw type compressors that ran a large metal manufacturing plant. They were abused , dropped on concrete , thrown on steel tables and I've seen them used for hammers . We'd get years out of them and they were used A LOT. Never tested them against Snap On but did other brands and they were top dog. We had a 3/4' drive IR , but didn't use it a lot .

I use a 1" IR impact from time to time. I have my shop air set at 140psi and I my compressor makes about 15cfm at that. I CANNOT make any power with a 3/8" hose. I have 1/2" steel lines in my shop and need to use a 1/2" air hose with a chicago fitting (very free flowing) to get what I need. Hose size matters a lot. If the going gets tough I fire up my gas compressor it makes 25cfm at 200 and with a 3/4" hose it gets the job done for sure. I wish I had that old Kellog American compressor as an elecric version but I doubt I could turn it with 220 volts very efficiently.

Jason

My brother has used a 1/2" Earthquake XL impact from Harbor Freight for probably 20 years, or close to it. It's a beast, to be honest.

If you can feed it enough air, it should be a good one.

I used a Mac 1 inch in my shop for years. I ran my air from 150-175 and had a 1/2 hose attached to the wrench. One of 3 things happen, the bolt comes loose, the socket breaks or the head breaks off the bolt. Sure, makes life easier in many cases. Be sure and buy good impact sockets and wear gloves if you are holding the socket.

Well, i took Haymans advice and returned the air impact and got the battery powered Herculees. 5yr warranty, 3yr warranty on the battery and charger. It zipped the nut right off the bolt like it was no problem. Same bolt i broke my 3/4 ratchet on. Thanks Hayman.

Glad you got it off. You'll like that battery job, you can take it anywhere. I borrowed a 1/2" Milwaukee last year to remove bush hog blades , I was so impressed I went and bought one. I rarely ever use my 1/2" air impacts at the house now.

Yeah, i can put a 1/2" adapter on it and do about anything i can do with a air impact without the air. Wish i had just gone this way to begin with. This thing is supposed to have 1650 ftlbs of torque breaking power. Thats pretty stout for battery power

Never used a 3/4 battery impact , I could really break some bolts with one of those ! Battery tools are getting better and better. I bought a full size skill saw a few months ago , love that baby!

I believe that Hercules took the place of the battery powered earthquake and has a better warranty. I want one of those but as long as my old one is working I’ll keep using it. I keep mine in the truck with a metric assortment of impact sockets. It’s a lot easier to change a tire with that than a 4 way. Don’t let it hammer on wheel nuts very much because it will break the studs.

I got the bolts back in my 10ft bushhog and the disc blade and bumper back on my disc using the hercules 3/4 battery powered impact. I was very pleased with its performance. I would recommend it. Ive been using a 3/4 ratchet and cheater pipe for several years to do these jobs. This impact was a game changer. Some of the best money i ever spent

I may try that battery powered 3/4 for the shop. We use air on 3/4 and 1". The 1" hose can't be hooked up under pressure and it's heavy to drag around too.