A question we often become about the Kobalt one/ii″ Corded Touch on Wrench, is "how does it compare to the version from Harbor Freight?".

So, rather than only expect at manufacturer specs (which are rarely accurate), or give uninformed guesses, nosotros decided to notice out.I stopped by our local Harbor Freight recently and bought one, and one time I got home it was clear why people were wondering.  The size/weight of both impacts are very similar, and on the outside at to the lowest degree — it looked like they should be very like units.

Correct out of the box the first matter that I noticed about the impact from Harbor Freight, is that no accessories are included.  In fact, the only other things in the box were a gear up of replacement brushes (for future maintenance on the impact) and the owner's manual.

The Kobalt version from Lowes included the Impact, Blowmold Case, as well every bit vii deep-well impact sockets on a rail.  Everything is stored inside the case, and the sockets are all the typical sizes that you will run into when removing lugnuts off of a vehicle.  Because they are affect sockets, they volition also work with 1/ii″ pneumatic & cordless impact wrenches.

Side-past-side there are things that are similar between the two impacts.  The shape, size, and weight are almost the same…..with the biggest departure existence the structure.  The Harbor Freight does not take whatever rubber overmolds/bumpers built in — pregnant it tin and volition scratch or harm your vehicle or rims if you accidentally blindside information technology against annihilation.  The Kobalt has a lot of safety overmold around the grip — as well as condom bumpers on the sides and a condom kicking built into the end where y'all adhere a socket.

Dimensions on each are :

KOBALT

  • 12″ Long
  • 10″ High
  • 4″ Wide
  • 7 lbs 12 oz
  • 12′ Cord

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Harbor Freight

  • 12″ Long
  • nine″  High
  • 4″ Wide
  • seven lbs
  • 6-1/2′ Cord

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As far as powering the units, there is no air compressor or expensive bombardment packs to buy — literally you plug them in & go!  No ability fade, no power loss, and max torque all the time.  That can be a good and a bad thing though, since both triggers are a "rocker switch" design, it is full on/full off…..there is no variable speed.  I affair to note regarding each is going to be the length of the ability cord — the Harbor Freight has a six-1/two′ long cord (meaning you would most likely need a separate extension cord to use information technology) & the Kobalt equally a 12′ long string (eliminating the need for an extension string in many cases).

Both units have brushed motors, and neither have an electric restriction.  That is typically something you will see on most cordless impact wrenches, and it stops the anvil from turning as shortly as you lot release the trigger.  With both of these notwithstanding, when yous release the trigger the anvil continues to turn for a couple seconds until friction stops them.

The Kobalt does have a unique feature that is designed to help you lot diagnose problems with the tool.  It is a ability indicator light which is built into the grip, and will light upward whenever you plug it into the wall (with electricity present).  If you plug information technology in & see no low-cal — the trouble is no power!  If you plug information technology in, the low-cal comes on, and the tool doesnt work — information technology is a problem with the tool.  Very quick and easy to determine if the outlet or extension string actually has power in it.

We did run both units on Skidmore-Wilhelm test units to prove bodily torque ratings, and the numbers were surprising.  Both trounce their advertised specs, and based on an average of 3 runs/each with a 15-second run time, here is what we found :

KOBALT

Forwards Working Torque = 586 ft-lbs

Reverse Working Torque = 635 ft-lbs

Harbor Freight

Frontward Working Torque = 326 ft-lbs

Reverse Working Torque = 321 ft-lbs

Overall, both units exceeded expectations —- with the Kobalt really surprising us.  The torque specs on it came in roughly double of the Harbor Freight in both forward and reverse torque testing.

They each are covered if you accept whatever issues, with the Harbor Freight including a xc-day warranty & the Kobalt coming with a 5-year No Hassle Guarantee (it breaks, you bring information technology into any Lowes & they volition fix or supervene upon information technology for you gratuitous-of-accuse).

Bank check out the video to run across them in activeness for yourself!


Click here to become the Kobalt Affect at Lowes!

Click here to get the Harbor Freight Impact!