Acceptable and Unacceptable Harbor Freight Tools

[ST1G]

Probably. I'll get a non-ratcheting one next. Eliminate the weak point.

Mine was non-ratcheting :(

[slammin.e28]

I wonder if all the jobs before caused the wrench to become weak.

Probably. I'll get a non-ratcheting one next. Eliminate the weak point.

[ST1G]

Thing is it worked awesome on everything. Rover LT230 output shaft nut (that I broke my Craftsman wrenches/bar on), done. Not to mention all the other shit I've used it for, even with a cheater on the end. E34 diffs, done. Transfer case on Rover, done.

Go to take lugs off the parts e30 and get 3/4 of them, then *crack*. SRSLY?

I wonder if all the jobs before caused the wrench to become weak.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

Harbor freight has some good tools but alot are shit.
the Good:
C clamps
sheet metal shaping hammers( made my whole car out of these)
Sheet metal break $60 bucks
Floor jack
Jack stands

The Okay:
Cutting tool
Cut off wheels
Grinders and such
Wire wheels
welding magnets

The terrible:
Welders
drill bits
sockets
few more but cant think of them

I prefer to buy all ratchets and wrenches and stuff like that from good quality places because having to go buy a good tool cause you cheaped out and bought the shitty one sucks. I will also say the welders are complete shit and could weld anything if they wanted to. The angle grinders and cut of wheels and tool are okay but named brand ones are wayyyyyy better. I used the harbor freight one and then switched to my bosch one and the bosch one is soooooo much better. Somethings just arent worth being cheap on.

[slammin.e28]

I broke one too. I didn't try to warranty it because in my moment of rage I threw it over a fence into a canal.

Thing is it worked awesome on everything. Rover LT230 output shaft nut (that I broke my Craftsman wrenches/bar on), done. Not to mention all the other shit I've used it for, even with a cheater on the end. E34 diffs, done. Transfer case on Rover, done.

Go to take lugs off the parts e30 and get 3/4 of them, then *crack*. SRSLY?

[BobombETA]

I broke one too. I didn't try to warranty it because in my moment of rage I threw it over a fence into a canal.

Canals can be so inconvenient.

[ST1G]

I broke one too. I didn't try to warranty it because in my moment of rage I threw it over a fence into a canal.

[slammin.e28]

My kickass bought spare of the moment because I needed one ratcheting breaker bar broke....



.....on e30 lug nuts, no less. FAK. This thing is awesome, but finally gave it up. Think they'll warranty it?

[Roysneon]

I bought a Princess Auto torque wrench about a month ago, used it for the first time on some flywheel bolts yesterday. No fear.

BTW Princess Auto = Canadian Harbour Freight

http://www.princessauto.com/pal/en/

[AndrewBird]

So far I've seen 4 of you say to stay away from these but not one of you has said that you've seen one fail. I bought a set about 6 years ago and over that time it's been used on 4 of my cars, 2 of my friends cars, and was in my friends tool box for a couple of those years used on his customers cars I don't know how many times. We even ground down the jaws on one to fit lower on the coil. The only thing we do to it is put some bearing grease on the threads and washers but any dimwit should realize bare metal to metal is a bad idea.

So besides all the people speculating, is there anyone here who can verify these things are somehow unable to do the very dangerous job they were designed for? Like maybe some of the guys that think the step drill bits are also junk but never thought to use the drill on a slower speed and use some oil on them?

I've had these spring compresses for a while as well and never had a problem. I think a lot of people use an impact on them and kill the threads.

As far as the step drills go, I won't buy them again. They might work ok for light duty and occasional use or in wood and plastic, but compared to Irwin brand drills, they are terrible. I've used both a lot and the Irwin bits last 10x longer and are only 3x the price. They also make a nicer hole.

[M-technik-3]

After 7 years of use my low profile racing type has failed. That being said I have another far more expensive one from Tire Rack that has already gone back due to seals blew out in less than 6 months.

[Liquidity]

Also the HF Strut Spring Compressor should have a Disclaimer in Bold Lettering Stateing. "If you use this impliment of bodily maiming you should never have children. There are enough dumbass's walking the Earth at present."

So far I've seen 4 of you say to stay away from these but not one of you has said that you've seen one fail. I bought a set about 6 years ago and over that time it's been used on 4 of my cars, 2 of my friends cars, and was in my friends tool box for a couple of those years used on his customers cars I don't know how many times. We even ground down the jaws on one to fit lower on the coil. The only thing we do to it is put some bearing grease on the threads and washers but any dimwit should realize bare metal to metal is a bad idea.

So besides all the people speculating, is there anyone here who can verify these things are somehow unable to do the very dangerous job they were designed for? Like maybe some of the guys that think the step drill bits are also junk but never thought to use the drill on a slower speed and use some oil on them?

[lambo]

I have to admit... there is something I love about cheap hand tools.

[mrsleeve]

and you think the H/F one made on the same line in the same factory with different stickers is going to be any better?????

[Wschnitz]

I need one of those low profile jacks now, Craftsman car jack doesnt fit under the E30 anymore. Not that id be using it anyway anymore, for a craftsman tool its complete shit, you jack it up and it visibly lowers on its own. (this is after bleeding it multiple times, its just a piece of shit)