Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[lexluther]

If you are confused by the last few posts and want to understand this thread go back to post 1 and start reading, then if you still have questions after reading the 7,174 posts come back and we will try to explain it to you.

Note- My first post was back at #536 and I read up to that and ever since.

I read all the posts, but didn't think it was a relevant qualification.

Even having read them I still thought it was about tools that don't suck.

 

[California]

Tools that don't suck, but also in the broader sense critiquing HF's customer service, warranties and extended warranties, and comparison of all these aspects against competing products. I think the comparisons are as important as the specific product reviews.

For one example, I've posted that usually HF quality is sufficient for my occasional farm repairs but in some instances I've needed to step up one level in quality and Ryobi is generally that next step. Ryobi still is not tradesman quality to earn a living with daily, but has quality sufficient that it has what you expect in reliability and functionality for an inexpensive tool when the HF product doesn't meet that standard.

Maybe HF remaining with Nicads after everyone else went to LiIon most clearly illustrates the needed step-up I'm describing.

Still, HF is the place to begin a search for a tool. Most of their stuff will do the job.

 

[lostcreekranch]

At our little local Walmart in Columbus, when you ask where something is, the vast majority of the time you will be taken to the location. Excellent customer service you rarely see in the Super Walmarts.

Excellent customer service at the Katy, TX Harbor Freight as well. Lots of floor people that will lead you to what your looking for.

 

[bcp]

Doing a small plumbing job today, my 2 old Ridgid 18 inch wrenches slipped several times. Inspection showed both the movable and fixed jaw serrations were worn rounded.

I only use them a time or two a year as most of the pipe is now plastic or copper.

Does anyone have a review of the HF aluminum pipe wrenches? I have one Ridgid aluminum wrench and really like the weight.

Thanks,

Bruce


PS: Any ideas for another use for some old pipe wrenches?

 

[SpringHollow]

I snapped one of their aluminum pipe wrenches pretty easily a couple of days after buying it. The metal was very crystalline at the break. I was not impressed. Have you thought of sharpening the jaws?

Ken

 

[California]

I bought HF's 24 and 36" aluminum pipe wrenches to rassle some 90 year old 1.5" water mains here at the ranch.

Definitely not tradesman quality. I flattened the teeth working a couple of days on that project plus broke 3" off the handle of one of the 24" ones using a cheater pipe on it. I finally swapped in the near-identical, removable teeth from an old rusty Ridgid 24 inch pipe wrench to improve the wrench in the photo below.

This photo is a comparison of the HF wrench alongside a Blackhawk real pipe wrench I bought in 1966 and have used on everything including hardened steel - cylinder head studs etc. It has stood up better in occasional use over 50 years (am I that old? ) than the HF one did for one project. Post where I first described this comparison.

My suggestion: remove and file the teeth of your good wrenches. Reinstall, or mount them in lightweight HF wrenches if they will fit. Aluminum wrenches are much more friendly to work with.

 

[bcp]

I have thought of sharpening the old jaws, but haven't investigated it yet.

Any ideas?

Bruce

 

[dragoneggs]

My suggestion: remove and file the teeth of your good wrenches. Reinstall, or mount them in lightweight HF wrenches if they will fit. Aluminum wrenches are much more friendly to work with.

Good idea, Cali! I guess you are older and wiser than me.

 

[California]

Put a thin cutting attachment on an angle grinder. And wear all available protective gear since using the side of that stone may make it shatter at 12k rpm.

Possibly a chainsaw sharpening tool or Dremel would work, I don't know.

If the existing teeth are any good they are at least as hard as a file, hacksaw blade, etc so those won't help.

=======
Older likely, wiser not likely. :drink:

 

[MossRoad]

I have this plier set... and use it almost daily at my job. Everything works great, EXCEPT the slop joint pliers on the right. If you put any pressure on the handles, the sloppy joints slip. Completel junk. Too bad, because the other 4 pliers/cutter in that set are great for the money.