Big sockets and torque wrenches

Dargo · Dec 15, 2004

I have a 3/4" Ingersol Rand air impact model #IR2141 that will do 1200 ft. lbs. I think on the lowest setting it would work fine. It is a popular, and good, air impact. You may want to see if you know anyone who has one. I bought it when I had a backhoe and a dozer. I was afraid that I'd need the 1" drive, but the ole IR 2141 worked fine.

RalphVa · Dec 16, 2004

I did a search on sharpening the blades. Lots of folks seem to use torque wrenches on the bolts holding the floppy blades. They're speced at about the same torque, 433-435 ft-lbs, as the hitch pins. Don't see why the torque there is so critical either.

I'd think my buying a piece of pipe to put over the end of my expensive Sears 3/4" drive handle ought to do fine. Is main blade rotation a problem when you're sticking the socket through the top access hole in the brush hog deck? I'd think the hole ought to hold things in place. (with tractor shut down, of course)

Ralph

kensfarm · Dec 16, 2004

I bought one of those "GIANT" adjustable wrenches from TSC.. I keep two pipes.. a 2 footer.. and a 4 footer.

gcrabb · Dec 16, 2004

RalphVA,

Look at Harbor Freight Tools, I purchased a set 3/4 sockets and wrenches that go up to 2" for 39.99 each. Also purchased metric at the same time.

JD4600 with 460FEL with grapple fork, pallet fork and 7'6" Western Snow Plow, JD LX279, 84" KK finishing mower, 84" KK Landscape Box, 84" KK Landscape Rake, 84" KK Blade, and 72" KK Bush Hog, 7' Northern Tool Backhoe, Bri Mar 6X10 Dump Trailer, 20' Rugged Road Equipment Trailer.

Greg

hazmat · Dec 16, 2004

A torque wrench with 433 ft-lbs capacity will likely cost more than your cutter did. I found one at MSC for $800. 6pt 3/4" drive sockets are available at $30 each.

While I have quite a collection of craftsman brand tools myself, you'll find that most people who earn their living with thier tools take it to the next level. proto snap-on mac etc. I don't think you can beat craftsman's warranty for the $$$. Depot & Lowes might meet it, their tools are similar quality and price levels...

Wannafish · Dec 16, 2004

"...I'd think the hole ought to hold things in place."

Why is it everytime I read that phrase, Wile E. Coyote comes to mind ? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I wouldn't think a "hole" could hold anything...'cept maybe air.

That's it. Enough candy for me.

Michigan_Mike · Dec 16, 2004

That's the approach I took too.
Now I don't care if it's 1 1/4" or 32mm.

Dargo · Dec 16, 2004

I'd be careful with any sockets you got from Harbor Fright! The 3/4" sockets I got from there literally explode when I try to use them with my IR 3/4" impact. Sorry to say, but they are totally junk and will likely only get you hurt and be fodder for law suits! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif Best advice: take them back or throw them away before they get you hurt.

normde2001 · Dec 16, 2004

"The 3/4" sockets I got from there literally explode when I try to use them with my IR 3/4" impact"

That's why you should use "impact sockets" with impact wrenches. That's why impact sockets exist.

SPIKER · Dec 16, 2004

I was going to say impact sockets form harbor freight too they work just as well as most, sure I've broken a few of them, but at the price for something you only use one or two times EVER then the cost is worth trying the inexpensive ones and btw if it breaks take it back and they will replace it too! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I belive they even have the torque multiplier wrenches too! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I used to have to use one quite often in the air force, putting planes back together and all... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

one we had weighed nearly as much as I did back then! lol /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif 192 lbs when I joined, left basic training at 122 and left EOS at 164, (though I admit I was in good shape from weight lifting, the last couple years I was in... Cept for the busted up back vertibre! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif )

Mark M

Dargo · Dec 16, 2004

Maybe I was too ticked to precisely spell it out; they were labeled "impact sockets", and they are pure junk. They are a liability for Harbor Freight and a danger for anyone who uses them. Unless you find a name brand item that Harbor Freight carries, nearly all of their other stuff is not fit for use! Junk! Trash!

Those who know me and have seen my past posts know I do not make a habit of really venting and naming specific poor quality junk, but if you buy a "no name" item from Harbor Freight, you deserve what you get; junk! I've been injured and have had things in my barn torn up from their cheap spring compressors coming apart, and I've had scratches put in my tractor and vehicles from the junk impact sockets they peddle there. Pittsboro sockets and wrenches are what you give to a relative who you hate, but have to buy a Christmas gift for. Sorry, I'm not backing off one bit here! Junk is junk!

If you're considering buying tools from Harbor Freight, do yourself a favor and move up about ten times in quality and go buy the tool at Big Lots! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif You'll likely get better quality there!

bczoom · Dec 16, 2004

Oh, come on now Dargo. You're holding back on us... What do you really think of cheap tools from HF? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Just kidding. Sorry, couldn't resist. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

If I may, I believe you're referring to "Pittsburgh" brand, not "Pittsboro". A search on their web site came up with 0 hits on the latter, 367 items on the former.

I'll be returning the 1/2" impact sockets I recently received (with that name brand /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif)

Darren · Dec 16, 2004

I've run into stuff that just laughs at a long cheater bar. I got a torque multiplier off eBay. It has a 1" drive out and a 3/4" drive in. It takes off everything I've used it on without me breaking a sweat. They come up frequently enough on eBay that you can get a deal.

I've got a bunch of structural bolts to remove from some bridge girders in the future. With the torque multiplier, the nuts might screech but they will come off. It's one of those tools that makes a nasty task no problemo.

Dargo · Dec 17, 2004

Yeah, I guess I couldn't make out the complete name from the itsy bitsy pieces that were left after I tried using my impact with them. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

sneaky_pete · Dec 17, 2004

( Pittsboro sockets and wrenches are what you give to a relative who you hate, but have to buy a Christmas gift for.)

Made me laugh, Dargo - I can relate.

I've never been in a H.F. store, but there is a Northern Tool on my way home from work in the city. Before last night, I've never bought anything there more than plastic parts bins and cheap metric open-end wrenches to leave in the tractor tool box. But my wife wants a pressure washer for Christmas (really!) and I know she'll never use it for anything but spraying dirt off the siding of the house and her chicken coop. So I stopped in at N.T. and was surprised to find a mid-range pressure washer with a Honda engine, a name-brand pump, and a warranty on sale for less than $100 more than the cheap crap model, so I bought it. Time will tell I guess.

gcrabb · Dec 19, 2004

Dargo,

Sorry you have had such bad luck with Harbor Freight.

I have had some problems with Harbor Freight Tools, but I take the item back and they always give me a full refund or replacement no questions asked.

Sears and Snap On which are also 4 times the price have also come apart and not as easy to get replacements.

Then again, where else can I get a digital volt meter that I can run over with a tractor for $4.99, and not cry because I have lost a bunch a money, just a little pride.

Harbor Freight has been emailing specials that are incredible, digital calipers $10.00, Auto darkening welding helmet $29.99, none of these items would have been purchased, if they had not been so inexpensive.

What do you think Cummins Tool?

JD4600 with 460FEL with grapple fork, pallet fork and 7'6" Western Snow Plow, JD LX279, 84" KK finishing mower, 84" KK Landscape Box, 84" KK Landscape Rake, 84" KK Blade, and 72" KK Bush Hog, 7' Northern Tool Backhoe, Bri Mar 6X10 Dump Trailer, 20' Rugged Road Equipment Trailer.

Greg

SPIKER · Dec 19, 2004

Gcrabb:

the cummings stuff is really down there even for import tools. sorry to say it, but I tend to stay away after trying a few items. HF I still pick up the less used stuff. as for thos 4.99 digital multi meters, you can get them for 2.99 on sale every now and again /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I have I think 6 o 7 of them as they are cheap enough to buy a new one and keep one in each and every car tractor barn and or garage! this past week I dropped AND BROKE a $299.99 meter at work form a mere 6' the HF ones I have have survived with out fail drops of 3 times that distance! ones in fact I figured well time for a trip to the car for a replacement, only to pick them up nad see that they still work! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif though the one I dropped that distance was I belive one of the high buck ones, I think I paid 9.99 for it some 8 years back! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

anyhow I got one of the cummings trucks comming by here on and off take a close look if you use tools daily you can see & feel a tool to know if it is worth while or not for the most part, these cummings ones are pretty muchy 90% crap and 10% re-conditioned stuff, (some with good name brands too. just have to PICK and CHOOSE very carefully and inspect stuff before leaving. if it has a plug try and find a spot to run it too.

MarkM

markct · Dec 28, 2004

( the cummings stuff is really down there even for import tools )

while i do agree that cummins is in general a step below the others, i have been very pleased with the impact sockets i got from them, im sure if i did like whats his name and put them on a proffesional grade high powered impact then yea they would explode, but on our dewalt electric impact gun they have performed flawlessly, as well as with my homemade 3/4 drive slugging wrench adapter and a large hammer. they are not of course as tough as snap on impact sockets, but they arnt realy meant to be, they are a lower grade tool, you wouldnt buy a cheapo chain saw from k mart and expect it to hold up using it logging 5 days a week. i dont see why he would buy an expensive impact gun then cheap sockets, if he had a cheap impact like harbor freight sells then they may very well have lasted longer since the gun has less power

Jaeger · Dec 28, 2004

I'd be careful hammering them on with a impact wrench. Most decent 1/2" drive are over 550 ft. lbs. at maximum setting.

If you do wear some eye protection........J

dixiedrifter · Dec 29, 2004

I've had some good luck outta the wally world stanley sockets.

Hammered on quite a few of the 1/2" drive regular sockets with an impact wrench with just a few scratches.

My next set will be Crapsman, not even going to bother getting impact as I am close to a store. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif