HF tools that suck

[PapaPerk]

It depends on the type of steel, some kinds will quench in oil, some quench best in water, and some will crack no matter what they are quenched in, they can only cool in air. (the HF ones are probably mild steel, or pot metal) I think you would be better off getting good jaws, and making them fit, or getting a top quality used wrench

Wise advice.

 

[Travelover]

It depends on the type of steel, some kinds will quench in oil, some quench best in water, and some will crack no matter what they are quenched in, they can only cool in air. (the HF ones are probably mild steel, or pot metal) I think you would be better off getting good jaws, and making them fit, or getting a top quality used wrench

Yea, probably so. I'd do it anyway just to see if it would work, though the steel may be too low in carbon to take much temper.

 

[Dargo]

It depends on the type of steel, some kinds will quench in oil, some quench best in water, and some will crack no matter what they are quenched in, they can only cool in air. (the HF ones are probably mild steel, or pot metal) I think you would be better off getting good jaws, and making them fit, or getting a top quality used wrench

It seems their heavier (weight wise) stuff is made from the worst pot metal. I've "Dargo'd" (means I broke it) several of their larger wrenches working on heavy equipment, shattered their largest vice as well as easily breaking their 50 pound anvil with a 3 pound hammer. Some of their metalurgy leaves a bit to be desired.

 

[deereman75]

It seems their heavier (weight wise) stuff is made from the worst pot metal. I've "Dargo'd" (means I broke it) several of their larger wrenches working on heavy equipment, shattered their largest vice as well as easily breaking their 50 pound anvil with a 3 pound hammer. Some of their metalurgy leaves a bit to be desired.

The anvil claims to be cast iron, which is one of the worst possible materials for an anvil (except pot metal). Blacksmiths call cast iron anvils ASOs or anvil shaped objects, the only long term use they have is as a door stop, or a paper weight. I am not at all surprised that you broke that anvil, it would last for a few seconds at most in any of the blacksmith shops I have been in.

 

[5030]

I believe Anvil's and vices should be cast steel, but maybe I'm wrong. My Wilton bench vise takes a lot of abuse and has never failed. It's cast steel.

Never had a use for an anvil.

 

[deereman75]

I believe Anvil's and vices should be cast steel, but maybe I'm wrong. My Wilton bench vise takes a lot of abuse and has never failed. It's cast steel.

Never had a use for an anvil.

yes, most good anvils now are cast tool steel, but the very best are forged (although some kinds, such as nimba anvils are cast, and just as good as the forged ones). All good vises are cast steel as far as I know. An anvil has to be very hard to work properly, just as hard as a hammer.

 

[crazyal]

It seems their heavier (weight wise) stuff is made from the worst pot metal. I've "Dargo'd" (means I broke it) several of their larger wrenches working on heavy equipment, shattered their largest vice as well as easily breaking their 50 pound anvil with a 3 pound hammer. Some of their metalurgy leaves a bit to be desired.

It only stands to reason. A small wrench only allows you to apply a small amount of force.

 

[Dargo]

It only stands to reason. A small wrench only allows you to apply a small amount of force.

But I'm the Amazing Dargo! I can break a HF anvil with a rubber mallet!! :laughing: Just kidding!!

Yes, I agree with you. I actually have commented that I like some of their 'normal' (not for heavy equipment) hand tools, particularly their ratcheting wrenches. I think they are a good buy for the money and should work just fine unless you use some cheater bar or something. With their larger wrenches, I'm destructive enough that I can pull on them hard enough to have them break. Heck, I'd almost bet that the smaller hand tools are made of better metal. The larger ones have a different look to them and, when they break, they look like pot metal at the break.

 

[crazyal]

I have plenty of pipe wrenches that I don't know where they came from, well I know they were made in China, that the handles are bent into funny shapes from people adding cheaters to them.

Personally I just avoid the cheap Chinese wrenches all together. I've had too many over the years that just weren't made to the correct spec and either fit too loose or or too tight to fit. I have enough sets of Craftsman wrenches and some large snap on wrenches so I'm all set. Besides I've smashed my knuckles too many times over the years to want to do it again.

 

[deereman75]

I have found some Rigid pipe wrenches dirt cheep at flea markets, in good condition. Now the old Rigid would clearly be better then a HF pipe wrench, and cost about the same. That is what I would buy. (plus I like old tools)