Cheap Tools

Topic: Cheap Tools (Read 3089 times) previous topic - next topic

Cheap Tools

September 02, 2018, 07:06:02 pm

At the risk of offending you Harbor Freight zealots (yea, I have some too) here's what happens when you stress a cheap tool. Torx bit just stripped right out. Guess I'll have to pony up and get a decent set. They looked good though.
jor

Re: Cheap Tools

Reply #1 – September 02, 2018, 07:19:42 pm

Craftsman or Snap-on been good for me, BUT all my tools are 30 years old or older.

Re: Cheap Tools

Reply #2 – September 02, 2018, 07:47:42 pm

Can find Matco,Snap-on,Mac on Ebay for pennies on the dollar,shop incomplete sets,missing socket sets,etc.

Re: Cheap Tools

Reply #3 – September 02, 2018, 07:55:49 pm

Is Snap-On still made in the U.S.A. ? My most favorite tools! Too many of us have screw drivers that we've had forever; they are junk,don't ask me how I know; you know!

Re: Cheap Tools

Reply #4 – September 02, 2018, 08:07:43 pm

Flat tire at Zion .. brand new tire we caught a few months ago. Just split.. bf goodwrench tire the tread just released sitting in the parking spot. 5 or 7 spline tool cracked trying to get the wheel of.. grrrr... going to call roadside and have them come finish.

Re: Cheap Tools

Reply #5 – September 02, 2018, 08:22:14 pm

Pawn shops are another place to buy individual tools especially sockets.

Re: Cheap Tools

Reply #6 – September 02, 2018, 08:22:30 pm

What's the date code on that tire?

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Reply #7 – September 02, 2018, 11:00:39 pm

I've had Bosch, porter cable and other top name torqx tools strip as well as craftsman sockets and ratchets bust and strip out
And I've had some China made tools stand the test. I got into China tools while working at a meat packing plant, if you laid a craftsman tool down to check behind machine it would be gone when you came back. I actually left a China tool on a machine and when I came back the next night it was still there lol. !
Chris

Re: Cheap Tools

Reply #8 – September 03, 2018, 12:30:58 am

Looks old to me? Is the 1 for 2011?

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Reply #9 – September 03, 2018, 12:40:17 am

The date code won't be raised, but stamped in an oval recess.

Re: Cheap Tools

Reply #10 – September 03, 2018, 12:53:55 am

Lots of different factories in China. Some bad but some are great. My powder coat gun/power supply is from China and first rate along with a voltage converter for it. Lots of Apple stuff made there too. It's hard to knock the quality of their products.

I have a big Bosch copy jackhammer from China. A small fraction of the German price but has worked great for several years.

Pierce

Re: Cheap Tools

Reply #11 – September 03, 2018, 01:04:21 am

Will need to flip the old one over to look at it.. will try in the am tomorrow.. still need to figure out how to get the tire mounted back on. Need a tool or new lugnuts .. might have to rig it tomorrow

Re: Cheap Tools

Reply #12 – September 03, 2018, 09:19:54 am

being old I remember Japanese articles being poorly made, now they are generally considered top flight. Quality tends to increase over time because it is relatively cheap or free to add in the manufacturing world (in many cases) and the consumer votes with their dollars with quality a consideration

The Chinese will pose a large threat to the US in many factors over the next 20 - 50 years. At various times, France and England held the most power in the world militarily and economically, now it is the US. We all have enjoyed the benefits of that power for most all our lives, the Chinese are working hard to replace the US at the top of the world power pyramid, economically and militarily - in that pursuit they will make a natural progression towards better quality and (hopefully) better environmental policy. As they strive to achieve that goal, it is likely not possible without that progression.

I am staying out of a political mess here, maybe best to shut the thread down if it veers off in that direction.

Tim Fiedler

Sure Start Soft Start - home of SureStart soft starters TCER Direct - home of Generac Approved Aluminum and Copper TCER Composite cable generator-gas-prod - home of X-Riser Gas Risers for PE installation Call me at 630 240-9139
Gen-Pro

Re: Cheap Tools

Reply #13 – September 03, 2018, 10:23:45 am

I would just grind off the twisted end of jor's torx driver up to where it is straight and keep using it.

Re: Cheap Tools

Reply #14 – September 03, 2018, 10:34:57 am

It's split and cracked to the hilt,will just keep splitting,may have to get a die grinder and a cut-off wheel and grind lugnuts to
accept a different socket and when you get them off throw them away and get a lug nut that will use a regular socket.When you
do that get a quality socket just for that use,craftsman is between china junk and Snap-on,not the best and not the worst.

Re: Cheap Tools

Reply #15 – September 03, 2018, 10:52:39 am

I owned a NAPA store for 30 years and never said a kind word about cheap tools. Now we are getting a Harbor Freight store in our town and I can't wait to go dig through the cheap stuff and make my shop an even bigger nightmare for my kids to get rid of someday.

Re: Cheap Tools

Reply #16 – September 03, 2018, 11:36:14 am

I always thought that Snap-On wrenches were over rated. The edges don't have enough radius and hurt the hands when you apply a lot of force and the chrome finish makes them slippery. Craftsman tools always seem too heavy and crude looking. Perhaps OK working on tractors but they look out of place on late high tech stuff and clumsy in crowded spaces.

I do like the old Thorsen 77 ratchets with superb design and one finger switching directions ability, all without even looking at the ratchet. The best design ever. I pulled the cover of on mine so is exactly like the photo. I expect most users did also.

For the absolute best, German Belzer tools are hard to beat but very costly. Hazet also excellent.

Pierce

Re: Cheap Tools

Reply #17 – September 03, 2018, 11:38:56 am

There is a place for HF stuff in my shop. Just not allens, torx, sockets, wrenches, driver bits, etc. Yes for clamps, tool hangers, crazy glue, gorilla glue and some other things.

Re: Cheap Tools

Reply #18 – September 03, 2018, 12:06:50 pm

I buy lots of speciality automotive tools that are made in the USA still. Lisle sells lots of things still USA (like $4 allen key sets..cheaper than HF chinese ones). http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=LIS42500

Lisle from Tool Discounter

Lang tools (Lang Tools) is also mostly made in USA: Kastar Hand Tools from Tool Discounter

Re: Cheap Tools

Reply #19 – September 03, 2018, 12:24:14 pm

I've posted pictures of the shop before so those who have seen it know I have tools. I just went out to read the brands of some of them. Cornwell, MAC, Matco, Armaloy, Challenger, Thorson, Samson, Craftsman, Snap-on, Easco, Williams and Proto. Proto used to be top notch, not any more. Did you know Craftsman once made stainless tools and very well built too? Lisle is the choice for Torx and other driver bits for me also.

Re: Cheap Tools

Reply #20 – September 03, 2018, 12:30:59 pm

Back in the day Craftsman had a no question replacement policy. Remember buying 3 broken ratchets at a flea market for two dollars, and taking them to Sears and getting 3 brand new ratchets.

Re: Cheap Tools

Reply #21 – September 03, 2018, 12:34:45 pm

My best rachets are Snap-on and Matco,can usually get by with craftsman sockets but Snap-on still is the best.

Re: Cheap Tools

Reply #22 – September 03, 2018, 01:02:15 pm

Talk about tools. I have not been on much lately. Mentally recovering from a theft from my motorhome storage. The fool was actually storing his goods in the same storage facility, yes cameras got him. I have a 14x80 fully enclosed area where I store my coach and have an area for a shop/man cave. He picked or just figured out the combo on my pancake locks. Long list shortened. Large tool box of Snap-on tools, 20 years old as new though. Air tools, 2 compressors, many as new nail guns, hoses. 8gau extension cors for table saw etc. Portable work lights, all together approx $30,000. The they got inside the coach. Nikon camera Engel Frig, another toolbox with $10,000 in Snap-on tools. Macbook Pro, Nextbook computer I use for Silverleaf. 3 Tag watches. Not a good month for me as it is approaching vacation time. I maddening when you work you whole life to have nice things and someone feels entitled to it. The DA was not doing anything until I visited her office with a itemized list, video of the thief a copy of his drivers license. Ask her if she now wanted me to take care of the rest too. There is now a warrant out for him. Note she had the same info I gave her.
John

Re: Cheap Tools

Reply #23 – September 03, 2018, 01:21:54 pm

Quote from: John and Stacey – September 03, 2018, 01:02:15 pm

Talk about tools. I have not been on much lately. Mentally recovering from a theft from my motorhome storage. The fool was actually storing his goods in the same storage facility, yes cameras got him. I have a 14x80 fully enclosed area where I store my coach and have an area for a shop/man cave. He picked or just figured out the combo on my pancake locks. Long list shortened. Large tool box of Snap-on tools, 20 years old as new though. Air tools, 2 compressors, many as new nail guns, hoses. 8gau extension cors for table saw etc. Portable work lights, all together approx $30,000. The they got inside the coach. Nikon camera Engel Frig, another toolbox with $10,000 in Snap-on tools. Macbook Pro, Nextbook computer I use for Silverleaf. 3 Tag watches. Not a good month for me as it is approaching vacation time. I maddening when you work you whole life to have nice things and someone feels entitled to it. The DA was not doing anything until I visited her office with a itemized list, video of the thief a copy of his drivers license. Ask her if she now wanted me to take care of the rest too. There is now a warrant out for him. Note she had the same info I gave her.
John

Can't click on a "like" when something as bad as this happens. Hope he hasn't disposed of the equipment yet and you can get it back. What has happened to you is my greatest fear. I am not so worried about the house as homeowners would help. But my tools tend to make the commercial exemption for compensation likely.

Re: Cheap Tools

Reply #24 – September 03, 2018, 01:26:50 pm

I have sensors on my shop doors that send me a text anytime one of them is opened. That gives me peace of mind with all the thousands of dollars worth of tools and toys in the shop.

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