memes @lemmy.world over_clox @lemmy.world 2d ago

Harbor Freight

Literally anything else

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Buy harbor freight; if you use it enough (properly) to break it then buy a higher quality version.
- Exactly. I’m not going to wait until I can afford Snap-On tools to fix my AC belt.
  
  I broke this while replacing brake pads today.
  
  Fuck Harbor Freight. At least I have 5 other extensions, all other brands that aren't made of frozen peanut butter.
  
  Harbor Freight also makes torches. Just saying.
  
  Yeah, I broke this while working on brakes today, a torch ain't got any business anywhere near the ABS sensors.
  
  It broke trying to loosen one of the 17 millimeter main mount bolts. The extension was apparently made of poorly tempered metal, plain and simple.
  
  a torch ain't got any business anywhere near the ABS sensors
  
  It does if you know what you're doing. Although a magnetic inductor is a better choice, but most mechanic cosplayers won't have those.
  
  Also, why not use 1/2 inch? Maybe a deep well instead to lose the extension.
  
  Plenty of ways not to rely on a cheap extension for break away, doesn't matter the brand they can all snap with misuse.
  
  I didn't have 1/2" drive tools. I've been doing brakes and other vehicle repairs for over 20 years and I've never needed 1/2" drive for anything besides drive axle and strut mount nuts.
  
  This was just a couple measly 17 millimeter bolts. If anything, I would have expected the bolt head to round off first, I've never twisted a 3/8" extension to the point of breaking before.
  
  Hell, I've even done head gaskets using a 3/8" drive and it didn't break. It wasn't HF either..
  
  17mm bolt head means nothing. Does not necessarily correlate with the thread diameter in applications such as caliper bracket bolts. Most will be a flange head bolt with greater than normal thread diameters.
  
  1/2 drive is always the answer for caliper bracket bolts no matter the manufacturer.
  
  Don't blame the tools for your misuse.
  
  I've never seen this happen before unless a cheater bar or hammer or whatever was used. That would be misuse. I was not using a cheater bar or hammer though, I was only using my bare hands and muscle.
  
  If I had a torque wrench, it would be interesting to test a variety of brands of extensions to determine their failure points.
  
  I'm curious, how long is your 3/8 ratchet handle? Pretty hard to get over 80 ft lbs using a dinky short ratchet.
  
  That's why 1/2 is used, for breakaway and the leverage needed to torque to the correct spec. Caliper bracket bolts are pretty important to be tightened correctly.
  
  Update:
  
  From end to end, the ratchet is 7 1/2 inches long.
  
  The center of the ratchet head is about 5/8 of an inch in, meaning there's basically 6 7/8 inches of handle delivering the torque.
  
  This is the toolkit I was using, apparently Pittsburgh brand...
  
  https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/tool-sets/tool-kits/tool-set-with-case-130-piece-64263.html
  
  My tools are in the vehicle downstairs right now, so I'm not currently sure exactly how long the ratchet handle is, but it's not significantly long. If anything it's basically about the average length you would expect a cheap 3/8" ratchet to be.
- Aviation mech, my rule is harbor freight for everything you don't put a lot of force on or trust your life to. (Breaker bars, extensions, sockets, lanyards, jacks, etc) Also Snapon is no longer worth it, it's all Chinese rebranded shit nowadays, I've seen them bend/break as much as any harbor freight tool.
  
  I live about 2 miles from the Snap On factory where they make most of their tools and I'm not in China. I don't know where the materials come from though.
- You don't just up and buy a higher quality version when you're stuck on the side of the road, you count your blessings that you have like 5 other extensions, all better brands than HF.
  
  It's almost a nice convenient road kit, but yeah when you can literally twist-break an extension just using your hands and arms, the metal is shit tempered and can't handle torsion forces.
  
  Which is exactly what ratchets and extensions are meant to handle, torsion forces, AKA twisty forces.
  
  Oh for emergency in the car tools totally get the good stuff. But when you are trying to outfit your garage cheaply to get stuff done, it's a good enough starting point.
  
  If you can afford a garage, you can afford good tools. If I had a garage, you think I'd cheap out on my tools?
  
  I had to go back at the bolt in question with a wrench from another kit after breaking the extension. At least I have other better extensions, I just didn't have them with me at the moment.
  
  Well, boomer, most people can’t afford a garage (let alone a whole house). So Harbor Frieght tools it is!

40 comments