Harbor Freight tools thread.

you would be a fool to only trust jack stands no matter what brand. you always want a backup. Jack + Jackstands etc holding the car up one primary one secondary.

 

I looked at mine...the blue ones from HF...they don't have a tab, but they do have a bolt that does the same job. And I actually had put them in....I know....I was shocked too

 

I have some HF jack stands but don't like them as I had a failure where the roll pin that holds the pawl sheared (not sure how) and then the pawl wasn't fully engaged into the tooth on the cast support. Scared the sh!t out of me when I lowered the vehicle on it as the stand dropped all the way down. I have a set of pinned home made ones that my dad made, and I recently bought a set of Esco. You can get the Esco also with steel top for axle tubes.

$60 ESCO 10498 Jack Stand, 3 Ton Capacity, Silver, 21.5"

https://smile.amazon.com/ESCO-10498...ywords=esco+jack+stands&qid=1590072695&sr=8-2

 

Is it worth getting an HF torque wrench? Or should i get a better one?

 

Get a HF torque wrench.

 

I have all 3 sizes. They seem to be ok. I've never checked it with a digital gauge, but some on here have and say they're dead on. I didn't care that much. If it's off a pound or 2 or 5, it's not the end of the world...I'm not rebuilding engines...and if I was, I'd probably buy a better one.

 

The HF torque wrenches are just as accurate as any other clicker type.... which is mostly ok. The digital gauge is good to have to get a reference on the first use of the day as day to day temperature can mess with a clicker type wrench.

 

To answer your question about the cost difference: most horizontal shaft engines have different bearings as they are expected to handle loads approximately commensurate to their weight axially or radially. Most vertical shaft engines handle loads predominantly radially, but axial accessories can be driven at higher loads. In this case, there is likely a big difference in the bearing design for the vertical shaft so it can handle a greater load axially.

Definitely some key distinctions for differences in bearing design, engine balancing as well as mounting too.

 

By digital I meant those little digital torque gauges you add to a regular ratchet...but still it's good to know a way to check a clicker, if you want to.

I'm no professional by any means, but AFAIK most bolts, with the exception of bolts within the engine, aren't that critical when it comes to torque. Some on the front end are semi-critical, but most can be tightened and calibrated to a "UHHHH...ok, that aint goin anywhere" and that's close enough. Naturally it's better to torque to specs if you can, but on some things you just can't do it (driveshaft mounting comes to mind...both ends).

 

Should go without saying but so should not depending on HF for life items. I use stands and jack AND if the tire has been removed, I slide it under the LCA or frame also.

 

Honestly thats with anything not just HF tools. Never rely on a single point of failure, always have a backup (whether it be a tire under a frame, floor jack up under a jack point with no pressure on the jack, but the pad right at the jack point)

 

I just got my pair of 6 ton jack stands refunded today.
Since I got them on sale for $39.99 plus tax that is what they put on the store gift card ($43.37). I would have done an even swap for newer ones but none were in stock or on sale.

There is really nothing in the entire store I would like to purchase as I switched to Tekton for hand tools and I'm not real fond of China crap right now.

Guess when the 6 ton jack stands are back in stock and on sale for $39.99 I'll get another pair. Hope the store credit doesn't expire.

And all those times using the recalled jack stands there was this little voice telling me to back up the jack stands with one or more of my floor jacks, glad I listened!

 

How do they know what you paid for them? Should be credit for a new pair of stands. Id be pissed if they never go on sale for that amount again, and I have to shell out extra $ to get a new set.

 

Not sure if this was posted earlier, but saw this article today. Apparently there's a recall on some of jack stands from harbor freight.

https://autos.yahoo.com/harbor-freight-jack-stands-recalled-212900565.html

 

Almost every post on the last 5 pages of this thread is about the recall lol

 

WHAT RECALL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT

 

I think the bigger issue in the background is most of these stands are made in China. I'm a little concerned about alot of them now. There is no room for error in something that can save your life.

I have some craftsman stands but they are probably made at the same factory. I need to find quality jack stands and pay up for them.

Do we know if there are cases of folks being killed using these, or was it a precaution?

 

According to Harbor Freight, there were 11 injuries, none life-threatening or fatalities.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cu...eatening-are-tied-to-its-recalled-jack-stands