Harbor Freight tools thread.

3/8"dr deep well, 1/2"dr impact, These were sockets, sorry I wasn't clear. But I do still have several Craftsman ratchets that get minimal use anymore. Got an old (US)Stanley swivel head and a newer GearWrench that are my go-to's for 3/8s now days. Still use my old original Craftsman 1/2" ratchet though, well broke in & but ain't broke yet...

 

I was gifted a 3/8 & 1/4 set of swivel heads a few years back. Skeptical until I used 'em. Shweeet!

 

I swear it's the only time I use mine!

 

Just FWIW.. the rebuild kits are all imported.

What makes a ratchet? The USA handle? Or the imported guts?

Difference between USA and imported ratchets are the diameter of the selector switch shaft. The anvil and gears are identical.

Rebuild kit from eBay or wherever isn’t making a USA ratchet any different than it was before, or from what the imported ratchets are. Outside of quality of the forging, they’re essentially identical. Most ratchet failures are skipped teeth or broken selectors.

I rebuilt my buddies old Craftsman with new internals and it was a piece of shit after. It worked, but action was grainy and sloppy. Sounded like shit and felt like shit.

Don’t ever assume rebuilding a vintage Craftsman is a good thing.

 

Not a historian on the matter but I do know the ratchets and the internal components weren’t generally from the same source.

Even the rebuild kits may be a different manufacturer than the original components installed in the ratchets.

Anyway, point is.. don’t go overboard about rebuild kits. A lot are good, some aren’t. Same with the imported ratchets and the US ratchets. They all break just the same. Internal failure.

 

HF boxes after recent move



Matt

 

Time to stock up before the trade war?

 

Ive got an electric pole saw I just bought for $50 I cant wait to try. If it works twice I'm figuring it paid for itself.

 

I have it. Works awesome!!! However the screw that is used to adjust the chain tightness backed out causing the chain to fall off. I searched for 45mins for the small screw, but in all the brush I could not find it. I looked at the one at HF, and the screw does not look like anything at the hardware store.

 

Thanks for the heads up I'll keep a close eye on it.

 

Put a piece of duct tape over it lol!

 

Quoting myself because I sorted this out. Bought a set of over 800 hydraulic friendly seals on Amazon for $17 and was able to fix my floor jack with them. Had a leak at the main piston shaft seal and at the bleeder screw. Testing the jack now but no more leaks as of now. Jacked up my workbench (about 100 pounds full loaded) and measured the height at 10.5”. I’ll leave it there overnight and come back tomorrow and check for leaks and height.


If anyone need seals for their jack let me know. Haha.

 

I know this is the HF thread but..... I was at Sam's club today and saw this tool chest.
https://m.samsclub.com/p/20262-uhd-rolling-w-in-club-item-54182/prod19330105?xid=plp_product_1_2

Seemed quite good quality, and a good deal. I just put a deposit down on a house, and think I'll be getting this for the shop.

 

These are $197 this weekend. Good price???

 

Theres a coupon for 160 in certain colors and another for 180 i think in all colors.

 

I’m planning to replace my intermediate steering shaft in a few months and I wanted to dip my toe into the job by busting the bolts loose and putting some anti seize on them today. The HF swivel sockets were perfect to reach the tricky bottom bolt!

 

Are those impact rated sockets?

 

I absolutely love those sockets.

Yes they are, 3/8” drive.

 

I had intended to get the 1/2” drive swivel sockets but Catonsville HF was sold out, so I got the 3/8” drive version. Kind of glad it worked out that way, love the 3/8” drive. $20.79 with 20% coupon

 

Got a set of swivels in 1/2" impact a while back. Saved my skin twice already, great to have when you need 'em. Good score!