Broken HF tools, let's see 'em
- Thread starter t100
- Start date
I'm just bored and curious. the only piece I have ever broken is a tailpipe expander, got it returned no questions asked. sorry, I don't have pictures to share.
item# 37353
Any brand of those expanders can break easy, once the pipe cannot expand anymore, the rod and nut strip, because the force of the pipe not giving, exceeds the thread strength. Use a big ratchet, not an impact gun, and rotate the tool about a 1/2 inch every stretch, oil the threads, and they will last near forever.
american lockpicker
Banned
I've seen quite a few screwdrivers with broken tips and ones that are bent ant my cousins. Next time I'm over there I'll take some pics.
arkangel06
Banned
I would like to see some pictures of that 3'' wrench nissan crawler broke with the loader
mcdtommy23
Well-known member
Broke 2 t-20 torx bits the other day trying to get a blower off an inducer motor. Funny thing- the bit snapped so clean that I was able to use the broken one to reinstall.
I have nothing bad to say about these bits. I was putting all my weight on a long handle 3/8 ratchet when it broke. I'm actually supprised it didn't break sooner.
I have nothing bad to say about these bits. I was putting all my weight on a long handle 3/8 ratchet when it broke. I'm actually supprised it didn't break sooner.
Mickey O
Well-known member
If you want to see broken Harbor Freight tools just go to the store, most of their display items are broke.
I did buy a hand nibbler there because I couldn't find one elsewhere and needed it right away, it broke on it's very first use, I'd post a picture but I'm not sure where it landed.
I did buy a hand nibbler there because I couldn't find one elsewhere and needed it right away, it broke on it's very first use, I'd post a picture but I'm not sure where it landed.
mossyboy6
Well-known member
Ive had two tools that have broken from HF, a 17mm combo wrench and a 90* die grinder.
Exchanged the 17mm and the die grinder with no problems.
(I was within 90days on the grinder)
Exchanged the 17mm and the die grinder with no problems.
(I was within 90days on the grinder)
arkangel06
Banned
VegasBruce
Well-known member
How about a grinder.
I broke SAME tail pipe expander, but I did the above, exceeded the capacity of the tool, broke one of the side sleeves, my fault definitely.
I returned it NO PROBLEM, while I was still at the cash register, opened the replacement, it was clean/unused and already broken, same way.
BUT, based on my experience, application and frequency of use, I'd say, no concerns.
The female brass coupler split while tightening to the iron pipe. I will admit that it was after the Rose Bowl and I was no where near sober, so it could have been me. But I have tightened many fittings consisting of brass and I have never split one.
TheGrooveking
Well-known member
How about a grinder.
Dropped? I broke many cases on Power tools over the years do to my ignorance. I have a makita side grinder that i swear takes 5 min to finally quit spinning after i release the trigger. I know this because i dont run a guard and i have to either sit it on its back or wait till it stops. Ive used some cheap power tools but normally there faults are more evident by there ergonomics and internals. Broken cases? Usually there more to the story.
I have the yellow "Chicago" grinder. the very first tool I bought from HF almost 5 years ago. that sucker is loud as hell now but just refuses to die. I saved little money after I got to know a bit more about tools, I bought 2 Metabo, 4.5" and 7" but I still use the HF from time to time.
i have broke 2 of these 90 degree drill attatchments.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92188
BUT, to there credit, the first 1 drill over 2000 holes and 2 yrs with spade bits. its demise was a unseen nail. the plastic gears did not handle the sudden stop and stripped out(24v drill)
the second lasted less than 1000 holes(all in wood during home construction) when it hit a nail and stripped. was within 90 days so it was replaced. the 3rd 1 which was the warranty replacement has over 500 holes and still works great.
i would say that these which i paid 9.99 at the time are well worth the $$ for what they do and did for me. when working in between studs that a big drill body wont fit and these 90's are needed, its well worth it. i do have the first that im trying to find metal gears to fix. i think there around 20$ now, but still worth it when wiring homes and barns. But if any of you know of a better option, im all ears!
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92188
BUT, to there credit, the first 1 drill over 2000 holes and 2 yrs with spade bits. its demise was a unseen nail. the plastic gears did not handle the sudden stop and stripped out(24v drill)
the second lasted less than 1000 holes(all in wood during home construction) when it hit a nail and stripped. was within 90 days so it was replaced. the 3rd 1 which was the warranty replacement has over 500 holes and still works great.
i would say that these which i paid 9.99 at the time are well worth the $$ for what they do and did for me. when working in between studs that a big drill body wont fit and these 90's are needed, its well worth it. i do have the first that im trying to find metal gears to fix. i think there around 20$ now, but still worth it when wiring homes and barns. But if any of you know of a better option, im all ears!
american lockpicker
Banned
I have never bought anything from there but I did return a purchase my mother made there once(since then I got a lot of junk mail from them).
VegasBruce
Well-known member
Cutoff wheel and 3/16 plate. Cutting for about 10 minutes straight, it overheated and broke in my hand. It was so hot I couldn.t touch it without gloves.
Toolhorder
Well-known member
I bought a hand riveting set with rivets. I used it for one rivet and the second one broke the pivot pin inside the handle. Promptly returned and bought a C-Man replacement.
Deafautotech
Well-known member
i had exact same one from harbor freight and i used it a LOT when i worked for chrysler and jeep as chrysler had a lot of defect cataylic convertors. when i use it, i just use ratchet and put lube on threads, it is still work fine....
I can see where 10 min of cutting probably was the end of that unit, As i stated earlier the better ones along with being more ergonomic, probably disperse heat alot better. With that said 10 Min of constant cutting of 3/16 Plate would be a task for Most Grinders.
VegasBruce
Well-known member
I replaced it with a couple of Milwaukee grinders. So far no problems with those.
No doubt, Im sure they are more comfortable to use also.
VegasBruce
Well-known member
Much better.
chromemoly
Well-known member
Wheres the pics of broken HF tools?
There was a pic of a grinder that looked like it threw itself under a tire, is that all?
There was a pic of a grinder that looked like it threw itself under a tire, is that all?
mcdtommy23
Well-known member
Hmm, all these views and only a few broken items? The broken items were ususally returned/exchanged no problem? Should we start the "broken Craftsman tools" let's see em?
jeepnut24
Well-known member
X2 We need pictures....
The way some of you all talk, this should be full of broken tools. After all they should be breaking just from looking at them wrong.
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nissan_crawler
Well-known member
I've had a few, never took pictures, wasn't worth it. The vast majority that did break, was pretty much expected before it happened.
i had an oil can seize up, then I bought two other brands, and both of them seized up with the same fluid, so...
No pictures of the 3" wrench, I didn't even have a digital camera then. It held up the front of a small skidsteer though, which was more than I was expecting. It actually unloaded much of the weight of the front of the tractor before it went.
Oh, and we called to order a new set to replace that wrench...they sent us a new set, even after explaining how we broke it.
Our service truck for the field had lots of hf tools, didn't pay to have good stuff thrown in the dirt, cut, welded, etc., to do what you had to get done. Very little ever broke, and most was being abused when it did. The HF stuff I have has all worked for the most part.
The rings broke off the pins for the legs on my cherry picker, big deal, cosmetic.
i had an oil can seize up, then I bought two other brands, and both of them seized up with the same fluid, so...
No pictures of the 3" wrench, I didn't even have a digital camera then. It held up the front of a small skidsteer though, which was more than I was expecting. It actually unloaded much of the weight of the front of the tractor before it went.
Oh, and we called to order a new set to replace that wrench...they sent us a new set, even after explaining how we broke it.
Our service truck for the field had lots of hf tools, didn't pay to have good stuff thrown in the dirt, cut, welded, etc., to do what you had to get done. Very little ever broke, and most was being abused when it did. The HF stuff I have has all worked for the most part.
The rings broke off the pins for the legs on my cherry picker, big deal, cosmetic.
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chromemoly
Well-known member
OOPS!,
Now thats just pure Crazy Talk.........
You know how hard it is to break Craftsman?
I've broken the wobble extensions, and 3/8" drive Torx sockets. My finishing sander stopped working but I took it apart and it seemed I was pushing down to hard ont eh switch and the solder seperated. Heated it up with a soldering gun and it works as good as new. I've owned it for several years now. A angle grinder stopped working after about 5 years, but at $18 or whatever they cost I don't mind replacing them every few years or so. I've also broken some impact sockets here and there but nothing crazy. I don't mind breaking something once in a blue moon especially when I can repalce it for a fraction of the cost of another brand.
mcdtommy23
Well-known member
chromemoly; :headscrat Now thats just pure Crazy Talk......... You know how hard it is to break Craftsman?[/QUOTE said:Well, let's see. I started the thread.
VegasBruce
Well-known member
musgofasta
Well-known member
Finally broke my HF 19.99 brad/finish nailer. Dropped it and it jammed internally somewhere. Put thousands of nails, staples and brads though it.
Hardwood Floors
Baseboards
Crown Molding
Chair Rails
Subwoofer boxes (mock-up)
I'll be replacing it soon with another. I really thing that's the only HF tool I've broken.
Hardwood Floors
Baseboards
Crown Molding
Chair Rails
Subwoofer boxes (mock-up)
I'll be replacing it soon with another. I really thing that's the only HF tool I've broken.
I threw the 11/16 1/2" socket in the garbage. Jumping up and down on it with a breaker bar didn't work out. I ended up bypassing the safety button on my orange 10" sliding miter saw, been hundreds of cuts since then. Same when the on/off switch got sticky on my high speed Dremel like tool, just unplug it from the wall now. I thought I'd killed the 1/2" drill, turned out to be loose where the cord goes into the casing, some electrical tape fixed that. Some of the cheap screwdrivers junked out, but so have all the cheap Stanley like ones I've ever owned, so I just chuck them at 5.99 for 12 of them. People hate to hear that HF stuff hangs in there for the weekend warrior, I have 2 4" grinders and alternate them when doing grinding, I hate tools too hot to hold, didn't like it back when my US drills got too hot to hold 30 years ago either, so I've always owned 2 at a time.
pmohr
Well-known member
I've broken one of their three jaw oil filter 'wrenches', was a backup for the Craftsman unit I lost. First time on a filter, broke the rivets holding the two pieces together:
Also stripped the threads out of the wheel bearing tool, but that specific bearing also broke some welds on the shop press, so I can't see even a Hub Shark or Hub Tamer (etc) taking that on:
No images of the actual broken tools, never bothered.
Also stripped the threads out of the wheel bearing tool, but that specific bearing also broke some welds on the shop press, so I can't see even a Hub Shark or Hub Tamer (etc) taking that on:
No images of the actual broken tools, never bothered.