Danger from buying cheap tools

[Silver Heels]

I was just thinking we all know even the best tools can be dangerous when wore out or used improperly. We also know that cheap tools from Harbor Freight, Princess Auto, and the like may not get the job done as efficiently or as effectively as the best tools. I was just wondering if you all came across as situation where a tool was downright dangerous because it was cheap. Ever have a low-end jackstand collapse within its working range? Or a carbide tip on a cheap saw blade spontaneously embed itself in the ceiling or worse? Maybe the front end of a $19 angle grinder that shot out at 100 miles per hour across the shop? I got to thinking about this because I was routing some boards with a HF router bit and those razor-sharp carbide tips spinning at 15,000 RPMs were just inches away from my personal zone. I realize that in this day and age products are safety tested before they ever reach the market, but how much slips through the cracks without recalls?? FWIW, I take precautions to be safe with power and hand tools, but am not a safety nut that dons a full face shield to hang a picture on a wall or anything like that.

 

[jim1987]

I've never had a tool fail when used properly.

 

[Miss_Sissy]

I've not seen serious safety defects in most cheap tools. I think it relatively unlikely due to the liability the company would face in a lawsuit. If Harbor Freight customers were frequently being blinded, lacerated, and hospitalized due to failures of the tools, Harbor Freight would have long ago gone out of business.

 

[jrcampbe]

When buying low quality, especially in tools, the real damage is to your soul.

 

[nicksnothereman]

I was just thinking we all know even the best tools can be dangerous when wore out or used improperly. We also know that cheap tools from Harbor Freight, Princess Auto, and the like may not get the job done as efficiently or as effectively as the best tools. I was just wondering if you all came across as situation where a tool was downright dangerous because it was cheap. Ever have a low-end jackstand collapse within its working range? Or a carbide tip on a cheap saw blade spontaneously embed itself in the ceiling or worse? Maybe the front end of a $19 angle grinder that shot out at 100 miles per hour across the shop? I got to thinking about this because I was routing some boards with a HF router bit and those razor-sharp carbide tips spinning at 15,000 RPMs were just inches away from my personal zone. I realize that in this day and age products are safety tested before they ever reach the market, but how much slips through the cracks without recalls?? FWIW, I take precautions to be safe with power and hand tools, but am not a safety nut that dons a full face shield to hang a picture on a wall or anything like that.

Say you're using an impact wrench without safety glasses...probably deserve what might happen regardless of the quality. Honestly, with power tools tooth protection should also be priority but no one does it. You could make a **** one (face mask) out of styrofoam and beer cans, would work well. Not permanent solution though. Ideally sheet metal lower face mask would be what you want.

I got metal in my eye from an exploding battery once but to tell you the truth I'm not everyone, wounds don't do nothing to me I don't really bleed either. True story, can't put it together.

 

[bushmechanic]

I've had a cheap jack stand fail and damned near take my finger off as a result. It's a good thing I'm fast. Unfortunately I wasn't fast enough to avoid some damage.

It was rated twice above that of my entire vehicle (not even accounting for the safety factor), and used properly. There were no obvious visual defects.

Jacks, as well; I've had two cheaper jacks fail, and they were again rated properly and maintained as they should be.

I've also had lower rent sockets and breaker bars fail. Now, that's not fun at all. You're always going to end up bashing something painful against something hard and probably sharp when that happens.

One of the sockets actually shattered rather violently.

 

[bushmechanic]

I got metal in my eye from an exploding battery once but to tell you the truth I'm not everyone, wounds don't do nothing to me I don't really bleed either. True story, can't put it together.

Drink more water.

I heal incredibly quickly, but as a result don't always heal properly. Every benefit has a drawback.

If you aren't bleeding when you are supposed to, you're either perpetually dehydrated, or suffer one of a number of disorders that will absolutely and without question nail you one day.

 

[Lx460]

Drink more water.

I heal incredibly quickly, but as a result don't always heal properly. Every benefit has a drawback.

If you aren't bleeding when you are supposed to, you're either perpetually dehydrated, or suffer one of a number of disorders that will absolutely and without question nail you one day.

Or you are Wolverine...

 

[junkman104]

I am more concerned about their automotive parts than the tools.

 

[wornoutoldman]

When buying low quality, especially in tools, the real damage is to your soul.

 

[dfiler2]

I have never had a tool fail that put me in danger that I can remember. I have over the past few years changed my philosophy on buying only high quality tools. What got me thinking about it differently was helping a friend out one day, I have been a big Milwaukee tool fan for quite a while and I have a circular saw that I've replaced the cord on a few times and replaced the brushes. It is probably 30 years old. While helping this friend I grabbed his saw to cut something, it was half the weight had a laser guide on it and did a great job cutting. I look at tools differently now and am more willing to purchase cheaper tools understanding that I may replace them sooner but will also be able to take advantage of upgraded technology. There are some tools that I probably wouldn't purchase cheap versions of, especially larger more expensive items. I do try to look at each tool and decide how often I'll use it and whether the better quality will actually give me anything more than longevity.

 

[rslaback]

Or you are Wolverine...

Damn. You beat me to it.

When buying low quality, especially in tools, the real damage is to your soul.

FFS

I have never had a tool fail that put me in danger that I can remember. I have over the past few years changed my philosophy on buying only high quality tools. What got me thinking about it differently was helping a friend out one day, I have been a big Milwaukee tool fan for quite a while and I have a circular saw that I've replaced the cord on a few times and replaced the brushes. It is probably 30 years old. While helping this friend I grabbed his saw to cut something, it was half the weight had a laser guide on it and did a great job cutting. I look at tools differently now and am more willing to purchase cheaper tools understanding that I may replace them sooner but will also be able to take advantage of upgraded technology. There are some tools that I probably wouldn't purchase cheap versions of, especially larger more expensive items. I do try to look at each tool and decide how often I'll use it and whether the better quality will actually give me anything more than longevity.

I'm in a similar boat. I grew up in construction using name brand high dollar stuff with good reason. Worn out tools cost money. Now I'm not doing anything like that professionally and am more of a heavy occasional user. I buy tools in terms of value. A ratio of cost:get the job done:expected servicable lifetime. I see no reason to drop an extra $100 on a tool if both of them will never wear out during my tool using days.

Now, to the OP's question. No, I have never had a cheaper tool fail on me unless it was being abused.

 

[Cypherian]

The only cheap tool I have ever had fail on me while being used properly was a 3/8 drive torx bit sheared right off only had a 10" ratchet on it no cheater. I did not bust any thing though as I learned that lesson long ago look where your going to end up if a wrench or screwdriver etc fails. I never buy cheap tools these days unless it is a one off job I figure when I go what ever doesn't melt in the pyre the kids can sell for money :}

Cypher

 

[MattPSC]

Tool failures I've had:

Had HF safety wire pliers explosively shatter when I clamped them on a wire. Scary. Looked like there was a void in the area of the jaws.

Broke every single puller in a HF three puller set, mostly due to low grade bolts. Jaws were fine. To their credit this was an easy return.

This one is user error - Sheared off the 1/2" square drive on the 24" HF breaker bar using it with a cheater pipe. Could tell it was about to happen when the bow in the bar straightened out with the same force on it.

They make a lot of good stuff for the money but there is dangerous **** as well. I feel like I've gotten better at identifying it.

 

[AE2]

The company my dad worked for bought a bunch of knockoff hot saw blades. He was using the saw and the blade shattered and bits hit him in the face and the surgeon had to dig the pieces out.

 

[Labradorian]

I was just thinking we all know even the best tools can be dangerous when wore out or used improperly. We also know that cheap tools from Harbor Freight, Princess Auto, and the like may not get the job done as efficiently or as effectively as the best tools. I was just wondering if you all came across as situation where a tool was downright dangerous because it was cheap. Ever have a low-end jackstand collapse within its working range? Or a carbide tip on a cheap saw blade spontaneously embed itself in the ceiling or worse? Maybe the front end of a $19 angle grinder that shot out at 100 miles per hour across the shop? I got to thinking about this because I was routing some boards with a HF router bit and those razor-sharp carbide tips spinning at 15,000 RPMs were just inches away from my personal zone. I realize that in this day and age products are safety tested before they ever reach the market, but how much slips through the cracks without recalls?? FWIW, I take precautions to be safe with power and hand tools, but am not a safety nut that dons a full face shield to hang a picture on a wall or anything like that.

Sometimes the difference between a good tool and a bad tool is the difference in the room/outside temperature you are using them in.

I bought a larger cheap adjustable wrench at princess auto a while back and thought it would be good for the light stuff I do here and there. This one day I grab it to remove the ball from the hitch on my atv so I can install the plow. It's about -15C outside. put the wrench on, put a little strain on it with my hands and it SNAPPED in half.

Some of the cheaper tools are not always tested in all the conditions the good tools are. Hence the difference in price.

Perhaps if one would of used this wrench always in a heated garage it probably would of been ok. Who knows.

cheers

 

[n8n]

The only time I've ever been injured by a tool destroying itself it was just a fluke and I was using everything as intended. Was using a piece of hardened steel shaft probably about 3/16" in diameter to press a heading die out of its casing with a hydraulic shop press (bottle jack type.) The shaft was only a RCH longer than required , so I wasn't being lazy and not looking for an appropriately sized piece of shaft and using an excessively long one. When I got a few pumps on the press, the shaft shattered and one of the pieces flew into my forearm right where there was a shallow vein, only took three stitches to fix it up but the blood on the floor was impressive.

That said, using tools that are known to be of low quality definitely would increase the risk of things like that happening; they happen often enough as it is no chance tempting fate.

I too am in the "plan for if the wrench/socket/breaker bar" fails because it's bad enough when you break a tool, it's even worse if you end up punching a raggedy, rusty piece of metal as a result.

 

[crerus75]

The only cheap or worn-out tools that I can remember ever hurting me are blades, particularly utility knife blades. It always amazes me that a blade that won't slice through corrugated cardboard will carve you up like a Christmas turkey when it slips. I learned my lesson a LONG time ago-- all my blades stay sharp, either through sharpening or through replacement. Knives and blades that won't hold an edge get repurposed or scrapped.

 

[n8n]

The only cheap or worn-out tools that I can remember ever hurting me are blades, particularly utility knife blades. It always amazes me that a blade that won't slice through corrugated cardboard will carve you up like a Christmas turkey when it slips. I learned my lesson a LONG time ago-- all my blades stay sharp, either through sharpening or through replacement. Knives and blades that won't hold an edge get repurposed or scrapped.

Very much this. A "scary sharp" blade can bite you but if it does the cut heals much more quickly and easily. A dull blade means you're putting much more pressure on it to make the cut so if it slips you've got a lot more force behind it, and it won't cut *you* cleanly at all. Really want to screw someone up and leave an ugly scar, stab them with a bread knife

 

[rslaback]

The only time I've ever been injured by a tool destroying itself it was just a fluke and I was using everything as intended. Was using a piece of hardened steel shaft probably about 3/16" in diameter to press a heading die out of its casing with a hydraulic shop press (bottle jack type.) The shaft was only a RCH longer than required , so I wasn't being lazy and not looking for an appropriately sized piece of shaft and using an excessively long one. When I got a few pumps on the press, the shaft shattered and one of the pieces flew into my forearm right where there was a shallow vein, only took three stitches to fix it up but the blood on the floor was impressive.

That said, using tools that are known to be of low quality definitely would increase the risk of things like that happening; they happen often enough as it is no chance tempting fate.

I too am in the "plan for if the wrench/socket/breaker bar" fails because it's bad enough when you break a tool, it's even worse if you end up punching a raggedy, rusty piece of metal as a result.

Next time don't use anything hardened. Mild steel would've gotten the job done without the stitches.

 

[n8n]

Next time don't use anything hardened. Mild steel would've gotten the job done without the stitches.

That was SOP at that job... sometimes it was pieces of hardened shaft stock and for the smaller punches it was old 2nd punches (from a cold heading machine) with the thick bits cut off, which is essentially the same thing.

Knowing what I know now, all these years later, you're probably right, although in the case of a tight fit, I could easily see a mild steel shaft/pin punch mushrooming and getting stuck. Part of the issue is with the interference fit of the punch die in a brand new casing with only having had a couple punches pressed in/out of it, if the previous operator didn't touch up the punch die on a grinder to reduce the OD a little it could be in there stupid tight requiring a lot of force to get it out. Some guys would take the time to do that; some would just jam it in there and make it work.

 

[jives]

I've had many tools break, but that is because I abuse them. Yeah, I admit it, and my dad the engineer would not be proud. They are not my livelihood and I often time finding myself using the wrong tool for the job because I don't have the right one. The only tools I've come close to hurting myself with are cheap broken hammer handles. I now use an all-steel Stanley FaxMax.

 

[Cato]

When buying low quality, especially in tools, the real damage is to your soul.

Wow, that is so true!


The truth is that cheap tools work just as good as expensive tools. Plus, when they fail (expensive tools fail too), they are easily replaceable.

But it is good for the soul to have expensive things.

 

[n8n]

Wow, that is so true!


The truth is that cheap tools work just as good as expensive tools. Plus, when they fail (expensive tools fail too), they are easily replaceable.

But it is good for the soul to have expensive things.

Not necessarily expensive, but there is joy in having high quality things as opposed to commodity-level things. Many of the posessions to which I'm most attached did not necessarily require a lot of cash from me to acquire, but they'd need a lot of cash to convince me to let them go.

 

[Tireman]

I won't be purchasing a cheap wire brush wheel. Thank goodness I was wearing my face shield. I was pick metal wire out of my arms and chest for 2 days.

 

[steve185]

I Had a Princess Auto coil spring compressor fail, spring just missed my head. welded up my own and had no problems, you get what you pay for.

 

[Ruger_556]

I've had 3/4 and 1" drive impact sockets explode in my face while under a truck... People can preach the merits of cheapo tools but I won't buy them anymore. There's too many good brands available to justify buying the cheapest **** just because it's cheap.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I've had 3/4 and 1" drive impact sockets explode in my face while under a truck... People can preach the merits of cheapo tools but I won't buy them anymore. There's too many good brands available to justify buying the cheapest **** just because it's cheap.

This.

I don't like tools that I can't trust, whether it's sockets on an impact gun or a long breaker bar I'm putting a lot of leverage on, or wrenches I'm using to break fasteners loose.

I have some cheap tools that have been good to me (stuff like my HF die grinder and cutoff tool, deadblow hammers, and the Pittsburg Pro impact sockets). But for the most part, with the internet sources we have available today, if you've got the time and patience you can buy quality tools for reasonable prices. My livelihood and health depends on being able to work, and work safely.

 

[texascrane]

A guy on a land cruiser forum I frequent had a harbor freight jack stand fail. It damn near killed him.:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/the-*****-tried-to-kill-me.305105/

 

[Silver Heels]

I Had a Princess Auto coil spring compressor fail, spring just missed my head. welded up my own and had no problems, you get what you pay for.

I could see the pot metal that passes as cast iron easily leading to tragedy. Thanks for sharing. Anyone have any concerns about plastic car ramps?

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I had a jack stand fail, also had a ramp collapse. Neither was very old and had been used before without incident. Also used well below the specified limit. I haven't had any problems with my HF jack stands or jack.
I've had Craftsman and other "mid-grade" sockets and wrenches crack.
Somehow I had the flutes inside a "rounded fastener" wrench crumble. It was not cheap, was brand new, impact rated and I was using it on a 3/8 drive ratchet.
I try and be aware of what my hand is going to hit if a wrench slips or breaks.

 

[OctoMan]

The Army used to buy super cheap tools. Those of you in Army aviation and have had to use those red tool boxes know what I'm talking about. I broke several tools that never brake such as ratchets, hammers, pliers and anything else they bought from the lowest bidder. All tools broke due to their cheapness.

That being said, I have used tools that fell apart, ratchets stripped, or have just been frustrating to use. Solution, I stopped buying cheap stuff if poor quality meant an unsafe environment such as a grinder. More and more I'm finding you can't rely on hand tools since most everything has gone off shore. However there are great bargains in used tools.

 

[Ckengine]

Personally I have seen a cheap cold chisel fail and the pieces go into the user and a cheap hammer have the head fly off the first use and leave a hell of a bruise. I have broken a cheap wrenches or two and busted my knuckles. The worst I have heard of from a friend that was there was a really cheap grinding wheel on a bench grinder blew up and a couple guys got hurt pretty bad

 

[d430]

I've had the pin on the harbor freight 3/8 drive impact socket fly out, causing the socket to flail off past my head and the drive end ejected itself the other direction. They were $50 and snap on's were $275 at the time. Thought I'd save myself the money. About a week after that happened my snap on guy came around with the 3/8 drive impact swivel set on sale for $99. Been using those for over three years on a half inch gun with a reducer in no issues yet.

 

[BFBOB]

I had the head on a Husky (Lowe's) claw hammer come loose. Lifetime warranty, so I took it back. Clerk looked it over, wiggled the head, gave me the sidelong stare and said hey, it's only a little bit loose. I said fine, I'll keep using it until it comes off completely and puts a hole in someone's head and let our lawyers talk it over. I walked out with a new hammer.

 

[risc]

A guy on a land cruiser forum I frequent had a harbor freight jack stand fail. It damn near killed him.:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/the-*****-tried-to-kill-me.305105/

Now that's scary, I have those same stands. I try to leave the jack under the vehicle as backup as I'm afraid of the vehicle falling but it never occurred to me that the jack stand might fail.

Does anyone even make jack stands in the USA?

 

[Ruger_556]

Now that's scary, I have those same stands. I try to leave the jack under the vehicle as backup as I'm afraid of the vehicle falling but it never occurred to me that the jack stand might fail.

Does anyone even make jack stands in the USA?

All of our shop stands are stamped USA up though 25 ton. Couldn't tell you who makes them though.

 

[ADSR]

I had a Canadian tire mastercraft grinder wheel come apart on me and it blew a hole in my leg. The thing that got me mad was, i was spinning it at half the RPM it was rated for.

 

[Cato]

Now that's scary, I have those same stands. I try to leave the jack under the vehicle as backup as I'm afraid of the vehicle falling but it never occurred to me that the jack stand might fail.

Does anyone even make jack stands in the USA?

Those don't look like those are rated for a heavy vehicle like a Land Cruiser.

 

[cdnfireman]

I buy quality tools because I often work in rural areas where a broken tool can stop a job cold. True, good tools can break, but it happens less often.
And I've never thrown a tool across the shop cursing because it was GOOD quality!!!!