Do not buy...

[PugetDude]

Just thought of another. The HF orange soldering gun. That is the biggest POS ever. The tips failed first. And you can't buy replacements. Then soon after the gun itself started smoking and stopped working. Yes it was very cheap but not even worth that. The whole thing lasted like a week. Spend a couple more dollars and get the craftsman or Weller.

Maybe it was designed to solder from the inside out...

 

[woody 73]

A few years ago I bought not one but two of the same craftsman mechanic seats and put one away. At first I thought it strange after a short time that the top seat broke off, the metal holding the seat just broke off forming a perfect circle. Ok I thought maybe it could not take my 210lb weight and left it at that.

Well I remembered the other seat and took it out of the box and a short time later it to also made the exact same break in the steel, the only thing I could think was maybe my body shifted a little but still it should have held tight no matter how the body shifts.

So if you guys remember I started a post asking about buying a good seat because I sure as heck did not like that that one and no way in hell was I going to buy a third seat.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=313752

Sounds like maybe some of you guys either got lucky or you guys weigh next to nothing which is a good thing my doctor tells me!

 

[Brownsfan]

Maybe it was designed to solder from the inside out...

Maybe ? Lol. It wasn't even used that heavily either. It was used for soldering in the bench. What a pos that thing was

 

[mech-tech]

I can also add the gm performance brand of channellock style pliers that Oreilly Autoparts sells, the teeth wore down with little use, and by wore down I mean look mashed.

 

[Kmaysob]

Maybe ? Lol. It wasn't even used that heavily either. It was used for soldering in the bench. What a pos that thing was

I grew up using the junk irons my dad bought to get by. I bought a weller soldering station when I was 16 and never looked back. I keep it in an ammo can with all the accessories. Rode around in my work truck for many years , until I got the current job.

 

[DeliveryGuy]

Klein Power Nut Drivers.

Wow, these are junk, and up here in the Great White Wasteland where stuff is expensive to start, these nut drivers are like $25 A PIECE for the 7/16" and up.

I bought two, 7/16" and 1/2", and the magnets shatter after driving a handful of Teks screws.

Impact rated? Maybe for hanging conduit strut from threaded rod, but definitely not for driving self drilling screws into garage doors.

 

[TheMadMech]

Craftsman hard handle screw drivers (their red/blue standard set) Total junk. Snap the points off even using minimal torque. The philips head round off and slip and the flats snap off... Garbage....

This is my clever signature.

 

[r_olson_06]

Klein Power Nut Drivers.

Wow, these are junk, and up here in the Great White Wasteland where stuff is expensive to start, these nut drivers are like $25 A PIECE for the 7/16" and up.

I bought two, 7/16" and 1/2", and the magnets shatter after driving a handful of Teks screws.

Impact rated? Maybe for hanging conduit strut from threaded rod, but definitely not for driving self drilling screws into garage doors.

I have a 9/16" for threaded rod and have had alot use out of it with no complaints. Why would you use a hollow shaft driver for them screws when you can buy a standard one for a buck a piece?

Sent from my XT1030 using Tapatalk

 

[Keelhauled]

Craftsman hard handle screw drivers (their red/blue standard set) Total junk. Snap the points off even using minimal torque. The philips head round off and slip and the flats snap off... Garbage....

This is my clever signature.

But they're made in the USA! I thought USA Craftsman tools were designed by Jesus himself.

 

[Brownsfan]

But they're made in the USA! I thought USA Craftsman tools were designed by Jesus himself.

Um no. That is the HF tool boxes that are made by the hand of God himself according to some here.

 

[barguy]

Cman screwdrivers? I can't speak of the new ones in the stores today, buy mine are over 25 years old and still going. Keep in mind, when I need a pry bar, I use a pry bar...not a screwdriver. Oh, and the new ones in the stores and my old ones were/are both made by Western Forge.

 

[gungatim]

Cman screwdrivers? I can't speak of the new ones in the stores today, buy mine are over 25 years old and still going. Keep in mind, when I need a pry bar, I use a pry bar...not a screwdriver. Oh, and the new ones in the stores and my old ones were/are both made by Western Forge.

25 years ago they were decent, hardened, even had good chrome. go trade one in today and see how long it lasts. utter garbage. look like they are sand cast and stamped tips. when I have to trade them in, I put the new ones still in the package in a box to sell at my yard sales...

 

[gdocktor3]

Anything that has moving parts from HF.

 

[engineer2]

Coax Compression Connector Adjustable Tool from Amazon.
Never worked very well and parts started bending since none of it is hardened steel.

 

[fras_auto]

Um no. That is the HF tool boxes that are made by the hand of God himself according to some here.

LMAO [emoji28][emoji28]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ChrisPace]

HF screwdrivers. Yo might end up having to drill the screw out after damaging them. Just happened to me 3 days ago. I was lazy and used what was handy.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Tepid87]

Milwaukee Shockwave Impact bit drivers.
View media item 58671They are really terrible, some of them even broke after just 5 small screws in fir wood. I returned the broken ones to my tool store, they said maybe I had my set from a bad batch. So I got them replaced, but they keep breaking.
For me it's only Witte bits anymore, they have the best fit and hold up very well even used with an impact driver.

 

[stearn786]

Irwin Visegrips. The teeth last me about 2 days and they're toast. I'm not sure what they make the jaws out of, but it seems more like aluminum than steel.
The Taiwan made Milwaukee locking pliers I bought have lasted a year so far and I've purposely abused them just to see how good they are.

 

[colin39]

Milwaukee Shockwave Impact bit drivers.
View media item 58671They are really terrible, some of them even broke after just 5 small screws in fir wood. I returned the broken ones to my tool store, they said maybe I had my set from a bad batch. So I got them replaced, but they keep breaking.
For me it's only Witte bits anymore, they have the best fit and hold up very well even used with an impact driver.

I have the same opinion

 

[Ricky112]

I don't wanna say Snap On snap ring pliers are junk, but... I've been less than impressed more than once (especially when doing wheel bearings on Mazda's)

I've used a Mac/Matco one(s) that were much better

 

[mark.dziamski]

Milwaukee Shockwave Impact bit drivers.
View media item 58671They are really terrible, some of them even broke after just 5 small screws in fir wood. I returned the broken ones to my tool store, they said maybe I had my set from a bad batch. So I got them replaced, but they keep breaking.
For me it's only Witte bits anymore, they have the best fit and hold up very well even used with an impact driver.

I love my shockwave bits. I have the 2 inch ones and use them in my cordless chicago pneumatic gun every day. I use them on machine screws mostly though.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[bcradio]

Ridgid power tools. Never again.

I like some Ridgid power tools that I like, but only select ones with a cord. I have not had good luck with their cordless tools at all.

 

[bcradio]

The Taiwan made Milwaukee locking pliers I bought have lasted a year so far and I've purposely abused them just to see how good they are.

If these are still made in Taiwan, I might have to get me some. I have the Chineseum Craftsman ones and they have been ok, but not super durable.

 

[BMack37]

Milwaukee Shockwave Impact bit drivers.
View media item 58671They are really terrible, some of them even broke after just 5 small screws in fir wood. I returned the broken ones to my tool store, they said maybe I had my set from a bad batch. So I got them replaced, but they keep breaking.
For me it's only Witte bits anymore, they have the best fit and hold up very well even used with an impact driver.

Agreed, they're junk. They don't fit well, they wear out quickly if they don't break. The 2nd gen is better but still no where near as nice as the Dewalt Maxfit. The Dewalt Torqueflex is also junk. Makita gold is the best of the available bits from HD/Lowe's and coincidentally the only bits not made in China, also the most expensive.

HD did have Wiha bits for some store but I'm not going to count those.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

A few years ago I bought not one but two of the same craftsman mechanic seats and put one away. At first I thought it strange after a short time that the top seat broke off, the metal holding the seat just broke off forming a perfect circle. Ok I thought maybe it could not take my 210lb weight and left it at that.

Well I remembered the other seat and took it out of the box and a short time later it to also made the exact same break in the steel, the only thing I could think was maybe my body shifted a little but still it should have held tight no matter how the body shifts.

So if you guys remember I started a post asking about buying a good seat because I sure as heck did not like that that one and no way in hell was I going to buy a third seat.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=313752

Sounds like maybe some of you guys either got lucky or you guys weigh next to nothing which is a good thing my doctor tells me!

I weigh over 400 pounds and my Craftsman seat has been holding up fine for 3 years. I originally bought one for my old man and borrowed it and liked it so much I got one for myself.

 

[DeliveryGuy]

I have a 9/16" for threaded rod and have had alot use out of it with no complaints. Why would you use a hollow shaft driver for them screws when you can buy a standard one for a buck a piece?

Sent from my XT1030 using Tapatalk

Because, depending on the model of garage door, the knurled bolts are the same drive size as the self drilling screws and wood lags, so you can install almost the whole door without constantly switching between sockets for bolts and magnetic nut drivers for screws.

 

[roguegts]

Ridgid power tools. Never again.

My father in law bought the big set from HD and returned it within a week. The drill literally tried to set itself on fire lol.

 

[GSMotorrad]

My worst buy was an adjustable wrench.

 

[slowride]

The Home Depot/Husky 6-in-1 screwdriver that they sell for $4.98 is pretty junky. I bought one to keep in a drawer for when I just need to screw something quick (heh) but the blades started rounding off after only 2 uses.

I much prefer the Stanley FatMax ratcheting screwdriver.

 

[bubinga]

GSmotor, what was wrong with the adjustable wrench?

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

 

[jd_1138]

GSmotor, what was wrong with the adjustable wrench?

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

The inherent problem with adjustable wrenches is that it's way better to just use the correct size wrench for the job.

 

[taumac]

I have to said my worse purchase was a 12v set of Hitachi drill flash light combo. The chuck never tighten right and batteries died within 6 months. I was so pissed. Then tried Ryobi and had some good use but heavy and battery life sucked. My father loves the new Lithium versions and they work okay but I went back to Dewalts.

 

[B_Bimmer]

I weigh over 400 pounds and my Craftsman seat has been holding up fine for 3 years. I originally bought one for my old man and borrowed it and liked it so much I got one for myself.

... for real? Are there pictures?

 

[JerryB]

Craftsman 1/2" cordless drill. Really liked it, but the gearbox stripped after about 18 to 20 months of very light use. Okay, even very good tools can have a failure, and there is a tool repair shop near me. They said they could repair it if I would get the parts. Called Sears: No parts available! Their only recommendation was to buy a new drill!

I did. I've had my Dewalt 1/2" cordless for a couple of years now. It fits my hand better than the Craftsman, has better speed control, and the batteries have better life. No more 'late model' Craftsman power tools for me!

 

[IndyGarage]

Porter cable lithium cordless tools made in the last 5 years sold at Lowes. Actually the tools aren't bad, the batteries are so bad the tools are useless.

They took this great tool brand and just turned it into junk...

 

[Notorious BRT]

Milwaukee Shockwave Impact bit drivers.
View media item 58671They are really terrible, some of them even broke after just 5 small screws in fir wood. I returned the broken ones to my tool store, they said maybe I had my set from a bad batch. So I got them replaced, but they keep breaking.
For me it's only Witte bits anymore, they have the best fit and hold up very well even used with an impact driver.

I've had good luck with them personally, though I have heard they had a bad batch get out sometime back.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Agreed, they're junk. They don't fit well, they wear out quickly if they don't break. The 2nd gen is better but still no where near as nice as the Dewalt Maxfit. The Dewalt Torqueflex is also junk. Makita gold is the best of the available bits from HD/Lowe's and coincidentally the only bits not made in China, also the most expensive.

HD did have Wiha bits for some store but I'm not going to count those.

Same here... full house remodel, initially used those Milwaukee bits. I was changing them on a fairly regular basis... figured they were "disposable" and not expensive (in the scheme of things). I switched over to the Makita gold bits and driver adapter... they been awesome.

 

[GSMotorrad]

GSmotor, what was wrong with the adjustable wrench?

The inherent problem with adjustable wrenches is that it's way better to just use the correct size wrench for the job.

Two words: Knipex Pliers Wrench. I only have two of them, a six-inch, and a twelve, but that twelve-inch opens up to accommodate 1-5/8 inches. The smaller 6" one has a 1-inch jaw opening.

The smaller 6-inch one might be my favorite hand-tool, it makes me happy when I get to use it, and it's one of the brightest highlights of my life. It's so much more precise than using the proper size socket or wrench, because it grips so tightly, so fast and easily. The jaws stay more parallel than an adj. wrench, at all times.

Now I have three adj. wrenches that have been weighing me down, collecting dust since I (finally) got knipex pliers wrenches. It's just so hard for me to get rid of tools, so I've been holding on to these useless old tech "tools" that I wouldn't wish on anybody.

I like a tight fit, so I'd retighten the jaws on an adj. wrench each and every time I mounted a fastener, with my thumb on that knurled wheel. Those days are gone forever.

Adj. wrenches should be banned and one day Knipex's patent will run out, but I'm not sure how that exactly works, but pliers wranches will be $5 all day at Harbor Freight and everyone will love them, but they'll probably **** compared to the German originators. I'd still buy a few though.

(obviously, this doesn't replace a six-point socket or box-end wrench in torquier situations. There are many times this tool does get used, where before I wouldn't have used an adj wrench. . . The adj. wrench was only for work, and rare situations or when I need to abuse a tool, or get it dirty or something. The adj. wrench was last resort, because it can wreak havoc if'n you're not careful. What I'm trying to say, is that the pliers-wrench is utilized much more, because it is safer, and easier/faster, so less worries about not using the perfectly sized tool, often times. So fast to have every size in your pocket, metric and standard and all inbetween. Its matte german chrome finish makes it not rust like pliers do, or inside the jaws of adj. wrenches. The inside jaws of these pliers wrenches are matte german chrome and I can't damage it . . . that's not true, i just looked and the tip has some chrome starting to chip off on my 6-inch one, just a little bit, just the tip.)

 

[bubinga]

Two words: Knipex Pliers Wrench. I only have two of them, a six-inch, and a twelve, but that twelve-inch opens up to accommodate 1-5/8 inches. The smaller 6" one has a 1-inch jaw opening.

you know, i have a pair of them, 10 0r 12" l think, and I don't think I ever really used them.
I will have to try them.
I use about a 12" cresent wrench like on air line fittings from the head to the tank on an air compressor.
and for plumbing sometimes.

 

[jipps]

I bought a 2-stroke Ryobi garden kit, with an interchangeable shaft, and went the whole nine yards: hedge-trimmers, extensions, weed wacker, strimmer, pole saw.

I've never seen the like of it. Suffice to say my experience has put me off the brand.