First Harbor Freight tool failure...

[Jason280]

I buy the occasional tool from Harbor Freight, but try to be very selective. I've had very good luck with most of their stuff, but did finally experience a failure with one of their tools.

I picked up one of their 8 ton hydraulic crimping tools a few months ago, and have used it maybe 4-5 times. I'd originally picked it up to crimp cable stops on e-brake cables, and it has worked well on test cables. Well, got it out to actually use on a Jeep YJ e-brake cable, and no luck. I noticed immediately when I took it out of the plastic wrap in the box that it had leaked a considerable amount of hydraulic oil. I wiped it off, and then tried pumping the handle, but was unable to build any pressure.

Hopefully I can find my receipt, otherwise I am not sure how easy it will be to repair.

Here's the model I purchased:

http://www.harborfreight.com/hydraulic-wire-crimping-tool-66150.html

 

[cyato]

Hope you find your receipt and can get a good one. I guess I'm lucky. Mine has been fine for 5 years of occasional use. My buddy bought one and it was bad out of the box. I think his replacement has held up....

 

[Jason280]

I really like the tool, and it has been very useful....I'll keep my fingers crossed, as I would like to be able to swap for a replacement.

 

[BoostAddiction]

I have that tool and like it. Very useful for crimping big battery cables. Hope you get yours fixed or exchanged.

 

[Brownsfan]

Those things seem to be hit or miss. Same thing happened to mine. Second was fine. This and the long flex 1/4-3/8 ratchet (like e-z red quarter stick) are the ONLY HF tools I own. I guess I'm just a tool snob.

 

[OutsideMachinist]

It is 40 bucks with a coupon. You used it 4 or 5 times. I would say thats fair and you got your money's worth. If you can get it replaced thats great.

 

[Brownsfan]

I only use it for 8awg and larger power cables for battery and high powered audio systems. Also for upgrading battery and alternator cables.

 

[shawhite]

8tons. I would say that thing is highly over rated. But for that price u can't beat it. Really there is not much to these just a bottle jack with a crimp head. I use huskies hydraulic cutters and crimpers everyday at work they have never failed me I mean these thing get left in the rain thrown in the dirt even used as a hammer some times but they cost $800 a pair.

 

[Jason280]

It is 40 bucks with a coupon. You used it 4 or 5 times. I would say thats fair and you got your money's worth.

I completely disagree. If it doesn't work when you need it, then you certainly didn't get your money's worth...

8tons. I would say that thing is highly over rated. But for that price u can't beat it.

Yeah, it did seem to be a little overrated. That being said, it did great on the few projects I used it on. If I can't get it swapped out, I think I am going to step up and try one of these off eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/16-Ton-Hydr...074?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5401464442

Pretty much the same price as the HF, but with twice the hydraulic force.

 

[shawhite]

U could always take them to a hydraulic shop and have them rebuilt and be better than new.

 

[1foxracing]

Did you read the warranty tab on your own link?
" We guarantee this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship 90 days from the date of purchase. Limitations apply."

 

[finn]

Add more hydraulic fluid and it will probably work. The leak may simply be a cut orang, available at any hardware store for a dollar.

 

[mikebramel]

Add more hydraulic fluid and it will probably work. The leak may simply be a cut orang, available at any hardware store for a dollar.

Yes, Im sure it doesn't hold much of any oil

 

[gearhead1]

Where do you buy the cable stops? I have an old vehicle and the one brake cable extends from the cover further than the other, which messes up the balance bar. If I could make them the same, I'd be golden.

 

[Jason280]

" We guarantee this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship 90 days from the date of purchase. Limitations apply."

The 90-day deal has me concerned...I found my receipt today, and the crimper was purchased 3/8/14.

 

[Jason280]

Where do you buy the cable stops?

I make my own out of round bar stock. You can get cable stops at NAPA that work pretty well, but they use a set screw.

 

[Jason280]

Update...

I returned my faulty crimper today, and after some discussion, was able to exchange it for a new one. Hopefully this one will last longer than 4 months!!

 

[Sonny2010]

Plastic knives of tools

 

[Danglerb]

Did the messed up die size marking ever get sorted out with the HF version?

 

[paranoid56]

Did the messed up die size marking ever get sorted out with the HF version?

i just got one of these, and was wondering if the size markings were right, they seem way way off when looking at them.