Harbor Freight body hammer set

[bchee]

Harbor Freight body hammer set is on sale for $25.
($20 with 20% coupon)
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-body-and-fender-set-31277.html

Should I get it?

 

[metelburner]

I have that set has worked for me . I would buy one if i were you .

 

[ADaughen]

I have this set. It isn't bad, but I am a new metal banger, so I wouldn't know what is good or not...

 

[bchee]

Seems to me like these hammers wouldn't take a lot of force, no?

 

[1969]

Save your $$$$$$$, buy Martin hammers and dollies.

 

[930dreamer]

That's the set I have.I'd love to spend $450 on a set of Martin's.

 

[cowboy73]

I have that set. I last used it to straighten out the BBQ grill after the wind blew it over. I also have one old Fairmount body hammer the wife bought at a yardsale for $2. Complete with burn marks on the handle, probably got too close the oxy-acetylene torch doing some old school body work.

 

[jeepnut24]

After cleaning them up with a file, mine work fine. They have been a bit abused and are still going. Not the best out there, but certainly worth the investment. The money saved paid for more tools and replacement sheet metal.

 

[ratdoggy]

Well my son who is starting Auto Body in school (11th grade) will get a set of those. I picked him up a basic set of Craftsman tools this weekend and a couple of other things too. If he sticks it out he can go for his lungs on the good stuff.

 

[bchee]

After cleaning them up with a file, mine work fine.

What did you have to clean up exactly?
You mean get the surfaces smoother?

 

[e-tek]

Save your $$$$$$$, buy Martin hammers and dollies.

I've been panel bating for 35 years and can't say most people would know the difference.....certianly few would NEED the difference!

Not even sure I would!!

 

[ZRX61]

Just bear in mind those 2 dolllies on the left are actually hollow on the sides you can't see in the pic....They have no weight to them at all, I have a set I use as paper weights. The 3 hammers have all been modified, 1 for bodywork & the other 2 for welding.

 

[bchee]

Just bear in mind those 2 dolllies on the left are actually hollow on the sides you can't see in the pic....They have no weight to them at all, I have a set I use as paper weights. The 3 hammers have all been modified, 1 for bodywork & the other 2 for welding.

So do you have this set?

Any problems with the dollies being hollow?

Should I get wood or fiberglass handles?

 

[Scout Driver]

I have an older version of this set that I bought about 6 or 7 years ago. It's been great. I've done a ton of work with it. My set cost me only $17 bucks because it wasn't on the computer's inventory at the time. I told the kids working there that I'd toss them an offer.

The set you posted in my opinion is not as nice as the older set. The dollies feel lighter and the hammer faces are too flat. If you have used body hammers with at slight crown to the face, you will notice the difference when you use them. The hammer heads are also a little "clunky". My opinion, spend a little more for a better set. Or buy a used set that is in nice shape. For just a job or two, this HF set might get you by. If you are doing more work than that, you will be happier with a higher quality set.

Scott

 

[bchee]

The set you posted in my opinion is not as nice as the older set. The dollies feel lighter and the hammer faces are too flat.

Are you referring possibly to the 8 piece set, or the 4 piece set?
http://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-hammer-and-dolly-set-46779.html

It sounds like the dolly weight is pretty important?.....

 

[Scout Driver]

Are you referring possibly to the 8 piece set, or the 4 piece set?
http://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-hammer-and-dolly-set-46779.html

It sounds like the dolly weight is pretty important?.....

The 8 piece set is the one that I have. You have a positive recommendation from me for the 8 piece set. As far as dolly weight goes...... They will be taking hammer blows either directly or indirectly (when off-dolly hammering). I have even used the dollys as hammers when needed. A good amount of heft is needed in a dolly. If its possible, open up a few sets at the store just to check the tools for funky casting marks and to make sure the hammer faces are uniform. For what its worth, I've used my set on about 30 tractor restorations and multiple vehicle repairs. The time I have spent with them has been time well spent.

Scott

 

[bchee]

Just to clarify, the 8 piece set you have is not an older discontinued set?

The head colors are different: red vs. black. Apparently that's not the only difference. Sounds like the 7 piece set is inferior.

 

[Abbott]

I have the HF set, they work ok for me but I don't have much experience as a sheet metal/body and fender guy.

 

[Scout Driver]

Just to clarify, the 8 piece set you have is not an older discontinued set?

The head colors are different: red vs. black. Apparently that's not the only difference. Sounds like the 7 piece set is inferior.

I thought that my set had been discontinued since I hadn't seen them for quite awhile in the store where I shop. The 8 piece set that you posted a pic. of looks like my set. Sorry for any possible confusion.

The heads on the 8 piece always seemed a little lighter and "sleeker" than the 7 piece heads. This makes a difference to me since I prefer a body hammer with a lighter feel. The 8 piece hammer faces have a little more of a pronounced crown to them. The crowned faces are more effective at shaping the metal. Hard to describe the hows and whys of it, but the crown is needed. I feel that the 8 piece set is a better set.

Scott

 

[djb2]

Wow, that's gone up a lot in list price since I bought mine. It was before the 20% coupon, so the final price wasn't much less.

It's a perfectly fine set for casual use. If you can keep your friends from using them as everyday pound-on-something hammers.

I can imagine a better set. Perhaps harder, and more rust resistant. But these are just fine.

 

[Scout Driver]

Just to add some more input....

The long "******* hammer" comes with the 8 piece set. Its the hammer that looks like a piece of leaf-spring with a handle. This hammer also adds value to the set! There have been times where its came in handy to flatten deep, sharp creases. It makes a good dolly in a tight spot too.

Scott