skulldrinker
Well-known member
Why is it that HF dose not have 1/4" extensions. They do in the wobble set but not in regular hand or impact.
HF 1/4" extensions
- Thread starter skulldrinker
- Start date
Maybe a 1/4" extension is too skinny to make out of Chinese steel.
Try Kobalt. I have their 3/8" extension set. Taiwan manufacture, and they're pretty nice.
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
Tekton 3 piece for $12 shipped:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00943AKH2/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Gearwrench 5 piece for $19 shipped:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NIAJBO/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00943AKH2/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Gearwrench 5 piece for $19 shipped:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NIAJBO/?tag=atomicindus08-20
OP
skulldrinker
Well-known member
Yeah that 5 pc set is looking good. tnx
OP
skulldrinker
Well-known member
Maybe a 1/4" extension is too skinny to make out of Chinese steel.
Try Kobalt. I have their 3/8" extension set. Taiwan manufacture, and they're pretty nice.
You may be right, just like their screw drivers break. Same thickness.
ChevyEFI
Well-known member
Hmm. 12" and 18" sold with a 3/8" ext. in a set.
And a 2"? and 5" in a 21pc. kit.
Probably not a profit item, since so many small kits include them.
And a 2"? and 5" in a 21pc. kit.
Probably not a profit item, since so many small kits include them.
I'm sure the Tekton are pretty nice. I've got a bunch of new Tekton stuff that I'm just starting to put into service, and the very first time I got them out I wound up abusing the tool in a way that should have broken it, but didn't.
I was having trouble breaking loose some very stuck caliper bracket bolts on my wife's car. No leverage and very little clearance. No room for a 1/2" socket and breaker bar because of clearance problems with the strut bolt, so I was trying to get them loose with a 3/8" breaker bar and making no progress. Finally I just put the floor jack under the end of the breaker bar handle - brand new Tekton bar, first time in use - and used the jack to push the bar. I expected to break the tool, but it took the abuse and broke loose the bolt just fine without even scratching through the chrome. Surprised me.
Moparman390
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2016
- Messages
- 437
Why? Because it's Harbor Freight.
Here is their idea of an 18mm wrench:
https://m.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/wrenches/8-inch-steel-adjustable-wrench-67150.html
This is their idea of a 1/4" regular extension:
https://m.harborfreight.com/4-pc-high-visibility-socket-adapter-set-62851.html
I think it has something to do with their business model to not carry a full line of tools. They don't sell individual pieces and their sets mostly consist of the popular sizes of things. To keep costs down most everything is sold in those is sets sourced from many different lowest bidders. Some of their stuff might be speced by HF, some of it might be just what the OEM can do or something the OEM brought to them ready to go. That's why there is so much inconsistency and parts of the tool line is a cobbled together hodge-podge. It seems to work for them and their core customer.
You must be shopping at the one in the old Party City on 75th St.
Here is their idea of an 18mm wrench:
https://m.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/wrenches/8-inch-steel-adjustable-wrench-67150.html
This is their idea of a 1/4" regular extension:
https://m.harborfreight.com/4-pc-high-visibility-socket-adapter-set-62851.html
I think it has something to do with their business model to not carry a full line of tools. They don't sell individual pieces and their sets mostly consist of the popular sizes of things. To keep costs down most everything is sold in those is sets sourced from many different lowest bidders. Some of their stuff might be speced by HF, some of it might be just what the OEM can do or something the OEM brought to them ready to go. That's why there is so much inconsistency and parts of the tool line is a cobbled together hodge-podge. It seems to work for them and their core customer.
You must be shopping at the one in the old Party City on 75th St.
TheEuronater
Well-known member
After having one of their ¼ inch drive wobble extensions turn inside the socket I was using it on I would just steer clear of the extensions. Not worth any amount of money in my opinion, especially since you can pick up used USA ¼ inch drive extensions cheap at yard sales and the like.
FlushingDIYer
Well-known member
I think I've got my extensions covered. But if I was looking for some, I think I'd get this set over at Cripe... The knurling looks great
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sunex-8855-9pc-Magnetic-Chrome-Universal-Joint-and-Extension-Set-/390429573326
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sunex-8855-9pc-Magnetic-Chrome-Universal-Joint-and-Extension-Set-/390429573326
M_George
Well-known member
I twisted the end off of an 3/8 HF extension with one hand.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
My HF impact extensions and wobbles have been great. I have the 1/2 and 3/8 and use them pretty frequently.
For chrome wobble extensions, I stepped up to SK after snapping off a few gearwrench ones.
For chrome wobble extensions, I stepped up to SK after snapping off a few gearwrench ones.
This is what I think; even if half of this board disagrees. Tekton's USA and Taiwan made hard line tools are the best utility value product out there at the moment. There are 'better' but because of diminishing returns they probably aren't worth the extra cost unless they will see very hard use.
Their China stuff is junk though. I just noticed all of my needle nose pliers are rusting. Hopefully, those are on the list to be moved somewhere else soon.
Also if you had broken the breaker bar with the floor jack they still would have sent you a new one. Hard to beat that.
i don't know what your swap meet situation is out where you live but your money can go much further out in the wild. i have several 1/4" drive sets of Snap-on (with/knurling, without/knurling, wobble) all being in like-new condition swap meet finds that were purchased one piece at a time.
I've also had good luck with picking these sorts of things up at a steep discount in the used market. Sometimes you just need something asap though so I can understand the frustration. Which is why I get tools before I need them whenever possible
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cherrybomb
Well-known member
I talked to a clerk at a HF store,he said he thought the steel in the smaller extensions just wouldn't stand up.Be safe and productive,When you buy cheaper tools and become dissatisfied and then upgrade,it costs more in the long run.Price is not the only factor in tool purchase.I like my Protos.
That's why I took the risk.
I've also had good luck with picking these sorts of things up at a steep discount in the used market. Sometimes you just need something asap though so I can understand the frustration. Which is why I get tools before I need them whenever possible
This, kind of. I see a lot of you guys haunting swap meets and garage sales for used tools, and it looks like you're getting some great deals, but if I want a new tool I turn into Veruca Salt: "I want it NOWWWW!!!" And that's at least partly because of what you just said: to get them before I need them, but it's also just plain impatience.
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
I'm 100% positive that Harbor Freight executives share no information with lowest level store clerks about why they choose the products that they sell.
bpjr
Well-known member
I've been using hf 1/4" wobbles for a couple of years without a problem...but I only work on my own stuff, cars, boats, lawn tractors. I really like the knurling. They replaced old 1/4" cheap no name ones that twisted off. The 1/4" wobbles came in a set with 3/8 & 1/2" but the larger ones don't get used.
JohnDeere1
Banned
Maybe a 1/4" extension is too skinny to make out of Chinese steel
^^^^^^Lmao this....Why would you want HF there's way better options I bought my 1/4 set off the snap on truck used for $75 looks un touched.
JohnDeere1
Banned
Go to advanced auto parts and get GW they are like $20 for a whole wobble set $25 for 3/8 & $30 for 1/2.