I found something at harbor freight I really love

[MR_T]

Don't get me wrong, plenty of items I like at harbor freight. But this one I love. Thought I would share with GJ.

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...onal-flex-head-long-handle-ratchet-62332.html

 

[BryanB]

I have the 3/8.....agree with you!

 

[steed andersen]

I got the 1/4"-luv it too!

 

[Kaane]

not this again.....

 

[HaroRider]

Its just as good as Snap On or better?

 

[an Automotive Technician]

Get outta here lol

 

[Nekit]

I've waiting for the 25% off coupons to come back to get one of these. Starting to think I'll have to settle for 20%

 

[HairMetal]

Its just as good as Snap On or better?

I lol'd

 

[thewatusi]

I thought this was going to be about the cute girl that works the register part time in the evenings.

 

[panknuckshovel]

I found something in harbor freight I loved and couldn't use quick enough as well.

 

[AA/FC]

not this again.....

That's exactly what I was thinking. Lol

 

[1982fxr]

I found something in harbor freight I loved and couldn't use quick enough as well.

lol that was the first thing i thought of when i saw the title...someone's making a joke

 

[nieuport17]

Slow Friday I guess : )

 

[blackedout12v]

Haters gonna hate,plain and simple. these ratchets are nothing short of exceptional quality and value for the price they can be had for.

 

[AA/FC]

Haters gonna hate,plain and simple....

I don't think anyone in this thread is hating on the ratchets themselves. They just seem to get brought up daily in either existing threads, or in new threads like this one.

Here is just ONE of the many threads about the new HF ratchets. It's currently 41 pages with over 800 replies.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=263361

 

[ER70S-2]

I'm not sure if I understand why buying a ratchet from a place that might not be around when it breaks is a good idea. Why not spend more now and be more sure that you will be able to get it replaced or fixed when it craps out?

 

[AceofSpad3s]

I'm not sure if I understand why buying a ratchet from a place that might not be around when it breaks is a good idea. Why not spend more now and be more sure that you will be able to get it replaced or fixed when it craps out?

Harbor freight has been around since '77 and does not show any signs of stopping any time soon.

 

[thor]

I'm not sure if I understand why buying a ratchet from a place that might not be around when it breaks is a good idea. Why not spend more now and be more sure that you will be able to get it replaced or fixed when it craps out?

Unfortunately, that sounds more like an argument against buying anything labeled CRAFTSMAN.

 

[AmishFury]

I thought this was going to be about the cute girl that works the register part time in the evenings.

i seriously do not know what is up with that... i don't expect these cute chicks working there but there they are

 

[bobbycos]

Unfortunately, that sounds more like an argument against buying anything labeled CRAFTSMAN.

or any Radio Shack branded items

 

[blackedout12v]

I don't think anyone in this thread is hating on the ratchets themselves. They just seem to get brought up daily in either existing threads, or in new threads like this one.

Here is just ONE of the many threads about the new HF ratchets. It's currently 41 pages with over 800 replies.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=263361

yes i understand what you are saying and mostly agree with you, but someone always starts the bad mouthing in those threads of hf junk (haters) , will be surprised if this one does not turn out that way also. just saying the ratchet itself seems of good quality to me, and great price.

 

[tdkkart]

I'm not sure if I understand why buying a ratchet from a place that might not be around when it breaks is a good idea. Why not spend more now and be more sure that you will be able to get it replaced or fixed when it craps out?

As has been said, HF has been around for nearly 40 years. They've made huge strides in the quality of their tools, and the last time I was in my local store it was busy as hell. Don't think it's going anywhere anytime soon.
I know where the harbor freight store is at when I need it, which can't be said for any of the tool trucks, or Sears for that matter. I've got several thousand dollars worth of Sears tools that may lose their warranty tomorrow.

That said, I looked at those very HF ratchets when I was there last, wasn't thrilled with the plastic handles.

 

[blackedout12v]

post #10 in this thread PERFECT EXAMPLE. now he is entitled to his opinion , i understand that.

 

[CNGsaves]

For the benefit of other GJer's . . . . . . here is PIC of what OP is promoting.

HF 1/2" drive Pro long handle flex ratchet . . . $ 30

* * * * * * * *

So greenhorns . . . from now on POST a PIC !!!

 

[panknuckshovel]

For the benefit of other GJer's . . . . . . here is PIC of what OP is promoting.

HF 1/2" drive Pro long handle flex ratchet . . . $ 30

* * * * * * * *

So greenhorns . . . from now on POST a PIC !!!

Says it bends in two points. What is the second point? I understand that the shaft is likely to bend but they can't mean that.

 

[mikeburris]

I'm not sure if I understand why buying a ratchet from a place that might not be around when it breaks is a good idea. Why not spend more now and be more sure that you will be able to get it replaced or fixed when it craps out?

I guess that means you drive a ford? The other big three are likely to be gone soon, maybe no more bailouts.

 

[petethekiller]

I own both the Snap On and the HF ratchet.....I have to be honest. I like them both, I do like the SO a little better as the HF does not have any indents that hold the swivel head in position which tends to get annoying. The fit and finish of the SO is a little better. BUT!!!!
If I did not already own the SO, my thoughts on the HF would be that I could put up with it's minor faults over the $100 plus premium for the SO tool. I use the the HF tool for Ball Joint replacement frequently, I abuse the **** out of it where many of my other branded tools have failed. Craftsman being the first to fail, then my Matco and yes....even though it was well worn out, my SO did fail and the HF saved the day while we where jeeping on the trail.

So....conclusion. Great wrench for the money, it works, it's strong but it still has faults.
Since I do many repairs on the trail away from civilization, I always brought my best tools with me for the confidence they wont let me down. HF tools have been populating that tool box more and more frequently.

 

[klieber]

I've waiting for the 25% off coupons to come back to get one of these. Starting to think I'll have to settle for 20%

You're talking a $1.50 difference...is that really worth "waiting" over?

 

[Gmonkee]

Every brand changes models of stuff from time to time. Some even support them with repair parts during and long after the sale/model change.
There lies the difference. Any ratchet will fail abused properly . Will you get to restore an old favorite or will you be getting a new one to try at that point?

These testimonials are based on the experience of each user and what they've used in the past. We already have a generation of tool user that has only used CM RP late 90's USA and later plastic selector China made ratchets. What does it take to get these guys to post that anything else is a revelation and a downright miracle of technology?
Most anything is better overall among like price range products. Step up a bit and there is much better available.

I'm not knocking these HF offerings, but know in half a year they could be all gone and what we are doing now turns out to be nothing more than wasted bandwidth and all the ratchets going back to China slowly in the holds of the scrap haulers. And everybody will be raving about a new economy ratchet from someone else as the affordable holy grail. DuraLeast, Carlysle, Oxwall, CR-V, whatever... its all cyclical anymore. There have been 5 in the years I've been on this forum.

And my Wurth RH have been going along without failure of any sort that entire time. Maybe not what anyone else would want but they work for me.

 

[kctyphoon]

I'm not sure if I understand why buying a ratchet from a place that might not be around when it breaks is a good idea. Why not spend more now and be more sure that you will be able to get it replaced or fixed when it craps out?

would you like to start counting and comparing threads of how many people buy HF tools and have a hard time getting them replaced, vs how many people have a hard time getting their snap on tools warrantied?

and even IF i decide i dont want to drive there - im only out $20 vs the $100 for a tool truck. AND - you guys always go opposite end of the spectrum when talking premium, but leave out all the other big names like SK, Williams and a dozen others - which all have to be done by mail order anyway..

there are pro's and con's for either side - id personally rather leave with 5 different ratchets for my $100, and so far the only ones ive had to warranty are the ones i broke on purpose just to get a new one..

 

[RedneckWelder]

someone always starts the bad mouthing in those threads of hf junk (haters

The HF zealots are just as bad, if not worse.

 

[Greeny]

I'm not sure if I understand why buying a ratchet from a place that might not be around when it breaks is a good idea. Why not spend more now and be more sure that you will be able to get it replaced or fixed when it craps out?

I still use HF sockets and ratchets bought by mail order in the '80s, back when they used to be called Harbor Freight and Salvage. For many years, I abused the 1/2" sockets in particular, using them in place of the impacts I couldn't afford. Only broke one socket in all that time, and when local retail stores started opening up, I exchanged that broken socket.
Actually, I was stationed on Guam in 1996, had a four week class to attend in San Antonio TX, and knew there was a HF store there. So I carried my broken socket half way around the world to exchange it.

BTW, those socket sets seem like a smoking deal now. 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 inch sets, either SAE or Metric, for something like $44.99 for all three around 1985. 75 piece? They came in steel boxes which I still have. The only gripe I had was that the boxes didn't have any type of latch, they sometimes opened and spilled the contents.

 

[fireguy229]

I found something in harbor freight I loved and couldn't use quick enough as well.

LMFAO

 

[fireguy229]

I found something in harbor freight I loved and couldn't use quick enough as well.

 

[iajonesy]

I am so sick of these argumentative threads that I could puke.What flipping difference does it make what brand of tools a guy likes or buys? It's his money and his choice to buy whatever suits his needs.I don't care if a guy uses a rock and a stick to do his work,as long as he is not endangering himself or anyone else,go for it.Everyone knows there are many levels of quality in the hand tool world so to each his own.

Mike

 

[Bobf]

I've waiting for the 25% off coupons to come back to get one of these. Starting to think I'll have to settle for 20%

The last time I was in a HF I mentioned a 25% coupon and the young lady at the register said they are history as far as she heard. Haven't seen any for a long time now.

 

[boostedgt]

My go to 1/4" ratchet has been the HF composite lately. Snap on,sk and craftsman ones are resting

 

[MR_T]

wow I had no idea this would turn into one of those posts. I did not see the other posts about this wrench, thought I found a gem and was just sharing.

 

[NC-Shaun]

Bumping an old thread....

Does anybody know if the NON FLEX head versions of these are going to be released? Somebody posted them up in a HF ad paper, and I have been watching my local store and have never seen them. They are not on the website either.

 

[sponfit]

I belive i read that they were going to be out this month.