Poor Harbor Freight

[Alpine4x4]

I've pushed mine well beyond 130ft/lbs without issue. In fact, did so just two days ago loosening and tightening castle nuts on my drag link. Theres bound to be bad tools here and there. I didnt make a thread bashing snap on when I got a 1/4" drive ratchet that was so tight (even after trying to break it in) that it would loosen on the back stroke. I exchanged it for a working one and went on my way...

 

[ChrisLS8]

You wear a face shield for auto repairs?

 

[Professional Tool User]

I've broken the 1/2" dr Pittsburgh Pro Breaker bar as well. However, that was after rattling the **** out of it while trying to hold an engine mount bolt head on a semi while trying to gun off the seized nut from underneath the truck with an MG725. I should have used a 3/4" Dr breaker bar to begin with. I highly doubt the Snap on equivalent would be in much better shape if you really abuse it.

 

[jgromada]

How many knuckles you got to spare?

I have no worries. I used mine to remove a stuck Harmonic Balancer on a Hyundai by slipping a 10 ft pipe over the pry bar and its held up fine.

I've seen a bunch of reviews and yes I do think they hold up with maybe a few exceptions.

 

[DGersic]

So how many HF 25" breaker bars can I buy for the cost of ONE Snap On breaker bar??

Three. Four with the coupon. And a free flashlight.



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[DGersic]

You wear a face shield for auto repairs?

I have at times. Under a rusty old truck, looking up, it helps keep **** out of my eyes.




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[zendriver]

In the history of the world, no one has ever "snapped" a Snap On breaker bar?

Awesome!

FWIW I do have one those HF breaker bars and Frankly the forging looks a bit rough.

I have not used it yet, but when I do maybe I'll just use a cheater bar so if it does let go it will absorb the force instead of me.


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[WWheeler]

Eh, one of their most popular buys - with a strong following and good reputation. When 100,000 super cheap tools are sold compared to every 1,000 of a premium brand, of course you’re more likely to see one break here and there. Not the end of the world..

If you had a store nearby, you’d experience one of the easiest exchange policies on earth.

There’s NO WAY under normal circumstances that breaker would break from a trying to loosen a bolt at 130ftlbs. Something is obviously defective here.

Haha. Everyone says that, but when their composite ratchet broke on us and tried to take it back same day I bought it with a receipt all I got was an argument from the manager right in front of a store full of people. He wasn't even making any sense but refused to honor the lifetime warranty. He repeatedly claimed we must have abused it, but all we did was the first time my guy flipped the selector lever it jammed halfway and didn't want to move either way. When I tried putting a socket on a fastener and put some force on it while trying to free the selector something inside broke. The selector became loose and floppy and would spin full circle and the drive end wouldn't budge. After getting yelled at by the manager I bounced the ratchet on the ground and down the aisle in front of everyone and walked out.

That was just a few weeks ago and may well be the last time I go to a HF.

 

[speed bump]

That style of breaker bar is definitely not my favorite. The $10 all chrome bars can handle some abuse but the forked style handles seem to break at the drive or the the handle opens up and you break the swivel pin eventually.

 

[BK13]

Hard to beat for $10...but I was thinking about this one Pittsburgh Professional- Item#98270
3/4" drive, use 1/2" adapter. I bet that would be hard to break, and it has a locking quick release.

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IIRC, HF's 3/4" drive stuff is all 18" long. It drives me slightly nuts that the heavy duty stuff is SHORTER than the 1/2"...

 

[BK13]

I used my Snap-on 1/2-in bent handle flex head and the bolt came right off.

(making Tim Allen questioning grunting sounds) What is this? Something new for me to obsess over? Would you mind posting a picture?

 

[Sevenhills1952]

IIRC, HF's 3/4" drive stuff is all 18" long. It drives me slightly nuts that the heavy duty stuff is SHORTER than the 1/2"...

I bet with a 3/4" to 1/2" impact adapter it would be ok, then use a 6ft pipe[emoji3].
Yesterday I was in a local Lowes. I spoke with a guy that was putting up Craftsman stock...tons of it. A customer brought in an older Craftsman USA made 1/2" ratchet with ratchet mech. problems. He gave him a replacement no questions asked, but he told him new one was Chinese.

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[Alpine4x4]

Haha. Everyone says that, but when their composite ratchet broke on us and tried to take it back same day I bought it with a receipt all I got was an argument from the manager right in front of a store full of people. He wasn't even making any sense but refused to honor the lifetime warranty. He repeatedly claimed we must have abused it, but all we did was the first time my guy flipped the selector lever it jammed halfway and didn't want to move either way. When I tried putting a socket on a fastener and put some force on it while trying to free the selector something inside broke. The selector became loose and floppy and would spin full circle and the drive end wouldn't budge. After getting yelled at by the manager I bounced the ratchet on the ground and down the aisle in front of everyone and walked out.

That was just a few weeks ago and may well be the last time I go to a HF.

Sounds like a terrible manager. The couple times I've warrantied stuff at HF they just told me to go grab a new one off the shelf, did the register deal to pull it from inventory, and away I went. Very painless.

 

[Cooter Brown]

Zoro has a regular price of $33.39 on a Proto 24" 1/2" breaker bar.

If you use a 20% off coupon which they send out frequently it makes zero sense to buy the HF tool. The difference is about like eating lunch at Burger King. Combine with another needed tool to get to $50 and free shipping.

One trip to HF for warranty--if you're worth more than $1.50/hr.--and you're money ahead with the Proto.

HF is useful for some things but in my opinion a tool like this isn't one of them.

https://www.zoro.com/proto-breaker-bar-24-l-knurled-grip-handle-j5469/i/G4872642/#specifications

 

[1982fxr]

So how many HF 25" breaker bars can I buy for the cost of ONE Snap On breaker bar??

10.

Enough to break all of your knuckles when they fail.

 

[ChrisLS8]

Zoro has a regular price of $33.39 on a Proto 24" 1/2" breaker bar.

If you use a 20% off coupon which they send out frequently it makes zero sense to buy the HF tool. The difference is about like eating lunch at Burger King. Combine with another needed tool to get to $50 and free shipping.

One trip to HF for warranty--if you're worth more than $1.50/hr.--and you're money ahead with the Proto.

HF is useful for some things but in my opinion a tool like this isn't one of them.

https://www.zoro.com/proto-breaker-bar-24-l-knurled-grip-handle-j5469/i/G4872642/#specifications

Does Zoro coupon only work when you spend 100 or more?

 

[Cooter Brown]

Does Zoro coupon only work when you spend 100 or more?

It depends on the coupon--it seems most have a minimum, but I get some that don't.

 

[xin]

Zoro has a regular price of $33.39 on a Proto 24" 1/2" breaker bar.

If you use a 20% off coupon which they send out frequently it makes zero sense to buy the HF tool. The difference is about like eating lunch at Burger King. Combine with another needed tool to get to $50 and free shipping.

One trip to HF for warranty--if you're worth more than $1.50/hr.--and you're money ahead with the Proto.

HF is useful for some things but in my opinion a tool like this isn't one of them.

https://www.zoro.com/proto-breaker-bar-24-l-knurled-grip-handle-j5469/i/G4872642/#specifications

Made in USA on tools, no way is an injury worth it with some impostor knock off. I got a 24" MAC breaker bar (going to get the Snap-On - as I like the way the FLEX - meaning you know what the tool is doing and does not bend.

 

[TexasT]

You are not alone. They didn't even flinch when I took it back for exchange.

 

[george4]

10.

Enough to break all of your knuckles when they fail.

Clever.

 

[TexasT]

IIRC, HF's 3/4" drive stuff is all 18" long. It drives me slightly nuts that the heavy duty stuff is SHORTER than the 1/2"...

As long as you can slip the cheater pipe on, I don't see it as a problem.

 

[Flybye]

You only bought one? I thought the rule of thumb with HF tools is buy in duplicates for when the first one breaks.

 

[anndel]

You wear a face shield for auto repairs?

Just this time as I wasn't sure if it was going to snap. I normally don't wear a face shield when working on cars.

 

[anndel]

(making Tim Allen questioning grunting sounds) What is this? Something new for me to obsess over? Would you mind posting a picture?

Picture of the Snap-on bent handle?

 

[IdahoMan]

Hard to beat for $10...but I was thinking about this one Pittsburgh Professional- Item#98270
3/4" drive, use 1/2" adapter. I bet that would be hard to break, and it has a locking quick release.

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Saw that one, and the 3/4 ratchet at HF today. $19 was the price for each. I have a 25% coupon and and considering because I have no 3/4 driver yet. Can't say when I would need one though.

Anyone use HF's 3/4 ratchets?

 

[BK13]

Picture of the Snap-on bent handle?

Yes please.

 

[tonyciambrone]

I usually don't flinch when people say my HF tool broke, but I am surprised by these. Mine has been rock solid, and I am talking 35MM socket with with a 6ft pipe over it solid...

I hope you guys take it back and get a replacement. I really like mine especially for twelve bucks

 

[thefoobag]

you may have gotten a bad one, not that it's acceptable. I'll start with my Hf before going to my nicer tools if I'm adding pipes to them. Rather sacrifice a cheapy then a nice one. Here is a pic of me putting a 8' pipe on the same one, with a harbor freight H14 socket. had to do this for all 4. worked like a champ.

Like i said though i have several brands Just in case. Proto is my main.

 

[YouAreClueless]

I’m afraid it’s in the steel. Does anyone know offhand what HF purports to use? Snap-on billet is the best available in the world. For tools I would rate it even over German steel.

When tools break you risk injury. I would think skimping on a breaker bar is one of the worst ways to save money.

 

[428PI]

My boss broke my snap on once. They were able to put a new end on it. I've used it with cheater bars and it does have a slight bend in it. I haven't broken my HF one but haven't had to put cheaters on it yet.

 

[Steiger9]

I've got the same one. Im 180+ lbs and have stood on, and moderately bounced, on mine and it's held. Im not saying it's as sting as snap on, but it's also a fallacy to think top end tools can't break either.

 

[Formula]

The stuff at Harbor Freight is cheap for a reason. I've had way too many tools break from there, many on their first use.

The waste of time and money is an inconvenience. I haven't been there in years, and don't plan on wasting money there ever again.

 

[Magnum440d100]

The stuff at Harbor Freight is cheap for a reason. I've had way too many tools break from there, many on their first use.

The waste of time and money is an inconvenience. I haven't been there in years, and don't plan on wasting money there ever again.

I shop there and haven’t had 1 tool “break” per se.

But you DO have to be very careful about what you buy there. I just bought a 20 ton press. It’s kinda hard to f*ck up the manufacturing process. I can see the jack failing, and that’s ok. I will just replace it with a better one when that time comes.

And I only shop there with a 25% off coupon, knowing that the product could fail.

I wouldn’t buy breaker bars there. I have a craftsman USA made 1/2” drive breaker bar that I have beat to ****, and it still works and looks new. A friend of mine keeps breaking harbor freight 3/8” drive breaker bars. He does not believe in going bigger (drive wise). So he keeps breaking them.

I think OP just got a bad casting though. It happens. It is a bummer though that it happened.

IMHO, if I lived in a state where shipping is stupid expensive such as Hawaii, I’d just order me a snap-on or Mac or something. I figure if I’m paying that kind of shipping, might as well get good stuff.

Although by that standard, since I don’t have to pay ridiculous shipping, I might as well buy the good stuff.... haha

 

[nes999]

One injury from that breaking and your hand/wrist will never be the same.

I got Snap-On/MAC and some old Craftsman USA - sure $20 then it will cost you when it turns lose and you owe thousands in medical bills. But you saved money right???

There are plenty of Made in USA options even the old Craftsman off EBAY is aa way better solution than that pot metal.

Speaking from experience having had 1 "minor" hand surgery. It's never been remotely the same. I'll randomly drop things, you have to focus to get an okay grip. Hand surgeries are no joke.

After man handling a couple of their 1/2 drive rachets they stopped letting me Warrenty them. I treated them no different than I would my Snap on/SK/ craftsmen.

My view on HF is that its a great place if you need something for a short use. Its perfect for less handy people who don't wanna spend a whole bunch to do light house maintenance. It's also great for short projects when you don't need something to last. However if you are rough on stuff and need it to last maybe other brands might be better suited.

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