Why I absolutly hate Harbor Freight

[kh54s10]

Dead blow hammer. Home Depot brand = $17.97 and is harder plastic. It cracks. Harbor Freight brand $7.99 softer plastic but tough enough that it doesn't crack or even gouge out......

There is a place for these cheaper items. A lot of times it is cheaper to buy the less expensive item more than once.

 

[dwhite60]

The collar on the shaft, the screw is not perpendicular to the flat on the shaft, correct? It's a clamp collar so the screw is going in tangent to the shaft. Therefore, there is a gap in the collar. The clamp is only threaded below the gap. You can cut the screw through the gap and the screw will fall out. You can use a narrow saw blade or a Dremel cutting wheel depending on how much resulting scarring you can live with. You can probably then get the remaining piece out easily with an ice pick turning it from the opposite side.

I did something similar once. After cutting the screw I lightly center punched the screw on the exit side and started to drill it out. Drill caught on the screw and just ran it out.

As for breaking off the wrench, it's pretty clear whoever tightened that set screw in the first place over torqued it. If that's a 4mm diameter screw, and I bet it's smaller, it only needs about 10 inch pounds. Put it in with a touch of blue Loctite and it should be good for life, yet removable.

All the Best,
D. White

 

[ThirstyPawsHB]

It's kinda hit and miss. I've used they're $29 Drill Master corded driil and 12in miter saw using 2x6 and above to build a 500sqft deck using 3in deck screws. I put a Diablo blade on the saw. So far no issues. Tried using they're sockets etc on the cars with limited success.

 

[passedpawn]

People who use tools on a regular basis tend to be frequent HF customers. There are certain categories of tools which can be considered consumables rather than investments. Harbor Freight is the vendor of choice for those kinds of tools.

Which tools are "consumables"?

 

[kh54s10]

Which tools are "consumables"?

He listed a bunch. Utility knives, small drill bits (somewhat depends on what you are drilling), spring clamps, throw away chip brushes.

And often cited here on HBT - step bits, if you are only going to use them for one project. I bought a set of 2 for less than half that one would have cost at the box stores. Cut 3 holes in my stainless steel pots, never used it again. Yet.

I am sure there are a ton of other items where you don't need the high quality version.

 

[grampamark]

Which tools are "consumables"?

Uh-I gave several examples.

In our particular situation, a farm with a fleet of trucks and farm machinery to maintain in the middle of nowhere, pretty much any small hand tool, wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, punches, chisels, are “consumables”. We have two service trucks. Much of our maintainence and some repairs have to be done, of necessity, in the field. Small tools get dropped. If not noticed right away these tools might get stepped on and buried in the soft dirt. When picking up the tools the lack of a certain tool or three will be noticed. Where to look, exactly, for it? If the wrench was from Snap-On, and cost $20-30, we might feel obligated to spend the extra time to find it. If it cost a buck or two we just consider it a “seed tool” (tools that get planted in the field) and replace it with the inexpensive spares we keep in the shop.

As I noted in my previous post, my situation is not common to the typical frame of reference of the average member of this board, but it is not at all atypical of a great many tool users who are HF customers. The urban-rural divide is very real.

 

[bracconiere]

alan wrench? would a magnet be strong enough to pull it out of the socket?

 

[S-Met]

I realize I don't have the whole story, only what you have supplied. I also have experienced HF tools falling short of expectations, but they have also met expectations many times over.

But using your words: I am lead to believe the following:

Used a Kobalt household hex key set I purchased from Lowes a few years ago.

Also, never had an issue using the Kobalt hex keys to tighten the crap out of things

Luckily, the coupler screw is tight and I was able to mill as planned. Nothing similar ever happened with the Kobalt set.

First - no blame is directed at you or HFT. Given your quotes, there is a positive likelihood of this device being previously overnighted. My perception is that this device may have been tightened with your previous hex that may be a higher grade steel, though its possible that overtightening while it was warm from previous use then locked tightly once it cooled. The fact that it is still tight helps reinforce one or more of my above assumptions.

Secondly, given the location of the clean break, I assume this was a ball-end hex. Theweak point is the ball head, especially given the small size, aclean shear is not surprising.

The tl:dr - this may have happened regardless of where the hex was purchased. I'm sorry this happened to you on your mill and I hope one of the provided solutions/suggestions work.

 

[sicktght311]

I’ve got a harbor freight compound mitre saw, a circular saw, a air carpet staple gun, and countless random tools. All have served me well for years.
Maybe HF is a crapshoot, but I’ve come out on top with everything I’ve purchased.

 

[eldplanko]

My two cents, I’ve dealt with a lot of the in various settings... I’d try vibrating the hell out of it with a harbor freight air impact hammer from the side to try to knock it loose, while simultaneously trying to capture it with a harbor freight rare earth magnet. If that doesn’t work, grind a slot, or drill it out, you goal is to destroy the collar but save the shaft.

 

[Bubman]

Maybe this will help

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27192

I have many HF tools, the earthquake impact gun and sockets have been bulletproof. There are many items that are defiantly crap though. Doubt I would drop 600.00 on a generator from them.

 

[gnef]

Yup, I definitely think that there are some tools which are great to buy at harbor freight, and then others to stay away from. Like others have said, it also depends on what kind of work you do and what kind of uptime you require for your paycheck.

It is definitely hit or miss. Also, scaling expectations helps. For the most part, any tool I buy there, I consider to be disposable, or at least the first one to figure out if I want a nicer version. I bought the midi lathe many years ago to try out, and it still serves me well today. I do plan on getting a laguna in the future, but this one is working well enough for me now.

I did have a fiberglass handle shatter on a hammer once. I just laughed and threw it away and bought another one the next time I was there. Haha.

Now, as to help you, here is one option: I would try would be to use a hardened steel center punch and see if you can knock the piece of hex key loose and out of the screw.

 

[Soulshine2]

Yup, that's probably too small for the job. But there's not much choice in flush/snagless bolt heads that size either. Although should one expect the allen wrench to snap off a tad higher up?

it depends. I snapped a 6 mm allen socket off the first time out of the box. probably due to their heat treating process.

 

[GrogNerd]

lots of videos out there with reviews on the good, the bad & the ugly at HF

there's a Russian(?)-American guy out there with more than a few. David Piccutto, the Drunken Woodworker/Make Something guy has some

I like their clamps. $3, $4, $5 & $6 for their 6-in, 12-in, 18-in & 24-in are a good deal for solid clamps. you can never have too many and theirs are more than worth the price. you can stock your shop and not spend a lot

i dig their giveaway small LED lamps/flashlights. keep a couple lying around the house, in the shop, the brewery lab, the car... replace the batteries when necessary, toss the things out & get new ones when they die. either free with purchase or $3, $4

moving blankets are decent. keep a couple large ones in the car for emergencies

the only power tool I ever bought there was a cheap Dremel clone that didn't have enough power to use as an electric toothbrush.

Plastic ammo boxes are decent for $8. Zip ties. Got a tool bag I use as a gig bag

Lotsa decent stuff. You just gotta be aware of the limitations

 

[Jayjay1976]

The HF $2 PVC coated mechanic's gloves are the bee's knees. I bought them for a brake job expecting to throw them out afterward but instead tossed them in the wash with some old towels and they came out like new. Then I used them to throw a set of quick struts on my car and they performed admirably. Then I put them on to protect my hands while trimming some branches and ripping some stray roots out of the yard, mission accomplished. Next I wore them while spreading peat moss and grass seed, then I mulched around trees and they're still holding up surprisingly well. I've washed them maybe a half dozen times and they are still keeping their shape and the pvc remains flexible and grippy. Last time I used them it was to help a neighbor move some furniture; the extra grip they gave made the work easier while protecting my hands from splinters and pointy edges. I'd buy a few more pairs if the dang things ever wear out but that could still be a while.

 

[kh54s10]

I feel it is a bit excessive to poo-poo a store on one broken tool. Especially a tool that is not heavy duty in the first place. I have used hex keys that were not from Harbor Freight and while they did not break they twisted like a stick of Twizzler.

 

[IslandLizard]

Now, as to help you, here is one option: I would try would be to use a hardened steel center punch and see if you can knock the piece of hex key loose and out of the screw.

Another good idea! Use some WD-40 with it.

 

[IslandLizard]

Secondly, given the location of the clean break, I assume this was a ball-end hex. Theweak point is the ball head, especially given the small size, aclean shear is not surprising.

That's a good point, although we better not assume anything. A 2.5 mm allen tool is already thin to start with.

 

[FloppyKnockers]

Same thing happened to me. 2-part JB weld on the tip of a finish nail got me out of that jam.

 

[passedpawn]

Same thing happened to me. 2-part JB weld on the tip of a finish nail got me out of that jam.

haha, of course, JB weld to the rescue.

 

[kh54s10]

Same thing happened to me. 2-part JB weld on the tip of a finish nail got me out of that jam.

Careful with the epoxy or you might glue it in even better than just jammed......

 

[GrogNerd]

The JB Weld commercials with Nick Offerman are pretty good

 

[IslandLizard]

We haven't had an update from the OP since his OP, a week ago.
I'm curious to hear what methods he tried and if he was successful.

 

[doug293cz]

...

I keep straight hex drivers with either 1/4” or 3/8” square drives around to use on hex head fasteners. They cost a little more but are well worth it.

Can you suggest a good source for these? I have a panel that has dozens of 5/64 hex round head screws than need to be taken out more often than I would like. Doing the job with the typical 90 deg bent wrench is a real PITA. Tried some from Amazon and HF but they were crap.

Brew on

 

[grampamark]

Can you suggest a good source for these? I have a panel that has dozens of 5/64 hex round head screws than need to be taken out more often than I would like. Doing the job with the typical 90 deg bent wrench is a real PITA. Tried some from Amazon and HF but they were crap.

Brew on

I have these in SAE and metric. I also have a set in 1/4” drive that have a short hex but I honestly can’t remember where I bought them. I think they came from a farm supply store.

 

[IslandLizard]

Can you suggest a good source for these? I have a panel that has dozens of 5/64 hex round head screws than need to be taken out more often than I would like. Doing the job with the typical 90 deg bent wrench is a real PITA. Tried some from Amazon and HF but they were crap.

Brew on

If those screws are only screwdriver tight, I'd use a hex screwdriver for them. A long hex shaft with a comfortable screwdriver handle. The pressure applied is always in line with the screw, no wobblies. Keeps the heads nice looking too.

 

[doug293cz]

If those screws are only screwdriver tight, I'd use a hex screwdriver for them. A long hex shaft with a comfortable screwdriver handle. The pressure applied is always in line with the screw, no wobblies. Keeps the heads nice looking too.

That’s exactly what I want, but haven’t been able to find quality ones. I know they exist ‘cause my A&P has a set (but doesn’t remember where he got them.)

Brew on

 

[Jayjay1976]

I'm building a keezer collar this weekend, I bought my lumber and hardware at HD but went to HF for strap clamps to hold the parts together for assembly. At $6.99/ea I picked up two sets for clamping the frame at top and bottom. They are super easy to use and provided massive clamping force, at about 1/3 the cost of something similar from any of the three big box DIY stores. Harbor Freight to the rescue!

 

[bracconiere]

3 pages deserves this for getting a broken screw out....

 

[Soulshine2]

Another good idea! Use some WD-40 with it.

PB Blaster or Kroil is way better at getting something loose than WD-40.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

Using your words: I am lead to correcting the following:

Secondly, given the location of the clean break, I assume this was a ball-end hex. Theweak point is the ball head, especially given the small size, aclean shear is not surprising.

Nope, no ball end hex was used.