Flex head ratcheting wrenches

[cliffish]

I also have abused them, once broke a breaker bar by using a 3 foot pipe on it trying to loosen a lug nut the shop put on at 400 ft lbs. Completely shattered it, walked in and they said pull another off the shelf.

Now If I made my living using tools I would certainly be at one of the professional grades and I don't pretend to say they are near the quality or level of a Matco, SK or Snap-on.

 

[mobile chernobyl]

I’m a big Harbour freight fan. Ya I’ve broken some of there stuff but I can buy about 20 of these sets before I get up to the cost of a Snapon set

View attachment 86155

That's funny... my set looks exactly like that! (Snapped tap handle...). I was trying to drive a 1/2-20 tap into my spare tire holder for some threaded lugs.

ending Harbor-Freight nostalgia derail haha...

 

[ErikOffroad]

I’ve been a full time mechanic for 10 years working on anything from a weed wacker up to big construction equipment. I can’t tell u how many electrical issues I’ve fixed with a free harbor freight multi meter

 

[Cornbread]

I’m a big Harbour freight fan. Ya I’ve broken some of there stuff but I can buy about 20 of these sets before I get up to the cost of a Snapon set

But snap-on hardly ever breaks or wears out and anything that does break they replace for free! Plus they feel better in my hands usually. Harbor Freight has their place but I'll pass on their wrenches/sockets, JMO though. I like them for odds and ends stuff or things I may use like one time. They're CP Air Tools I've had great luck with though, stupid cheap but seems like quality air tools. Have had good luck with they're Chicago Electric brand as well.

A little off topic but: Does anyone know if Lowe's will replace broken Craftsman tools back when they were Sears? I typically buy all craftsman but haven't done much with them since the buy out.

 

[cliffish]

But snap-on hardly ever breaks or wears out and anything that does break they replace for free! Plus they feel better in my hands usually. Harbor Freight has their place but I'll pass on their wrenches/sockets, JMO though. I like them for odds and ends stuff or things I may use like one time. They're CP Air Tools I've had great luck with though, stupid cheap but seems like quality air tools. Have had good luck with they're Chicago Electric brand as well.

A little off topic but: Does anyone know if Lowe's will replace broken Craftsman tools back when they were Sears? I typically buy all craftsman but haven't done much with them since the buy out.

I hear it is hit and miss on whether lowes or Ace hardware will replace craftsman stuff.

I have used some snap-on tools and agree...I say i will get some until I see the price 8 piece flex head set - $279 way above my budget. I won't argue the quality or feel but for the casual wrencher way out of reach.

 

[ErikOffroad]

That’s my thought as well. I got a standard and metric gear wrench set of those for around 80 bucks a piece on Black Friday one year. But now that there is no sears idk if that deal will be around anymore. The other bonus of gear wrench is the Snapon truck will warranty it even if u didn’t buy it from them.

 

[cliffish]

Craftsman now = Harbor freight...probably made in the same Chinese factory.

 

[Mike_H]

My issue with HF is that WHEN they break (not if) its broken, and I need it. That is why I spend a bit more for the stuff I use ALL the time. I'm still not a Snap-On guy, but I have been buying more of the Middle Tier tools lately. SK, Williams, Wright, etc. The basic stuff, that you use ALL the time, buy the best you can afford.

That being said, I have a lot of occasional use HF stuff in my toolbox. Stuff that I buy for a one time job, or lite duty. Gotta go get some HF wrenches soon...need some big ones for control arm bolts.

 

[cliffish]

My issue with HF is that WHEN they break (not if) its broken, and I need it. That is why I spend a bit more for the stuff I use ALL the time. I'm still not a Snap-On guy, but I have been buying more of the Middle Tier tools lately. SK, Williams, Wright, etc. The basic stuff, that you use ALL the time, buy the best you can afford.

That being said, I have a lot of occasional use HF stuff in my toolbox. Stuff that I buy for a one time job, or lite duty. Gotta go get some HF wrenches soon...need some big ones for control arm bolts.

I hear you...luckily for me I have 2 harbor freight stores within 15 minutes from me in either direction. I am not sure any wrench will get the lower front control arm bolts off with any salt exposure. I just had to use 10 cut off wheels ( guess where they were bought???) to cut off my front control arm bolts off.

I quickly consulted @mrblaine and ordered 10 wheels he uses for next time.

 

[ErikOffroad]

That being said, I have a lot of occasional use HF stuff in my toolbox. Stuff that I buy for a one time job, or lite duty. Gotta go get some HF wrenches soon...need some big ones for control arm bolts.

I got iit wrenches from 1 inch up to 2 that came from harbor freight. They work pretty good, I use them never had a issue with them. For the control arms mine was 1 1/8 for the uppers and 1 1/2 for the lowers

 

[Cornbread]

Craftsman now = Harbor freight...probably made in the same Chinese factory.

They were made overseas, supposed to be making them in America again. Not sure if it actually happened, also it seems Craftsman doesn't have near the selection anymore.