Literally anything else

  • AtariDump@lemmy.world
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    12 hours ago

    Buy harbor freight; if you use it enough (properly) to break it then buy a higher quality version.

    • VeryVito@lemmy.ml
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      12 hours ago

      Exactly. I’m not going to wait until I can afford Snap-On tools to fix my AC belt.

      • over_clox@lemmy.worldOP
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        11 hours ago

        I broke this while replacing brake pads today.

        Fuck Harbor Freight. At least I have 5 other extensions, all other brands that aren’t made of frozen peanut butter.

          • over_clox@lemmy.worldOP
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            11 hours ago

            Yeah, I broke this while working on brakes today, a torch ain’t got any business anywhere near the ABS sensors.

            It broke trying to loosen one of the 17 millimeter main mount bolts. The extension was apparently made of poorly tempered metal, plain and simple.

            • Captainvaqina@sh.itjust.works
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              9 hours ago

              a torch ain’t got any business anywhere near the ABS sensors

              It does if you know what you’re doing. Although a magnetic inductor is a better choice, but most mechanic cosplayers won’t have those.

              Also, why not use 1/2 inch? Maybe a deep well instead to lose the extension.

              Plenty of ways not to rely on a cheap extension for break away, doesn’t matter the brand they can all snap with misuse.

              • over_clox@lemmy.worldOP
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                9 hours ago

                I didn’t have 1/2" drive tools. I’ve been doing brakes and other vehicle repairs for over 20 years and I’ve never needed 1/2" drive for anything besides drive axle and strut mount nuts.

                This was just a couple measly 17 millimeter bolts. If anything, I would have expected the bolt head to round off first, I’ve never twisted a 3/8" extension to the point of breaking before.

                Hell, I’ve even done head gaskets using a 3/8" drive and it didn’t break. It wasn’t HF either…

                • Captainvaqina@sh.itjust.works
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                  9 hours ago

                  17mm bolt head means nothing. Does not necessarily correlate with the thread diameter in applications such as caliper bracket bolts. Most will be a flange head bolt with greater than normal thread diameters.

                  1/2 drive is always the answer for caliper bracket bolts no matter the manufacturer.

                  Don’t blame the tools for your misuse.

    • over_clox@lemmy.worldOP
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      11 hours ago

      You don’t just up and buy a higher quality version when you’re stuck on the side of the road, you count your blessings that you have like 5 other extensions, all better brands than HF.

      It’s almost a nice convenient road kit, but yeah when you can literally twist-break an extension just using your hands and arms, the metal is shit tempered and can’t handle torsion forces.

      Which is exactly what ratchets and extensions are meant to handle, torsion forces, AKA twisty forces.

      • Charely6@lemmy.world
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        10 hours ago

        Oh for emergency in the car tools totally get the good stuff. But when you are trying to outfit your garage cheaply to get stuff done, it’s a good enough starting point.

        • over_clox@lemmy.worldOP
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          10 hours ago

          If you can afford a garage, you can afford good tools. If I had a garage, you think I’d cheap out on my tools?

          I had to go back at the bolt in question with a wrench from another kit after breaking the extension. At least I have other better extensions, I just didn’t have them with me at the moment.

          • AtariDump@lemmy.world
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            1 hour ago

            Well, boomer, most people can’t afford a garage (let alone a whole house). So Harbor Frieght tools it is!

  • Lexam@lemmy.world
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    12 hours ago

    I love harbor freight. People that shit on Harbor Freight are just gate keeping.

    • over_clox@lemmy.worldOP
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      11 hours ago

      You don’t mechanic much do ya?

      I broke this while replacing brake pads today, it couldn’t handle a 17mm bolt. Thank goodness I have 5 other extensions, all other brands that aren’t made of frozen peanut butter.

      • RubberElectrons@lemmy.world
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        10 hours ago

        I actually do, stop being such an elitist. Yeah I’ve moved on to better tools, but the young and much more broke engineer that I was depended on HF for a lot of things.

        Sorry you don’t know how to “mechanic” other than with brute force. Try learning a little.

        • over_clox@lemmy.worldOP
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          10 hours ago

          Learn what?

          I’ve replaced head gaskets before using 3/8" drive ratchet, sockets and extensions before, even the exhaust bolts didn’t cause the tools (non HF tools) to break.

          This HF shit is just piss poor tempered, not suitable for any serious real world use when the extension can’t even handle the socket sizes that came in the same kit.

          • RubberElectrons@lemmy.world
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            21 minutes ago

            Then you should know bolts in the brakes see the finest dust, the saltiest water, heat cycle almost as much as the engine, etc etc.

            I originally laughed at this meme because I’ve been here. Now you don’t seem so funny.

  • sramder@lemmy.world
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    11 hours ago

    That’s basically what my Wera tools from amazon look like! Some asshole was like “Hey China, can I get a full set of impact rated tools with something vaguely germanic stamped on the outside?”

    China: “Do you want us to put ‘impact rated’ on the box?”

    Asshole: “Nah… that’s going to fuck our profit margin up.”

    • over_clox@lemmy.worldOP
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      10 hours ago

      Impact rated? Who said anything about an impact wrench, I broke this with a ratchet and my bare hands.