|
22 Eargesplitten posted:Crossposting from the stupid questions thread because I somehow missed this thread, despite looking for it and it being on the front page. Not to go all ghetto, but, if you just need a few ft-pounds and only use it very occasionally, you can do the math and use a fish scale and ruler with a ratchet and be about as accurate as a $20 torque wrench.
|
#
?
Jun 10, 2011 16:06
|
|
|
|
| # ? Apr 25, 2024 17:30 |
|
|
Don't use a torque wench in the top or bottom 10% of the scale, either.
|
|
#
?
Jun 10, 2011 17:46
|
|
|
Your Dead Gay Son posted:Yeah looking at the price in the system that the store bought it for ($404) makes the deal about as low as it can go before I'm actually taking profit from them. Brand new you can buy this or this in that range. They're the same thing, the home depot one is refurbished. I'd look in the $200-300 range used. It can be really frustrating, because it's such a small market that prices tend to vary wildly. For example, $200 for a 10 year old speedaire is a good deal. It might need a rebuild, but kits are available, cheap, and it's an easy job. $500 for an obviously poorly maintained compressor from a company that stopped selling that line 15 years ago is stupid. $100 for this home-rigged, 40+ year old, .25-.5hp time bomb is just insane.
|
|
#
?
Jun 10, 2011 17:52
|
|
|
Motronic posted:That's more of a software problem than anything. I just had to update my software to scan a Hyundai Santa Fe that just wouldn't connect. The software update added a "slow start" version of one of the protocols it uses and it now connects about 75% of the time. Eh, in this case it really is a hardware issue. I have an actual ElmScan5 that connects perfectly to the same truck with the same laptop and same software on said laptop, but the cheap Chinese BT dongle refuses to. Part of the fun with OBDII standards is the different standards all have different physical interfaces - yes, they share an OBDII connector, and +12V/G are always in the same spots, but that's it. I suspect the cheap Chinese ripoff didn't properly implement the circuitry needed to speak to J1850 PWM. It's a pretty common complaint of all of the cheap Chinese ripoffs on the Torque wiki.
|
|
#
?
Jun 10, 2011 18:35
|
|
|
I think the local harbor freight closed, actually. I went looking last night, and found a for lease sign in the window. Maybe they just moved. The sears didn't have anything less than $100 for 3/8 and <25 pounds max. I guess if there isn't a harbor freight, I should start looking on the internet. The beam ones are the ones with the actual needle, right? I took a basic auto shop class a while back, and they most they covered those was "These are the old ones, you might see them around once in a while, but you will probably never have to use them."
|
|
#
?
Jun 11, 2011 02:00
|
|
|
edit: My first double-post on SA. How special.
|
|
#
?
Jun 11, 2011 02:15
|
|
|
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00944690000P?prdNo=10&blockNo=10&blockType=G10
|
|
#
?
Jun 11, 2011 04:20
|
|
|
Yeah I'm looking now for a used model and finding some decent deals. Speedaires are pretty swell then eh? Looks like new 60 gallons go for 1200 bucks.
|
|
#
?
Jun 11, 2011 07:35
|
|
|
grover posted:I Want To Believe this poo poo will get cheap and common soon, but there's gotta be some valid reason they're charging over $1k for a 0.003 megapixel camera... I've got an industrial FLIR on my desk right now, waiting to be integrated into our software suite. $12,000 for 320x240. These things are cool toys and probably very useful in the right circumstances but that's a shitload of money whichever way you put it. Just hope I don't spill coffee on it  .
|
|
#
?
Jun 11, 2011 16:37
|
|
|
So I bought the Harbor Freight Automotive Multimeter for 20% with a coupon. It works pretty well, except for measuring RPMs. For whatever reason, I have to disconnect the COM wire, and it reads my RPM at 50% ish of what it really is. Weird.
|
|
#
?
Jun 11, 2011 18:50
|
|
|
I got a Harbor Freight 'Earthquake' 1/2" drive air impact gun and so far it is pretty sweet. It was around $70 after being on sale and using a 20% off coupon. It is supposed to be pretty similar to an Ingersoll 'Thunder' impact gun that is quite a bit more expensive.
|
|
#
?
Jun 12, 2011 00:21
|
|
|
Are the Pittsburgh torque wrenches they have at Harbor Freight good enough to use? They are clickers, rather than beam ones, at pretty much the same price as the Sears beam one linked up-page, so I'm a bit worried.
|
|
#
?
Jun 12, 2011 01:13
|
|
|
The OP is from 2004 and the floor jack he mentions has doubled in price to $199 at harborfreight. I'm going to check costco for the $99 Arcan 3.5 floor jack, but what's the current quality bargain floor jack and jack stands these days? I'm guessing those 3 ton $29 jack stands on HF's site are crap.
|
|
#
?
Jun 12, 2011 01:22
|
|
|
22 Eargesplitten posted:Are the Pittsburgh torque wrenches they have at Harbor Freight good enough to use? They are clickers, rather than beam ones, at pretty much the same price as the Sears beam one linked up-page, so I'm a bit worried. Depends on what you're doing. It is just putting lug nuts on or other non-precision fasteners (where "close enough" is fine) go for it, but I wouldn't put an engine back together with one.
|
|
#
?
Jun 12, 2011 02:11
|
|
|
Geoj posted:Depends on what you're doing. It is just putting lug nuts on or other non-precision fasteners (where "close enough" is fine) go for it, but I wouldn't put an engine back together with one. I've put a transmission and the bottom end of a motor together with cheapo harbor freight clickers. Neither had any problems from it. Some goon even tested them and made spreadsheets and poo poo and showed they were fine.
|
|
#
?
Jun 12, 2011 02:27
|
|
|
blargle posted:I'm guessing those 3 ton $29 jack stands on HF's site are crap. They look exactly the same as the cheapo Machine Mart jackstands which are sturdy enough. The ones to avoid are the stands with the round stamped metal support, instead of a nice solid one like these have. It's nice to get ones with a properly welded base - I don't know if these have that. pim01 fucked around with this message at 10:12 on Jun 12, 2011 |
|
#
?
Jun 12, 2011 10:10
|
|
|
blargle posted:The OP is from 2004 and the floor jack he mentions has doubled in price to $199 at harborfreight.
|
|
#
?
Jun 12, 2011 14:27
|
|
|
There's also a $60 off coupon in the June HF ad for that jack...
|
|
#
?
Jun 12, 2011 19:24
|
|
|
Lowclock posted:I've put a transmission and the bottom end of a motor together with cheapo harbor freight clickers. Neither had any problems from it. Some goon even tested them and made spreadsheets and poo poo and showed they were fine. edit: Thanks to this thread, by the way. Went down and picked one up. 22 Eargesplitten fucked around with this message at 01:56 on Jun 13, 2011 |
|
#
?
Jun 12, 2011 22:28
|
|
|
InitialDave posted:The date immediately under the username is registration date, it's the date at the bottom that shows posting date (March 3rd 2008). I've watched this thread grow since then. The floor jack is still awesome, but now more expensive. I still see them all the time at the race track 
|
|
#
?
Jun 13, 2011 01:48
|
|
|
My boss has been buying torx bits from harbor freight. I easily twist and bend them using them in the machine shop. Can someone suggest some quality bits that wont round off screws and bend constantly? I end up grinding them down all the time but it ruins screws that are about $3-6 each.
|
|
#
?
Jun 14, 2011 03:53
|
|
|
Lord Gaga posted:My boss has been buying torx bits from harbor freight. I easily twist and bend them using them in the machine shop. Can someone suggest some quality bits that wont round off screws and bend constantly? I end up grinding them down all the time but it ruins screws that are about $3-6 each.
|
|
#
?
Jun 14, 2011 04:02
|
|
|
Yea that's what I thought of too but I generally find that there are quality machine shop brands that don't have the marketing of Snap On or MAC but have the quality. That said for $20, it's probably worth it.
|
|
#
?
Jun 14, 2011 04:12
|
|
|
Lord Gaga posted:machine shop brands that don't have the marketing ....or lifetime no questions asked warranty
|
|
#
?
Jun 14, 2011 04:48
|
|
|
You might try stanley blackhawk or proto brands but I don't know if they are cheaper or good.
|
|
#
?
Jun 14, 2011 15:13
|
|
|
Elephanthead posted:You might try stanley blackhawk or proto brands but I don't know if they are cheaper or good. More expensive, but much better. To be honest, HF impact sockets and most of their hand tools have come a long way. Their ratchets are awesome, their Earthquake air tools are wicked strong (although heavy and loud). I know several professional mechanics who have HF stuff in their boxes. Laugh if you want, but they aren't in debt to the Truck-man. :read this: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67850 sharkytm fucked around with this message at 15:25 on Jun 14, 2011 |
|
#
?
Jun 14, 2011 15:20
|
|
|
I have about 50 bucks to spend. Any recommendations on what to spend it on? Right now I am doing mostly small engine work due to the summer. AI needs to direct me to spend money.
|
|
#
?
Jun 14, 2011 16:44
|
|
|
Just got the Arcan XL35R 3.5 ton jack at costco for $99, very impressed with how heavy duty it is. And I mean that literally, it weighs 101 lbs.
|
|
#
?
Jun 14, 2011 17:53
|
|
|
BrokenKnucklez posted:I have about 50 bucks to spend. What do you have now? If you don't have anything, a good 1/4" socket set, along with a good set of wrenches would be a start. If you already have a set of tools, its all about what you find yourself wishing you had. I needed crowsfoot wrenches for my last job, so I bought them recently.
|
|
#
?
Jun 14, 2011 18:03
|
|
|
sharkytm posted::read this: Awesome! I noticed he had this brake piston tool: http://www.harborfreight.com/18-piece-disc-brake-pad-and-caliper-service-tool-kit-97143.html Seems like it would work fine, right? Nothing too complicated to screw up. I'll eventually need one for my VW, though that's a couple years away based on how much the pads have worn.
|
|
#
?
Jun 14, 2011 18:20
|
|
|
I'm trying to build up a small tool collection to learn to work on my truck and motorcycle. If I can't afford snap-on or mac, is crafsman my next best choice?
|
|
#
?
Jun 14, 2011 18:30
|
|
|
Craftsman will work fine for working on your own stuff but personally I would at least invest in Snap-On or Mac ratchets. I find that they're much nicer to use than the Craftsmans I've tried due to finer engagement mechanisms. If you can, get a flex head for your 3/8" ratchet no matter who manufactures it - you can get it into a lot more spots with less hassle.
|
|
#
?
Jun 14, 2011 18:47
|
|
|
Uthor posted:Awesome! Yeah, they work just fine. You can also borrow one from AutoZone fo' free, if you prefer.
|
|
#
?
Jun 14, 2011 19:02
|
|
|
Uthor posted:Awesome! I have a similar kit with less parts that comes in a red box for like 20 bucks. My only problem is the incredibly stupid pin that holds it all together, all it would take is a little spot weld to keep it in there but the only thing holding it in is friction. After swearing at it a few times it works fine though.
|
|
#
?
Jun 14, 2011 19:30
|
|
|
BrokenKnucklez posted:I have about 50 bucks to spend. Edit: I are tard. Sorry I have a nice set of sockets, wrenches, ratchets, and extensions. The tool box is also chocked full of random sized screw drivers. I think some nice clamping style pliers with various noses. Also some nice pliers and so forth. Mine just suck/missing. That AI is what I need to buy. BrokenKnucklez fucked around with this message at 20:29 on Jun 14, 2011 |
|
#
?
Jun 14, 2011 20:26
|
|
|
Have you got a reasonable dial or digital caliper? Perhaps a reasonable tap and die set could be had for that money?
|
|
#
?
Jun 14, 2011 20:51
|
|
|
Hughmoris posted:I'm trying to build up a small tool collection to learn to work on my truck and motorcycle. If I can't afford snap-on or mac, is crafsman my next best choice? Your next best choice is Snap-On or Mac from a used tool place like Re-Tool. Then Craftsman.
|
|
#
?
Jun 14, 2011 21:19
|
|
|
Motronic posted:Your next best choice is Snap-On or Mac from a used tool place like Re-Tool. Remember, there are top-quality tools made by US companies that aren't distributed by truck. S-K is a personal favorite. Lots of US Military toolsets are S-K. Proto is another good one to look for with a price tag 1/2 that of Snap-On, Mac, Matco, or Cornwell. Craftsman stuff has really fallen in quality in the past 10 years. At this point, I'd take Harbor Freight over Craftsman. Same quality, same warranty, half the cost. Of course, all of this warranty talk requires there to be a place to exchange the tools nearby. If your nearest HF is 60 miles, and there's a Sears around the corner, Craftsman is a good bet.
|
|
#
?
Jun 14, 2011 21:31
|
|
|
The sockets and wrenches should be fine but the ratchets have definitely dropped in terms of quality. My dad has a 20 year old 3/8 ratchet, nothing fancy, but it still works just as good as the day he bought it with no play to it at all. Its never been used for automotive work but I wouldn't hesitate to if it was necessary. I was given new 1/2 and 3/8 Craftsmans and they're abysmal. Very loose and sloppy and overall not fun to work with, they feel like a $5 desperation purchase from Autozone. I don't like having to turn them 90º just to engage the next tooth, especially in a tight spot.
|
|
#
?
Jun 14, 2011 21:36
|
|
|
|
| # ? Apr 25, 2024 17:30 |
|
|
sharkytm posted:same warranty I think HF's warranty is better because they don't fight you tooth and nail on it. I've never had an experience with HF where it was anything but walk in with broken tool and walk out with new tool five minutes later, no questions asked. Sears OTOH is a crap shoot.
|
|
#
?
Jun 14, 2011 21:46
|
|