i have had good luck w/ HF hand tools, even the racheting wrenches. however, the power tools dont last long. i purchased 2 drills and 1 grinder. you get what you pay for

Botnst: sell your Mercedes right now!

This is quite accurate, there are different grades of HF tools. Some of the cheaper spanners are really rubbish but when you get up the price range ($30 set as opposed to $10 set for example) they work quite well.

__________________
With best regards

Al

I make regular visits to the local pawn shops for high quality tools at great prices. I've bought a lot of Snap-On tools this way. You have to have some idea what you're looking at however. My Harbor Freight tools didn't last very long. New - I like Craftsman from Sears. They are good quality, often on sale, and excellent warranty (free replacement).

__________________
Charles
1983 300D, bought new, 215k+ miles, donated to Purple Hearts veterans charity but I have parts for sale: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=296386

I use HF for things I don't use much, I like there OBD code scanner which is a bargain for $30.00.

Things I would never buy prom HF

Parachutes
Scuba Gear

Didnt even know they sold that stuff.



The pick and pull tools are HF stuff. If it gets lost, who cares... (well i still care a little bit.)



But when in the garage, I got Craftsman.


I think if your just going to be something small and simple HF tools will work.



Although their ratchets are not the greatest.

__________________
-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

That was a joke about the parachutes, I don't trust their jacks stands either there are a few things that I don't think cheap is the smartest option.

I just replaced a fan clutch on the 300SD. The first attempt with wrench from HF failed, because:

A. I bearly got the open end of the 10mm wrench on the bolt in this tight situation.

B. Finally, after I got it in and was about to put some torque on it, it became clear that it was going to strip the bolt, if I continue to force it.

I stopped right there, went out and bought a set of Craftsman wrenches. Everything went smooth and without problems.

Precision always makes a difference. But for the most part I keep clonking around with HF tools and find myself ok.

I used to have a box with a nice set of basic metric tools I brought from Germany.

I was coherent enough to leave it out on the curb, a few years ago, after I replaced a water pump on one of the cars ....

Even Harbor Freight doesn't have cheap enough tools to match my mechanical skills, but they are the closest I've been able to get so far. I don't go to yard sales.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Amen.

Shoot, I'm such a flagrant freemarketeer that I LIKE offshoring. As this thread demonstrates, consumers look for value before country of origin. That puts more money in the pockets of consumers. A good thing.

Concerning Harbor Freight, I think you could get rich if you could get the Harbor Freight and Lowes beer kiosk franchise.

Just a thought.

Damn, my man! let's you and me start an on line advice column!

What would we call it? The Bot and Ray Show?"

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Isn't there one of those on the radio called "Bob and Ray?"

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Agreed with not getting a cheap ratchet. Got a few bloody knuckles from those. They do fly quite well afterwards though.

__________________
79 MB 280 SEL Euro 133k
77 MB 450SL 154k
05 Mustang GT Vert (3) 104k
12 TSX Wagon Tech (66k) (192k)
06 Subaru Outback base (135k) 164k
16 Acura MDX (109k) 111k
18 Silverado 2500 LTZ Midnight (212) 56k
97 Ford Ranger 163k
11 RAV4 154k
01 Escape 173k
04 Honda Pilot 292k
1967 Mustang (Resto Project)
1968 Mustang (Parts Bin)
00 Ford Ranger 124k

You shouldn't be using an open end wrench on those bolts. Take a box end wrench and grind off enough of the outside so it will fit on the head of the bolt. Those bolts can easily be rounded off even with the best open end wrench.

I just bought a HF 115 volt flux core wire feed welder for $120. It got good reviews on welding websites and has worked well so far.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

the jack stands are pretty good. I've been under a few cars that were held up with the 3 ton version and the 6 ton version.