Harbor Freight

[stearn]

Funny while looking around HF seemed like a bunch of the items I have seen at the Flea markets, only HF is cheaper! Must admit there are may things I have found that I probably wouldn't have if not for the feebees! LOL ! Just bought a 12 ton bottle jack at HF, that I will carry in the MH .( I am waiting for a leveling jack to replace one that's leaking.) A bit inconvenient, but at least we can do our vacation, the jack will hold the corner that's not working.

[Bamaman]

My son in law was a master mechanic, and raced Pro Stock cars. He spend $250K on tools--mostly Snap On. Biggest mistake of his life spending so much on tools he seldom used.

Most mechanics will keep the tools they use 80% of the time in a 18" tray, and it's important they're high quality. But for those tools seldom used, Harbor Freight and Northern Tool's tools are okay and affordable.

[dieselclacker]

5/16"=8mm, 7/16"=11mm, 1/2"=13mm, 9/16"=14mm, 11/16"=17mm, 3/4"=19mm


7/8"=22mm


The above listed sizes for sockets and wrenches, be they metric or inch, are directly interchangeable.

[eightydid]

One time Tool (HF) if you plan on only using the tool once HF is your choice.

[mojoracing]

In a pinch i might substitute metric for sea but they are not spot on and can mess up fasteners pretty good in higher torque situations. I would steer clear of interchanging them except in an emergency. Most new stuff, american made included, use metric fasteners these days. Everybody should have a quality set of metric sockets, wrenches and allens at a minimum.

[rivraton]

Originally Posted by mojoracing

In a pinch i might substitute metric for sea but they are not spot on and can mess up fasteners pretty good in higher torque situations. I would steer clear of interchanging them except in an emergency. Most new stuff, american made included, use metric fasteners these days. Everybody should have a quality set of metric sockets, wrenches and allens at a minimum.

Society of Engineers Automotive?
Pulled wrenches my whole life, bought & used tools of most all brands and countries of origin, some lasted some did not. I have forty year old Truecraft
& Electrolux wrenched that have outlasted Snap-On & Mac. The biggest reason I ever bought Mac & Snap-On was that they came to the shop every week and made it easy, took payments interest free etc. I only bought what I needed,
A lot of the guys bought every thing on the truck, weather they needed it or not (some bought tools they had no clue how to operate) After running a fleet truck shop for 25 years, I can tell you that many "Technicians" should not be allowed to posses power tools or hammers. One of the best mechanics I ever saw didn't even own a tool box, kept his hand tools in a pile on the floor. I don't know how he would have fared in today's "electronic world" but he could time a NT Cummins in his sleep.

[mojoracing]

Typo, kind of embarrassing as I was trained by many members of sae. Darn auto correct!

[lynnmor]

Originally Posted by dieselclacker

5/16"=8mm, 7/16"=11mm, 1/2"=13mm, 9/16"=14mm, 11/16"=17mm, 3/4"=19mm


7/8"=22mm


The above listed sizes for sockets and wrenches, be they metric or inch, are directly interchangeable.

Incorrect!

[Hugmongous]

When I get the latest coupons, I just take a photo with smart phone and keep image of coupon there.. that way when I happen to be close to a HF, I have a coupon with me. Have had no problem with them accepting coupons from phone. Can also send the coupon to DW if she is picking up something for me.

[timetogo]

My HF 3/8 air ratchet works great. About $18 on sale 5 years ago.

[dieselclacker]

Originally Posted by lynnmor

Incorrect!

8mm = .3150" 5/16" = .3125"

11mm = .4331" 7/16" = .4375"


13mm = .5180" 1/2" = .5000"

14mm = .5512" 9/16" = .5625"

17mm = .6693" 11/16" = .6875"

19mm = .7480" 3/4" = .7500"

22mm = .8661" 7/8" = .8750"


Have you tried interchanging the above sizes? We are talking hex head nuts and bolts here, not assembling fine watches. The differences in sizes are listed in ten thousandth increments. I am retired now, but worked with both metric and SAE sizes for over 35 years as a mechanic and shop owner. The above sizes will interchange, the fit may not be perfect, but neither is the fit of a slightly worn wrench or socket.

[stink]

Originally Posted by dieselclacker

5/16"=8mm, 7/16"=11mm, 1/2"=13mm, 9/16"=14mm, 11/16"=17mm, 3/4"=19mm


7/8"=22mm


The above listed sizes for sockets and wrenches, be they metric or inch, are directly interchangeable.

Hate to disagree with you but wrenching for 30 years metric and fractional are not interchangeable! I've had to fix rounded off bolts and nuts that backyard mechanics have ruined by thinking they are interchangeable. Just off dimention to round bolt heads.

[stink]

Remember the whitworth bolts? Used on older British cars!! Odd sizes and yup, have a few wrenches!

[ahicks]

Yup, sure do. If you had a British car or bike, you needed a set for sure!