Date:         Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:18:57 -0400
Reply-To:     Mike S <mikes@FLATSURFACE.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mike S <mikes@FLATSURFACE.COM>
Subject:      Re: A 'real' press costs thousands.
Comments: To: Rob <becida@comcast.net>
In-Reply-To:  <20080820203053.AFBE41165C7@hamburg.alientech.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

At 04:18 PM 8/20/2008, Rob wrote...
>I disagree with your "90%" of HF is crap, some is, some isn't but 90%
>is way too high a number.
>... our only "press" was a vice mounted on the bench for support,
>drifts of various length, large sockets as adapters and a 5 lb hammer.

Well, if you're not used to working with proper, quality tools, then
your opinion of HF tools is valid within that context.

"Crap" is, after all, subjective.

When I say "90%," I mean that 90% of the tools they sell can be bought
elsewhere and be significantly better made, or actually meet the stated
specs, or have service parts available, and not just at MAC or Snap-on.
I still buy (some) HF stuff - but only for very occasional or
relatively light duty use. I'll also buy it if I need a special tool,
since I can grind and weld it to suit my needs without worry that I'm
destroying something of value.

Their mini sledge hammer worked as well as an Estwing for pounding tent
stakes, until the head started breaking away. Their leak down tester
works fine, now that I've replaced the incorrect gauge it came with
(and knowing that the included instructions were just plain wrong). My
HF creeper works fine, other than the head support adjustment always
collapsing when you bump it. Their "250 lb-ft" impact wrench works
great if you limit yourself to an adapter and 1/4" drive sockets, it
certainly won't take off a properly torqued (90 ft-lb) lug nut.

I doubt that their "20 ton" press will actually deliver 20 tons without
bending or breaking, if it can do it at all. I sure wouldn't want to be
near one which was brought to that pressure. Probably just fine as an 5
ton press, though, if you don't mind fiddling with the pump when you
need to use it.