Comments on: Cheap-Ass Tools: Harbor Freight Indexable Ratchet

by: Benjamen Johnson

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 01:26:32 +0000

I was in Harbor Freight today and I took a look at this ratchet. It actually seems pretty solid and the ratcheting action was pretty smooth. I know that doesn’t really say anything about how well it’ll hold up.

I also wasn’t sure whether you could unlock the the ratchet head so it would swing freely like it’s more expensive cousins. I’m glad to report that it does. does. This is a big plus because this allows you to pump the handle back and forth to tighten and loosen bolts, rather than swinging the handle. This allows you to use the ratchet in really tight quarters.

by: Chris

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 03:19:21 +0000

I have some hammers, an anvil, welding magnets, etc. from Harbor Freight. Every single thing I have bought from H.F. that has moving parts has broken. If you buy something with moving parts from them, you will eventually have to buy another one from somewhere else. If you aren’t going to use it often, go ahead. But even their hammers fall apart after a while.

by: Toolmonger » Blog Archive » The Week in Tools: Toomonger Top 5

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 00:39:02 +0000

[…] Steck’s EZPull Pliers The EZ pull pliers aren’t sexy or interesting until you have to pull all the dents out of your Honda from that wild trip to Vegas last month. Then the wide nose that can grab and hold a quarter panel seem and straighten out the crumpled up mess that used to be your daily commuter becomes super handy.Cheap-Ass Tools: Harbor Freight Indexable Ratchet The Indexable Ratchet is for those clever wrench heads who are into working smarter, not harder. The ratchet head can swing around obstacles and save you a bunch of knuckle busting and head scratching. You won’t need one everyday but it’s the times you can’t live without one that make it worth the $35 investment. Help us choose next week’s Top 5! […]

by: eschoendorff

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 11:18:56 +0000

SITO’s comments are way off base… I was just playing with this ratchet at a Harbor freight store yesterday and I was VERY impressed with the quality when you consider it costs only $13-20.

The quality of this ratchet is as good as anything by Stanley or Husky, and is even superior to the standard Craftsman ratchets that are made in the USA.

For more of my thoughts, please click here;

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15959

by: Benjamen Johnson

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:50:57 +0000

Here’s the way I look at tools from Harbor Freight: If it’s something I know I’m going to use and depend on, I’ll go buy a better quality tool. If it’s a tool that I might use once in a while I’ll go buy a cheap one from Harbor Freight or where ever. If I break a cheap tool, I’ll go buy a better one because now I know I’ll actually use it.

I do have to say that the Pittsburgh screwdrivers are crap, though. The bits deform under moderate torque. I’m not sure about the professional series, I’ve never scene those.

On the other hand I have a ratchet set from Pittsburgh and it works well enough for the few odd toy assembly jobs. The ratcheting action may not be the smoothest, but it works OK for an extra household set.

by: Josh

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 19:43:26 +0000

Funny how most people pass on Pittsburgh, but my brother who is a uses them daily doesn’t seem to mind. He has been in the auto service industry for 14 years and owns many craftsman, snap on, mac, matco, sk and others, but when he took his latest job he started buying Pittsburgh just because he didn’t see the point in claiming he had 20K in tools and still three empty drawers.
Depending on which tool you buy some of them are quite nice. The Professional series is stuff to buy. We have used them on several motor swaps and other stuff around house with very few issues and they are backed by lifetime warranty. The ratchets I am a little leary of if I have to apply some real torque on, but the tools seem to hold up well.

by: SITO

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 19:11:31 +0000

Pittsburgh???? I’ll pass… not worth the steel scrap