FYI- Don't bother buying the Harbor Freight Bolt cutters

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Posted: 4/8/2014 4:45:25 PM EDT

FYI- Don't bother buying the Harbor Freight Bolt cutters

They broke the very 1st time I used them

The 4" grinder with cutoff wheel is the way to go if you need to cut off a bolt or some chain

Posted: 4/8/2014 4:46:06 PM EDT

[#1]

:duckhuntdog:

Posted: 4/8/2014 4:46:36 PM EDT

[#2]

First time use or extended? HF stuff is nice in a pinch, but I wouldn't use it full time.

Posted: 4/8/2014 4:47:38 PM EDT

[#3]

Posted: 4/8/2014 4:48:22 PM EDT

[#4]

Glad to see you learned your lesson with HF tools.

Posted: 4/8/2014 4:49:57 PM EDT

[#5]

those are TINY bolt cutters....kinda obvious

Posted: 4/8/2014 4:50:34 PM EDT

[#6]

Sorry that happened OP but I couldn't help but laugh

Posted: 4/8/2014 4:51:04 PM EDT

[#7]

I have one of those harbor Freight bolt cutters and it's worked fine for me. I have cut 1/4" hot rolled and 3/8" hot rolled steel rod as well as 5/16" chain. Probably a little more or less than 100 cuts but so far, so good.

edited to add that mine are a couple of sizes bigger. i didn't get the proper perspective before posting

Posted: 4/8/2014 4:51:09 PM EDT

[#8]

better suited for cutting wire

Posted: 4/8/2014 4:51:49 PM EDT

[#9]

Eh, they'll take it back. That's what you've always got to be willing to do with HF. Always be willing to make the trip to return it if it breaks.

Posted: 4/8/2014 4:53:46 PM EDT

[#10]

#1 rule for harbor freight tools - If it requires any kind of force to be used on it, get a better brand. The punch that shattered into five pieces when I smacked it with a hammer really took this point home with me (after I got all the shards out of my hand.)

Posted: 4/8/2014 4:57:06 PM EDT

[#11]

Waiting for update when HF angle grinder shorts out and causes electrical fire.

Posted: 4/8/2014 4:58:57 PM EDT

[#12]

I got some of those as a gift..that same size and all. Looking forward to breaking using them

Posted: 4/8/2014 4:59:25 PM EDT

[#13]

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:01:38 PM EDT

[#14]

Quote History

Quoted:
Waiting for update when HF angle grinder shorts out and causes electrical fire.

View Quote

I've tried for the last 2 years to kill my hf 4" angle. It came with extra brushes and I haven't even touched them.

That said I am not a big HF fan.

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:03:36 PM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
those are TINY bolt cutters....kinda obvious

View Quote

I bought a pair of HF bolt cutters, (the next size up) and they worked fine.

Vulcan94

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:04:01 PM EDT

[#16]

Same thing happened with the cable cutters I bought.

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:04:58 PM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:

First time use or extended? HF stuff is nice half-assed in a pinch, but I wouldn't use it full time.

View Quote

Fixed it.

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:05:22 PM EDT

[#18]

HF is the Glock of tools. Everything they make seems to blow up in your hands.

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:06:55 PM EDT

[#19]

That is why I buy quality tools.

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:07:34 PM EDT

[#20]

I have a pair made by Interstate Drop Forge in Milwaukee sometime in the 70's.
Still working to this day.

Of course everybody only wants cheap shit from China.

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:07:37 PM EDT

[#21]

what kind of low rent micro-bolt cutters did you buy??

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:08:04 PM EDT

[#22]

this isn't news, but is law of the land. HF is junk.

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:10:57 PM EDT

[#23]

Stay away from their sawzall, too.

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:11:54 PM EDT

[#24]

Their channel locks are horrid too. At work, we snapped the head off on pair. Also the damn things won't stay in oem position. The teeth on the pipe wrenches barely grip ant the have so much play that I keep expecting to see th top jaw turn a full 90 degrees when you get on it hard. Th ratchet sets were the best. We blew out 2 ratchets the day the boss bought them.

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:13:57 PM EDT

[#25]

So you broke the bolt cutters then went back to HF to buy a grinder?

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:17:59 PM EDT

[#26]

They will probably trade you for a new pair for free.

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:20:16 PM EDT

[#27]

"I fought the bolt and the bolt won..."

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:21:01 PM EDT

[#28]

Nice hammer you bought there...both of them

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:21:48 PM EDT

[#29]

hey, every company turns out a clunker once in awhile.

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:22:06 PM EDT

[#30]

Quote History

Quoted:
those are TINY bolt cutters....kinda obvious

View Quote

I think my small aviation shears are rated for thicker metal than those cutters.

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:22:19 PM EDT

[#31]

When you abuse any tool (tiny ass bolt cutter) you get this result with any brand

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:23:53 PM EDT

[#32]

Quote History

Quoted:
http://i61.tinypic.com/mij677.png

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Stupid round eye , you buy shit tool

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:24:31 PM EDT

[#33]

http://hooniverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/HF4.jpg

More here:
http://hooniverse.com/2012/09/24/truth-in-advertising-hazard-fraught-tools/

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:24:43 PM EDT

[#34]

I used an HF bolt cutter to make an AK riveting tool.

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:25:17 PM EDT

[#35]

anytime i buy something from them, i only expect to use it once. i never buy anything from there without a 20 or 25% off coupon either.

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:27:37 PM EDT

[#36]

Quote History

Quoted:

I've tried for the last 2 years to kill my hf 4" angle. It came with extra brushes and I haven't even touched them.

That said I am not a big HF fan.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Waiting for update when HF angle grinder shorts out and causes electrical fire.

I've tried for the last 2 years to kill my hf 4" angle. It came with extra brushes and I haven't even touched them.

That said I am not a big HF fan.

Those grinders are built like brick shit houses. I'm relatively certain they are as close to indestructible as you can get.

And I'm not afraid to do things to it that I wouldn't do with a "nice" grinder. They're like $15 with a coupon.

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:27:57 PM EDT

[#37]

In their defense, they probably cut Chinese bolts without any issues.

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:34:14 PM EDT

[#38]

Quote History

Quoted:
Waiting for update when HF angle grinder shorts out and causes electrical fire.

View Quote

Nah, the pinion gear will wear out first. The one I tried didn't even last through one 1/4" grinding wheel.

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:38:21 PM EDT

[#39]

Thanks!

I'm thinking about getting into the used bicycle business, now I know to buy once, cry once.

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:40:23 PM EDT

[#40]

I've got a set of bolt cutters from HF, had them over 10 years and had no issue with the ones I have.

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:42:53 PM EDT

[#41]

The same goes for their pipe wrenches if you actually need them to grip a pipe.

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:44:23 PM EDT

[#42]

Quote History

Quoted:
Waiting for update when HF angle grinder shorts out and causes electrical fire.

View Quote

I have one of their angle grinders that I bought back around 2004, I use it all the time, the wheel is getting worn down and I haven't been able to kill it yet. I've gotten my $18.00 worth out of it.

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:44:25 PM EDT

[#43]

It did serve its purpose... you bought it

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:44:43 PM EDT

[#44]

Quote History

Quoted:
In their defense, they probably cut Chinese bolts without any issues.

View Quote

I have a small pair I use for crimpers for 4-6 gauge wire. Tried to cut a 1/4 bolt and now they have the perfect size dent in the blades for crimping big wires.

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:52:39 PM EDT

[#45]

Quote History

Quoted:
http://hooniverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/HF4.jpg

More here:
http://hooniverse.com/2012/09/24/truth-in-advertising-hazard-fraught-tools/

View Quote

I lose all dignity and laugh until I snort when reading those.

One of my all-time faves: "Startlingly LOUD!"

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:53:12 PM EDT

[#46]

I made this with Knipex bolt cutters. Cut each ring, 12 and 14 gauge steel wire.

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:54:02 PM EDT

[#47]

I have a pair of the light weight aluminum handled bolt cutters that get used every day for our bushiness. Yes, they are only cutting 10-24 bolts but they have hung in there with a very sharp cutter for over a year maybe going on 2.