Topic: Harbor Freight 1/2" drive deep barrel impact sockets

Has anyone used these?  13 pieces.  10mm-32mm for $25 seems too cheap to pass up.  How bad could they be?

https://www.harborfreight.com/13-pc-12- … 69279.html

10x loser (Arse-Freeze '11 - Vodden '15) 1x WINNER! Arse-Freeze '14 in the Watermelon Volvo Wagon
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Re: Harbor Freight 1/2" drive deep barrel impact sockets

I think they're fine for anything not time-critical- don't rely on them the night before the race, but if you have time to go get replacements if needed, due to breakage, the whole set IS cheaper than one craftsman socket, never mind Snap On. Use your safety goggles, and go for it...

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Re: Harbor Freight 1/2" drive deep barrel impact sockets

lest we dive into harbor fright discussion..I have used their impact sockets for years now without any failures.
i note my 1/2 drive ratchet just died, but using it as a hammer might have something to do with it.  wink

Speaking of which, maybe Harbor Fright tools as a theme??

4 (edited by n0m4d 2017-12-13 02:44 PM)

Re: Harbor Freight 1/2" drive deep barrel impact sockets

I would love to see a Pittsburgh Pro themed truck done like up like a NASCAR Craftsman series but with all the other HF "brands" as stickers.   https://www.harborfreight.com/top-brands.html

Also, I have a set of HF 1/2" Impacts that I have heavily abused for 10 years with no issues.  The Earthquake XT impact guns are impressive too.  The assorted hose clamp set is worse than not having hose clamps.  It's hit or miss.

We should have a HF Good Stuff/Bad Stuff thread here.

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Re: Harbor Freight 1/2" drive deep barrel impact sockets

Type44 wrote:

I think they're fine for anything not time-critical- don't rely on them the night before the race, but if you have time to go get replacements if needed, due to breakage, the whole set IS cheaper than one craftsman socket, never mind Snap On. Use your safety goggles, and go for it...

Have you broken one?

I personally have used them for years, no problems. I've broken their 1/2" breaker bar (at the joint) with a 3' cheater pipe, but never a socket.

Re: Harbor Freight 1/2" drive deep barrel impact sockets

Never broke one but keep misplacing them.  Can't really blame them for that.... well maybe i can blame that they are black and easy to lose.  Damn you Harbor Freight.

The chrome sockets on the other hand don't bother with,  from what I've seen the finish is normally not done right and they often end up with too much or little chrome on parts making them not really any size socket.

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7 (edited by OnkelUdo 2017-12-13 06:05 PM)

Re: Harbor Freight 1/2" drive deep barrel impact sockets

Think we are on our fourth'ish build and 5th year of racing with these being the primary at track tool the whole time and primary for the build of the first car.  Only the 19MM is getting worn out (lug nut and other uses) on the drive end.

Re: Harbor Freight 1/2" drive deep barrel impact sockets

I have a few sets of those. very strong but the downside is they are very thick walled. fine for 99% of jobs but can be a tight fit into some wheel counterbores. I like them...

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Re: Harbor Freight 1/2" drive deep barrel impact sockets

n0m4d wrote:

I would love to see a Pittsburgh Pro themed truck done like up like a NASCAR Craftsman series ....

There was these guys

http://www.murileemartin.com/UG/LTH14/0293-Thunderhill14-P1000278.jpg

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Re: Harbor Freight 1/2" drive deep barrel impact sockets

But is needs to be "Harbor Fright".    BTW, I searched and not found, but I assume someone has done a Forrest Grump theme,
I was thinking "This is what Stupid Does" line on the car, and having it painted to look like a box of chocolates.

11 (edited by gunn 2017-12-13 10:51 PM)

Re: Harbor Freight 1/2" drive deep barrel impact sockets

gump wrote:

Has anyone used these?  13 pieces.  10mm-32mm for $25 seems too cheap to pass up.  How bad could they be?

https://www.harborfreight.com/13-pc-12- … 69279.html

This was one of my first purchases when I started building up my tbird to enter Lemons back in 2010.

Curiously enough, my set was 10,11,12,13,14,16,17,19,20,21,22,24
I remember almost paying the same amount that I paid for the set to fill in the missing numbers (15,18, 23).

I've only broken one socket -- I think it was one of the smaller sockets...
They gave me a new one w/o any fuss (no receipt required) but since they didn't have the same # in their new sets the number I broke, I think I just took an extra 19mm or something like that and ended up having to buy a Kobalt replacement from Lowes.

Bottom Line: I'd buy them again. HF ratchets are crap but the sockets have served me well.

-g
PS. I'm NOT a professional mechanic. I pretty much only work on one car since my DD is a boring appliance (Prius).

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Re: Harbor Freight 1/2" drive deep barrel impact sockets

Well, I think that settles it.  And this:

http://view.harborfreightemail.com/?qs= … 74bda0fdc8

"Friends and Family Sale" today through Sunday...Now only $19.99!

Thanks for the input.  Appreciate it.

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