Factory Harbor Freight KTM

Jbulz
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Jbulz
Edited Date/Time 1/29/2022 12:35pm
Noticed this in ML's latest pit bits - you know things are lean when the factory team's boxes are filled with Harbor Freight. Pittsburg wrenches and risking it with the Quinn hex keys and plastic ratchets. Wonder Ian has an inside track card? lol



https://www.vitalmx.com/features/Vital-MX-Pit-Bits-San-Diego,7767
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ML512
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ML512 1/25/2022 6:06am
1/25/2022 6:06am Edited Date/Time 1/25/2022 6:06am
All the team’s meschncis boxes are filled with big name brands tools. This is their pit cart that goes down to the line, sits and is only used in emergencies. The tools in this box might get used once or twice this whole season…no reason to dump thousands of dollars in tools into a box that barely gets used.
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WDSRCR
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WDSRCR 1/25/2022 6:08am
1/25/2022 6:08am
I have a big box of MAC, Snap-On, SK, and Craftsman tools at home. My toyhauler box is primarily Harbor freight tools.

I don't want to have to spend $1000's on tools that don't get used as often and have a higher risk of being dropped, loaned, and lost.

The quality of those tools is sufficient for the use they are getting.
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WDSRCR
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WDSRCR 1/25/2022 6:09am
1/25/2022 6:09am
Dang @ML512, didn't even let me finish my reply before coming in and stealing my thoughts!! LOL
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quadzrulebro 1/25/2022 6:12am
1/25/2022 6:12am
Jbulz wrote:
Noticed this in ML's latest pit bits - you know things are lean when the factory team's boxes are filled with Harbor Freight. Pittsburg wrenches and...
Noticed this in ML's latest pit bits - you know things are lean when the factory team's boxes are filled with Harbor Freight. Pittsburg wrenches and risking it with the Quinn hex keys and plastic ratchets. Wonder Ian has an inside track card? lol



https://www.vitalmx.com/features/Vital-MX-Pit-Bits-San-Diego,7767

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The Shop

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kb228
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kb228 1/25/2022 6:15am
1/25/2022 6:15am
I own those plastic ratchets and can confirm they hold up to 350ft/lbs of torque(broke loose the lower shock bolts on my f150s). Im convinced the handle will snap before the pawl does.
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Zesiger 112
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Zesiger 112 1/25/2022 6:16am
1/25/2022 6:16am
Don’t hate on the freight
Harbor freight Scavenger hunt:
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crowe660
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crowe660 1/25/2022 6:19am
1/25/2022 6:19am
Zesiger 112 wrote:
Don’t hate on the freight Harbor freight Scavenger hunt: [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2022/01/25/530340/s1200_F2F32617_D48B_4C5F_B0FB_166CB978E56F.jpg[/img]
Don’t hate on the freight
Harbor freight Scavenger hunt:
That’s my typical load when I go to HF for a pack of screw drivers. They always get you.
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Jbulz
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Jbulz 1/25/2022 6:23am
1/25/2022 6:23am Edited Date/Time 1/25/2022 6:24am
I couldn't resist. Figured that new custom box blew the tool budget this year! Although I must admit even I was seduced by The General.

I still stand by my opinion of their low-end hex keys, screwdrivers, and wrenches fitting like shit. Their ICON is surprisingly good.


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ML512
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ML512 1/25/2022 6:24am
1/25/2022 6:24am
WDSRCR wrote:
Dang @ML512, didn't even let me finish my reply before coming in and stealing my thoughts!! LOL
Mwahahahaha...
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dmm698
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dmm698 1/25/2022 6:56am
1/25/2022 6:56am
Glad to see KTM buying American, tools made in Pittsburgh no less!
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Kennyfreemoney 1/25/2022 7:11am
1/25/2022 7:11am
Jbulz wrote:
Noticed this in ML's latest pit bits - you know things are lean when the factory team's boxes are filled with Harbor Freight. Pittsburg wrenches and...
Noticed this in ML's latest pit bits - you know things are lean when the factory team's boxes are filled with Harbor Freight. Pittsburg wrenches and risking it with the Quinn hex keys and plastic ratchets. Wonder Ian has an inside track card? lol



https://www.vitalmx.com/features/Vital-MX-Pit-Bits-San-Diego,7767
You don’t think Pittsburg wrench’s can handle 12nm of torque?
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vansnxtweek489 1/25/2022 7:13am
1/25/2022 7:13am
I kind of like the Tekton stuff 🤷🏽 Just have to pick and choose depending on what level of accuracy and use we’re talking about.
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TooTallJason
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TooTallJason 1/25/2022 7:27am
1/25/2022 7:27am
I work in a shop and my tech with with a 40K Snap-On box can't convince me it's 25K better than the equivalent ICON box across the shop.
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loftyair
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loftyair 1/25/2022 7:36am
1/25/2022 7:36am
I like buying a tool for $7, then throwing it away, and hope to never have to use same tool ever again. If I do? $7!
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agn5008
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agn5008 1/25/2022 8:09am
1/25/2022 8:09am
WDSRCR wrote:
I have a big box of MAC, Snap-On, SK, and Craftsman tools at home. My toyhauler box is primarily Harbor freight tools. I don't want to...
I have a big box of MAC, Snap-On, SK, and Craftsman tools at home. My toyhauler box is primarily Harbor freight tools.

I don't want to have to spend $1000's on tools that don't get used as often and have a higher risk of being dropped, loaned, and lost.

The quality of those tools is sufficient for the use they are getting.
Same here. I spent like $150 total on a bunch of tools and a toolbox for my toy hauler at harbor freight. If I had gone craftsman it probably would’ve been thousands. They rarely get used and if they do it’s something pretty minor.
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stiksandstones 1/25/2022 8:14am
1/25/2022 8:14am
Some stuff you SHOULD buy at HF and many things you should not.
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agn5008
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agn5008 1/25/2022 8:30am
1/25/2022 8:30am
stiksandstones wrote:
Some stuff you SHOULD buy at HF and many things you should not.
I don’t know if that’s true. Just keep your expectations within reality. Does anyone expect a cheap harbor freight drill to work and last like a Dewalt? If you do then you have issues with reality, not harbor freight tools. I buy Dewalt for my garage and home. I buy harbor freight to toss in my toy hauler and truck to use in a pinch.
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Stuntman949
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Stuntman949 1/25/2022 8:47am
1/25/2022 8:47am
Prime Zip Ties at the HF
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kb228
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kb228 1/25/2022 8:48am
1/25/2022 8:48am
loftyair wrote:
I like buying a tool for $7, then throwing it away, and hope to never have to use same tool ever again. If I do? $7!
That $7 tool has a lifetime warranty too…
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Hollywood009 1/25/2022 9:28am
1/25/2022 9:28am
Every race team I ever worked on had a "cheap team set" while mechanics were expected to bring their own quality tools. Come race time my box was locked away in the truck, aside from a couple tools that I could carry with me. Main reason is because people will take them when you are not looking... plus if you are having to resort to your "chap tools" then the race is probably over.
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Jordan421
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Jordan421 1/25/2022 9:38am
1/25/2022 9:38am
Let’s be real, who hasn’t shopped there?
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Munson'd
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Munson'd 1/25/2022 10:24am
1/25/2022 10:24am
My rule is: if it doesn’t plug in, I’ll buy it from Harbor Freight. I like their hand tools.
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backinthesaddleagain 1/25/2022 10:35am
1/25/2022 10:35am
A friend of mine is a foreman at a large yacht service provider. He and his coworkers have the top end tools in their toolboxes in the shop. At the docks and anywhere a dropped tool can end up in the water its HF.
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mx317
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mx317 1/25/2022 11:45am
1/25/2022 11:45am
I have a SnapOn box and this one. I think this box is just as good as my SnapOn.



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usp4u
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usp4u 1/25/2022 11:53am
1/25/2022 11:53am
ML512 wrote:
All the team’s meschncis boxes are filled with big name brands tools. This is their pit cart that goes down to the line, sits and is...
All the team’s meschncis boxes are filled with big name brands tools. This is their pit cart that goes down to the line, sits and is only used in emergencies. The tools in this box might get used once or twice this whole season…no reason to dump thousands of dollars in tools into a box that barely gets used.
THAT is the box that I would want to be filled with good tools.

What a time to have a tool let you down.
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Dirt.Squirt
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Dirt.Squirt 1/25/2022 12:06pm
1/25/2022 12:06pm
ML512 wrote:
All the team’s meschncis boxes are filled with big name brands tools. This is their pit cart that goes down to the line, sits and is...
All the team’s meschncis boxes are filled with big name brands tools. This is their pit cart that goes down to the line, sits and is only used in emergencies. The tools in this box might get used once or twice this whole season…no reason to dump thousands of dollars in tools into a box that barely gets used.
usp4u wrote:
THAT is the box that I would want to be filled with good tools.

What a time to have a tool let you down.
That’s exactly my thoughts. How much do they spend filling the primary boxes with premium tools? How much more would it really cost to get the good stuff in the most important tool box on the team??

Those one or two uses could be the difference in a title
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lostboy819 1/25/2022 12:08pm
1/25/2022 12:08pm Edited Date/Time 1/25/2022 12:53pm
mx317 wrote:
I have a SnapOn box and this one. I think this box is just as good as my SnapOn. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2022/01/25/530474/s1200_IMG_1412.jpg[/img]
I have a SnapOn box and this one. I think this box is just as good as my SnapOn.



Boxes and tools have definitely gotten much higher quality and much lower in price. I still have my MAC boxes which I paid all the money for back in the 1980s but also buy ICON for the shed or extra storage etc. I have several friends who were snap on dealers that closed down just because they cant sell close to the number of 25K to 45K box sets and $400 screw driver sets that they did in the past and then you add all the guys who run up a truck bill and then disappear and stick it to the dealer. When I go to HF I can set aside at least an hour to go find the stuff I didnt know I needed Wink Cool
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captmoto
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captmoto 1/25/2022 12:30pm
1/25/2022 12:30pm
Dirt.Squirt wrote:
That’s exactly my thoughts. How much do they spend filling the primary boxes with premium tools? How much more would it really cost to get the...
That’s exactly my thoughts. How much do they spend filling the primary boxes with premium tools? How much more would it really cost to get the good stuff in the most important tool box on the team??

Those one or two uses could be the difference in a title
How does a tool cost a title? It's about the hand holding the tool. A good hand will know when a tool is up to the task. In todays automated and CNC world tool quality has gotten way better. I don't buy China tools on principle but have no problem looking at non-China tools.
Our FD mechanics were not tool snobs and I think getting a fire apparatus running and keeping it running is as important as a title.
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MXer391
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MXer391 1/25/2022 1:30pm
1/25/2022 1:30pm
You guys are nuts. You act like Cooper Webb is going to lose a race because his mechanic isn't using a pair of $93 Snap-on dykes to cut a zip ty off and the Pittsburgh brand 10mm wrench is going to snap in half when they tighten the fork lug bolts down. C'mon...
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caviar&cigarettes338 1/25/2022 1:38pm
1/25/2022 1:38pm
I’m a truck coach technician here in Canada and when you work with tools for a living there is a big difference between snap on and all other brand the cheap box store wrench’s spread won’t grab bolts as well and sockets will round off bolts and not grab a rusty bolt as well as a snap on flank drive socket here is my box . The snap on classic series is like cheaper line boxes same as some other brand but if you get the master series or epiq series they are super heavy built

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