Factory Harbor Freight KTM

Rabbit
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Rabbit 1/26/2022 8:42am
1/26/2022 8:42am
Found this guy on YouTube a while back. He hasn't posted anything in a while, but interesting HF vs Other Stuff none the less

https://youtube.com/c/RealToolReviews
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Top End
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Top End 1/26/2022 8:52am
1/26/2022 8:52am
All this talk about Chinese tools being good enough. Yet I have not seen anyone racing a Chinese bike on the track.
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McG194
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McG194 1/26/2022 8:59am
1/26/2022 8:59am
McG194 wrote:
Understand that 100% but tool dorks like me on the internet are a different story. I like to see the trick bike parts and the trick...
Understand that 100% but tool dorks like me on the internet are a different story. I like to see the trick bike parts and the trick tool set ups. When I went to the Gatornationals and am in the pit watching Antron Brown's crew turning the car around, I'm spending half as much time drooling over the tools. Personally, I have Matco wrenches in my track box. I got them on a buy one get one free deal.


All that being said obviously, they have enough championships that prove they are ok doing it.
colintrax wrote:
My dude, I think you're slotting yourself into a weird subset of the internet tool dorks. I'm on garagejournal, sub to r/tools, check toolguyd, watched every...
My dude, I think you're slotting yourself into a weird subset of the internet tool dorks.
I'm on garagejournal, sub to r/tools, check toolguyd, watched every Boltr video that exists. Im a tool dork.
I can still appreciate the need for cheaper tools and how some of these cheaper (usually Taiwanese) tools can do so well. The toolbox in my truck is stuffed with Pittsburgh Pro. They work good enough to get me or other people home and I won't be upset if I lose one on the side of the road.
Perhaps you've seen some of my orange hard handled Snap-On tools on Garage Journal or some of my tools I've made. I'm a huge tool dork, no apologies.

I'm not totally insane though, I have my 48 ratchets (Mostly S-O and Matco) in a US General box. I used to be a Master Harley tech but now I'm just a home gamer.
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The Shop

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LungButter
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LungButter 1/26/2022 9:49am
1/26/2022 9:49am
Top End wrote:
All this talk about Chinese tools being good enough. Yet I have not seen anyone racing a Chinese bike on the track.
Because that's a similar comparison...
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agn5008
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agn5008 1/26/2022 9:50am
1/26/2022 9:50am
Top End wrote:
All this talk about Chinese tools being good enough. Yet I have not seen anyone racing a Chinese bike on the track.
Were you trying to make a point?
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ML512
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ML512 1/26/2022 9:50am
1/26/2022 9:50am
yota wrote:
I like old tools and toolboxes. redid this 1967 MAC a few months ago. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2022/01/26/530589/s1200_11_12_21.jpg[/img]
I like old tools and toolboxes. redid this 1967 MAC a few months ago.

Okay, that's damn nice.
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davis224
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davis224 1/26/2022 10:01am
1/26/2022 10:01am
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.
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
caviar&cigarettes338 wrote:
It cost me around 20,000 Canadian for this snap on box and other $60,000-70k to fill it with snap on . It’s not Cheap working in...
It cost me around 20,000 Canadian for this snap on box and other $60,000-70k to fill it with snap on . It’s not Cheap working in the truck and coach technician trade
Heavy industrial mechanic here/former motorcycle mechanic. I will never, ever, ever in my life understand spending that much money on a box and tools. Snap on screwdrivers are worth it. Maybe a few high use/specialized tools, but damn, I cannot wrap my head around justifying spending that much money.
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LungButter
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LungButter 1/26/2022 11:26am
1/26/2022 11:26am
Dudes who think you need Snap On tools to work on a dirt bike are the same dudes running Cone Valves to a mid-pack finish in the Novice Class.

Tongue

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McG194
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McG194 1/26/2022 12:09pm
1/26/2022 12:09pm
LungButter wrote:
Dudes who think you need Snap On tools to work on a dirt bike are the same dudes running Cone Valves to a mid-pack finish in...
Dudes who think you need Snap On tools to work on a dirt bike are the same dudes running Cone Valves to a mid-pack finish in the Novice Class.

Tongue

That's just silly.

No one said it was a necessity. The truth is it looks way more professional, makes techs from other teams want to join your team because it's top notch, and it is one less thing to worry about.

As far as it being overkill for what's needed the difference in price of HF tools on that cart and S-O tools is a rounding error in a factory race budget.
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ML512
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ML512 1/26/2022 12:26pm
1/26/2022 12:26pm
McG194 wrote:
That's just silly. No one said it was a necessity. The truth is it looks way more professional, makes techs from other teams want to join...
That's just silly.

No one said it was a necessity. The truth is it looks way more professional, makes techs from other teams want to join your team because it's top notch, and it is one less thing to worry about.

As far as it being overkill for what's needed the difference in price of HF tools on that cart and S-O tools is a rounding error in a factory race budget.
The tools the techs use are all their own. The factory teams don't supply their mechanics with their tools, just the tool boxes and some specialty items.

I get you're passionate about your tools, I have a a full box to work on my bikes that's Snap-on. I also have a tool chest full of Icon and some Milwaukee stuff...and a cheap track box that's full of craftsman, harbor freight and whatever else I could care less about losing or breaking.

But, to put it simply, the got the tools that worked for the budget and the needs of the work being performed. Those tools live in that box and never get used for anything else.
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McG194
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McG194 1/26/2022 1:00pm
1/26/2022 1:00pm
ML512 wrote:
The tools the techs use are all their own. The factory teams don't supply their mechanics with their tools, just the tool boxes and some specialty...
The tools the techs use are all their own. The factory teams don't supply their mechanics with their tools, just the tool boxes and some specialty items.

I get you're passionate about your tools, I have a a full box to work on my bikes that's Snap-on. I also have a tool chest full of Icon and some Milwaukee stuff...and a cheap track box that's full of craftsman, harbor freight and whatever else I could care less about losing or breaking.

But, to put it simply, the got the tools that worked for the budget and the needs of the work being performed. Those tools live in that box and never get used for anything else.
I didn't know it was personal tools, my assumption would be that the starting line cart would be full of company tools.

Like I said earlier in the thread, they have enough championships that I wouldn't have a leg to stand on if I thought they were wrong. Just bs'ing.
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ML512
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ML512 1/26/2022 1:12pm
1/26/2022 1:12pm
ML512 wrote:
The tools the techs use are all their own. The factory teams don't supply their mechanics with their tools, just the tool boxes and some specialty...
The tools the techs use are all their own. The factory teams don't supply their mechanics with their tools, just the tool boxes and some specialty items.

I get you're passionate about your tools, I have a a full box to work on my bikes that's Snap-on. I also have a tool chest full of Icon and some Milwaukee stuff...and a cheap track box that's full of craftsman, harbor freight and whatever else I could care less about losing or breaking.

But, to put it simply, the got the tools that worked for the budget and the needs of the work being performed. Those tools live in that box and never get used for anything else.
McG194 wrote:
I didn't know it was personal tools, my assumption would be that the starting line cart would be full of company tools. Like I said earlier...
I didn't know it was personal tools, my assumption would be that the starting line cart would be full of company tools.

Like I said earlier in the thread, they have enough championships that I wouldn't have a leg to stand on if I thought they were wrong. Just bs'ing.
The pit cart tools are purchased by KTM.

The tools in the mechanic's own toolboxes are entirely their own.
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yak651
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yak651 1/26/2022 3:25pm
1/26/2022 3:25pm
Like others have said, HF is great for seldom used items. I saved a ton on home remodel projects with their wet tile saw, oscillation saws and flooring nailers. If it’s an odd size impact socket or wrench, go to HF. I have plenty of old craftsman tools from yard sales and auctions that will last me my life. My brother has a cool snap on box and tools, I like to look at it but they don’t work much different 🤷‍♂️
Carstensen14 1/26/2022 3:28pm
1/26/2022 3:28pm
TooTallJason wrote:
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...
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.
Harbor Freight, guaranteed to break!
But does your box light up?
Whats the story on Harbor freight buying snap on? Or the manufacturing site. Or making knock- offs that look very similar.
The ratchet sets and electric drill gun from HF
both look like snap-on products.
Or that floor jack settlement between the two?
If im snap on, selling floor jacks for $600 and HF sells the same looking jack for $200
How are they able to do that?
Are these tools really made at the same location?
Weege the only journalist, where you at?
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Gus
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Gus 1/26/2022 4:23pm
1/26/2022 4:23pm
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:
I noticed the proper Cricket scoreboard and the 252 sign. I’m a 252 guy also!
wwoberg
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wwoberg 1/27/2022 3:44am
1/27/2022 3:44am
I'm very happy with the Bauer 20v set of tools I've gotten from harbor freight.
Sandusky26
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Sandusky26 1/27/2022 5:00am
1/27/2022 5:00am
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:
Gus wrote:
I noticed the proper Cricket scoreboard and the 252 sign. I’m a 252 guy also!
Let's go

Pit Row

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mx317
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mx317 1/27/2022 6:42am
1/27/2022 6:42am
TooTallJason wrote:
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...
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.
Carstensen14 wrote:
Harbor Freight, guaranteed to break! But does your box light up? Whats the story on Harbor freight buying snap on? Or the manufacturing site. Or making...
Harbor Freight, guaranteed to break!
But does your box light up?
Whats the story on Harbor freight buying snap on? Or the manufacturing site. Or making knock- offs that look very similar.
The ratchet sets and electric drill gun from HF
both look like snap-on products.
Or that floor jack settlement between the two?
If im snap on, selling floor jacks for $600 and HF sells the same looking jack for $200
How are they able to do that?
Are these tools really made at the same location?
Weege the only journalist, where you at?
It's not only the same looking jack, it's made in the same factory in China. There was a settled lawsuit between the two that confirms it. SnapOn still makes all it's hand tools here in the USA, but its BluePoint brand and other items are made in China. Their boxes are still made in the USA, but their drawer slides come from the same place as HF. I have both a SnapOn box and a HF box and both are good. Besides my bike won't DNF because I used a SnapOn socket that was in a HF box.
kb228
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kb228 1/27/2022 6:51am
1/27/2022 6:51am
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
caviar&cigarettes338 wrote:
It cost me around 20,000 Canadian for this snap on box and other $60,000-70k to fill it with snap on . It’s not Cheap working in...
It cost me around 20,000 Canadian for this snap on box and other $60,000-70k to fill it with snap on . It’s not Cheap working in the truck and coach technician trade
davis224 wrote:
Heavy industrial mechanic here/former motorcycle mechanic. I will never, ever, ever in my life understand spending that much money on a box and tools. Snap on...
Heavy industrial mechanic here/former motorcycle mechanic. I will never, ever, ever in my life understand spending that much money on a box and tools. Snap on screwdrivers are worth it. Maybe a few high use/specialized tools, but damn, I cannot wrap my head around justifying spending that much money.
Agreed. Only snap on i own and swear by are flank drive wrenches and screw drivers. Neither of them slip like the cheap stuff does
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ktmdan
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ktmdan 1/27/2022 6:55am
1/27/2022 6:55am
So that's why it took them 15 minutes to swap Anderson's front wheel...
/sarcasm
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GarrettL
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GarrettL 1/27/2022 7:04am
1/27/2022 7:04am
Top End wrote:
All this talk about Chinese tools being good enough. Yet I have not seen anyone racing a Chinese bike on the track.
Have you seen any USA made bikes on the track bro?
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FGR01
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FGR01 1/27/2022 7:26am
1/27/2022 7:26am
Just wondering... or just to put a little context on this....

Of all the Pro MX/SX races ever run.....

... how many pit stops have occurred?

... of those, how many actually required tool usage?

... of those, how many times did the tool fail ?

... of those, how many failed tools were "inferior brands" ?

.. and of those, how many actually affected the outcome of the race or, perhaps, even the champion ship?

I know it's unlikely anyone on Vital has these stats broken down in their head, but I think we can all agree the answer is zero...LOL
mx317
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mx317 1/27/2022 7:37am
1/27/2022 7:37am
This is not mine, but I have one just like it in better condition lol.
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Top End
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Top End 1/27/2022 8:10am
1/27/2022 8:10am
Top End wrote:
All this talk about Chinese tools being good enough. Yet I have not seen anyone racing a Chinese bike on the track.
GarrettL wrote:
Have you seen any USA made bikes on the track bro?
I’ve been on the track with Cannondale’s and Alta’s if that counts anymore. If you wanna include flat track- Harley Davidson.
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Magoofan
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Magoofan 1/27/2022 10:17am
1/27/2022 10:17am
LungButter wrote:
Dudes who think you need Snap On tools to work on a dirt bike are the same dudes running Cone Valves to a mid-pack finish in...
Dudes who think you need Snap On tools to work on a dirt bike are the same dudes running Cone Valves to a mid-pack finish in the Novice Class.

Tongue

Stamp it.

/Thread

4
Frodad78
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Frodad78 1/27/2022 10:39am
1/27/2022 10:39am
Top End wrote:
All this talk about Chinese tools being good enough. Yet I have not seen anyone racing a Chinese bike on the track.
LungButter wrote:
Because that's a similar comparison...
Well with this logic everyone loves Chinese food so Chinese tools and bikes must be great too right? Sheesh lol
McG194
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McG194 1/27/2022 10:57am
1/27/2022 10:57am
LungButter wrote:
Dudes who think you need Snap On tools to work on a dirt bike are the same dudes running Cone Valves to a mid-pack finish in...
Dudes who think you need Snap On tools to work on a dirt bike are the same dudes running Cone Valves to a mid-pack finish in the Novice Class.

Tongue

As an SODWM this offends me.


*Slow Old Dude With Money


Laughing Laughing Laughing Laughing Laughing Laughing
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SEEMEFIRST
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SEEMEFIRST 1/27/2022 8:54pm
1/27/2022 8:54pm Edited Date/Time 1/27/2022 8:56pm
I was running a Kennedy 46" rolling box. For 10 years. Probably a $1,500 box.

I downgraded to a US General, 29" for less than $200.00.

It is light years better than the Kennedy. Drawer detents keep the drawers from falling open if parked on a tilt.
The lock works better.
The wheels suck, but otherwise I won.

Take them apart and grease them...OK


Brett_Clark
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Brett_Clark 1/27/2022 10:58pm
1/27/2022 10:58pm Edited Date/Time 1/27/2022 11:00pm
Love my harbor freight 12k winches. I drag 15k combines on the trailer daily with them.
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