great videos going around on this, will wake some people up, to some other deals out there they should look into and that is the 1st step,got to read the warranties out there some will throw you off a little,like "limited or manufacturers" if a weld breaks on a tool with a manufacturers warranty it will be hard to show it was there fault to have them replace it, and box stores can't beat amazon price all the time,We just have to educate are self more before buying are next tool or what ever it is.Have a great day everyone.

Great vid md I have owned the hf press for 20 years still works. Those are both great deals you got there, I love when you guys find the deals. Sometimes it's right place right time all these kits are very similar and sometimes quality can be had for a little more. I watched the live stream it was good. Thanks Rob had a good comment about lube before you screw I think he is right.

Great video thanks my friend. I don't get HF tools anymore. I have had some good stuff from there but slowly getting better stuff. I have been getting some good deals else were just have to take the time and look. Keep up the great work Marshal eyes are being opened.

@mdlee52

6 жыл бұрын

+Scott Pearson Will do! Thanks, Scott.

Great video Marshall. I do give HFT for driving down prices from the competition. I've noted that for at least two years now...at least in retail stores, that is, not online. Retailers were having to try to match HFT as they grew in locations and popularity. I had the Inside Track Club membership for three years, the first year was free, to coax me in. I stayed in long enough to buy all of the special tools like these through the membership, and once I'd gone through three years of the lack of rotation of tools that they'd put on sale, I bailed. I think that I got the ball joint press for $45 or $50, and their bearing race set for $25 or less. The AP set is almost exact. The C frame on that one has a"C" on it, which leads me to believe that it's different from the HFT frame. I also think that most complaints about the C frame were user error from not lubing the screw. You must always lube if you're gonna screw! I mean you must always lube the screw when you're using the press. LOL The OEM seal drivers look thicker than HFTs also.

@mdlee52

6 жыл бұрын

+Rob's Wrenches it just seems to me that Harbor Freight is not as good a deal all-around as it was 5 or 6 years ago. Other stores have crept their prices downward, but Harbor Freight has crept their prices upward. At least that's my observation.

@robswrenches9501

6 жыл бұрын

I agree, and with the new brands, they've thrown it all in. They are looking to occupy the Sears vacuum, it would seem. LOL

@x1134x

6 жыл бұрын

yes, it would make sense as more purchases head to harbor freight and more stores sell chinese stuff and pepole think if they're going to get chinese may as well get it cheap from HF, and perhaps more judicious usage of their coupons is getting to them, I only buy one item at a time, basically when I get my 25% off coupons. Rarely do I use my 20% offs anymore, and if I want 2 items, I either buy twice at the same busy checkouts, or hit 2 different HFs.

@robswrenches9501

6 жыл бұрын

Likewise. That's the strategy that I used to employ.

@johngibson3594

6 жыл бұрын

Rob's Wrenches nice rob get your lube ready your about to be screwed

Great clip thank you!

Thanks for this channel! And i agree the harbor freight one had spread on me as well on my bro in laws trailblazer lower ball joint. I ordered the AP master set last week and going to try it on the truck again because it eats balljoints lol

@mdlee52

6 жыл бұрын

I'm glad to be useful.

@nicke2307

6 жыл бұрын

Used the astro pneumatic set today and boy did it shine! The balljoints came out. Also i found out the reason i had trouble the trailblazer is gm stakes the balljoints instead of using a clip. >:/

Well said Mdlee. I find myself going to amazon to look at tools more than Harbor Freight it’s actually been at least 6months since I’ve been to Harbor freight.

@mdlee52

6 жыл бұрын

+Juan Hinojosa The internet is doing to Harbor Freight what Harbor Freight did to Sears.

I am so glad that I just watched your video on the Capri wrenches because it brought up a lot of your videos and I just so happen to see this video and I am glad it popped up because I need a ball joint press and was going to get the Harbor Freight Maddox one for 59.99 on sale this month but now you just sold me on this set in a reply send me the site were you got it from because I do have to get one now.and as always thank for the great video,s.

@mdlee52

6 жыл бұрын

amzn.to/2FuBzYp

Nice post sir. Had to look at my Ball joint press it is a OTC. Looks just like the Astro Pneumatic. I really do believe that there are more tool brands than tool makers. How many tool manufacturers could be in Taiwan it's not that big of a country lol

@mdlee52

6 жыл бұрын

+Martin Schaffmeir I know OTC is making their set in the USA again. I believe they importing it for a few years.

I've had the HF kit for over 10 years and it got me through a few jobs but it's a pain in the ass because it bends out of kilter and the threads on the screw gall out. It more than paid for itself though. This kit and the adapters is on my shopping list. I like the fact it's impact grade.

@mdlee52

6 жыл бұрын

+Julianne Log Hey, at least it got you by.

Will this work for a Silverado 1500 lower ball joints or does it require the extended cups and fittings?

Great video Mdlee. Yeah HF don't always have the best deals for the quality of there tools.

@mdlee52

6 жыл бұрын

+David Young the only advantage to Harbor Freight is that they tend to have a lot of service tools in stock if you need them that day. Otherwise, you can either wait for an online order or you can rent for free from a auto parts store.

Thanks for doing this review, I'm in the market one and debating on this, the HF & the OTC. After seeing this ill probably go AP. It seems Harbor Freight has caught on that it's a lot of people's go to store and has been raising their prices. Like you said, some stuff is a good deal other stuff is overpriced for what it is.

@mdlee52

3 жыл бұрын

I've heard good things about at the Bauer press, but i think you can still get a better deal on the AP.

@guttedxx

3 жыл бұрын

@@mdlee52 do they sell 2 brands? I only saw the Maddox brand one. Isn't it all the same, just a change of the name?

@mdlee52

3 жыл бұрын

Sorry, I meant Maddox. At the time I made this video they were still carrying the Pittsburgh Automotive and had maybe just released the Maddox. Anyway, I think the AP is a better dollar-for-dollar choice, even if the Maddox is a big jump up in quality over the older Pittsburgh model.

@guttedxx

3 жыл бұрын

@@mdlee52 the AP is definitely better. I bought it for $78 and the HF one comes to $72 even with a 20%. When I was at HF I lifted the box to compare to my AP and it is a lot lighter which tells me the u clamp must be a lot weaker.

@guttedxx

3 жыл бұрын

@@mdlee52 I don't remember if you covered this in your video but definitely put some grease on the threads.

Great vid i just used a version of this ball joint from co worker👍🔧 lol & that same race tool

@mdlee52

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I think the quality level is pretty high.

just paid 67.00 on amazon well worth it for me and my truck

Agree Astro & OEM both solid brands & affordable.

@mdlee52

6 жыл бұрын

+asm154 1 You know it!

Perhaps you’re talking about the new Maddox brand at HF? The Bauer is their new loins if cordless tools no? Anyway thanks for the tip.

Yep I'm an S-k guy myself but I think I have them all mostly Craftsman and even made in the USA stuff. I do have a Astro Pneumatic set of tools they are very good. Carlyle tools are good too and I bought autocraft socket set it's good stuff I haven't bought anything from harbor freight. That maybe next or not

That I asked for a ball joint press looks pretty good

@mdlee52

6 жыл бұрын

+The Snap-On Junkie!!! Not quite as nice as the Snap-on set, but not quite the price, either.

I love my astro front wheel bearing press kit 💪. I'm sold on this astro 7865 over cheap replicas on eBay.

@mdlee52

6 жыл бұрын

Right on! Love your videos!

@themechanic6117

6 жыл бұрын

mdlee52 thanks! Keep spreading the word to help people get better quality tools💪

Wow! You got a deal on thatAstro set! Fast forward 4 years and they’re around $147 on Amazon. I bought the HF (Pittsburg) one about 6-7 years ago. I think it was around $69 then. Not sure if that was before or after coupon. I did have to exchange it once. The first one spread on me, but it was my fault. They exchanged it out for me with a little bit of hassle but not much. Never had any problems with the second one, but I don’t use power tools on it either. Not sure how it would hold up to that. In hindsight, I wish I had the Astro set. Their quality was unknown to me at the time I bought mine, so I figured the risk was lower with a local warranty instead of dealing with the unknowns of Amazon returns and a tool company I knew nothing about. I honestly assumed they (Astro) were another Chinese junk tool manufacturer until I started seeing Eric O. beat on them. Again, hindsight... I was ignorant. If I ever buy another BJP it’ll most likely be the Astro 7687 unless for some extraordinary reason I can afford the Snap-on BJP-1 which is what I wanted from the start. So, that’s my experience. Maybe it’ll help or motivate someone or spur some thought. Thanks for sharing your experience. It’s appreciated!

I just bought the OTC from Feebay thinking it was USA but when I read the fine print, after I paid of course. it said made in China. I haven't got it yet so i'll see soon. It was $112 vs. what you paid for the Astro. If it is NOT made in the USA i'll send it back and buy the Astro. I also bought the Astro adapter/add on kit, I knew this was made in China but good reviews from all you guys.

@mdlee52

6 жыл бұрын

They were making the OTC kit China for awhile, but they have been making it in the USA again for a least the last few years.

@bryanlawless1858

6 жыл бұрын

I hope I didn't get a new old stock. If so, it may be getting returned for the Astro.

@bryanlawless1858

6 жыл бұрын

I bought it from Arctic Tools on Ebay.

I agree with you there are tool that you can buy that are cheaper and better then harbor freight. I bought the astro front wheel bearing adapter set instead of the HF one for 2 reason it was $90 (amazon) and the only kit that came with a grade 8 forcing screw and it also is the only one that is impact rated. I believe that like buy anything you need to do research to find the best tool for the money sometimes it is a tool truck tool and sometimes its a box store like harbor freight, sears, etc.. the biggest thing is buy the tool that will do the job that you can afford.

@mdlee52

6 жыл бұрын

+Rich Oelke Well said. I also have my eye on that front wheel bearing adapter set.

@roelke1976

6 жыл бұрын

it works very well.. it is heavy too

I get your point however there are not many brick and morter stores. If your ball joint broke and you need to fix it to get to work tomarow, well then harbor freight is the only option as far as i know where to buy a balljoint press if you want it right now. If you got time to wait then buying from the internet will almost always net a less expensive product, not always better quality but if you're going after brands then yeah. So comparing internet shopping to a brick-and-mortar store is not really a comparison at all Fuck bitches get money

@robswrenches9501

6 жыл бұрын

fuzzy wuzzy Good points. Get money and fuck bitches for free.🤣

@mdlee52

6 жыл бұрын

I actually made that same observation elsewhere in the comment section. The only advantage I can see in Harbor Freight in that they items like these in stock and ready to buy when you need them immediately. I prefer to buy ahead of time, and at a better price.

great video!

@mdlee52

6 жыл бұрын

+Nik Windsor Thanks, Nik

Silly question, but what is the purpose for the Astto Pneumatic "additional adaptor set". Like what applications are they useful for? The Asto Pneumatic kit in your video, will that be sufficient for honda mid size sedan, civics sedans and a 350z?

@mdlee52

4 жыл бұрын

More than likely, this set will be sufficient for you. The additional set would be for a professional or someone dealing with a very wide variety of vehicles. I know thay some Jeeps and Dodge trucks require adapters that don't come in a basic set, for example.

@sgt.hollowpoint6968

4 жыл бұрын

@@mdlee52 thank you for your answer

HAHA!! A Harbor Freight ad played at the end of your video. I watched in the hope it’ll bring you some revenue even though I have no interest in Hercules battery tools (AKA Makita wannabe look alikes)

I use either one , Longs they work fine, most all metal are the same

Yeah I'd rather go with the AP but I wouldn't have a problem with the OTC brand if it landed in my toolbox.

@HardKnocksForge

6 жыл бұрын

I've never been a brand specific kinda guy, even though SK is the best around...

@richardsnader6743

6 жыл бұрын

Good job mdlee

@mdlee52

6 жыл бұрын

+Hard Knocks Forge The OTC kit is USA-made once again.

@mdlee52

6 жыл бұрын

+Richard Snader Thanks!

@mdlee52

6 жыл бұрын

+Hard Knocks Forge lolz

Interesting, HF and this one look identical.

The HF press is often on sale for $59.99..it's on sale right now in fact.

@kevincrush859

4 жыл бұрын

And it's Maddox, NOT Bauer.

RamPro Ball Joint Press also good!

@mdlee52

6 жыл бұрын

+G J there are a bunch of those kits on Amazon that all look the same. I do notice that some get better reviews than others, though. Thanks for the heads up!

how to buy?and how much?

I found the best thing Harbor Freight sells, if you're a shooter or just a hoarder buy the Ammo cans the metal ones... They are the best thing's they sell, Period.lol.

@mdlee52

6 жыл бұрын

+Bill Long those are a very good deal at Harbor Freight.

Live in USA, buy the OTC Made in USA.

This is 71.83 on Amazon 12/19.

@mdlee52

4 жыл бұрын

Well worth it. Very durable.

6/10/06

@mdlee52

6 жыл бұрын

Chris Krofft Never forget that. That's all we got.

HF is lossing me fast there tools are getting out of hand I only go there if i need the tool now

"The best warranty is the one you don't have to use." Absolutely, along those lines I am a Sears fan, with their points system I get a pretty good tool every two weeks. If that Lowes deal is those NWS rebranded pliers I am going to leave a preemptive "you suck" those sold out around here months ago. Eagerly waiting for the video.

@mdlee52

6 жыл бұрын

+Pat Clark-Barnes Lol, wait for it.

Looks identical to harbor freight

Yeah but it is $65 plus tax these days

@mdlee52

5 жыл бұрын

Amazon prices fluctuate all the time. Just wait it out and the price will drop again, I'm sure.

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

How dare you talk bad about Harbor Freight

Did someone say Bacon?

@robswrenches9501

6 жыл бұрын

LOL

I went through 2 from HF in 1 day. HF press is junk.

@mdlee52

6 жыл бұрын

+Dave Tumbleson I've heard quite a bit of feedback like that.