Harbor Freight Chain Breaker Review

[mykat]

Just wanted to recommend what seems to be a fantastic, cheap tool.

I used the Harbor Freight Heavy Duty Chain Breaker today to break my old chain. The tool is only $9.99 and comes with a spare breaking pin. I did not grind off the old rivet heads (although some people do recommend doing so) and I had absolutely no trouble breaking the chain. Apparently you can also use the tool to install the master link, I will find out how well that works tomorrow.

Considering how pricey some of the other tools are, I think this is a good deal.

http://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-duty-chain-breaker-66488.html

[arsenic]

Use it again and when it breaks, do another review.

[cintidude04]

Talking bout one of these? Yea I don't recommend one unless you aren't so broke that you can afford a back up one.

[arsenic]

I've had a motion pro chain breaker in use since 2008. I've probably broken like 25 chains. Never put one on, but broken a lot. I do grind the rivet first, like your supposed too. I've never broken anything.

[cintidude04]

Yes, as you know Arsenic, the head of the rivet was ground off before I used that POS in the picture. 2 days later my Motion Pro kit came in the mail and has been working fine ever since.

[mykat]

Talking bout one of these? Yea I don't recommend one unless you aren't so broke that you can afford a back up one.

Maybe I spoke too soon.

[arsenic]

If you buy something from Harbor Freight and say it's good, you spoke too soon.

[Wild-Bill]

I notice the photo Cinti posted shows what look like dry threads. You're supposed to grease all the threads before using the thing. It makes a huge difference in how long the HF coil spring compressor lasts.

I've got a HF chain breaker and it's worked well for replacing the one chain I expect to have to replace this year. If it snaps in half 2-3 years from now (the next time I expect to have to replace a chain) then I got my money's worth. I did take it completely apart and lubed up all the threads with Black Molybdenum CV joint grease.

[ATOMonkey]

$.50 of welding wire will fix that tool.

[DerrickJr]

If you buy something from Harbor Freight and say it's good, you spoke too soon.

LOL. I go there when I need a specialty, one time use tool.

[Wild-Bill]

$.50 of welding wire will fix that tool.

Good luck welding that. It's cast, not forged and HF's castings are pretty inconsistant.

[05RedKat600]

$.50 of welding wire will fix that tool.

GOod luck welding that crappy pot metal from China. Crap is nasty.