[HBR] Chassis kits

[Stan McIntosh]

>>I wonder if Harber Freight has oneof these ???

Bill,

You've now triggered my Harbor Freight story.  Take it for what you will,
but my view is that the experience was to Harbor Freight's credit.
Granted, this is from the early 1990's, and no doubt things may have
changed.  However, they had one of these aluminum manual sheet metal brakes
and if my memory serves (a definite 'if'), the price was something like
$14.95.  I made a space on my workbench and bolted the brake in place when
it came in.  I took a thin piece of aluminum to start... somthing like
0.025" thick.  The brake immediately snapped.  Stuff happens, though, so I
called HF back.  They were cheerful and professional, and they took care of
shipping and returns (back then, this was mail order).  New brake comes in,
but history repeats.  That's still okay.  Mistakes can happen, and
sometimes they happen in pairs.  They were nice again, and cheerfully
replaced the brake.  Third brake does the same thing.  I called to ask for
a refund, and they did not hesitate, the person on the other line
apologized for my experience, and they sent a check.  So, I went to
Northern Hydraulics and ordered their version for thirty-something
dollars.  One of the brakes was definitely a copy of the other, which was
great since the bolt holes lined up perfectly.  However, the HF brake was
spot-welded while the NH brake was welded all the way across the joints.

It's hard to believe that 2 decades have passed, but I have made a lot of
small boxes and braces with that brake.  It's been awesome.  Given the time
that's passed, however, I would be that Harbor Freight has either fixed the
problem with the brakes from the '90s or dropped them from the line.

Regards,
Stan
kd4bth