How To! EASY FIX! Harbor Freight Punch & Flange Tool Repair!

Do you have a Harbor Freight air punch and flange tool that won't work? The repair is very simple and takes less than 5 minutes! If your air punch won't punch holes or won't press a flange, then this fix is just what you need!

[@integr8er66]

How did you find out its brake fluid, I would have expected hyd jack oil, and if you mix brake fluid and oil it turns to crud.

[@BILL-sb5kk]

Refreshing to learn something useful these days !! You are a credit to youtube for teaching use old farts new tricks and idea's !

[@markfurry2807]

I was just considering buying this tool. Now I’m definitely sold on it. A few people had mentioned to me that it stops working after a while and not to buy it. I thought maybe it was laziness on their part from lack of air tool oil being put in it prior to storage? They are going to slap themselves when I show them this video. I never realized it was air over hydraulic! Just thought it was solely pneumatic. Thanks for passing this info along!

[@WisdomInExperience]

Thanks a lot, I was at my wits end and could not figure out how its supposed to work. Now I get it. You are to the point. U saved me $$ man as I was going to buy another one.

[@RestoringChristine1956]

Someone said in the comments that this tip is in the instruction manual, but who keeps those??? LOL! And another suggested trans fluid or something other than brake fluid because of harm to the seals. Shoot, vegetable oil is sometimes used as a hydraulic fluid, so that would probably work too.

[@sizzle073]

Well I’ll be dipped! I was in the same scenario as you, but I couldn’t throw the other one away. I even broke it down to see if a gasket was compromised. I’ve been kicking it around the shop floor for a couple of years. Guess I’ll give it some attention now. Thanks for solving that enigma!

[@nancyhudson8315]

Thank goodness you finally posted, today. My BF was having withdrawals🤦😂

[@RestoringChristine1956]

Wow! That's something else! LOL!!!

[@nancyhudson8315]

😂

[@stelfer9699]

Many thanks! I thought the jaws had come out of alignment had no idea it was air-hydraulic I figured that allen head was for oiling it!

[@RestoringChristine1956]

The only thing I wish I'd have said differently was "hydraulic fluid" instead of brake. Transmission fluid would probably be better.

[@michaelpagliarini4785]

You shouldn't use brake fluid. It acidic, may eat the seals. The manufacturer recommends hydraulic jack fluid.

[@kalybnielsen4183]

Brake fluid is harsh stuff, it eats rubber that's not treated for brake fluid. ATF, power steering fluid or hydraulic fluid is what needs to be used

[@bernardpoole9123]

Brake fluid will set your seals up

[@georgearcher1921]

Use hydraulic Jack oil.

[@moparnut6286]

I've had mine for years it says right in the instructions to add oil...but I add transmission fluid it's a better choice cause brake fluid is hydroscopic absorbs moisture and will eventually ruin the seals inside.

[@DaleDavis-o4e]

im doing a 1954 victoria hard top and i have two top off a wrecked 54 skyliner so im making a skyliner out of a hard top. im shore it come in handy

[@RestoringChristine1956]

Sounds like a lot of work... I mean FUN! LOL!

[@claudeladow2334]

Have one that doesn't work. Gonna try this. Subbed

[@troyreif8674]

Bill - you are awesome!! I have had one of these for a couple years and it worked initially but then stopped working I am going to try this fix. Thanks so much for sharing and for the great Christine videos. I am working on a 57 two door hardtop right now so very relevant to me. I always enjoy your positive attitude as well.

[@RestoringChristine1956]

Thanks! Technically, I had 2 that didn't work! When I figured out the first one, then I knew the second one was the same thing without even checking. I was trying to post something else this weekend but things didn't work out.

[@MagaRickn]

I don't have one of those, but if I buy one, I will make sure it has the oil fill hole!! ;)

[@RestoringChristine1956]

Good call!

[@fsj197811]

Nice little sheet metal working tool and a super easy fix. Thanks for sharing.

[@DK-jg5vk]

Great video. The next time you're down at Harbor Freight, pick up a little funnel.

[@harveywachholz2652]

Thanks bill for the heads up I have the same punch looking forward to the next video

[@RestoringChristine1956]

It's not a matter of if, it's WHEN that tool needs fluid. Hope it helps!

[@roberteast4160]

Great idea and easy to do. I have a 1955 delair sedan. Good looking Chevy.

[@jackiedonaldson7718]

Great job Bill! Your the man! Got the same problem! “Thanks “

[@RestoringChristine1956]

I tried everything with that first one and then when the second one did it, I realized there was something to it... and there it was.

[@yt66228]

Great fix. I don't use a flanging tool because it harbors moisture and will cause rust in the future.

[@kidjeff4304]

Nice 10 cent fix!!

[@RestoringChristine1956]

Yep! After spending however many dollars on the second one! LOL!!!

[@rustyrodgarage2686]

I used the heck out of this tool when replacing my rockers and trunk pan.works great

[@RestoringChristine1956]

It does! ...when it DOES. LOL!

[@Mike-tm9mn]

Awe man, wish I had seen this two years ago before I threw mine in the bin!

[@mikealdag7309]

lol thanks for this , I'm having the same issue no right now with my harbor freight punch , I was about to buy another brand lol I'll give this a shot , thank you , just saved me a bit of cash

[@RestoringChristine1956]

Truth told, last week I fixed the one that I showed was working. The one that was broken came out of the scrap pile and you saw it cold fix in real time! I'm sure it will work for you!

[@mikealdag7309]

@@RestoringChristine1956 right on I'm greatful for this I'll give it to a shot tomorrow and see how it goes , thanks again

[@randymiller1604]

Good fix

[@funone8716]

Good tip but I'd use motor oil not brake fluid

[@RestoringChristine1956]

Great point!

[@user-de3mg1hg5l]

Good job, Helping people out.

[@cowetaok]

glad you didn't pour that in perfectly because I know I would of made a mess.

[@johnserou6466]

Thanks Bill

[@RestoringChristine1956]

👍

[@91rss]

it uses hydraulic jack oil not brake fluid..

[@RestoringChristine1956]

Good tip!

[@blue32nu]

Probably something that was mentioned in the instruction manual. 😂

[@joewolf4483]

Good to know ...

[@RestoringChristine1956]

Now if only I had a project for those tools...

[@pdnetzer9561]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!

[@johncox9876]

Good tip Bill!

[@DougScriver]

Mint good info

[@regshipp]

i have tried this no good wht eals can i do it mke3/3 indention buut no hole

[@RestoringChristine1956]

There might still be air in it, or there might be a bad seal.

[@davidbrown-55]

👍

[@RestoringChristine1956]

Thanks!

[@joell439]

👍👍

[@jeffprice2008]

F - me I just bought a new one , Thank you