Harbor Freight Tubing Roller

I didn't get too much farther rolling that last tube before the tools most fatal flaw expressed itself. I had mentioned in an earlier post that the weakest looking part of this tool are the cheap dies. So far the actual dies surface has not been an issue, but what failed was the manor in which the top die is secured to the drive shaft. This is done through 3 6mm set bolts that rest on machined flats on the drive shaft

During rolling, I noticed play developing in the shaft. There was a delay between turning the wheel, and the die turning. I kept snugging the set screws, but it wasn't long before I felt that sickening "yielding" and you know the threads are stripping. And that is exactly what happened on one of the screws

It is my recommendation to anyone considering this roller to drill set holes in the shaft to provide more shear strength. It is a rather inferior design point, but then again, IT IS harbor freight :laugh: