I've bought the Harbor freight "cold knife" but found that the cable handle is pretty weak, sometimes It will separate while pulling. The Equalizer tool is better. but costs a lot more (of course - we get what we pay for). By the way, when I first started installing back in 1973, we used a "hot knife", pretty much the same thing as a "cold knife" except it could be plugged in and got very hot. So now you know how the "cold knife" got its name !
Good news, it now comes with a different blade and it’s manufactured to accept other blades as well, I just used one 2 days ago to pull a back glass for a bmw…saved me over 800.00
You didn't say why You were changing the windshield in the first place, It didn't have any cracks, at least not that I saw. 2. What kind of sealant/glue did You use to install the glass? Polyurethane?
The windshield was fine, just replaced it for demonstration of the HF tool. Every 1500/2500/3500 Chevy truck, Tahoe, suburban, and all of their gmc variants used the same windshield from 1988-98 (and thru 2000 in some models)so parts are cheap and plentiful. I’ve been using sika mach60 polyurethane for several years with very good results. Thanks for the comment/question.
Aaron Snyder because the best substrate to adhere new urethane to is freshly cut urethane, not primer. Priming would only be for scratches (which there were none), or if you were applying urethane to an unprepared surface (like paint). Fortunately the pinchweld area was already clean since I had replaced this windshield about 6 months earlier. If you look closely you will see that the entire pinchweld area is black from when i primed it all on the last install (most of the urethane completely released from the delaminated paint which is a common issue on this era Chevy). If you notice I used the btb scraper which makes it very easy to trim the urethane down without causing scratches.
Simple hacksaw would have deepened the HF tool to accept the better blades; or a pass with a cutting disc on a mini-grinder and thin metal zip disc. However thanks for the review. About to tackle another windshield and didn't want to repeat the same tedious process with utility knives again; and Princess Auto wold have been my stop tomorrow but now I might try Napa or better quality. At least I know what to look for now.
39knights yeah the tool can be modified to work. I would still recommend spending the extra $5 for the professional grade tool. But this one could be made to work in a pinch as long as you have a quality blade. Thanks for the comment.
Went to our Napa store and they didn't have it. (Newfoundland, Canada). Ended up going to Princess Auto and they only had the wire kit. That worked so well I was glad they didn't have the cold knife. Only drawback is you need two people for the wire method; but really easy and less likely to damage the windshield especially if you are not used to using the cold knife.
You all probably dont care at all but does anyone know a trick to get back into an instagram account..? I stupidly forgot my password. I would appreciate any tricks you can offer me
@Evan Darwin Thanks so much for your reply. I found the site thru google and I'm trying it out now. Takes a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
I'm not going to disagree with you on the quality of the tool but at the same time I literally watched a different video where a TH-camr cut out his rear glass with the same exact tool and it looked like a flawless removal, I think it depends what you're used to using like any other low price tool
Tip to everyone. Another reason why the purple pulling knive doesnt have a screw to hold the handle is also to prevent the scratching of the body of the car your working on
Hello. Very informative vid. Thank you. Im trying to remove a rear manual slding window from a 2004 dodge ram 1500 slt. Purchased a cold knife from car quest. 20 bucks. Its junk like the HF u showed. Im considering some type of oscillating tool to cut from inside cab. I think some of the prob is also the hard rubber framing around the original glass. Do you hv any thoughts on this or other advice? Thanks.
Ram sliders are pretty infamous as being one of the more difficult parts to remove. I like to use a tool made by equalizer called the viper. Somewhere on my channel there is a video of me using it to remove a subaru backglass. You could probably use a reciprocating / oscillating tool but it will be difficult and you will likely cause a significant amount of damage to both the part and the pinchweld/paint
Use a fein knife or multitool with a fein knife blade. They make a few different blades. You can get one that's flat and it's a triangle that you can use from the inside. They also have a blade like this one where you cut from the outside. The hooked blade can cut the bottoms on most rides.
#1 why didn't you use the better one that's for urethane?#2 the harbor freight one was for the older windshields. # 3 you cheated and used the power blade! 😅
Good review of harbor freight junk but I gotta say considering you used another tool to finish the bottom of the removal it's a failed attempt to show how to use a cold knife.
@@Freek314 yea I have one. Mine is called a stingray by equalizer. But now it's about outdated with the newer style vehicles that have either a underlay(reveal) molding or no molding at all. It's hard to use that type of tool without causing damage. Most tecs went back to the cold knife or a wire/corded tool. I use a viper by equalizer. I use the cord called ripcord and it does zero damage to the vehicle and only requires one person unlike the old school method with 2 tecs and a wire.
I've bought the Harbor freight "cold knife" but found that the cable handle is pretty weak, sometimes It will separate while pulling. The Equalizer tool is better. but costs a lot more (of course - we get what we pay for). By the way, when I first started installing back in 1973, we used a "hot knife", pretty much the same thing as a "cold knife" except it could be plugged in and got very hot. So now you know how the "cold knife" got its name !
Great video man! You didn’t just give us a review. You also showed us how to make the tool work better than factory!
Wood work better if you use heat gun on glass when cuttit it out
I used a cable commando saw and it worked very quickly ❤
Harbor freight discontinued that style windshield tool with so called cold blade. I personally don't think it was cold knife blade
thanks for the video i was thinking that i was me the problem but now i have a better idea of how to do it with the right tools thanks
I wish you spent more time in the actual procedure
what kind of glue and tool do you use for put the new galss on?
Good news, it now comes with a different blade and it’s manufactured to accept other blades as well, I just used one 2 days ago to pull a back glass for a bmw…saved me over 800.00
great video man . that blade is like you said bytul tape blade .
I was wondering how long it was going to be before he brought out the reciprocating chesil setup.
very good and clear video
Sounds like music for Michael knight
You didn't say why You were changing the windshield in the first place, It didn't have any cracks, at least not that I saw. 2. What kind of sealant/glue did You use to install the glass? Polyurethane?
Maybe it leaked water?
The windshield was fine, just replaced it for demonstration of the HF tool. Every 1500/2500/3500 Chevy truck, Tahoe, suburban, and all of their gmc variants used the same windshield from 1988-98 (and thru 2000 in some models)so parts are cheap and plentiful. I’ve been using sika mach60 polyurethane for several years with very good results. Thanks for the comment/question.
Why didn’t you primer or clean the pinch weld prior to shooting new glue?
Aaron Snyder because the best substrate to adhere new urethane to is freshly cut urethane, not primer. Priming would only be for scratches (which there were none), or if you were applying urethane to an unprepared surface (like paint). Fortunately the pinchweld area was already clean since I had replaced this windshield about 6 months earlier. If you look closely you will see that the entire pinchweld area is black from when i primed it all on the last install (most of the urethane completely released from the delaminated paint which is a common issue on this era Chevy). If you notice I used the btb scraper which makes it very easy to trim the urethane down without causing scratches.
U used an extractor and cold knife of course there were scratches
Do shit right or not at all bad habits all around
very helpful! It is nice to get tips on technique for cutting and which tools to use.
Simple hacksaw would have deepened the HF tool to accept the better blades; or a pass with a cutting disc on a mini-grinder and thin metal zip disc. However thanks for the review. About to tackle another windshield and didn't want to repeat the same tedious process with utility knives again; and Princess Auto wold have been my stop tomorrow but now I might try Napa or better quality. At least I know what to look for now.
39knights yeah the tool can be modified to work. I would still recommend spending the extra $5 for the professional grade tool. But this one could be made to work in a pinch as long as you have a quality blade. Thanks for the comment.
Went to our Napa store and they didn't have it. (Newfoundland, Canada). Ended up going to Princess Auto and they only had the wire kit. That worked so well I was glad they didn't have the cold knife. Only drawback is you need two people for the wire method; but really easy and less likely to damage the windshield especially if you are not used to using the cold knife.
Can you tell you from experience the harbor freight tool suxs....two broke on me at the elbow of the blade
thank you, great video, great instructions, i am going to buy my first pull knife now =)
You all probably dont care at all but does anyone know a trick to get back into an instagram account..?
I stupidly forgot my password. I would appreciate any tricks you can offer me
@Roman Terrell instablaster ;)
@Evan Darwin Thanks so much for your reply. I found the site thru google and I'm trying it out now.
Takes a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
@Evan Darwin it did the trick and I now got access to my account again. Im so happy:D
Thanks so much, you really help me out!
@Roman Terrell you are welcome :D
Thanks for all the info I need to know about the trim?????? Never seen you take it out never seen you put it back?????
What do you spray before using the extractor?
Only for non urethane use
Where i can buy that tools i need that tools for my job ..bcoz im winshield installer but i dont have like that
I'm not going to disagree with you on the quality of the tool but at the same time I literally watched a different video where a TH-camr cut out his rear glass with the same exact tool and it looked like a flawless removal, I think it depends what you're used to using like any other low price tool
not sure how you could save a DW1217 with a cold knife...
Hello Textar Auto Glass what’s the average cost to replace a windshield from a Chevrolet Silverado?
Have an example of a wire winding tool mentioned?
Where can you get replacement moldings?
You can’t it’s encapsulated didn’t you hear him say that
Good one. Thanks.
Tip to everyone. Another reason why the purple pulling knive doesnt have a screw to hold the handle is also to prevent the scratching of the body of the car your working on
They have a quick release system.
Nice vid, good take, i will know now when looking 4 blade
Sounded like a jazzed up version of the theme from "Knight Rider".
Where is the footage at 13:00? Seriously, I don't even get to see you use it. Just " Oh well, this thing bent."
I have the same truck. May I am were and how much you got the new piece?
Informative video, thanks.
The blade from Harbor Freight is made of Chinesium!
Hello. Very informative vid. Thank you. Im trying to remove a rear manual slding window from a 2004 dodge ram 1500 slt. Purchased a cold knife from car quest. 20 bucks. Its junk like the HF u showed. Im considering some type of oscillating tool to cut from inside cab. I think some of the prob is also the hard rubber framing around the original glass. Do you hv any thoughts on this or other advice? Thanks.
good luck
Ram sliders are pretty infamous as being one of the more difficult parts to remove. I like to use a tool made by equalizer called the viper. Somewhere on my channel there is a video of me using it to remove a subaru backglass. You could probably use a reciprocating / oscillating tool but it will be difficult and you will likely cause a significant amount of damage to both the part and the pinchweld/paint
Use a fein knife or multitool with a fein knife blade. They make a few different blades. You can get one that's flat and it's a triangle that you can use from the inside. They also have a blade like this one where you cut from the outside. The hooked blade can cut the bottoms on most rides.
Great info about saving the window. Thank you...
Very good video
What cold knife do you recommend?
Equalizer
Junk is right I broken the tool in less than 8 minutes lol but I wanted to try it.
I came here from a video where the dude was smashing the glass to revive the windshield.
Same wanted to know how the other tool was used too lol
no way are you saving this specific windshield with a cold knife.I do it all the time on over installs though.
Jj
how do I buy the windshield? I have no idea where to go
I bought one the blade sucks bad just bent
Ill make sure its in the correct "erection"... lol @2:16
#1 why didn't you use the better one that's for urethane?#2 the harbor freight one was for the older windshields. # 3 you cheated and used the power blade! 😅
Skip the blah blah blah.... click 14:46 for "I'm calling this Harbor Freight windshield removal tool... junk"
Do not buy this crap
Blade will bend and eventually break
Good review of harbor freight junk but I gotta say considering you used another tool to finish the bottom of the removal it's a failed attempt to show how to use a cold knife.
You typically use another tool for the bottom of the window, man...
Back when we used cold knives on all removals we used a long knife to cut the bottom while we push up on the glass with our head.
@@punktalley Yeah now they have what is basically a short stroke reciprocating saw to cut through the bottom.
@@Freek314 yea I have one. Mine is called a stingray by equalizer. But now it's about outdated with the newer style vehicles that have either a underlay(reveal) molding or no molding at all. It's hard to use that type of tool without causing damage. Most tecs went back to the cold knife or a wire/corded tool. I use a viper by equalizer. I use the cord called ripcord and it does zero damage to the vehicle and only requires one person unlike the old school method with 2 tecs and a wire.
Thanx 4 this video! Good 2 know! (-;