The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[GDVink]

Originally Posted by CaptainMarvel

May I ask what the item/model number is?

re the HF jigsaw review a couple of posts back, the model number of my saw is item 68821. I have edited my review to clarify and make a correction re warranty length.

[vw_tdi]

HF Worm Gear Hose Clamps: FAIL

http://www.harborfreight.com/40-piec...ent-67578.html

These things suck. They can't handle any firm tightening without stripping. Bleh.

[NoNN37]

3/8" Heavy Duty Flexible Ratchet Pittsburgh - Item#96369
PASS

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eig...het-96369.html

It's really good deal at 13.00. Fine tooth and quick release. Its good for getting into tight spaces. The joints seemed to loose for me at first, can be tightened with the hex screw.
Recently I removed to middle section to make it a stubby. Comparable to the kobalt.

[skulldrinker]

Need to add a Ball Peen Hammer to my school toolbox for working on front ends and it needs to be inexpensive. How are the HF Ball Peen Hammers? I was thinking of this 32 oz'er.

http://www.harborfreight.com/32-oz-b...mer-69012.html

From all the pics of their hammers the heads seem to not be centered on the handles. I think my Craftsmans are. Is there a difference?

[carhouse]

Question about the warranty process.

I am new to buying garbage at Harbor Frieght

Hand tools that have lifetime warranty can you bring them to a store or is their warranty process only through the mail?

I tried searching with no sucess

Thanks

[The Lazy Destroyer]

Low Profile Floor Jack with Rapid Pump®, 2.5 Ton Heavy Duty Steel
Item # 68049
Link

PASS

I've been using cheap basic jacks for as long as I can remember. Got this and for $70 (w/ coupon) was really impressed. For once I don't have to use anything under the jack on my Racedeck because the casters on this are pretty wide. Goes up to 20" which is nice.

It's a pretty heavy unit though. It makes my old jack look like a toy! Might pick up one of their aluminum jacks for the track as this one is a bit too heavy to just toss in the car.

[cheechi]

Originally Posted by skulldrinker

Need to add a Ball Peen Hammer to my school toolbox for working on front ends and it needs to be inexpensive. How are the HF Ball Peen Hammers? I was thinking of this 32 oz'er.

http://www.harborfreight.com/32-oz-b...mer-69012.html

From all the pics of their hammers the heads seem to not be centered on the handles. I think my Craftsmans are. Is there a difference?

I can make a suggestion that most people don't hammer 'on center' so, so long as you can aim it, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[greasemonkey44]

Originally Posted by skulldrinker

Need to add a Ball Peen Hammer to my school toolbox for working on front ends and it needs to be inexpensive. How are the HF Ball Peen Hammers? I was thinking of this 32 oz'er.

http://www.harborfreight.com/32-oz-b...mer-69012.html

From all the pics of their hammers the heads seem to not be centered on the handles. I think my Craftsmans are. Is there a difference?

i have one; i used it for about a year til i got into dead blow ball peins

it was decent; the balance was a bit off; one side of the head was heavier than the other

but it served its purpose just fine
unlike a minisledge i got from there, face wasnt milled flat ...... and the handle snapped when i over stucked a plastic felling wedge

[Provincial]

Air Needle Scalers:

I have both of the HF needle scalers. I bought the large one (#1108) first, and it is useful on even tough jobs. I removed heavy (3/8" thick) scale in the interior of a cast iron rendering kettle with this tool and it performed very well. I used it for cleaning up weld slag for years, but bought the smaller model (#96997) because it is much handier, and the added power of the large one is not needed for slag removal. The small model gets into much tighter areas and is much easier to handle.

Play with your air pressure to adjust the impact of the needles. Slag from stick welding takes very little impact to break up, and the lower pressure makes it less likely to peen visible dimples in the weld bead. Heavy scale needs as much power as possible, since the rust is flexible and absorbs much of the blow.

I think both the HF scalers are good for home use, and occasional commercial use. I would not recommend them for heavy commercial use. HF sells replacement needles for both models, but the needles hold up very well if you don't use 150 lbs. of air pressure! They hold up OK even at that pressure.

[subarub4]

Originally Posted by carhouse

Question about the warranty process.

I am new to buying garbage at Harbor Frieght

Hand tools that have lifetime warranty can you bring them to a store or is their warranty process only through the mail?

I tried searching with no sucess

Thanks

Bring it to the store

[baldredhead]

Portable Pocket Hole Jig
item 96264
Pass for sure.

easy to set up as pictured. it also has a mode where it'd used without the base plate that i did not have a need for on the project i was working on.

the screws it comes with even work well

word of caution: if you are buying it at a store, check to be certain that the required drill is in the box. in my area the store closest to me has had several boxes violated to steal the bit, and it is not available separately.

no brainer mod: drill a new set of holes for the clamp mechanism to allow thicker material to fit in with the base plate setup.

[IONH]

Originally Posted by baldredhead

Portable Pocket Hole Jig
item 96264
Pass for sure.

easy to set up as pictured. it also has a mode where it'd used without the base plate that i did not have a need for on the project i was working on.

the screws it comes with even work well

word of caution: if you are buying it at a store, check to be certain that the required drill is in the box. in my area the store closest to me has had several boxes violated to steal the bit, and it is not available separately.

no brainer mod: drill a new set of holes for the clamp mechanism to allow thicker material to fit in with the base plate setup.

I also give that setup a PASS. I used it for a few small projects and it works great. I hold the jig against the wood with my hand and drill slowly. I've used it enough to order a box of screws for 3/4" thick material.

[creativecars]

Both of the HF torch sets have pretty good review on their site. Do any of you have personal reviews? Are they copies of what brand?
I am looking at the 98958
http://www.harborfreight.com/oxygen-...kit-98958.html
and the 92496 Industrial
http://www.harborfreight.com/industr...fit-92496.html
What is the difference between them?
Thanks...

[subarub4]

Anyone try out the 4000 Watts Max/3200 generator? Looking to grab one of these in the next few weeks I have a coupon for it that's good until March for $249 should I get the warranty on it?

I need it to use it to run the small 10 gal air compressor

[dodge610]

Originally Posted by creativecars

Both of the HF torch sets have pretty good review on their site. Do any of you have personal reviews? Are they copies of what brand?
I am looking at the 98958
http://www.harborfreight.com/oxygen-...kit-98958.html
and the 92496 Industrial
http://www.harborfreight.com/industr...fit-92496.html
What is the difference between them?
Thanks...

You will be much happier with the industrial kit I use to sell welding supplies for years. The bigger gauges and torch will definetly be a plus for you. Going that route to cut smaller things just use a smaller tip in the torch.

[rslaback]

Originally Posted by creativecars

Both of the HF torch sets have pretty good review on their site. Do any of you have personal reviews? Are they copies of what brand?
I am looking at the 98958
http://www.harborfreight.com/oxygen-...kit-98958.html
and the 92496 Industrial
http://www.harborfreight.com/industr...fit-92496.html
What is the difference between them?
Thanks...

I was looking for a torch to have in my garage and I decided to go with the portable unit from Northern Tool (link). It has decent reviews, free ship to store and was cheaper than the Harbor Freight version (especially after the Northern tool code. And I own the tanks.

[creativecars]

Originally Posted by rslaback

I was looking for a torch to have in my garage and I decided to go with the portable unit from Northern Tool (link). It has decent reviews, free ship to store and was cheaper than the Harbor Freight version (especially after the Northern tool code. And I own the tanks.

The link you added says cylinders not included, do you mean you own other tanks? I am looking for a full size set. Thanks

[dodge610]

Originally Posted by creativecars

The link you added says cylinders not included, do you mean you own other tanks? I am looking for a full size set. Thanks

creative cars very few sets come with tanks if they do they are the mini tanks that you will spend more time getting filled than you do cutting or brazing. The tanks you will have to get at a welding supply house.

[kapster]

Originally Posted by creativecars

Both of the HF torch sets have pretty good review on their site. Do any of you have personal reviews? Are they copies of what brand?
I am looking at the 98958
http://www.harborfreight.com/oxygen-...kit-98958.html
and the 92496 Industrial
http://www.harborfreight.com/industr...fit-92496.html
What is the difference between them?
Thanks...

Both of those are copies of victor torches. I was in the market a year ago for torches and my local weld shop was selling victor torch sets for 200 on sale. The victors are made in Mexico and the harbor fright china. I believe tips interchange. And the victor had the new style Gage's so I went with it.

My dad has the harbor freight torches and they've been fine except the hoses cracked pretty quick after.

[creativecars]

Originally Posted by kapster

Both of those are copies of victor torches. I was in the market a year ago for torches and my local weld shop was selling victor torch sets for 200 on sale. The victors are made in Mexico and the harbor fright china. I believe tips interchange. And the victor had the new style Gage's so I went with it.

My dad has the harbor freight torches and they've been fine except the hoses cracked pretty quick after.

Both kits are on sale for 130 and 200. Is one a better copy than the other. I dont mind the extra 70 if there is a difference in quality or work that it will do.