Harbor Freight all-stars

[sk farmer]

#67400 push pin pliers. a must if you own gm vehicles or polaris off road vehicles.

 

[wild cowboy]

these tiny little jumpers work great if you troubleshoot modern automotive electrical systems or rebuild engine ECU's as I do

 

[XxToolAholicxX]

The 5 drawer red roller cart. Well built and comparable to premium brands if not better.




------------------------------------
I am a Toolaholic,Sometimes I regret it,Especially when the Toolman wont give me no credit

 

[Jarhead0408]

This: http://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-...in-double-head-flex-ratchet-wrench-67994.html

#67994 Double flex head 3/8-1/4 inch slim ratchet. Freaking awesome for working on a Civic timing belt R&R.

Also, x2 on the wind in brake caliper set. Great tool for the money.

 

[monomach]

Stuff I've used at work that has earned an all-star title:

1/2 in. Drive 25 in. Breaker Bar #67933
1/2 in. Drive Metric Deep Wall Impact Socket Set 13 Pc #69561
1/2 in. Drive SAE Deep Wall Impact Socket Set 13 Pc #69560
1/2 in. Professional Air Impact Wrench #68424
1/4 in. Drive Composite Quick-Release Ratchet #66312
1/4 in. Quick Release Swivel Head Ratchet #96781
13 Piece 1/2 in. Drive Metric Impact Socket Set #67902
13 Piece 1/2 in. Drive SAE Impact Socket Set #67918
30 in. 5 Drawer 704 lb. Capacity Glossy Red Tool Cart #61427
3 Oz Super Lube® Grease #93744
3/8 in. Drive Composite Quick-Release Ratchet #66313
3/8 in. Quick Release Swivel Head Ratchet #96782
56 in., 11 Drawer Glossy Red Industrial Roller Cabinet #67681
6 in. Magnetic Parts Holder #97825
9 mil Nitrile Powder-Free Gloves 50 Pc X-Large #68512
Air Die Grinder #92144
Brake Line Forming Tool #95782
Professional Screwdriver Set 8 Pc #94607



Stuff I've used at home that has earned an all-star title:

1/2 in. Drive Click Type Torque Wrench #239
1/4 in. Drive Click Type Torque Wrench #2696
10 in. Sliding Compound Miter Saw #98199
16 in. Tie Rod Separator #1759
4 Piece 1/2 in. Drive Impact Extension Set #67972
4-1/2 in. Heavy Duty Angle Grinder #91223
44 in. 13 Drawer Glossy Red Industrial Roller Cabinet #68784
6 Amp Reciprocating Saw with Rotating Handle #65570
Ball Joint Service Kit for 2WD and 4WD Vehicles #60827
Pick and Hook Set 4 Pc #66836
Portable Halogen Shop Light #66433
Steel Bristle Brush #38491
Swivel Lens Headlamp #45807



There's some other stuff I like just fine, but this is the cream of the crop.

 

[nicksnothereman]

If it's "pittsburgh pro" it's usually okay. Not that I shop there that much but I have enough of their stuff to tell.

All of the taiwanese stuff is pretty good just like it is at other retail locations, most of the pittsburgh pro hand tools are taiwanese so...usually good. I use some of their chinese stuff; heat gun and dead blow, no problems.

 

[jcfields]

.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Orange dead blow hammers.

Won't use them anymore in delicate/finish areas. Had one "leak" a few dead blows into a finish work piece that had a tight tolerance and it gouged...ruining work piece.

You could not tell that the hammer was leaking...it looked banged up, but not open. Switched to SO for finish work.

 

[Moose97]

Pittsburg Pro screwdrivers (mine are red and black soft grip) are excellent. The wobble extensions are also very nice.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[espyking83]

Great thread! They're getting ready to open one where I live and am ecstatic. Hopefully the haters stay away. HF is great for DIY's.

 

[KayMaroCS]

Nitrile gloves
the 3 ton jack
the 99 cent asorted shrenk tubing
Iron amor the etching primer and filler primer for 2 bucks....... wow i no longer use rustoluem primer any more........

 

[panknuckshovel]

The cokes out of the machine seem to taste the same, the tab usually breaks while you are trying to open it though.

 

[mikeceli]

I think the free tape measures are a great product. the ends are nice and tight and I would even pay the $6.99 for the tapes.

Tape measures are supposed to have "play" in the hook end. To accommodate for the thickness on the hook, when measuring.

 

[ecotec]

I have and like:
impact sockets (lots!)
dead blow hammers (4 different sizes)
breaker bars (25" 1/2" drive, 18" 3/4" drive)
composite ratchets (all sizes)
electronic calipers
disc brake turn back tool set
1/2" click torque wrench
brass hammer
7mil nitrile gloves
jack stands (3 ton)

I want from HF, but do not have:
red 5 drawer cart

maybe:
3 ton jack

 

[sac02]

To all, I've updated the OP with all the nominations (through this post) and moved the following items into the All-Star list:

"Pro" screwdrivers
Nitrile gloves


Currently, I'm using a criteria of (+5) unique positive mentions to move an item to the All-Star list.

Once the item is in the list, I will only track the number of dissenting opinions (tallied as "negative votes) from those that do not think the item belongs as an All-Star. If the negative tally of an All-Star becomes significant, I will reevaluate it's inclusion in the list.

 

[OutsideMachinist]

Theres quite a few good items already listed. I don't think I have seen this mentioned yet. I don't use it for body work though I guess that is the intended use. I use it for pushing, prying, helping tighten or loosen. Use it probably couple times a week it is awesome. Definitely worth some of you guys checking out especially any industrial or truck/heavy equipment guys.

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-ton-heavy-duty-portable-hydraulic-equipment-kit-44899.html

 

[woody 73]

Won't use them anymore in delicate/finish areas. Had one "leak" a few dead blows into a finish work piece that had a tight tolerance and it gouged...ruining work piece.

You could not tell that the hammer was leaking...it looked banged up, but not open. Switched to SO for finish work.

Wow never had one do that for me they are fantastic, maybe you got a bad batch I bought them several years ago and no problems.

 

[brkosk]

The 36 piece 3" Screwdriver Bit Set is nice.

 

[NewEdgePerf]

Swivel head ratchet, stubby in 1/4 (green handle) is really handy for tight spots.

4 drawer cart is well built and I love it.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Sadly, this thread will likely be useless in 6 months to a year save for half of what is listed.

Shopping at HF is a "moveable feast", meaning what is there and of high quality one month or business quarter or year, suddenly disappears the next.

Goodyear USA air hoses-Gone.

Lady foot alignment bars used to be 6 to a set and now are 5 or 4.

The automotive trim tools were of a high quality. Now, the plastic/nylon matl is far more brittle.

They sell a very capable baby pneumatic belt sander but no longer carry the belts for it.

They used to sell some awesome Made in Italy dual sided poratable storage bins and they went bye-bye after 6 months.

The carts and tool boxes seem to stay consistant, but hardline tools do come and go or change suppliers. The composite ratchets are a perfect example. And I can GUARANTEE you HF is more worried about the final bottom line cost more than retaining a high quality long lasting tool.

Moveable feast indeed.

 

[SlowAl]

Composite ratchets
4-1/2" Grinder
Nitrile Gloves
Red 5 drawer cart
SDS hammer drill of all things. I was leery of picking it up but it drilled several dozen anchor holes in concrete and is still going strong. Even if it failed now it still turned out cheaper than renting one for the short time I needed it.

 

[-Brent-]

Acculink belts. A+ in my opinion.

 

[shanny19]

I absolutely love the Polycarbide Abrasive Wheels (94014 in 3" for example). They have a bit shorter lifespan than the real thing 3M "Clean and Strip", but at 1/15th the price. I can't imagine being without them.

 

[StillKeen]

Orange dead blow hammers.
3/8 & 1/2 earthquake impact wrench.

I too love my deadblow hammer ... but after 8 or 9 months, it still stinks out my tool box with that curing plastic HF smell. It seems so wrong that the thing I don't like about a tool is it's smell ... my other tools have no smell ...

 

[rockfordmarv]

I too love my deadblow hammer ... but after 8 or 9 months, it still stinks out my tool box with that curing plastic HF smell. It seems so wrong that the thing I don't like about a tool is it's smell ... my other tools have no smell ...

ESTWING makes a great dead blow hammer, Made in USA. They usually run 20-30 bucks but they dont stink and hold up really well.

 

[Parrothead]

Here's the things I support to the All Star List

Magnetic parts trays
Moving blankets
Orange handled picks (picks)
3oz Super Lube
1000lb movers dolly

And I don't think this has been mentioned. Pittsburgh Pro sockets (Taiwan) and a 72t ratchet (Kobalt knockoff). I had the old 72t version and it's held up just fine.

21 Pc 3/8 in. Drive SAE & Metric High Visibility Socket Set

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...-metric-high-visibility-socket-set-61954.html

 

[emeraldcoupe]

the drill master branded spot weld cutters are awesome. I drilled out about 60 spot welds with it the other day, and it's still nice and sharp.

 

[warmpancakes]

20% off coupons are great to use at Home depot

 

[panknuckshovel]

20% off coupons are great to use at Home depot

The 25% are even better

 

[jsharpphoto]

i love the 9 piece wobble extension set. usually $9.99 on sale.

http://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-38-in-12-in-drive-wobble-socket-extensions-9-pc-67971.html

 

[SASORacing]

Red 5 hf tool cart ftw. Best value hands down. How they can make it so nice for about $180 our the door befuddled my brain, so I bought one.

 

[woody 73]

Sadly, this thread will likely be useless in 6 months to a year save for half of what is listed.

Shopping at HF is a "moveable feast", meaning what is there and of high quality one month or business quarter or year, suddenly disappears the next.

Goodyear USA air hoses-Gone.

Lady foot alignment bars used to be 6 to a set and now are 5 or 4.

The automotive trim tools were of a high quality. Now, the plastic/nylon matl is far more brittle.

They sell a very capable baby pneumatic belt sander but no longer carry the belts for it.

They used to sell some awesome Made in Italy dual sided poratable storage bins and they went bye-bye after 6 months.

The carts and tool boxes seem to stay consistant, but hardline tools do come and go or change suppliers. The composite ratchets are a perfect example. And I can GUARANTEE you HF is more worried about the final bottom line cost more than retaining a high quality long lasting tool.

Moveable feast indeed.

Sad you have hit the nail on the head as they say some time back I bought a pro wrench set I have never seen another like it. Lowes and HD do the same thing very sad.

 

[jdmstr]

US General 3/4 in. Ball Joint Separator #99859 = Harbor freight all star. tools works flawlessly on stuck ball joints, very very high quality tool.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-quarter-inch-forged-ball-joint-separator-99849.html

 

[cmcnei]

11 Gauge Coil Roofing Nailer has been great. Bought it based on great reviews and has not dissapointed. Went through about 5000 nails with no issues. Used on plywood flooring and hardy backer board before putting down ceramic tile. Performed flawlessly.
link: http://www.harborfreight.com/11-gauge-industrial-roofing-nailer-67450.html

 

[terry603]

11 Gauge Coil Roofing Nailer has been great. Bought it based on great reviews and has not dissapointed. Went through about 5000 nails with no issues. Used on plywood flooring and hardy backer board before putting down ceramic tile. Performed flawlessly.
link: http://www.harborfreight.com/11-gauge-industrial-roofing-nailer-67450.html

2nd this, bought one with coupon for 67.00 for an 1100 SF roof this summer

never used an air gun before, best thing I bought for the roof. worked 100%

 

[jjohnson70]

The free 27 LED Portable Worklight/Flashlight always comes in handy.

 

[RickP]

I vote for the 60 gal compressor, for light use. You just can't beat the $799 price for a casual user who wants to move up to a 2-stage pump. (#93274)

Anyone who works in their garage a ton is going to know what brand they want and probably not even consider HF, so I don't think heavy use should be a factor for this model.

I vote for the 20-ton shop press, mine was $155 with coupon.

I also like the 12-inch sliding miter saw, especially at a $140 price.

 

[aroslv]

US General 3/4 in. Ball Joint Separator #99859 = Harbor freight all star. tools works flawlessly on stuck ball joints, very very high quality tool.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-quarter-inch-forged-ball-joint-separator-99849.html

I agree, life saver when i was replacing the power steering system in my c3 corvette.

 

[wild cowboy]

I realize it is a big job, but this list of tools in post #1 would be far more useful if Harbor Freight's 5 digit part numbers were included to help find it fast at their website or at the store and ensure we are getting the correct tool

 

[bubinga]

Here's the things I support to the All Star List

21 Pc 3/8 in. Drive SAE & Metric High Visibility Socket Set

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...-metric-high-visibility-socket-set-61954.html

Of course, they have to skip the 18MM