non hf pass/fail tool thread

[nuclearlemon]

searched and didn't see one.

i'm an older woman, bitter at **** that doesn't work (surprise, surprise), so i avoid harbor freight. i've bought my share of **** there and still buy one or two things there, but that's about it. i've learned that quality tools really make me happy. so let's hear your stories about tools you've bought and used and thought "holy ****! this works awesome!"

please leave hf stuff out of this thread they've got their own thread


BIG FAIL campbell hausefield welders...got a home depot gift certificate from my sis in law before i had a house so i bought one...wouldn't spool the wire evenly...sucked. a good friend told me 'never buy a cheap welder...all it does is frustrate you and then you don't want to weld'...he was correct...so

PASS
millermatic 175.

another pass for otc tie rod puller pn 7503. after using countless cheap two and three fingered pullers that all were ****, i borrowed a friends otc and immediately went and plunked down the $50+ for this one...used it many times now...never one hitch
http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/otc7503.html

another otc pass is my floorjack. i've got a friend that works at a shop that services otc tools so occasionally, they get some back that have to be junked and he pulled one that was going to get pitched after someone put wayyyyyyy too much weight on it. i had to reweld a leg and put a new caster on, but it works pretty much like a charm (i didn't get the leg welded on quite right, so it doesn't roll great...my bad not otc's. it jacks up quickly, has a ujoint style gear setup to tighten and loosen, so no worrying about the gears not catching when you need to lower everything.
http://www.otctools.com/products/2-ton_service_jack_1525

pass...lisle bearing packer. don't even bother with those cheap packers where you sandwich your bearing and pump grease in a fitting. buy one of these and be done with it.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...r&cm_ite=158100?ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=158100

 

[domoMKIV]

I had a craftsman 2 1/4 ton floor jack for about a year but only used it a handful of times. The last time I used it on a 97 Civic, as soon as I lifted the rear of the car up and pulled the stands out from underneath it gave out and LUCKILY my wheels/tires were on and luckily I was out of harm's way because it came right down.

No fun, no fun at all.

 

[crewchief888]

FAIL campbell hausfield die grinder $19.95

bought one in an emergency when my old faithful die grinder locked up in the middle of a job.

 

[mrholeshot]

OTC Stinger 6 ton floorjack FAIL

Sears Craftsman 2 ton Aluminum racing jack FAIL

Craftsman raised panel Ratchets FAIL

Craftsman clear handle screwdrivers FAIL

Makita 18 Volt cordless drill FAIL (twice)

 

[crewchief888]

FAIL ryobi cordless drill crappy batteries
FAIL B&D cordless drill crappy charger that last a little over a year

 

[bw77]

Craftsman 3 ton floor jack - FAIL, sometimes would not go down unless I jacked it up more, always went down all of a sudden, never smooth.

Milwaukee Model 20 floor jack - PASS, always lets down smooth and predictable

 

[Monte]

PASS all of my tools
FAIL none of my tools

 

[Stick Figure]

Makita 18 Volt cordless drill FAIL (twice)

Got a model number or more info on this? i <3 my Makitas and the newest ones have been absolutely flawless.



Biggest Fails i have found recently:

New Jacobs chucks. At least the cheaper ones that you can find at the local hardware stores. Absolute junk, and a very sad departure from what the Jacobs name used to be. Hopefully the more expensive ones are still a good piece, as i want to upgrade my cheapy drill press.

Matco Hex (Allen) sockets. The bits in them are garbage and round out soo easily. I wish i had bought the Snap on version. Since i didn't the fix was to knock out the Matco bits and insert some Whia pieces.

I have a lot of Pass, but that could take forever to type everything out.

 

[mrholeshot]

Got a model number or more info on this? i <3 my Makitas and the newest ones have been absolutely flawless.



.

Not right off hand. I had 2 18 volt NiMH(?) 1/2 drills fail back to back. I also had a 12 volt version of the same drill sheer the gears off inside. I found out them those were plastic gears. Until then I had been buying all makita tools save for my 1/2 corded drill which is a Milwaukee hole shooter. I still have some older Makita stuff that is great. I have a Makita angle grinder that has seen some sreious use and a makita long reach 1/4 die grinder that has ported more heads than I can count. It just seems like about 5 years ago the quality went out the window and the plastic gears in my 12 volt was the straw that broke the camels back for me and makita. UNLESS something has changed and quality has improved over the last few years I wouldn't buy another one. My Makita 14 inch metal cutting Chop saw finally breathed it's last several months ago after 12 years of faithful service. I replaced it with a DeWalt because I was afraid the new Makita wouldn't measure up to the older one. If they could build a tool like they use too I'd be all over them. The older drills with the Keyless chucks had some of the best Chucks ever. I started buying makita when the 7.2 was the largest drill they built.

 

[Seanbev24]

Craftsman 1/4" right angle die grinder- FAIL it was a POS right out of the box.

Blue point die grinder- PASS I've had it for a month and have been happy with it.

 

[eborcim]

Fail: craftsman strap wrenches....LOL

 

[Griff93]

I'll second the Miller 175 pass.

Ryobi 3/8 18V drill-fail. The chuck on the damned thing won't stay tight or grab a drill tight enough.

 

[Case]

blue point YA145 pick set.... only 13 bucks and works great best part... made in USA

 

[HomeBrewA4]

Craftsman Pro pickset - FAIL, i've broken 2 sets of them

Craftsman screwdrivers (clear handles) - FAIL broken all of them at least one. My pro set seems to take a little bit more abuse, but i still dont trust them.

Craftsman adj joint pliers FAIL These.. One set stripped in the center and as soon as you tighten onto something it would just adjust out instead of getting tight. I went to the box they had, they ALL adjusted out even BEFORE they'd get tight around my finger.

Snap On 80 tooth 13" flex head ratchet - Pass/Fail. Pass because I love it and its fine RIGHT NOW, but FAIL because its had 2 heads put in it because the part that holds the sockets, are breaking off with moderate force (no breaker bars, i use breaker bars for that stuff)

Blue Point 3/8 breaker bar - FAIL - tip broke off of it

Blue Point 6" extension - FAIL - broke the tip off of it

I've had the SO ratchet and 2 BP tools for less then a year of weekend warrior work.

Snap On 3 LED flash lights - MAJOR FAIL - both are right around a year old, neither have worked in MONTHS. Turn them on by pushing the button on and mid way through pushing the button, they click on and as soon as the button clicks to be "on" they turn off. If you can get them to actually stay on, its just for a matter of seconds and they turn off. My snap on guy has jammed a screw driver ni them to adjust where they connect and they are still screwed up. Cant get new ones all he wants to do is push them out with a screw driver.. 50 bucks later and they sit in my box, unusable.

Craftsman middle 3 drawer quiet glide i think it was, whatever was below ball bearing but above "crappy".. anyways, its a FAIL.. all 3 drawers dont slide in like the rest of the top and bottom ones do. They get stuck and hard half way through opening or closing.

Any of my craftsman 3/8 ratches - FAIL - they have all been returned, i did find a local sears that gives you new off the shelf as replacements instead of the refurbed BS under the counter.

Blue Point 6 pt and 12 pt sockets - PASS

Snap on Metric Allen socket set - PASS

Lisle 16 pc master torx set - PASS

Blue Point safety torx set - PASS

 

[oldtools]

OTC fuel injector cleaner - Fail
Craftsman 4 tons low profile jack - major fail
Lisle hose clamp plier - fail
Craftsman damage screw remover - fail

 

[DanCo]

KD Tools 7/16th Haldex Slack adjuster ratchet wrench, broke after the third truck I used it on.FAIL!
Garage Journal-PASS! I'll do a quick search to read up on any future purchases that I'll make.

 

[Kirbot]

Old topic, but it looked worth bringing back.

FAIL- Lisle torx socket set.
FAIL- Craftsman raised panel ratchets


PASS- Kobalt allen wrench set
PASS- Duralast 3/8" & 1/2" ratchets (haven't tried the 1/4" yet)
PASS- Channallock brand pliers. Nothing from Channallock has dissapointed me yet.
PASS- Craftsman ball pein hammers.

 

[diesel research]

PASS- Duralast 3/8" & 1/2" ratchets (haven't tried the 1/4" yet)

It's nothing spectacular. It is also made by great neck, I believe the well-reviewed larger ones are not? Bought mine just for the included sockets, good selection for $20. (4-12mm, 3/16-1/2" shallow and deep) GREAT fit and finish, good knurling on extensions, mediocre ratcheting action. Selector is metal and easy to engage, also way too obtrusive. Sticks out a bit. Afraid I will snag and tear it off. No problems, just not confidence inspiring selector. Sockets work well even when abused by milwaukee m12 impactor.

It's still a PASS due to the nature of 1/4" drive usage Usually stuff that I can do with a nut driver.



______________________________________

Sunex 39pc SAE impact set. PASS!!!!! Best value found thus far in that category. Professional usage for many years in a heavy diesel shop. Everything from 1/2" small bolts to 1-1/2" lugs. No failures. Finish is WAAAY better than equivalent snap on impact socket which must be oiled almost daily in shop to prevent flash rust. A little thick if you are concerned about tight access. (shouldn't be when dealing with many of those sizes)

1/2" drive duralast breaker bar. PASS!!! Best found in this category, bar none. Used to replace tool truck bar after repeated breakage. Lifetime warrantee isn't any good if truck only comes by once a week and you are in middle of a job. Believe this may be even better than the HF bar, but haven't broke either. Had to buy a HF as well, just for kicks. Same dimensions, 1/3 price, no black oxide head coating. (I know we aren't doing HF reviews)

T&E 1/2" drive gearless ratchet. PASS!!! Go to ratchet even though I had a S936 at my disposal for quite some time until it walked off. None of the typical gearless horror stories, laughs in the face of matco88s and S80s as far as smoothness goes. Eventually it too walked off. Non-reversible flip was not at all a problem. Out of production?

 

[Kirbot]

Autozone sells more than one style of Duralast ratchet.
I'm talking about the pair head style most of the reviews are about.

Is this the one you have, or was it something else?
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...er=2&itemIdentifier=482526_0_0_&sortType=high

 

[diesel research]

Autozone sells more than one style of Duralast ratchet.
I'm talking about the pair head style most of the reviews are about.

Is this the one you have, or was it something else?
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...er=2&itemIdentifier=482526_0_0_&sortType=high

It is the pear head with the same style cover, but does not have knurling. Has 3 bands/grooves in the middle.

Looks pretty much like this one

Inside, it comes with a "great neck" warranty card. Definitely nothing to brag about or go rush out to purchase. Does what a mediocre ratchet is supposed to do. That is make clicking noises and rotate small fasteners. Some of the asian fine tooth ratchets feel much better while performing the same task.

Looks like they may all use the same style of selector, which on the 1/4 is not recessed.

I have a "shop force" ratchet that I have no idea where it came from. Appears to have many striking similarities with a few differences, but overall similar quality. I'm not known to stress 1/4 drive, so almost anything suffices for your typical 8mm dash/door screw. Especially since power tools are usually available to perform such light work.

 

[nuclearlemon]

i found a ratchet like that in a cruiser i bought...now i know what brand it is

after today, my next tool purchase will be a new 1/2 wobbly (ujoint). i had the hf three piece set and they held up ok but were very sloppy and i hate that, but after today, i was pulling the driveshafts off a wrecked licksass and the bolts werent too keen on coming free. after pounding them with the airgun for about a minute, they zipped off, but the wobbly is getting loose and was very warm too the touch. think it's time to retire it....i don't need any help injuring myself in the garage.

suggestions?

 

[nuclearlemon]

forgot to mention, i got a great chance to beat up my new hypertherm powermax 30 plasma cutter. definitely a pass. i chose hypertherm after borrowing a friends old hypertherm and loving it, then borrowing another friends thermal dynamics and hating it.

 

[american lockpicker]

PASS all of my tools
FAIL none of my tools

Well I had an old greenish yellow Black & Decker jigsaw(US made I think) that wouldn't cut well(very underpowered) so I would say fail.

 

[Monte]

Well I had an old greenish yellow Black & Decker jigsaw(US made I think) that wouldn't cut well(very underpowered) so I would say fail.

Luckily you have a Bosch now (iirc )

 

[Chris Adams]

Staying with the OP's reasons for posting, and I think it is worthwhile.

PASS; Cant say it enough Alligator Lopper. Bought mine at HD, but they sell them everywhere. It's a Black and Decker, and almost the only thing they made I like, heck I love the dang thing. Safe and useful. I've taken down 8 inch trees with the little monster, and cut dozens of trees up into bite size chunks, safely, easily and heck it's kind of fun. Today alone I cut and chopped Ash tree, Oleander, Eucalyptus and Cedar branches.

 

[american lockpicker]

Luckily you have a Bosch now (iirc )

Yes. Funny story about that. 2 years ago I needed blades for the B&D and at Sears to my suprise was these Swiss made Bosch blades. So I bought a pack for a tenner and they didn't fit(T shank and the B&D was the other style) so I went looking for a jigsaw as Swiss made blades was too good to just get a refund. Looked up Bosch online and it was like $160 or so which seemed a bit high at the time so I read some reviews on Amazon(barrel grip model) and one said it was made in Switzerland. I was like no way that can't be right. So I went to Lowes and checked the COO and it said "Fabriquee en Suisse" so I got one. And it did in fact say made in switzerland on it. Later when I tried it out to my suprise it worked very well unlike the B&D and was packed full of features.

Being so impressed with it being Swiss and well made I went out and got a drill, grinder, planer, cordless drill, and accessories from Bosch.

The B&D was never used again and later traded with some other tools for a Beretta.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

Craftsman Pro Pry Bars: PASS
OTC Coil Spring Compressor: PASS
Craftsman Deep Impact Sockets: PASS

 

[Pug}{maN]

blue point YA145 pick set.... only 13 bucks and works great best part... made in USA

got a pic of that pick set ?

 

[diesel research]

Staying with the OP's reasons for posting, and I think it is worthwhile.

PASS; Cant say it enough Alligator Lopper. Bought mine at HD, but they sell them everywhere. It's a Black and Decker, and almost the only thing they made I like, heck I love the dang thing. Safe and useful. I've taken down 8 inch trees with the little monster, and cut dozens of trees up into bite size chunks, safely, easily and heck it's kind of fun. Today alone I cut and chopped Ash tree, Oleander, Eucalyptus and Cedar branches.

Had to google this thing. Seems quite impressive to cut an 8" tree with a 4" jaw tool.

To piggyback off of this review, my old dewalt reciprocating saw has performed in the same manner. Cut numerous trees up to 8" diameter, sliced them into chunks, all in a safe fun manner. It then went on to dismantle automobiles, sheds, barrels, and almost anything else in it's path. The milwaukee at work performed the same.

 

[Lotek]

Powerprobe 3, Stinger LED flashlight, Snap On ratcheting screwdriver...first generation Sawzall...still kicking after all these years.

 

[Chris Adams]

Had to google this thing. Seems quite impressive to cut an 8" tree with a 4" jaw tool.

To piggyback off of this review, my old dewalt reciprocating saw has performed in the same manner. Cut numerous trees up to 8" diameter, sliced them into chunks, all in a safe fun manner. It then went on to dismantle automobiles, sheds, barrels, and almost anything else in it's path. The milwaukee at work performed the same.

Yup, eight inches is actually easy, you work your way around it, pick where you want it to fall and keep the dog back...
I have lots of Reciprocating saws, and they are dangerous. The Lopper, you have to work at hurting yourself with.
It's for wood, though, nothing else. But man, you can reduce a twenty foot Oleander to ten bags of trash in about an hour.

 

[JayL]

Craftsman Pro Pry Bars: PASS
OTC Coil Spring Compressor: PASS
Craftsman Deep Impact Sockets: PASS

Which OTC Spring Compressor?

tks

 

[klhitman]

I had a craftsman 2 1/4 ton floor jack for about a year but only used it a handful of times. The last time I used it on a 97 Civic, as soon as I lifted the rear of the car up and pulled the stands out from underneath it gave out and LUCKILY my wheels/tires were on and luckily I was out of harm's way because it came right down.

No fun, no fun at all.

this is kinda funny as i have the same jack with a 97 civic that i was doing the rear breaks friday night and noticed seals were starting to leak on the jack not the car.

 

[klhitman]

sorry just looked and its a gm performance jack

 

[SINISTER]

Mayhew Dominator striking pry bars, and large pry screw drivers. PASS

 

[lwlobo]

Yup, eight inches is actually easy, you work your way around it, pick where you want it to fall and keep the dog back...
I have lots of Reciprocating saws, and they are dangerous. The Lopper, you have to work at hurting yourself with.
It's for wood, though, nothing else. But man, you can reduce a twenty foot Oleander to ten bags of trash in about an hour.

I've never really considered the Alligator Lopper, seemed gimicky. But based on your feedback and the fact a lot of people on Amazon love it, I'm reconsidering. Some reviewers have an issue with the chain coming off and it jamming up with debris. Have you had any problems like this?

Seems like it would be very handy for small/medium jobs around the yard.

 

[rlitman]

Craftsman clear handle screwdrivers FAIL

Agreed, but I still have a bunch. Many don't survive the first tight screw before the tip gets mangled, but I keep getting them replaced so it's not all bad.

Fail, ANYTHING Campbell Hausfeld. I'm ok buying the same darned junk at HF, but at least then it's 1/3 the price.

 

[bcradio]

Craftsman Pro Pry Bars: PASS

Are these much better than the regular Cman prybars? I mean other than the fact that you can strike them.

 

[trboxman]

I've never really considered the Alligator Lopper, seemed gimicky. But based on your feedback and the fact a lot of people on Amazon love it, I'm reconsidering. Some reviewers have an issue with the chain coming off and it jamming up with debris. Have you had any problems like this?

Seems like it would be very handy for small/medium jobs around the yard.

They're gimmicky if you're comfortable with using an ax, a hatchet, a machete, a bow saw, a chain saw...etc. They're not gimmicky if you're afraid of sharp hand tools that require a bit of skill, or power tools that don't include airbags...

 

[SINISTER]

Are these much better than the regular Cman prybars? I mean other than the fact that you can strike them.

Yea they are the same material but slightly thicker. The handles on the pro's are way more comfortable and grippy, and the striking cap should be standard for bars. In my shop I would say 60% of the time I use my pry bars I strike the caps. While they are not CMAN's the same idea applies.