chrommagman
Well-known member
what is the shittest tool you have had from them?
So fair I have had 3 of the 20 buck 1/2" impact
So fair I have had 3 of the 20 buck 1/2" impact
POS Harbor fright tools
- Thread starter chrommagman
- Start date
Gary S
Well-known member
I won't buy any Chinese tools from Harbor Freight if I expect them to do hard work. For tools I will use hard, I buy US made tools. For tools that get occasional light use, I settle for Chinese tools.
So far, I've had no disappointments.
My impact wrench is IR. It works.
So far, I've had no disappointments.
My impact wrench is IR. It works.
Will67
Well-known member
The $9.99 4 1/2" angle grinder. I have burned two up in a day. It is a DrillMaster. Have had decent luck with the orange Chicago electric ones.
Also not worth buying are the "vise-grip" welding clamps
Also not worth buying are the "vise-grip" welding clamps
JimVonBaden
Well-known member
screwdrivers. However, for the most part, my HF experriences have been great!
Jim
PS On the other hand, haters gonna hate!
Jim
PS On the other hand, haters gonna hate!
concealer404
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2012
- Messages
- 1,147
I've had pretty terrible luck with their dictionary.
Ok, to truly answer the question hopefully before this turns into a jingoistic chest thumping circle jerk...
All their screwdrivers save for the Pittsburgh Pro line are pretty terrible.
Beyond that, i haven't had anything fail, or be bad enough to complain about on the internet to a bunch of strangers.
rslaback
Well-known member
I have lots of stuff from them. I usually check the reviews on this site and others before I buy anything major. That said, the snap ring pliers set was probably the worst I have bought.
#2 on the snap ring pliers being poor. I've never tried their screwdrivers, I had Craftsman standard grade screwdrivers fail so I stick to tool truck screwdrivers now for serious work, and I'm not a professional mechanic, just maintain farm equipment.
HF impact sockets fine, so far.
KEH
HF impact sockets fine, so far.
KEH
cyamaha2007
Well-known member
snap ring pliers sucked so did the c clamps with the quick adjust screw.
Big-Foot
Well-known member
Titanium plated Rubber drill bits?
Their hand pump "fluid transfer pump" is the absolute most miserable POS I ever bought from them.
Their hand pump "fluid transfer pump" is the absolute most miserable POS I ever bought from them.
LutzTD
Well-known member
1/4" torque wrench was just a crappy 1/4" drive, never did ever click. stripped a bolt for me though
ElectroLight
Well-known member
Interesting thread. I have a ton of HF tools and like others have stated, I also do some research here and other places before jumping in. I really haven't had anything turn out to be junk. I guess the tool I wouldn't recommend is the old school "million candle power" flashlight. They were nice when brand new but had no runtime and once they got a little age on them, the lead acid battery gave up the ghost and it was done. I guess those free plastic bar clamps are pretty close to junk, but they only break if you go too far with them.
Need4racin
Banned
sawzall still burns my ***. Was passed the return time by the time I first used it.
ZRX61
Well-known member
Friend of mine went through FIVE of their pneumatic DA sanders in less than 10 hours spread over 4 days.
Flathead Johnny
Well-known member
they must have changed them, in the last 3 days if you add up the run time I am at the 10-12 hour mark, i have been putting in long days sanding my 56 f100
the most POS tool i have bought from them is the pneumatic brake bleeder
the most POS tool i have bought from them is the pneumatic brake bleeder
92GreenYJ
Well-known member
I've had pretty good luck with most of the stuff I have gotten there.
My don't buy because it ***** list includes:
Screwdrivers
Flap discs (their house brand ones anyway)
Their welders
That's about it. As far as stuff I've gotten goodish results with;
Purple 4.5" angle grinders. Lasted a good two years before they crapped out
The old cheap 14" chop saw. Same thing. Got a good three or four years out of it before it died.
Their cheap mig welder. Lasted a year then crapped out. Bought a Miller to replace it
For the most part HF tools are relegated to my jeep and truck tool boxes, at least wrenches, sockets, ratchets and the like.
As someone else said earlier, if it's a tool I expect to use a lot I buy name brand, but if it will be a seldom use item I'm good with HF.
My don't buy because it ***** list includes:
Screwdrivers
Flap discs (their house brand ones anyway)
Their welders
That's about it. As far as stuff I've gotten goodish results with;
Purple 4.5" angle grinders. Lasted a good two years before they crapped out
The old cheap 14" chop saw. Same thing. Got a good three or four years out of it before it died.
Their cheap mig welder. Lasted a year then crapped out. Bought a Miller to replace it
For the most part HF tools are relegated to my jeep and truck tool boxes, at least wrenches, sockets, ratchets and the like.
As someone else said earlier, if it's a tool I expect to use a lot I buy name brand, but if it will be a seldom use item I'm good with HF.
premierplayer
Well-known member
StoreHouse sta-con kits. When you've only got enough wire to make a repair once they fail to crimp correctly every time :-(
tribbles
Well-known member
The five-pack of rotary tool wire brushes. The bristles shed way too quickly.
airsanford
Well-known member
Another vote on the snap ring pliers. Bought a set for an emergency job on the road, didn't have my Blue Point set with me. The HF ones are absolute garbage. Threw 'em all away, used the case for my real ones.
Dan in Pasadena
Well-known member
I got here late so I suspect its waay too late to prevent this.
Whaaat?! Heresy I say. bitching to a bunch of strangers on the internet has almost become the 11th Amendment in the Bill of Rights!
miketyler
Well-known member
Any of their Centech branded levels. Buy them now, 6mos later fluids will have leaked from the reference bubble. Cheapness at its best. They wrote the book.
maxspeed96ct
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2012
- Messages
- 379
are those the nice red ones they have? I almost bought one thought they looked legit !
I bought the 5 or 6 pair set that came in the red plastic case. Truly craptacular. I did buy a nice pair made by channellock, has a lever that switches from inside to outside snap ring and replace-able tips that are held in by an allen head set screw. Pretty beefy set, model 927. I like em!!
ddawg16
Well-known member
Why do you go and buy a cheap too...then complain here?
About par to geting a Earl Shive paint job and then complaining about the over spray.
ishiboo
Well-known member
Why not? Harbor Freight is hit and miss - a lot of the stuff will work just perfectly for most users and is an excellent value, other stuff breaks just by looking at it.
Via reviews and feedback from others who have actually bought the stuff, you can find out what's worth buying and what isn't.
Everyone has their own definition of "cheap"... what your idea of an expensive tool that's bulletproof may be an inferior POS to the next person.
1967lemans
Well-known member
So far I've had good luck with their stuff. As stated the snap ring pliers sucked. But, they got the job done.
Cheap5.0
Well-known member
The three pack of stubby flex head ratchets for $10. They work fine, but the head flip flops so damn much its hard to do anything with them when you start putting some muscle into it.
Ill add i bought one of those $9.99 4.5" angle grinders someone else said was terrible, mine has held up great. I prepped a ton of frame on a wrangler, ground welds for two days, cut stock with it, overheated it to the point the motor smoked a few times and its still running like a champ. Id say QC is very hit and miss huh?
Ill add i bought one of those $9.99 4.5" angle grinders someone else said was terrible, mine has held up great. I prepped a ton of frame on a wrangler, ground welds for two days, cut stock with it, overheated it to the point the motor smoked a few times and its still running like a champ. Id say QC is very hit and miss huh?
machine_punk
Well-known member
I don't have a problem with HF in general (I REALLY like my 5-drawer service cart).
But, the plastic/metal bar clamps are USELESS. Bought 6 of them, when they were on sale, and broke all 6 in rapid succession...the trigger hing pin snaps as soon as you put any really pressure on the trigger.
But, the plastic/metal bar clamps are USELESS. Bought 6 of them, when they were on sale, and broke all 6 in rapid succession...the trigger hing pin snaps as soon as you put any really pressure on the trigger.
skyking
Well-known member
I love Harber Freight . Going there tomorrow. Like Wal-Mart ...you go in to spend $10 and end up spending $400. Most of it is well worth what you pay,and when it isn,t , just shitcan it. I enjoy the trip and its the only shopping I can tolerate.
One good thing is you can always lend your H.B. tools instead of your Dewalt or Milwalkee.
One good thing is you can always lend your H.B. tools instead of your Dewalt or Milwalkee.
Mmfh
MEMBER EMERITUS
I bought some casters that were rated for 400 lbs each, I put about half that on the first one and it folded as soon I put some weight on it.
Casters are total garbage.
I don't waste my time driving across town anymore to pick up junk I know isn't worth the drive.
Casters are total garbage.
I don't waste my time driving across town anymore to pick up junk I know isn't worth the drive.
SMKS
Well-known member
You can drill out the hinge and replace it with a bolt. I've had to do that, b/c they break super easy.
These clamps are probably the worst item I've got there by far. I usually avoid the things that are obvious junk.
But, I will say there are a lot of decent/good tools there, too. I won't name them all, but off the top of my head - impact sockets, roto-ratchet, 13 drawer box, ultrasonic cleaner.
ajchien
Well-known member
Three worst tools...
1. Snap ring pliers
2. Nail punches
3. Thumbwheel ratchets
1. Snap ring pliers
2. Nail punches
3. Thumbwheel ratchets
In the tools section there is this little thread that already addresses this topic:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27192
It only has 4,119 posts......just a little info on HF pass/fails......
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27192
It only has 4,119 posts......just a little info on HF pass/fails......