IONH
Well-known member
Strange, no noticeable odor for mine.
The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...
- Thread starter Bolster
- Start date
Strange, no noticeable odor for mine.
Cutters/Dikes out of the 301pc Mechanics Tool kit, used it daily for pulling nails out of tires for about five months and yesterday the tip just broke off. Haven't used the other pliers in the kit much, so I can't report on them, but the sockets out of the kit are holding up fine.
http://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/482315_10151507017890939_1970651784_n.jpg
http://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/482315_10151507017890939_1970651784_n.jpg
SQ is the SQUAD
Well-known member
i would def give the 301pc took kit a pass. the only thing i was dissapointed with where the open end wrenches.
joebachor
Well-known member
WELDING PLIERS - FAIL TOOLBOX DRAWER LINERS-PASS DIRT BIKE STAND-PASS (if you go through them and find one that does nt wobble)
fourtythree
Well-known member
2.5 ton low profile floor jack
http://www.harborfreight.com/Low-Pr...zIjoiNzkuOTkiLCJwcm9kdWN0X2lk IjoiODA0NyJ9
Surprisingly decent. No leak down after holding a car up for several hours(not working under it), rapid pump, very good overall build quality. Even better at $80 shipped after using a coupon.
http://www.harborfreight.com/Low-Pr...zIjoiNzkuOTkiLCJwcm9kdWN0X2lk IjoiODA0NyJ9
Surprisingly decent. No leak down after holding a car up for several hours(not working under it), rapid pump, very good overall build quality. Even better at $80 shipped after using a coupon.
skulldrinker
Well-known member
My Craftsman dykes don't even look that beat up and they're about 30 years old. I'd say you get money's worth of use out of those.
Nelkcots
Well-known member
Bought the air hammer the other day... Haven't really got to abuse it yet, but it has done well on the suspension parts on my S10 I was breaking free. I'd say a pass at this point, especially for 14 bucks I will throw it out and buy another if it breaks.
http://www.harborfreight.com/medium-barrel-air-hammer-with-chisel-69866.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/medium-barrel-air-hammer-with-chisel-69866.html
skulldrinker
Well-known member
FAIL.
1/2" Reversible Air Drill
Central Pneumatic - item#98896
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-reversible-air-drill-98896.html
About 6 months old used it only 2-3 times and the chuck froze up solid. I had the warranty so i got a free replacement. I don't know what will happen with this one. Maybe I will oil it more often. I had gotten this drill on a quick purchase when i landed a job and had to buy many tools and a box all at once. I'd like to save up for a better one next time like in the $80-$90 range.
1/2" Reversible Air Drill
Central Pneumatic - item#98896
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-reversible-air-drill-98896.html
About 6 months old used it only 2-3 times and the chuck froze up solid. I had the warranty so i got a free replacement. I don't know what will happen with this one. Maybe I will oil it more often. I had gotten this drill on a quick purchase when i landed a job and had to buy many tools and a box all at once. I'd like to save up for a better one next time like in the $80-$90 range.
Dustball
Well-known member
How often DID you put air tool oil in it?
Coach James
Well-known member
skulldrinker
Well-known member
Every time just like i'm suppose to. On the very first use i recall after about a half hour of drilling the RPM's noticeably dropped. I added more oil and it speed up to normal for a while but I knew it was going to be toast. Then this last time I oiled it up at first and was about 10 min into drilling out a wheel stud and it froze up. Good thing I had my electric drill nearby so i could finish the job.
PS I don't want you to think I drilled for 30 min without re-oiling it. I did add oil occasionally.
PSS The first time was Marvel air tool oil and when it froze up totally I was using HF air tool oil. Just a coincidence probably.
Last edited:
Ford52PU
Well-known member
Bought the electric chipper / shredder against some negative reviews. It was too cheap to pass up.
Item # 69293 list price $189.99 with a coupon I got it for $129.99 used it for 3 hours today and it worked fine. Did not force anything, took my time and am happy with the first use.
PASS - at least for me!!
Item # 69293 list price $189.99 with a coupon I got it for $129.99 used it for 3 hours today and it worked fine. Did not force anything, took my time and am happy with the first use.
PASS - at least for me!!
air tools are very simple, pull it apart and do an autopsy. see what broke.
there are multiple times where someone wanted to throw out an air tool cause it stopped working, and i bought it for cheap, then threw in a new set of vanes for 2 bucks and got a new air tool out of it
I know the US General toolbox thing has been beaten to death, but I'm in the market and dangit those things are nice. Looked at them again today. They are way nicer than my 1960's Crafstman. Way nicer than the new Crafstman and the Husky, etc equivalent. I want a set.
skulldrinker
Well-known member
I paid $19 for it. Plus $5 for the warranty. Got a free replacement.
Where would a person begin to search for parts for a $19 drill?
Good brand air drills sell for nothing used, that is where I would start, but still if it dies open it up and see what went south. Sounds like a cheap drill, used hard, died young, no mystery.
the best place to start with any fix it project is finding out what went south.....
a set of vanes isn't hard to come by and is 2 bucks at most to get a tool back in service, most of the air tools i have seen have just had a vane broken from extreme air pressures well above 90 psi being used (plant air pressure). and the ones that got weak just needed a new cylinder that the vanes seal to. other than that, even IR uses chinese (yes stamped made in china for those chinese tool haters on here) bearings and they havent failed in a single tool i've used.
i even bought an air drill from northern while it was on sale for 15, because i like to try new tools out and so far it's great for such a cheap investment, i'll post up in the northern thread if or when it dies.
TAMPAGT07
Well-known member
I picked up a 6 piece set of the 7 Piece 1/2" Drive Metric Impact Swivel Socket Set...They had them marked down because the the 13MM was missing...Normally $29, I got them for $13, in the clearance rack.... I think I did good for less the $2.25 each...
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-12-drive-metric-impact-swivel-socket-set-67911.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-12-drive-metric-impact-swivel-socket-set-67911.html
cmandp
Well-known member
Pass on these. Lock the socket on so long as the socket has good detents.
4 Piece 3/8" Drive Quick-Release Extension Set
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-38-drive-uick-release-extension-bar-set-67976.html
4 Piece 3/8" Drive Quick-Release Extension Set
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-38-drive-uick-release-extension-bar-set-67976.html
Originally Posted by Nicky9:
3 HP, 21 Gallon, 125 PSI Cast Iron Vertical Air Compressor FAIL
![url]](http://[url]http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/pho...4699/94667.gif[/url])
Just bought one of these (94667 compressor) and there is a pinhole in the top weld.
I could hear the air leaking and found it right away.
FAIL I guess, although I haven't actually used it yet.
I will exchange it.
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-hp-21-gallon-115-psi-cast-iron-vertical-air-compressor-94667.html
Add another Harbor Freight Air Compressor to the FAIL list for leaking top welds at the base plate motor mount.
HFT # 47065
4.5 "Peak" Hp
21 Gallon
14.6 amps
4 scfm @ 115 psi (it never quite achieved the 125 psi it promised)
13 scfm @ 40 psi (laughter)
It started leaking down about 2 years ago. I thought it was the pump or the cheap pressure switch fittings. Last year I finally soap tested it, and found the bubbling was coming from the welds at the top of the tank where the motor plate was attached. I immediately took it out of service.
I've had this compressor for about 6 years, light duty home owner usage filling garden cart tires. It saw no sanding, and it wasn't powerful enough to use an impact gun, and it wasn't powerful enough without 3 resets to put 80 psi in Load Range E tires. I mounted the compressor on top of a 3 foot box with a drain pan underneath, to make regular tank maintenance easier.
It not only leaked air, it leaked oil... from day one. So I stuffed shop rags under the motor to absorb the oil, and made a rack to keep a quart of air compressor oil on hand at all times to top up at every other use. The oil sight glass was handy, but I had to replace the filler cap with another type that had a double o ring seal.
Over the last 6 years, I've seen identical looking import compressors sold in Pep Boys, O'Reilly's, AutoZone, etc. The pump motor, shroud, air filter, pressure switch, wheels, rubber feet, and tank look exactly the same, with just a different sticker and paint scheme on the tank
I have to imagine those models would have the same quality issues. I think the number of weld failures on various models of Harbor Freight compressors is troubling, and should be addressed by the company.
Good for you. The HF stores in the RTP, NC area would normally lower the
price of a missing set, from $29, to, say, $24, which might be higher than
a sale price.
signcrafter
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 9, 2012
- Messages
- 12,317
I picked up a HF engine support bar, item number 96524, http://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb-capacity-engine-support-bar-96524.html. I was replacing some motor mounts and was supporting the engine/trans with a couple floor jacks with wood between the jack and engine. I ran into a problem with a broken bolt and ran out of time so ran to HF quick and bought one of these for 60 bucks, 75 minus 20%. I know they go on sale for cheaper but I needed one now. I have to give HF credit because I live in a decent sized town with all major auto parts stores and two farm supply stores and a handful of big box stores amongst many other hardware and other stores and the only place I could get one of these right now is HF. So if nothing else they got my business because they are the only store that has specialty stuff in stock when you need it. The quality feels very good. Heavy duty and ended up not getting back to the car all weekend and it did just fine holding the engine up over the weekend. I thought about making one of these but by the time I made it and the hardware and made it as nice as the HF one it would have cost me 60 bucks. I will probably replace the chains with some good quality ones. The nice thing about this is I can roll around all under the car working on it without a floor jack in my way. I've always just used a floor jack to support the engine when needed but then it was in the way working under the car. With this above engine support the whole under side of engine is clear to work on. The only thing I might change is the addition of a 3rd leg which I might do sometime just to make it a little more user friendly on some engines.
I give it a big pass, especially for the money.
I give it a big pass, especially for the money.
skulldrinker
Well-known member
Thanks for the review I have one also. Bought it when I thought I was going to need it but ended up not using it. I also felt less than perfect with it not having the 3rd arm. Please post any pictures of your improvements to yours if you make any. Or any info to any 3rd arm plans that can used to make the modification.
signcrafter
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 9, 2012
- Messages
- 12,317
My plans are to get a piece of unistrut from home depot, http://www.homedepot.com/p/Superstr...ing-Channel-ZA12HS10PG/100156509#.UVsHo0ko45s. Use that for the arm part. Then make a "leg" or "foot" of some sort that will rest on the radiator support. Found this one to get some ideas from, http://www.toolking.com/omega-44700-700-pound-engine-support-bar. If you click on the picture to blow it up it shows the adjustable leg. I think the main thing is making sure everything is adjustable to make sure it's supported just right.
Honestly it will probably get pushed to the back of the to do list and won't happen until next time I need this bar but if some free time pops up I will try to make something up.
skulldrinker
Well-known member
Thanks, looks easy enough.
broncojim194
New member
Ive been getting a few things from HF lately. Heres what Ive found...
40 Lb. Capacity Floor Blast Cabinet
Central Pneumatic - item#68893 - PASS
But it needs to be sealed with Silicone as your assembling it. I read alot about it before I got it, So I sealed every joint and its pretty much leak free. Gloves are ****, but I knew that. Upgrade with TP gloves. Gun and pickup tube work fine, but will be upgraded when they **** out. The light *****, added more lights. The screen parts sit on does not hold a ton of weight, but most of what I blast is lightweight so its fine for now. My 12cfm 60 gal. compressor powers it great. Anything less and your just pissin in the wind.
12 Minute Headlamp Lens Restoration Kit
- item#65938 - Pass
I used this on my wifes Durango. The pass side had been replaced a few years back and cleaned up fantastic. The Drivers side was original and 8 years old. Cleaned up good in places not so good in others. Needs ALOT more sanding to get clear again, but it is do-able. Compound worked great on not so deep scratches and finished surface to a nice clear finish.
[/IMG]
40 Lb. Capacity Floor Blast Cabinet
Central Pneumatic - item#68893 - PASS
But it needs to be sealed with Silicone as your assembling it. I read alot about it before I got it, So I sealed every joint and its pretty much leak free. Gloves are ****, but I knew that. Upgrade with TP gloves. Gun and pickup tube work fine, but will be upgraded when they **** out. The light *****, added more lights. The screen parts sit on does not hold a ton of weight, but most of what I blast is lightweight so its fine for now. My 12cfm 60 gal. compressor powers it great. Anything less and your just pissin in the wind.
12 Minute Headlamp Lens Restoration Kit
- item#65938 - Pass
I used this on my wifes Durango. The pass side had been replaced a few years back and cleaned up fantastic. The Drivers side was original and 8 years old. Cleaned up good in places not so good in others. Needs ALOT more sanding to get clear again, but it is do-able. Compound worked great on not so deep scratches and finished surface to a nice clear finish.
PCO6
Well-known member
That looks like mine ... and it works fine. I got mine at Princess Auto though.
I have it, used it for the past few months and it works good, no leaks yet. My friend has had the same one for over a year and also has had no issues. I found it's a really nice size to keep in the car for tire changes too.
looking for a pass or fail verdict on this floor jack.
Compact Aluminum Racing Floor Jack With Rapid Pump®, 1.5 Tons
Pittsburgh Automotive
- Item#68053
I have one as well - works great. I bought it ~2 years ago. I abuse it, don't give it love, but it continues to lift thousands of pounds of Volvo (and sometimes other lesser cars) for me on a weekly basis.
looking for a pass or fail verdict on this floor jack.
Compact Aluminum Racing Floor Jack With Rapid Pump®, 1.5 Tons
Pittsburgh Automotive
- Item#68053
I also have that jack. I used it quite a bit. I say it is a pass. I like it because it is so light. I can take it anywhere. There is also a beefier version of the 1.5 tons, but cost a little more.
light....??? you have a different one then.
that jack which comes in any number of other rebadge version is "compact" not "lightweight". it weighs a ton compared to an all aluminum version. but i stay away from the cheap aluminum build ones as the last one i had, had the swivel at the bottom of the handle just disconnect completely and fall apart while the car was in the air.... getting that down without dropping the car hard was a toughy, and just go for heavier construction jacks now.
I am pretty sure that is an aluminum jack. At least mine is aluminum.
Yea...I have the same one and it's pretty damn lightweight.