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The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

AbitNutz

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Mar 22, 2009
Messages
214
image_21554.jpg


Pass...Quality construction, very complete set. Only gotta use it a couple times before my son robbed it from me. He's a tool abuser and so far its been pretty darn good he says.

Agreed. As good as the free rental from Advance, which is 12, miles away.
 
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signcrafter

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May 9, 2012
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12,317
How come that HF brake kit has so many adapters compared to all the other kits the other major brands sell like snap on, mac, matco, lisle, etc. They all have 5-6 adapters and the HF kit has 14-15?
 

fsdogwood

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Oct 28, 2010
Messages
195
Location
RTP, NC
for pushing/winding back brake caliper pistons, more specifically pistons on rear calipers of vehicles with electronic or non drum handbrake systems.]

just ordered a similar kit on ebay £14/$21

what's the item #? Is this the one?
http://www.harborfreight.com/18-piece-disc-brake-pad-and-caliper-service-tool-kit-69053.html

Is this the name? "18 Piece Disc Brake Pad and Caliper Service Tool Kit "

(without a number or name, it's hard to search for, thus negate the usefulness of this thread)

Regards
 

fourtythree

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Joined
Jun 27, 2011
Messages
480
Location
WV
How come that HF brake kit has so many adapters compared to all the other kits the other major brands sell like snap on, mac, matco, lisle, etc. They all have 5-6 adapters and the HF kit has 14-15?
Different adapters for different car brands.
 

signcrafter

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May 9, 2012
Messages
12,317
Different adapters for different car brands.

I fully understand that. My question was why all the major truck kits only come with 5-6 different adapters and the HF kit comes with 15 or so adapters? Does the HF kit cover more vehicles then snap on, mac, matco, etc.?
 

Haveblue

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Feb 8, 2013
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1,484
Location
kansas
^^^^ I need to get that set! All I have Is a cheap "cube" type socket. This would work way better, as it compresses the piston as you turn it.
 

AbitNutz

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Mar 22, 2009
Messages
214
I fully understand that. My question was why all the major truck kits only come with 5-6 different adapters and the HF kit comes with 15 or so adapters? Does the HF kit cover more vehicles then snap on, mac, matco, etc.?

Oddly enough, a truck was not the first place I ran into screw-in pistons. I knew a woman that had a Saab 900. The front brake calipers had them. So there are a myriad of oddball calipers that you may run into.
 

skulldrinker

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Joined
Dec 25, 2011
Messages
1,171
Location
Bolingbrook, IL
Oddly enough, a truck was not the first place I ran into screw-in pistons. I knew a woman that had a Saab 900. The front brake calipers had them. So there are a myriad of oddball calipers that you may run into.

I think what he meant by "truck kit" was the kits that are sold on the tools truck example snap on truck. Their kits only include 4 or 5 pieces.
 

ssentt

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May 13, 2012
Messages
799
Location
Iowa
That brake pad caliper service tool kit is still on sale for $40. I got mine about 3 wks ago for that price.

Picked up this creeper with super coupon for $20 at same time. Salemans said I could use Feb coupon ad when I was there in March. Good deal!

Pass...durable, low to the ground, the casters roll/turn fine, but they aren't great. My kids abused it for a few days in the basement sholving each other around before it made out it to the garage.

image_20506.jpg
 

AV tinker er

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Joined
Nov 28, 2012
Messages
851
Location
SoCal
How about harbor freights large tool boxes anybody have any luck with em?

A quick search of the forum will reveal that the US General boxes are very popular here. Watch for a coupon and enjoy.

I would look up Steevo's work bench thread using several of the 44" chests.
 

subarub4

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Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
1,188
Location
Connecticut
That brake pad caliper service tool kit is still on sale for $40. I got mine about 3 wks ago for that price.

Picked up this creeper with super coupon for $20 at same time. Salemans said I could use Feb coupon ad when I was there in March. Good deal!

Pass...durable, low to the ground, the casters roll/turn fine, but they aren't great. My kids abused it for a few days in the basement sholving each other around before it made out it to the garage.

image_20506.jpg


I have that creeper works well so far made good use of it when taking out and putting the transmission back in the Subaru.

Took a little time to get used to it because the driveway has a slight incline and I kept rolling down.
 

cheechi

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Joined
Feb 29, 2012
Messages
4,384
Location
Triad, NC
'vibration reducing' glove, 95584/95585

Pass, they do a good job on the chainsaw, blower, recip saw. However they do get yellow die on your hand after a day wearing them. It washes out with regular hand soap.

Pruning blade (either 68946 or 68040 already threw out the packaging)

Pass. They don't do any better or worse than name brand. They bend the same annoying way, they bend back the same way too. lasted about an hour of running time, pretty much all continuous. That's pretty good for recip saw blades. I hate having to spend a lot on the long blades I know will bend or break more easily.

gel knee pads 68124

Pass. they work at least as well as others. saved my knees in gravel. i'm not fond of knee pads in general, pants bunch up in the back of my knees, these are the same.

SAE Ratcheting wrenches 96654

Mostly pass; not idiot proof

The ratcheting on them is fine. The wrenches are sufficiently hard to loosen stubborn bolts. Pictured are 6 wrenches I used to change the brakes on my parents' car. of them, the 9/16 was the most heavily used and the most stubborn of all the bolts. My brother needed a reminder about which direction to go. He stripped a bolt and in the process notched the open end on my 3/4 wrench. HF swapped it without issue, but I'm sure most of you are thinking 'my wrench wouldn't notch so easily' which is fair. These were the ones I had packed, normally I would have used my regular combo wrenches.

1.png

2.png

3.png

4.png

I took a few photos so you can see it had 4 notches, and to compare to the others which were all fine.
 

celticbhoy

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Joined
Apr 10, 2013
Messages
540
24" 1/2 drive breaker bar.... Not only is this a pass, but for $12 it's an absolute steal.

3 ton rapid pump low profile jack... Pass. Awesome jack for only $70.

Brass centre punch... fail. Worked twice and then the internals broke.
 
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MechanicNamedJohn

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Jun 3, 2010
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1,344
I love these they are my new go to extensions hopefully they hold up with use

They are good, but you need to periodically tighten the hex screw on the release/retaining collar. I use them a lot and one came out; no big deal, I found the screw and put everything back together, but I spent 10+ plus minutes trying to find it. Or, you could try Loctite.
 

IONH

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Joined
Feb 12, 2010
Messages
2,043
Location
Central Massachusetts
Just ran across another HF Review forum that may be of interest.

http://hfreviews.com/

That was introduced to us here on this board (or to me at least) back a year or so before HF had reviews on their own site. I contributed to HFReviews many times back then. Now I rely on the HF site itself as I have not heard of them pruning negative reviews.

Plus the part number is right there.
 

silviaboy89

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Joined
Mar 14, 2013
Messages
64
Location
GEORGIA!
i guess ill add to the list

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-pick-and-hook-set-66836.html-PASS

these are great to undo plugs or remove small o-ring/seals

http://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-professional-screwdriver-set-94607.html-PASS

love these. they are great really comfortable nice tips also.

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-heavy-duty-pry-bar-set-69281.html-PASS

these are great i used to use flat-head screwdrivers as pry-bars not anymore flex a little but not to much. also look for the Taiwan onew they are better .

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-quarter-inch-18-volt-cordless-impact-driver-67028.html-PASS

used mostly as a mini impact on cars pretty strong no problems.

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-variable-speed-polishersander-69474-8790.html-PASS

pretty good gets the job done. i need to buy a better backing plate the one that came with it is kinda warped.
 
Last edited:

jeffk14

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Aug 17, 2010
Messages
1,631
Location
GA
i guess ill add to the list

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-pick-and-hook-set-66836.html-PASS

these are great to undo plugs or remove small o-ring/seals

http://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-professional-screwdriver-set-94607.html-PASS

love these. they are great really comfortable nice tips also.

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-heavy-duty-pry-bar-set-69281.html-PASS

these are great i used to use flat-head screwdrivers as pry-bars not anymore flex a little but not to much. also look for the Taiwan onew they are better .

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-quarter-inch-18-volt-cordless-impact-driver-67028.html-PASS

used mostly as a mini impact on cars pretty strong no problems.

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-variable-speed-polishersander-69474-8790.html-PASS

pretty good gets the job done. i need to buy a better backing plate the one that came with it is kinda wrapped.
All your links are broken...:dunno:
 

skulldrinker

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Joined
Dec 25, 2011
Messages
1,171
Location
Bolingbrook, IL
That was introduced to us here on this board (or to me at least) back a year or so before HF had reviews on their own site. I contributed to HFReviews many times back then. Now I rely on the HF site itself as I have not heard of them pruning negative reviews.

Plus the part number is right there.

Going through the site I gathered it was older because it had all the old part numbers and the links didn't go through. There are still reviews being posted so The site is still active. I hate when I read a review of something I would like but being so old (2-4 years) the tool is not carried anymore. And I agree with you about the HF site not being afraid of posting negative reviews. I like that.

============================

Pulley Remover and Installer Set
U.S. General - item#40749



I just used this puller today and it worked ok I got the power steering pully off and back on but it needs to pass the 6 month test before i give it a real pass. It was on sale for $12. At least I got it in my box to fill the void. If it breaks next time i will be forced to get the OTC puller for a little more $.
 

subarub4

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Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
1,188
Location
Connecticut
Going through the site I gathered it was older because it had all the old part numbers and the links didn't go through. There are still reviews being posted so The site is still active. I hate when I read a review of something I would like but being so old (2-4 years) the tool is not carried anymore. And I agree with you about the HF site not being afraid of posting negative reviews. I like that.

============================

Pulley Remover and Installer Set
U.S. General - item#40749



I just used this puller today and it worked ok I got the power steering pully off and back on but it needs to pass the 6 month test before i give it a real pass. It was on sale for $12. At least I got it in my box to fill the void. If it breaks next time i will be forced to get the OTC puller for a little more $.


Yeah I too have been to that review page and I saw all the old stuff.. some of the old stuff had me wondering.. HF used to sell inverter generators.. what happened? They used to have suitcase generators..
 

jamesbumdaddy

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 10, 2013
Messages
141
Hi all. Someone recommended I post my reviews of HF tools here. I have been posting on the coupon thread.

Another Review of the 18 Volt Cordless 1/2" Variable Speed Hammer Drill. There was a Q for it ITC but it already expired so us the 25% off.

Follow link below for the video and watch for all the goodies about Harbor Freighting.
18 Volt Cordless 1/2" Variable Speed Hammer Drill

Attached Q for some drill bits that might come in handy and the 18 Volt Cordless 1/2" Drill/Driver With Keyless Chuck if the Hammer Drill is too much for you.

Happy Shopping!!!
 

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ChevyEFI

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Sep 2, 2012
Messages
8,692
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Hi all. Someone recommended I post my reviews of HF tools here. I have been posting on the coupon thread.

Another Review of the 18 Volt Cordless 1/2" Variable Speed Hammer Drill. There was a Q for it ITC but it already expired so us the 25% off.

Follow link below for the video and watch for all the goodies about Harbor Freighting.
18 Volt Cordless 1/2" Variable Speed Hammer Drill

Attached Q for some drill bits that might come in handy and the 18 Volt Cordless 1/2" Drill/Driver With Keyless Chuck if the Hammer Drill is too much for you.

Happy Shopping!!!
63 minutes? Don't get me wrong; I needed a review on a hammer drill myself. But...

It's not even internet attention span that leads me to say: Brevity in production is necessary.
 

jamesbumdaddy

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Joined
Apr 10, 2013
Messages
141
63 minutes? Don't get me wrong; I needed a review on a hammer drill myself. But...

It's not even internet attention span that leads me to say: Brevity in production is necessary.

It's all raw footage, no edits, no cuts. Just skip through it or go to the end. That's what my daughter does when she gets bored. Although you might miss out on good info and links. Thanks for watching.
 

jeffk14

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 17, 2010
Messages
1,631
Location
GA
Hi all. Someone recommended I post my reviews of HF tools here. I have been posting on the coupon thread.

Another Review of the 18 Volt Cordless 1/2" Variable Speed Hammer Drill. There was a Q for it ITC but it already expired so us the 25% off.

Follow link below for the video and watch for all the goodies about Harbor Freighting.
18 Volt Cordless 1/2" Variable Speed Hammer Drill

Attached Q for some drill bits that might come in handy and the 18 Volt Cordless 1/2" Drill/Driver With Keyless Chuck if the Hammer Drill is too much for you.

Happy Shopping!!!
Hey, I've got that drill bit set. They're AMAZING on plastic and styrofoam!!!:lol_hitti
 

jamesbumdaddy

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 10, 2013
Messages
141
Hey, I've got that drill bit set. They're AMAZING on plastic and styrofoam!!!:lol_hitti

Well I might have to replace one of them for doing that review. Nah, I'll just get the drill bit sharpener at HF and do a review on that. Thanks for watching.
 

R M

New member
Joined
Apr 16, 2013
Messages
2
Location
left coast
Fail in so many ways it seems endless

Jumping over all the typical reasons like design rip-offs, patent theft child labor, poor quality and substandard materials. Let's go to the core of "Fail" HF evoks ineptitude, replaceing age old craftsmanship ideology with a get-R-done must be quiting time somewhere paradigm.

Building things to last only until payday works good for Movie Sets; but those Hollywood Set builders are master craftsmen that have not sacraficed quality for a quick buck. Building with an eroded since of value that puts a $2 dollar hammer in the hand of a street corner laborer is destructive to both our culture and economy.
 

tedsters

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Joined
Oct 29, 2012
Messages
1,443
Location
Michigan
a buddy of mine has a ton of HF tools, he has 3, 4inch angle grinders from HF and the first thing is take the 4 screws out of the head cap and pack full of grease it is smoother running then my 4.5 craftsman
 

jeffk14

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Aug 17, 2010
Messages
1,631
Location
GA
a buddy of mine has a ton of HF tools, he has 3, 4inch angle grinders from HF and the first thing is take the 4 screws out of the head cap and pack full of grease it is smoother running then my 4.5 craftsman
Yerp. Saw a Milwaukee at HD today. Eerily similar to the "high end" HF model that frequently goes on sale for $19.99. The Milwaukee was about 80 bucks IIRC.
 

emeraldcoupe

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Joined
Jan 4, 2010
Messages
3,425
Location
spring hill, florida
Fail in so many ways it seems endless

Jumping over all the typical reasons like design rip-offs, patent theft child labor, poor quality and substandard materials. Let's go to the core of "Fail" HF evoks ineptitude, replaceing age old craftsmanship ideology with a get-R-done must be quiting time somewhere paradigm.

Building things to last only until payday works good for Movie Sets; but those Hollywood Set builders are master craftsmen that have not sacraficed quality for a quick buck. Building with an eroded since of value that puts a $2 dollar hammer in the hand of a street corner laborer is destructive to both our culture and economy.


thanks, that was VERY helpful. :thumbup:
 
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