The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[Rider_996]

I like the idea of this thread as well. I'm planning a trip soon and would like to make a list. So far, urethane jack pad and dead blow.

My contribution is the right angle die grinder:

PASS- I use this ALOT and it works great.

Had the housing split open on me while installing an air fitting, didn't get very tight very tight. FAIL

 

[Breen11]

Can you quantify all of that? Some of your fails I would consider a pass and vice versa for the passes.

Everybody has their own experiences on things. I was listing mine. All MY Fail items & Pass items are based on numerous uses overtime.

 

[IONH]

I get it. Free is free. I dont want them even if theyre free. Id have no use for them. But using them often they will fail @ some point. I had 2 sets that rounded out on me.

So what exactly failed on your screw drivers? I've used mine a lot and haven't had any problems. They didn't strip.

They are my go-to over my Craftsman or Stanley screw drivers as I would rather destroy free ones over the ones I paid for. That said, they get a lot of use.

 

[ex-x-fire]

Has anyone tried the Vulcan folding ladder?

 

[Breen11]

So what exactly failed on your screw drivers? I've used mine a lot and haven't had any problems. They didn't strip.

Thats just it. The tips round out (soft metal). I replaced them with a 2nd set & those ended doing the samething at some point. For the projects that I used them with, they failed me.

 

[Brownsfan]

I read through a lot of this thead and have noticed something. If someone fails a product they get jumped on and are asked to prove the failure. If someone says pass the response is great thanks I will take 3. People say snap on has fan boys and defenders that think it can't break or fail. But say HF pliers are junk(they are) and you are jumped on. Ask yourself this. If the tools were so good would there be a need for a pass fail thread? I have yet to see a SO or hell even a craftsman pass fail thread. Why? Not trying to knock any HF tool users here(I own some) this is just an observation I had while reading through. Oh and my pass for the thread is the pneumatic wire crimper. Does very good on larger gauge wire terminals(4awg 0awg etc).

 

[cheechi]

Brownsfan, I completely understand where you're coming from. Nothing is good just because of the name, or bad just because of the name. Proving something is good or bad is what this is intended for.

But

Your example of the pliers, I will grant you they aren't as nice as my channellocks, knipex, or even kobalts. I will not agree they're ****. I got the hose pliers and while I can't say they're beautiful, they are functional and I have no issues with them. I had a rubber grommet to install on my brake pedal yesterday, have limited visibility, range of motion, in general its an awkward everything involved. This was the tool that succeeded where others couldn't. Taking off the fuel line from my pump to replace it, I have done it twice, once with just a pick & regular pliers and once with these, night & day difference. They are a pass to me.

I could easily ask you to prove to me why these pliers are junk. But in the same spirit of your post, making that generalization about HF pliers was just as bad as what you're complaining about.

I totally agree there should be a craftsman pass/fail thread. You should get it started.

 

[Brownsfan]

I didn't really go into my first hand expieriance with the pliers because I would have had 10 people tell me I was crazy they are awesome. I had some t&g pliers and cutters. They were complete junk. Got really rusty fast stored in the same box next to channellock. The t&g would twist under load and the cutters got very dull very fast. I do not own much HF at all and don't plan on adding anymore anytime soon. I buy the best I can afford when I need something. I am lucky I guess to be able to afford better than HF when I need to buy something. I feel like I can't get the smell off of me when I leave the place

 

[fourtythree]

If someone lists a tool as a pass, you can pretty much assume the tool worked as it was supposed to. If someone simply lists it as a fail and gives no other description, there's a lot of information left to fill in the blanks. Why did it fail? How did it fail? Did a small piece of chrome flake off? Did it burst into flames? Simply saying "fail" and nothing else is an unacceptable way to review a product. Thats why people are getting jumped on, especially when they are tools that others have had success with.

 

[cheechi]

If someone simply lists it as a fail and gives no other description, there's a lot of information left to fill in the blanks. Why did it fail? How did it fail? Did a small piece of chrome flake off? Did it burst into flames? Simply saying "fail" and nothing else is an unacceptable way to review a product. Thats why people are getting jumped on, especially when they are tools that others have had success with.

Right, because the way you use something when it failed you might be different than how I intend to use it.

Same thing with a pass, if it's only a pass after you mod it, and you share how or what you did, then conditionally passing something with useful info is worth knowing.

I completely agree with you about the HF cutters, they dull fast.

 

[Breen11]

As most already know, HFT are a hit & miss anyways. Youll learn whats good, whats bad based on your own findings from using HFT. It just easier to write "pass" or "fail" then to go into great detail as to why.

If anybody really wants to why something got the "pass" or "fail" on any item, I dont mind sharing MY experience on the item(s) in question. I just (at the time) didnt feel like writing out all that info as to why something got the "pass" & "fail."

 

[fsdogwood]

Thats just it. The tips round out (soft metal). I replaced them with a 2nd set & those ended doing the samething at some point. For the projects that I used them with, they failed me.

I do know what soft screw drivers are. Bought a Black-Friday set from Lowes
years ago, the brand was Stanley. The drivers acted like noodle, cooked, the
shaft twists, but not the screw that I was trying to drive.

On the other hand, even the HF screw driver set that you can get for free (the black handled ) would drive screws, when using manually, they (the Phillips ones) would ruin the screw, but the screw drivers were fine.

Please note that I don't want to say HF is selling quality stuff, nothing bad.
Instead, it's much valuable for all of us to report back and share our HF
tool experience. It will be more helpful for one to simply put the item
number and what failed when reporting back.

I've bought the cheap HF 1/2" impact wrench, that I'll label as fail, 95310 , had to return it, as it won't loose the
lug nuts from a Honda (80 lb-ft spec.). One might be able to make it work
but I am lacking the skill, so picked up a better one.

 

[soloz2]

I've seen a few good reviews on the new gray colored floor jacks. Does anyone have the 2ton or 2.5 ton low profile jacks? My 3 ton isn't low enough to fit under my car without putting it on ramps first and yesterday after loading it I was unable to release it until I drilled a hole in the handle and inserted a large screwdriver for leverage. Are the newer jacks better or should I look elsewhere?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 4

 

[fourtythree]

I've seen a few good reviews on the new gray colored floor jacks. Does anyone have the 2ton or 2.5 ton low profile jacks? My 3 ton isn't low enough to fit under my car without putting it on ramps first and yesterday after loading it I was unable to release it until I drilled a hole in the handle and inserted a large screwdriver for leverage. Are the newer jacks better or should I look elsewhere?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 4

I have the 2.5 ton low profile. I love it. I've been using it for almost a year and its been flawless.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Fail X2.....I picked up 2 HF grinders the other day, one for $22 and one for $11....I noticed as I took them out of the boxes that they had the same cheesy on/off switches...By the end of the day, one of them wouldn't turn on and the other one wouldn't turn off....WTF

http://www.harborfreight.com/angle-grinder-4-12-69645.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/angle-grinder-4-12-69645.html

 

[djdaredevil]

I've seen a few good reviews on the new gray colored floor jacks. Does anyone have the 2ton or 2.5 ton low profile jacks? My 3 ton isn't low enough to fit under my car without putting it on ramps first and yesterday after loading it I was unable to release it until I drilled a hole in the handle and inserted a large screwdriver for leverage. Are the newer jacks better or should I look elsewhere?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 4

I have the 2.5 ton steel and the 3 ton aluminum and they are both awesome
jacks, neither has had a problem right out of the box.

 

[CarCar]

I've seen a few good reviews on the new gray colored floor jacks. Does anyone have the 2ton or 2.5 ton low profile jacks? My 3 ton isn't low enough to fit under my car without putting it on ramps first and yesterday after loading it I was unable to release it until I drilled a hole in the handle and inserted a large screwdriver for leverage. Are the newer jacks better or should I look elsewhere?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 4

I have 2 of the new grey 2ton #68050 low profile jacks. 2 5/8" low to 23 3/4" high lift. They easily fit under my lowered Z4. I have 1 of the previous orange 2ton low profile 24" lift and 1 of the 2.5ton 20" lift orange jacks. The newer design are much improved with padded handle, foot pedal to raise jack platform quickly without needing to pump handle. Hydrauliks are strong and seem to pump quicker than previous design.
I give them a huge Pass.

 

[soloz2]

I stopped at pep boys this morning and looked at the torin jacks, they look exactly the same as the old orange hf jacks. I have a 3t hf service jack. I also stopped at Napa hoping to look at what they had, but they didn't have a single unit I in stock. Just left hf. The new jacks do look quite a bit better than the orange ones. I left with a 2t low profile jack I was tempted to get the extended warranty but passed. What is everyone's opinion on the warranty?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 4

 

[the1nonlyjl]

if someone lists a tool as a pass, you can pretty much assume the tool worked as it was supposed to. If someone simply lists it as a fail and gives no other description, there's a lot of information left to fill in the blanks. Why did it fail? How did it fail? Did a small piece of chrome flake off? Did it burst into flames? Simply saying "fail" and nothing else is an unacceptable way to review a product. Thats why people are getting jumped on, especially when they are tools that others have had success with.

YUPPPPP!!!!! Gooooood pt made here!

 

[Mandres]

The plastic quick-clamps really do ****, but I just wanted to re-iterate that the HF blue F-clamps are a great value. Every time I go in I pick up a couple more in different sizes. I use them every weekend in the woodshop and I've never had a single problem with any of them.

They cost 1/5 of what Jorgensen or other brand-name clamps cost and they work just as well.

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-inch-bar-clamp-96214.html

 

[pettybird]

...Why did it fail? How did it fail? Did it burst into flames?...

I bought one of their butane pencil torches a few years ago, and yes that's exactly what happened!

The O ring at the twist-to-shut point failed, and it flamed away in my driveway where I threw it.

I probably got a dud, but it's funny that you brought that up!

 

[ietech]

The free 6 pack of screw drivers has actually worked pretty well for me. Sure, hit them with a hammer and the handle splits, but that's not surprising when it's free.

Well I.d say that they pass since I don't think screwdrivers are meant to be hit with a hammer. Not even S.O. LOL

 

[ietech]

big time fail on these clamps - did not last even one day helping to hold down wood flooring sections on a workbench while I cut a pattern with a jig saw.

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-inch-ratchet-bar-clamp-spreader-46807.html

I agree these are a "HUGE FAIL" I bough 3 sets at the same time and only about half of them can even be tightened enough to hold much of anything. The other half work fine.

I know yours is not the sets I speak of but the sets are identical to your 12"

 

[harvey29]

HF O2 sensor socket PASS haven't been able to break it yet or round a O2 sensor off

 

[ChevyEFI]

Well I.d say that they pass since I don't think screwdrivers are meant to be hit with a hammer. Not even S.O. LOL

Striking caps notwithstanding?

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Used my new-to-me HF Earthquake impact today for the first time..(Bought it at a pawn shop for $25, in mint condition.) Worked like a champ.....Passaroni....

 

[bmrisko]

Has anyone tried the Vulcan folding ladder?

Love mine...use it all the time in different configurations and no issues to date.

 

[ex-x-fire]

Love mine...use it all the time in different configurations and no issues to date.

Thanks, did you get it at a good price? There's a $120 coupon around.

 

[IONH]

My about 8 year old MIG/Flux core wire 120 amp welder seems to have finally crapped out on me. Still spools the wire but doesn't spark. I reseated the polarity cables, still didn't work.

I don't think they even sell one like that anymore. It lasted me many spools of wire so I can't complain.

 

[bmrisko]

Thanks, did you get it at a good price? There's a $120 coupon around.

I paid around $96 after using a 20% off coupon on top of a $120 sale price they had awhile back. If you absolutely need it now, $120 is still a good price for the ladder, IMHO.

 

[outdoorsman310]

Has anyone ever used these? The price and reviews have me curious....

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-12-drive-metric-impact-swivel-socket-set-67911.html

I have the 3/8 metric set and the 1/2 metric set. one of the sockets from the 3/8 set blew up on the first use. i kept the set for the 16mm though which has not exploded. none of the 1/2 ones broke so far. i use them infrequently. i would say fail for them but they might work sometimes.

 

[bmxr4life87]

My 3/8 drive o2 sensor socket has held up to impact use and hasnt failed to finish the job yet

 

[crazytrain]

torx sockets

PASS



tool cart

PASS



tool box top

PASS



tool box side cab

PASS



tool box bottom

PASS



impact extensions

PASS



hex bit sockets

PASS



creeper seat

PASS only after using lock tight on the threads for the casters.


Use them all everyday no problems so far. Also bought some 3/8 deep and shallow impact sockets that so far are working great.

 

[EdJack]

Paint roller cover - FAIL: Cover fell off the core before I could even finish painting a single small bedroom.

http://www.harborfreight.com/9-inch-paint-roller-cover-2902.html

Paint brush - PASS: Was able to trim out one small bedroom. Was pretty much throw away garbage after that, but at least was able to finish the job.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-1-2-half-inch-angled-sash-paint-brush-65957.html

 

[absolutelybillsmood]

I didn't really go into my first hand expieriance with the pliers because I would have had 10 people tell me I was crazy they are awesome. I had some t&g pliers and cutters. They were complete junk. Got really rusty fast stored in the same box next to channellock. The t&g would twist under load and the cutters got very dull very fast. I do not own much HF at all and don't plan on adding anymore anytime soon. I buy the best I can afford when I need something. I am lucky I guess to be able to afford better than HF when I need to buy something. I feel like I can't get the smell off of me when I leave the place

The tongue and groove ones are junk but, I like my other HF pliers

 

[iroc409]

The plastic quick-clamps really do ****, but I just wanted to re-iterate that the HF blue F-clamps are a great value. Every time I go in I pick up a couple more in different sizes. I use them every weekend in the woodshop and I've never had a single problem with any of them.

They cost 1/5 of what Jorgensen or other brand-name clamps cost and they work just as well.

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-inch-bar-clamp-96214.html

Thanks, I'll have to try some of these as I've looked at them a couple times. Since I'm just starting out with wood, my clamp collection is pitiful. I have some orange HF ones, and though I've used them plenty they are a pain in the rear.

 

[jacked_72]

Does anyone have any comments about the wheel bearing puller/installer

http://www.harborfreight.com/fwd-front-wheel-bearing-adapters-66829.html

I have this set and used it once. It worked fine. I've used the spacers for pounding other things out. Nice to have. Everyone says to make sure to grease up the threaded rod so you don't gall the threads.

 

[Barnuba]

Airless Sprayer Item# 60600

**PASS**

I've had this sprayer for 6 months now and have used it multiple times

-Sprayed finished basement walls/ceiling - 10 gallons
-Rolled basement with roller attachment (Graco attachment) - 4 gallons
-Sprayed all trim/doors for basement - 4 gallons
-Sprayed concrete foundation - 4 gallons
-Sprayed garage ceiling/walls - 8 gallons

I store this unit with pump armour and it has worked flawlessly.

 

[mrg7243]

50 foot 14 gauge extension cord. Item#41447

Fail

I was using it attached to my blower, got alittle to far out and when it unplugged from the outlet the ground ****** sheared right off.

 

[yogitech]

I have this set and used it once. It worked fine. I've used the spacers for pounding other things out. Nice to have. Everyone says to make sure to grease up the threaded rod so you don't gall the threads.

I use mine with an impact at least 3-4 times a week, after 3yrs I finally sheared the head off the bolt. Lol I was actually surprised it lasted that long. I welded another bigger/ stronger nut to the threaded rod and keep hammering away. Been like that for the past 20 uses or so... No issues thus far!