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The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

cheechi

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Triad, NC
Predictably, they're nothing to fall in love over, but they're not scrap metal, either. They're all functional and surprisingly sturdy. They all pass.
...
For how cheap they are, if you like comfort grips, you could even buy them just to remove the grips and install on your old pliers.
That's a good way to describe their MIG pliers too. I don't feel like they work any worse than any others I've used but definitely don't feel super premium.
 
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David W

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I do have to give this 3/8th dr double flex handle ratchet a provisional pass. Provisional because I've only had it a month and don't use it everyday. It has 72 teeth and is very well made. At $13.99 it is underpriced enough that I think I'll buy a second one to use in my home toolbox to replace a curved handled Evolve flex head ratchet.
Item # 96369.
 

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stage20

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I think that head is the same as the flex head kobalts. One has flat black on the mechanism and selector and the other gloss black. Not sure if anyone cn confirm.

I've never seen a flex evolv ratchet. Any pics?
 

jethro29

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central delaware
I do have to give this 3/8th dr double flex handle ratchet a provisional pass. Provisional because I've only had it a month and don't use it everyday. It has 72 teeth and is very well made. At $13.99 it is underpriced enough that I think I'll buy a second one to use in my home toolbox to replace a curved handled Evolve flex head ratchet.
Item # 96369.

I'll second that! that is an awesome ratchet for a great price.i have three of them and have had them for about 5 years and use them all the time.i would highly recommend.
 

KAOTIK Motorsports

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Feb 2, 2014
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Snyder,Texas
Hey guys has anybody used this 12 volt 250psi air compressor?
Thinking bout getting it for my wife's car as she is ALWAYS having flat tires....
If so what's y'all's thoughts of it?
Is it even worth messing with?

2v9ssxt.jpg
 

Alchymist

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Haven't sen one of those worth it's salt no matter who made it. Have burned out several before I gave up. Have the Craftsman portable power pack - 12V battery, air compressor, light, USB port, etc, and the compressor is barely adequate for small tires - ie, lawn mowers, snow blowers, etc.
 

David W

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I think that head is the same as the flex head kobalts. One has flat black on the mechanism and selector and the other gloss black. Not sure if anyone cn confirm.

I've never seen a flex evolv ratchet. Any pics?

I'll get some pics tomorrow.

The Evolve is not the worst, it's just a lot harder to change a socket out on it. It's livable on a small job but it gets really old on a big one. Also with the Evolve, it is impossible to break anything loose if you have a backup wrench in your other hand. With the HF, you can straighten the handle for those tasks.
 

Squ1d

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Hey guys has anybody used this 12 volt 250psi air compressor?
Thinking bout getting it for my wife's car as she is ALWAYS having flat tires....
If so what's y'all's thoughts of it?
Is it even worth messing with?


I can attest to how awful this thing is. It is very loud, runs hot, and barely has enough oomph to inflate my lawn tractor tires.
 

KAOTIK Motorsports

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I can attest to how awful this thing is. It is very loud, runs hot, and barely has enough oomph to inflate my lawn tractor tires.

Hahahaha ok well that answers my question then.....
Think I'll just have to pass on this thing then....
You guys got any recommendations on what I could get for her to use when she has a low or flat tire and I can't get away to air it up with the big shop compressor?
 

Squ1d

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Hahahaha ok well that answers my question then.....

Think I'll just have to pass on this thing then....

You guys got any recommendations on what I could get for her to use when she has a low or flat tire and I can't get away to air it up with the big shop compressor?


Foot pump?
 

CJM8515

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Lol not a 18" all terrain tire..... But then again it would be great exercise for the legs and lungs:rocker::D

Not harbor freight, but pepboys (and can be found online) sell a masterflow branded comp that will pump up near anything. Its like 50 bucks and connects to the vehicles battery. But they do work.
 

owenst7

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Anchorage/Reno
Not harbor freight, but pepboys (and can be found online) sell a masterflow branded comp that will pump up near anything. Its like 50 bucks and connects to the vehicles battery. But they do work.
http://m.harborfreight.com/12volt-150-psi-compact-air-compressor-69285.html

That one is very comparable to the mv50 you're describing (the red one). I have two of the above HF units that I was using for several years to air up the 40s on my crawler before I turned the AC pump in. To an on board air system. The mv50 and that HF unit are about the best options for a 12v compressor under $300. Theres a company that makes 100% duty cycle units, but they pull a ton of amps and are super expensive, and at that point you could buy a refurb York r12 unit and all the kit parts to have something like 12cfm at 60 psi.
 

David W

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I think that head is the same as the flex head kobalts. One has flat black on the mechanism and selector and the other gloss black. Not sure if anyone cn confirm.

I've never seen a flex evolv ratchet. Any pics?

As requested.
 

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f575gtc

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Jul 14, 2013
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654
Any reviews on the needle scaler? I have a trailer I am about to restore, and it has a bit of rust on it.
 

VC455

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Dec 26, 2009
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NH
Bought the bigger one, upon inspection before use, found a couple of needles broken, went back did and exchange, couple of months before really trying it out to remove light flaky rust, disappointed, YMMV
 

Zapp Branigan

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Mar 16, 2014
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I've used the larger HF scaler to clean a few rear end housings, and it worked great after getting some oil through it. It works great for cleaning up welding slag too. I think it's fine for home projects. I picked up a spare pack of needles, but haven't needed them yet.
 
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pi_guy

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5 inch multipurpose vise
http://www.harborfreight.com/5-inch-multi-purpose-vise-67415.html
Fail carted it to the track for 3 months the first time I went to use it to press in a spherical bearing it failed. The threads tightened up and was difficult to open and close vise. I can normally press that type of bearing with a 6 inch c-clamp.
I was told it was past warranty and I would need a receipt to exchange it.
Well I had a hissy fit via e-mail with HF and pointed out all the other stuff that had failed on me. As a ITC member they looked at my purchase record and decided to refund my money. They sent me to the HF store furthest from my location on LI. But as I promised them I would never buy anything there again. The die grinder I need to spin to start my 35 year old one spins with no help, the glass beader is in constant need of tightening. The small parts washer fell apart when I put in Simple green degreaser. I could go on but it gets pointless. My snap on guy gave me a 6.5 inch vise that had a chip in the base it has performed flawless at the track.
So the bottom line for me is no more HF stuff.
 

joel`fahrer

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May 29, 2014
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Tacoma, WA
Hahahaha ok well that answers my question then.....
Think I'll just have to pass on this thing then....
You guys got any recommendations on what I could get for her to use when she has a low or flat tire and I can't get away to air it up with the big shop compressor?

Anything from viair... good stuff
 

Gerald O

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Mar 5, 2013
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NC
2/6 Amp, 6/12V Manual Charger FAIL. item#60431
image_22277.jpg

worked once to charge a 6volt car battery then never worked again. Out of (90 day) warranty by the time I got around to using it the first time.
 
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Gerald O

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NC
1/2 in. Variable Speed Reversible Hammer Drill: FAIL Item #68169
image_13962.jpg

Got one 1/2" hole drilled through a 3" concrete slab and it quit on the second hole with sparks. Took it apart to see if I could fix it because it was out of (90 day) warranty by the time I got around to using it the first time. Found that the brushes were loose and the commutator carboned up. Cleaned it up and fixed the brushes and got through one more hole before it failed again. Fixed it again about 3 more times to nurse it through the remaining 2 holes I had to drill. Tiny junk brushes overheat.
 

monomach

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Oct 8, 2013
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Location
Illinois
http://www.harborfreight.com/tube-bending-pliers-95782.html

Brake Line Forming Tool
Item: 95782

I'm not really sure how I lived before getting these things. Just sort through the ones they have hanging there to get the pair that have the sides line up the best. Some of them looked pretty bad.

I easily get beautiful 90 degree bends with these.

The tool sure isn't as good-looking as the Eastwood/OTC version, but it works the same.

PASS.
 
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stage20

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pcola FL
Does anybody know how the Chrome wobble extensions stand up and work at harbor freight?

I've had a set sincey they opened here. Prob 2007. The chrome is junk on the older versions. Mine are spotty rusty, but new versions in store you can tell have better chrome. I use a 3" for changing plugs on my car. Seems to have more wobble than some others I have
 

1Garageman

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May 12, 2009
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Columbus, Ohio
Don't have a part number, but I've had a set of 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 for some time now and they're just fine

Here is the webpage address to them, and the part number. I have had them at home for about 2 yrs and liked them:thumbup:. I have never put a lot of torque on them though to really test them out thoroughly.
http://www.harborfreight.com/merchandising-promotions/merchandising/2013/cyber-monday-2013/14-in-38-in-12-in-drive-wobble-socket-extensions-9-pc-67971.html

1/4 in., 3/8 in., 1/2 in. Drive Wobble Socket Extensions 9 Pc
image_20386.jpg


http://www.harborfreight.com/merchandising-promotions/merchandising/2013/cyber-monday-2013/14-in-38-in-12-in-drive-wobble-socket-extensions-9-pc-67971.html
 

SteevoLS

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Dec 29, 2013
Messages
109
Different part numbers for the same item means different factories. I usually end up picking whichever one has better/newer reviews.
 

ipp

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Sep 4, 2011
Messages
55
Id say zipties are a FAIL myself. They tend to break easily..
Brittle. Clearly could have been my batch or they may have switched vendors but I just buy them elsewhere now. I don't mind spending a bit for better quality there.
 

SASORacing

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Jun 10, 2014
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964
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Utah
Id say zipties are a FAIL myself. They tend to break easily..
Brittle. Clearly could have been my batch or they may have switched vendors but I just buy them elsewhere now. I don't mind spending a bit for better quality there.

They break. But then again even more expensive crappy ones break. Gotta get lucky.
 

Zapp Branigan

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Mar 16, 2014
Messages
220
I used a Pittsburg half inch swivel for the first time yesterday. One of the pins fell out and it fell apart. Fail.
 

kingnba6

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Dec 13, 2013
Messages
133
The red swivel hoses for air compressor has failed 3 out of 3 times. i bought one, a small leak at the brass fitting. exchanged it for another one, leak on the swivel end part. exchanged it again and got a defective one, brass fitting was broken.
 

stage20

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pcola FL
The red swivel hoses for air compressor has failed 3 out of 3 times. i bought one, a small leak at the brass fitting. exchanged it for another one, leak on the swivel end part. exchanged it again and got a defective one, brass fitting was broken.
well that *****. i was going to buy a couple today. guess ill pass.

their zip ties **** too. i bought a bunch on clearance but will only use them on inside stuff or things that are temporary. wont use them on the car. they are weak, wont hold their weight and will pop over time.
GB zip ties only way to go.
 

revrnd

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Jul 13, 2014
Messages
18
Any hex wrench with a ball head, absolute ****.

We've always used Bondhus brand allen keys.

Wiha also makes allen keys & include 1 series that they call MagicRing. It has a small wire ring on the ball end that holds the socket screw on the ball before installation.
 

K-Dog

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Mar 15, 2014
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Millersville Maryland
Ya know what,,,, I was wrong.
I posted that every HF tool I have ever purchased was pure ****. ( even their zip ties and magnetic trays )
Well today I used a HF tool I forgot I had and it still works great.
Its a come-a-long. I did have to reattach a hook at some point in history, but its a great tool.
 
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