The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[zendriver]

I have had mine for years! They read within .02v compared to my fluke. The hf leads don't last very long though

Granted it is 27 years old, but my fluke dvm was unable to determine continuity across a diode in a sealed rectifier, whereas the Harbor freight and an ancient micronta (purchased at an estate auction) or almost nothing) got the job done. Their other ohms readings were identical to the fluke

Save me from the unneeded replacement of an obsolete outboard motor part.

Maybe the future is using the free, but accurate HF meters until they break then just start using another free one.




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[KMdef9]

3/8 X 30ft air hose reel: FAIL

Picked this up as a quick fix for "upgrading" my hose/fitting size from 1/4 to 3/8. Used a 25% coupon, originally $39.99.

Pros:
-Hose is nice soft rubber
-Reel has a lock/unlock position
-It's HF, so price

Cons:
-No hose to connect to compressor, need to buy/make one
-Connection to reel from compressor is 1/4, not 3/8
-Hose end is 1/4, not 3/8

Cons out weigh the pros for this, so I'm calling it a FAIL.

Sadly, I'm keeping it for now, I can reuse the reel and replace the hose at a later time.

 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I bought the 24" bolt cutters today for $15, I was cutting up a tire to throw it out, and couldn't saw through inner wall, there was a band of radials that was thick and the tire was too wobbly to saw through it. Bolt cutters went through it like it was nothing. Definite pass in my book.

Was watching reviews on Youtube though and they were less enthusiastic about it. I think it's a great deal for $15!

Pass!

 

[rslaback]

3/8 X 30ft air hose reel: FAIL

Picked this up as a quick fix for "upgrading" my hose/fitting size from 1/4 to 3/8. Used a 25% coupon, originally $39.99.

Pros:
-Hose is nice soft rubber
-Reel has a lock/unlock position
-It's HF, so price

Cons:
-No hose to connect to compressor, need to buy/make one
-Connection to reel from compressor is 1/4, not 3/8
-Hose end is 1/4, not 3/8

Cons out weigh the pros for this, so I'm calling it a FAIL.

Sadly, I'm keeping it for now, I can reuse the reel and replace the hose at a later time.

a 3/8" hose usually has 1/4" NPT threads. That isn't just a HF thing.

https://www.grainger.com/category/a...ses/pneumatics/ecatalog/N-zldZ1yzukwpZ1z0o066

 

[555]

I had one of the free multimeters blow the leads completely out of it while testing a 120v circuit. Yes I checked to make sure it was set correctly before attempting to test the circuit and everything was correct. I did not take it back, just threw it in the trash. I was at Harbor Freight this morning and another customer carried one in that had the same damage and he described the same situation. HF gave him another meter. I'm not going to suggest that all of them are faulty, but apparently some of them are.

 

[CSRPenFab]

I had one of the free multimeters blow the leads completely out of it while testing a 120v circuit. Yes I checked to make sure it was set correctly before attempting to test the circuit and everything was correct. I did not take it back, just threw it in the trash. I was at Harbor Freight this morning and another customer carried one in that had the same damage and he described the same situation. HF gave him another meter. I'm not going to suggest that all of them are faulty, but apparently some of them are.

Same thing here. I stuck the probes of my "freebie" meter into a 110v outlet to test it, and bam! It fried the unit and smoked both probes. I trashed it and bought a better HF multimeter with sound that actually works very well\!

 

[Motorman55]

1) Predator 8750 Generator #68530/86/85/71. BIG PASS

Used my harbor freight generator this past week after losing all power for 12 hours. This was the first time I used it since I purchased it new Jan 2015. Had the same gas with fuel stabilizer in it since new. I Only ran it once in awhile for a few minutes over that time period just to flush the gas thru the carb.

Pulled the cord and it started right up. Ran 12 hours on 3/4 tank. Ran my window A/C, fan, TV, lights and electric stove. No problems and plenty of power to spare if needed. Back fed thru the Dryer outlet.

Saved my fully stocked frig contents and kept us nice and cool while we watched TV.

2) Flat Free Generator Wheel Kit with Handle #68531/86 PASS/FAIL Both the two 8" Wheels and Handle PASS, but the two rubber vibration pads just crumbled apart. The rubber vibration pads ****. Will make my own to replace and all will be good.

 

[Motorman55]

3/8 X 30ft air hose reel: FAIL

Picked this up as a quick fix for "upgrading" my hose/fitting size from 1/4 to 3/8. Used a 25% coupon, originally $39.99.

Pros:
-Hose is nice soft rubber
-Reel has a lock/unlock position
-It's HF, so price

Cons:
-No hose to connect to compressor, need to buy/make one
-Connection to reel from compressor is 1/4, not 3/8
-Hose end is 1/4, not 3/8

Cons out weigh the pros for this, so I'm calling it a FAIL.

Sadly, I'm keeping it for now, I can reuse the reel and replace the hose at a later time.

You probably will have to supply your own pigtail hose on any other brand of hose reel. How would they know how far your going to place the reel from your main air line connection.

 

[trs71]

Well I was looking for a battery drain on a jeep and inadvertently hooked the freebie meter up between the - & + on the battery and did a Current test, Smoked the leads some but it still works.

(Would I use it testing an pcb board-no, just about anything where tolerance isn't that important, sure why not?)

 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

1) Predator 8750 Generator #68530/86/85/71. BIG PASS

Used my harbor freight generator this past week after losing all power for 12 hours. This was the first time I used it since I purchased it new Jan 2015. Had the same gas with fuel stabilizer in it since new. I Only ran it once in awhile for a few minutes over that time period just to flush the gas thru the carb.

Pulled the cord and it started right up. Ran 12 hours on 3/4 tank. Ran my window A/C, fan, TV, lights and electric stove. No problems and plenty of power to spare if needed. Back fed thru the Dryer outlet.

Saved my fully stocked frig contents and kept us nice and cool while we watched TV.

2) Flat Free Generator Wheel Kit with Handle #68531/86 PASS/FAIL Both the two 8" Wheels and Handle PASS, but the two rubber vibration pads just crumbled apart. The rubber vibration pads ****. Will make my own to replace and all will be good.

I thought backfeeding was a no-no? Could kill a lineman working to restore power right?

Or did I hear wrong?

 

[FigureItOut]

I thought backfeeding was a no-no? Could kill a lineman working to restore power right?

Or did I hear wrong?

Big no-no. And very illegal. It's dangerous if you **** up, but so are a lot of things we do every day. I still wouldn't do it, it's not terribly difficult to install a manual transfer switch.

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[Alchymist]

^^^ What he said. And don't let the POCO find you doing it, they take a very dim view of such things.

 

[Bumdog2112]

I thought backfeeding was a no-no? Could kill a lineman working to restore power right?

Or did I hear wrong?

Be sure to turn your Main Breaker off so you're not sending power out to the street.

 

[jallyn]

Be sure to turn your Main Breaker off so you're not sending power out to the street.

Right.

When power goes out:
1. Turn off main breaker
2. Connect generator to your breaker panel
3. Turn on generator.

When power comes back (neighbors have power again or street lamps on):
1. Turn off generator.
2. Disconnect generator from your breaker panel
3. Turn on main breaker

 

[anndel]

Big no-no. And very illegal. It's dangerous if you **** up, but so are a lot of things we do every day. I still wouldn't do it, it's not terribly difficult to install a manual transfer switch.

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I believe that violates the NEC (National Electrical Code) and read it some years ago regarding backfeeding a generator. The Army 249 Primepower connects to a building providing power during outages but have a disconnect switch to remove the entire building from the grid before starting up their generators.

 

[Alchymist]

Be sure to turn your Main Breaker off so you're not sending power out to the street.

BS - just don't do it. Transfer switches are cheap......

 

[Motorman55]

Right.

When power goes out:
1. Turn off main breaker
2. Connect generator to your breaker panel
3. Turn on generator.

When power comes back (neighbors have power again or street lamps on):
1. Turn off generator.
2. Disconnect generator from your breaker panel
3. Turn on main breaker

Yes, & using the dryer outlet receptacle just acts as a quick feed connection to the panel. But I'm not telling anyone else they should do it.

 

[Alchymist]

Yes, & using the dryer outlet receptacle just acts as a quick feed connection to the panel. But I'm not telling anyone else they should do it.

I wouldn't tell anyone to do it either. It's the dumbest thing you can do. Well, maybe not the dumbest, but it's right up there near the top.

 

[Sticky Grips]

As long as the main is shut off, and you're dilligent about backfeeding, I don't see an issue.

I occasioonally have to do it through a 50A welder outlet. Its best to get a panel interlock or a transfer switch though.

 

[Alchymist]

As long as the main is shut off, and you're dilligent about backfeeding, I don't see an issue.

I occasioonally have to do it through a 50A welder outlet. Its best to get a panel interlock or a transfer switch though.

The issue is with the diligence part - it only takes once.

 

[Sticky Grips]

The issue is with the diligence part - it only takes once.

Got that right!

 

[JerryC]

If you back feed the mains, won't it try to power every load on the circuit (neighborhood) and pop the breakers on the generator?

 

[Sticky Grips]

If you back feed the mains, won't it try to power every load on the circuit (neighborhood) and pop the breakers on the generator?

You have to selectively shut items off, like AC for one.

I just stick to lights, refrigerators, etc.

 

[JerryC]

You have to selectively shut items off, like AC for one.

I just stick to lights, refrigerators, etc.

Not just your house, but every house connected to the external power lines.

 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I'm sure that those in the know can do it safely. The problem is the "Home Depot" set who buys a generator and backfeeds it and doesn't care about the mains breaker. From what I've read this became more widely known in the 2000's and in 2005 there were more than a few linemen who died from morons backfeeding without turning off the main breaker.

You can probably backfeed safely assuming you're diligent, but tell you neighbor Cletus about backfeeding through the dryer line, and he may or may not know or remember or even care about the main breaker aspect of backfeeding, and the danger to guy working on the lines.

Plus there's the legality aspect and one of my rules in life is always follow the rules and laws to the best of my ability.

 

[JerryC]

You can probably backfeed safely assuming you're diligent, but tell you neighbor Cletus about backfeeding through the dryer line, and he may or may not know or remember or even care about the main breaker aspect of backfeeding, and the danger to guy working on the lines.

Plus there's the legality aspect and one of my rules in life is always follow the rules and laws to the best of my ability.

So what I was asking is if you back feed into the mains, which could kill a lineman, wouldn't your generator also try to power your neighbor Cletus's house and all of the other houses on the circuit? And wouldn't that just shut down the generator from overload?

 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

So what I was asking is if you back feed into the mains, which could kill a lineman, wouldn't your generator also try to power your neighbor Cletus's house and all of the other houses on the circuit? And wouldn't that just shut down the generator from overload?

Good question. I believe there is a step down transformer between power lines and the POCO drop to the house, which would lessen voltage greatly. Someone more knowledgeable will have to fill in.

This makes me wonder if that is the danger to guys working on the lines: that reversing a step down transforming actually creates a step up transformer which steps up the voltage, with lesser amps.

Speculation only, I have no idea.

 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

This link seems to confirm what I said:

http://www.cmpco.com/UsageAndSafety/electricalsafety/GeneratorSafety/backfeed.html

Direct Connection: A directly connected generator can 'backfeed' onto the power lines connected to your home. Utility transformers can then step-up or magnify this backfeed to thousands of volts—and that can be a hazard to a utility lineworker making outage repairs.

Voltage vs. amps is sort of like water pressure and water volume. Think of a pressure washer vs. your garden hose. Pressure washer has tremendous water pressure, but the volume of water is very low. Water hose and much less pressure, but the volume of water is much higher.

A step up transformer is kind of like your pressure washer if you would like to use the water/electric analogy.

Ohm's law ftw.

 

[Alchymist]

So what I was asking is if you back feed into the mains, which could kill a lineman, wouldn't your generator also try to power your neighbor Cletus's house and all of the other houses on the circuit? And wouldn't that just shut down the generator from overload?

It would shut down the generator, AFTER the initial surge as you plugged it in. That initial surge, stepped up through a transformer could develop some hefty voltages down the line. There's a reason it's not an approved practice.

 

[CoogarXR]

Alright, enough about the proper way to connect a generator. Back to the HF tools

 

[thool]

The pneumatic roller seat (circular red seat) was $20 this past weekend...PASS

Pleasantly surprised with the solid feel. The base is thick steel with casters pre-mounted, and it will make kneeling and squatting mostly a thing of the past. Everything presses into place, so I would feel a little better if there was a couple set screws.

 

[JerryC]

Alright, enough about the proper way to connect a generator. Back to the HF tools

Did I forget to mention I have a HF 3200 watt generator? With a whole lot of extension cords.

I bought it 2.5 years ago for protection against power outages. We have had two outages, neither lasted long enough for me to setup the generator. It's like a big rabbits foot that wards off power outages.

I start it every couple of weeks and let it run a while when I cut the grass. Never takes more than two pulls. I have it hooked to a 60 watt lamp to be sure it's still working.

I've tested it running running my 4 ton and 2 ton furnaces simultaneously off of one leg of the genny. I've also test run my 20 yr old Kenmore refrigerator and a 10000 btu window ac unit with ease. I was very surprised at what the little guy can handle.

 

[bubinga]

If your Main is SHUT OFF!
Are you not only feeding your house side, Not The PC, or Neighbors side of the line.

 

[wasabiboys]

Already talked about at length but my two cents not the worst ratchet. Used in the boneyard for a couple of items. Put juice to it, didnt break. Not the best but not bad when on sale.

http://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-professional-flex-head-long-handle-ratchet-62333.html

 

[chris142]

If your Main is SHUT OFF!
Are you not only feeding your house side, Not The PC, or Neighbors side of the line.

Would the house be unfused?

 

[jakemac]

Would the house be unfused?

It would depend on how you hooked into the box and where you drew the power from. The generator would still be fused though.


I strongly feel the need to point out what others have already posted.
Powering your house lines from a portable generator without using a transfer switch is ILLEGAL in all 50 states !

Not only could you face criminal charges and fines if you get caught, but if there is an incident your insurance company WILL refuse to pay damages due to willful neglect on your part. You would be responsible for all financial costs for damages and/or injuries in addition to any criminal penalties.

I ask - Is your family's future worth the risk for a few hours of power ?

It's much easier to just run properly rated extension cords for the few hours needed once every year or two.

 

[chris142]

I have ran cords through the house since I don't know how to hook to the box

 

[airshow]

Another +1 for the HF44 box. Tonight just bought the HF44 box for $348 and the 7 drawer end cabinet for $190. Only hiccup was enlarging the 2 end cabinet mounting holes so I could get the fronts of each cabinet to align perfectly. Extremely pleased with all aspects for fit/finish/function of both units. I may buy another 44 as I revamp my garage.

HF44 - PASS
end cabinet - PASS

 

[wttwoa]

anyone have any experience with the pittsburgh jack stands Item#38846? i had a cheap black jack floor jack and a set of jack stands that i let borrow to change the fuel pump in a tahoe and he decided to leave them there over night and they somehow disappeared. i had a better floor jack that i dont loan out so im not sweating it, but i dont have another set of jacks so i was thinking of picking up a set or 2 over the weekend since they are on sale for $17. opinions?

 

[camd64]

anyone have any experience with the pittsburgh jack stands Item#38846? i had a cheap black jack floor jack and a set of jack stands that i let borrow to change the fuel pump in a tahoe and he decided to leave them there over night and they somehow disappeared. i had a better floor jack that i dont loan out so im not sweating it, but i dont have another set of jacks so i was thinking of picking up a set or 2 over the weekend since they are on sale for $17. opinions?

I just recently picked up a set and they work just fine. The box shows the deep saddle type but they are in fact a shallow saddle which is what I wanted.