The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[jgromada]

Don't know if this is repetitive (don't care to read through 439 pages of responses).

I love these 20 Bin Medium Portable Parts Storage Case
https://www.harborfreight.com/tool-...medium-portable-parts-storage-case-62778.html Buy them when you get the coupon for $5.99. I am making a full cabinet of these as per numerous plans online. They are fairly durable. I had one half filled and I accidently dropped this down a flight of wooden stairs. I was half expecting the plastic to be cracked or the hinge broken. It held up fine! PASS w flying colors!

I just got one of the Bauer portable band saws. So far so good, I opted for a better metal blade from Lenox (from Lowes). I give this a PASS as well.

 

[pstemari]

Don't know if this is repetitive (don't care to read through 439 pages of responses).

I love these 20 Bin Medium Portable Parts Storage Case
https://www.harborfreight.com/tool-...medium-portable-parts-storage-case-62778.html Buy them when you get the coupon for $5.99. ...

Hmm, that looks identical to the Stanley item. Same bins, molding details on the lid, etc. They look pretty similar to the ones Adam Savage of Mythbusters was using in his shop.



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[Tp2177]

Wide crown pneumatic stapler is still holding up great! Almost 1500 staples so far and no problems. Gonna use the 18 g stapler once I get everything done


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[jgromada]

They might be similar although whenever I am in HD I look at the Stanley product & it might run $15.99. It looks closer in size to the "Large" HFT box, which is typically around $11.99, also a bargain. Do have one of those too. Also a PASS

HD has their own similar option under their HDX brand which runs $10 for 2 so that is a buck less than the HFT option. Haven't tried those yet.

 

[philipjayadler]

Don't know if this is repetitive (don't care to read through 439 pages of responses).

I love these 20 Bin Medium Portable Parts Storage Case
https://www.harborfreight.com/tool-...medium-portable-parts-storage-case-62778.html Buy them when you get the coupon for $5.99. I am making a full cabinet of these as per numerous plans online. They are fairly durable. I had one half filled and I accidently dropped this down a flight of wooden stairs. I was half expecting the plastic to be cracked or the hinge broken. It held up fine! PASS w flying colors!

I just got one of the Bauer portable band saws. So far so good, I opted for a better metal blade from Lenox (from Lowes). I give this a PASS as well.

I have a few of these as well. Where did you find cabinet plans?

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[BellyUpFish]

Hammer Drill #60495 and Warrior Drill bits #62794 both get a pass from me. However, I've only got 2 holes drilled with it, but it beat renting a drill and buying the bits from Home Depot.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bzj7pW15cMk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[binovc]

Steel Mesh Deck Wagon (item#62576).
Pass!
We have used the heck out of it for years now, and it basically lives outdoors, sometimes under an outdoor roof.
BUT one of the wheel rims has now rusted out. HF does not carry a replacement wheel. Does anyone happen to know a source for a wheel?

 

[coolright]

Just got replacement tires for that cart last week, at my local HF. I believe they were like $5.00. Sorry that was tire and rim.

 

[binovc]

Thanks coolright! Guess I'll have to go to the local store. My intel was from calling the HF 1-800 number.

 

[aka Larry]

Steel Mesh Deck Wagon (item#62576).
Pass!
We have used the heck out of it for years now, and it basically lives outdoors, sometimes under an outdoor roof.
BUT one of the wheel rims has now rusted out. HF does not carry a replacement wheel. Does anyone happen to know a source for a wheel?

Sure they do. Lookie here.

 

[joseywales]

Pass- Orange suction cups, for holding up auto glass windows. The window regulators on Honda Pilots have a known fault and fail without warning. I used one of these orange cups to hold the window up, until I could replace the regulator. That took a couples the to get around to! I was so slow, the second regulator failed the day after I replaced the first one. Point is, the cup held the entire time and I now keep one in the truck!

 

[zendriver]

3/8" for a tire rotation? Should be using at least 1/2". I wouldn't expect a 3/8" to do that kind of work...

+1

I won't even use a 3/8" breaker bar for tire rotations.

Tool should be matched to the job.


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[M_George]

Just get a standard lug wrench. I have one I've used for over 40 years.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Pro-Lift-20-in-SAE-Lug-Wrench-W-9038/203732357

 

[revrnd]

Air nibbler - pass
It likes to be well oiled, more than a typical air tool but works well on sheet metal that's flat or has a gentle crown. Stuff with rolled beads to strengthen the panel will bind it up. Shoots out a lot of sharp crescents but that's true of all nibblers. I like pneumatic body saws (get the IR, the HF version is a super mega fail) but the nibbler is faster and you don't have to deal with dull blades etc. they each have their place.

I have used mine a few times since I got it a few years ago. Most recently a couple of days ago. It struggled w/ 18 gauge. I don't use it for anything 'close'. I'll lay out my part on the sheet & cut it out roughly w/ the nibbler. Cut to size w/ my band saw.

 

[thooks]

Plastic creeper



Pure
Junk

 

[Red Lion]

FAIL: 69452 and 61741 1/2 in. Heavy Duty Variable Speed Reversible Drill

I bought one, the first time I used it, it popped and smoked nasty smoke from the side of the drill that smelled like the kind in an electrical fire. Still worked though! But I didn't much care for that, so I exchanged it for another. The second one did not pop but during some low-speed torque turning it started to smell of electrical burning again from the drill. Figured I'd best return it.

 

[stonesfan68]

FAIL: 32046 Right angle die grinder

The drive gears failed after after about 20-minutes of use in a home shop.

 

[Project_shadow]

FAIL: 32046 Right angle die grinder

The drive gears failed after after about 20-minutes of use in a home shop.

I bought one and didn't have an issue, bought another to keep something different on, it was missing the zerk ball for the grease hole in head, that was a mess
First one died after a year of use in a tractor trailer repair shop though so it lasted longer than I thought

 

[97nismo]

FAIL: moving blankets

Outer color flaked off and exploded everywhere

 

[MNRZR]

FAIL: moving blankets

Outer color flaked off and exploded everywhere

Wow! Which ones are you referring to? I've had 5 of them for many years and think they are great. Use them all the time. I've always thought they were one of the best values at HF.

I'm pretty sure these are what I have: https://harborfreight.com/40-in-x-72-in-moving-blanket-62336.html

 

[stonesfan68]

I bought one and didn't have an issue, bought another to keep something different on, it was missing the zerk ball for the grease hole in head, that was a mess
First one died after a year of use in a tractor trailer repair shop though so it lasted longer than I thought

Yes, your experience and mine are consistent with the reviews at HF. I gave it a try, like I have with other products of theirs and it didn't work out, but I've I had really good luck with other tools.

This is my excuse to go by the Astro Pneumatic two-pack.


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[Project_shadow]

Yes, your experience and mine are consistent with the reviews at HF. I gave it a try, like I have with other products of theirs and it didn't work out, but I've I had really good luck with other tools.

This is my excuse to go by the Astro Pneumatic two-pack.


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I bought the matco 3/4 or 1/2 I don't remember

 

[Ign]

I used the HF tie rod sleeve adjuster yesterday on a rusty '80 GM drag link. I was very impressed, worked great and didn't slip.

Granted, I only used one size - I think it was the 1-3/8" but could be wrong

 

[kbuhagiar]

Wow! Which ones are you referring to? I've had 5 of them for many years and think they are great. Use them all the time. I've always thought they were one of the best values at HF.

I'm pretty sure these are what I have: https://harborfreight.com/40-in-x-72-in-moving-blanket-62336.html

Those are the same ones I have, and I agree, I've had them for three years and they are an excellent bargain.

Five stars!

 

[cheechi]

ok. I have never used 2 part epoxy before. I've mixed it for someone a few times was never told i was doing it wrong, but never did it by myself start to finish. So if I'm an idiot please feel free to educate me.

I think I got a bad batch of the 'instant' 2 part epoxy. I have one of the magnet paper towel holders that the 3 tack welds that hold the arm to the body broke. Probably fell down a few times, no big deal. Had the epoxy sitting around for another job, squirted some out mixed it up put it on the two projects and clamped the paper towel holder with a quick clamp tight enough that it should have been fine. Let it stay clamped for over 30 mins, took it to where it was going and attached it, come back 20 mins later the epoxy is still tacky and slipping down from the arm's own weight.

was I doing it wrong by using it when it says 'ready to handle in 30 mins' or did I do something else wrong? Or have others had issues with the 2 part epoxy they sell?

 

[wayne55]

I've had pretty good luck with their 2 part epoxy. I just try to squirt out equal amounts from the 2 tubes, mix thoroughly, and apply. Regardless of what it says, I always give it several hours to cure.

 

[Sweet Old Bill]

Your problem may be that the painted items did not properly bond.

 

[mbshop]

Most 5 min epoxies say will set in 5 minutes. But most also say to wait 24 hours to use. It is how I have always done it. So it will hold itself together after 5 minutes but I never have put it to use until 24 hours, no problems.

 

[xman_charl]

Older spot welder died a year back.

This is 4 months old...wonder how long it will last...

Charl

 

[Flinter987]

E-torx sockets are holding up well so far, really putting them to use lately on a Saturn Astra. Chrome feels cheap is my only complaint this far, but for the price I can live with it!!! Now have both the 1/4 and 3/8 deep sets.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

I think I got a bad batch of the 'instant' 2 part epoxy. I have one of the magnet paper towel holders that the 3 tack welds that hold the arm to the body broke. ....
was I doing it wrong by using it when it says 'ready to handle in 30 mins' or did I do something else wrong? Or have others had issues with the 2 part epoxy they sell?

Couple of things. Epoxy ages, so you need to watch that. Contaminants from the items being bonded can mess with the curing process.

I always leave the mixing container or cardboard sitting in the same area as the repaired parts to serve as a witness sample. You can check the residue from the mixing process to see if the epoxy is curing properly without messing with the repair.

 

[Locker537]

I've searched a bit, but does anyone have any comments on the welding storage cabinet? Current coupon makes it $149.

http://www.hfqpdb.com/best_coupon/WELDING+STORAGE+CABINET

This cabinet - https://www.harborfreight.com/welding-cabinet-61705.html

I was going to build one myself, but honestly the raw materials will likely cost more than this...

 

[aka Larry]

I've searched a bit, but does anyone have any comments on the welding storage cabinet? Current coupon makes it $149.

http://www.hfqpdb.com/best_coupon/WELDING+STORAGE+CABINET

This cabinet - https://www.harborfreight.com/welding-cabinet-61705.html

I was going to build one myself, but honestly the raw materials will likely cost more than this...

I have that very same cabinet. Works great! Here's mine...

 

[Locker537]

aka Larry - thanks. My gut says go for it.

 

[revrnd]

What do you guys w/ the blasting cabinets do for replacement acetate? I recall we had them for the blasting cabinets we had @ work, but haven't been able to find them @ HF or know where to find them elsewhere.

 

[tom-ky]

Fail
69265 Retractable hose reel

Hose is cracking pretty bad after only 4 months.

Fail
63424 Low profile creeper
Drags the floor when laying on it, plastic won't support my weight and I am well below it's stated capacity.

Really starting to regret some Harbor Freight purchases, hope my recent miter saw purchase at least completes the project I got it for.

 

[JRC3]

Fail
69265 Retractable hose reel

Hose is cracking pretty bad after only 4 months.

Fail
63424 Low profile creeper
Drags the floor when laying on it, plastic won't support my weight and I am well below it's stated capacity.

Really starting to regret some Harbor Freight purchases, hope my recent miter saw purchase at least completes the project I got it for.

How is the reel itself? Mine's kinda clunky but it works as it should. The hose seems fine after a year.

I bought the same turd of a creeper. I blame a buddy for that decision.

A mitre saw is one of the things I leave up to better names.

 

[tom-ky]

How is the reel itself? Mine's kinda clunky but it works as it should. The hose seems fine after a year.

I bought the same turd of a creeper. I blame a buddy for that decision.

A mitre saw is one of the things I leave up to better names.

So far the reel seems ok. Keeping my fingers crossed on the miter saw.

 

[wildbill23c]

So far the reel seems ok. Keeping my fingers crossed on the miter saw.

I have the Orange Chicago Electric Sliding double bevel 10" miter saw from like 10 years ago, still works great, I added an Irwin arbor mounted laser guide to it.

I also have the Chicago Electric 12" Sliding double bevel miter saw that I got 2 years ago for a flooring job and it works great as well. The built in laser guide is useless after a few cuts as it gets covered with sawdust. Other than that it works fine.

 

[Provincial]

What do you guys w/ the blasting cabinets do for replacement acetate? I recall we had them for the blasting cabinets we had @ work, but haven't been able to find them @ HF or know where to find them elsewhere.

Years ago I got some from an office supply place. It was kind of the equivilent of the old time hardware store, only office supplies. Acetate sheet was used to cover paper signs and drawings to protect it from dirt, oil, and grease. I don't know if it is still in use, but check an office supply that does more than the "Staples" standard stuff.