The Harbor Freight PASS/FAIL Thread...

[619DioFan]

3/8 inch drive swivel head ratchet - Pass

Picked up the 1/4 inch drive first and really liked it so went back and got the 3/8. after using it for a few days I am very pleased. I recommend these.

 

[ER70S-2]

4 Ft. LED Hanging Shop Light. Got it for $20. Pass, I guess. It's actually too bright for where I put it! Since it's mounted to a pretty low ceiling, it's blinding even if you see it out of the corner (or top, I suppose) of your eye. It's crazy bright. It will probably be perfect with some king of frosted diffuser under it.

https://www.harborfreight.com/4-ft-led-hanging-shop-light-64410.html

 

[Legion Prime]

4 Ft. LED Hanging Shop Light. Got it for $20. Pass, I guess. It's actually too bright for where I put it! Since it's mounted to a pretty low ceiling, it's blinding even if you see it out of the corner (or top, I suppose) of your eye. It's crazy bright. It will probably be perfect with some king of frosted diffuser under it.

https://www.harborfreight.com/4-ft-led-hanging-shop-light-64410.html

Thanks, I was actually looking at that coupon. I guess I'll go with the Smart Electrician 3200 lumen one Menard's has for $15. I was thinking the more lumens the better but yeah, if it's THAT bright maybe not so much. It also doesn't look like you can daisy chain the HF ones together.

 

[fordkid88]

HF has been displaying these cabinets for a year or more but has not been able to ship them. I finally got a 30" x 72" for storing paints and other flammables. I'm really impressed with the quality, and the ease of assembly. I looked at a lot of others but couldn't find anything this sturdy for anywhere near this price. They did up the price to $249 but the 15% coupon worked.

https://www.riverdavesplace.com/forums/threads/harbor-freight-yukon-brand.192099/

We're still waiting for these at my location.

 

[nealric]

I'm thinking about buying a 30" Harbor Freight 5 Drawer Mechanic’s Cart but I'm not sure it will fit in my wife's 2018 VW Tiquan. Anyone know what the measurement are on the box?

I managed to shove one into my Subaru STI (compact sedan) by taking it out of the box and putting the main part across the seats. Just told the cashier that I didn't have a truck and he let me borrow a dolly to wheel it out to the parking lot.

I'm quite sure you will be able to get it into a small SUV, even if you can't quite get it in intact. I was able to lift the main part by myself without assistance, though it's somewhat awkward to maneuver.

 

[jhermann]

I'm thinking about buying a 30" Harbor Freight 5 Drawer Mechanic’s Cart but I'm not sure it will fit in my wife's 2018 VW Tiquan. Anyone know what the measurement are on the box?

It fit into my Ford Escape without any problems.

 

[zendriver]

My home owner son, is more of a computer nerd than a handyman, so he looked a little bewildered when I purchased him the pressure sprayer last Christmas, I don't think he's ever used one.

They loaned it to another woman who loved it and then when my son got it back he finally tried it for himself.

He told me he couldn't believe how much he enjoyed using it And it worked great.

I'm going to speak for him and give it a pass.

https://www.harborfreight.com/1750-PSI-13-GPM-Electric-Pressure-Washer-63254.html


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[condition001]

3/8 inch drive swivel head ratchet - Pass

Picked up the 1/4 inch drive first and really liked it so went back and got the 3/8. after using it for a few days I am very pleased. I recommend these.

I'll second this. From what I can tell it's a rebranded Tekton...


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[techieman33]

I'll second this. From what I can tell it's a rebranded Tekton...


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I doubt Tekton makes them themselves. They probably just buy them from the same supplier with their respective branding on them. Just like the composite ratchets, and probably other things.

 

[condition001]

Probably—the ratchets seem of a higher caliber than most HF stuff


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[techieman33]

Probably—the ratchets seem of a higher caliber than most HF stuff


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Everything is just built to a price. They're basically like the Sears Craftsman of old. They don't make anything themselves, everything is contracted out to various manufacturers to make for them. That's why so many tools have 2 or more part numbers. Different part numbers come from a different factory.

 

[giants]

3/8 inch drive swivel head ratchet - Pass

Picked up the 1/4 inch drive first and really liked it so went back and got the 3/8. after using it for a few days I am very pleased. I recommend these.

Thanks. I'm going to check out the 1/4" and probably buy it today. With a 1/4" bit adaptor, I plan to use it as a screwdriver.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

30x18 carpeted moving dolly - pass

I've had a few of these for a couple of years, I keep transmissions on them to keep them easy to move. also have had a small block and trans on two put together, they hold up fine.


https://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb-capacity-movers-dolly-38970.html

 

[Kenstone1]

30x18 carpeted moving dolly - pass

I've had a few of these for a couple of years, I keep transmissions on them to keep them easy to move. also have had a small block and trans on two put together, they hold up fine.


https://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb-capacity-movers-dolly-38970.html

I buy the 18x12 dollies when there's a coupon because they have the same castors as the 30x18...just for the casters.

Some I have put some plywood across the opening, put them under all of my small tool boxes/welder/etc so I can roll them under by benches for storage.
I even use them to move stuff sometimes

 

[sreeb]

I buy the 18x12 dollies when there's a coupon because they have the same castors as the 30x18...just for the casters.

Some I have put some plywood across the opening, put them under all of my small tool boxes/welder/etc so I can roll them under by benches for storage.
I even use them to move stuff sometimes

I'm tempted to give these a fail. I have had some for years and they held up to all kinds of abuse.

The new ones are nowhere near as good. The wood is thinner and the cross pieces are made of plywood .

 

[Brandon_oma#692]

Titanium plasma cutter. Pass. This thing worked awesome for the little bit I used it today. Cut 3/16 plate and 1/4 wall pipe with ease. Cut some thicker plate I think 5/8 very nice just to try.

Working on a receiver mount for a truck crane. Square tube to go in receiver and 4" od gooseneck coupler tube for riser.

.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

stubby combo wrenches , 61395. they are made in china- PASS

https://www.harborfreight.com/12-piece-stubby-combination-wrench-set-97383.html

I bought these for one wrench, used it for tightening header bolts on a small block Ford, worked perfectly, so I gave them a pass. not sure how you could ever break one given how small they are. they fit the fastener tight. they're not the greatest wrenches, but they're not bad. with a 20% coupon they were $9.59 before tax.

 

[giants]

stubby combo wrenches , 61395. they are made in china- PASS

https://www.harborfreight.com/12-piece-stubby-combination-wrench-set-97383.html

I bought these for one wrench, used it for tightening header bolts on a small block Ford, worked perfectly, so I gave them a pass. not sure how you could ever break one given how small they are. they fit the fastener tight. they're not the greatest wrenches, but they're not bad. with a 20% coupon they were $9.59 before tax.

Thanks.

In what way(s) are these wrenches inferior to other brands?

 

[M635_Guy]

4 Ft. LED Hanging Shop Light. Got it for $20. Pass, I guess. It's actually too bright for where I put it! Since it's mounted to a pretty low ceiling, it's blinding even if you see it out of the corner (or top, I suppose) of your eye. It's crazy bright. It will probably be perfect with some king of frosted diffuser under it.

That's exactly what I need for my garage. Will grab a couple of those soon...

 

[emeraldcoupe]

Thanks.

In what way(s) are these wrenches inferior to other brands?

this is the first set of stubbys I've ever had, so can't compare to any other. but as far as not the greatest, that's me comparing the finish to my other wrenches. the chrome is "ok" some of them have a dimple on them, the back side of the box ends on a few look kind of rough, but they function fine.

 

[sreeb]

Yikes. Could probably make a better one out of scrap lumber.

They aren't what they were.

Just weighed an old and new one.

old: 11.5 lbs
new: 7.5 lbs

Everything is lighter duty.

Metal on the casters was 2.5mm, is now 1.75mm.

Good news is that they retain their 1000lb rating

 

[Brandon_oma#692]

Truck crane with winch. Pass. I got the base made tonight. Hung on the end and bounced a little then loaded up a harbor freight trailer frame by myself.

 

[Odd-job]

I use lake country or CarPro pads. Try better pads.


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Just followed your advice and bought some lake country pads (they are nice) although it sounds like Harbor Freight might be listening...


https://www.harborfreight.com/merch...-in-coarse-foam-polishing-pad-blue-56549.html

Will also give these a try the next time I see them in the store. Can never seem to have too many pads.

 

[soloz2]

Just followed your advice and bought some lake country pads (they are nice) although it sounds like Harbor Freight might be listening...


https://www.harborfreight.com/merch...-in-coarse-foam-polishing-pad-blue-56549.html

Will also give these a try the next time I see them in the store. Can never seem to have too many pads.

Nice, I actually find I use finishing and light polishing pads the most, those and glass pads.


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[DFB]

Any input on the 9 drawer YUKON

I been looking for it.

I had only seen the model with shelves and doors for a while

https://www.harborfreight.com/46-in-...top-56613.html

 

[javyLSU]

Any input on the 9 drawer YUKON

I been looking for it.

I had only seen the model with shelves and doors for a while

https://www.harborfreight.com/46-in-...top-56613.html

It's pretty chintsy. Nowhere near the U.S. General 44" you can get for $100 more when it goes on sale. I'm sure it would be fine for home use, but it's up to you whether the bump in quality is worth $100 more.

I would get this before ever considering the Yukon:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-4...s-Black-with-Hardwood-Top-H46MWC9XD/303101236

 

[DFB]

It's pretty chintsy. Nowhere near the U.S. General 44" you can get for $100 more when it goes on sale. I'm sure it would be fine for home use, but it's up to you whether the bump in quality is worth $100 more.

I would get this before ever considering the Yukon:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-4...s-Black-with-Hardwood-Top-H46MWC9XD/303101236

I'm not looking to spend another $100

Now what in your opinion makes the Husky any better seeing they actually look the same on the surface with the same drawer configuration and top.

I'm not taking the time to look


So I looked at a lot Husky a couple of years a back before I decided one last Craftsman unit for my garage when I needed more storage. Wasn't all that impressed and mostly avoid HD anyhow when I can

Truly I thought the lower end Husky stuff was just as crappy as most anything else I had seen back then.

I have a one 5 drawer 26" lower a 26" 3pc tower and 41" 22 drawer top and bottom combo (anything Craftsman is totally gone for me around here now so that's out)

I need large drawer storage now get my bigger stuff into

 

[javyLSU]

The drawers (specifically the slides) felt more solid to me - a lot less wobbly than the HF box. Also, the Husky (normally a $398 unit, on sale for $298 right now) is a 24" deep box, vs. the 18" HF box. Husky box also comes with a built-in power strip.

 

[DFB]

The drawers (specifically the slides) felt more solid to me - a lot less wobbly than the HF box. Also, the Husky (normally a $398 unit, on sale for $298 right now) is a 24" deep box, vs. the 18" HF box. Husky box also comes with a built-in power strip.

Ok thanks those are all extremely valid comparisons indeed especially the $100 drop in price that I did not realize

And ya the drawer depth difference is also worth it for sure

 

[ChrisLS8]

The Yukon my friend has is about as flimsy as paper. He has an average amount of sockets and ratchets on the top drawer and the rivets pulled through the sheet metal after about a month. Obviously that's not a typical situation however is pretty indicatives of the quality of the Yukon versus their US general

 

[QwikKotaTx]

The tool cart has coupons as low as $139.99 recently. It says "new" on the coupon but I paid $179.99 for mine a few years back. Is this lighter duty or just a large price drop? It says 4 drawers, I believe mine has more.

 

[Rabid Badger]

The tool cart has coupons as low as $139.99 recently. It says "new" on the coupon but I paid $179.99 for mine a few years back. Is this lighter duty or just a large price drop? It says 4 drawers, I believe mine has more.

The 4 drawer is much lighter duty than the 5 drawer. The "new" tag is referring to the new colors they recently released.

 

[QwikKotaTx]

The 4 drawer is much lighter duty than the 5 drawer. The "new" tag is referring to the new colors they recently released.

Ok, thank you. I take it it's the one that used to only be available in black. I'm pretty happy with my 5 drawer's robustness.

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[81turbota]

Merlin high flow air fittings- PASS

Nicely made and don’t require pulling down on the sleeve to connect a tool. I can finally feed my MG725 steady 90 PSI through my system, the cheap fittings only gave it 70.

The high flow couplers work with the smaller brass fittings but not the other way around.

 

[jshillin]

Pass = Bauer Trim Router https://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-65-amp-variable-speed-compact-router-64944.html

I wanted a trim router to use so I didn't have to keep taking my standard size router out of the router table. I've been using this a lot for about a month making cutting boards for Christmas. It has worked flawlessly on hardwoods with various bits. I did grab it on-sale.

 

[Brandon_oma#692]

Pickup crane with cable winch. PASS I made a receiver mount for it instead of bolting it to the bed. Was very easy to load and unload my "new" mig welder.

 

[techieman33]

Merlin high flow air fittings- PASS

Nicely made and don’t require pulling down on the sleeve to connect a tool. I can finally feed my MG725 steady 90 PSI through my system, the cheap fittings only gave it 70.

The high flow couplers work with the smaller brass fittings but not the other way around.

You can get the Milton ones on Amazon which are identical for a much better price. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077Y7P9PW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[81turbota]

You can get the Milton ones on Amazon which are identical for a much better price. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077Y7P9PW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Nice! Thanks for the heads up.

 

[nickwd131]

I believe its a Milwaukee replica but I picked up the Earthquake 12v mini polisher for $89 with a coupon a few weeks ago and I love it. Use it every chance I get.

 

[chicane]

I have that one. very happy with it. also love the slim profile light.

https://www.harborfreight.com/845-lumen-underhood-rechargeable-work-light-63990.html